
Glass _- 
Book- 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



±'. 



'.£. 



HISTORY 



OF 




(INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES.) 



ITS PAST AND PRESENT, 



CONTAINING 

i CONDENSED COMPREHENSIYE HISTORY OF OHIO, INCLUDING AN OUTLINE HIS- 
TORY OF THE NORTHWEST ; A COMPLETE HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY ; 
ITS TOWNSHIPS, CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES. 
SOCIETIES, INDUSTRIES, STATISTICS, &c. ; A HISTORY OF ITS SOL- 
DIERS IN THE LATE WAR ; PORTRAITS OF ITS EARLY SET- 
TLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; MISCELLANEOUS 
MATTER ; MAP OF THE COUNTY ; BIOGRA- 
PHIES AND HISTORIES OF OUR PA- 
TRONS AND THE MOST PROMI- 
NENT FAMILIES, i&c., &c. 



Compiled by A. A. GRAHAM. 






MANSFIELD, OHIO: 

A, A, Graham & Co., Publishers. 

1807-1880, 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by 
A. A. GRAHAM & CO., 

In the Offlci' of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



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PREFACE. 



THE origin of this book lies in the fact that something over twenty-five years ago, Gen. R. 
Brinkerhopf then a young lawyer, who had recently come into the county and made it his home, 
conceived the idea of preserving the annals of its early history. He had married the daughter of one 
of its earliest and best-known pioneers, and, as his associations brought him in contact with the men 
and women of those days, he felt that a record of their trials, their deeds of valor, their bravery and 
their fortitude, ought to be preserved for the instruction of the generations that would follow them. 
To subdue the forest with its vast growth of trees, its wild animals, and wilder men, required courage, 
persistence and heroism. Only the men and women who possessed these qualities could hope for 
success, hence only this class came to stay. They fought their way to victory, and are entitled to 
a historic record as the founde s of a free country and a free people. 

Recognizing these facts, Gen. Brinkerhofp resolved to do his part in preserving the history of 
the pioneers of Richland County. With this object in view, he began to gather information in regard 
to pioneer times. In 1855, he became the editor of the Mansfield Herald, and soon began to publish 
the facts he had collected. He requested corrections and additions, and also printed a series of inter- 
rogations to call out further information. Then many of the earliest pioneers were living, and could 
tell him their personal experiences and recollections in regard to the events of " long ago," in Richland 
County, and could give him history that could not at present be gathered. By these means, he preserved 
the early annals of the county, that otherwise would be now irretrievably lost. His efforts called out 
others, who from time to time sent him their reminiscences. These, with his own, as they were pub- 
lished, were gathered into a scrap-book, and thus preserved in their order, under appropriate headings. 
At his suggestion, another individual, the Rev. James McGaw, was induced to take an interest in the 
enterprise. Mr. JVLcGaw traveled over nearly all the southern part of the county in search of the his- 
tory of different localities, sending to Gen. Brinkerhopf, the results of his labors, who published them 
in his paper. 

The massacre of the Zimmer, (commonly but erroneously known as the Seymour), and Rufi"ner 
families, furnished Mr. McGaw the plot of a pioneer story, which he successfully carried out. It was 
published first in the Herald as a serial, and afterward in book form, under the title " Pioneer 
Times in Richland County," It is a thrilling narrative of fact and fiction, illustrative of early days 
here. It was not intended to be a history, and was written simply as a story. It is now quite rare. 

Gen. Brinkerhopf followed the threads of local history, publishing in the Herald the items he 
gathered, [n 1861, the great war broke over the land, at once putting an end to all such work. 
After its close, he gathered the scattered fragments, and upon the establishment of the Ohio Liberal, 
by him in 1873, again began the publication of early remniscences, many of which he had written 
while in the army. 

A pioneer society, also, had been formed, and meetings held, where the subject of a county his- 
tory was occasionally' broached, but no decisive steps taken, as no one appeared who understood the 
compilation of such a volume. The American Centennial of 1876 revived the question of such works, 
and gave an impetus to their compilation, that is now practically being carried out all over the United 
States. On the 4th of July of that year, by request of the President of the United States, cen- 
tennial addresses were delivered in many of the counties in the country by competent persons, gen- 
erally those who had made local history a study. In this county. Gen. Brinkerhopf delivered the 
historical address. It was published in the county papers, and in pamphlet form. 

In the spring of 1879, the compiler of these pages, who had then had about five years' contin- 
uous experience in writing and compiling county histories and State gazetteers, came on a visit to 



PEEPACE. 



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Mansfield, and, while here, met Gen. Brinkerhoff, and learned of his efforts to gather the history 
of the county. Having a practical knowledge of the preparation of such volumes, he saw the opening 
presented here, and immediately entered. Gren. Brinkerhoff freely gave all his collected material^ 
became an earnest and efficient helper, and, with Dr. William Busbnell, Manuel May, E. W. 
Smith, Reuben Evarts, Dr. J. P. Henderson, and many others, took, from the beginning, an 
active interest in the enterprise. To the General's collections, as well as those of others, much of the 
accuracy of the volume is due. 

The work was commenced about one year ago. It was thought best to include an outline history 
of Ohio, as histories of the State are quite rare. Over one hundred pages of the book are devoted to 
this subject, giving in as condensed a form as possible the narrative of the growth of Ohio. 

Mr. N. N. Hill, Jr., a resident of Mansfield and a very accurate, careful writer, was engaged to 
assist in writing and compiling the history. For this purpose he visited nearly every township in the 
county, and gathered its local history. To his persevering efforts, much of the detailed history is due. 
Mr. Hill made the drawing from which the picture " the first cabin in Richland County " was made. 

Agents to canvass the county, and to gather the history of families, were secured, and sent into 
the county. Each township was kept separate, and the history of each family properly condensed 
and prepared for press. In some instances, the agents have gathered longer biographies than was 
necessary (noticeably the case in Worthington and Monroe Townships, the compiler not having time 
to revisit and rewrite their biographies. Only the facts are aimed to be given, and are all that should 
appear in any history. The compiler does not hold himself responsible for th« statements made in any 
biography. Each one was written at the dictation of the persons whose history it preserves, or by 
competent persons who knew the family, and who only can be held responsible. 

In this volume, the aim has constantly been to give the simple narrative of facts as they occurred. 
History is simply a narrative of events. In works of this character, it is impossible to obtain that 
accuracy of detail desirable. The memory of no one is infallible, and in this book the larger part is 
obtained from the recollection of those who passed through the scenes here recorded. Often such persons 
came to the compiler and desired to correct their statements ; asserting they had forgotten some valuable 
part, or unconsciously and unintentionally made a slight error. All statements were verified as far as it was 
possible to do so ; and, where any discrepancy arose, two or three statements were obtained, compared , 
and the proper one determined. 

To all those who have in any way contributed their aid in gathering and compiling these annals, 
the compiler desires to return his grateful acknowledgments. No one is more sensible than he of 
errors that may have crept into the work ; and none will accept kindly criticism more cheerfully. He 
expressly desires to extend his thanks to Dr. William Bushnell, Dr. J. P. Henderson, Mr. Reuben 
Evarts, Thomas B. Andrews, Hon. S. S. Bloom, Mr. John Ward, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Mr. H. 
R. Smith, Mr. W. W. Drennan, Col. R. C. Brovtn, and to others. To Dr. George W. Hill's 
valuable collections, which are frequently noticed in this work, and who has in manuscript form one of 
the best eounty histories extant; to Miss Rosella Rice, Mr. John Y. GLESSNER,"for the use of 
the Shield and Banner files, also to Mr. George U. Harn, for the Herald, to the Liberal for its 
columns, to the Mansfield Call, to Mr. A. L. Garber, for his aid, and use of the Bellville Star. 
Also to the Shelby Times and News, the Plymouth Advertiser, the Shiloh Review, and to other 
papers, who have all spoken a good word, and freely given their aid. In addition to these mentioned, 
many persons, in all parts of the county, and, indeed, in other parts of the State, gave valuable 
material, for all of which, and to whom the compiler sincerely desires to return his acknowledgments. 
Especially to Mr. Henry Newman, of Williams County, who visited Mansfield, that he might give 
the early history of the county, being the only survivor of its earliest days. "Thanks are also due 
to all the County officers, as well as to all officials who possessed records that could throw any light on 
past events, and whose use was cheerfully and freely given. 

Nearly three-quarters of a century have come and gone since the little band of surveyors under 
Gen. James Hedges began their labors in this part of Ohio, and measured the present domain of 
Richland County. Closely following them came Jacob Newman, who built his humble cabin near th-^ 
Rocky Fork, and began the life of a pioneer almost alone in this wilderness. In a year or two, others 
followed, attracted by the reports of the rich land in this part of Ohio. Different parts of the county, 






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PREFACE. 



then attached to Knox, became settled, and. though checked by the war of 1812, and the Indian 
troubles of that day, emmigration went on steadily and surely 

Tn record the events of this apse of time, has been the aim ol tnis dook. J-ne i-aoi, 
PRESENT has been ?ul of important events, and fraught with a deep interest to the ''e«c^".d;»te »/ 
fhiroioneers of °he PAST, whose sons and daughters of the peesekt enjoy the fru.ts of t'-e". ?b.°''- 
* -i^hUe the compiler au'd his assistant do not arrogate to themselves accuracy >'«J''°^^'=" '^^ 
yet thTntltive wil"! be found in a large measure correct . The comp,lat,on and »-?— ° *^^ 

bt:;:i:::::Xetinrirer™g:lS^^^^^ 

'°''Tat.he''pftrirhs;f'Ae PAST, and to the representative men and women of the pk.s.nt 
preserved. 




Compiler. 




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CONTENTS 



HISTOEY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER I.— Introductory, Topography, Geology, Primitive 

Races, Antiquities, Indian Tribes H 

CHAPTER II.— Explorations in the West 19 

CHAPTER III.— English Explorations, Traders, French and 

Indian War in the West, English Possession 37 

CHAPTER IV.— Pontiac's Conspiracy, Its Failure, Bouquet's 

Expedition, Occupation by the English 48 

CHAPTER V. — American Exploration, Tunmore's War, Cam- 
paign of George Rogers Clarke, Land Troubles, Spain in 

the Revolution, Murder of the Moravian Indians 52 

CHAPTER TI.— American Occupation, Indian Claims, Early 
Land Companies, Compact of 1787, Organization of the 
Territory, Early American Settlements in the Ohio Valley, 

First Territorial Officers, Organization of Counties 60 

CHAPTER VII.— Indian War of 1795, flarmar's Campaign, 
St. Clair's Campaign, Wayne's Campaign, Close of the 

War "^^ 

CHAPTER VIII.— Jay's Treaty, The Question of State Rights 
and National Supremacy, Extension of Ohio Settlements, 

Land Claims, Spanish Boundary Question 79 

CHAPTER IX.— First Territorial Representatives in Congress, 
Division of the Territory, Formation of States, Marietta 
Settlement, Other Settlements, Settlements in the Western 
Reserve, Settlement of the Central Valleys, Further Set- 
tlements in the Reserve and elsewhere 85 

CHAPTER X.— Formation of the State Government, Ohio a 
State, The State Capitals, Legislation, The "Sweeping" 

191 

Resolutions 

CHAPTER XI.— The War of 1812, Growth «f the State, Canal, 
Railroads and Other Improvements, Development of 

197 
of State Resources 

CHAPTER XII.— Mexican War, Continued Growth of the 

State, War of the Rebellion, Ohio's Part in the Conflict 132 

CHAPTER XIII.— Ohio in the Centennial, Address of Edward 
D. Mansfield, LL. D., Philadelphia, August 9, 1876 138 

CHAPTER XIV.— Education, Early School Laws, Notes, Insti- 
tutions and Educational Journals, School System, School 
Funds, Colleges and Universities 148 

CHAPTER XV.— Agriculture, Area of the State, Early Agri- 
culture in the West, Markets, Live Stock, Nurseries, Fruits, 
Etc.; Cereals, Root and Cucurbitaceous Crops, Agricultural 
Implements, Agricultural Societies, Pomological and Hor- 
ticultural Societies ^"^ 

CHAPTER XVI.— Climatology, Outline, Variation in Ohio, 
Estimate in Degrees, Amount of Variability 163 



HISTOllY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 

PAOB. 

CHAPTER XVII.— TopoGKAPHY and Geology.— The Divide— 
The Water-Courses—Soil— Surface Deposits— Gold-Iron 
' Ore— Geological Structure— Economic Geology 165 

CHAPTERXVIII.—ARCHiEOLOGy.— Mound-Builders— Mounds 
Classified- Mounds and Earth-Works in Richland County- 
Relics— Copper and Stone Implements— Axes, Mauls, Ham- 
mers, etc.— Mortars and Pestles-Plates, Thread-Sizers, 
Shuttles, etc— Wands and Badges— Paint Cups— Pipes 176 

CHAPTER XIX.— Agbicultcbe.— Agricultural Societies— 
Their History and Progress— The County Society, its 
Exhibitions and its Several Grounds— The Bellville Fair— 
The Plymouth Fair— Horticulture abd the Horticultural 
Society— Its Influence on the Growth of Fruit Culture in 
the County— Statistics of Agriculture, Taxable Property, 

193 

etc 

CHAPTER XX.— Indian Tribes in the Coumy.- Wyandots 
or Hurons— Ottawas- Delawares— Shawanees— Greentown 
-Jeromeville-Captain Pipe— Thomas Armstrong— Other 
Chiefs— John M. Armstrong, his Education, Marriage, 
Work and Death— Indian Villages— Manners— Customs— 
Food— Hunting— Marriage Ceremonies— Religion— Feasts 

at Greentown and Jeromeville— Removal 200 

CHAPTER XXI.— First White Man in the County.— James 
Smith and his Captivity— Major Robert Rogers and his 
Rangers— The Old Sandusky Trail-Girty and other White 
Renegades-Moravians and Their Missionaries— Craw- 
ford's March through the County— Caplivity of Christian 

Fast— Explorers and Hunters 213 

CHAPTER XXII.— The Surveyors.— Ordinance for the Sur- 
vey of the Northwest Territory— Ranges— Townships- 
James Hedges— Maxfield and William Ludlow— Jonathan 

Cox— Descriptions of the Surveyors' Field-notes, etc 220 

CHAPTER XXIII.— Division into Tow nships.— Wayne County 
—Fail-field County— Knox County— Richland County At- 
tached to Knox— Madison Township— Green Township— 
Richland County— Act for Organization— County Seat- 
First Division of the County— Madison, Green, Jefferson 
and Vermillion Townships-Troy and Mifflin-Worthingtdn 
and Montgomery— Blooming Grove, Springfield and Wash- 
ington— Orange— Milton— Franklin— Leepsic, Name chang- 
ed to Perry-Monroe— Plymouth and Sandusky— Hanover 
—Clear Creek— Sharon— Auburn— North Bloonifleld— 
Vernon— Congress— Formation of Crawford County— Ash- 
land County— Morrow County— Jackson Township— 

o.->t 

Butler — Weller— Cass '"' 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Early Settlements and their Exten- 
8I0N.— The Territory of Richland County— First Settler 



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CONTENTS. 



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PAGE. 

and Settlement — The Newmans and Brubakers — The New- 
man Cabins — Pole Cabins — Catharine Brubaker — First 
Saw-Mill — Arrival of Michael Newman — The Fountain 
Cabin — Early Settlers on the Black Fork — First Grist-Mill 
— Laying out a Town — Jacob Newman — Michael and 
" Mother " Beam — Second Settlement in the County — The 
McCluer Settlement — First Roads — Settlements in 1809 — 
Settlements in 1810 and 1811 — Opening of the County by 
the Army in 1812— Settlements in 1814 and 1815— Wagon 
Trains and other means cf Transportation — Taverns and 
Towns^Social Matters — Ring Fights— Wood-Choppings, 
Quiltings, Corn-Huskings, etc. — Wolf Pens — First Temper- 
ance Society — The Irish Schoolmaster — Fourth of July 
and Militia Musters — Ax Presentation — Agricultural Sta- 
tistics — Health — Congressmen from Richland 233 

CHAPTER XXV.— The Good Old Days.— Cabins and their 
Furniture — Early Educational Facilities — Clothing and its 
Manufacture — Superstitions — Salt — Hominy Blocks — Meal 
— Distilleries — Whisky and Its Use — Singing, Spoiling and 
Dancing Schools — Camp Meetings — Modes of Emigration 
— Emigrants' Trials — Observance of the Sabbath — Mar- 
riages — Deaths — Incidents — Mills and Milling — Flat-Boats 
on the Black Fork — Militia Drills — Pioneer Jokes — 
Johnny Appleseed's Nurseries — Old Indian Landmarks 248 

CHAPTER XXVI.— The Pioneer Society.— The Meeting at 
Hemlock Falls — The Organization at Bellville — The Organ- 
ization in 1869 — Constitution — The Centennial Meeting — 
The Meeting in 1879— General Brinkerhoff's Address— A 
List of the Pioneers 260 

CHAPTER XXVII.— "Johnny Appleseed." 269 

CHAPTER XXVIII.— Indian Tegubles.- War of 1812— Alarm 
of the Settlers — Block-Houses — Greentown Indians and 
their Removal — James Copus — His Influence over the In- 
dians — Burning of the Indian Village — Capt. Armstrong 
— The Killing of an Indian by Morrison and McCulloch — 
The Jones Tragedy — Search for the Murderers of Jones — 
The Killing of Ruffner and the Zimmers— Sketch of Ruff- 
ner — Battle on the Black Fork and the Murder of James 
Copus— Removal of the Copus Family — Mrs. Sarah Vail — 
Killing of Two Indians near Mansfield 272 

CHAPTER XXIX.— War or 1812.— War Preparations in the 
State — Condition of the Frontier — Hull's Surrender — Dis- 
position of Troops— Erection of Block-Houses— Sketch of 
General Beall's Life— Organization of his Army — Scarcity 
of Supplies— Beall's March — Camp Council — Meeting 
Among the Troops — General Harrison Arrives — His Speech 
— General Beall's Difficulty with General Wadsworth — 
Arrested, Court-Martialed and Acquitted — His Brigade Dis- 
banded — The Expedition of General Crooks and Colonel 
Anderson — The Statement of John F. Rice regarding the 
Battle on Lake Erie and Death of Tecumseh 286 

CHAPTER XXX.— The Mexican War.— First Troops raised 
in the County — McLaughlin's and Ford's Companies — Let- 
ter of Dr. William Smith— Second Year of the War — 
George Weaver's Company — Its Part in the Conflict 295 

CHAPTER XXXI.— Railroads.— The Mansfield* New Haven, 
and Monroeville & Sandusky Eoads— First Train in May 
1846 — Arrival of the First Train in Maasfield, and its Ap- 
pearance—The Roadbed— Breaking Ground at Mansfield— 
The Depot— Grain Trade— Oxford & Huron Road— The 
Mansfield & Sandusky Road— The Columbus & Lake Erie 



Boad — Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Road — Baltimore <fc 
Ohio Road — The Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Road 
— Springfield & Mansfield Road — The Bellefontaine Road — 
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, or the Pennsylvania 
Road — The Atlantic & Great Western, Name Changed — 
The Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Road — The, 

Telegraph— The Telephone 302 

CHAPTER XXXII.— The War of the Rebellion.— Com- 
mencement of the War — First News in Mansfield — Public 
Meetings — Major McLaughlin and the First Company — 
Departwre for Columbus — Miller Moody^s Company — The 
15th and 16th Regiments in the Field— Their Return — 
Captain M. R. Dickey's Company — Captain A. C. Cum- 
mins' Company — Other Companies — Return of the Three- 
Months Men 313 

CHAPTER XXXIII.— First Three-Tears Troops.— Re-enlist- 
ment of Three-Months Men — Unsuccessful attempts of 
Captain Beekman's Company to enter the Three-Months 
Service and their Return — Organization of Companies in 
the County — Thomas Ford Commissioned to Raise the 43d 
Regiment — Camp Mordecai Bartley — The 15th Regiment — 
Departure of the 22d — Roster of the 32d — Its Life in the 
Field 323 

CHAPTER XXXIV.— The 15th Regiment.— Roster— Organi- 
zation — Life at Camp Bartley — Leaves for the Front — Life 
in the Field — Sent to Texas — Muster-Out and Return — The 
2d Cavalry — Its service in the War. 331 

CHAPTER XXXV.— The Sherman Brigade.— Earliest Steps 
— lilr. Sherman's Arrival in Mansfield— Note — Interview 
with R. Brinkerhoff — Commencement of Recruiting — Will- 
iam Blair Lord — Captains Gass, Mcllvaine, Ayers and Others 
■ — Selection of Camp Buckingham — Arrival of Major R. S. 
Granger — His Former Life, Character and Standing — He 
Puts the Camp Under Military Discipline — Organization of 
the 64th and 65th Regiments— The Cavalry and Artillery — 
Senator Sherman's Letter to the Brigade — Quartermaster 
Brinkerhoff Detached from the Brigade — The Brigade's 
Departure for the Front — Its Disintegration as a Brigade — 
Rosters and Histories of the 64th, the 65th, the Cavalry and 
the Artillery 338 

CHAPTER XXXVI.— War History Concluded.— The 102d 
and its Organization — Death and Burial of Major McLaugh- 
lin — War Meeting.s — Bounties — Departure of the 103d — Its 
Roster — Its History in the Field — Its Discharge — The 120th 
— Recruiting to Avoid a Draft — Draft — Camp Mansfield 
Established — Drafted Men in Camp — 120th Regiment 
Organized — Roster — History in the Field — Consolidation 
with the 114th — Drafted Men in Camp Mansfield — Their 
Departure — Other Calls for Troops — Militia — Sanitary Fair 
— Ohio National Guard — 163d Regiment — Close of the 
War — Return of Troops 355 

CHAPTER XXXVII.— A Chapter of Tragedies.— Murder at 
Millsborough— John Welch Kills His Wife— The Rowland- 
Barker Affair— A Negro Killed— Return J. M. Ward— The 
Murder of Hall and the Peddler — Ward's Confession — The 
Steingraver Murder — Killing of Mock by Pool — Murder of 
Mrs. Lunsford— A Boy Kills his Brother — Murder of Will- 
iam Finney— tThe Killing of Alfred Palm — How Mansfield 
Treated her Thieves and Blacklegs 366 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. -Thk Mansfield Bar.— The First 
Courts of the County — The First Grand Jury — The Early 



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PAGE. 

Lawyers of Mansfield — The Visiting Lawyers — The Presi- 
dent Judges — General McLaughlin — General Eobert Bent- 
ley — Thomas A. Ford — Mordecai Bartley — Judge Brinker- 
hoff— L. B. Matson — Milton W. Worden — General Brinker- 

hoff's Review of the Mansfield Bar 377 

CHAPTER XXXIX. — The Public Buildings of Richland 
County. — The Old Block-Houses as Court Houses — The 
First Brick Ojurt House — The Present Court House — The 

Jails, Infirmary, etc 384 

CHAPTER XL — A List of the County Officers FRom 1813 

TO 1880.. 391 

CHAPTER XLI. — Blooming Grove Township — Organization 
— Physical Features — Settlers and Settlements — Pioneer 
Incidents and Adventures — The Stoner and Foulks Fami- 
lies — Mills — Schools and Churches — Trucksville— Rome — 

Shenandoah 393 

CHAPTER XLII. — Butler Township. — Organization — Topog- 
raphy — Early Settlers — Churches — Schools — The Village of 

Lafayette— Mills— The Grange— A Wolf Hunt 401 

CHAPTER XLIII.— Cass Township— Its Erection— Bounda- 
ries and Pliysical Features — Settlements — Indians — First 
Methodist Church — Schools and School Teachers — Towns — 
Old Salem — London — Plauktown— Shiloh — Its Early Set- 
tlers — Buildings — Schools and Churches — The Shiloh Re- 
view 404 

CHAPTER XLIV.— Franklin Township— Organization and 
Topography — Agriculture, etc. — Indian Occupation — Roads 
—First Settlers and Settlement— First Hotels — Distillery — 
The Lead Mine — Bear Hunting — "Shining" for Deer 
— A Snake Story — First Elections — Mills — Schools and 

Churches 413 

CHAPTER XLV. — Jackson Township. — Organization — Name 
— Topographical Features — Hunting Grounds — ArcliMolog- 
ical — First Settlements— Judge McClure— First Road- 
Uriah Watson — First Cabin — White Hunters— Early Set- 
tlers — Public Meetings — Town Hall — Schools— Churches... 419 
CHAPTER XLVI. — Jefferson Township. — Description — 
Streams — Timber — Organization —Early Olfioers — Reduc- 
tion to its Present Limits — List of Voters — First Settle- 
ment — Indians' Final Farewell — Pioneer List of 1869 — 
Bellvillo — Newspapers — Bangor — Early Schools — Religion 
— Churches— Societies — First Orchards — Distillery — Birtli 
— Marriage — Mills — Tornado — Stories — Bushong Murder — 

The Hermitess— Soldiers of 1812 426 

CHAPTER XLVII.— Early History of Madison Township 
AND Mansfield. — Madison Township— Its Formation, 
Physical Features and Population — Survey — Early Settlers. 
Mansfield — Its Location and Survey— Established on the 
Rocky Fork— Name— First Settlers— First Cabin— First 
White Child— Pioneer Matters— A Number of First Things 
—General Crooks— The Block-Houses— John M. May— The 
Sturges Firm— Indians— What Rev. .James Rowland and 

other Pioneers Say — Early Hotels, etc 443 

CHAPTER XLVIII.— The City CHURCiiES.—TheFirst Presby- 
terian — The Congregational — The Associate, Associate Re- 
formed and the United Presbyterian— The Methodist Episco- 
pal Church— The First Baptist and Central Baptist Churches 
—English Lutheran— Church of Christ— St. John's— 
Reformed Presbyterian— St. Paul German Lutheran— St. 
Peter's Catholic-^Grace Episcopal— African Methodist Epis- 
copal— Church of God— Believers in Christ 464 



CHAPTER XLIX.— Schools, Press, Post Office— The Pioneer 
Schools and Teachers of the City — The First Sclioolhouses 
— Division into Districts — The Present System of Teaching 
— The Female College — The Superintendents of the Schools 
— The Board of Education — The Erection of Schoolhouses 
— Progress and Statistics. 
The City Press— The Olive— Mansfield Gazette— Western Herald 
—Ohio Spectator— Richland Whig— Ohio Shield— Shield 
and Banner — Richland Jeffersonian — Mansfield H<Tald — 
Morning Pennant — Richland Biigle and Independent Press 
— Mansfield Courier — Ohio Liberal— Richland Democrat — 

Sunday Morning Call 

The First Post Oftice— The Early Mail Routes— Stages— Post- 
masters — Location of Post Offices— The Business of the 

Office 480 

CHAPTER L— Banks, Insurance Companies, Mills and 
Manufactures. — First Bank — Application for a Charter — 
Patterson & Co. — Mr. PurJy's Bank — The Sturges Bank- 
Richland National — First National— Mansfield Banking 
Company — Mansfield Savings Bank. 
The Richland Mutual Insurance Company- The Mansfield 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company — The American Mutual 
Accident Association.' 
Early Mills of Madison Township— Gilbert Waugh & Co.— 

Hicks, Brown & Co. 
The Aultman and Taylor Company— The Mansfield Machine 
Works— Cracker Bakery— Box Factory— The Western and- 
Buckeye Suspender Companies— Trunk Factory — Mans- 
field Woolen Mills— Mansfield Lumber and Building Com- 
pany-Paper Manufactory — Patterson, Creigh & Co.— 6. W. 

Forney & Co.— Other Industries 492 

CHAPTER LI.— History of Mansfield Concluded.— Fire De- 
partment and Water Works— The Mayors ot the City — 
First Council— First Railroad— Population and Business in 
1857_Gas Works— Railroads— Market House— Mansfield 
made a City— Erection of Buildings— The "Flush Times" 
Following the War— The Wholesale Trade— The Business 
of the Manufacturing Establishments— Incomes— Business 
of the City, According to the Directory of 1869- Library 
Association — Young Men's Christian Association — The 
Cemetery Association — Building and Loan Association — 
The Coldwater Railroad— The "Collapse" of 1873— Pros- 
perity in 1S79— General Review of Business 516 

CHAPTER LII.— Mifflin Township.— Location, Organization 
and B:)undary— Physical Features— Crawford's March — 
Home of the Red Men— Indian Relics— Settlers and Settle- 
ments — Daniel Hoover and his Bear Stories — James 
McDermott — Robert Bentley — Surveyed — Schools and 
Churches— Bridges on the Black Fork— Mills— Villages- 
Population 528 

CHAPTER LIII.— Monroe Towns ;!ip.— Boundaries and Phys- 
ical Features— Pipe's Cliff— Captain Pipe— Early Settlers 
and Settlements— Schools and School-Teachers— Pioneers 
and their Reminiscences- Bears, Wildcats, and Wild Tur- 
keys—Names of Settlers in 1819— Election— Churches- 
Mills — Pinhook — Lucas— Population 537 

CHAPTER LIV.— Perry Township.— Description— Streams- 
Organization — Early Officers Subsequent Territorial 

Changes— Early Settlers— Mills— Villages— Churches— Lost 

Run 547 

CHAPTER LV.— Plymouth Township.— Organization, Survey 
and Physical Features— The Wyandot Trail— First Settlers 



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CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

and Settlements— First Marriages and Deaths — Yearian 
and the Bear — The Martial Band— Charles and AVilliam 
Bodley— Entertainments— First Post Oflfice— First Frame 
and Brick Houses — First Preachers and Churches — Plym- 
outh Village — Its Location and Growth — The Settlements 
around Plymouth— A Number of First Things — Mills and 
Di.-'tilleries — Churches — Change of Name — First Mayors — 
^ Schools— Railroads— Wheat Market— The Call for Volun- 
teers — The Cemeteries — Banks — Newspapers — Population 
— General Business 554 

CHAPTER LVI.— Sandusky Township.— Its Primitive Condi- 
tion — Crawford's March — Hunting Ground — Early Settlers 
and Settlements — The "Riblett" House — Mrs. Hibner and 
the Bear — Organization of the Township — First Election — 
Schools — Churches — Origin of the Name 563 

CHAPTER LVII.— Shmion Township.— Organization— Water 
and Soil- — Indian Occupation — Roads — First Settlers — 
Indian Dance- and other Reminiscences — -First Election — 
Indian Trails— Mills 566 

Shelby — Its Establishment and Early History — Schools and 
School Buildings— Churches— The Press of Shelby— Insur- 
ance Companies — Business of Shelby 566 

Vernon Station 581 

CHAPTER LVIII.— Springfield Township— Location- 
Organization — Name — Springs — Physical Features — Agri- 
culture andTimber — Settlers and Settlements — The Finney 
and Roe Families and the Underground Riilway — Churches 
and Sabbath Schools — Schools — Saw-Mills and Grist-Mills 
— Villages — Population 581 

CHAPTER LIX.— Troy Township.— Original Boundaries- 
Early Entries— Early Settlers — Indians — Political Records. 

Lexington — Churches — Schools — Lexington Seminary — Ceme- 
tery — Division of the Township — Village of Steam Cor- 
ners 592 

CHAPTER LX. — Washington Township- — Organization — 
Springs and Water-Courses — First Election — Early Settlers 
and their Adventures — First Road — First Public House — 
Early Schoolhouses and Teachers — The Black Cane Com- 
pany — The First Temperance Organization — First Brick 
House — The Churches — Mills — Washington Village 600 

CHAPTER LXL— Weller TowNSHir.—Organization— Topog- 
raphy— Improvements — Early Settlers — Incidents and 
Reminiscences of Pioneer Life — The Englishman's " Cas- 
tle " — Soldiers in the Late War — The County Infirmary — 
Schools and Churches — The Railroads — Olivesburg Super- 
stitions 609 

CHAPTER LXII. — Worthington Township.— Organization^ 
Streams, Springs and Timber — Abner Davis — Scenery 
Along the Clear Fork — Fairview Rock — Chasm Rocks — 
Hemlock Falls — Standing Rock — Eagle's Nest — Pioneer 
Thrashing Floor — Indian Hill — Prospect Hill — Fountain 
Cavern — Giant's Plowshare — Watts' Hill — Dripping Rock 
—First Settlers— Wolves— The Pigeon Roost — Adventure 
with a Bear — Mills — Churches — Newville — Winchester — 
Independence — Hilltown — The Old Indian— Lyons 625 

Townships now in Crawford County, formerly in Richland. 

CHAPTER LXIII. — Auburn Township.— Survey— Organiza- 
tion— Physical Features — Jedediah Morehead — Two Her- 
mits—First Settlers— First — George Myers— Churches- 
Villages 637 



page. 

CHAPTER LXIV.— Jackson Township.— Crestline, Its Early 
History — Vernon Station — The First Railroad — Laying 
out of Crestline — First Buildings — A Railroad Town 
— Incorporated — List of Mayors — Educational Matters 
• — The Churches — Secret Societies^Growth, Hotels, etc. — 
Mills— The Press— Water Works 640 

CHAPTER LXV. — Polk Township and Galion. — Location — 
Name— Early Settlers— First Roads— An Indian Camp— Mills 
— First Schools and Teachers — Early Religious Societies and 
Preachers — The Establishment of Galion — First Post OflBce 
and Store — Churches — The Railroads — Banks^The Press... 646 

CHAPTER LXVI.— Vernon Town.ship.— Organization— Topog- 
raphy — Hunting Grounds — First Settlers and Settlements 
— West Liberty — De Kalb — Liberty Church 649 

Townships now in AsJiland County, formerly in Richland. 

CHAPTER LXVII.— Clear Creek Township.— Its Formation 
— Boundaries and Physical Features — Antiquities — Early 
Settlers and Settlements — Mills — Churches — Schools — 
Savannah 051 

CHAPTER LXVIII.— Green Township.— Survey— The Vil- 
lage of Greentown — Organization — The Man Green — 
Andrew Craig — Henry McCart's Family — Rev. John 
Heckewelder — Early Settlers — War of 1812 and Block- 
Houses — Indian Trails — Scenery— Water Courses — Site of 
the old Indian Village — Distilleries — Mills — Churches — 
Perry ville — Education 654 

CHAPTER LXIX— Hanover Township.— Notes of the Sur- 
vey — Organization and Physical Features — Early Settlers 
— Loudenville — The Bank — Mills — The Business of Louden 
ville — Secret Societie.s — The Church and Schools — The 
Press— The Mayors 659 

CHAPTER LXX. —Milton Township. — Organization — Bound- 
aries, etc. — Springs — Surveys — Soil and Timber — Hunting 
Grounds — An Otlicial Document — Early Settlers, etc 652 

CHAPTER LXXI.— Montgomery Township.— Survey— First 
Settlers and Settlements— Esquire Newell— Churches— Old 
Hopewell. 

Ashland — Its Early Settlers, etc. — First Carriage— Francis 
Graham's Recollections — Post Office — School — The Ashland 
College— The Churches of Ashland— The Business of Ash- 
land — The Newspapers and other Publications 664 

CHAPTER LXXII.— Orange Township— Formation— Indian 
Trails— Indians and Indian Relics — Ancient Relics — First 
Settlers— First Road— Mills— Orange Village— Churches 672 

CHAPTER LXXIII.— Vermillion Township— Formation— Sur- 
vey— Indian Trails— Timber— Early Settlers— Indians- 
General Refill and the Battle of Cowpens— First Roads- 
Mills and Distilleries— First Justices of the Peace— Educa- 
tion— Churches— Inflrmary—Hayesville Whisky as a Mo- 
tor 675 

Townships in Morrow County, formerly in Richland^ 

CHAPTER LXXIV. — Congress Township.— Boundaries and 
Physical Features — Early Settlements — Villageof Williams- 
port— Schoolbouses—Post Office — United Brethren Church 
Pioneers— First Mill — Mount Tabor Chapel — German Re- 
formed Church— Christian Church — Schools 679 

CHAPTER LXXV. — North Bi.oomfield Township.— Bound- 
aries— Surface — Settlers — Village of Blooming Grove — 
Churches— Stores, Shops, etc.— Village oi West Point— 
—Early Settlers— Churches— School 681 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Page. 

City of Mansfield 687 

Blooming Grove Township 744 

Butler " 

Cass " 

Franklin " 

Jackson " 

Jeiferson " 

Madison " 

Mifflin " 

Monroe " 



767 
774 
784 
788 
797 
815 
822 
830 



Perry TownsMp 

Plymouth 

Sandusky 

Sharon 

Springfield 

Troy 

Washington! 

Weller 

Worthington 



CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



Page. 1 

Auburn Township ^!! T ""^ Township, 

.Jackson " 



936 

ASHLAND COUNTY 
Page 



Ashland Township ^^Sr'"''' '^'°^°'^^P 

Hanover " ^^^1 

Miscellaneous 



Page. 

,.. 859 
... 864 
... 874 
... 877 
... 893 
... 898 
... 902 
... 911 
... 915 



Page. 

... 938 



Page. 



Township ^^'^ 

939 



KOTE -Chapters 1 2, 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 10, 11. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-The History of Ohio-and Chapters 17, 18- ^^^o, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31 32 
33, 3t36 and '^veL Wlt^en hy Mr. A.' A. Graham, the Compiler of the History ; Chapter 34 was written by Mr. Graham and C<.. R- 

C. Brown. ^ „.,, j 

Chapters '>4 2G 27, 28, 29, 37, 38 and 39 of the County History by Mr. N. N. Hill, Jr. 

Ch.p,., .5'.f >h.. p.,. .f U.. '■»'.;■•>"''>"; "y *"'/°r:,',%"'M 55 .6,67, 68,60,62,63, .4, 66, 66, 67. 68, 69, ,0, 7., 72 ..d 
46 and 54 by Mr. A. L. Garber. 



^ — ••- ^AocL^L^l^^if J" gA3-^- — ^« 



^ 



PJvinoaui 
2 >T?J 




li 



ICHLAND COUNTYS 

OWvo. 



Drawn b; JOHN NIWUAII, 

County Survey er, 



XIX, 



Hange No. XVIIl. 



fianga ^Oi XV IL 



^j 



<» Sh^ 



-I* 2> 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



CHAPTER I, 



INTRODUCTORY -TOPOGRAPHY -GEOLOGY -PRIMITIVE-RACES -ANTIQUITIES -INDIAN 

TRIBES. 



THE present State of Ohio, comprising an 
extent of country 210 miles north and south, 
220 miles east and west, in length and breadth — 
25,576,969 acres — is a part of the Old Northwest 
Territory. This Territory embraced all of the 
present States of Ohio, Indiana, IlUnois, Michigan, 
Wisconsin and so much of Minnesota as lies east 
of the Mississippi River. It became a corporate 
existence soon after the formation of the Virginia 
Colony, and when that colony took on the dignity 
of State government it became a county thereof, 
whose exact outline was unknown. The county 
embraced in its limits more territory than is com- 
prised in all the New England and Middle States, 
and was the largest county ever known in the 
United States. It is watered by the finest system 
of rivers on the globe ; while its inland seas are 
without a parallel. Its entire southern boundary 
is traversed by the beautiful Ohio, its western by 
the majestic Mississippi, and its northern and a 
part of its eastern are bounded by the fresh-water 
lakes, whose clear waters preserve an even temper- 
ature over its entire surfice. Into these reservoirs 
of commerce flow innumerable streams of limpid 
water, which cpme from glen and dale, from 
mountain and valley, from forest and prairie — all 
avenues of health, commerce and prosperity. 
Ohio is in the best part of this territory — south 
of its river are tropical heats ; north of Lake Erie 
are polar snows and a polar climate. 

The territory comprised in Ohio has always re- 
mained the same. Ohio's history differs somewhat 
from other States, in that it was never under Ter- 
ritorial government. When it was created, it was 
made a State, and did not pass through the stage 
incident to the most of other States, i. e., exist as 
a Territory before being advanced to the powers of 



a State. Such was not the case with the other 
States of the West ; all were Territories, with Terri- 
torial forms of government, ere they became States. 
Ohio's boundaries are, on the north. Lakes Erie 
and Michigan ; on the west, Indiana ; on the south, 
the Ohio River, separating it from Kentucky; 
and, on the east, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 
It is situated between 38° 25' and 42° north 
latitude ; and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude 
from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7° 50' west from 
Washington. Its greatest length, from north 
to south, is 210 miles; the extreme width, from 
east to west, 220 miles. Were this an exact out- 
line, the area of the State would be 46,200 square 
miles, or 29,568,000 acres ; as the outhnes of the 
State are, however, rather in-egular, the area is 
estimated at 39,964 square miles, or 25,576,960 
acres. In the last census— 1870— the total num- 
ber of acres in Ohio is given as 21,712,420, of 
which 14,469,132 acres are improved, and 6,883,- 
575 acres are woodland. By the last statistical 
report of the State Auditor, 20,965,3711 acres are 
reported as taxable lands. This omits many acres 
untaxable for various reasons, which would make the 
estimate, 25,576,960, nearly con-ect. 

The face of the country, in Ohio, taken as a 
whole, presents the appearance of an extensive 
monotonous plain. It is moderately undulating 
but not mountainous, and is excavated in places by 
the streams coursing over its surface, whose waters 
have forced a way for themselves through cliffs of 
sandstone rock, lea\ing abutments of this material 
in bold outline. There are no mountain ranges, 
geological uplifts or peaks. A low ridge enters the 
State, near the northeast corner, and crosses it in a 
southwesterly direction, emerging near the inter- 
section of tlie 40th degree of north latitude with 



■^ 



12 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



the western boundary of the State. This " divide " 
separates the lake and Ohio River waters, and main- 
tains an elevation of a little more than thirteen 
hundred feet above the level of the ocean. The 
highest part is in Richland County, at the south- 
east corner, where the elevation is 1 ,390 feet. 

North of this ridge the surface is generally level, 
with a gentle inclination toward the lake, the ine- 
qualities of the surface being caused by the streams 
which empty into the lake. The central part of 
Ohio is almost, in general, a level plain, about one 
thousand feet above the level of the sea, slightly 
inclining southward. The Southern part of the 
State is rather hilly, the valleys growing deeper as 
they incline toward the great valley of the Ohio, 
which is several hundred feet below the general 
level of the State. In the southern counties, the 
surface is generally diversified by the inecpuilities 
produced by the excavating power of the Ohio 
River and its tributaries, exercised through long- 
periods of time. There are a few prairies, or plains, 
in the central and northwestern parts of the State, 
but over its greater portion originally existed im- 
mense growths of timber. 

The " divide," or water-shed, referred to, between 
the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, is 
less elevated in Ohio than in New York and Penn- 
sylvania, though the diiference is small. To a per- 
son pa.ssing over the State in a balhjon, its sui'face 
presents an unvarying plain, while, to one sailing- 
down the Ohio River, it appears mountainous. 
On this river are bluffs ranging- from two hundred 
and fifty to six hundred feet in height. As one 
ascends the tributaries of the river, these bluffs 
diminish in height until they become gentle undu- 
lations, while toward the sources of the streams, 
in the central part of the State, the banks often 
become low and marshy. 

The principal rivers are the Ohio, Muskingum, 
Scioto and Miami, on the southern slope, emptying 
into the Ohio ; on the northern, the Maumee, 
Sandusky, Huron and Cuyahoga, emptying into 
Lake Erie, and, all but the first named, entirely in 
Ohio. * 

The Ohio, the chief river of the State, and from 
which it derives its name, with its tributaries, drains 
a country wliose area is over two hundred thousand 
square miles in extent, and extending from the 
water-shed to Alabama. The river was first dis- 
covered by La Salle in 1669, and was by him nav- 
igated as far as the Falls, at Louisville, Ky. It is 
formed by the junction of the Alleghany and 
Monongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania, whose waters 



unite at Pittsburgh. The entire length of the 
river, from its source to its mouth, is 950 miles, 
though by a straight line from Pittsburgh to Cairo, 
it is only 615 miles. Its current is vei-y gentle, 
hardly three miles per hour, the descent being only 
five inches per mile. At high stages, the rate of 
the current increases, and at low stages decreases. 
Sometimes it is barely two miles per hour. The 
average range between high and low water mark is 
fifty feet, although several times the river has risen 
more than sixty feet above low water mark. At 
the lowest stage of the river, it is fordable many 
places between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The 
river abounds in islands, some of which are exceed- 
ingly fertile, and noted in the history of the West. 
Others, known as '' tow-heads," are simply deposits 
of sand. 

The Scioto is one of the largest inland streams 
in the State, and is one of the most beautiful riv- 
ers. It rises in Hardin County, flows southeast- 
erly to Columbus, whcsre it receives its largest 
aftluent, the Olentangy «r Whetstone, after which 
its direction is southerly until it enters the Ohio at 
Portsmouth. It flows through one of the rich- 
est valleys in the State, and has for its compan- 
ion the Ohio and Erie Canal, for a distance of 
ninety miles. Its tributaries are, besides the Whet- 
stone, the Darby, Walnut and Paint Creeks. 

The Muskingum River is formed by the junc- 
tion of the Tuscarawas and Waldhoning Rivers, 
which rise in the northern part of the State and 
unite at Coshocton. From the junction, the river 
flows in a southeastern course about one hundred 
miles, through a rich and populous valley, to the 
Ohio, at Marietta, tlie oldest settlement in the 
State. At its outlet, the Muskingum is over two 
hundred yards wide. By inqjrovements, it has 
been made navigable ninety-five miles above Mari- 
etta, as far as Dresden, where a side cut, three 
miles long, unites its waters with those of the Ohio 
Canal. All along this stream exist, in abundaiit 
profusion, the remains of an ancient civiliza- 
tion, whose history is lost in the twilight of anti(|- 
uity. Extensive mounds, earthworks and varitius 
fortifications, are everywhere to be found, inclosing 
a mute history as silent as the race that dwelt here 
and left these traces of their evistence. The same 
may be said of all the other valleys in Ohio. 

The Miami River — the scenes of many exploits 
in pioneer days — rises in Hamlin County, near the 
headwaters of the Scioto, and runs southwesterly, 
to the Ohio, passing Troy, Dayton and Hamilton. 
It is a beautiful and rapid stream, flowing through 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



13 



a highly productive and populous valley, in which 
limestone and hard timber are abundant. Its total 
length is about one hundred and fifty miles. 

The Maumee is the largest river in the northern 
part of Ohio. It rises in Indiana and flows north- 
easterly, into Lake Erie. About eighty miles of 
its course are in Ohio. It is navigable as far as 
Perrysburg, eighteen miles from its mouth. The 
other rivers north of the divide are all small, 
rapid-running streams, aftording a large amount of 
good water-power, much utilized by mills and man- 
ufactories. 

A remarkable feature of the topography of 
Ohio is its almost total absence of natural lakes or 
ponds. A few very small ones are found near the 
water-shed, but all ttto small to be of any practical 
value save as watering-places for stock. 

Lake Erie, which forms nearly all the northern 
boundary of the State, is next to the last or lowest 
of Amei'ica's " inland seas." It is 290 miles long, 
and 57 miles wide at its greatest part. There are 
no islands, except in the shallow water at the west 
end, and very few bays. The greatest depth of 
the lake is off Long Point, where the water is 312 
feet deep. The shores are principally drift-clay or 
hard-pan, upon which the waves are continually 
encroaching. At Cleveland, from the first sur- 
vey, in 179(), to 1842, the encroachment was 218 
feet along the entire city front. The entire coast 
is low, seldom rising above fifty feet at the water's 
edge. 

Lake Erie, like the others, has a variable sur- 
face, rising and falling with the seasons, like great 
rivers, called the " annual fluctuation," and a gen- 
eral one, embracing a series of years, due to mete- 
orological causes, known as the " secular fluctua- 
tion." Its lowest known level was in February, 
1819, rising more or less each year, until June, 
1838, in the extreme, to six feet eight inches. 

Lake Erie has several excellent harbors in Ohio, 
among which are Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky, 
Port Clinton and Ashtabula. Valuable improve- 
ments have lieen made in some of these, at the 
expense of the Gleneral Government. In 1818, 
the first steamboat was launched on the lake. 
Owing to the Falls of Niagara, it could go no 
farther east than the outlet of Niagara River. 
Since then, however, the opening of the Welknd 
Canal, in Canada, allows vessels drawing not more 
than ten feet of water to pass from one lake to 
the other, greatly facilitating navigation. 

As early as 1836, Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Dr. John 
Locke, Prof J. H. Riddle and Mr. I. A. Lapham, 



were appointed a committee by the Legislature of 
Ohio to report the " best method of obtaining a 
complete geological survey of the State, and an 
estimate of the probable cost of the same." In the 
preparation of their report. Dr. Hildreth examined 
the coal-measures in the southeastern part of the 
State, Prof Riddle and Mr. Lapham made exam- 
inations in the western and northern counties, 
while Dr. Locke devoted his attention to chemical 
analyses. These investigations resulted in the 
presentation of much valuable information con- 
cerning the mineral resources of the State and in 
a plan for a geological survey. In accordance 
with the recommendation of this Committee, the 
Legislature, in 1837, passed a bill appropriating 
$12,000 for the prosecution of the work during 
the next year. The Geological Corps appointed 
consisted of W. W. Mather, State Geologist, with 
Dr. Hildreth, Dr. Locke, Prof J. P. Kirtland, J. 
W. Foster, Charles Whittlesey and Charles Briggs, 
Jr., Assistants. The results of the first year's 
work appeared in 1838, in an octavo volume of 134 
pages, with contributions from Mather, Hildreth, 
Briggs, Kirtland and Whittlesey. In 1838, the 
Legislature ordered the continuance of the work, 
and, at the close of the year, a second repoit, of 
286 pages, octavo, was issued, containing contribu- 
tions from all the members of the sun^ey. 

Succeeding Legislatures failed to provide for a 
continuance of the work, and, save that done by 
private means, nothing was accomplished till 
1869, when the Legislature again took up the 
work. In the interim, individual enterprise had 
done much. In 1841, Prof. James Hall passed 
through the State, and, by his indentificatiou of 
several of the formations with those of New York, 
for the first time fixed their geological age. The 
next year, he issued the first map of the geology 
of the State, in common with the geological maps 
of all the region between the Alleghanies and the 
Mississippi. Similar maps were published by Sir 
Charles Lyell, in 184.5; Prof. Edward Hitchcock, 
in 1853, and by J. IMareon, in 1856. The first 
individual map of the geology of Ohio was a very 
small one, published by Col. Whittlesey, in 1848, 
in Howe's History. In 1856, he published a 
larger map, and, in 1865, another was issued by 
Prof. Nelson Sayler. In 1867, Dr. J. S. Newberry 
published a geological map and sketch of Ohio in 
the Atlas of the State issued by H. S. Stebbins. 
Up to this time, the geological knowledge was very 
geueral in its character, and, consequently, errone- 
ous in many of its details. Other States had been 



^: 



_5) 



^ 



14 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



accurately surveyed, yet Ohio remained a kind of 
terra ivcogiuta, of which the geolcjgy was less 
known than any part of the surrounding area. 

In 1809, the Legislature appropriated, for a new 
survey, $13,900 for its support during oru; year, 
and appointed Dr. Newberry Chief Geologist ; E. 
B. Andrews, Edward Orton and J. II. Klipplart 
were appointed Assistants, and T. G. Wormley, 
Chemist. The result of the first year's work 
was a volume of 164 pages, octavo, published in 
1870. 

This report, accompanied by maps and charts, 
for the first time accurately defined the geological 
formations as to age and area. Evidence was given 
which set at rest cjuestions of nearly thirty years' 
standing, and established the fact that Ohio in- 
cludes nearly double the number of formations be- 
fore supposed to exist. Since that date, the sur- 
veys have been regularly made. Each county is 
being surveyed by itself, and its formation ac- 
curately determined. Elsewhere in these pages, 
these results are given, and to them the reader is 
referred for the specific geology of the county. 
Only general results can be noted here. 

On the general geological map of the State, are 
two sections of the State, taken at each northern 
and southern extremity. These show, with the 
map, the general outline of the geological features 
of Ohio, and are all that can be given here. Both 
sections show the general arrangements of the 
formation, and prove that they lie in sheets resting 
one upon another, but not horizontally, as a great 
arch traverses the State from Cincinnati to the 
lake shore, between Toledo and Sandusky. Along 
this line, which extends southward to Nashville, 
Teun., all the rocks are raised in a ridge or fold, 
once a low mountain chain. In the lapse of 
ages, it has, however, been extensively worn 
away, and now, along a large part of its course, 
the strata which once arched over it are re- 
moved from its summit, and ai-e found resting in 
regular t>rder on either side, dipping away from its 
axis. Where the ridge was highest, the erosion 
has been greatest, that being the reason why the 
oldest rocks ai'e exposed in the region about Cin- 
cinnati. By following the line of this great arch 
from Cincinnati northward, it will be seen that the 
Helderberg limestone (No. 4), niidway of the State, 
is still unbroken, and stretches from side to side ; 
while the Oriskany, the Corniferous, the Hamilton 
and the Huron formations, though generally re- 
moved from the crown of the arch, still remain 
over a limited area near Bellefontaine, where they 



i'niiii an island, which })roves the former continuity 
of the strata which comp(jse it. 

On the east side of the great anticlinal axis, the 
rocks dip down into a basin, which, for several 
hundred miles north and south, occupies the inter- 
val between the Nashville and Cincinnati ridge and 
the first fold of the Alleghany Mountains. In 
this basin, all the strata form trough-like layers, 
their edges outcropjiing eastward on the flanks 
of the AUeghanies, and westward along the anti- 
clinal axis. As they dip from this margin east- 
ward toward the center of the trough, near its 
middle, on the eastern border of the State, the 
older rocks are deeply buried, and the surface is 
here underlaid by the highest and most recent of 
our rock formations, the coal measures. In the 
northwestern corner of the State, the strata dip 
northwest from the anticlinal and pass under the 
Michigan coal basin, precisely as the same forma- 
tions east of the anticlinal dip beneath the Alle- 
ghany coal-field, of which Ohio's coal area forms a 
part. 

The rocks underlying the State all belong to 
three of the great groups which geologists haAc 
termed " systems," namely, the Silurian, Devonian 
and Carboniferous. Each of these are again sub- 
divided, for convenience, and numbered. Thuw 
the Silurian system includes the Cincinnati group, 
the IMedina and Clinton groups, the Niagara 
group, and the Salina and Water-Line groups. 
The Devonian system includes the Oriskany sand- 
stone, the Carboniferous limestone, the Hamilton 
group, the Huron shale and the Erie shales. The 
Carboniferous system includes the Waverly group, 
the Carboniferous Conglomerate, the Coal INIeas- 
ures and the Drift. This last includes the surface, 
and has been divided into six parts, numbering 
from the lowest, viz.: A glacial ed surface, the Gla- 
cial Drift, the Erie Clays, the Forest Bed, the Ice- 
berg Drift and the Terraces or Beaches, which 
mark intervals of stability in the gradual recession 
of the water surface to its present level. 

" The history we may learn from these forma- 
tions," says the geologist, " is something as fol- 
lows : 

" F!rst. Subsequent to the Tertiary was a period 
of continual elevation, during which the tojjog 
raphy of the country was much the same as now, 
the di-aining streams folic twing the lines they \wvf 
do, but cutting down their beds until they flowed 
sometimes two hundred feet lower than they do at 
present. In the latter part of this period of ele- 
vation, glaciers, descending from the Canadian 



:^ 



±1 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



15 



islands, excavated and occupied the valleys of the 
great lakes, and covered the lowlands down nearly 
to the Ohio. 

^^ Second. By a depression of the land and ele- 
vation of temperature, the glaciers retreated north- 
ward, leaving, in the interior of the continent, a 
great basin of fresh water, in which the Erie clays 
were deposited. 

^^ Third. This water was drained away until a 
broad land surface was exposed within the drift 
area. Upon this surface grew forests, largely of 
red and white cedar, inhabited by the elephant, 
mastodon, giant beaver and other large, now ex- 
tinct, animals. 

^^ Fourth. The submergence of this ancient land 
and the spreading over it, by iceberg agency, of 
gravel, sand and bowlders, distributed just as ice- 
bergs now spread their loads broadcast over the 
sea bottom on the banks of Newfoundland. 

^^ Fifth. The gradual draining-off of the waters, 
leaving the land now as we find it, smoothly cov- 
ered with all the layers of the drift, and well pre- 
pared for human occupation." 

" In six days, the Lord made the heavens and 
the earth, and rested the seventh day," records the 
Scriptures, and, when all was done, He looked 
upon the work of His own hands and pronounced 
it "good." Surely none but a divine, omnipotent 
hand could have done all this, and none can study 
the "work of His hands" and not marvel at its 
completeness. 

The ancient dwellers of the Mississippi Valley 
will always be a subject of great interest to the 
antiquarian. Who they were, and whence they 
came, are still unanswered questions, and may 
remain so for ages. All over this valley, and, 
in fact, in all parts of the New World, evidences 
of an ancient civilization exist, whose remains are 
now a wonder to all. The aboriginal races could 
throw no light on these questions. They had 
always seen the remains, and know not whence 
they came. Explorations aid l)ut little in the solu- 
tion of the problem, and only conjecture can be 
entertained. The remains found in Ohio equal 
any in the Valley. Indeed, some of them are vast 
in extent, and consist of forts, fortifications, moats, 
ditches, elevations and mounds, embracing many 
acres in extent; 

"It is not yet determined," says Col. Charles 
Whittlesey, "whether we have discovered the first 
or the original people who occupied the soil of 
Ohio. Modern investigations are bringing to light 
evidences of earlier races. Since the presence of 



man has been established in Europe as a cotempor- 
ary of the fossil elephant, mastodon, rhinoceros 
and the horse, of the later drift or glacial period, 
we may reasonably anticipate the presence of man 
in America in that era. Such proofs are already 
known, but they are not of that conclusive charac- 
ter which amounts to a demonstration. It is, how- 
ever, known that an ancient people inhabited Ohio 
in advance of the red men who were found here, 
three centuries since, by the Spanish and French 
explorers. 

" Five and six hundred years before the arrival 
of Columbus," says Col. Charles Whittlesey, "the 
Northmen sailed from Norway, Iceland and Green- 
land along the Atlantic coast as far as Long Island. 
They found Indian tribes, in what is now New En- 
gland, closely resembling those who lived upon the 
coast and the St. Lawrence when the French and 
English came to possess these regions. 

" These red Indians had no traditions of a prior 
people ; but over a large part of the lake country 
and the valley of the Slississippi, earth-works, 
mounds, pyramids, ditches and forts were discov- 
ered — the work of a more ancient race, and a peo- 
ple far in advance of the Indian. If they were 
not civilized, they were not barbarians. They 
were not mere hunters, but had fixed habitations, 
cultivated the soil and were possessed of consider- 
able mechanical skill. We know them as the 
Mound- Builders, because they erected over the 
mortal remains of their principal men and women 
memorial mounds of earth or unhewn stone — of 
which hundreds remain to our own day, so large 
and high that they give rise to an impression of 
the numbers and energy of their builders, such as 
we receive from the pyramids of Egypt." 

Might they not have been of the same race and 
the same civilization ? Many competent authori- 
ties conjecture they are the work of the lost tribes 
of Israel ; but the best they or any one can do is 
only conjecture. 

" In the burial-mounds," continues Col. Whit- 
tlesey, " there are always portions of one or more 
human skeletons, generally partly consumed by 
fire, with ornaments of stone, bone, shells, mica 
and copper. The largest mound in Ohio is near 
Miamisburg, Montgomery County. It is the 
second largest in the West, being nearly seventy 
feet high, originally, and about eight hundred feet 
in circumference. This would give a superficial 
area of nearly four acres. In LS64, the citizens 
of Miamisburg sunk a shaft from the summit to 
the natural surface, without finding the bones 



'^'^ 



^ 



16 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



or ashes of the great man for whoin it was 
intended. The exploration has considerably 
lowered the mound, it being now about sixty feet 
in height. 

" Fort Ancient, on the Little IMiami, is a good 
specimen of the military defenses of the Mountl- 
Builders. It is well located on a long, high, nar- 
row, precipitons ridge. The parapets are now 
from ten to eighteen feet high, and its perimeter 
is sufficient to hold twenty thousand fighting men. 
Another prominent example of their works exists 
near Newark, Licking County. This collection 
presents a great variety of figures, circles, rectan- 
gles, octagons and parallel banks, or liighways, 
covering more than a thousand acres. The county 
fair-ground is permanently located within an 
ancient circle, a qnarter of a mile in diameter, 
with an embankment and interior ditch. Its high- 
est place was over twenty feet from the top of the 
moat to the bottom of the ditch." 

One of the most curious-shaped works in this 
county is known- as the "Alligator," fi-om its sup- 
posed resemblance to that creature. When meas- 
ured, several years ago, while in a good state of 
preservation, its dimensions were two hundred 
and ten feet in length, average width over sixty 
feet, and height, at the highest point, seven feet. 
It appears to be mainly composed of clay, and is 
overgrown with grass. 

Speaking of the writing of these people. Col. 
Whittlesey says : " There is no evidence that they 
had alphabetical characters, picture-wi-iting or 
hieroglyphics, though they must have had some 
mode of recording events. Neither is there any proof 
that they used domestic animals for tilling the soil, 
or for the purpose of erecting the imposing earth- 
works they have left. A very coarse cloth of 
hemp, flax or nettles has been found on their 
burial-hearths and around skeletons not consumed 
by fire. 

" The most extensive earthworks occupy many 
of the sites of modern towns, and are always in 
the vicinity of excellent land. Those about the 
lakes are generally irregular earth forts, while 
those about the rivers in the southern part of the 
State are generally altars, pyramids, circles, cones 
and rectangles of eartli, among which fortresses or 
strongholds are exceptions. 

" Those on the north may not have been cotem- 
porary or have been built by the same people. 
They are far less prominent or extensive, which 
indicates a people less in numbers as well as indus- 
try, and whose principal occupation was war among 



themselves or against their neighbors. This style 
of works extends eastward along the south shore 
of Lake Ontario, through New York. In Ohio, 
there is a space along the water-shed, between the 
lake and the Ohio, where there are few, if any, 
ancient earthworks. It appears to have been a 
vacant or neutral ground between different nations. 

" The Indians of the North, dressed in skins, 
cultivated the soil very sparingly, and manufactured 
no woven cloth. On Lake Superior, there arc 
ancient copper mines wrought by the Mound- 
Builders over fifteen hundred years ago." Copper 
tools are occasionally found tempered sufficiently 
hard to cut the hardest rocks. No knowledge of 
such tempering exists now. The Indians can give 
no more knowledge of the ancient mines than they 
can of the mounds on the river bottoms. 

" The Indians did not occupy the. ancient earth- 
works, nor did they construct such. They were 
found as they are now — a hunter race, wholly 
averse to labor. Their abodes were in rock shel- 
ters^ in caves, or in temporary sheds of bark and 
boughs, or skins, easily moved from place to place. 
Like most savage races, their habits are unchange- 
able ; at least, the example of white men, and 
their effi^rts during three centuries, have made 
little, if any, impression." 

When white men came to the territory now em- 
braced in the State of Ohio, they found dwelling 
here the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees, Miamis, 
Wyandots and Ottawas. Each nation was com- 
posed of several tribes or clans, and each was 
often at war with the others. The first mentioned 
of these occupied that part of the State whose 
noithern boundary was Lake Erie, as far west as 
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, where the city 
of Cleveland now is; thence the boundary turned 
southward in an irregular line, until it touched the 
Ohio River, up which stream it continued to the 
Pennsylvania State line, and thence northward to 
the lake. This nation were the implacable foes of 
the French, owing to the fact that Champlain, in 
] (lOO, made war against them. They occupied a 
large part of New York and Pennsylvania, and 
were the most insatiate con((uerors among the 
aljorigines. When the French first came to the 
lakes, these monsters of the wilderness were engaged 
in a war against their neighbors, a war that ended 
in their concjuering them, possessing their terri- 
tory, and absorbing the remnants of the tribes into 
their own nation. At the date of Champlain 's 
visit, the southern shore of Lake Erie was occupied 
by the Eries, or, as the orthography of the word is 



:^ 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



17 



sometimes given, Erigos, or Errienovis.* About 
forty years afterward, the Irof(uois ( Five Nations) 
fell upon them with such fury and in such force 
that the nation was annihilated. Those who 
escaped the slaughter were absorbed among their 
con(juerors, but allowed to live on their own lands, 
paying a sort of tribute to the Iroquois. This was 
the policy of that nation in all its conquests. A 
few years after the conquest of the Eries, the 
Iro((uois again took to the war-path, and swept 
through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, even attacking 
the Mississippi tribes. But for the intervention 
and aid of the French, these tribes would have 
shared the fate of the Hurons and Eries. Until 
the year 1700, the Irocjuois held the south shore 
of Lake Erie so firmly that the French dared not 
trade or travel along that side of the lake. Their 
missionaries and traders penetrated this part of 
Ohio as early as 1650, but generally suifered 
death for their zeal. 

Having completed the conc[uest of the Hurons 
or Wyandots, about Lake Huron, and murdered 
the Jesuit missionaries by modes of torture which 
only they could devise, they permitted the residue 
of the Hurons to settle around the west end of 
Lake Erie. Here, with the Ottawas, they resided 
when the whites came to the State. Their country 
was bounded on the south by a line running 
through the central part of Wayne, Ashland, 
Richland, Crawford and Wyandot Counties. At 
the western boundary of this county, the line di- 
verged northwesterly, leaving the State near the 
noi'thwest corner of Fulton County. Their north- 
ern boundary was the lake ; the eastern, the Iro- 
quois. 

The Delawares, or " Lenni Lenapes," whom the 
Iroquois had subjugated on *he Susquehanna, were 
assigned by their conquerors hunting-grounds on 
the Muskingum. Their eastern boundary was the 
country of the Iroquois (before defined), and their 
northern, that of the Hurons. On the west, they 



* Father Louis Hennepin, in his work pulilished in 1684, thus 
alludes to the Erios: -'Tliese good fathers," referring to the 
priests, " were great friends of the Hurons, who told them that the 
Iroijuois went to war beyond Virginia, or New Sweden, near a lake 
which they called 'Erige,' or ' £ne,' which signifies 'the cat,' or 
' nation of the cat,' and because these savages brought captives from 
this nation in returning to their cantons along this lake, the 
Hurons named it, in their language, ' Erige,' or ' Erike,' 'the lake of 
Hie cat,' and which our Canadians, in softening the word, have 
called ' Lake Erie.' " 

Charlevoix, writing in 1721, says: "The name it bears is that 
of an Indian nation of the Huron (Wyandot) language, which was 
formerly seated on iU banks, and who have been entirely destroyed 
by the Iroquois. Erie, in that language, signifies ' cat,' and, in 
some acounts, this nation is called the ' cat nation.' This name, 
probably, comes from the large numbers of that animal found in 
this region." 



extended as far as a line drawn from the central 
part of Richland County, in a semi-circular direc- 
tion, south to the mouth of Leading Creek. Their 
southern boundary was the Ohio River. 

West of the Delawares, dwelt the Shawanees, a 
troublesome people as neighbors, whether to whites 
or Indians. Their country was bounded on the 
north by the Hurons, on the east, by the Dela- 
wares ; on the south, by the Ohio River. On the 
west, their boundary was determined by a line 
drawn southwesterly, and again southeasterly — 
semi-circular — from a point on the southern 
boundary of the Hurons, near the southwest corner 
of Wyandot County, till it intersected the Ohio 
River. 

All the remainder of the State — all its western 
part from the Ohio River to the Michigan line — 
was occupied bytheMiamis, Mineamis, Twigtwees, 
or Tawixtawes, a powerful nation, whom the Iro- 
quois were never fully able to subdue. 

These nations occupied the State, partly by per- 
mit of the Five Nations, and partly by inheritance, 
and, though composed of many tribes, were about 
all the savages to be found in this part of the 
Northwest. 

No sooner had the Americans obtained control 
of this country, than they began, by treaty and 
purchase,* to acquire the lands of the natives. 
They could not stem the tide of emigration ; peo- 
ple, then as now, would go West, and hence the 
necessity of peaceftilly and rightftiUy acquiring the 
land. " The true basis of title to Indian territory 
is the right of civilized men to the soil for pur- 
poses of cultivation." The same maxim may be 
applied to all uncivilized nations. When acquired 
by such a right, either by treaty, purchase or con- 
quest, the right to hold the same rests with the 
power and development of the nation thus possess- 
ing the land. 

The English derived title to the territory 
between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi partly 
by the claim that, in discovering the Atlantic coast, 
they had possession of the land from "ocean to 
ocean," and partly by the treaty of Paris, in Feb- 
ruary, 1763. Long before this treaty took place, 
however, she had granted, to individuals and colo- 
nies, extensive tracts of land in that part of Amer- 
ica, based on the right of discovery. The French 
had done better, and had acquired title to the land 
by discovering the land itself and by consent of 
the Indians dwelling thereon. The right to pos- 
sess this country led to the French and Indian 
war, ending in the supremacy of the English. 



■^ 



18 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



The Five Nations claimed the territory in ques- 
tion by right of conquest, and, though professing 
friendship to the EngHsh, watched them with jeal- 
ous eyes. In 1684, and again in 1726, that con- 
federacy made cessions of lands to the English, 
and these treaties and cessions of lands were re- 
garded as sufficient title by the English, and were 
insisted on in all subsequent treaties with the 
Western Nations. The following statements were 
collected by Col. Charles Whittlesey, which 
show the principal treaties made with the red men 
wherein land in Ohio wixs ceded by them to the 
whites : 

In September, 1726, the Iroquois, or Six Na- 
tions, at Albany, ceded all their claims west of 
Lake Erie and sixty miles in width along the 
south shore of Lakes Erie and Ontario, from the 
Cuyahoga to the Oswego River. 

In 1744, this same nation made a treaty at 
Lancaster, Penn., and ceded to the English all 
their lands "that may be within the colony of 
Virginia." 

In 1752, this nation and other Western tribes 
made a treaty at Logstown, Penn., wherein they 
confirmed the Lancaster treaty and consented to 
the settlements south of the Ohio River. 

February 13, 1763, a treaty was made at Paris, 
France, between the French and English, when 
Canada and the eastern half of the Mississippi 
Valley were ceded to the English. 

In 1783, all the territory south of the Lakes, 
and east of the Mississippi, was ceded by England 
to America — the latter country then obtaining its 
independence — by which means the country was 
gained by America. 

October 24, 1784, the Six Nations made a 
treaty, at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., with the Ameri- 
cans, and ceded to them all the country claimed 
by the tribe, west of Pennsylvania. 

In 1785, the Chippewas, Delawares, Ottawas, 
and Wyandots ceded to the LTnited States, -at 
Fort Mcintosh, at the mouth of the Big Beaver, 
all their claims east and south of the " Cayahaga," 
the Portage Path, and the Tuscarawas, to Fort 
Laurens (Bolivar), thence to Loramie's Fort (in 
Shelby County) ; thence along the Portage Path to 
the St. Mary's River and down it to the " Omee," 
or Maumee, and along the lake shore to the 
" Cayahaga." 

January 3, 1786, the Shawanees, at Fort Fin- 
ney, near the mouth of the Great Miami (not 
owning the land on the Scioto occupied by them), 
were allotted a tract at the heads of the two 



Miamis and the Wabash, west of the Chippewas, 
Delawares and Wyandots. 

February 9, 1789, the Iroquois made a treaty 
at Fort Harmar, wherein they confirmed the Fort 
Stanwix treaty. At the same time, the Chippewas, 
Ottawas, Delawares, and Wyandots — to which the 
Sauks and Pottawatomies assented — confirmed the 
treaty made at Fort Mcintosh. 

Period of war now existed till 1795. 

August 3, 1795, Gen. Anthony Wayne, on 
behalf of the United States, made a treaty with 
twelve tribes, confirming the boundaries estab- 
lished by the Fort Harmar and Fort Mcintosh 
treaties, and extended the boundary to Fort Re- 
covery and the mouth of the Kentucky River. 

In June, 1796, the Senecas, represented by 
Brant, ceded to the Connecticut Land Company 
their rights east of the Cuyahoga. 

In 1805, at Fort Industry, on the Maumee, the 
Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Shawa- 
nees, Menses, and Pottawatomies relinquished all 
their lands west of the Cuyahoga, as far west as 
the western line of the Reserve, and south of the 
line from Fort Laurens to Loramie's Fort. 

July 4, 1807, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyan- 
dots, and Pottawatomies, at Detroit, ceded all that 
part of Ohio north of the Maumee River, with 
part of Michigan. 

November 25, 1808, the same tribes with the 
Shawanees, at Brownstone, Mich., gi-anted the 
Government a tract of land two miles wide, from 
the west line of the Reserve to the rapids of the 
Maumee, for the purpose of a road through the 
Black Swamp. 

September 18, 1815, at Springwells, near De- 
troit, the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Wy- 
andots, Delawares, Senecas and Miamis, having 
been engaged in the war of 1812 on the British 
side, were confined in the grants made at Fort 
Mcintosh and Greenville in 1785 and 1795. 

September 29, 1817, at the rapids of the 
Maumee, the Wyandots ceded their lands west of 
the line of 1805, as far as Loramie's and the St. 
Mary's River and north of the Maumee. The 
Pottawatomies, Chippewas, and Ottawas ceded the 
territory west of the Detroit line of 1807, and 
north of the Maumee. 

October 6, 1818, the Miamis, at St. Mary's, 
made a treaty in which they surrendered the re- 
maining Indian territory in Ohio, north of the 
Greenville treaty line and west of St. Mary's River. 

The numerous treaties of peace with the West- 
ern Indians for the delivery of prisoners were — 



A< 



.^ © 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



19 



one by Gen. Forbes, at Fort Du Quesne (Pitts- 
burgh), in 1758; one by Col. Bradstreet, at Erie, 
in August, 1764 ; one by Col. Boquet, at the 
mouth of the Waldhoning, in November, 1764 ; 
in May, 17<>5, at Johnson's, on the Mohawk, and 
at Philadelphia, the same year; in 1774, by Lord 
Duamore, at Camp Charlotte, Pickaway County. 
By the treaty at the Maumee Rapids, in 1817, 
reservations were conveyed by the United States 
to all the tribes, with a view to induce them to 
cultivate the soil and cease to be hunters. These 
were, from time to time, as the impracticability of 
the plan became manifest, purchased by the Gov- 
ernment, the last of these being the Wyandot 
Reserve, of twelve miles square, around Upper 
Sandusky, in 1842, closing out all claims and com- 
posing all the Indian difficulties in Ohio. The 
open war had ceased in 1815, with the treaty of 
Ghent. 

" It is estimated that, from the French war of 
1754 to the battle of the Maumee Rapids, in 
1794, a period of forty years, there had been at 
least 5,000 people killed or captured west of the 



Alleghany Mountains. Eleven organized military 
expeditions had been carried on against the West- 
ern Indians prior to the war of 1812, seven regu- 
lar engagements fought and about twelve hundred 
men killed. More whites were slain in battle than 
there were Indian braves killed in military expedi- 
tions, and by private raids and murders ; yet, in 
1811, all the Ohio tribes combined could not mus- 
ter 2,000 warriors." 

Attempts to determine the number of persons 
comprising the Indian tribes in Ohio, and their 
location, have resulted in nothing better tlian 
estimates. It is supposed that, at the commence- 
ment of the Revolution, there were about six 
thousand Indians in the present confines of the 
State, but their villages were little more than 
movable camps. Savage men, like savage beasts, 
are engaged in continual migrations. Now, none 
are left. The white man occupies the home of 
the red man. Now 

" The verdant hills 
Are covered o'er with growing grain, 
And white men till the soil, 
Where once the red man used to reign." 



CHAPTER II. 

EARLY EXPLORATIONS IN THE WEST. 



WHEN war, when ambition, when avarice 
fail, religion pushes onward and succeeds. 
In the discovery of the New World, wherever 
man's aggrandizement was the paramount aim, 
failure was sure to follow. When this gave way, 
the followers of the Cross, whether Catholic or 
Protestant, came on the field, and the result before 
attempted soon appeared, though in a different way 
and through different means than those supposed. 
The first permanent efforts of the white race to 
penetrate the Western > wilds of the New World 
preceded any permanent English settlement north 
of the Potomac. Years before the Pilgrims 
anchored their bark on the cheerless shores of (^ape 
Cod, "the Roman Catholic Church had been plant- 
ed by missionaries from France in the Eastern 
moiety of Maine; and LeCaron, an ambitious 
Franciscan, the companion of Chaniplain,had passed 
into the hunting-grounds of the Wyandots, and, 
bound by the vows of his life, had, on foot or pad- 
dling a bark canoe, gone onward, taking alms of the 
savages until he reached the rivers of Lake 



Huron." This was in 1615 or 1616, and only 
eight years after Champlain had sailed up the wa- 
ters of the St. Lawrence, and on the foot of a bold 
cliff laid the foundation of the present City of 
Quebec. From this place, founded to hold the 
country, and toperpetuate the religion of his King, 
went forth those emissaries of the Cross, whose zeal 
has been the admiration of the world. The French 
Colony in Canada was suppressed soon after its es- 
tablishment, and for five years, until 1622, its im- 
munities werQ enjoyed by the colonists. A grant 
of New France, as the country was then known, was 
made by Louis XIII to Richelieu, Champlain, 
Razilly and others, who, immediately after the res- 
toration of Quebec by it,s English conquerors, entered 
upon the control and government of their province. 
Its limits embraced the whole basin of the St. 
Lawrence and of such other rivers in New France 
as flowed directly into the sea. While away to 
the south on the Gulf coast, was also included a 
country rich in foliage and claimed in virtue of 
the unsuccessful efforts of Coligny. 



■^ 



20 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Rcli<;i()us zeal as much as commercial prosperity 
had influenced France to obtain and retain the de- 
pendency of Canada. The commercial monopoly 
of a privile_<i;(Kl company could not foster a 
colony ; the climate was too vigorous for agricult- 
ure, and, at first there was little else except relig- 
ious enthusiasm to give vitality to the province. 
Champlain had been touched by the simplicity of 
the Ordt'r of St. Francis, and had selected its priests 
to aid him in his work. But another order, more 
in favor at the Court, was interested, and succeed- 
ed in excluding the mendicant order from the New 
World, established themselves in the new domain 
and, by thus enlarging the borders of the French 
King, it became entrusted to the Jesuits. 

This "Society of Jesus," founded by Loyola 
when Calvin's Institutes first saw the liglit, saw an 
unequaled opportunity in the conversion of the 
heathen in the Western wilds; and, as its mem- 
bers, pledged to obtain power only by influence of 
mind over mind, sought the honors of opening the 
way, there was no lack of men ready for the work. 
Through them, the motive j)ower in opening the 
wilds of the Northwest was religion. "Religious 
enthusiasm," says Bancroft, "colonized New Eng- 
land,* and religious enthusiasm founded Montreal, 
made a concjuest of the wilderness about the upper 
lakes, and explored the Mississippi." 

Through these priests — increased in a few years 
to fifteen — a way was made across the West from 
Quebec, above the regions of the lakes, below 
which they dared not go for the relentless Mohawks. 
To the northwest of Toronto, near the Lake Iro- 
quois, a bay of Lake Huron, in September, 1634, 
they raised the first humble house of the Society of 
Jesus among the Hurons. Through them they 
learned of the great lakes beyond, and resolved 
one day to explore them and carry the Gospel of 
peace to the heathen on their shores. Before this 
could 1)0 done, many of them were called upon to 
give up their lives at the martyr's stake and re- 
ceive a martyr's crown. But one by one they 
went on in their good work. If one fell by hun- 
ger, cold, cruelty, or a terrible death, others stood 
ready, and carrying their lives in their hands, 
cstaljlished other missions about the eastern shores 
of Lake Huron and its adjacent waters. The 
Five Nations were for many years hostile toward 
the French and murdered them and their red 
allies whenever opportunity presented. For a 
quarter of century, they retarded the advance of 
the missionaries, and then only after wearied witli 
a long struggle, in which they began to see their 



power declining, did they relinquish their warlike 
propensities, and allow the Jesuits entrance to their 
country. While this was going on, the traders 
and Jesuits had penetrated farther and farther 
westward, until, when peace was declared, tliey 
had seen the southwestern shores of Lake Superior 
and the northern shores of Lake Michigan, called 
by them Lake Illinois.* In August, l(i54, two 
young adventurers penetrated the wilds bordering 
on these western lakes in company with a band of 
Ottawas. Returning, they tell of the wonderful 
country they have seen, of its vast forests, its 
abundance of game, its mines of copper, and ex- 
cite in their comrades a desire to see and explore 
such a country. They tell of a vast expanse of 
land before them, of the powerful Indian tribes 
dwelling there, and of their anxiety to become an- 
nexed to the Frenchman, of whom they have 
heard. The request is at once granted. Two 
missionaries, Gabriel Dreuillettes and Leonard 
Gareau, were selected as envoys, but on their way 
the fleet, propelled by tawny rowers, is met by a 
wandering band of Mohawks and by them is dis- 
persed. Not daunted, others stood ready to go. 
The lot fell to Rene Mesnard. He is charged to 
visit the wilderness, select a suitable place for a 
dwelling, and found a mission. With only a short 
warning he is ready, "trusting," he says, "in the 
Providence which feeds the little birds of the 
desert and clothes the wild flowers of the forest." 
In October, 1660, he reached a bay, which he 
called St. Theresa, on the south shore of Lak ■ 
Superior. After a residence of eight months, he 
yielded to the invitation of the Hurons who had 
taken refuge on the Island of St. Michael, and 
bidding adieu to his neophytes and the French, he 
departed. While on the way to the Bay of Che- 
goi-me-gon, probably at a portage, he became 
separated from his companion and was never after- 
ward heard of Long after, his cassock and his 
breviary were kept as anmlets among the Sioux. 
Diihculties n(jw arose in the management of the 
colony, and for awhile it was on the verge of dis- 
solution. The King sent a regiment under com- 
mand of the aged Tracy, as a safeguard against 
the Iroquois, now proving themselves enemies to 

*Mr. C. W. Butterfleld, author of Crawforipf Campaign, and 
good authority, says: "John Nicholet, a Frenchman, left Quebec 
and Three RiverH in the summer of 1634, and visited the Hurons on 
Georgian Bay, the Chippewas at the Sault Ste. Marie, and the Win- 
nebagoes in Wisconsin, returning to Quebec in the summer of 1635. 
This was the first wliite man to gee any part of the Northwest 
Territory. In 1641, two Jesuit priests were at the Sault Ste. Marie 
for a brief time. Then two French traders reached Lake Superior, 
and after them came that tide of emigration on which the French 
based their claim to the country." 



7" 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



21 



the French. Accompanying him were Courcelles, 
as Governor, and M. Talon, who subsequently fig- 
ures in Northwestern history. By 1(565, aflPairs 
were settled and new attempts to found a mission 
among the lake tribes were projected. 

"With better hopes — undismayed by the sad 
fate of their predecessors" in August, Claude 
Allouez embarked on a mission by way of Ottawa 
to the Far West. Early in September he reached 
the rapidsl^hrough which rush the waters of the 
lakes to Huron. Sailing by lofty sculptured rocks 
and over waters of crystal purity, he reached the 
Chippewa village just as the young warriors were 
bent on organizing a war expedition against the 
Sioux. Commanding peace in the name of his 
King, he called a council and offered the commerce 
and protection of his nation. He was obeyed, and 
soon a chapel arose on the shore of the bay, to 
which admiring crowds from the south and west 
gathered to listen to the story of the Cross. 

The scattered Hurons and Ottawas north of 
Lake Superior ; the Pottawatomies from Lake JNIich- 
igan ; the Sacs and Foxes from the Far West ; the 
Illinois from the prairies, all came to hear him, and 
all besought him to go with them. To the last 
nation Allouez desired to go. They told him of a 
" great river that flowed to the sea, "and of "their 
vast prairies, where herds of buffalo, deer and 
other animals grazed on the tall grass." "Their 
country," said the missionary, "is the best field 
for the Gospel. Had I had leisure, I would have 
gone to their dwellings to see with my own eyes 
all the good that was told me of them." 

He remained two years, teaching the natives, 
studying their language and habits, and then 
returned to Quebec. Such was the account that 
he gave, that in two days he was joined by 
Louis Nicholas and was on his way back to his 
mission. 

Peace being now established, more missionaries 
came from France. Among them were Claude 
Dablon and James Marquette, both of whom went 
on to the mission among the Chippewas at the 
Sault. They reached there in 1668 and found 
Allouez busy. The mission was now a reality and 
given the name of St. Mary. It is often written 
" Sault Ste. Marie," after the French method, and 
is the oldest settlement by white men in the bounds 
of the Northwest Territory. It has been founded 
over two hundred years. Here on the inhospitable 
northern shores, hundreds of miles away from 
friends, did this triumvirate employ themselves in 
extending their religion and the influence of their 



King. Traversing the shores of the great lakes 
near them, they pass down the western bank of 
Lake Michigan as far as Green Bay, along the 
southern shore of Lake Superior to its western ex- 
tremity, everywhere preaching the story of Jesus. 
" Though suffering be their lot and martyrdom 
their crovPn," they went on, only conscious that 
they weve laboring for their Master and would, in 
the end, win the crown. 

The great river away to the West of which they 
heard so much was yet unknown to them. To ex- 
plore it, to visit the tribes on its banks and preach 
to them the Gospel and secure their trade, became 
the aim of Marquette, who originated the idea of 
its discovery. While engaged at the mission at the 
Sault, he resolved to attempt it in the autumn of 
1669. Delay, however, intervened — for Allouez 
had exchanged the mission at Che-goi-me-gon for 
one at Green Bay, whither Marquette was sent. 
While here he employed a young Illinois Indian 
to teach him the language of that nation, and there- 
by prepare himself for the enterprise. 

Continued commerce with the Western Indians 
gave protection and confirmed their attachment. 
Talon, the intendant of the colony of New France, 
to further spread its power and to learn more of the 
country and its inhabitants, convened a congress 
of the Indians at the Falls of St. Mary, to which 
he sent St. Lusson on his behalf Nicholas Perrot 
sent invitations in every direction for more than a 
hundred leagues round about, and fourteen nations, 
among them Sacs, Foxes and Miamis, agreed to be 
present by their embassadors. 

The congress met on the fourth day of June, 
1671. St. Lusson, through Allouez, his interpre- 
ter, announced to the assembled natives that they, 
and through them their nations, were placed under 
the protection of the Fretich King, and to him 
were their furs and peltries to be traded. A cross 
of cedar was raised, and amidst the gToves of ma- 
ple and of pine, of elm and hemlock that are so 
strangely intermingled on the banks of the St. 
Mary, the whole company of the French, bowing 
belbre the emblem of man's redemption, chanted to 
its glory a hymn of the seventh century : 

"The banners of heaven's King advance; 
The mysteries of the Cross shines forth."* 

A cedar column was planted by the cross and 
marked with the lilies of the Bourbons. The 
power of France, thus uplifted in the West of 
which Ohio is now a part, was, however, not destined 



* Bancroft. 



37: 



:£ 



23 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



to endure, and the ambition of its nionaicli.s was 
to have only a partial tulfillniont. 

The ,^anie year that the conjiress was held, Mar- 
({uette had founded a mission among the Hurcins 
at Point 8t. Ignace, on the continent north of the 
peninsula of Michigan. Although the climate 
was severe, and vegetation scarce, yet fish abounded, 
and at this establishment, long maintained as a 
key to further exploratidus, prayer and praise were 
heard daily for many years. Here, also, Marquette 
gained a footing among the founders of Michigan. 
While he was doing this, Allouez and Dablon were 
exploring countries south and west, going as far as 
the Mascoutins and Kickapoos on the Milwaukee, 
and the Miamis at the head of Lake Mi'chigan. 
Allouez continued even as far as the 8acs and Foxes 
on the river which bears their name. 

The discovery of the Mississippi, heightened by 
these explorations, was now at hand. The enter- 
prise, projected by Marf(uette, was received with 
favor by M. Talon, who desired thus to perpetuate 
his nxle in New France, now drawing to a close. 
He was joined by Joliet, of Quebec, an emissary 
of his King, commissioned by royal magnate to 
take possession of the country in the name of the 
French. Of him but little else is known. This 
one excursion, however, gives him immortality, 
and as long as time shall last his name and that of 
Marquette will endure. When Marquette made 
known his intention to the Pottawatomies, they 
were filled with wonder, and endeavored to dis- 
suade him from his purpose. "Those distant na- 
tions," said they, " never spare the strangers; the 
(ireat River abounds in monsters, ready to swal- 
low both men and canoes; there are great cataracts 
and rapids, over which you will be dashed to 
pi((ces; the excessive heats will cause your death." 
" [ shall gladly lay down my life for the salvation 
of souls," rej)lied the good man; and the docile 
nation joined him. 

On the Kth day of June, 1673, they reached 
the village on Fox River, where were Kickapoos, 
Mascoutins and Miamis dwelling together on an 
expanse of lovely prairie, dotted here and there by 
groves of magnificent trees, and where was a 
cross garlanded by wild flowers, and bows and ar- 
rows, and skins and belts, offerings to the Great 
Manitou. Allouez had been here in one of his 
wanderings, and, as was his wont, had left this 
emblem of his faith. 

Assembling the natives, Marquette said, " My 
conqianion is an envoy of France to discover new 
countries ; and I am an embassador from God to 



enlighten them with the Gospel." Offering pres- 
ents, he begged two guides for the morrow. The 
Indians answered courteously, and gave in 
return a mat to serve as a couch during the lonsr 
voyage. 

Early in the morning of the next day, the 10th 
of June, with all nature in her brightest robes, 
these two men, with five Frenchmen and two Al- 
gonquin guides, set out on their journey. Lifting 
two canoes to their shoulders, they quickly cross 
the narrow portage dividing the F'ox from the 
Wisconsin River, and prepare to embark on its 
clear waters. " Uttering a special prayer to the 
Immaculate Virgin, they leave the stream, that, 
flowing onward, could have borne their greetings 
to the castle of Quebec. 'The guides returned,' 
says the gentle Marquette, 'leaving us alone in 
this unknown land, in the hand of Providence.' 
France and Christianity stood alone in the valley 
of the Mississippi. Embarking on the broad 
Wisconsin, the discoverers, as they sailed west, 
went solitarily down the stream between alternate 
prairies and hillsides, beholding neither man nor 
the wonted beasts of the forests; no sound broke 
the silence but the ripple of the canoe and the 
lowing of the buffalo. In seven days, 'they en- 
tered happily the Great River, with a joy that 
could not be expressed;' and the two birchbark 
canoes, raising their happy sails under new skies 
and to unknown breezes, floated down the calm 
magnificence of the ocean stream, over the broad, 
clear sand-bars, the resort of innumerable water- 
fowl — gliding past islets that swelled from the 
bosom of the stream, with their tufts of massive 
thickets, and between the wild plains of Illinois 
and Iowa, all garlanded with ma.jestic forests, or 
checkered by island groves and the open vastness 
of the prairie."* 

Continuing on down the mighty stream, they 
saw no signs of human life until the 25th of 
June, when they discovered a small foot-path on the 
west bank of the river, leading away into the 
prairie. Leaving their companions in the canoes, 
Marquette and Joliet followed the path, resolved 
to brave a meeting alone with the savages. After 
a walk of six miles they came in sight of a village 
on the banks of a river, while not far away they 
discovered two others. The river was the " Mou- 
in-gou-e-na," or Moingona, now corrupted into 
Des Moines. These two men, the first of their 
race who ever trod the soil west of the Great 

* Bancroft. 



:^ 



^- 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



23 



River, commended themselves t(i God, and, utterint!; 
a loud cry, advanced to the nearest village. 
The Indians hear, and thinking their visitors 
celestial beings, four old men advance with rever- 
ential mien, and offer the pipe of peace. " We 
are Illinois," said they, and they offered the calu- 
met. They had heard of the Frenchmen, and 
welcomed them to their wigwams, followed by the 
devouring gaze of an astonished crowd. At a 
great council held so(.)n iafter, Marquette published 
to them the true God, their Author. He also 
spoke of his nation and of his King, who had 
chastised the Five Nations and commanded peace. 
He questioned them concerning the Great Kiver 
and its tributaries, and the tribes dwelling on its 
banks. A magnificent feast was spread before 
them, and the conference continued several days. 
At the close of the sixth day, the chieftains of the 
tribes, with numerous trains of warriors, attended 
the visitors to their canoes, and selecting a peace- 
pipe, gayly comparisoned, they hung the sacred 
calumet, emblem of peace to all and a safeguard 
among the nations, about the good Father's neck, 
and bid the strangers good speed. "I did not 
fear death," writes Marquette ; " I should have 
esteemed it the greatest happiness to have died 
for the glory of God." On their journey, they 
passed the perpendicular rocks, whose sculptured 
sides showed them the monsters they should meet. 
Farther down, they pass the turgid flood of the 
Missouri, known to them by its Algonquin name, 
Pekitanoni. Resolving in his heart to one day 
explore its flood, Marquette rejoiced in the new 
world it evidently could open to him. A little 
farther down, they pass the bluffs where now is a 
mighty emporium, then silent as when created. In 
a little less than forty leagues, they pass the clear 
waters of the beautiful Ohio, then, and long after- 
ward, known as the Wabash. Its banks were in- 
habited by numerous villages of the peaceftd 
Shawanees, who then quailed under the incursions 
of the dreadful Iroquois. As they go on down the 
mighty stream, the canes become thicker, the insects 
more fierce, the heat more intolerable. The prairies 
and their cool breezes vanish, and forests of white- 
wood, admirable for their vastness and height, crowd 
close upon the pebbly shore. It is observed that the 
Chickasaws have guns, and have learned how to 
use them. Near the latitude of 33 degrees, they 
encounter a great village, whose inhabitants pre- 
sent an inhospitable and warlike front. The pipe 
of peace is held aloft, and instantly the savage foe 
drops his arms and extends a friendly greeting. 



Remaining here till the next day, they are escorted 
lor eight or ten leagues to the village of Akansea. 
They are now at the limit of their voyage. The 
Indians speak a dialect unknown to them. The 
natives show furs and axes of steel, the latter prov- 
ing they have traded with Europeans. The two 
travelers now learn that the Father of Wa- 
ters went neither to the Western sea nor to the 
Florida coast, but straight south, and conclude not 
to encounter the burning heats of a tropical clime, 
but return and find the outlet again. They 
had done enough now, and must report their dis- 
covery. 

On the 17th day of July, 1673, one hundred 
and thirty-two years after the disastrous journey 
of De Soto, which led to no permanent results, 
Marijuette and Joliet left the village of Akansea 
on their way back. At the 38th degree, they en- 
counter the waters of the Illinois which they had 
before noticed, and which the natives told them 
afforded a much shorter route to the lakes. Pad- 
dling up its limpid waters, they see a country un- 
surpassed in beauty. Broad prairies, beautiful up- 
lands, luxuriant groves, all mingled in excellent 
harmony as they ascend the river. Near the head 
of the river, they pause at a great village of the 
Illinois, and across the river behold a rocky prom- 
ontory standing boldly out against the landscape. 
The Indians entreat the gentle missionary to re- 
main among them, and teach them the way of life. 
He cannot do this, but promises to return when he 
can and instruct them. The town was on a plain 
near the present village of Utica, in La Salle 
County, 111., and the rock was Starved Rock, 
afterward noted in the annals of the Northwest. 
One of the chiefs and some young men conduct 
the party to the Chicago River, where the present 
mighty city is, from where, continuing their iour- 
ney "along the western shores of the lake, they 
reach Green Bay early in September. 

The great valley of the West was now open. 
The "Messippi" rolled its mighty flood to a south- 
ern sea, and must be sully explored. Marquette's 
health had keenly suffered by the voyage and he 
concluded to remain here and rest. Joliet hasten- 
ed on to Quebec to report his discoveries. During 
the journey, each had preserved a description of 
the route they had passed over, as well as the 
country and its inhabitants. While on the way 
to Quebec, at the foot of the rapids near Montreal, 
by some means one of Joliet's canoes became cap- 
sized, and by it he lost his box of papers and two 
of his men. A greater calamity could have 



24 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



hardly happened him. In a letter to Gov. 
Froiitenac, Juliet says: 

" I had esea])ed every peril from the Indians ; I 
liad ])assed forty-two rapids, and was on the point 
of disembarkini;', full of jiiy at the success of so 
long and difficult an enterprise, when my canoe 
capsized after all the daui;er seemed over. I lost 
my two men and box of papers within sit;ht of the 
French settlements, which I had left almost two 
years before. Nothing remains now to me but 
my life, and the ardent desire to employ it in any 
service you may please to direct." 

When Joliet made known his discoveries, a 
Te Deiim was chanted in the Cathedral at Quebec, 
and all Canada was filled with joy. The news 
crossed the ocean, and the French saw in the vista 
of coming years a vast dependency arise in the val- 
ley, partially explored, which was to extend her 
domain and enrich her treasury. Fearing En- 
gland might profit by the discovery and claim the 
country, she attempted as far as possible to prevent 
the news from becoming general. Joliet was re- 
warded by the gift of the Island of Anticosti, in 
the St. Lawrence, while Marquette, conscious of 
his service to his Master, was content with the 
salvation of souls. 

Marquette, left at Green Bay, suffered long with 
his malady, and was not permitted, until the au- 
tumn of the following year (1674), to return and 
teach the Illinois Indians. With this purpose in 
view, he left Green Bay on the 25th of October 
with two Frenchmen and a number of Illinois and 
Pottawatomie Indians for the villages on the 
Chicago and Illinois Rivers. Entering Lake 
Michigan, they encountered adverse winds and 
waves and were more than a month on the way. 
Going some distance up the Chicago River, they 
found Mar(piette too weak to proceed farther, his 
malady having assumed a violent form, and land- 
ing, they erected two huts and prepared to pass 
the winter. The good missionary taught the na- 
tives here daily, in spite of his afflictions, while 
his companions supplied him and themselves with 
food by fishing and hunting. Thus the winter 
wore away, and Mar(}uette, renewing his vows, pre- 
pared to go on to the village at the foot of the 
rocky citadel, where he had been two years before. 
On the i:>th of March, ICTS, they left their huts 
and, rowing on up the Chicago to the portage be- 
tween that and the Desplaines, embarked on their 
way. Amid the incessant rains of spring, they 
W(!re rapidly borne down that stream to the Illi- 
nois, on whose rushing flood they floated to the 



object of their destination. At the great town the 
missionary was received as a heavenly messenger, 
and as he preached to them of heaven and hell, 
of angels and demons, of good and bad deeds, 
they regarded him as divine and besought him to 
remain among them. The town then contained an 
immense concourse of natives, drawn hither by the 
reports they heard, and assembling them before him 
on the plain near their village, where now are pros- 
perous farms, he held before their astonished gaze 
four large pictures of the Holy Virgin, and daily 
harangued them on the duties of Christianity and 
the necessity of conforming their conduct to the 
words they heard. His strength was fast declining 
and warned him he could not long remain. Find- 
ing he must go, the Indians furnished him an 
escort as far as the lake, on whose turbulent waters 
he embarked with his two faithful attendants. 
They turned their canoes for the Mackinaw Mis- 
sion, which the afflicted missionary hoped to reach 
before death came. As they coasted along the 
eastern shores of the lake, the vernal hue of May 
began to cover the hillsides with robes of gTeen, 
now dimmed to the eye of the departing Father, who 
became too weak to view them. By the 19th of 
the month, he could go no farther, and requested 
his men to land and build him a hut in which he 
might pass away. That done, he gave, with great 
composure, directions concerning his burial, and 
thanked God that he was permitted to die in the 
wilderness in the midst of his work, an unshaken 
believer in the faith he had so earnestly preached. 
As twilight came on, he told his weary attendants 
to rest, promising that when death should come he 
would call them. At an early hour, on the morn- 
ing of the 20th of May, 1675, they heard a feeble 
voice, and hastening to his side found that the gen- 
tle spirit of the good missionary had gone to heav- 
en. His hand grasped the crucifix, and his lips 
bore as their last sound the name of the Virgin. 
They dug a grave near the banks of the stream 
and buried him as he had requested. There in a 
lonely wilderness the peaceful soul of Marquette 
had at last found a rest, and his weary labors closed. 
His companions went on to the mission, where 
the news of his death caused great sorrow, for he 
was one beloved by all. 

Three years after his burial, the Ottawas, hunting 
in the vicinity of his grave, determined to carry 
his bones to the mission at their home, in accor- 
dance with an ancient custom of their tribe. Hav- 
ing opened the grave, at whose head a cross had 
been planted, they carefully removed the bones and 



S r- 



^1 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



25 



cleaning them, a funeral prueessuin of thirty canoes 
bore them to the Mackinaw Mission, singing the 
songs he had taught them. At the shores of tlie 
mission the bones were received by the priests, and, 
with great ceremony, buried under the floor of the 
rude chapel. 

While Mar(|uette and Joliet were exploring the 
head-waters of the " Great River," another man, 
fearless in purpose, pious in heart, and loyal to 
his country, was living in Canada and watching 
the operations of his fellow countrymen with 
keen eyes. When the French first saw the in- 
hospitable shores of the St. Lawrence, in 1535, 
under the lead of Jacques Cartier, and had opened 
a new country to their crown, men were not 
lacking to further extend the discovery. In 1008, 
Champlain came, and at the foot of a cliff on that 
river founded Quebec. Seven years after, he 
In'ought four Recollet monks ; and through them 
and the Jesuits the discoveries already narrated 
occurred. Champlain died in 1GH5, one hundred 
years after Cartier's first visit, but not until he 
had explored the northern lakes as far as Lake 
Huron, on whose rocky shores he, as the progenitor 
of a mighty race to follow, set his feet. He, with 
others, held to the idea that somewhere across the 
country, a river highway extended to the Western 
ocean. The reports from the missions whose 
history has been given aided this belief; and not 
until Marquette and Joliet returned was the delu- 
sion in any way dispelled. Before this was done, 
however, the man to whom reference has been 
made, Robert Cavalier, better known as La Salle, 
had endeavored to solve the mystery, and, while 
living on his grant of land eight miles above 
Montreal, had indeed effected im])ortant discoveries. 

La Salle, the next actor in the lit'ld of explor- 
ation after Champlain, was born in 1643. His 
father's family was among the old and wealthy 
burghers of Rouen, France, and its members 
were frequently entrusted with important govern- 
mental positions. He early exhibited such traits 
of character as to mark him among his associates. 
Coming from a wealthy family, he enjoyed all the 
advantages of his day, and received, for the times, 
an excellent education. He was a Catholic, 
though his subsequent life does not prove him 
to have been a religious enthusiast. From some 
cause, he joined the Order of Jjoyola, but the cir- 
cumscribed sphere of action set for him in the 
order illy concurred with his independent dis- 
position, and led to his separation from it. This 
was eftected, however, in a good spirit, as they 



considered him fit for a different field of action 
than any presented by the order. Having a 
In-other in Canada, a member of the order of St. 
Sulpice, he determined to join him. By his 
connection with the Jesuits he had lost his share 
of his father's estate, but, by some means, on his 
death, which occurred about this time, he was 
given a small share; and with this, in lOtIG, 
he arrived in Montreal. All Canada was alive 
with the news of the explorations; and La 
Salle's mind, actively grasping the ideas he 
afterward carried out, began to mature plans for 
their perfection. At Montreal he found a semi- 
nary of priests of the St. Sulpice Order who were 
encouraging settlers by grants of land on easy 
terms, 'hoping to establish a barrier of settlements 
between themselves and the Indians, made ene- 
mies to the French by Champlain's actions when 
founding Quebec. The Superior of the seminary, 
learning of La Salle's arrival, gratuitously offered 
him a grant of land on the St. Lawrence, eight 
miles above Montreal. The grant, though danger- 
ously near the hostile Indians, was accepted, and 
La Salle soon enjoyed an excellent trade in furs. 
While employed in developing his claim, he learned 
of the great unknown route, and burned with a 
desire to solve its existence. He applied himself 
closely to the study of Indian dialects, and in 
three years is said to have made great progress 
in their language. While on his farm his 
thoughts often tui'ned to the unknown land away 
to the west, and, like all men of his day, he 
desired to explore the route to the Western sea, 
and thence obtain an easy trade with China and 
Japan. The " Great River, which flowed to the 
sea," must, thought they, find an outlet in the 
Gulf of California. While musing on these 
things, Marquette and Joliet were preparing to 
descend the Wisconsin; and La Salle himself 
learned from a wandering band of Senecas that a 
river, called the Ohio, arose in their country and 
flowed to the sea, but at such a distance that it 
would reijuire eight months to reach its mouth. 
This must be the Great River, or a part of it: 
for all geographers of the day considered the 
Mississippi and its tributary as one stream. Plac- 
ing great confidence on this hypothesis. La Salle 
repaired to Quebec to obtain the sanction 
of Gov. Courcelles. His plausible statements 
soon won him the Governor and M. Talon, and 
letters patent were issued granting the exploration. 
No pecuniary aid was offered, and La Salle, hav- 
ing expended all his means in improving his 



<2_ 



26 



HTSTOKY OF OHIO. 



estate, was obliged to sell it to procure the 
necessary outfit. The Superior of the seminary 
being favorably disposed toward hiui, purchased 
the greater part of his improvement, and realiz- 
ing LJ,80U livres, he purchased four canoes and the 
necessary supplies lor the; expedition. The semi- 
nary was, at the sauje time, preparing for a similar 
exploration. The jiriests of this order, emulating 
the Jesuits, had established missions on the north- 
ern shore of Lake Ontario. Hearing of populous 
tribes still further west, they resolved to attempt 
their conversion, and deputized two of their number 
for the purpose. On going to Quebec to procure 
the necessary supplies, they were advised of La 
Salle's expedition down the Ohio, and resolved to 
uuite themselves with it. La Salle did not alto- 
gether favor their attempt, as he believed the 
Jesuits already had the field, and would not care 
to have any aid from a rival order. His dispo- 
sition also would not well brook the part they 
assumed, of asking him to be a co-laborer rather 
than a leader. However, the expeditions, merged 
into one body, left the mission on the St. Law- 
rence on the 6th of July, 1GG9, in seven canoes. 
The party numbered twenty-four persons, who 
were accompanied by two canoes filled with 
Indians who had visited La Salle, and who now 
acted as guides. Their guides led them up the 
St. Lawrence, over the expanse of Lake Ontario, 
to their village on the banks of the Genesee, 
where they expected to find guides to lead them 
on to the Ohio. As La Salle only partially under- 
stood their language, he was compelled to confer 
with them by means of a Jesuit stationed at the 
village. The Lidians refused to furnish him the 
expected aid, and even burned before his eyes a 
prisoner, the only one who could give him any 
knowledge he desired. He surmised the Jesuits 
were at the bottom of tha matter, fearful lest the 
disciples of St. Sulpice should gain a foothold in 
the west. He lingered here a month, with the 
hope of accomplishing his object, when, by chance, 
there came by an Irocjuois Indian, who assured 
them that at his colony, neaV the head of the lake, 
they could find guides ; and offered to conduct 
them thither. Coming along the southern shore 
of the Take, they passed, at its western extremity, 
the mouth of the Niagara River, where they heard 
for the first time the thunder of the mighty cata- 
ract between the two lakes. At thi; village of the 
Tro((uois they met a friendly reception, and were 
informed by a Shawanese prisoner that they could 
reach the Ohio in six weeks' time, and that he 



would guide them there. While preparing to 
commence the journey, they heard of the missions 
to the northwest, and the priests resolved to go 
there and convert the natives, and find the river 
by that route. It appears that Louis Joliet met 
them here, on his return from visiting the copper 
mines of Lake Superior, under command of M. 
Talon. He gave the priests a map of the country, 
and informed them that the Indians of those 
regions were in great need of spiritual advisers. 
This strengthened their intention, though warned 
by La Salle, that the Jesuits were undoubtedly 
there. The authority for Joliet's visit to them 
here is not clearly given, and may not be true, 
but the same letter which gives the account of 
the discovery of the Ohio at this time by La Salle, 
states it as a fact, and it is hence inserted. The 
missionaries and La Salle separated, the former to 
find, as he had predicted, the followers of Loyola 
already in the field, and not wanting their aid. 
Hence they return from a fruitless tour. 

La Salle, now left to himself and just recovering 
from a violent fever, went on his journey. From 
the paper from which these statements are taken, 
it appears he went on to Onondaga, where he pro- 
cured guides to a tributary of the Ohio, down 
which he proceeded to the principal stream, on 
whose bosom he continued his way till he came to 
the foils at the present city of Louisville, Ky. It 
has been asserted that he went on down to its 
mouth, but that is not well authenticated and is 
hardly true. The statement that he went as far as 
the falls is, doubtless, correct. He states, in a letter 
to Count Frontenac in 1677, that he discovered 
the Ohio, and that he descended it to the falls. 
Moreover, Joliet, in a measure his rival, for he was 
now preparing to go to the northern lakes and 
from them search the river, made two maps repre- 
senting the lakes and the Mississippi, on both of 
which he states that La Salle had discovered the 
Ohio. Of its course beyond the falls. La Salle 
does not seem to have learned anything definite, 
hence his discovery did not in any way settle the 
great question, and elicited but little comment. 
Still, it stimulated La Salle to more effort, and 
while musing on his plans, Joliet and Marquette 
push on from Green Bay, and discover the river 
and ascertain the general course of its outlet. On 
Joliet's return in 1673, he seems to drop from 
further notice. Other and more venturesome souls 
were ready to finish the work begun by himself 
and the zealous Marquette, who, left among the 
far-away nations, laid down his life. The spirit of 



■"« 9\ 




'^€_^^-L-^'I>; 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



29 



La Salle was equal to the enterprise, and as he now 
had returned from one voyage of discovery, he 
stood ready to solve the mystery, and gain the 
country for his King. Before this could be ac- 
complished, however, he saw other things must be 
done, and made preparations on a scale, for the 
time, truly marvelous. 

Count Frontenae, the new Grovernor, had no 
sooner established himself in power than he gave a 
searching glance over the new realm to see if any 
undeveloped resources lay yet unnoticed, and what 
country yet remained open. He learned from the 
exploits of La Salle on the Ohio, and from Joliet, 
now returned from the West, of that immense 
country, and resolving in his mind on some plan 
whereby it could be formally taken, entered 
heartily into the plans of La Salle, who, anxious to 
solve the mystery concerning the outlet of the 
Great River, gave him the outline of a plan, saga- 
cious in its conception and grand in its compre- 
hension. La Salle had also informed him of the 
endeavors of the English on the Atlantic coast to 
divert the trade with the Indians, and partly to 
counteract this, were the plans of La Salle adopted. 
They were, briefly, to build a chain of forts from 
Canada, or New France, along the lakes to the 
Mississippi, and on down that river, thereby hold- 
ing the country by power as well as by discovery. 
A fort was to be built on the Ohio as soon as the 
means could be obtained, and thereby hold that 
country by the same policy. Thus to La Salle 
alone may be ascribed the bold plan of gaining the 
whole West, a plan only thwarted by the force of 
arms. Through the aid of Frontenae, he was 
given a proprietary and the rank of nobility, and 
on his proprietary was erected a fort, which he, in 
honor of his Governor, called Fort Frontenae. It 
stood on the site of the present city of Kingston, 
Canada. Through it he obtained the trade of the 
Five Nations, and his fortune was so far assured. 
He next repaired to France, to perfect his arrange- 
ments, secure his title and obtain means. 

On his return he built the fort alluded to, and 
prepared to go on in the prosecution of his plan. 
A civil discord arose, however, which for three 
years prevailed, and seriously threatened his 
projects. As soon as he could extricate himself, 
he again repaired to France, receiving additional 
encouragement in money, grants, and the exclusive 
privilege of a trade in buifalo skins, then consid- 
ered a source of great wealth. On his return, he 
was accompanied by Henry Tonti, son of an illus- 
trious Italian nobleman, who had fled from his 



own country during one of its political revolutions. 
Coming to France, he made himself famous as the 
founder of Tontine Life Insurance. Henry Tonti 
possessed an indomitable will, and though he had 
suffered the loss of one of his hands by the ex- 
plosion of a grenade in one of the Sicilian wars, 
his courage was undaunted, and his ardor un- 
dimmed. La Salle also I )ro ugh t recruits, mechanics, 
sailors, cordage and sails I'or rigging a ship, and 
merchandise for traffic with the natives. At 
Montreal, he secured the services of M. LaMotte, a 
person of much energy and integrity of character. 
He also secured several missionaries before he 
reached Fort Frontenae. Among them' were 
Louis Hennepin, Gabriel Ribourde and Zenabe 
Membre. All these were Flemings, all Recollets. 
Hennepin, of all of them, proved the best assist- 
ant. They arrived at the fort early in the autumn 
of 1678, and preparations were at once made to 
erect a vessel in which to navigate the lakes, and 
a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River. The 
Senecas were rather adverse to the latter proposals 
when La Motte and Hennepin came, but by 
the elocjuence of the latter, they were pacified 
and rendered friendly. After a number of vexa- 
tious delays, the vessel, the Griffin, the first on the 
lakes, was built, and on the 7th of August, a year 
after La Salle came here, it was launched, passed 
over the waters of the northern lakes, and, after a 
tempestuous voyage, landed at Green Bay. It was 
soon after stored with furs and sent back, while 
La Salle and his men awaited its return. It was 
never afterward heard of. La Salle, becoming 
impatient, erected a fort, pushed on with a 
part of his men, leaving part at the fort, 
and passed over the St. Joseph and Kankakee 
Rivers, and thence to the Illinois, down whose 
flood they proceeded to Peoria Lake, where 
he was obliged to halt, and return to Canada 
for more men and supplies. He left Tonti 
and several men to complete a fort, called 
Fort " Crevecoeur " — broken-hearted. The Indians 
drove the French away, the men mutinied, and 
Tonti was obliged to flee. When La Salle returned, 
he found no one there, and going down as far as 
the mouth of the Illinois, he retraced his steps, to 
find some trace of his garrison. Tonti was found 
safe among the Pottawatomies at Green Bay, and 
Hennepin and his two followers, sent to explore 
the head-waters of the IMississippi, were again 
home, after a captivity among the Sioux. 

La Salle renewed his force of men, and the third 
time set out for the outlet of the Great River. 






-D 



'^ 



30 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



He left Canada early in December, 1681, and by 
February G, 1682, reached the majestic flood of 
the mighty stream. On the 24th, they ascended 
the Chickasaw Bluff's, and, while waiting to find 
a sailor who had strayed away, erected Fort Prud- 
homme. They passed several Indian villages fur- 
ther down the river, in some of which they met 
with no little opposition. Proceeding onward, ere- 
long they encountered the tide of the sea, and 
April 6, they emerged on the broad bosom of the 
Grulf, "tossing its restless billows, limitless, voice- 
less and lonely as when born of chaos, without a 
sign of life." 

Coasting about a short time on the shores of 
the Gulf, the party returned until a sufficiently 
dry place was reached to effect a landing. Here 
another cross was raised, also a column, on which 
was inscribed these words: 

" Louis i-E Grand, Roi de France et de Navarre, 
Regse; Le Neuvieme, Avrii., 1682." * 

" The whole party," says a " proces verbal," in 
the archives of France, " chanted the Te Deum^ 
the Exaudiat and the Domine salvum fac Regem^ 
and then after a salute of fire-arms and cries of 
Vice le Roi, La Salle, standing near the column, 
said in a loud voice in French : 

" In the name of the most high, mighty, invin- 
cible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by 
the grace of God, King of France and of Navarre, 
Fourteenth of that name, this ninth day of April, 
one thousand six hundred and eighty two, I, in 
virtue of the commission of His Majesty, which I 
hold in my hand, and which may be seen by all 
whom it may concern, have taken, and do now 
take, in the name of His Majesty and of his suc- 
cessors to the crown, possession of this country of 
Louisiana, the seas, harbor, ports, bays, adjacent 
straights, and all the nations, people, provinces, cities, 
towns, villages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams 
and rivers, comprised in the extent of said Louisiana, 
from the north of the great river St. Louis, other- 
wise called the Ohio, Alighin, Sipore or Chukago- 
na, and this with the consent of the Chavunons, 
Chickachaws, and other people dwelling therein, 
with whom we have made alliance; as also along 
the river Colbert or Mississip])i, and rivers which 
discharge themselves therein from its source beyond 
the Kious or Nadouessious, and this with their 
consent, and with the consent of the Illinois, Mes- 
igameas, Natchez, Koroas, which are the most con- 
siderable nations dwelling therein, with whom also 

* Louis the Great, King of France and of Navarre, reigning the 
ninth day of April, lt>82. 



we have made alliance, either by ourselves or others 
in our behalf, as far as its mouth at the sea or 
Gulf of Mexico, about the twenty-seventh degree 
of its elevation of the North Pole, and also to the 
mouth of the River of Palms; upon the assurance 
which we have received from all these nations that 
Ave are the first Europeans who have descended or 
ascended the river Colbert, hereby protesting 
against all those who may in future undertake to 
invade any or all of these countries, peoples or 
lands, to the prejudice of the right of His Majesty, 
acquired by the consent of the nations herein 
named." 

The whole assembly responded with shouts and 
the salutes of fire-arms. The Sieur de La Salle 
caused to be planted at the foot of the column a 
plate of lead, on one side of which was inscribed 
the arms of France and the following Latin inscrip- 
tion: 

Robertvs Cavellier, cvm Domino de Tonly, Legato, 
R. P. Zenobi Membro, Recollecto, et, Viginti Gallis 
Primos Hoc Flvmen incle ab ilineorvni Pago, enavigavit, 
ejvsqve ostivni fecit Pervivvm, none Aprilis cia ioc 
LXXXIL 

The whole proceedings were acknowledged be- 
fore La Metaire, a notary, and the conquest was 
considered complete. 

Thus was the foundation of France laid in the 
new republic, and thus did she lay claim to the 
Northwest, which now includes Ohio, and the 
county, whose history this book perpetuates. 

La Salle and his party returned to Canada soon 
after, and again that country, and France itself, 
rang with anthems of exultation. He went on to 
France, where he received the highest honors. 
He was given a fleet, and sailors as well as colon- 
ists to return to the New World by way of a south- 
ern voyage, expecting to find the mouth of the 
Mississippi by an ocean course. Sailing past the 
outlets, he was wrecked on the coast of Texas, and 
in his vain endeavors to find the river or return to 
Canada, he became lost on the plains of Arkansas, 
where he, in 1687, was basely murdered by one of 
his followers. " You are down now, Grand Bashaw," 
exclaimed his slayer, and despoiling bis remains, they 
left them to be devoured by wild beasts. To such 
an ignominious end came this daring, bold adven- 
turer. Alone in the wilderness, he was left, Avith 
no monument but the vast realm he had discov- 
ered, on whose bosom he was left without cover- 
ing and without protection. 

" For force of will and vast conception ; for va- 
rious knowledge, and quick adaptation of his genius 



y 



:\: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



31 



to untried circumstances; for a sublime magnani- 
mity, that resigned itself to the will of Heaven, 
and yet triumphed over affliction by energy of 
purpose and unfaltering hope — he had no superior 
among his countrymen. He had won the affec- 
tions of the governor of Canada, the esteem of 
Colbert, the confidence of Seignelay, the favor of 
Louis XIV. After the beginning of the coloniza- 
tion of Upper Canada, he perfected the discovery 
of the Mississippi from the Falls of St. Anthony 
to its inouth ; and he will be remembered through 
all time as the father of colonization in the great 
central valley of the West."* 

Avarice, passion and jealousy were not calmed by 
the blood of La Salle. All of his conspirators per- 
ished by ignoble deaths, while only seven of the six- 
teen succeeded in continuing the journey until 
they reached Canada, and thence found their way 
to France. 

Tonti, who had been left at Fort St. Louis, on 
" Starved Rock" on the Illinois, went down in 
search of his beloved commander. Failing to find 
him, he returned and remained here until 1700, 
thousands of miles away from friends. Then he 
went down the Mississippi to join D" Iberville, who 
had made the discovery of the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi by an ocean voyage. Two years later, he 
went on a mission to the Chickasaws, but of his 
subsequent history nothing is known. 

The West was now in possession of the French. 
La Salle's. plans were yet feasible. The period of 
exploration was now over. The great river and 
its outlet was known, and it only remained for that 
nation to enter in and occupy what to many a 
Frenchman was the " Promised Land." Only 
eighteen years had elapsed since Marquette and 
Joliet had descended the river and shown the 
course of its outlet. A spirit, less bold than La 
Salle's would never in so short a time have pene- 
trated for more than a thousand miles an unknown 
wilderness, and solved the mystery of the world. 

When Joutel and his companions reached France 
in 1688, all Europe was on the eve of war. Other 
nations than the French wanted part of the New 
World, and when they saw that nation greedily 
and rapidly accumulating territory there, they en- 
deavored to stay its progress. The league of Augs- 
burg was formed in 1687 by the princes of the Em- 
pire to restrain the ambition of Louis XIV, and 
in 1688, he began hostilities by the capture of 
Philipsburg. The next year, England, under the 

* Bancroft. 



lead of William III, joined the alliance, and Louis 
found himself compelled, with only the aid of the 
Turks, to contend against the united forces of the 
Empires of England, Spain, Holland, Denmark, 
Sweden and Norway. Yet the tide of battle wa- 
vered. In 1689, the French were defeated at 
Walcourt, and the Turks at Widin; but in 1690, 
the French were victorious at Charleroy, and the 
Turks at Belgrade. The next year, and also the 
next, victory inclined to the French, but in 1693, 
Louvois and Luxemberg were dead and Namur 
surrendered to the allies. The war extended to the 
New World, where it was maintained with more 
than equal success by the French, though the En- 
glish population exceeded it more than twenty to one. 
in 1688, the French were estimated at about 
twelve thousand souls in North America, while the 
English were more than two hundred thousand. 
At first the war was prosecuted vigorously. In 
1689, De. Ste. Helene and D'lberville, two of the 
sons of Charles le Morne, crossed the wilderness 
and reduced the English forts on Hudson's Bay. 
But in Aug-ust of the same year, the Iroquois, the 
hereditary foes of the French, captured and burned 
Montreal. Frontenac, who had gone on an ex- 
pedition against New York by sea, was recalled. 
Fort Frontenac was abandoned, and no French 
posts left in the West between Trois Rivieres and 
Mackinaw, and were it not for the Jesuits the en- 
tire West would now have been abandoned. To 
recover their influence, the French planned three 
expeditions. One resulted in the destruction of 
Schenectady, another, Salmon Falls, and the third, 
Casco Bay. On the other hand, Nova Scotia was 
reduced by the colonies, and an expedition against 
Montreal went as far as to Lake Champlain, where 
it failed, owing to the di.ssensions of the leaders. 
Another expedition, consisting of twenty-four ves- 
sels, arrived before Quebec, which also failed 
through the incompetency of Sir William Phipps. 
During the succeeding years, various border con- 
flicts occurred, in all of which border scenes of 
savage cruelty and savage ferocity were enacted. 
The peace of Ryswick, in 1697, closed the war. 
France retained Hudson's Bay, and all the places 
of which she was in possession in 1688; but the 
boundaries of the English and French claims in 
the New World were still unsettled. 

The conclusion of the conflict left the French 
at liberty to pursue their scheme of colonization 
in the Mississippi Valley. In 1698, D'lberville 
was sent to the lower province, which, erelong, 
was made a separate independency, called Louisiana. 



1£ 



32 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Forts were erected on Mobile Bay, and the division 
of the territory between the French and the 
Spaniards was settled. Trouble existed between 
the French and the Chickasaws, ending in the 
cruel deaths of many of the leaders, in the 
fruitless endeavors of the Canadian and Louisi- 
anian forces combining against the Chickasaws. 
For many years the conflict raged, with unequal 
successes, until the Indian power gave way before 
superior military tactics. In the end. New Orleans 
was founded, in 1718, and the French power 
secured. 

Before this was consummated, however, France 
became entangled in another war against the 
allied powers, ending in her defeat and the loss 
of Nova Scotia, Hudson's Bay and Newfound- 
land. The peace of Utrecht closed the war 
in 1713. 

The French, weary with prolonged strife, 
adopted the plan, more peaceful in its nature, of 
giving out to distinguished men the monopoly of 
certain districts in the fur trade, the most pros- 
perous of any avocation then. Crozat and 
Cadillac — the latter the founder of Detroit, in 
1701 — were the chief ones concerned in this. 
The founding of the villages of Kaskaskia, Ca- 
hokia, Vincennes, and others in the Mississippi 
and Wabash Valleys, led to the rapid develop- 
ment, according to the French custom of all 
these parts of the West, while along all the chief 
water-courses, other trading posts and forts were 
established, rapidly fulfilling the hopes of La 
Salle, broached so many years before. 

The French had, at the beginning of the 
eighteenth century, four principal routes to their 
western towns, two of which passed over the soil 
of Ohio. The first of these was the one followed 
by Marquette and Joliet, by way of the Lakes to 
Green Bay, in Wisconsin ; thence across a portage 
to the Wisconsin River, down which they floated 
to the Mississippi. On their return they came 
up the Illinois River, to the site of Chicago, 
whence Joliet returned to Quebec by the Lakes. 
La Salle's route was first by the Lakes to the St. 
Joseph's River, which he followed to the portage 
to the Kankakee, and tlience downward to the 
Mississippi. On his second and third attempt, 
he crossed the lower peninsula of Michigan to 
the Kankakee, and again traversed its waters to 
the Illinois. The third route was established 
about 1716. It followed the southern shores of 
Lake Elrie to the mouth of the Maumee River; 
following this stream, the voyagers went on to the 



junction between it and the St. Mary's, which 
they followed to the " Oubache " — Wabash — and 
then to the French villages in Vigo and Knox 
Counties, in Indiana. Vincennes was the oldest 
and most important one here. It had been 
founded in 1702 by a French trader, and was, at 
the date of the establishment of the third route, 
in a prosperous condition. For many years, the 
traders crossed the plains of Southern Illinois to 
the French towns on the bottoms opposite St. 
Louis. They were afraid to go on down the 
" Waba " to the Ohio, as the Indians had fright- 
ened them with accounts of the great monsters 
below. Finally, some adventurous spirit went 
down the river, found it emptied into the Ohio, 
and solved the problem of the true outlet of the 
Ohio, heretofore supposed to be a tributary of the 
Wabash. 

The fourth route was from the southern shore 
of Lake Erie, at Presqueville, over a portage of 
fifteen miles to the head of French Creek, at 
Waterford, Penn.; thence down that stream to the 
Ohio, and on to the Mississippi. Along all these 
routes, ports and posts were carefully maintained. 
Many were on the soil of Ohio, and were the first 
attempts of the white race to possess its domain. 
Many of the ruins of these posts are yet found on 
the southern shore of Lake Erie, and at the 
outlets of streams flowing into the lake and the Ohio 
River. The principal forts were at Mackinaw, at 
Presqueville, at the mouth of the St. Joseph's, on 
Starved Rock, and along the Father of Waters. 
Yet another power was encroaching on them : a 
sturdy race, clinging to the inhospitable Atlantic 
shores, were coming over the mountains. The 
murmurs of a conflict were already heard — a con- 
flict that would change the fate of a nation. 

The French were extending their explorations 
beyond the Mississippi; they were also forming a 
political organization, and increasing their influence 
over the natives. Of a passive nature, however, 
their power and their influence could not with- 
stand a more aggressive nature, and they were 
obliged, finally, to give way. They had the 
fruitful valleys of the West more than a century ; 
yet they developed no resources, opened no mines 
of wealth, and left the country as passive as they 
found it. 

Of the growth of the West under French rule, 
but little else remains to be said. The sturdy 
Anglo-Saxon race on the Atlantic coast, and their 
progenitors in England, began, now, to turn their 
attention to this vast country. The voluptuousness 



y 'tuOii'Miu^uiumfm 



IUHWL/"k !-'!«fI..!M" * ..\J.i .J ^ Mmimi ' JJ!.. ' • J9Vwr,,J 'f ^ < ULf-.V *' *.V ' A. .^W .J T " JA\L^»fe.* 



^'. 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



33 



of the French court, their neglect of the true 
basis of wealth, agriculture, and the repressive 
tendencies laid on the colonists, led the latter to 
adopt a hunter's life, and leave the country unde- 
veloped and ready for the people who claimed the 
country from "sea to sea." Their explorers were 
now at work. The change was at hand. 

Occasional mention has been made in the his- 
tory of the State, in preceding pages, of settle- 
ments and trading-posts of the French traders, 
explorers and missionaries, wdthin the limits of 
Ohio. The French were the first white men to 
occupy the northwestern part of the New World, 
and though their stay was brief, yet it opened the 
way to a sinewy race, living on the shores of the 
Atlantic, who in time came, saw, and conquered 
that part of America, making it what the people 
of to-day enjoy. 

As early as 1669, four years before the discov- 
ery of the Mississippi by Joliet and Marquette, 
La iSalle, the famous explorer, discovered the Ohio 
River, and paddled down its gentle current as far 
as the falls at the present city of Louisville, but he, 
like others of the day, made no settlement on its 
hanks, only claiming the country for his King by 
virtue of this discovery. 

Early in the beginning of the eighteenth cent- 
ury, French traders and voyagers passed along the 
southern shores of Lake Erie, to the mouth of the 
Maumee, up whose waters they rowed their bark 
canoes, on their way to their outposts in the Wa- 
bash and Illinois Valleys, established between 
1675 and 1700. As soon as they could, without 
danger from their inveterate enemies, the Iroquois, 
masters of all the lower lake country, erect a 
trading-post at the mouth of this river, they did 
so. It was made a depot of considerable note, 
and was, probably, the first permanent habitation 
of white men in Ohio. It remained until after 
the peace of 1763, the termination of the French 
and Indian war, and the occupancy of this country 
by the English. On the site of the French trading- 
post, the British, in 1794, erected Fort Miami, 
which they garrisoned until the country came 
under the control of Americans. Now, Maumee 
City covers the ground. 

The French had a trading-post at the mouth of 
the Huron River, in what is now Erie County. 
When it was built is not now known. It was, how- 
ever, probably one of their early outposts, and 
may have been built before 1750. They had an- 
other on the shore of the bay, on or near the site 
of Sandusky City. Both this and the one at the 



mouth of the Huron River were abandoned befoi'e 
the war of the Revolution. On Lewis Evan's map 
of the British Middle Colonies, published in 1755, 
a French fort, called " Fort Junandat, built in 
1754," is marked on the east bank of the San- 
dusky River, several miles below its mouth. Fort 
Sandusky, on the western bank, is also noted. 
Several Wyandot towns are likewise marked. But 
very little is known concerning any of these 
trading-posts. They were, evidently, only tempo- 
rary, and were abandoned when the English came 
into possession of the country. 

The mouth of the Cuyahoga River was another 
important place. On Evan's map there is marked 
on the west bank of the Cuyahoga, some distance 
from its mouth, the words ^^ French House,'' doubt- 
less, the station of a French trader. The ruins 
of a house, found about five miles from the mouth 
of the river, on the west bank, are supposed to 
be those of the trader's station. 

In 1786, the Moravian missionary, Zeisberger, 
with his Indian converts, left Detroit in a vessel 
called the Mackinaw, and sailed to the mouth of 
the Cuyahoga. From there they went up the 
river about ten miles, and settled in an abandoned 
Ottawa village, where Independence now is, which 
place they called " Saint's Rest." Their stay was 
brief, for the following April, they left for the 
Huron River, and settled near the site of Milan, 
Erie County, at a locality they called New Salem. 

There are but few records of settlements made 
by the French until after 1750. Even these can 
hardly be called settlements, as they were simply 
trading-posts. The French easily affiliated with 
the Indians, and had little energy beyond trading. 
They never cultivated fields, laid low forests, and 
subjugated the country. They were a half-Indian 
race, so to speak, and hence did little if anything 
in developing the West. 

About 1749, some English traders came to a 
place in what is now Shelby County, on the 
banks of a creek since known as Loramie's 
Creek, and established a trading-station with the 
Indians. This was the first English trading-place 
or attempt at settlement in the State. It was here 
but a short time, however, when the French, hear- 
ing of its existence, sent a party of soldiers to the 
Twigtwees, among whom it wa.s founded, and de- 
manded the traders as intruders upon French ter- 
ritory. The Twigtwees refusing to deliver up 
their friends, the French, assisted by a large party 
of Ottawas and Chippewas, attacked the trading- 
house, probably a block-house, and, after a severe 



34 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



battle, captured it. The traders were taken to 
Canada. This fort was called by the English 
" Pickawillany," from which "Piqua" is probably 
derived. About the time that Kentucky was Set- 
tled, a Canadian Frenchman, named Loramie, 
established a store on the site of the old fort. He 
was a bitter enemy of the Americans, and for a 
long time Loramie's store was the headquarters of 
mischief toward the settlers. 

The French had the faculty of endearing them- 
selvjes to the Indians by their easy assimilation of 
their habits; and, no doubt, Loramie was CKjual to 
any in this respect, and hence gained great influ- 
ence over them. Col. Johnston, many years an 
Indian Agent from the United States among the 
Western tribes, stated that he had often seen the 
" Indians burst into tears when speaking of the 
times when their French father had dominion 
over them ; and their attachment always remained 
unabated." 

So much influence had Loramie with the In- 
dians, that, when Gen. Clarke, from Kentucky, 
invaded the Miami Valley in 1782, his attention 
was attracted to the spot. He came on and burnt 
the Indian settlement here, and destroyed the store 
of the Frenchman, selling his goods among the 
men at auction. Loramie fled to the Shawanees, 
and, with a colony of that nation, emigrated west 
of the Mississippi, to the Spanish possessions, 
where he again began his life of a trader. 

In 1794, during the Indian war, a fort was 
built on the site of the store by Wayne, and 
named Fort Loramie. The last officer who had 
command here was Capt. Butler, a nephew of 
Col. Richard Butler, who fell at St. Clair's defeat. 
While here with his family, he lost an interesting 
boy, about eight years of age. About his grave, 
the sorrowing ftither and mother built a substantial 
picket-fence, planted honeysuckles over it, which, 
long after, remained to mark the grave of the 
soldier's boy. 

The site of Fort Loramie was always an im- 
portant point, and was one of the places defined 
on the boundary line at the Grreenville treaty. 
Now a barn covers the spot. 

At the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee 
Rivers, on the site of Fort Defiance, built by Gen. 
Wayne in 1794, was a settlement of traders, 
established some time before the Indian war 
began. " On the high ground extending from the 
Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaize, 
about two hundred yards in width, was an open 
space, on the west and south of which were oak 



woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this 
opening, a few hundred yards above the point, on 
the steep bank of the Auglaize, were five or six 
cabins and log houses, inhabited principally by 
Indian traders. The most northerly, a large 
hewed-log house, divided below into three apart- 
ments, was occupied as a warehouse, store and 
dwelling, by George Ironside, the most wealthy 
and influential of the traders on the point. Next 
to his were the houses of Pirault (Pero) a French 
baker, and McKenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to 
merchandising, followed the occupation of a silver- 
smith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches, 
ear-drops and other silver ornaments, at an 
enormous profit, for skins and furs. 

Still further up were several other fami- 
lies of French and English; and two Ameri- 
can prisoners, Henry Ball, a soldier taken in St. 
Clair's defeat, and his wife, Polly Meadows, 
captured at the same time, were allowed to live 
here and pay their masters the price of their 
ransom — he, by boating to the rapids of the Mau- 
mee, and she by washing and sewing. Fronting 
the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from 
the bank, was a small stockade, inclosing two 
hewed-log houses, one of which was occupied by 
James Girty (a brother of Simon), the other, 
occasionally, by EUiott and McKee, British 
Indian Agents living at Detroit."* 

The post, cabins and all they contained fell 
under the control of the Americans, when the 
British evacuated the shores of the lakes. 
While they existed, they were an undoubted 
source of Indian discontent, and had much to do 
in prolonging the Indian war. The country 
hereabouts did not settle until some time after 
the creation of the State government. 

As soon as the French learned the true source 
of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, both were made 
a highway to convey the products of their hunt- 
ers. In coursing down the Ohio, they made 
trading-places, or depots, where they could obtain 
furs of the Indians, at accessible points, generally 
at the mouths of the rivers emptying into the 
Ohio. One of these old forts or trading-places 
stood about a mile and a half south of the outlet 
of the Scioto. It was here in 1740; but when 
it was erected no one could tell. The locality 
must have been pretty well known to the whites, 
however; for, in 1785, three years before the 
settlement of Marietta was made, four families 



* Narrative of 0. M. Spencer. 



~71 



•>.: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



35 



made an ineffectual attempt to settle near the same 
place. They were from Kentucky, but were 
driven away by the Indians a short time after 
they arrived, not being allowed to build cabins, 
and had only made preparations to plant corn 
and other necessaries of life. While the men 
were encamped near the vicinity of Piketown, 
in Pike County, when on a hunting expedition, 
they were surprised by the Indians, and two of 
them slain. The others hastened back to the 
encampment at the mouth of the Scioto, and 
hurriedly gathering the families together, fortu- 
nately got them on a flat-boat, at tfcat hour on its 
way down the river. By the aid of the boat, 
they were enabled to reach Maysville, and gave 
up the attempt to settle north of the Ohio. 

The famous "old Scioto Salt Works," in Jack- 
son County, on the banks of Salt Creek, a tributary 
of the Scioto, were long known to the whites before 
any attempt was made to settle in Ohio. They 
were indicated on the maps published in 1755. 
They were the resort, for generations, of the In- 
dians in all parts of the West, who annually came 
here to make salt. They often brought white 
prisoners with them, and thus the salt works be- 
came known. There were no attempts made to 
settle here, however, until after the Indian war, 
which closed in 1795. As soon as peace was as- 
sured, the whites came here for salt, and soon after 
made a settlement. Another early salt spring 
was in what is now Trumbull County. It is also 
noted on Evan's map of 1755. They were occu- 
pied by the Indians, French, and by the Americans 
as early as 1780, and perhaps earlier. 

As early as 1761 Moravian missionaries came 
among the Ohio Indians and began their labors. 
In a few years, under the lead of Revs. Fredrick 
Post and John Heckewelder, permanent stations 
were established in several parts of the State, chief- 
ly on the Tuscarawas River in Tuscarawas County. 
Here were the three Indian villages — Shoenburn, 
Gnadenhutten and Salem. The site of the first is 
about two miles south of New Philadelphia ; Gna- 
denhutten was seven miles further south, and about 
five miles still on was Salem, a short distance from 
the present village of Port Washington. The first 
and last named of these villages were on the west 
side of the Tuscarawas River, near the margin of 
the Ohio Canal. Gnadenhutten was on the east 
side of the river. It was here that the brutal 
massacre of these Christian Indians, by the rangers 
under Col. Williamson, occurred March 8, 17S2. 
The account of the massacre and of these tribes 



appears in these pages, and it only remains to 
notice what became of them. 

The hospitable and friendly character of these 
Indians had extended beyond their white breth- 
ren on the Ohio. The American people at large 
looked on the act of Williamson and his men as an 
outrage on humanity. Congress felt its influence, 
and gave them a tract of twelve thousand acres, 
embracing their former homes, and induced them 
to return from the northern towns whither they had 
fled. As the whites came into the country, their 
manners degenerated until it became necessary to 
remove them. Through Gen. Cass, of Michigan, 
an agreement was made with them, whereby Con- 
gress paid them over $6,000, an annuity of $400, 
and 24,000 acres in some territory to be designated 
by the United States. This treaty, by some means, 
was never effectually carried out, and the princi- 
pal part of them took up their • residence near a 
Moravian missionary station on the River Thames, 
in Canada. Their old churchyard still exists on 
the Tuscarawas River, and here rest the bones of 
several of their devoted teachers. It is proper 
to remark here, that Mary Heckewelder, daughter 
of the missionary, is generally believed to have 
been the first white child born in Ohio. How- 
ever, this is largely conjecture. Captive women 
among the Indians, before the birth of Mary 
Heckewelder, are known to have borne children, 
which afterward, with their mothers, were restored 
to their friends. The assertion that Mary 
Heckewelder was the first child born in Ohio, is 
therefore incorrect. She is the first of whom any 
definite record is made. 

These outposts and the Gallipolis settlement are 
about all that are known to have existed prior to the 
settlement at Marietta. About one-half mile below 
Bolivar, on the western line of Tuscarawas County, 
are the remains of Fort Laurens, erected in 1778 
by a detachment of 1,000 men under Gen. Mc- 
intosh, from Fort Pitt. It was, however, occu- 
pied but a short time, vacated in August, 1779, as 
it was deemed untenable at such a distance from 
the frontier. 

During the existence of the six years' Indian 
war, a settlement of French emigrants was made 
on the Ohio River, that deserves notice. It illus- 
trates very clearly the extreme ignorance and 
credulity prevalent at that day. In May or June 
of 1788, Joel Barlow left this country for Europe, 
" authorized to dispose of a very large body of 
land in the West. " In 1790, he distributed pro- 
posals in Paris for the disposal of lands at five 



!£: 



36 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



shillings per acre, which, says Volney, " promised 
a climate healthy and delightful ; scarcely such a 
thing as a frost in the winter ; a river, called by 
way of eminence ' The Beautiful, ' abounding in 
fish of an enormous size ; magnificent forests of a 
tree from which sugar flows, and a shrub which 
yields candles ; venison in abundance ; no military 
enrollments, and no quarters to find for soldiers." 
Pui-chasers became numerous, individuals and 
whole families sold their property, and in the 
course of 1791 many embarked at the various 
French sea-ports, each with his title in his pocket. 
Five hundred settlers, among whom were many 
wood carvers and guilders to His Majesty, King of 
France, coachmakers, friseurs and peruke makers, 
and other artisans and artistes, equally well fitted 
for a frontier life, arrived in the United States in 
1791-92, and acting without concert, traveling 
without knowledge of the language, customs and 
roads, at last managed to reach the spot designated 
for their residence. There they learned they had 
been cruelly deceived, and that the titles they held 
were worthless. Without food, shelterless, and 
danger closing around them, they were in a position 
that none but a Frenchman could be in without 
despair. Who brought them thither, and who was 
to blame, is yet a disputed point. Some affirm 
that those to whom large grants of land were made 
when the Ohio Company procured its charter, were 
the real instigators of the movement. They failed 
to pay for their lands, and hence the title reverted 
to the Grovernment. This, coming to the ears of 
the poor Frenchmen, rendered their situation more 
distressing. They never paid for their lands, and 
only through the clemency of Congress, who after- 
ward gave them a grant of land, and confirmed 
them in its title, were they enabled to secure a foot- 
hold. Whatever doubt there may be as to the 



causes of these people being so grossly deceived, 
there can be none regarding their sufferings. They 
had followed a jack-o-lantern into the howling 
wilderness, and must work or starve. The land 
upon which they had been located was covered 
with immense forest trees, to level which the coach- 
makers were at a loss. At last, hoping to conquer 
by a coup de main, they tied ropes to the branches, 
and while a dozen pulled at them as many fell at 
the trunk with all sorts of edged tools, and thus 
soon brought the monster to the earth. Yet he 
was a burden. He was down, to be sure, but as 
much in the way as ever. Several lopped off" the 
branches, others dug an immense trench at his side, 
into which, with might and main, all rolled the 
large log, and then buried him from sight. They 
erected their cabins in a cluster, as they had seen 
them in their own native land, thus affording some 
protection from marauding bands of Indians. 
Though isolated here in the lonely wilderness, and 
nearly out of funds with which to purchase pro- 
visions from descending boats, yet once a week 
they met and drowned care in a merry dance, 
greatly to the wonderment of the scout or lone 
Indian who chanced to witness their revelry. 
Though their vivacity could work wonders, it would 
not pay for lands nor buy provisions. Some of those 
at Gallipolis (for such they called their settlement, 
from Gallia, in France) went to Detroit, some to 
Kaskaskia, and some bought land of the Ohio 
Company, who treated them liberally. Congress, 
too, in 1795, being informed of their sufferings, 
and how they had been deceived, granted them 
24,000 acres opposite Little Sandy River, to which 
grant, in 1798, 12,000 acres more were added. 
The tract has since been known as French Grant. 
The settlement is a curious episode in early West- 
ern history, and deserves a place in its annals. 




":?" 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



37 



CHAPTER III. 

ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS— TRADERS— FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR IN THE WEST — ENGLISH 

POSSESSION, 



AS has been noted, the French title rested on 
the discoveries of their missionaries and 
traders, upon the occupation of the country, and 
upon the construction of the treaties of Ryswick, 
Utrecht and Aix hi Chapelle. The English 
claims to the same region were based on the fact 
of a prior occupation of the corresponding coast, 
on an opposite construction of the same treaties, 
and an alleged cession of the rights of the 
Indians. The rights acquired by discovery were 
conventional, and in equity were good only 
between European powers, and could not aflPect the 
rights of the natives, but this distinction was dis- 
regarded by all European powers. The inquiry of 
an Indian chief embodies the whole controversy: 
" Where are the Indian lands, since the French 
claim all on the north side of the Ohio and the 
English all on the south side of it?" 

The English charters expressly granted to all 
the original colonies the country westward to the 
South Sea, and the claims thus set up in the West, 
though held in abeyance, were never relinquished. 
The primary distinction between the two nations 
governed their actions in the New World, and led 
finally to the supremacy of the English. They 
were fixed agricultural communities. The French 
were mere trading-posts. Though the French 
were the prime movers in the exploration of the 
West, the English made discoveries during their 
occupation, however, mainly by their traders, who 
penetrated the Western wilderness by way of the 
Ohio River, entering it from the two streams which 
uniting form that river. Daniel Coxie, in 1722, 
published, in London, "A description of the 
English province of Carolina, by the Spaniards 
called Florida, and by the French called La Louis- 
iane, as also the great and famous river Mescha- 
cebe, or Mississippi, the five vast navigable lakes 
of fresh water, and the parts adjacent, together 
with an account of the commodities of the growth 
and production of the said province." The title 
of this work exhibits very clearly the opinions of 
the English people respecting the West. As early 
as 1680, Charles I granted to Sir Robert Heath 
" All that part of America lying between thirty- 



one and thirty-six degrees north latitude, from sea 
to sea," out of which the limits of Carolina were 
afterward taken. This immense grant was con- 
veyed in 1638, to the Earl of Arundel, and after- 
ward came into the possession of Dr. Daniel Coxie. 
In the prosecution of this claim, it appeared that 
Col. Wood, of Virginia, from 1654 to 1664, ex- 
plored several branches of the Ohio and " Mescha- 
cebe," as they spell the Mississippi. A Mr. Need- 
ham, who was employed by Col. Wood, kept a 
journal of the exploration. There is also the ac- 
count of some one who had explored the Missis- 
sippi to the Yellow, or Missouri River, before 1676. 
These, and others, are said to have been there 
when La Salle explored the outlet of the Great 
River, as he found tools among the natives which 
were of European manufiicture. They had been 
brought here by English adventurers. Also, when 
Iberville was colonizing the lower part of Louis- 
iana, these same persons visited the Chickasaws 
and stirred them up against the French. It is also 
stated that La Salle found that some one had been 
among the Natchez tribes when he returned from 
the discovery of the outlet of the IMississippi, and 
excited them against him. There is, however, no 
good authority for these statements, and they are 
doubtless incorrect. There is also an account that 
in 1678, several persons went from New England 
as far south as New Mexico, " one hundred and 
fifty leagues beyond the Meschacebe," the narrative 
reads, and on their return wrote an account of the 
expedition. This, also, cannot be traced to good 
authority. The only accurate account of the 
English reaching the West was when Bienville 
met the British vessel at the "English Turn," 
about 1700. A few of their traders may have 
been in the valley west of the Alleghany Mount- 
ains before 1700, though no reliable accounts are 
now found to confirm these suppositions. Still, 
from the earliest occupation of the Atlantic Coast 
by the English, they claimed the country, and, 
though the policy of its occupation rested for a 
time, it was never ftilly abandoned. Its revival 
dates from 1710 properly, though no immediate 
endeavor was made for many years after. That 



"7" 



(2 *^ 



_«) ^ 



38 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



year, Alexander Spottswood was made Governor of 
Virginia. No sooner did he assume the functions 
of ruler, than, casting his eye over his dominion, he 
saw the great West beyond the Alleghany Mount- 
ains unoccupied by the English, and rapidly filling 
with the French, who he observed were gradually 
confining the English to the Atlantic Coast. His 
prophetic eye saw at a glance the aniinus of the 
whole scheme, and he determined to act promptly 
on the defensive. Through his representation, the 
Virginia Assembly was induced to make an appro- 
priation to defray the expense of an exploration of 
the mountains, and see if a suitable pass could not 
then be found where they could be crossed. The 
Governor led the expedition in person. The pass 
was discovered, a route marked out for future em- 
igrants, and the party returned to Williamsburg. 
There the Governor established the order of the 
"Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," presented 
his report to the Colonial Assembly and one to his 
King. In each report, he exposed with great bold- 
ness the scheme of the French, and advised the 
building of a chain of forts across to the Ohio, and 
the formation of settlements to counteract them. 
The British Government, engrossed with other 
matters, neglected his advice. Forty years after, 
they remembered it, only to regret that it was so 
thoughtlessly disregarded. 

Individuals, however, profited by his advice. By 
1730, traders began in earnest to cross the mount- 
ains and gather from the Indians the stores beyond. 
They now began to adopt a system, and abandoned 
the heretofore renegade habits of those who had 
superseded them, many of whom never returned to 
the Atlantic Coast. In 1742, John Howard de- 
scended the Ohio in a skin canoe, and, on the 
Mississip})i was taken prisoner by the French. His 
captivity did not in the least deter others from 
coming. Indeed, the date of his voyage was the 
commencement of a vig(jrous trade with the In- 
dians by the English, who crossed the AUeghanies 
by the route discovered by Gov. Spottswood. In 
1748, Conrad Weiser, a German of Herenberg, who 
had ac(}uired in early life a knowledge of the Mo- 
hawk tongue by a residence among them, was sent 
on an embassy to the Shawanees on the Ohio. He 
went as far as Logstown,a Shawanee village on the 
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles be- 
low the site of Pittsburgh. Here he met the chiefs 
in counsel, and secured their promise of aid against 
the French. 

The principal ground of the claims of the 
English in the Northwest was the treaty with the 



Five Nations — the Iroquois. This powerful confed- 
eration claimed the jurisdiction over an immense 
extent of country. Their policy differed considera- 
bly from other Indian tribes. They were the only 
confederation which attempted any form of gov- 
ernment in America. They were often termed the 
" Six Nations," as the entrance of another tribe 
into the confederacy made that number. They 
were the conquerors of nearly all tribes from Lower 
Canada, to and beyond the Mississippi. They only 
exacted, however, a tribute from the conquered 
tribes, leaving them to manage their own internal 
affairs, and stipulating that to them alone did the 
right of cession belong. Their country, under 
these claims, embraced all of America north of the 
Cherokee Nation, in Virginia; all Kentucky, and 
all the Northwest, save a district in Ohio and Indi- 
ana, and a small section in Southwestern Illinois, 
claimed by the Miami Confederacy. The Iroquois, 
or Six Nations, were the terror of all other tribes. 
It was they who devastated the Illinois country 
about Rock Fort in 1680, and caused wide-spread 
alarm among all the Western Indians. In 1684, 
Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, held a treaty 
with the Iroquois at Albany, when, at the request 
of Col. Duncan, of New York, they placed them- 
selves under the protection of the English. They 
made a deed of sale then, by treaty, to the British 
Government, of a vast tract of country south and 
east of the Illinois River, and extending into Can- 
ada. In 1726, another deed was drawn up and 
signed by the chiefs of the national confederacy by 
which their lands were conveyed in trust to 
England, " to be protected and defended by His 
Majesty, to and for the use of the grantors and 
their heirs."* 

If the Six Nations had a good claim to the West- 
ern country, there is but little doubt but England 
was justified in defending their country against the 
French, as, by the treaty of Utrecht, they had 
agreed not to invade the lands of Britain's Indian 
allies. This claim was vigorously contested by 
France, as that country claimed the Iroquois had 
no lawful jurisdiction over the West. In all the 
disputes, the interests of the contending nations 
was, however, the paramount consideration. The 
rights of the Indians were little regarded. 

The British also purchased land by the treaty 
of Lancaster, in 1744, wherein they agreed to pay 
the Six Nations for land settled unlawfully in 
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. The In- 



* Annals of the West. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



39 



dians were given goods and gold amounting to 
near a thousand pounds sterling. They were also 
promised the protection of the English. Had this 
latter provision been faithfully carried out, much 
blood would have been saved in after years. The 
treaties with the Six Nations were the real basis 
of the claims of Great Britain to the West ; claims 
that were only settled by war. The Shawanee In- 
dians, on the Ohio, were also becoming hostile to 
the English, and began to assume a threatening 
exterior. Peter Chartiez, a half-breed, residing in 
Philadelphia, escaped from the authorities, those 
by whom he was held for a violation of the laws, 
and joining the Shawanees, persuaded them to join 
the French. Soon after, in 1743 or 1744, he 
placed himself at the head of 400 of their war- 
riors, and lay in wait on the Alleghany River for 
the provincial traders. He captured two, exhib- 
ited to them a captain's commission from the 
French, and seized their goods, worth £1,600. 
The Indians, after this, emboldened by the aid 
given them by the French, became more and more 
hostile, and Weiser was again sent across the mount- 
ains in 1748, with presents to conciliate them and 
sound them on their feelings for the rival nations, 
and also to see what they thought of a settlement 
of the English to be made in the West. The visit 
of Conrad Weiser was successful, and Thomas Lee, 
with twelve other Virginians, among whom were 
Lawrence and Augustine Washington, brothers of 
George Washington, formed a company which 
they styled the Ohio Company, and, in 1748, peti- 
tioned the King for a grant beyond the mountains. 
The monarch approved the petition and the gov- 
ernment of Virginia was ordered to grant the Com- 
pany 500,000 acres within the bounds of that 
colony beyond the Alleghanies, 200,000 of which 
were to be located at once. This provision was to 
hold good for ten years, free of quit rent, provided 
the Company would settle 100 families within 
seven years, and build a fort sufficient for their 
protection. These terms the Company accepted, 
and sent at once to London for a cargo suitable for 
the Indian trade. This was the beginning of 
lilnglish Companies in the West; this one forming 
a prominent part in the history of Ohio, as will 
be seen hereafter. Others were also formed in 
Virginia, whose object was the colonization of the 
West. One of these, the Loyal Company, received, 
on the 12th of June, 1749, a grant of 800,000 
acres, from the line of Canada on the north and 
west, and on the 29th of October, 1751, the Green- 
briar Company received a grant of 100,000 acres. 



To these encroachments, the French were by no 
means blind. They saw plainly enough that if 
the English gained a foothold in the West, they 
would inevitably endeavor to obtain the country, 
and one day the issue could only be decided by 
war. Vaudreuil, the French Governor, had long 
anxiously watched the coming struggle. In 1774, 
he wrote home representing the consequences that 
would surely come, should the English succeed in 
their plans. The towns of the French in Illinois 
were producing large amounts of bread-stuffs and 
provisions which they sent to New Orleans. These 
provinces were becoming valuable, and must not be 
allowed to come under control of a rival power. 
In 1749, Louis Celeron was sent by the Governor 
with a party of soldiers to plant leaden plates, suit- 
ably inscribed, along the Ohio at the mouths of 
the principal streams. Two of these plates were 
afterward exhumed. One was sent to the Mary- 
land Historical Society, and the inscription* deci- 
phered by De Witt Clinton. On these plates was 
clearly stated the claims of France, as will be seen 
from the translation below. 

England's claim, briefly and clearly stated, read 
as follows: "That all lands, or countries west- 
ward from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea, 
between 48 and 34 degrees of North Latitude, 
were expressly included in the grant of King 
James the First, to divers of his subjects, so long- 
time since as the year 1606, and afterwards con- 
firmed in the year 1620; and under this grant, 
the colony of Virginia claims extent so far west 
as the South Sea, and the ancient colonies of Mass- 
achusetts Bay and Connecticut, were by their 
respective charters, made to extend to the said 
South Sea, so that not only the right to the sea 
coast, but to all the Inland countries from sea to 
sea, has at all times been asserted by the Crown of 
England."f 

To make good their titles, both nations were now 
doing their utmost. Professedly at peace, it only 
needed a torch applied, as it were, to any point, to 
instantly precipitate hostilities. The French were 

*The following is the translation of the inscription of the plate 
found at Venango: " In the year 1749, reign of Louis XV, King of 
France, we, Celeron, comniaMdanl of a detachment by Monsieur 
the Marquis of Gallisoniere, Commander-in-chief of New France, 
to establish tranquillity in certain Indian villages in these Cantons, 
have buried this plate at the confluence of the Toraclakoin, this 
twenty-ninth of Jnly, near the River Ohio, otherwise Beautiful 
River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken 
of the said river, and all its tribirtaries; and of all the land on both 
sides, as far as the sources of said rivers; inasmuch as the preceding 
Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms 
and by treaties; especially by those of Kyswick, Utrecht, and Aii 
La Chapelle." 

i Colonial Records of PennsylTania. 






40 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



busily engaged erecting forts from the southern 
shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio, and on down in 
the Illinois Valley ; up at Detroit, and at all its 
posts, preparations were constantly going on for the 
crisis, now sure to come. The issue between the 
two governments was now fully made up. It ad- 
mitted of no compromise but the sword. To that, 
however, neither power desired an immediate ap- 
peal, and both sought rather to establish and fortify 
their interests, and to conciliate the Indian tribes. 
The English, through the Ohio Company, sent out 
Christoj)her Gist in the fall of 1750, to explore the 
regions west of the mountains. He was instructed 
to examine the passes, trace the courses of the 
rivers, mark the falls, seek for valuable lands, ob- 
serve the strength, and to conciliate the friendship 
of the Indian tribes. He was well fitted for such 
an enterprise. Hardy, sagacious, bold, an adept in 
Indian character, a hunter by occupation, no man 
was better qualified than he for such an undertak- 
ing. He visited Logstown, where he was jealously 
received, passed over to the Muskingum River and 
Valley in Ohio, where he found a village of Wyan- 
dots, divided in sentiment. At this village he met 
Crogau, another equally famous frontiersman, who 
had been sent out by Pennsylvania. Together 
they held a council with the chiefs, and received 
assurance of the friendship of the tribe. This 
done, they passed to the Shawnee towns on the 
Scioto, received their assurances of friendship, and 
went on to the Miami Valley, which they crossed, 
remarking in Crogan's journal of its great fertili- 
ty. They made a raft of logs on which they 
crossed the Grreat Miami, visited Piqua, the chief 
town of the Pickawillanies, and here made treaties 
with the Weas and Piankeshaws. While here, a 
deputation of the Ottawas visited the Miami Con- 
federacy to induce them to unite with the French. 
Tliey were repulsed through the influence of the 
t]nglish agents, the Miamis sending Gist word that 
they would " stand like the mountains. " Crogan 
now returned and j)ublished an account of their 
wanderings. Gist followed the Miami to its 
mouth, passed down the Ohio till within fifteen 
miles of the falls, then returned by way of the 
Kentucky River, over the highlands of Kentucky 
to Virginia, arriving in May, 1751. He had 
visited the Mingoes, Delawares, Wyandots, Shawa- 
nees and Miamis, proposed a union among these 
tribes, and appointed a grand council to meet at 
Logstown to form an alliance among themselves 
and with Virginia. His journey was marvelous 
for the day. It was extremely hazardous, as he 



was part of the time among hostile tribes, who 
could have captured him and been well rewarded 
by the French Government. But Gist knew how 
to act, and was successful. 

While Gist was doing this, some English traders 
established themselves at a place in what is now 
known as Shelby County, Ohio, and opened a 
store tor the purpose of trading with the Indians. 
This was clearly in the limits of the West, claimed 
by the French, and at once aroused them to action. 
The fort or stockade stood on the banks of Loramie's 
Creek, about sixteen miles northwest of the present 
city of Sydney. It received the name Loramie 
from the creek by the French, which received 
its name in turn from the French trader of 
that name, who had a trading-post on this 
creek. Loramie had fled to the Spanish country 
west of the Mississippi, and for many years 
was a trader there ; his store being at the junc- 
tion of the Kansas and Missouri, near the present 
city of Kansas City, Mo. When the English 
traders came to Loramie's Creek, and erected 
their trading-place, they gave it the name of Pick- 
awillany, from the tribe of Indians there. The 
Miami confederacy granted them this privilege 
as the result of the presents broughtby Crogan and 
Gist. It is also asserted that Andrew Montour, 
a half-breed, son of a Seneca chief and the famous 
Catharine Montour, who was an important fac- 
tor afterward in the English treaties with the 
Indians, was with them, and by his influence did 
much to aid in securing the privilege. Thus was 
established the first English trading-post in the 
Northwest Territory and in Ohio. It, however, 
enjoyed only a short duration. The French could 
not endure so clear an invasion of their country, 
and gathering a force of Ottawas and Chippewas, 
now their allies, they attacked the stockade in 
June, 1752. At first they demanded of the Miamis 
the surrender of the fort, as they were the real 
cause of its location, having granted the English 
the privilege. The Miamis not only refused, but 
aided the British in the* defense. In the battle that 
ensued, fourteen of the Miamis were slain, and all 
the traders captured. One account says they were 
burned, another, and probably the correct one, 
states that they were taken to Canada as prisoners 
of war. It is probable the traders were from Penn- 
sylvania, as that commonwealth made the Miamis 
presents as condolence for their warriors that were 
slain. 

Blood had now been shed. The opening gun of 
the French and Indian war had been fired, and both 



^- 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



41 



nations became more deeply interested in affairs in 
the West. The English were determined to secure 
additional title to the West, and, in 1752, sent 
Messrs. Fry, Lomax and Patton as commissioners 
to Logstown to treat with the Indians, and confirm 
the Lancaster treaty. They met the Indians on 
the 9th of June, stated their desires, and on the 
11th received their answer. At first, the sav- 
ages were not inclined to recognize the Lancaster 
treaty, but agreed to aid the English, as the French 
had already made war on the Twigtees (at Picka- 
willany), and consented to the establishment of a 
fort and trading-post at the forks of the Ohio. 
This was not all the Virginians wanted, however, 
and taking aside Andrew Montour, now chief of the 
Six Nations, persuaded him to use his influence 
with the red men. By such means, they were in- 
duced to treat, and on the 13th they all united in 
signing a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in 
its full extent, consenting to a settlement southwest 
of the Ohio, and covenanting that it should not be 
disturbed by them. By such means was obtained 
the treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley. 

All this time, the home governments were en- 
deavoring to out-maneuver each other with regard 
to the lands in the West, though there the outlook 
only betokened war. The French understood bet- 
ter than the English how to manage the Indians, 
and succeeded in attaching them firmly to their 
cause. The English were not honest in their 
actions with them, and hence, in after years, the 
massacres that followed. 

At the close of 1752, Grist was at work, in con- 
formity with the Lancaster and Logstown treaties, 
laying out a fort and town on Chartier's Creek, 
about ten miles below the fork. Eleven families 
had crossed the mountains to settle at Grist's resi- 
dence west of Laurel Hill, not far from the Yough- 
iogheny. Goods had come from England for the 
Ohio Company, which were carried as far West as 
Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stands ; and 
where they were taken by the Indians and traders. 

On the other hand, the French were gathering 
cannon and stores on Lake Erie, and, without 
treaties or deeds of land, were gaining the good 
will of the inimical tribes, and preparing, when all 
was ready, to strike the blow. Their fortifications 
consisted of a chain of forts from Lake Erie to 
the Ohio, on the border. One was at Presque Isle, 
on the site of Erie ; one on French Creek, on the 
site of Waterford, Penn.; one at the mouth of 
French Creek, in Venango County, Penn.; while 
opposite it was another, effectually commanding 



that section of country. These forts, it will be 
observed, were all in the limits of the Pennsyl- 
vania colony. The Groveruor informed the Assem- 
bly of their existence, who voted £000 to be used 
in purchasing presents for the Indians near the 
forts, and thereby hold their friendship. Virginia, 
also, took similar measures. Trent was sent, with 
guns and ammunition and presents, to the friendly 
tribes, and, while on his mission, learned of the 
plates of lead planted by the French. In October, 
1753, a treaty was consummated with representa- 
tives of the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees, Twig- 
twees and Wyandots, by commissioners from 
Pennsylvania, one of whom was the philosopher 
Franklin. At the conferences held at this time, 
the Indians complained of the actions of the 
French in forcibly taking possession of the dis- 
puted country, and also bitterly denounced them 
for using rum to intoxicate the red men, when 
they desired to gain any advantage. Not long 
after, they had similar grounds of complaint against 
the English, whose lawless traders cared for nothing 
but to gain the furs of the savage at as little ex- 
pense as possible. 

The encroachments of the French on what was 
regarded as English territory, created intense feel- 
ing in the colonies, especially in Virginia. The 
purpose of the French to inclose the English on 
the Atlantic Coast, and thus prevent their extension 
over the mountains, became more and more ap- 
parent, and it was thought that this was the open- 
ing of a scheme already planned by the French 
Court to reduce all North America under the do- 
minion of France. Grov. Dinwiddle determined 
to send an ambassador to the French posts, to as- 
certain their real intentions and to observe the 
amount and disposition of their forces. He selected 
a young Virginian, then in his twenty-first year, 
a surveyor by trade and one well qualified for the 
duty. That young man afterward led the Ameri- 
can Colonies in their struggle for liberty. George 
Washington and one companion, Mr Gist, suc- 
cessfully made the trip, in the solitude of a severe 
winter, received assurance from the French com- 
mandant that they would by no means abandon 
their outposts, and would not yield unless com- 
pelled by force of arms. The commandant was 
exceedingly polite, but firm, and assured the young 
American that "we claim the country on the Ohio 
by virtue of the discovery of La Salle (in 1699) 
and will not give it up to the English. Our orders 
are to make prisoners of every Englishman found 
trading in the Ohio Valley." 



*7: 



42 



HISTOKY OP OHIO. 



During Washington's absence steps were taken 
to fortify the point formed by the junction of the 
Monougahehi and Alleghany ; and when, on his 
return, he met seventeen horses loaded with mate- 
rials and stores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio, 
and, soon after, some families going out to settle, 
he knew the defense had begun. As soon as 
Washington made his report, Gov. Dinwiddie 
wrote to the Board of Trade, stating that the 
French were building a fort at Venango, and that, 
in March, twelve or fifteen hundred men would 
be ready to descend the river with their Indian 
allies, for which purpose three hundred canoes had 
been collected ; and that Logstown was to be made 
head( quarters, while forts were to be built in other 
places. He sent expresses to the Governors of 
Pennsylvania and New York, apprising them of the 
nature of affairs, and calling upon them for assist- 
ance. He also raised two companies, one of which 
was raised by Washington, the other by Trent. 
The one under Trent was to be raised on the 
frontiers, and was, as soon as possible, to repair to 
the Fork and erect there a fort, begun by the Ohio 
Company. Owing to various conflicting opinions 
between the Governor of Pennsylvania and his 
Assembly, and the conference with the Six Nations, 
held by New York, neither of those provinces put 
forth any vigorous measures until stirred to action 
by the invasions on the frontiers, and until directed 
by the Earl of Holderness, Secretary of State. 

The fort at Venango was finished by the French 
in April, 1754. All along the creek resounded 
the clang of arms and the preparations for war. 
New York and Pennsylvania, though inactive, 
and debating whether the French really had in- 
vaded English territory or not, sent aid to the 
Old Dominion, now all alive to the conquest. The 
two companies had been increased to six; Washing- 
ton was raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 
and made second under command of Joshua 
Fry. Ten cannon, lately from England, were for- 
warded from Alexandria ; wagons were got ready 
to carry westward provisions and stores through 
the heavy spring roads; and everywhere men were 
enlisting under the King's promise of two hundred 
thousand acres of land to those who would go. 
They were gathering along Will's Creek and far 
beyond, while Trent, who had come for more men 
and supplies, left a little band of forty-one men, 
working away in hunger and want at the Fork, to 
which both nations were looking with anxious eyes. 
Though no enemy was near, and only a few Indian 
scouts were seen, keen eyes had observed the low 



fortifications at the Fork. Swift feet had borne 
the news of it up the valley, and though Ensign 
Ward, left in command, felt himself secure, on the 
17th of April he saw a sight that made his heart 
sick. Sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes 
were coming down the Alleghany. The com- 
mandant sent him a summons, which evaded no 
words in its meaning. It was useless to contend, 
that evening he supped with his conqueror ; the 
next day he was bowed out by the polite French- 
man, and with his men and tools marched up the 
Monongahela. The first birds of spring were fill- 
ing the air with their song ; the rivers rolled by, 
swollen by April showers and melting snows; all 
nature was putting on her robes of green ; and the 
fortress, which the English had so earnestly strived 
to obtain and fortify, was now in the hands of the 
French. Fort Du Quesne arose on the incomplete 
fortifications. The seven years' war that followed 
not only afi"ected America, but spread to all quar- 
ters of the world. The war made England a great 
imperial power ; drove the French from Asia and 
America; dispelled the brilliant and extended 
scheme of Louis and his voluptuous empire. 

The active field of operations was in the Canadas 
principally, and along the western borders of Penn- 
sylvania. There were so few people then in the 
present confines of Ohio, that only the possession 
of the country, in common with all the West, 
could be the animus of the conflict. It so much 
concerned this part of the New World, that a brief 
resume of the war will be necessary to fully under- 
stand its history. 

The fall of the post at the fork of the Ohio, Port 
Du Quesne, gave the French control of the West. 
Washington went on with his few militia to re- 
take the post. Though he was successful at first, 
he was in the end defeated, and surrendered, 
being allowed to return with all his munitions of 
war. The two governments, though trying to 
come to a peaceful solution of the question, were 
getting ready for the conflict. France went stead- 
ily on, though at one time England gave, in a 
measure, her consent to allow the French to retain 
all the country west of the Alleghanies and south 
of the lakes. Had this been done, what a different 
future would have been in America ! Other des- 
tinies were at work, however, and the plan fell 
stillborn. 

England sent Gen. Braddock and a fine force 
of men, who marched directly toward the post on 
the Ohio. His ill-fated expedition resulted only 
in the total defeat of his army, and his own death. 






HISTORY or OHIO. 



43 



Washington saved a remnant of the army, and 
made his way back to the colonies. The En- 
glish needed a leader. They next planned four 
campaigns; one against Fort Du Quesne; one 
against Crown Point; one against Niagara, and 
one against the French settlements in Nova Scotia. 
Nearly every one proved a failure. The English 
were defeated on sea and on land, all owing to the 
incapacity of Parliament, and the want of a suit- 
able, vigorous leader. The settlements on the front- 
iers, now exposed to a cruel foe, prepared to defend 
themselves, and already the signs of a government 
of their own, able to defend itself, began to 
appear. They received aid from the colonies. 
Though the French were not repulsed, they and 
their red allies found they could not murder with 
impunity. Self-preservation was a stronger incen- 
tive in conflict than aggrandizement, and the 
cruelty of the Indians found avengers. 

The great Pitt became Prime Minister June 29, 
1757. The leader of the English now appeared. 
The British began to regain their losses on sea and 
land, and for them a brighter day was at hand. 
The key to the West must be retaken, and to Gen. 
Forbes was assigned the duty. Preceding him, 
a trusty man was sent to the Western Indians 
at the head-waters of the Ohio, and along the Mo- 
nongahela and Alleghany, to see if some compro- 
mise with them could not be made, and their aid 
secured. The French had been busy through their 
traders inciting the Indians against the English. 
The lawless traders were another source of trouble. 
Caring nothing for either nation, they carried on a 
distressing traffic in direct violation of the laws, 
continually engendering ill-feeling among the na- 
tives. "Your traders," said one of them, "bring 
scarce anything but rum and flour. They bring 
little powder and lead, or other valuable goods. 
The rum ruins us. We beg you would prevent 
its coming in such quantities by regulating the 
traders. * * * These wicked whisky sell- 
ers, when they have got the Indians in liquor, make 
them sell the very clothes off their backs. If this 
practice be continued, we must be inevitably ruined. 
We mostearnestly, therefore, beseech you to remedy 
it." They complained of the French tradersthe same 
way. They were also beginning to see the animus 
of the whole conflict. Neither power cared as 
much for them as for their land, and flattered and 
bullied by turns as served their purposes best. 

The man selected to go upon this undertaking 
was Christian Frederic Post, a Moravian, who had 
lived among the Indians seventeen years, and mar- 



ried into one of their tribes. He was a missionary, 
and though obliged to cross a country whose every 
stream had been dyed by blood, and every hillside 
rung with the death-yell, and grown red with the 
light of burning huts, he went willingly on his way. 
Of his journey, suiFerings and doings, his own 
journal tells the story. He left Philadelphia on the 
15th of July, 1758, and on the 7th of August 
safely passed the French post at Venango, went on 
to Big Beaver Creek, where he held a conference 
with the chiefs of the Indians gathered there. It 
was decided that a great conference should be 
held opposite Fort Du Quesne, where there were 
Indians of eight nations. "We will bear you in 
our bosoms," said the natives, when Post expressed 
a fear that that he might be delivered over to the 
French, and royally they fulfilled their promises. 
At the conference, it was made clear to Post that 
all the Western Indians were wavering in their 
allegiance to the French, owing largely to the fail- 
ure of that nation to fiilfill their promises of aid to 
prevent them from being deprived of their land by 
the Six Nations, and through that confederacy, by the 
English. The Indians complained bitterly, more- 
over, of the disposition of the whites in over-run- 
ning and claiming their lands. "Why did you not 
tight your battles at home or on the sea, instead of 
coming into our country to fight them?" they 
asked again and again, and mournfully shook their 
heads when they thought of the future before them. 
" Your heart is good," said they to Post. " You 
speak sincerely; but we know there is always a great 
number who wish to get rich ; they have enough ; 
look ! we do not want to be rich and take away 
what others have. The white people think we 
have no brains in our heads ; that they are big, 
and we are a handful ; but remember when you 
hunt for a rattlesnake, you cannot always find it, 
and perhaps it will turn and bite you before you see 
it."* When the war of Pontiac came, and all 
the West was desolated, this saying might have 
been justly remembered. After concluding a peace. 
Post set "out for Philadelphia, and after incredi- 
ble hardships, reached the settlement uninjured 
early in September. His mission had more to do 
than at first is apparent, in the success of the 
English. Had it not been for him, a second Brad- 
dock's defeat might have befallen Forbes, now on 
his way to subjugate Fort Du Quesne. 

Through the heats of August, the army hewed its 
way toward the West. Early in September it 

* Post's Journal. 



^1 



44 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



reached Raystown, wliither Washington had been 
ordered with his troops. Sickness had prevented 
him from being here already. Two officers were 
sent out to reconnoiter the fort, who returned and 
gave a very good account of its condition. Gen. 
Forbes desired to know more of it, and sent out 
Maj. Grant, with 800 men, to gain more complete 
knowledge. Maj. Gi'ant, supposing not more than 
200 soldiers to be in the fort, marched near it and 
made a feint to draw them out, and engage them 
in battle. He was greatly misinformed as to the 
strength of the French, and in the engagement 
that followed he was badly beaten — 270 of his men 
killed, 42 wounded, and several, including himself, 
taken prisoners. The French, elated with their 
victory, attacked the main army, but were repulsed 
and obliged to retreat to the fort. The army con-' 
tinned on its march. On the 24th of November 
they reached Turtle Creek, where a council of war 
was held, and where Gen. Forbes, who had been so 
ill as to be carried on a litter from the start, de- 
clared, with a mighty oath, he would sleep that 
night in the fort, or in a worse place. The Indi- 
ans had, however, carried the news to the French 
that the English were as plenty as the trees of the 
woods, and in their fright they set fire to the fort in 
the ni^ht and left up and down the Ohio River. 
The next morning the English, who had heard the 
explosion of the magazine, and seen the light of 
the burning walls, marched in and took peaceable 
possession. A small fortification was thrown up 
on the bank, and, in honor of the great English 
statesman, it was called Fort Pitt. Col. Hugh Mer- 
cer was left in command, and the main body of the 
army marched back to the settlements. It reached 
Philadelphia January 17, 1759. On the 11th of 
March, Gen. Forbes died, and was buried in the 
chancel of Christ's Church, in that city. 

Post was now sent on a mission to the Six Na- 
tions, with a report of the treaty of Easton. He 
was again instrumental in preventing a coalition of 
the Indians and the French. Indeed, to this ob- 
scure Moravian missionary belongs, in a large 
measure, the honor of the capture of Fort Du 
Quesne, for by his influence had the Indians been 
restrained from attacking the army on its march. 

The garrison, on leaving the fort, went up and 
down the Ohio, part to Presque Isle by land, part to 
Fort Venango, while some of them went on down 
the Ohio nearly to the Mississippi, and there, in 
what is now Massac County, 111., erected a fort, 
called l)y them Fort Massac. It was afterward 
named by many Fort Massacre, from the erroneous 



supposition that a garrison had been massacred 
there. 

The French, though deprived of the key to 
the West, went on preparing stores and ammunition, 
expecting to retake the fort in the spring. Before 
they could do this, however, other places demanded 
their attention. 

The success of the campaign of 1758 opened 
the way for the consummation of the great scheme 
of Pitt — the complete reduction of Canada. Three 
expeditions were planned, by which Canada, 
already well nigh annihilated and suffering for 
food, was to be subjugated. On the west, Prideaux 
was to attack Niagara ; in the center, Amherst was 
to advance on Tieonderoga and Crown Point ; on 
the east, Wolfe was to besiege Quebec. All these 
points gained, the three armies were to be united 
in the center of the province. 

Amherst appeared before Tieonderoga July 22. 
The French blew up their works, and retired 
to Crown Point. Driven from there, they re- 
treated to Isle Aux Nois and entrenched them- 
selves. The lateness of the season prevented fur- 
ther action, and Amherst went into winter quar- 
ters at Crown Point. Early in June, Wolfe 
appeared before Quebec with an army of 8,000 
men. On the night of September 12, he silently 
ascended the river, climbed the heights of Abra- 
ham, a spot considered impregnable by the 
French, and on the summit formed his army of 
5,000 men. Montcalm, the French commander, 
was compelled to give battle. The British col- 
umns, flushed with success, charged his half-formed 
lines, and dispersed them. 

" They fly ! they fly I*' heard Wolfe, just as he 
expired from the eff"ect of a mortal wound, though 
not till he had ordered their retreat cut ofl", and 
exclaimed, "Now, God be praised, I die happy." 
Montcalm, on hearing from the surgeon that death 
would come in a few hours, said, " I am glad of it. 
I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." At 
five the next morning he died happy. 

Prideaux moved up Lake Ontario, and on the 
6th of July invested Niagara. Its capture would 
cut off" the French from the west, and every en- 
deavor was made to hold it. Troops, destined to 
take the small garrison at Fort Pitt, were held to 
assist in raising the siege of Niagara. M. de 
Aubry, commandant in Illinois, came up with 400 
men and 200,000 pounds of flour. Cut off" by the 
abandonment of Fort Du Quesne from the Ohio 
route, he ascended that river as far as the Wabash, 
thence to portage of Fort Miami, or Fort Wayne, 




E. P. STURGES, SEN. 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



47 



^- 



down the Maumee to Lake Erie, and on to Presqu- 
ville, or Presque Isle, over the portage to Le B(jeuf, 
and thence down French Creek to Fort Venango. 
He was chosen to lead the expedition for the relief 
of Niagara. They were pursued by Sir William 
Johnson, successor to Prideaux, who had lost his 
life by the bursting of a cannon, and were obliged to 
flee. The next day Niagara, cut off from succor, 
surrendered. 

All America rang with exultation. Towns were 
bright with illuminations ; the hillsides shone with 
bonfires. From press, from pulpit, from platform, 
and from speakers' desks, went up one glad song of 
rejoicing. England was victorious everywhere. 
The colonies had done their full share, and now 
learned their strength. That strength was needed 
now, for ere long a different conflict raged on the 
soil of America — a conflict ending in the birth of 
a new nation. 

The English sent Gen. Stanwix to fortify Fort 
Pitt, still looked upon as one of the principal for- 
tresses in the West. He erected a good fortifica- 
tion there, which remained under British control 
fifteen years. Now nothing of the fort is left. No 
memorial of the British possession remains in the 
West but a single redoubt, built in 1764 by Col. 
Bouquet, outside of the fort. Even this can hardly 
now be said to exist. 

The fall of Quebec did not immediately produce 
the submission of Canada. M. de Levi, on whom 
the command devolved, retired with the French 
Army to Montreal. In the spring of 1760, he be- 
sieged Quebec, but the arrival of an English fleet 
caused him to again retreat to Montreal. 

Amherst and Johnson, meanwhile, effected a 
union of their forces, the magnitude of whose 
armies convinced the French that resistance would 
be useless, and on the 8th of September, M. de 
Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada, surrendered 
Montreal, Quebec, Detroit, Mackinaw and all other 
posts in Canada, to the English commander-in- 
chief, Amherst, on condition that the French in- 
habitants should, during the war, be "protected 
in the full and free exercise of their religion, and 
the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving 
their future destinies to be decided by the treaty 
of peace." 

Though peace was concluded in the New World, 
on the continent the Powers experienced some 
difficulty in arriving at a satisfactory settlement. 
It was finally settled by what is known in history 
as the "family compact." France and Spain saw 
in the conquest the growing power of England, 



and saw, also, that its continuance only extended 
that power. Negotiations were re-opened, and on 
the 3d of November, 1762, preliminaries were 
agreed to and signed, and afterward ratified in 
Paris, in February, 1763. By the terms of the 
compact, Spain ceded to Great Britian East and 
West Florida. To compensate Spain, France 
ceded to her by a secret article, all Louisiana west 
of the Mississippi. 

The French and Indian war was now over. 
Canada and all its dependencies were now in pos- 
session of the English, who held undisputed sway 
over the entire West as far as Mississippi. It only 
remained for them to take possession of the out- 
posts. Major Robert Rogers was sent to take pos- 
session ol Detroit and establish a garrison there. 
He was a partisan officer on the borders of New 
Hampshire, wliere he earned a name for bravery, 
but afterward tarnished it by treasonable acts. On 
his way to Detroit, on the 7th of November, 1760, 
he was met by the renowned chief, Pontiac, who 
authoritatively commanded him to pause and ex- 
plain his acts. Rogers replied by explaining the 
conquest of Canada, and that he was acting under 
orders from his King. Through the influence of 
Pontiac, the army was saved from the Indians 
sent out by the French, and was allowed to pro- 
ceed on its way. Pontiac had assured his protec- 
tion as long as the English treated him with due 
deference. Beletre, the commandant at Detroit, 
refused to surrender to the English commander, 
until he had received positive assurance from his 
Governor, Vaudreuil, that the country was indeed 
conquered. On the 29th of September, the colors 
of France gave way to the ensign of Great Britain 
amid the shouts of the soldiery and the astonish- 
ment of the Indians, whose savage natures could 
not understand how such a simple act declared one 
nation victors of another, and who wondered at 
the forbearance displayed. The lateness of the 
season prevented further operations, but early the 
next spring, Mackinaw. Green Bay, Ste. Marie, St. 
Joseph and the Ouitenon surrounded, and nothing 
was left but the Illinois towns. These were se- 
cured as soon as the necessary arrangements could 
be made. 

Though the English were now masters of the 
West, and had, while many of these events nar- 
rated were transpiring, extended their settlements 
beyond the Alleghanies, they were by no means 
secure in their possession. The woods and prairies 
were full of Indians, who, finding the English like 
the French, caring more for gain than the welfare 



48 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



of the natives, began to exhibit impatience and re- 
sentment as they saw their lands gradually taken 
from them. The English policy differed very 
materially from the French. The French made 
the Indian, in a measure, independent and taught 
him a desire for European goods. They also 
affiliated easily with them, and became thereby 
strongly endeared to the savage. The French 
were a merry, easy-going race, fond of gayety and 
delighting in adventure. The English were harsh, 
stern, and made no advances to gain the friend- 
ship of the savage. They wanted land to cultivate 
and drove away the Indian's game, and forced him 
farther west. " Where shall we go?" said the 
Indian, despondently; "you drive us farther and 
farther west; by and by you will want all the 
land." And the Anglo-Saxon went sturdily on, 
paying no heed to the complaints. The French 



traders incited the Indian to resent the encroach- 
ment. " The English will annihilate you and take 
all your land," said they. " Their father, the King 
of France, had been asleep, now he had awakened 
and was coming with a great army to reclaim Can- 
ada, that had been stolen from him while he slept." 
Discontent under such circumstances was but 
natural. Soon all the tribes, from the mountains 
to the Mississippi, were united in a plot. It was 
discovered in 1761, and arrested. The next sum- 
mer, another was detected and arrested. The 
officers, and all the people, failed to realize the 
danger. The rattlesnake, though not found, was 
ready to strike. It is only an Indian discontent, 
thought the people, and they went on preparing to 
occupy the country. They were mistaken — the 
crisis only needed a leader to direct it. That 
leader appeared. 



CHAPTER IV. 

PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY— ITS FAILURE— BOUQUET'S EXPEDITION— OCCUPATION BY THE 

ENGLISH. 



PONTIAC, the great chief of the Ottawas, was 
now about fifty years old. He had watched 
the conflict between the nations with a jealous eye, 
and a.s he saw the gradual growth of the English 
people, their encroachment on the lands of the In- 
dians, their greed, and their assumption of the soil, 
his soul was stirred within him to do something 
for his people. He had been a true friend of the 
French, and had led the Indians at the defeat of 
Braddock. Amid all the tumult, he alone saw the 
true state of affairs. The English would inevit- 
ably crush out the Indians. To save his race he 
saw another alliance with the French was neces- 
sary, and a restoration of their power and habits 
needed. It was the plan of a statesman. It only 
failed because of the perfidy of the French. Matur- 
ing his plans late in the autumn of 1762, he sent 
messengers to all the Western and Southern tribes, 
with the black wampum and red tomahawk, em- 
blems of war, from the great Pontiac. "On a cer- 
tain day in the next year," said the messenger, "all 
the tribes are to rise, seize all the English posts, 
and then attack the whole frontier." 

The great council of all the tribes was held at 
the river Ecorces, on the 27th of April, 1763. 
There, before the assembled chiefs, Pontiac deliv- 



ered a speech, full of eloquence and art. He 
recounted the injuries and encroachments of the 
English, and disclosed their designs. The French 
king was now awake and would aid them. Should 
they resign their homes and the graves of their 
fathers without an effort? Were their young men 
no longer brave ? Were they squaws ? The 
Great Master of Life had chided them for their 
inactivity, and had sent his commands to drive 
the "Red Dogs" from the earth. The chiefs 
eagerly accepted the wampvim and the tomahawk, 
and separated to prepare for the coming strife. 

The post at Detroit was informed of the plot 
the evening before it was to occur, by an Ojibway 
girl of great beauty, the mistress of the com- 
mander, Major Gladwin. Pontiac was foiled here, 
his treachery discovered, and he was sternly ordered 
from the conference. A regular seige followed, 
but he could not prevail. He exhibited a degree 
of sagacity unknown in the annals of savage war- 
fare, but all to no purpose ; the English were too 
strong for him. 

At all the other posts, save one, however, the 
plans of Pontiac were carried out, and atrocities, 
unheard of before in American history, resulted. 
The Indians attacked Detroit on the first of May, 



17 ■; 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



49 



and, foiled in their plans, a siege immediately fol- 
lowed. On the 16th, a party of Indians appeared 
before the fort at Sandusky. Seven of them were 
admitted. Suddenly, while smoking, the massacre 
begins. All but Ensign PauUi, the commander, 
fall. He is carried as a trophy to Pontiac. 

At the mouth of the St. Joseph's, the mission- 
aries had maintained a mission station over sixty 
years. They gave way to an English garrison of 
fourteen soldiers and a few traders. On the 
morning of May 25, a deputation of Pottawato- 
mies are allowed to enter. In less than two min- 
utes, all the garrison but the commander are slain. 
He is sent to Pontiac. 

Near the present city of Fort Wayne, Ind., 
at the junction of the waters, stood Fort Miami, 
garrisoned by a few men. Holmes, the com- 
mander, is asked to visit a sick woman. He is 
slain on the way, the sergeant following is made 
prisoner, and the nine soldiers surrender. 

On the night of the last day of May, the wam- 
pum reaches the Indian village below La Fayette, 
Ind., and near Fort Ouitenon. The commander 
of the fort is lured into a cabin, bound, and his 
garrison surrender. Through the clemency of 
French settlers, they are received into their houses 
and protected. 

At Michilimackinac, a game of ball is projected. 
Suddenly the ball is thrown through the gate of the 
stockade. The Indians press in, and, at a signal, 
almost all are slain or made prisoners. 

The fort at Presque Isle, now Erie, was the 
point of communication between Pittsburgh and 
Niagara and Detroit. It was one of the most 
tenable, and had a garrison of four and twenty 
men. On the 22d of June, the commander, to 
save his forces from total annihilation, surrenders, 
and all are carried prisoners to Detroit. 

The capitulation at Erie left Le Bceuf with- 
out hope. He was attacked on the 18th, 
but kept off the Indians till midnight, when he 
made a successful retreat. As they passed Ve- 
nango, on their way to Fort Pitt, they saw only 
the ruins of that garrison. Not one of its immates 
had been spared. 

Fort Pitt was the most important station west 
of the Alleghanies. " Escape ! " said Turtle's 
Heart, a Delaware warrior ; " you will all be 
slain. A great army is coming." "There are 
three large English armies coming to my aid," 
said Ecuyer, the commander. " I have enough 
provisions and ammunition to stand a siege of three 
years' time." A second and third attempt was 



for 

for 

of 



made by the savages to capture the post, but all to 
no avail. Bafl3ed on all sides here, they destroy 
Ligonier, a few miles below, and massacre men, 
women and children. Fort Pitt was besieged till 
the last day of July, but withstood all attacks. 
Of all the outposts, only it and Detroit were left. 
All had been captured, and the majority of the 
garrison slain. Along the frontier, the war was 
waged with fury. The Indians were fighting 
their homes and their hunting-grounds; and 
these they fought with the fury and zeal 
fanatics. 

Detachments sent to aid Detroit are cut off. 
The prisoners are burnt, and Pontiac, infusing his 
zealous and demoniacal spirit into all his savage 
allies, pressed the siege with vigor. The French 
remained neutral, yet Pontiac made requisitions 
on them and on their neighbors in Illinois, issuing 
bills of credit on birch -bark, all of which were 
fliithfully redeemed. Though these two posts 
could not be captured, the frontier could be 
annihilated, and vigorously the Indians pursued 
their policy. Along the borders of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia a relentless warfare was waged, 
sparing no one in its way. Old age, feeble infancy, 
strong man and gentle woman, fair girl and hope- 
ful boy — all fell before the scalping-knife of the 
merciless savage. The frontiers were devastated. 
Thousands were obliged to flee, leaving their 
possessions to the torch of the Indian. 

The colonial government, under British direc- 
tion, was inimical to the borders, and the colonists 
saw they must depend only upon their own arms 
for protection. Already the struggle for freedom 
was upon them. They could' defend only them- 
selves. They must do it, too ; for that defense is 
now needed in a different cause than settling dis- 
putes between rival powers. " We have millions 
for defense, but not a cent for tribute," said they, 
and time verified the remark. 

Gen. Amherst bestirred himself to aid the 
frontiers. He sent Col. Henry Bouquet, a native 
of Switzerland, and now an officer in the English 
Army, to relieve the garrison at Fort Pitt. They 
followed the route made by Gen. Forbes, and on 
the way relieved Forts Bedford and Ligonier, both 
beleaguered by the Indians. About a day's jour- 
ney beyond Ligonier, he was attacked by a body 
of Indians at a place called Bushy Run. For 
awhile, it seemed that he and all his army would 
be destroyed ; but Bouquet was bold and brave 
and, under a feint of retreat, routed, the savages. 
He passed on, and relieved the garrison at Fort 






50 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Pitt, aud thus secured it agaiu.st the assaults of 
the Tudians. 

The campaign had been disastrous to the En- 
glish, but fatal to the plans of Pontiac. He could 
not capture Detroit, and he knew the great scheme 
must fail. The battle of Bushy Run and the 
relief of Fort Pitt closed the campaign, and all 
hope of co-operation was at an end. Circum- 
stances were combined against the confederacy, 
and it was fast falling to pieces. A proclamation 
was issued to the Indians, explaining to them the 
existing state of affairs, and showing to them the 
futility of their plans. Pontiac, however, would 
not give up. Again he renewed the siege of De- 
troit, and Gen. Gage, now in command of the 
army in the colonies, resolved to carry the war 
into their own country. Col. Bradstreet was or- 
dered to lead one army by way of the lakes, 
against the Northern Indians, while Col. Bouquet 
was sent against the Indians of the Ohio. Col. 
Bradstreet went on his way at the head of 1,200 
men, but trusting too much to the natives and 
their promises, his expedition proved largely a fail- 
ure. He relieved Detroit in August, 1764, which 
had been confined in the garrison over fifteen 
months, aud dispersed the Indians that yet lay 
around the fort. But on his way back, he saw how 
the Indians had duped him, and that they were 
still plundering the settlements. His treaties were 
annulled by Gage, who ordered him to destroy 
their towns. The season was far advanced, his 
provisions were getting low, and he was obliged to 
return to Niagara chagrined and disappointed. 

Col. Bou((uet knew well the character of the 
Indians, aud shaped his plans accordingly. He 
had an army of 1,500 men, 500 regulars and 1,000 
Volunteers. They had had experience in fighting 
the savages, and could be depended on. At Fort 
Louden, he heard of Bradstreet's ill luck, and saw 
through the deception practiced by the Indians. 
He arrived at Fort Pitt the 17th of September, 
where he arrested a deputation of chiefs, who met 
him with the same promises that had deceived 
Bradstreet. He sent one of their number back, 
threatening to put to d(;ath the chiefs unless they 
allowed his messengers to safely pass through their 
country to Detroit. The decisive tone of his 
words convinced them of the ftite that awaited 
them unless they complied. On the 3d of Octo- 
ber the army left Fort Pitt, marched down the 
river to and across the Tuscarawas, arriving in the 
vicinity of Fredrick Post's late mission on the 1 7th. 
There a conference was held with the assembled 



tribes. Bouquet sternly rebuked them for their 
faithlessness, and when told by the chiefs they could 
not restrain their young men, he as sternly told 
them they were responsible for their acts. He 
told them he would trust them no longer. If they 
delivered up all their prisoners within twelve days 
they might hope for peace, otherwise there would 
be no mercy shown them. They were completely 
humbled, and, separating hastily, gathered their 
captives. On the 25th, the army proceeded down 
to the Tuscarawas, to the junction with White 
Woman River, near the town of Coshoctdii, in 
Coshocton County, Ohio, and there made jirepa- 
rations for the reception of the captives. There 
they remained until the 18th of November; from 
day to day prisoners were brought in — men, women 
and children — and delivered to their friends. Many 
were the touching scenes enacted during this time. 
The separated husband and wife met, the latter 
often carrying a child born in captivity. Brothers 
and sisters, separated in youth, met ; lovers rushed 
into each other's arms ; children found their 
parents, mothers their sons, fathers their daughters, 
and neighbors those from whom they had been 
separated many years. Yet, there were many dis- 
tres^sing scenes. Some looked in vain for long-lost 
relatives and friends, that never should return. 
Others, that had been captured in their infancy, 
would not leave their savage friends, and when 
force was used some fled away. One mother 
looked in vain for a child she had lost years be- 
fore. Day by day, she anxiously watched, but no 
daughter's voice reached her ears. One, clad in 
savage attire, was brought before her. It could 
not be her daughter, she was grown. So was the 
maiden before her. " Can not you remember some 
mark?" asked Bouquet, whose sympathies were 
aroused in this case. "There is none," said the 
anxious and sorrowful mother. " Sing a song you 
sang over her cradle, she may remember," suggested 
the commander. One is sung by her mother. As 
the song of childhood floats out among the trees 
the maiden stops and listens, then approaches. 
Yes, she remembers. Mother and daughter are 
held in a close embrace, and the stern Bouquet 
wipes away a tear at the scene. 

On the 18th, the army broke up its encamp- 
ment and started on its homeward march. Bouquet 
kept six principal Indians as hostages, and re- 
turned to the homes of the captives. The Indians 
kept their promises faithfully, and the next year 
representatives pf all the Western tribes met Sir 
William Johnson, at the German Flats, and made 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



51 



a treaty of peace. A tract of land in the Indian 
country was ceded to the whites for the benefit of 
those who had suifered in the late war. The In- 
dians desired to make a treaty with Johnson, 
whereby the Alleghany River should be the west- 
ern boundary of the English, but he excused him- 
self on the ground of proper power. 

Not long after this the Illinois settlements, too 
remote to know much of the struggle or of any of 
the great events that had convulsed an empire, and 
changed the destiny of a nation, were brought 
under the English rule. There were five villages 
at this date: Kaskaskia, Cahokia, St. Philip, Vin- 
cennes and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres, 
the mihtary headquarters of these French posses- 
sions. They were under the control or command 
of M. de Abadie, at New Orleans. They had also 
extended explorations west of the Mississippi, and 
made a few settlements in what was Spanish terri- 
tory. The country had been, however, ceded to 
France, and in February, 1764, the country was 
formally taken possession of and the present city 
of St. Louis laid out. - 

As soon as the French knew of the change of 
government, many of them went to the west side of 
the river, and took up their residence there. They 
were protected in their religion and civil rights by 
the terms of the treaty, but preferred the rule of 
their own King. 

The British took possession of this country early 
in 1765. Grcn. Gage sent Capt. Stirling, of the 
English Army, who arrived before summer, and to 
whom St. Ange, the nominal commandant, surren- 
dered the authority. The British, through a suc- 
cession of commanders, retained control of the coun- 
try until defeated by George Rogers Clarke, and 
his "ragged Virginia militia." 

After a short time, the French again ceded the 
country west of the Mississippi to Spain, and re- 
lincpiished forever their control of all the West in 
the New World. 

The population of Western Louisiana, when the 
exchange of governments occurred, was estimated 
to be 13,538, of which 891 were in the Illinois 
country — as it was called — west of the Mississippi. 
East of the river, and before the French crossed 
into Spanish country, the population was estimated 
to be about 3,000. All these had grown into 
communities of a peculiar character. Indeed, that 
peculiarity, as has been observed, never changed 
until a gradual amalgamation with the American 
people efiected it, and that took more than a cen- 
tury of time to accomplish. 



The English now owned the Northwest. True, 
they did not yet occupy but a small part of it, but 
traders were again crossing the mountains, ex- 
plorers for lands were on the Ohio, and families 
for settlement were beginning to look upon the 
West as their future home. Companies were again 
forming to purchase large tracts in the Ohio coun- 
try, and open them for emigration. One thing yet 
stood in the way — a definite boundary line. That 
line, however, was between the English and the 
Indians, and not, as had heretofore been the case, 
between rival European Powers. It was necessary 
to arrange some definite boundary before land com- 
panies, who were now actively pushing their claims, 
could safely survey and locate their lands. 

Sir William Johnson, who had at previous times 
been instrumental in securing treaties, wrote re- 
peatedly to the Board of Trade, who controlled the 
greater part of the commercial transactions in the 
colonies — and who were the first to exclaim against 
extending English settlements beyond a limit 
whereby they would need manufactures, and there- 
by become independent of the Mother Country — 
urging upon tlnjm, and through them the Crown, the 
necessity of a fixed boundary, else another Indian 
war was probable. The Indians found themselves 
gradually hemmed in by the growing power of the 
whites, and began to exhibit hostile feelings. The 
irritation became so great that in the summer of 
1767, Gage wrote to the Governor of Pennsylvania 
concerning it. The Governor communicated his 
letter to the General Assembly, who sent repre- 
sentatives to England, to urge the immediate set- 
tlement of the question. In compliance with these 
requests, and the letters of prominent citizens, 
Franklin among the number, instructions were sent 
to Johnson, ordering him to complete the purchase 
from the Six Nations, and settle all difi'erences. 
He sent word to all the Western tribes to meet 
him at Fort Stanwix, in October, 1768. The con- 
ference was held on the 24th of that month, and 
was attended by colonial representatives, and by 
Indians from all parts of the Northwest. It was 
determined that the line should begin on the Ohio, 
at the mouth of the Cherokee (Tennessee), thence 
up the river to the Alleghany and on to Kittan- 
ning, and thence across to the Susquehanna. By 
this line, the whole country south of the Ohio and 
Alleghany, to which the Six Nations had any 
claim, was transferred. Part of this land was 
made to compensate twenty-two traders, whose goods 
had been stolen in 1763. The deeds made, were 
upon the express agreement that no claims should 



*7l 



53 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



ever be based on the treaties of Lancaster, Logs- 
town, etc., and were signed by the chiefs of the Six 
Nations for themselves, their alHes and dependents, 
and the Shawanees, Delawares, Mingoes of Ohio, 
and others ; though the Shawanees and Delaware 
deputies did not sign them. On this treaty, in a 
great measure, rests the title by purchase to Ken- 
tucky, Western Virginia and Western Pennsylva- 
nia. The rights of the Cherokees were purchased 
by Col. Donaldson, either for the King, Virginia, 
or for himself, it is impossible to say which. 

The grant of the northern confederacy was now 
made. The white man could go in and possess 
these lands, and know that an army would protect 
him if necessary. Under such a guarantee. West- 
ern lands came rapidly into market. In addition 
to companies already in existence for the purchase 
of land, others, the most notable of these being the 
"Walpole" and the "Mississippi" Land Companies, 
were formed. This latter had among its organizers 
such men as Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard 
Henry Lee, George Washington and Arthur Lee. 
Before any of these companies, some of whom ab- 
sorbed the Ohio Company, could do anything, the 
Revolution came on, and all land transactions were 
at an end. After its close, Congress would not 
sanction their claims, and they fell through. This 
did not deter settlers, however, from crossing the 
mountains, and settling in the Ohio country. In 



spite of troubles with the Indians — some of wliom 
regarded the treaties with the Six Nations as un- 
lawful, and were disposed to complain at the rapid 
influx of whites — and the failure of the land com- 
panies, settlers came steadily during the decade 
from 1768 to 1778, so that by the close of that 
time, there was a large population south of the 
Ohio River ; while scattered along the northern 
banks, extending many miles into the wilderness, 
were hardy adventurers, who were carving out 
homes in the magnificent forests everywhere cov- 
ering the country. 

Among the foremost speculators in Western 
lands, was George Washington. As early as 1763, 
he employed Col. Crawford, afterward the leader in 
" Crawford's campaign," to purchase lands for him. 
In 1770, he crossed the mountains in company 
with several gentlemen, and examined the country 
along the Ohio, down which stream he passed to 
the mouth of the Great Kanawha, where he shot 
some buffalo, then plenty, camped out a few nights, 
and returned, fully convinced, it seems, that one 
day the West would be the best part of the New- 
World. He owned, altogether, nearly fifty thou- 
sand acres in the West, which he valued at S3. 33 
per acre. Had not the war of the Revolution just 
then broken out, he might have been a resident of 
the West, and would have been, of course, one of 
its most prominent citizens. 



CHAPTER V. 

AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS — DUNMORE'S WAR— CAMPAIGN OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE- 
LAND TROUBLES— SPAIN IN THE REVOLUTION — MURDER OF 
THE MORAVIAN INDIANS. 



MEANWHILE, Kentucky was fiUing with 
citizens, and though considerable trouble 
was experienced with the Indians, and the operations 
of Col. Richard Henderson and others, who made 
unlawful treaties with the Indians, yet Daniel 
Boone and his associates had established a 
commonwealth, and, in 1777, a county was 
formed, which, erelong, was divided into three. 
Louisville was laid out on land belonging to 
Tories, and an important start made in this part 
of the West. Emigrants came down the Ohio 
River, saw the northern shores were inviting, and 
sent back such accounts that the land north of the 
river rapidly grew in favor with Eastern people. 



One of the most important Western characters. 
Col. (afterward Gen.) George Rogers Clarke, had 
had much to do in forming its character. He 
was born November 19, 1752, in Albemarle 
County, Va., and early came West. He had an 
unusually sagacious spirit, was an excellent sur- 
veyor and general, and took an active interest in 
all State and national aflPairs. He understood the 
animus of the Revolution, and was prepared to 
do his part. Col. Clarke was now meditating a 
move unequaled in its boldness, and one that had 
more to do with the success of America in the 
struggle for independence than at first appears. 
He saw through the whole plan of the British, 



rv 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



53 



who held all the outposts, Kaskaskia, Detroit, 
Vincennes and Niagara, and determined to circum- 
vent them and wrest the West from their power. 
The British hoped to encircle the Americans by 
these outposts, and also unite the Indians in a 
common war against them. That had been 
attempted by the French when the English con- 
quered them. Then the French had a powerful 
ally in the person of Pontiac, yet the brave front- 
iersmen held their homes in many places, though 
the Indians " drank the blood of many a Briton, 
scooping it up in the hollow of joined hands." 
Now the Briton had no Pontiac to lead the scat- 
tered tribes — tribes who now feared the unerring 
aim of a settler, and would not attack him openly — 
Clarke knew that the Delawares were divided in 
feeling and that the Shawanees were but imperfectly 
united in favor of England since the murder of 
their noted chiefs. He was convinced that, if the 
British could be driven from the Western posts, 
the natives could easily be awed into submission, 
or bribed into neutrality or friendship. They 
admired, from their savage views of valor, the 
side that became victorious. They cared little for 
the cause for which either side was fighting. 
Clarke sent out spies among them to ascertain the 
feasibility of his plans. The spies were gone 
from April 20 to June 22, and fully corroborated 
his views concerning the English policy and the 
feelings of the Indians and French. 

Before proceeding in the narrative of this expe- 
dition, however, it will be well to notice a few acts 
transpiring north of the Ohio River, especially re- 
lating to the land treaties, as they were not without 
effect on the British policy. Many of the Indians 
north and south of the Ohio would not recognize 
the validity of the Fort Stanwix treaty, claiming 
the Iroquois had no right to the lands, despite 
their concjuest. These discontented natives har- 
assed the emigrants in such a manner that many 
Indians were slain in retaliation. This, and the 
working of the French traders, who at all times 
were bitterly opposed to the English rule, filled the 
breasts of the natives with a malignant hate, which 
years of bloodshed could not wash out. The 
murder of several Indians by lawless whites fanned 
the coal into a blaze, and, by 1774, several retalia- 
tory murders occurred, committed by the natives 
in revenge for their fallen friends. The Indian 
slew any white man he found, as a revenge on some 
fi'iend of his slain ; the frontiqrsman, acting on the 
same principle, made the borders extremely dan- 
gerous to invaders and invaded. Another cause 



of fear occurred about this time, which threatened 
seriously to retard emigration. 

Pittsburgh had been claimed by both Pennsyl- 
vania and Virginia, and, in endeavoring to settlg 
the dispute. Lord Dunmore's war followed.. Dr. 
John Connelly, an ambitious, intriguing person, 
induced Lord Dunmore to assert the claims of Vir- 
ginia, in the name of the King. In attempting to 
carry out his intentions, he was arrested by Arthur 
St. Clair, representing the proprietors of Pennsyl- 
vania, who was at Pittsburgh at the time. Con- 
nelly was released on bail, but went at once to 
Staunton, where he was sworn in as a Justice of 
Peace. Returning, he gathered a force of one 
hundred and fifty men, suddenly took possession of 
Pittsburgh, refused to allow the magistrates to 
enter the Court House, or to exercise the functions 
of their offices, unless in conformity to his will. 
Connelly refused any terms offered by the Penn- 
sylvania deputies, kept possession of the place, 
acted very harshly toward the inhabitants, stirred 
up the neutral Indians, and, for a time, threatened 
to make the boundary line between the two colonies 
a very serious question. His actions led to hostile 
deeds by some Indians, when the whites, no doubt 
urged by him, murdered seven Indians at the 
mouth of the Captina River, and at the house of 
a settler named Baker, where the Indians were 
decoyed under promises of friendship and offers of 
rum. Among those murdered at the latter place, 
was the entire family of the famous Mingoe chief, 
Logan. This has been charged to Michael Cresap ; 
but is untrue. Daniel Greathouse had command 
of the party, and though Cresap may have been 
among them, it is unjust to lay the blame at his 
feet. Both murders, at Captina and Yellow Creek, 
were cruel and unwarranted, and were, without 
doubt, the cause of the war that followed, though 
the root of the matter lay in Connelly's arbitrary 
actions, and in his needlessly alarming the Indians. 
Whatever may have been the facts in relation to 
the murder of Logan's family, they were of such 
a nature as to make all feel sure of an Indian war, 
and preparations were made for the conflict. 

An army was gathered at Wheeling, which, 
some time in July, under command of Col. Mc- 
Donald, descended the Ohio to the mouth of Cap- 
tina Creek. They proposed to march against an 
Indian town on the Muskingum. The Indians 
sued for peace, but their pretensions being found 
spurious, their towns and crops were destroyed. 
The army then retreated to Williamsburg, having 
accomplished but little. 



»^ i 



HB 



54 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The Delawarcs were anxious for peace ; even the 
Mingoes, whose relatives had been slain at Yellow 
Creek, and Captina, were restrained; but Logan, 
who had been turned to an inveterate foe to tlie 
Americans, came suddenly upon the Monongahela 
settlements, took thirteen scalps in revenge for the 
loss of his family, returned home and expressed 
himself ready to treat with the Long Knives, the 
Virginians. Had Connelly acted properly at this 
juncture, the war might have been ended; but 
his actions only incensed both borderers and In- 
dians. So obnoxious did he become that Lord 
Dunmore lost faith in him, and severely repri- 
manded him. 

To put a stop to the depredations of the Indians, 
two large bodies of troops were gathered in Vir- 
ginia, one under Gen. Andrew Lewis, and one 
under command of Dunmore himself. Before 
the armies could meet at the mouth of the Great 
Kanawha, their objective point, Lewis' army, which 
arrived first, was attacked by a furious band of Dela- 
wares, Shawanees, Iroquois and Wyandots. The 
conflict was bitterly prolonged by the Indians, who, 
under the leadership of Cornstalk, were deter- 
mined to make a decisive effort, and fought till 
late at night (October 10, 1774), and then only by 
a strategic move of Lewis' command — which re- 
sulted in the defeat of the Indians, compelling them 
to cross the Ohio — was the conflict ended. Mean- 
while, Dunmore's army came into the enemy's 
country, and, being joined by the remainder of 
Lewis' command, pressed forward intending to an- 
nihilate the Indian towns. Cornstalk and his 
chiefs, however, sued for peace, and the conflict 
closed. Dunmore established a camp on Sippo 
Creek, where he held conferences with the natives 
and concluded the war. When he left the country, 
he stationed 100 men at the mouth of the Great 
Kanawha, a few more at Pittsburgh, and another 
corps at Wheeling, then called Fort Fincastle. 
Dunmore intended to return to Pittsburgh the 
next spring, meet the Indians and form a definite 
peace ; but the revolt of the colonies prevented. 
However, he opened several offices for the sale of 
lands in the West, some of which were in the limits 
of the Pennsylvania colony. This led to the old 
boundary dispute again; but before it could be 
settled, the Revolution began, and Lord Dunmore's, 
as well as almost all other land speculations in the 
West, were at an end. 

In 1775 and 1776, the chief events transpiring 
in the West relate to the treaties with the Indians, 
and the endeavor on the part of the Americans to 



have them remain neutral in the family quarrel now 
coming on, which they could not understand. The 
British, like the French, however, could not let 
them alone, and finally, as a retaliatory measure, 
Congress, under advice of Washington, won some of 
them over to the side of the colonies, getting their 
aid and holding them neutral. The colonies only 
offered them rewards for prisoners ; never, like the 
British, offering rewards for scalps. Under such 
rewards, the atrocities of the Indians in some quar- 
ters were simply horrible. The scalp was enough 
to get a reward, that was a mark of Indian valor, 
too, and hence, helpless innocence and decrepit old 
age were not spared. They stirred the minds of 
the pioneers, who saw the protection of their fire- 
sides a vital point, and led the way to the scheme 
of Col. Clarke, who was now, as has been noted, the 
leading spirit in Kentucky. He saw through the 
scheme of the British, and determined, by a quick, 
decisive blow, to put an end to it, and to cripple 
their power in the West. 

Among the acts stimulating Clarke, was the attack 
on Fort Henry, a garrison about one-half mile 
above Wheeling Creek, on the Ohio, by a renegade 
white man, Simon Girty, an agent in the employ of 
the British, it is thought, and one of the worst 
wretches ever known on the frontier. When Girty 
attacked Fort Henry, he led his red allies in regu- 
lar military fashion, and. attacked it without mercy. 
The defenders were brave, and knew with whom 
they were contending. Great bravery was displayed 
by the women in the fort, one of whom, a Miss 
Zane, carried a keg of gunpowder from a cabin 
to the fort. Though repeatedly fired at by the sav- 
ages, she reached the fort in safety. After awhile, 
however, the effect of the frontiersmen's shots began 
to be felt, and the Indians sullenly withdrew. 
Re-enforcements coming, the fort was held, and 
Girty and his band were obliged to flee. 

Clarke saw that if the British once got con- 
trol over the Western Indians the scene at Fort 
Henry would be repeated, and would not likely, 
in all cases, end in favor of the Americans. With- 
out communicating any of his designs, he left Har- 
rodsburg about the 1st of October, 1777, and 
reached the capital of Virginia by November 5. 
Still keeping his mind, he awaited a favorable op- 
portunity to broach his plans to those in power, 
and, in the meanwhile, carefully watched the exist- 
ing state of feeling. When the opportunity came, 
Clarke broached his^plans to Patrick Henry, Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, who at once entered warmly 
into them, recognizing their great importance. 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



55 



Through his aid, Clarke procured the necessary au- 
thority to prosecute his plans, and returned at once 
to Pittsburgh. He intended raising men about 
this post, but found them fearful of leaving their 
homes unprotected. However, he secured three 
companies, and, with these and a number of volun- 
teers, picked up on the way down the Ohio River, 
he fortified Corn Island, near the falls, and made 
ready for his expedition. He had some trouble in 
keeping his men, some of those fi'om Kentucky 
refusing to aid in .subduing stations out of their 
own country. He did not announce his real inten- 
tions till he had reached this point. Here Col. 
Bowman joined him with his Kentucky militia, 
and, on the 24th of June, 1778, during a total 
eclipse of the sun, the party left the fort. Before 
his start, he learned of the capture of Burgoyne, 
and, when nearly down to Fort Massac, he met 
some of his spies, who informed him of the exag- 
gerated accounts of the ferocity of the Long 
Knives that the French had received from the 
British. By proper action on his part, Clarke saw 
both these items of information could be made 
very beneficial to him. Leaving the river near 
Fort Massac, he set out on the march to Kaskas- 
kia, through a hot summer's sun, over a country 
full of savage foes. They reached the town un- 
noticed, on the evening of July 4, and, before 
the astonished British and French knew it, they 
were all prisoners. M. Rocheblave, the English 
commander, was secured, but his wife adroitly con- 
cealed the papers belonging to the garrison. In 
the person of M. Gibault, the French priest, Clarke 
found a true friend. When the true character of 
the Virginians became apparent, the French were 
easily drawn to the American side, and the priest 
secured the surrender and allegiance of Cahokia 
through his personal influence. M. Gibault told 
him he would also secure the post at St. Vincent's, 
which he did, returning from the mission about 
the 1st of August. During the interval, Clarke re- 
enlisted his men, formed his plans, sent his pris- 
oners to Kentucky, and was ready for future action 
when M. Gibault arrived. He sent Capt. Helm 
and a single soldier to Vincennes to hold that fort 
until he could put a garrison there. It is but 
pn)per to state that the English commander, Col. 
Hamilton, and his band of soldiers, were absent at 
Detroit when the priest secured the village on the 
"Ouabache." When Hamilton returned, in the 
autumn, he was greatly surprised to see the Amer- 
ican flag floating from the ramparts of the fort, 
and when approaching the gate he was abruptly 



halted by Capt. Helm, who stood with a lighted fuse 
in his hand by a cannon, answering Hamilton's 
demand to surrender with the imperative inquiry, 
"Upon what terms, sir?" "Upon the honors of 
war," answered Hamilton, and he marched in 
greatly chagrined to see he had been halted by 
two men. The British commander sat quietly 
down, intending to go on down the river and sub- 
due Kentucky in the spring, in the mean time 
off'ering rewards for American scaljjs, and thereby 
gaining the epithet " Hair-buyer General." Clarke 
heard of his actions late in January, 1779, and, as 
he says, " I knew if I did not take him he would 
take me," set out early in February with his troops 
and marched across the marshy plains of Lower 
Illinois, reaching the Wabash post by the 22d of 
that month. The unerring aim of the Westerner 
was effectual. " They will shoot your eyes out," 
said Helm to the British troops. " There, I told 
you so," he further exclaimed, as a soldier vent- 
ured near a port-hole and received a shot directly 
in his eye. On the 24th the fort surrendered. 
The American flag waved again over its ramparts. 
The " Hair-buyer General" was sent a prisoner to 
Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement 
for his cruel acts. Clarke returned to Kaskaskia, 
perfected his plans to hold the Illinois settlements, 
went on to Kentucky, from where he sent word to 
the colonial authorities of the success of his expe- 
dition. Had he received the aid promised him, 
Detroit, in ea.sy reach, would have fallen too, but 
Gen. Green, failing to send it as promised, the capt- 
ure of that important post was delayed. 

Had Clarke failed, and Hamilton succeeded, the 
whole West would have been swept, from the Alle- 
ghanies to the Mississippi. But for this small 
army of fearless Virginians, the union of all the 
triljes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies 
might have been eff"ected, and the whole current 
of American history changed. America owes 
Clarke and his band more than it can ever pay. 
Clarke reported the capture of Kaskaskia and the 
Illinois country early after its surrender, and in 
October the county of Illinois was established, 
extending over an unlimited expanse of country, 
by the Virginia Legislature. John Todd was 
appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor. 
In November, Clarke and his men received the 
thanks of the same body, who, in after years, 
secured them a grant of land, which they selected 
on the right bank of the Ohio River, opposite 
Louisville. They expected here a city would rise 
one day, to be the peer of Louisville, then coming 



^ (i 



® i_ 



56 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



into prominence as an important place. By some 
means, their expectations failed, and only the 
dilapidated village of Clarkesburg perpetuates 
their hopes. 

The conquest of Clarke changed the face of 
affairs in relation to the whole country north of 
the Ohio River, which would, in all probability, 
have been made the boundary between Canada and 
the United States. When this was proposed, the 
strenuous arguments based on this conquest, by 
the American Commissioners, secured the present 
boundary line in negotiating the treaty of 1793. 

Though Clarke had failed to capture Detroit, 
Congress saw the importance of the post, and 
resolved on securing it. Gren. McCosh, commander 
at Fort Pitt, was put in command, and $1,000,- 
000 and 3,000 men placed at his disposal. By 
some dilatory means, he got no further than the 
Tuscarawas River, in Ohio, where a half-way 
house, called Fort Laurens, for the President of 
Congress, was built. It was too far out to be of 
practicable value, and was soon after abandoned. 

Indian troubles and incursions by the British 
were the most absorbing themes in the West. 
The British went so far as Kentucky at a later 
date, while they intended reducing Fort Pitt, only 
abandoning it when learning of its strength. 
Expeditions against the Western Indians were led 
by Gren. Sullivan, Col. Daniel Broadhead, Col. 
Bowman and others, which, for awhile, silenced 
the natives and taught them the power of the 
Americans. They could not organize so readily 
as before, and began to attach themselves more 
closely to the British, or commit their depredations 
in bands, fleeing into the wilderness as soon as 
they struck a blow. In this way, several localities 
suffered, until the settlers became again exasper- 
ated ; other expeditions were formed, and a second 
chastisement given. In 1781, Col. Broadhead 
led an expedition against the Central Ohio Indians. 
It did not prove so successful, as the Indians were 
led by the noted chief Brant, who, though not 
cruel, was a foe to the Americans, and assisted the 
British greatly in their endeavors to secure the West. 

Another class of events occurred now in the 
West, civil in their relations, yet destined to form 
an important part of its history — its land laws. 

It must be borne in mind, that Virginia claimed 
the greater portion of the country north of the 
Ohio River, as well as a large part south. The 
other colonies claimed land also in the West under 
the old Crown grants, which extended to the 
South or Western Sea. To more complicate mat- 



ters, several land companies held proprietary rights 
to portions of these lands gained by grants from 
the Crown, or from the Colonial Assemblies. 
Others were based on land warrants issued 
in 1763; others on selection and > survey and 
still others on settlement. In this state of 
mixed affairs, it was difficult to say who held a 
secure claim. It was a question whether the old 
French grants were good or not, especially since 
the change in government, and the eminent pros- 
pect of still another change. To, in some way, 
aid in settling these claims, Virginia sent a com- 
mission to the West to sit as a court and determine 
the proprietorship of these claims. This court, 
though of as doubtful authority as the claims 
themselves, went to work in Kentucky and along 
the Ohio River in 1779, and, in the course of one 
year, granted over three thousand certificates. 
These were considered as good authority for a 
definite title, and were so regarded in after pur- 
chases. Under them, many pioneers, like Daniel 
Boone, lost their lands, as all were required to 
hold some kind of a patent, while others, who 
possessed no more principle than "land-sharks" 
of to-day, acquired large tracts of land by holding 
a patent the court was bound to accept. Of all 
the colonies, Virginia seemed to have the best 
title to the Northwest, save a few parcels, such as 
the Connecticut or Western Reserve and some 
similar tracts held by New York, Massachusetts 
and New Jersey. When the territory of the 
Northwest was ceded to the General Government, 
this was recognized, and that country was counted 
as a Virginia county. 

The Spanish Government, holding the region 
west of the Mississippi, and a portion east toward 
its outlet, became an important but secret ally of 
the Americans. When the French revolt was 
suppressed by O'Reilly, and the Spanish assumed 
the government of Louisiana, both Upper and 
Lower, there was a large tract of country, known 
as Florida (East and West), claimed by England, 
and duly regarded as a part of her dominion. 
The boundaries had been settled when the French 
first occupied Lower Louisiana. The Spaniards 
adopted the patriarchal form of rule, as much as 
was consistent with their interests, and allowed the 
French full religious and civil liberty, save that all 
tribunals were after the Spanish fashion, and 
governed by Spanish rules. The Spaniards, long 
jealous of England's growing power, secretly sent 
the Governors of Louisiana word to aid the 
Americans in their strusrsrle for freedom. Though 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



57 



they controlled the Mississippi River, they allowed 
an American officer ( Capt. Willing) to descend the 
river in January, 1778, with a party of fifty men, 
and ravage the British shore from Manchez Bayou 
to Natchez. 

On the 8th of May, 1779, Spain declared war 
against Great Britain; and, on the 8th of July, 
the people of Louisiana were allowed to take a 
part in the war. Accordingly, Gralvez collected a 
force of 1,400 men, and, on the 7th of September, 
took Fort Manchac. By the 21st of September, 
he had taken Baton Rouge and Natchez. Eight 
vessels were captured by the Spaniards on the 
Mississippi and on the lakes. In 1780 Mobile 
fell ; in March, 1781, Pensacola, the chief British 
post in West Florida, succumbed after a long 
siege, and, on the 9th of May, all West Florida 
was surrendered to Spain. 

This war, or the war on the Atlantic Coast, did 
not immediately affect Upper Louisiana. Great 
Britain, however, attempted to capture St. Louis. 
Though the commander was strongly suspected of 
being bribed by the English, yet the place stood 
the siege from the combined force of Indians and 
Canadians, and the assailants were dispersed. This 
was done during the summer of 1680, and in the 
autumn, a company of Spanish and French resi- 
dents, under La Balme, went on an expedition 
against Detroit. They marched as far north as 
the British trading-post Ke-ki-ong-a, at the head 
of the Maumee River, but being surprised in the 
night, and the commander slain, the expedition 
was defeated, having done but little. 

Spain may have had personal interests in aiding 
the Americans. She was now in control of the Mis- 
sissippi River, the natural outlet of the Northwest, 
and, in 1780, began the troubles relative to the 
navigation of that stream. The claims of Spain 
were considered very unjust by the Continental 
Congress, and, while deliberating over the question, 
Virginia, who was jealously alive to her Western 
interests, and who yet held jurisdiction over Ken- 
tucky, sent through Jefferson, the Governor, Gen. 
George Rogers Clarke, to erect a fort below the 
mouth of the Ohio. This proceeding was rather 
unwarrantable, especially as the fort was built in 
the country of the Chickasaws, who had thus far 
been true friends to the Americans, and who looked 
upon the fort as an innovation on their territory. 
It was completed and occupied but a short time, 
Clarke being recalled. 

Virginia, in 1780, did a very important thing; 
namely, establishing an institution for higher edu- 



cation. The Old Dominion confiscated the lands 
of "Robert McKenzie, Henry Collins and Alex- 
ander McKee, Biitons, eight thousand acres," and 
invested the proceeds of the sale in a public semi- 
nary. Transylvania University now lives, a monu- 
ment to that spirit. 

AVhile Clarke was building Fort Jefferson, a force 
of British and Indians, under command of Capt. 
Bryd, came down from Canada and attacked the 
Kentucky settlements, getting into the country be- 
fore any one was aware. The winter before had 
Ijeen one of unusual severity, and game was ex 
ceedingly scarce, hence the army was not prepared 
to conduct a campaign. After the capture of Rud- 
dle's Station, at the south fork of the Licking, Bryd 
abandoned any further attempts to reduce the set- 
tlements, except capturing Martin's Station, and 
returned to Detroit. 

This expedition gave an additional motive for 
the chastisement of the Indians, and Clarke, on his 
return from Fort Jefferson, went on an expedition 
against the Miami Indians. He destroyed their 
towns at Loramie's store, near the present city of 
Sydney, Ohio, and at Piqua, humbling the natives. 
While on the way, a part of the army remained 
on the north bank of the Ohio, and erected two 
block-houses on the present site of Cincinnati. 

The exploits of Clarke and his men so effectually 
chastised the Indians, that, for a time, the West 
was safe. During this period of quiet, the meas- 
ures which led to the cession of Western lands to 
the General Government, began to assume a defi- 
nite form. All the colonies claiming Western 
lands were willing to cede them to the Government, 
save Virginia, which colony wanted a large scope 
of Southern country southeast of the Ohio, as far 
as South Carolina. All recognized the justice of 
all Western lands becoming public property, and 
thereby aiding in extinguishing the debts caused by 
the war of the Revolution, now about to close. 
As Virginia held a somewhat different view, the 
cession was not made until 1788. 

The subject, however, could not be allowed to 
rest. The war of the Revolution was now drawing 
to a close ; victory on the part of the colonies was 
apparent, and the Western lands must be a part of 
the public domain. Subsequent events brought 
about the desired cession, though several events 
transpired before the plan of cession was consum- 
mated. 

Before the close of 1780, the Legislature of 
Virginia passed an act, establishing the "town of 
Louisville," and confiscated the lands of John 



7" 



jLI 



_«) 



58 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Connelly, who was one of its original proprietors, 
and who distinguished himself in the commence- 
ment of Lord Dunmore's war, and who was now a 
Tory, and doing all he could against the patriot 
cause. The proceeds of the sale of his lands were 
divided between Virginiaand the county of Jefferson. 
Kentucky, the next year, was divided into three 
counties, Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette. Courts 
were appointed in each, and the entry and location 
of lands given into their hands. Settlers, in spite 
of Indian troubles and British intrigue, were* 
pouring over the mountains, particularly so during 
the years 1780 and 1781. The expeditions of 
Clarke against the Miami Indians ; Boone's cap- 
tivity, and escape from them; their defeat when 
attacking Boonesboro, and other places — all 
combined to weaken their power, and teach them 
to respect a nation whose progress they could not 
stay. 

The pioneers of the West, obliged to depend on 
themselves, owing to the struggle of the colonies 
for freedom, grew up a hardy, self-reliant race, 
with all the vices and virtues of a border life, and 
with habits, manners and customs necessary to 
their peculiar situation, and suited to their peculiar 
ta.ste. A resume of their experiences and daily 
lives would be quite interesting, did the limits of 
this history admit it here. In the part relating 
directly to this county, the reader will find such 
lives given; here, only the important events can 
be noticed. 

The last event of consequence occurring in the 
West before the close of the Revolution, is one 
that might well have been omitted. Had such 
been the case, a great stain would have been spared 
the character of Western pioneers. Reference is 
made to the massacre of the Moravian Christian 
Tmlians. 

These Indians were of the Delaware nation 
chiefly, though other Western tribes were visited 
and many converts made. The first converts were 
made in New York and Connecticut, where, after 
a good start had been made, and a prospect of 
many souls being saved, tli^y incurred the enmity 
of the whites, who, becoming alarmed at their suc- 
cess, persecuted them to such an extent that they 
were driven out of New York into Pennsylvania, 
where, in 1744, four years after their arrival in 
the New World, they began new missions. In 
1748, the New York and Connecticut Indians fol- 
lowed their teachers, and were among the founders 
of Friedenshutten, "Tents of Peace," a hamlet 
near Bethlehem, where their teachers were sta- 



tioned. Other hamlets grew around them, iintil 
in the interior of the colony, existed an Indian 
community, free from all savage vices, and grow- 
ing up in Christian virtues. As their strength 
grew, lawless whites again began to oppress them. 
They could not understand the war of 1754, and 
were, indeed, in a truly embarrassing position. 
The savages could form no conception of any cause 
for neutrality, save a secret sympathy with the 
English ; and if they could not take i;p the hatchet, 
they were in the way, and must be removed. Fail- 
ing to do this, their red brothers became hostile. 
The whites were but little better. The old suspi- 
cions which drove them from New York were 
aroused. They were secret Papists, in league with 
the French, and furnished them with arms and in- 
telligence; they were interfering with the li(juor 
trafiic; they were enemies to the Government, 
and the Indian and the white man combined against 
them. They were obliged to move fi-om place to 
place; were at one time protected nearly a year, 
near Philadelphia, fi'om lawless whites, and finally 
were compelled to go far enough West to be out 
of the way of French and English arms, or the 
Iroquois and Cherokee hatchets. They came 
finally to the Muskingum, where they made a set- 
tlement called Schonbruu, "beautiful clear spring," 
in what is now Tuscarawas County. Other settle- 
ments gathered, from time to time, as the years 
went on, till in 1772 large numbers of them were 
within the borders of the State. 

Until the war of independence broke out, they 
were allowed to peacefully pursue their way. When 
that came, they were between Fort Pitt and De- 
troit, one of which contained British, the other 
Americans. Again they could not understand the 
struggle, and could not take up the hatchet. This 
brought on them the enmity of both belligerent 
parties, and that of their own forest companions, 
who could not see wherein their natures could 
change. Among the most hostile persons, were 
the white renegades McKee, Girty and Elliott. 
On their instigation, several of them were slain, 
and by their advice they were obliged to leave their 
fields and homes, where they had many comforts, 
and where they had erected good chapels in which 
to worship. It was just before one of these forced 
removals that Mary, daughter of the missionary 
Heckewelder, was born. She is supposed to be 
the first white female child born north of the Ohio 
River. Her birth occurred April l(i, 1781. It 
is but proper to say here, that it is an open ques- 
tion, and one that will probably never be decided. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



59 



('. e. Who was the first white child born in Ohio ? 
In all probability, the child was born during the 
captivity of its mother, as history plainly shows 
that when white women were released from the 
Indians, some of them cai'ried children born while 
among the natives. 

When the Moravians were forced to leave their 
settlements on the Muskingum, and taken to San- 
dusky, they left growing fields of corn, to which 
they were obliged to return, to gather food. This 
aroused the whites, only wanting some pretext 
whereby they might attack them, and a party, 
headed by Col. David Williamson, determined to 
exterminate them. The Moravians, hearing of their 
approach, fled, but too late to warn other settle- 
ments, and Gnadenhutten, Salem and one or two 
smaller settlements, were surprised and taken. 
Under deceitful promises, the Indians gave up all 
their arms, showed the whites their treasures, and 
went unknowingly to a terrible death. When ap- 
prised of their fate, determined on by a majority 
of the rangers, they begged only time to prepare. 
They were led two by two, the men into one, the 
women and children into another "slaughter- 
house," as it was termed, and all but two lads were 
wantonly slain. An infamous and more bloody 
deed never darkened the pages of feudal times ; 
a deed that, in after years, called aloud for venge- 
ance, and in some measure received it. Some of 
Williamson's men wrung their hands at the cruel 
fate, and endeavored, by all the means in their 
power, to prevent it; but all to no purpose. The 
blood of the rangers was up, and they would not spare 
"man, woman or child, of all that peaceful band." 

Having completed their horrible work, (March 
8, 1782), Williamson and his men returned to 
Pittsburgh. Everywhere, the Indians lamented 
the untimely death of their kindred, their savage 
relatives determining on their revenge; the Chris- 
tian ones could only be resigned and weep. 

Williamson's success, for such it was \'iewed by 
many, excited the borderers to another invasion, 
and a second army was raised, this time to 
go to the Sandusky town, and annihilate the 
Wyandots. Col. William Crawford was elected 
leader ; he accepted reluctantly ; on the way, 
the army was met by hordes of savages on the 5th of 



June, and totally routed. They were away north, 
in what is now Wyandot County, and were obliged 
to flee for their lives. The blood of the murdered 
Moravians called for revenge. The Indians de- 
sired it ; were they not relatives of the fallen 
Christians ? Crawford and many of his men fell 
into their hands ; all suflered unheard-of tortures, 
that of Crawford being as cruel as Indian cruelty 
could devise. Ho was pounded, pierced, cut with 
knives and burned, all of which occupied nearly a 
night, and finally lay down insensible on a bed of 
coals, and died. The savage captors, in demoniacal 
glee, danced around him, and upbraided him for 
the cruel murder of their relatives, giving him this 
only consolation, that had they captured William- 
son, he might go free, but he must answer for Will- 
iamson's brutality. 

The war did not cease here. The Indians, now 
aroused, carried their attack as far south as into 
Kentucky, killing Capt. Estill, a brave man, and 
some of his companions. The British, too, were 
active in aiding them, and the 14th of August a 
large force of them, under Girty, gathered silently 
about Bryant's Station. They were obliged to re- 
treat. The Kentuckians pursued them, but were 
repulsed with considerable loss. 

The attack on Bryant's Station aroused the peo- 
ple of Kentucky to strike a blow that would be 
felt. Gen. Clarke was put at the head of an army 
of one thousand and fifty men, and the Miami 
country was a second time destroyed. Clarke even 
went as far north as the British trading-post at the 
head of the Miami, where he captured a great 
amount of property, and destroyed the post. Other 
outposts also fell, the invading army suffering but 
little, and, by its decisive action, practically closing 
the Indian wars in the West. Pennsylvania suf- 
fered some, losing Hannahstown and one or two 
small settlements. Williamson's and Crawford's 
campaigns aroused the fury of the Indians that 
took time and much blood and war to subdue. The 
Revolution was, however, drawing to a close. Amer- 
ican arms were victorious, and a new nation was 
now coming into existence, who would change the 
whole current of Western matters, and make of the 
Northwest a land of liberty, equality and union. 
That nation was now on the statre. 



60 



HISTOllY OF OHIO. 



CHAPTER VI. 

AMERICAN OCCUPATION— INDIAN CLAIMS— SURVEYS — EARLY LAND COMPANIES— COMPACT 
OF 1787 — ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY — EARLY AMERICAN SETTLE- 
MENTS IN THE OHIO VALLEY — FIRST TERRITORIAL 
OFFICERS— ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



THE occupation of the West by the American, 
really dates from the campaign of Gren. Clarke in 
1778, when he captured the British posts in the 
Illinois country, and Vincennes on the Wabash. 
Had he been properly supported, he would have 
reduced Detroit, then in easy reach, and poorly de- 
fended. As it was, however, that post remained in 
charge of the British till after the close of the war 
of the Revolution. They also held other lake 
posts; but these were included in the terms of 
peace, and came into the possession of the Ameri- 
cans. They were abandoned by the British as 
soon as the different commanders received notice 
from their chiefs, and British rule and English 
occupation ceased in that part of the New World. 

The war virtually closed by the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19, 
1781. The struggle was prolonged, however, by 
the British, in the vain hope that they could re- 
trieve the disaster, but it was only a useless waste 
of men and money. America would not be sub- 
dued. "If we are to be taxed, we will be repre- 
sented," said they, "else we will be a free govern- 
ment, and regulate our own taxes." In the end, 
they were free. 

Provisional articles of peace between the United 
States and Great Britain were signed in Paris on 
the 30th of November, 1782. This was followed 
by an armistice negotiated at Versailles on the 20th 
of January, 1783; and finally, a definite treaty of 
peace was concluded at Paris on the 3d of the next 
September, and ratified by Congress on the 4th of 
January, 1784. By the second article of the defi- 
nite treaty of 1783, the boundaries of the United 
States were fixed. A glance at the map of that 
day shows the boundary to have been as follows: 
Beginning at Passamaquoddy Bay, on the coast of 
Maine, the line ran north a little above the forty- 
fifth parallel of latitude, when it diverged southwest- 
erly, irregularly, until it reached that parallel, when 
it followed it until it reached the St. Lawrence River. 
It followed that river to Lake Ontario, down its 
center ; up the Niagara River ; through Lake Erie, 



up the Detroit River and through Lakes Huron and 
Superior, to the northwest extremity of the latter. 
Then it pursued another irregular western course 
to the Lake of the Woods, when it turned south- 
ward to the Mississippi River. The commissioners 
insisted that should be the western boundary, as 
the lakes were the northern. It followed the Mis- 
sissippi south until the mouth of Red River was 
reached, when, turning east, it followed almost a 
direct line to the Atlantic Coast, touching the 
coast a little north of the outlet of St. John's 
River. 

From this outline, it will be readily seen what 
boundary the United States possessed. Not one- 
half of its present domain. 

At this date, there existed the original thirteen 
colonies : Virginia occupying all Kentucky and 
all the Northwest, save about half of Michigan and 
Wisconsin, claimed by Massachusetts ; and the upper 
part of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the lower 
part (a narrow strip) of Michigan, claimed by Con- 
necticut. Greorgia included all of Alabama and 
Mississippi. The Spaniards claimed all Florida 
and a narrow part of lower Georgia. All the coun- 
try west of the Father of Waters belonged to Spain, 
to whom it had been secretly ceded when the fam- 
ily compact was made. That nation controlled the 
Mississippi, and gave no small uneasiness to the 
young government. It was, however, happily set- 
tled finally, by the sale of Louisana to the United 
States. 

Pending the settlement of these questions and 
the formation of the Federal Union, the cession of 
the Northwest by Virginia again came before 
Congress. That body found itself unable to fulfill 
its promises to its soldiers regarding land, and 
again urged the Old Dominion to cede the Terri- 
tory to the General Government, for the good of 
all. Congress forbade settlers from occupying the 
Western lands till a definite cession had been 
made, and the title to the lands in question made 
good. But speculation was stronger than law, 
and without waiting for the slow processes of courts. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



61 



the adventurous settlers were pouring into the 
country at a rapid rate, only retarded by the rifle 
and scalping-knife of the savage — a temporary 
check. The policy of allowing any parties to obtain 
land from the Indians was strongly discouraged 
by Washington. He advocated the idea that only 
the General Government could do that, and, in a 
letter to James Duane, in Congress, he strongly 
urged such a course, and pointed out the danger 
of a border war, unless some such measure was 
stringently followed. 

Under the circumstances, Congress pressed the 
claims of cession upon Virginia, and finally in- 
duced the Dominion to modify the terms proposed 
two years before. On the 20th of December, 
1783, Virginia accepted the proposal of Congress, 
and authorized her delegates to make a deed to 
the United States of all her right in the territory 
northwest of the Ohio. 

The Old Dominion stipulated in her deed of 
cession, that the territory should be divided into 
States, to be admitted into the Union as any other 
State, and to bear a proportionate share in the 
maintenance of that Union; that Virginia should 
be re-imbursed for the expense incurred in subduing 
the British posts in the territory; that the French 
and Canadian inhabitants should be protected in their 
rights ; that the grant to Gen. George Rogers Clarke 
and his men, as well as all other similar grants, 
should be confirmed, and that the lands should be 
considered as the common property of the United 
States, the proceeds to be applied to the use of the 
whole country. Congress accepted these condi- 
tions, and the deed was made March 1, 1784. 
Thus the country came from under the dominion 
of Virginia, and became common property. 

A serious difficulty arose about this time, that 
threatened for awhile to involve England and 
America anew in war. Virginia and several 
other States refused to abide by that part of the 
treaty relating to the payment of debts, especially 
so, when the British carried away quite a number 
of negroes claimed by the Americans. This re- 
fusal on the part of the Old Dominion and her 
abettors, caused the English to retain her North- 
western outposts, Detroit, Mackinaw, etc. She 
held these till 1786, when the questions were 
finally settled, and then readily abandoned them. 

The return of peace greatly augmented emigra- 
tion to the West, especially to Kentucky. When 
the war closed, the population of that county (the 
three counties having been made one judicial dis- 
trict, and Danville designated as the seat of gov- 



ernment) was estimated to be about twelve thousand. 
In one year, after the close of the war, it increased 
to 30,000, and steps for a State government were 
taken. Owing to the divided sentiment among its 
citizens, its perplexing qviestions of land titles 
and proprietary rights, nine conventions were held 
before a definite course of action could be reached. 
This prolonged the time till 1792, when, in De- 
cember of that year, the election for persons to 
form a State constitution was held, and the vexed 
and complicated questions settled. In 1783, the 
first wagons bearing merchandise came across the 
mountains. Their contents were received on flat- 
boats at Pittsburgh, and taken down the Ohio to 
Louisville, which that spring boasted of a store, 
opened by Daniel Broadhead. The next year, 
James Wilkinson opened one at Lexington. 

Pittsburgh was now the principal town in the 
West. It occupied the same position regarding 
the outposts that Omaha has done for several years 
to Nebraska. The town of Pittsburgh was laid 
out immediately after the war of 1764, by Col. 
Campbell. It then consisted of four squares about 
the fort, and received its name from that citadel. 
The treaty with the Six Nations in 1768, con- 
veyed to the proprietaries of Pennsylvania all the 
lands of the Alleghany below Kittanniug, and all 
the country south of the Ohio, within the limits of 
Penns charter. This deed of cession was recog- 
nized when the line between Pennsylvania and 
Virginia was fixed, and gave the post to the Key- 
stone State. In accordance with this deed, the 
manor of Pittsburgh was withdrawn from market 
in 1769, and was held as the property of the Penn 
family. When Washington visited it in 1770, it 
seems to have declined in consequence of the 
afore-mentioned act. He mentions it as a "town of 
about twenty log houses, on the Monongahela, 
about three hundred yards fi-om the fort." The 
Penn's remained true to the King, and hence all 
their land that had not been surveyed and returned 
to the land office, was confiscated by the common- 
wealth. Pittsburgh, having been surveyed, was 
still left to them. In the spring of 1784, Tench 
Francis, the agent of the Penns, was induced to 
lay out the manor into lots and offer them for sale. 
Though, for many years, the place was rather un- 
promising, it eventually became the chief town in' 
that part of the West, a position it yet holds. In 
1786, John Scull and Joseph Hall started the 
Pittsburgh Gazette^ the first paper published west 
of the mountains. In the initial number, appeared a 
lengthy article from the pen of H. H. Brackenridge, 



^ 



G3 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



afterward one of tlie most prominent members 
of the Pennsylvania bar. He had located in 
Pittsburgh in 1781. His letter gives a most hope- 
ful ])rospect in store for the future city, and is a 
highly descriptive article of the Western country. 
It is yet preserved in the "Western Annals, " and 
is well worth a perusal. 

Under the act of peace in 1783, no provision was 
made by the British for their allies, especially the 
Six Nations. The question was ignored by the 
English, and was made a handle by the Americans 
in gaining them to their cause before the war had 
fully closed. The treaties made were regarded by 
the Indians as alliances only, and when the En- 
glish left the country the Indians began to assume 
rather a hostile bearing. This excited the whites, 
and for a while a war with that formidable con- 
federacy was imminent. Better councils prevailed, 
and Congress wisely adopted the policy of acquiring 
their lands by purchase. In accordance wdth this 
policy, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix with 
the Six Nations, in October, 1784. By this treaty, 
all lands west of a line drawn from the mouth of 
Oswego Creek, about four miles east of Niagara, 
to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, and on to the 
northern boundary of Pennsylvania, thence west 
along that boundary to its western extremity, 
thence south to the Ohio River, should be ceded 
to the United States. (They claimed west of this line 
by conquest.) The Six Nations were to be secured 
in the lands they inhabited, reserving only six miles 
square around Oswego fort for the support of the 
same. By this treaty, the indefinite claim of the 
Six Nations to the West was extinguished, and the 
question of its ownership settled. 

It was now occupied by other Western tribes, 
who did not recognize the Iroquois claim, and who 
would not yield without a purchase. Especially 
was this the case with those Indians living in the 
northern part. To get possession of that country 
by the same process, the United States, through 
its commissioners, held a treaty at Fort Mcintosh 
on the 21st of January, 1785. The Wyandot, 
Delaware, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes were pres- 
ent, and, through their chiefs, sold their lands to 
the Grovernment. The Wyandot and Delaware 
nations were given a reservation in the north part 
of Ohio, where they were to be protected. The 
others were allotted reservations in Michigan. To 
all was given complete control of their lands, allow- 
ing them to punish any white man attempting to 
settle thereon, and guaranteeing them in their 
rio-hts. 



By such means Congress gained Indian titles to 
the vast realms north of the Ohio, and, a few 
months later, that legislation was commenced that 
should determine the mode of its disposal and the 
plan of its settlements. 

To facilitate the settlement of lands thus acquired. 
Congress, on May 20, 1785, passed an act for dispos- 
ing of lands in the Northwest Territory. Its main 
provisions were : A surveyor or surveyors should be 
appointed from the States ; and a geographer, and 
his assistants to act with them. The surveyors 
were to divide the territory into townships of six 
miles square, by lines running due north and 
south, and east and west. The starting-place 
was to be on the Ohio River, at a point where the 
southern and western boundaries of Pennsylvania 
intersected. This would give the first range, and 
the first township. As soon as seven townships were 
surveyed, the maps and plats of the same were to 
be sent to the Board of the Treasury, who would 
record them and proceed to place the laud in the 
market, and so on with all the townships as fast as 
they could be prepared ready ftir sale. Each town- 
ship was to be divided into thirty-six sections, or 
lots. Out of these sections, numbers 8, 11, 2G and 
29 were reserved for the use of the Government, 
and lot No. 16, for the establishment of a common- 
school fund. One-third of all mines and minerals was 
also reserved for the United Stat<is. Three townships 
on Lake Erie were reserved for the use of officers, 
men and others, refugees from Canada and from 
Nova Scotia, who were entitled to grants of land. 
The Moravian Indians were also exempt from 
molestation, and guaranteed in their homes. Sol- 
diers' claims, and all others of a like nature, were 
also recognized, and land reserved for them. 

Without waiting for the act of Congress, settlers 
had been pouring into the country, and, when or- 
dered by Congress to leave undisturbed Indian 
lands, refused to do so. They went into the In- 
dian country at their peril, however, and when 
driven out by the Indians could get no redress 
from the Grovernment, even when life was lost. 

The Indians on the Wabash made a treaty at 
Fort Finney, on the Miami, January 31, 1786, 
promising allegiance to the United States, and were 
allowed a reservation. This treaty did not include 
the Piankeshaws, as was at first intended. These, 
refusing to live peaceably, stirred up the Shawa- 
nees, who began a series of predatory excursions 
against the settlements. This led to an expedition 
against them and other restless tribes. Gen. Clarke 
commanded part of the army on that expedition, 



-» 





(yj^L^ip Lyi-Le^l 




^■. 



but got no farther than Vincennes, when, owing to 
the discontent of his Kentucky troops, he was 
obHged to return. Col. Benjamin Logan, how- 
ever, marched, at the head of four or five hundred 
mounted riflemen, into the Indian country, pene- 
trating as far as the head-waters of Mad River. 
He destroyed several towns, much corn, and took 
about eighty prisoners. Among these, was the 
chief of the nation, who was wantonly slain, 
greatly to Logan's regret, who could not restrain 
his men. His expedition taught the Indians sub- 
mission, and that they must adhere to their con- 
tracts. 

Meanwhile, the difficulties of the navigation of 
the Mississippi arose. Spain would not relinquish 
the right to control the entire southern part of the 
river, allowing no fi'ee navigation. She was secretly 
hoping to cause a revolt of the Western provinces, 
especially Kentucky, and openly favored such a 
move. She also claimed, by conquest, much of the 
land on the east side of the river. The slow move- 
ments of Congress; the failure of Virginia to 
properly protect Kentucky, and the inherent rest- 
lessness in some of the Western men, well-nigh 
precipitated matters, and, for a while, serious results 
were imminent. The Kentuckians, and, indeed, 
all the people of the West, were determined the 
river should be free, and even went so far as to 
raise a regiment, and forcibly seize Spanish prop- 
erty "in the West. Great Britain stood ready, too, 
to aid the West should it succeed, providing it 
would make an alliance with her. But while the 
excitement was at its height, Washington coun- 
seled better ways and patience. The decisive tone 
of the new republic, though almost overwhelmed 
with a burden of debt, and with no credit, debarred 
the Spanish from too forcible measures to assert 
their claims, and held back the disloyal ones from 
attempting a revolt. 

New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut ceded 
their lands, and now the United States were ready 
to fulfill their promises of land grants, to the sol- 
diers who had preserved the nation. This did 
much to heal the breach in the West, and restore 
confidence there; so that the Mississippi question 
was overlooked for a time, and Kentucky forgot her 
animosities. 

The cession of their claims was the signal for 
the formation of land companies in the East ; com- 
panies whose object was to settle the Western coun- 
try, and, at the same time, enrich the founders of 
the companies. Some of these companies had been 
formed in the old colonial days, but the recent war 



had put a stop to all their proceedings. Congress 
would not recognize their claims, and new com- 
panies, under old names, were the result. By such 
means, the Ohio Company emerged from the past, 
and, in 1786, took an active existence. 

Benjamin Tupper, a Revolutionary soldier, and 
since then a government surveyor, who had been 
west as far as Pittsburgh, revived the question. 
He was prevented from prosecuting his surveys by 
hostile Indians, and returned to Massachusetts. 
He broached a plan to Gen. Rufus Putnam, as to 
the renewal of their memorial of 1783, which re- 
sulted in the publication of a plan, and inviting all 
those interested, to meet in February in their re- 
spective counties, and choose delegates to a con- 
vention to be held at the " Bunch-of-gi'apes Tav- 
ern." in Boston, on the first of March, 1786. On 
the day appointed, eleven persons appeared, and 
by the 3d of March an outline was drawn up, and 
subscriptions under it began at once. The leading 
features of the plan were : " A fund of $1 ,000,000, 
mainly in Continental certificates, was to be raised 
for the purpose of purchasing lands in the Western 
country; there were to be 1,000 shares of $1,000 
each, and upon each share $10 in specie were to 
be paid for contingent expenses. One year's inter- 
est was to be appropriated to the charges of making 
a settlement, and assisting those unable to move 
without aid. The owners of every twenty shares 
were to choose an agent to represent them and 
attend to their interests, and the agents were to 
choose the directors. The plan was approved, and 
in a year's time from that date, the Company was 
organized."* 

By the time this Company was organized, all 
claims of the colonies in the coveted territory were 
done away with by their deeds of cession, Connect- 
icut being the last. 

While troubles were still existing south of the 
Ohio River, regarding the navigation of the Mis- 
sissippi, and many urged the formation of a sepa- 
rate, independent State, and while Congress and 
Washington were doing what they could to allay 
the feeling north of the Ohio, the New England 
associates were busily engaged, now that a Com- 
pany was formed, to obtain the land they wished 
to purchase. On the 8th of March, 1787, a meet- 
ing of the agents chose Gen. Parsons, Gen. Put- 
nam and the Rev. Mannasseh Cutler, Directors for 
the Company. The last selection was quite a 
fitting one for such an enterprise. Dr. Cutler was 



* Historical ColIectionBi 



66 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



an accomplished scholar, an excellent gentleman, 
and a firm believer in freedom. In the choice of 
him as the agent of the Company, lies the fact, 
though unforeseen, of the beginning of anti-slavery 
in America. Through him the famous " compact 
of 1787," the true corner-stone of the Northwest, 
originated, and by him was safely passed. He 
was a good "wire-puller," too, and in this had an 
advantage. Mr. Hutchins was at this time the 
geographer for the United States, and was, prob- 
ably, the best-posted man in America regarding 
the West. Dr. Cutler learned from him that the 
most desirable portions were on the Muskingum 
River, north of the Ohio, and was advised by him 
to buy there if he could. 

Congress wanted money badly, and many of the 
members favored the plan. The Southern mem- 
bers, generally, were hostile to it, as the Doctor 
would listen to no grant which did not embody 
the New England ideas in the charter. These 
members were finally won over; some bribery be- 
ino; used, and some of their favorites made officers 
of the Territory, whose formation was now gomg 
on. This took time, however, and Dr. Cutler, be- 
coming impatient, declared they would purchase 
from some of the States, who held small tracts in 
various parts of the West. This intimation brought 
the tardy ones to time, and, on the 23d of July, 
Congress authorized the Treasury Board to make 
the contract. On the 26th, Messrs. Cutler and 
Sargent, on behalf of the Company, stated in 
writing their conditions; and on the 27th, Con- 
gress referred their letter to the Board, and an 
order of the same date was obtained. Of this Dr. 
Cutler's journal says: 

" By this grant we obtained near five millions 
of acres of land, amounting to $3,500,000 ; 1,500,- 
000 acres for the Ohio Company, and the remainder 
for a private speculation, in which many of the 
principal characters of America are concerned. 
Without connecting this peculation, similar terms 
and advantages for the Ohio Company could not 
have been obtained." 

Messrs. Cutler and Sargent at once closed a ver- 
bal contract with the Treasury Board, which was 
executed in form on the 27th of the next Octo- 
ber.* 

By this contract, the vast region bounded on the 
south by the Ohio, west by the Scioto, east by the 
seventh range of townships then surveying, and 
north by a due west line, drawn from the north 

* Land Laws. 



boundary of the tenth township from the Ohio, 
direct to the Scioto, was sold to the Ohio associ- 
ates and their secret copartners, for $1 per acre, 
subject to a deduction of one-third for bad lands 
and other contingencies. 

The whole tract was not, however, paid for nor 
taken by the Company — even their own portion of 
a million and a half acres, and extending west to the 
eighteenth range of townships, was not taken ; and 
in 1792, the boundaries of the purchase proper 
were fixed as follows : the Ohio on the south, the 
seventh range of townships on the east, the six- 
teenth range on the west, and a line on the north 
so drawn as to make the grant 750,000 acres, be- 
sides reservations ; this grant being the portion 
which it was originally agreed the Company might 
enter into at once. In addition to this, 214,285 
acres were granted as army bounties, under the 
resolutions of 1779 and 1780, and 100,000 acres 
as bounties to actual settlers; both of the latter 
tracts being within the original grant of 1787, and 
adjoining the purchase as before mentioned. 

While these things were progressing, Congress 
was bringing into form an ordinance for the gov- 
ernment and social organization of the North- 
west Territory. Virginia made her cession in 
March, 1784, and during the month following the 
plan for the temporary government of the newly 
acquired territory came under discussion. On the 
19th of April, Mr. Spaiglit, of North Carolina, 
Stooved to strike from the plan reported by Mr. 
Jeff'erson, the emancipationist of his day, a provis- 
ion for the prohibition of slavery north of the Ohio 
after the year 1800. The motion prevailed. From 
that day till the 23d, the plan was discussed and 
altered, and finally passed unanimously with the ex- 
ception of South Carolina. The South would have 
slavery, or defeat every measure. Thus this hide- 
ous monster early began to assert himself. By the 
proposed plan, the Territory was to have been 
divided into States by parallels of latitude and merid- 
ian lines. This division, it was thought, would make 
ten States, whose names were as follows, beginning 
at the northwest corner, and going southwardly : 
Sylvania, Michigania, Cheresonisus, Assenispia, 
Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington, 
Polypotamia and Pelisipia.* 

A more serious difficulty existed, however, to 
this plan, than its catalogue of names — the number 
of States and their boundaries. The root of the evil 
was in the resolution passed by Congress in October, 

* Spark's Washington. 



^1 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



67 



1780, which fixed the size of the States to be formed 
from the ceded hinds, at one hundred to one hundred 
and fifty miles square. The terms of that resolu- 
tion being called up both by Virginia and Massa- 
chusetts, further legislation was deemed necessary 
to change them. July 7, 178(3, this subject came 
up in Congress, and a resolution passed in fiivor of 
a division into not less than three nor more than 
five States. Virginia, at the close of 1788, assented 
to this proposition, which became the basis upon 
which the division should be made. On the 29th 
of September, Congress having thus changed the 
plan for dividing the Northwestern Territory into 
ten States, proceeded again to consider the terms of 
an ordinance for the government of that region. At 
this juncture, the genius of Dr. Cutler displayed 
itself. A graduate in medicine, law and divinity ; 
an ardent lover of liberty ; a celebrated scientist, 
and an accomplished, portly gentleman, of whom 
the Southern senators said they had never before 
seen so fine a specimen from the New England colo- 
nies, no man was better prepared to form a govern- 
ment for the new Territory, than he. The Ohio 
Company was his real object. He was backed by 
them, and enough Continental money to purchase 
more than a million acres of land. This was aug- 
mented by other parties until, as has been noticed, 
he represented over five million acres. This would 
largely reduce the public debt. Jefierson and Vir- 
ginia were regarded as authority concerning the 
land Virginia had just ceded to the General Gov- 
ernment. Jeffierson's policy was to provide for the 
national credit, and still check the growth of slavery. 
Here was a good opportunity. Massachusetts 
owned the Temtory of Maine, which she was crowd- 
ing into market. She opposed the opening of 
the Northwest. This stirred Virginia. The South 
caught the inspiration and rallied around the Old 
Dominion and Dr. Cutler. Thereby he gained the 
credit and good will of the South, an auxiliary he 
used to good purpose. Massachusetts could not 
vote against him, because many of the constituents 
of her members were interested in the Ohio Com- 
pany. Thus the Doctor, using all the arts of the 
lobbyist, was enabled to hold the situation. True to 
deeper convictions, he dictated one of the most com- 
pact and finished documents of wise statesmanship 
that has ever adorned any statute-book. Jefiierson 
gave it the term, "Articles of Compact," and 
rendered him valuable aid in its construction. This 
" Compact" preceded the Federal Constitution, in 
both of which are seen Jefferson's master-mind. 
Dr. Cutler followed closely the constitution of Mas- 



sachusetts, adopted three years before. The prom- 
inent features were : The exclusion of slavery from 
the Territory forever. Provision for public schools, 
giving one township for a seminary, and every six- 
teenth section. (That gave one thirty-sixth of all 
the land for public education.) A provision pro- 
hibiting the adoption of any constitution or the 
enactment of any law that would nullify pre-exist- 
ing contracts. 

The compact further declared that " Religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and the means of education shall always be en- 
couraged." 

The Doctor planted himself firmly on this plat- 
form, and would not yield. It was that or nothing. 
Unless they could make the land desirable, it was 
not wanted, and, taking his horse and buggy, he 
started for the Constitutional Convention in Phil- 
adelphia. His influence succeeded. On the 13th 
of July, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage 
and was unanimously adopted. Every member 
fi-om the South voted for it ; only one man, Mr. 
Yates, of New York, voted against the measure ; 
but as the vote was made by States, his vote was 
lost, and the " Compact of 1787 " was beyond re- 
peal. Thus the great States of the Northwest 
Territory were consecrated to freedom, intelligence 
and morality. This act was the opening step for 
freedom in America. Soon the South saw their 
blunder, and endeavored, by all their power, to re- 
peal the compact. In 1803, Congress refen-ed it 
to a committee, of which John Randolph was 
chairman. He reported the ordinance was a com- 
pact and could not be repealed. Thus it stood, 
like a rock, in the way of slavery, which still, in 
spite of these provisions, endeavored to plant that 
infernal institution in the West. Witness the 
early days of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. But the 
compact could not be violated ; New England ideas 
could not be put down, and her sons stood ready 
to defend the soil of the West from that curse. 

The passage of the ordinance and the grant of 
land to Dr. Cutler and his associates, were soon fol- 
lowed by a request fi-om John Cleve Symmes, of 
New Jersey, for the country between the Miamis. 
Symmes had visited that part of the West in 1786, 
and, being pleased with the valleys of the Shawa- 
nees, had applied to the Board of the Treasury for 
their purchase, as soon as they were open to set- 
tlement. The Board was empowered to act by 
Congress, and, in 1788, a contract was signed, giv- 
ing him. the country he desired. The terms of his 



>^ (s 

r 



^1 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



purchase were similar to those of the Ohio Com- 
pany. His appHcation was followed by others, 
whose success or failure will appear in the narrative. 

The New England or Ohio Company was all 
this time busily engaged perfecting its arrange- 
ments to occupy its lands. The Directors agreed 
to reserve 5,760 acres near the confluence of the 
Ohio and Muskingum for a city and commons, for 
the old ideas of the English plan of settling a 
country yet prevailed. A meeting of the Direct- 
ors was held at Bracket's tavern, in Boston, No- 
vember 23, 1787, when four surveyors, and twen- 
ty-two attendants, boat-builders, carpenters, black- 
smiths and common workmen, numbering in all 
forty persons, were engaged. Their tools were 
purchased, and wagons were obtained to transport 
them across the mountains. Gren. Rufus Putnam 
was made superintendent of the company, and 
Ebenezer Sprout, of Rhode Island, Anselm Tup- 
per and John Matthews, from Massachusetts, and 
R. J. Meigs, from Connecticut, as surveyors. At 
the same meeting, a suitable person to instruct them 
in religion, and prepare the way to open a school 
when needed, was selected. This was Rev. Daniel 
Storey, who became the first New England minis- 
ter in the Northwest. 

The Indians were watching this outgrowth of 
affairs, and felt, from what they could learn in Ken- 
tucky, that they would be gradually surrounded by 
the whites. This they did not relish, by any 
means, and gave the settlements south of the Ohio 
no little uneasiness. It was thought best to hold 
another treaty with them. In the mean time, to 
insure peace, the Grovernor of Virginia, and Con- 
gress, placed troops at Venango, Forts Pitt and 
Mcintosh, and at Miami, Vincennes, Louisville, 
and Muskingum, and the militia of Kentucky 
were held in readiness should a sudden outbreak 
occur. These measures produced no results, save 
insuring the safety of the whites, and not until 
January, 1789, was Clarke able to carry out his 
plans. During that month, he held a meeting at Fort 
Harmar,* at the mouth of the Muskingum, where 
the New England Colony expected to locate. 

The hostile character of the Indians did not 
deter the Ohio Company from carrying out its 
plans. In the winter of 1787, Gen. Rufus Put- 



*FnrtH.armar was built in 1785, by a detachment of United States 
soldiers, under comniand of Maj. John Doughty. It was named in 
honor of Col. Josiah Harmar, to whose regimnnt Maj. Doughty was 
attached. It was the first military post erected by the Americans 
wit''in the limits of Ohio, except Fort Laurens, a temporary stnict- 
uie Iniilt in 1778. When Marietta was founded it was the military 
post of that part of the country, and was for many years an impor- 
taiit station. 



nam and forty-seven pioneers advanced to the 
mouth of the Youghiogheny River, and began 
building a boat for transportation down the Ohio 
in the spring. The boat was the largest craft that 
had ever descended the river, and, in allusion to 
their Pilgrim Fathers, it was called the Mayflower. 
It was 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, and esti- 
mated at 50 tons burden. Truly a formidable affair 
for the time. The b(jws were raking and curved 
like a galley, and were strongly timbered. The 
sides were made bullet-proof, and it was covered 
with a deck roof. Capt. Devol, the first ship- 
builder in the West, was placed in command. On 
the 2d of April, the Mayflower was launched, 
and for five days the little band of pioneers sailed 
down the Monongahela and the Ohio, and, on the 
7th, landed at the mouth of the Muskingum. 
There, opposite Fort Harmar, they chose a loca- 
tion, mooi;ed their boat for a temporary shelter, 
and began to erect houses for their occupation. 

Thus was begun the first English settlement in 
the Ohio Valley. About the 1st of July, they 
were re-enforced by the arrival of a colony from 
Massachusetts. It had been nine weeks on the 
way. It had hauled its wagons and driven its 
stock to Wheeling, where, constructing flat-boats, 
it had floated down the I'iver to the settlement. 

In October preceding this occurrence, Arthur 
St. Clair had been appointed Governor of the Ter- 
ritory by Congress, which body also appointed 
Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel H. 
Parsons, James M. Varnum and John Armstrong 
Judges. Subsequently Mr. Armstrong declined 
the appointment, and Mr. Symmes was given the 
vacancy. None of these were on the ground 
when the first settlement was made, though the 
Judges came soon after. One of the first things the 
colony found necessary to do was to organize 
some form of government, whereby difficulties 
might be settled, though to the credit of the colony 
it may be said, that during the first three months 
of its existence but one difference arose, and that 
was settled by a compromise.* Indeed, hardly a 
better set of men for the purpose could have been 
selected. Washington wrote concerning this 
colony : 

"No colony in America was ever settled under 
such favorable auspices as that which has com- 
menced at the Muskingum. Information, prop- 
erty and strength will be its characteristics. I 
know many of the settlers personally, and there 



*" Western Monthly Magazine." 



*7: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



69 



never were men better calculated to promote the 
welfare of such a community." 

On the 2d of July, a meeting of the Directors 
and agents was held on the banks of the Mus- 
kingum for the purpose of naming the newborn 
city and its squares. As yet, the settlement had 
been merely "The Muskingum;" but the name 
Marietta was now formally given it, in honor of 
Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the 
blockhouses stood was called Campus Martins; 
Square No. 19, CapitoUum; Square No. 61, Ce- 
cilia^ and the great road running through the 
covert-way, Sacra Fi'a.* Surely, classical scholars 
were not scarce in the colony. 

On the Fourth, an oration was delivered by 
James M. Varnum, one of the Judges, and a 
public demonstration held. Five days after, the 
Governor arrived, and the colony began to assume 
form. The ordinance of 1787 provided two dis- 
tinct grades of government, under the first of 
which the whole power was under the Governor 
and the three Judges. This form was at once 
recognized on the arrival of St. Clair. The first 
law established by this court was passed on the 
25th of July. It established and regulated the 
militia of the Territory. The next day after its 
publication, appeared the Governor's proclamation 
erecting all the country that had been ceded by 
the Indians east of the Scioto River, into the 
county of Washington. Marietta was, of course, 
the county seat, and, from that day, went on 
prosperously. On September 2, the first court 
was held with becoming ceremonies. It is thus 
related in the American Pioneer: 

"The procession was formed at the Point 
(where the most of the settlers resided), in the 
following order: The High Sherifi", with his 
drawn sword; the citizens; the ofiicers of the 
garrison at Fort Harmar; the members of the 
bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and 
clergyman ; the newly appointed Judges of the 
Court of Common Pleas, Gens. Rufus Putnam 
and Benjamin Tupper. 

"They marched up the path that had been 
cleared through the forest to Campus Martius 
Hall (stockade), where the whole countermarched, 
and the Judges ( Putnam and Tupper ) took their 
seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then 
invoked the divine blessing. The Sheriff, Col. 
Ebenezer Sproat, proclaimed with his solemn ' Oh 
yes ! ' that a court is open for the administration of 

* " Carey's Museum," Vol. 4. 



even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich, 
to the guilty and to the innocent, without respect 
of persons; none to be punished without a trial of 
their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and 
evidence in the case. 

" Although this scene was exhibited thus early 
in the settlement of the West, few ever equaled it 
in the dignity and exalted character of its princi- 
pal participators. Many of them belonged to the 
history of our country in the darkest, as well as 
the most splendid, period of the Revolutionary 
war." 

Many Indians were gathered at the same time 
to witness the (to them) strange spectacle, and for 
the purpose of forming a treaty, though how 
far they carried this out, the Pioneer does not 
relate. 

The progress of the settlement was quite satis- 
factory during the year. Some one writing a 
letter from the town says: 

"The progress of the settlement is sufficiently 
rapid for the first year. We are continually erect- 
ing houses, but arrivals are constantly coming 
faster than we can possibly provide convenient 
covering. Our first ball was opened about the 
middle of December, at which were fifteen ladies, 
as well accomplished in the manner of polite 
circles as any I have ever seen in the older States. 
I mention this to show the progress of society in 
this new world, where, I believe, we shall vie with, 
if not excel, the old States in every accom- 
plishment necessary to render life agreeable and 
happy." 

The emigration westward at this time was, 
indeed, exceedingly large. The commander at 
Fort Harmar reported 4,500 persons as having 
passed that post between February and June, 
1788, many of whom would have stopped there, 
had the associates been prepared to receive them. 
The settlement was free from Indian depredations 
until January, 1791, during which interval it 
daily increased in numbers and strength. 

Symmes and his friends were not idle during this 
time. He had secured his contract in October, 
1787, and, soon after, issued a pamphlet stating 
the terms of his purchase and the mode he intended 
to follow in the disposal of the lands. His plan 
was, to issue warrants for not less than one-quarter 
section, which might be located anywhere, save on 
reservations, or on land previously entered. The 
locator could enter an entire section should he de- 
sire to do so. The price was to be 601 cents per 
acre till May, 1788 ; then, till November, $1 ; and 



4 



<a ii^ 



70 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



after that time to be regulated by the demand for 
land. Each purchaser was bound to begin im- 
provements within two years, or forfeit one-sixth 
of the land to whoever would settle thereon and 
remain seven years. Military bounties might be 
taken in this, as in the purchase of the associates. 
For himself, Symmes reserved one township near 
the mouth of the Miami. On this he intended to 
build a great city, rivaling any Eastern port. He 
offered any one a lot on which to build a house, 
providing he would remain three years. Conti- 
nental certificates were rising, owing to the demand 
for land created by these two purchases, and Con- 
gress found the burden of debt correspondingly 
lessened. Symmes soon began to experience diffi- 
culty in procuring enough to meet his payments. 
He had also some trouble in arranging his boundary 
with the Board of the Treasury. These, and other 
causes, laid the foundation for another city, which is 
now what Symmes hoped his city would one day be. 

In January, 1788, Mathias Denman, of New 
Jersey, took an interest in Symmes' purchase, 
and located, among other tracts, the sections upon 
which Cincinnati has since been built. Retaining 
one-third of this purchase, he sold the balance to 
Robert Patterson and John Filson, each getting 
the same share. These three, about August, agreed 
to lay out a town on their land. It was designated 
as opposite the mouth of the Licking River, to 
which place it was intended to open a road from 
Lexington, Ky. These men little thought of the 
great emporium that. now covers the modest site of 
this town they laid out that summer. Mr. Filson, 
who had been a schoolmaster, and was of a some- 
what poetic nature, was appointed to name the 
town. In respect to its situation, and as if with 
a prophetic perception of the mixed races that 
were in after years to dwell there, he named it Los- 
antiville,* " which, being interpreted," says the 
" Western Annals," " means mYZt', the town ; anti, 
opposite to ; os^ the mouth ; L, of Licking. This 
may well put to the blush the Campus Martins 
of the Marietta scholars, and the Fort Solon of 
the Spaniards." 

Meanwhile, Symmes was busy in the East, and, 
by July, got thirty people and eight four-horse 
wagons under way for the West. These reached 
Limestone by September, where they met Mr. 
Stites, with several persons from Redstone. All 

* Judge Burnett, in his notes, disputes the above account of the 
origin of the city of Cincinnati. He says tiie name " Losantiville " 
was determined on, but not adopted, when the town was laid out. 
This version is probably the correct one, and will be found fully 
given in the detailed history of the settlements. 



came to Symmes' purchase, and began to look for 
homes. 

Symmes' mind was, however, ill at rest. He 
could not meet his first payment on so vast a realm, 
and there also arose a difference of opinion be- 
tween him and the Treasury Board regarding the 
Ohio boundary. Symmes wanted all the land be- 
tween the two Miamis, bordering on the Ohio, 
while the Board wished him confined to no more 
than twenty miles of the river. To this proposal 
he would not agree, as he had made sales all along 
the river. Leaving the bargain in an unsettled 
state. Congress considered itself released from all 
its obligations, and, but for the representations of 
many of Symmes' friends, he would have lost all 
his money and labor. His appointment as Judge 
was not favorably received by many, as they 
thought that by it he would acquire unlimited 
power. Some of his associates also complained of 
him, and, for awhile, it surely seemed that ruin 
only awaited him. But he was brave and hope- 
ful, and determined to succeed. On his return 
from a visit to his purchase in September, 1788, 
he wrote Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, one of 
his best friends and associates, that he thought 
some of the land near the Great Miami " positively 
worth a silver dollar the acre in its present state." 

A good many changes were made in his original 
contract, growing out of his inability to meet his 
payments. At first, he was to have not less than 
a million acres, under an act of Congress passed in 
October, 1787, authorizing the Treasury Board to 
contract with any one who could pay for such 
tracts, on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, whose 
fronts should not exceed one-third of their depth. 

Dayton and ]Marsh, Symmes' agents, contracted 
with the Board for one tract on the Ohio, begin- 
ning twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth of 
the Great Miami, and to run back for quantity be- 
tween the Miami and a line drawn from the Ohio, 
parallel to the general course of that river. In 
1791, three years after Dayton and Marsh made 
the contract, Symmes found this would throw the 
purchase too far back from the Ohio, and applied 
to Congress to let him have all between the Mi- 
amies, running back so as to include 1,000,000 
acres, which that body, on April 12, 1792, agreed 
to do. When the lands were surveyed, however, it 
was found that a line drawn from the head of the 
Little Miami due west to the Great Miami, would 
include south of it less than six hundred thousand 
acres. Even this Symmes could not pay for, and 
when his patent was issued in September, 1794, it 



vl 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



71 



gave him and his associates 248,540 acres, exclu- 
sive of reservations which amounted to 63,142 
acres. This tract was bounded by the Ohio, the 
two Miamis and a due east and west hne run so 
as to include the desired quantity. Symmes, how- 
ever, made no further payments, and the rest of 
his purchase reverted to the United States, who 
gave those who had bought under him ample pre- 
emption rights. 

The Grovernment was able, also, to give him and 
his colonists but little aid, and as danger from hos- 
tile Indians was in a measure imminent (though all 
the natives were friendly to Symmes), settlers were 
slow to come. However, the band led by Mr. 
Stites arrived before the 1st of January, 1789, 
and locating themselves near the mouth of the 
Little Miami, on a tract of 10,000 acres which 
Mr. Stites had purchased from Symmes, formed 
the second settlement in Ohio. They were soon 
afterward joined by a colony of twenty-six persons, 
who assisted them to erect a block-house, and 
gather their corn. The town was named Columbia. 
While here, the great flood of January, 1789, oc- 
curred, which did much to ensure the future 
growth of Losantiville, or tnore properly, Cincin- 
nati. Symmes City, which was laid out near the 
mouth of the Great Miami, and which he vainly 
strove to make the city of the future. Marietta 
and Columbia, all suffered severely by this flood, 
the greatest, the Indians said, ever known. The 
site of Cincinnati was not overflowed, and hence 
attracted the attention of the settlers. Denman's 
warrants had designated his purchase as opposite 
the mouth of the Licking; and that point escap- 
ing the overflow, late in December the place was 
visited by Israel Ludlow, Symmes' surveyor, Mr. 
Patterson and Mr. Denman, and about fourteen oth- 
ers, who left Maysville to "form a station and lay 
off a town opposite the Licking." The river was 
filled with ice "from shore to shore;" but, says 
Symmes in May, 1789, "Perseverance triumphing 
over difiiculty, and they landed safe on a most de- 
lightful bank of the Ohio, where they founded 
the town of Losantiville, which populates consid- 
erably." The settlers of Losantiville built a few 
log huts and block-houses, and proceeded to im- 
prove the town. Symmes, noticing the location, 
says: "Thou.gh they placed their dwellings in the 
most marked position, yet they suffered nothing 
from the freshet." This would seem to give cre- 
dence to Judge Burnett's notes regarding the origin 
of Cincinnati, who states the settlement was made 
at this time, and not at the time mentioned when 



iMr. Filson named the town. It is further to be 
noticed, that, before the town was located by Mr. 
Ludlow and Mr. Patterson, Mr. Filson had been 
killed by the Miami Indians, and, as he had not paid 
for his one-third of the site, the claim was sold to 
Mr. Ludlow, who thereby became one of the origi- 
nal owners of the place. Just what day the town 
was laid out is not recorded. All the evidence 
tends to show it must have been late in 1788, or 
early in 1789. 

While the settlements on the north side of the 
Ohio were thus progressing, south of it fears of the 
Indians prevailed, and the separation sore was 
kept open. The country was, however, so torn by 
internal factions that no plan was likely to suc- 
ceed, and to this fact, in a large measure, may be 
credited the reason it did not secede, or join the 
Spanish or French faction, both of which were 
intriguing to get the commonwealth. During 
this year the treasonable^ acts of James Wilkinson 
came into view. For a while he thought success 
was in his grasp, but the two governments were at 
peace with America, and discountenanced any such 
efforts. Wilkinson, like all traitors, relapsed into 
nonentity, and became mistrusted by the govern- 
ments he attempted to befriend. Treason is al- 
ways odious. 

It will be borne in mind, that in 1778 prepa- 
rations had been made for a treaty with the Indi- 
ans, to secure peaceful possession of the lands 
owned in the West. Though the whites held 
these by purchase and treaty, yet many Indians, 
especially the Wabash and some of the Miami In- 
dians, objected to their occupation, claiming the 
Ohio boundary as the original division line. Clarke 
endeavored to obtain, by treaty at Fort Harmar, 
in 1778, a confirmation of these grants, but was 
not able to do so till January, 9, 1789. Rep- 
resentatives of the Six Nations, and of the Wyau- 
dots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawato- 
mies and Sacs, met him at this date, and confirmed 
and extended the treaties of Fort Stanwix and 
Fort Mcintosh, the one in 1784, the other in 
1785. This secured peace with the most of them, 
save a few of the Wabash Indians, whom they 
were compelled to conquer by arms. When this 
was accomplished, the borders were thought safe, 
and Virginia proposed to withdraw her aid in sup- 
port of Kentucky. This opened old troubles, and 
the separation dogma came out afresh. Virginia 
offered to allow the erection of a separate State, 
providing Kentucky would assume part of the old 
debts. This the young commonwealth would not 



72 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



do, and sent a remonstrance. Virginia withdrew 
the proposal, and ordered a ninth convention, 
which succeeded in evolving a plan whereby Ken- 
tucky took her place among the free States of the 
Union. 

North of the Ohio, the prosperity continued. 
In 1789, Rev. Daniel Story, who had been ap- 
pointed missionary to the West, came out as a 
teacher of the youth and a preacher of the Gospel. 
Dr. Cutler had preceded him, not in the capacity 
of a minister, though he had preached ; hence Mr. 
Story is truly the first missionary from the Prot- 
estant Church who came to the Ohio Valley in 
that capacity. When he came, in 1789, he found 
nine associations on the Ohio Company's purchase, 
comprising two hundred and fifty persons in all ; 
and, by the close of 1790, eight settlements had 
been made: two at Belpre (belle prairie), one at 
Newbury, one at Wolf Creek, one at Duck Creek, 
one at the mouth of Meigs' Creek, one at Ander- 
son's Bottom, and one at Big Bottom. An ex- 
tended sketch of all these settlements will be found 
farther on in this volume. 

Symmes had, all this time, strenuously endeav- 
ored to get his city — called Cleves City — favorably 
noticed, and filled with people. He saw a rival in 
Cincinnati. That place, if made military head- 
quarters to protect the Miami Valley, would out- 
rival his town, situated near the bend of the 
Miami, near its mouth. On the 15th of June, 
Judge Symmes received news that the Wabash 
Indians threatened the Miami settlements, and as 
he had received only nineteen men for defense, he 
applied for more. Before July, Maj. Doughty 
arrived at the "Slaughter House" — as the Miami 
was sometimes called, owing to previous murders 
that had, at former times, occurred therein. 
Through the influence of Symmes, the detach- 
ment landed at the North Bend, and, for awhile, 
it was thought the fort would be erected there. 
This was what Symmes wanted, as it would 
secure him the headquarters of the military, and 
aid in getting the headquarters of the civil gov- 
ernment. The truth was, however, that neither 
the proposed city on the Miami — North Bend, as 
it afterward became known, from its location — or 
South Bend, could compete, in point of natural 
advantages, with the plain on which Cincinnati is 
built. Had Fort Washington been built elsewhere, 
after the close of the Indian war, nature would 
have asserted her advantages, and insured the 
growth of a city, where even the ancient and mys- 
terious dwellers of the Ohio had reared the earthen 



walls of one of their vast temples. Another fact 
is given in relation to the erection of Fort Wash- 
ington at Losantiville, which partakes somewhat of 
romance. The Major, while waiting to decide at 
which place the fort should be built, happened to 
make the acquaintance of a black-eyed beauty, the 
wife of one of the residents. Her husband, notic- 
ing the afiair, removed her to Losantiville. The 
Major followed; he told Symmes he wished to see 
how a fort would do there, but promised to give his 
city the preference. He found the beauty there, and 
on his return Symmes could not prevail on him to 
remain. If the story be true, then the importance 
of Cincinnati owes its existence to a trivial circum- 
stance, and the old story of the ten years' war 
which terminated in the downfall of Troy, which 
is said to have originated owing to the beauty of 
a Spartan dame, was re-enacted here. Troy and 
North Bend fell because of the beauty of a wo- 
man; Cincinnati was the result of the downfall of 
the latter place. 

About the first of January, 1790, Governor St. 
Clair, with his officers, descended the Ohio River 
from Marietta to Fort Washington. There he es- 
tablished the county of Hamilton, comprising the 
immense region of country contiguous to the 
Ohio, from the Hocking River to the Great 
Miami; appointed a corps of civil and military 
officers, and established a Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions. Some state that at this time, he changed 
the name of the village of Losantiville to Cin- 
cinnati, in allusion to a society of that name 
which had recently been formed among the officers 
of the Revolutionary army, and established it as 
the seat of justice for Hamilton. This latter fact 
is certain; but as regards changing the name of 
the village, there is no good authority for it. With 
this importance attached to it, Cincinnati began at 
once an active growth, and from that day Cleves' 
city declined. The next summer, frame houses 
began to appear in Cincinnati, while at the same 
time forty new log cabins appeared about the 
fort. 

On the 8th of January, the Governor arrived at 
the falls of the Ohio, on his way to establish a 
government at Vincennes and Ka.skaskia. From 
Clarkesville, he dispatched a messenger to Major 
Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, with 
speeches to the various Indian tribes in this part 
of the Northwest, who had not fully agreed to the 
treaties. St. Clair and Sargent followed in a few 
days, along an Indian trail to Vincennes, where he 
organized the county of Knox, comprising all the 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



73 



country along the Ohio, from the Miami to the 
Wabash, and made Vincennes the county seat. 
Then they proceeded across the lower part of Illi- 
nois to Kaskaskia, where he established the county 
of St. Clair (so named by Sargent), comprising all 
the country from the Wabash to the Mississippi. 
Thus the Northwest was divided into three coun- 
ties, and courts established therein. St. Clair 
called upon the French inhabitants at Vincennes 
and in the Illinois country, to show the titles to 
their lands, and also to defray the expense of a 
survey. To this latter demand they replied through 
their priest, Pierre Gibault, showing their poverty, 
and inability to comply. They were confirmed in 
their grants, and, as they had been good friends to 
the patriot cause, were relieved from the expense 
of the survey. 

While the Grovernor was managing these affairs, 
Major Hamtramck was engaged in an effort to con- 
ciliate the Wabash Indians. For this purpose, he 
sent Antoine Gamelin, an intelligent French mer- 
chant, and a true friend of America, among them to 
carry messages sent by St. Clair and the Govern- 
ment, and to learn their sentiments and dispositions. 
Gamelin performed this important mission in the 
spring of 1790 with much sagacity, and, as the 



French were good friends of the natives, he did 
much to conciliate these half-hostile tribes. He 
visited the towns of these tribes along the Wabash 
and as far north and east as the Miami village, 
Ke-ki-ong-ga — St. Mary's — at the junction of the 
St. Mary's and Joseph's Rivers (Fort Wayne). 

Gamelin's report, and the intelligence brought by 
some traders from the Upper Wabash, were con- 
veyed to the Governor at Kaskaskia. The reports 
convinced him that the Indians of that part of the 
Northwest were preparing for a war on the settle- 
ments north of the Ohio, intending, if possible, to 
drive them south of it; that river being still consid- 
ered by them as the true boundary. St. Claii- left 
the administration of affairs in the Western counties 
to Sargent, and returned at once to Fort Washing- 
ton to provide for the defense of the frontier. 

The Indians had begun their predatory incur- 
sions into the country settled by the whites, and 
had committed some depredations. The Kentuck- 
ians were enlisted in an attack against the Scioto 
Indians. April 18, Gen. Harmar, with 100 
regulars, and Gen. Scott, with 230 volunteers, 
marched from Limestone, by a circuitous route, to 
the Scioto, accomplishing but little. The savages 
had fled. 



THE INDIAN WAR OF 



CHAPTER VII. 

1795 — HARMAR'S CAMPAIGN— ST. CLAIR'S CAMPAIGN— WAYNE'S 
CAMPAIGN — CLOSE OF THE WAR. 



A GREAT deal of the hostility at this period 
was directly traceable to the British. They 
yet held Detroit and several posts on the lakes, in 
violation of the treaty of 1783. They alleged as 
a reason for not abandoning them, that the Ameri- 
cans had not fulfilled the conditions of the treaty 
regarding the collection of debts. Moreover, they 
did iill they could to remain at the frontier and en- 
joy the emoluments derived from the fur trade. 
That they aided the Indians in the conflict at this 
time, is undenialjle. Just how, it is difficult to 
say. But it is well known the savages had all the 
ammunition and fire-arms they wanted, more than 
they could have obtained from American and 
French renegade traders. They were also well 
supplied with clothing, and were able to prolong 
the war some time. A great confederation was on 
the eve of formation. The leading spirits were 



Cornplanter, Brant, Little Turtle and other noted 
chiefs, and had not the British, as Brant said, 
"encouraged us to the war, and promised us aid, 
and then, when we were driven away by the Amer- 
icans, shut the doors of their fortresses against us 
and refused us food, when they saw us nearly con- 
quered, we would have effected our object." 

McKee, Elliott and Girty were also actively en- 
gaged in aiding the natives. All of them were in 
the interest of the British, a fact clearly proven 
by the Indians themselves, and by other traders. 

St. Clair and Gen. Harmar determined to send 
an expedition against the Maumee towns, and se- 
cure that part of the country. Letters were sent 
to the militia ofl&cers of Western Pennsylvania, 
Virginia and Kentucky, calling on them for militia 
to co-operate with the regular troops in the cam- 
paign. According to the plan of the campaign, 



V- 



liL 



74 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



300 militia were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben 
( Jefferson ville), march thence to Fort Knox, at 
Vincennes, and join Maj. Hamtramck in an expe- 
dition up the Wabash ; 700 were to rendezvous at 
Fort Washington to join the regular army against 
the Maumee towns. 

While St. Clair was forming his army and ar- 
ranging for the campaign, three expeditions were 
sent out against the Miami towns. One against 
the Miami villages, not far from the Wabash, was 
led by Gen. Harmar. He had in his army about 
fourteen hundred men, regulars and militia. These 
two parts of the army could not be made to affili- 
ate, and, as a consequence, the expedition did little 
beyond burning the villages and destroying corn. 
The militia would not submit to discipline, and would 
not serve under regular officers. It will be seen 
what this spirit led to when St. Clair went on his 
march soon after. 

The Indians, emboldened by the meager success 
of Harmar's command, continued their depreda- 
dations against the Ohio settlements, destroying 
the comnmnity at Big Bottom. To hold them in 
check, and also punish them, an army under Charles 
Scott went against the Wabash Indians. Little 
was done here but destroy towns and the standing 
corn. In July, another army, under Col. Wilkin- 
son, was sent against the Eel River Indians. Be- 
coming entangled in extensive morasses on the 
river, the army became endangered, but was finally 
extricated, and accomplished no more than either 
the other armies before it. As it was, however, the 
three expeditions directed against the Miamis and 
Shawanees, served only to exasperate them. The 
burning of their towns, the destruction of their 
corn, and the captivity of their women and chil- 
dren, only aroused them to more desperate efforts 
to defend their country and to harass their in- 
vaders. To accomplish this, the chiefs of the 
Miamis, Shawanees and the Delawares, Little 
Turtle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas, were en- 
gaged in forming a confederacy of all the tribes of 
the Northwest, strong enough to drive the whites 
beyond the Ohio. Pontiac had tried that before- 
even when he had open allies among the French. 
The Indians now had secret allies among the Brit- 
ish, yet, in the end, they did not succeed. While 
they were preparing for the contest, St. Clair was 
gathering his forces, intending to erect a chain of 
forts from the Ohio, by way of the Miami and 
Maumee valleys, to the lakes, and thereby effect- 
ually hold the savages in check. Washington 
warmly seconded this plan, and designated the 



junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers as 
an important post. This had been a fortification 
almost from the time the English held the valley, 
and only needed little work to make it a formid- 
able fortress. Gen. Knox, the Secretary of War, 
also favored the plan, and gave instructions con- 
cerning it. Under these instructions, St. Clair 
organized his forces as rapidly as he could, although 
the numerous drawbacks almost, at times, threat- 
ened the defeat of the campaign. Through the 
summer the arms and accouterments of the army 
were put in readiness at Fort Washington. Many 
were found to be of the poorest quality, and to be 
badly out of repair. The militia came poorly 
armed, under the impression they were to be pro- 
vided with arms. While waiting in camp, habits 
of idleness engendered themselves, and drunken- 
ness followed. They continued their accustomed 
freedom, disdaining to drill, and refused to submit 
to the regular officers. A bitter spirit broke out 
between the regular troops and the militia, which 
none could heal. The insubordination of the mi- 
litia and their officers, caused them a defeat after- 
ward, which they in vain attempted to fasten on 
the busy General, and the regular troops. 

The army was not re^dy to move till September 
17. It was then 2,300 strong. It then moved 
to a point upon the Great Miami, where they 
erected Fort Hamilton, the first in the proposed 
chain of fortresses. After its completion, they 
moved on forty -four miles farther, and, on the 12th 
of October, began the erection of Fort Jefferson, 
about six miles south of the present town of Green- 
ville, Darke County. On the 24th, the army again 
took up its line of march, through a wilderness, 
marshy and boggy, and full of savage foes. The 
army rapidly declined under the hot sun ; even the 
commander was suffering from ' an indisposition. 
The militia deserted, in companies at a time, leav- 
ing the bulk of the work to the regular troops. 
By the 3d of November, the army reached a 
stream twelve yards wide, which St. Clair sup- 
posed to be a branch of the St. Mary of the Mau- 
mee, but which in reality was a tributary of the 
Wabash. Upon the banks of that stream, the 
army, now about fourteen hundred strong, en- 
camped in two lines. A slight protection was 
thrown up as a safeguard against the Indians, who 
were known to be in the neighborhood. The Gen- 
eral intended to attack them next day, but, about 
half an hour before sunrise, just after the militia 
had been dismissed from parade, a sudden attack 
was made upon them. The militia were thrown 



y: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



75 



into confusion, and disregarded the command of 
the officers. They had not been sufficiently drilled, 
and now was seen, too late and too plainly, the evil 
eifects of their insubordination. Through the 
morning the battle waged furiously, the men falling 
by scores. About nine o'clock the retreat began, 
covered by Maj. Cook and his troops. The re- 
treat was a disgraceful, precipitate flight, though, 
after four miles had been passed, the enemy re- 
turned to the work of scalping the dead and 
wounded, and of pillaging the camp. Through 
the day and the night their dreadful work con- 
tinued, one squaw afterward declaring "her arm 
was weary scalping the white men." The army 
reached Fort JeflFerson a little after sunset, having 
thrown away much of its arms and baggage, though 
the act was entirely unnecessary. After remain- 
ing here a short time, it was decided by the officers 
to move on toward Fort Hamilton, and thence to 
Fort Washington. 

The defeat of St. Clair was the most terrible re- 
verse the Americans ever suffiired fi'om the Indi- 
ans. It was greater than even Braddock's defeat. 
His army consisted of 1,200 men and 86 officers, 
of whom 714 men and 63 officers were killed or 
wounded. St. Clair's army consisted of 1,400 
men and 86 officers, of whom 890 men and 16 
officers were killed or wounded. The comparative 
effects of the two engagements very inadequately 
represent the crushing effijct of St. Clair's defeat. 
An unprotected frontier of more than a thousand 
miles in extent was now thrown open to a foe made 
merciless, and anxious to drive the whites from the 
north side of the Ohio. Now, settlers were scat- 
tered along all the streams, and in all the forests, ex- 
posed to the cruel enemy, who stealthily approached 
the homes of the pioneer, to murder hini and his 
family. Loud calls arose from the people to defend 
and protect them. St. Clair was covered with abuse 
for his defeat, when he really was not alone to blame 
for it. The militia would not be controlled. Had 
Clarke been at their head, or Wayne, who succeeded 
St. Clair, the result might have been diff"erent. As 
it was, St. Clair resigned ; though ever after he en- 
joyed the confidence of Washington and Congress. 

Four days after the defeat of St. Clair, the army, 
in its straggling condition, reached Fort Washing- 
ton, and paused to rest. On the 9th, St. Clair 
wrote fully to the Secretary of War. On the 12th, 
Gen. Knox communicated the information to Con- 
gress, and on the 26th, he laid before the Presi- 
dent two reports, the second containing sugges- 
tions regarding future operations. His sugges- 



tions urged the establishment of a strong United 
States Army, as it was plain the States could not 
control the matter. He also urged a thorough 
drill of the soldiers. No more insubordination 
could be tolerated. General Wayne was selected 
by Washington as the commander, and at once pro- 
ceeded to the task assigned to him. In June, 1792, 
he went to Pittsburgh to organize the army now 
gathering, which was to be the ultimate argu- 
ment with the Indian confederation. Through the 
summer he was steadily at work. "Train and dis- 
cipline them for the work they are meant for," 
wrote Washington, "and do not spare powder and 
lead, so the men be made good marksmen." In 
December, the forces, now recruited and trained, 
gathered at a point twenty-two miles below Pitts- 
burgh, on the Ohio, called Legionville, the army 
itself being denominated the Legion of the United 
States, divided into four sub-legions, and provided 
with the proper officers. Meantime, Col. Wilkinson 
succeeded St. Clair as commander at Fort Wash- 
ington, and sent out a force to examine the field of 
defeat, and bury the dead. A shocking sight met 
their view, revealing the deeds of cruelty enacted 
upon their comrades by the savage enemy. 

While Wayne's army was drilling, peace meas- 
ures were pressed forward by the United States 
with equal perseverance. The Iroquois were in- 
duced to visit Philadelphia, and partially secured 
from the general confederacy. They were wary, 
however, and, expecting aid from the British, held 
aloof. Brant did not come, as was hoped, and it 
was plain there was intrigue somewhere. Five 
independent embassies were sent among the West- 
ern tribes, to endeavor to prevent a war, and win 
over the inimical tribes. But the victories they 
had won, and the favorable whispers of the Britisli 
agents, closed the ears of the red men, and all 
propositions were rejected in some form or other. 
All the embassadors, save Putnam, sufi"ered death. 
He alone was able to reach his goal — the Wabash 
Indians — and efi"ect any treaty. On the 27th of 
December, in company with Heckewelder, the Mo- 
ravian missionary, he reached Vincennes, and met 
thirty-one chiefs, representing the Weas, Pianke- 
shaws, Kaskaskias, Peorijis, Illinois, Pottawatomies, 
Mascoutins, Kickapoos and Eel River Indians, and 
concluded a treaty of peace with them. 

The fourth article of this treaty, however, con- 
tained a provision guaranteeing to the Indians 
their lands, and when the treaty was laid before 
Congress, February 13, 1793, that body, after 
much discussion, refiised on that account to ratify it. 



-4t 



1£ 



76 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



A great council of the Indians was to be held 
at Auglaize during the autumn of 1792, when 
the assembled nations were to discuss fully their 
means of defense, and determine their future line 
of action. The council met in October, and was 
the largest Indian gathering of the time. The 
chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were there. 
The representatives of the seven nations of Canada, 
were in attendance. Cornplanter and forty-eight 
chiefs of the New York (Six Nations ) Indians re- 
paired thither. " Besides these," said Cornplanter, 
"there were so many nations we cannot tell the 
names of them. There were three men from the 
Gora nation ; it took them a whole season to come ; 
and," continued he, "twenty-seven nations from 
beyond Canada were there." The question of 
peace or war was long and earnestly debated. Their 
future was solemnly discussed, and around the 
council fire native eloquence and native zeal 
shone in all their simple strength. One nation 
after another, through their chiefs, presented their 
views. The deputies of the Six Nations, who had 
been at Philadelphia to consult the "Thirteen 
Fu'es," made their report. The Western bound- 
ary was the principal question. The natives, with 
one accord, declared it must be the Ohio River. 
An address was prepared, and sent to the President, 
wherein their views were stated, and agreeing to 
abstain from all hostilities, until they could meet 
again in the spring at the rapids of the Maumee, 
and there consult with their white brothers. They 
desired the President to send agents, "who are 
men of honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men 
who love and desire peace." The good work of 
Penn was evidenced here, as they desired that the 
embassadors "be accompanied by some Friend or 
Quaker." 

The armistice they had promised was not, how- 
ever, faithfully kept. On the 6th of November, 
a detachment of Kentucky cavalry at Fort St. 
Clair, about twenty-five miles above Fort Hamil- 
ton, was attacked. The commander, Maj. Adair, 
was an excellent officer, well versed in Indian tac- 
tics, and defeated the savages. 

This infraction of their promises did not deter 
the United States from taking measures to meet 
the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee " when 
the leaves were fully out." For that purpose, the 
President selected as commissioners, Charles Car- 
roll and Charles Thompson, but, as they declined 
the nomination, he appointed Benjamin Lincoln, 
Beverly llandolph and Timothy Pickering, the 1st 
of March, 1793, to attend the convention, which. 



it was thought best, should be held at the San- 
dusky outpost. About the last of April, these 
commissioners left Philadelphia, and, late in May, 
reached Niagara, where they remained guests of 
Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, of the British Government. 
This officer gave them all the aid he could, yet it 
was soon made plain to them that he would not 
object to the confederation, nay, even rather fav- 
ored it. They speak of his kindness to them, in 
grateful terms. Gov. Simcoe advised the Indians 
to make peace, but not to give up any of their 
lands. That was the pith of the whole matter. 
The British rather claimed land in New York, 
under the treaty of 1783, alleging the Americans 
had not fully complied with the terms of that 
treaty, hence they were not as anxious for peace 
and a peaceful settlement of the difficult boundary 
question as they sometimes represented. 

By July, "the leaves were fully out," the con- 
ferences among the tribes were over, and, on the 
15th of that month, the commissioners met Brant 
and some fifty natives. In a strong speech, Brant 
set forth their wishes, and invited them to accom- 
})any him to the place of holding the council. The 
Indians were rather jealous of Wayne's continued 
preparations for war, hence, just before setting out 
for the Maumee, the commissioners sent a letter to 
the Secretary of War, asking that all warlike 
demonstrations cease until the result of their mis- 
sion be known. 

On 21st of July, the embassy reached the head 
of the Detroit River, where their advance was 
checked by the British authorities at Detroit, com- 
pelling them to take up their abode at the house 
of Andrew Elliott, the famous renegade, then a 
British agent under Alexander McKee. McKee 
was attending the council, and the commissioners 
addressed him a note, borne by Elliott, to inform 
him of their arrival, and asking when they could 
be received. Elliott returned on the 29th, bring- 
ing with him a deputation of twenty chiefs from 
the council. The next day, a conference was held, 
and the chief of the Wyandots, Sa-wagh-da-wunk, 
presented to the commissioners, in writing, their 
explicit demand in regard to the boundary, and 
their purposes and powers. " The Ohio must be 
the boundary," said he, " or blood will flow." 

The commissioners returned an answer to the 
proposition brought by the chiefs, recapitulating 
the treaties already made, and denying the Ohio 
as the boundary line. On the 16th of August, 
the council sent them, by two Wyandot runners, 
a final answer, in which they recapitulated their 



^'^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



77 



former assertions, and exhibited great powers of 
reasoning and clear logic in defense of their po- 
sition. The commissioners reply that it is impos- 
ble to accept the Ohio as the boundary, and declare 
the negotiation at an end. 

This closed the efforts of the Government to ne- 
gotiate with the Indians, and there remained of 
necessity no other mode of settling the dispute 
but war. Liberal terms had been offered them, 
but nothing but the boundary of the Ohio River 
would suffice. It was the only condition upon 
which the confederation would lay down its arms. 
" Among the rude statesmen of the wilderness, 
there was exhibited as pure patriotism and as lofty 
devotion to' the good of their race, as ever won ap- 
plause among civilized men. The white man had, 
ever since he came into the country, been encroach- 
ing on their lands. He had long occupied the 
regions beyond the mountains. He had crushed 
the conspiracy formed by Pontiac, thirty years be- 
fore. He had taken possession of the common 
hunting-ground of all the tribes, on the faith of 
treaties they did not acknowledge. He was 
now laying out settlements and building forts in 
the heart of the country to which all the tribes 
had been driven, and which now was all they could 
call their own. And now they asked that it should 
be guaranteed to them, that the boundary which 
they had so long asked for should be drawn, and 
a final end be made to the continual aggressions of 
the whites ; or, if not, they solemnly determined to 
stake their all, against fearful odds, in defense of 
their homes, their country and the inheritance of 
their children. Nothing could be more patriotic 
than the position they occupied, and nothing could 
be more noble than the declarations of their 
council."* 

They did not know the strength of the whites, 
and based their success on the victories already 
gained. They hoped, nay, were promised, aid from 
the British, and even the Spanish had held out to 
them assurances of help when the hour of conflict 
came. 

The Americans were not disposed to yield even 
to the confederacy of the tribes backed by the two 
rival nations, forming, as Wayne characterized it, a 
" hydra of British, Spanish and Indian hostility."' 
On the 16th of August, the commissioners re- 
ceived the final answer of the council. The 17th, 
they left the mouth of the Detroit River, and the 
23d, arrived at Fort Erie, where they immediately 

* Annals of the West. 



dispatched messengers to Gen. Wayne to inform 
him of the issue of the negotiation. Wayne had 
spent the winter of 1792-93, at Legionville, in col- 
lecting and organizing his army. April 30, 1793, 
the army moved down the river and encamped at 
a point, called by the soldiers " Hobson's choice," 
because from the extreme height of the river they 
were prevented from landing elsewhere. Here 
Wayne was engaged, during the negotiations for 
peace, in drilling his soldiers, in cutting roads, and 
collecting supplies for the army. He was ready 
for an immediate campaign in case the council 
failed in its object. 

While here, he sent a letter to the Secretary of 
War, detailing the circumstances, and suggesting 
the probable course he should follow. He re- 
mained here during the summer, and, when apprised 
of the issue, saw it was too late to attempt the 
campaign then. He sent the Kentucky militia 
home, and, with his regular soldiers, went into 
winter quarters at a fort he built on a tributary 
of the Great Miami. He called the fort Green- 
ville. The present town of Greenville is near the 
site of the fort. During the winter, he sent a de- 
tachment to visit the scene of St. Clair's defeat. 
They found more than six hundred skulls, and 
were obliged to "scrape the bones together and 
carry them out to get a place to make their beds." 
They buried all they could find. Wayne was 
steadily preparing his forces, so as to have every- 
thing ready for a sure blow when the time came. 
All his information showed the faith in the British 
which still animated the doomed red men, and 
gave them a hope that could end only in defeat. 

The conduct of the Indians fvilly corroborated 
the statements received by Gen. Wayne. On the 
30th of June, an escort of ninety riflemen and 
fifty dragoons, under command of Maj. McMahon, 
was attacked under the walls of Fort Recovery by 
a force of more than one thousand Indians under 
charge of Little Turtle. They were repulsed and 
badly defeated, and, the next day, driven away. 
Their mode of action, their arms and ammunition, 
all told plainly of British aid. They also ex- 
pected to find the cannon lost by St. Clair Novem- 
ber 4, 1791, but which the Americans had secured. 
The 26th of July, Gen. Scott, with 1,600 
mounted men from Kentucky, joined Gen. Wayne 
at Fort Greenville, and, two days after, the legion 
moved forward. The 8th of August, the . army 
reached the junction of the Auglaize and Mau- 
mee, and at once proceeded to erect Fort Defiance, 
where the waters meet. The Indians had abandoned 



-^ 



78 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



their towns on the approach of the army, and 
were congregating further northward. 

While engaged on Fort Defiance, Wayne 
received continual and full reports of the Indians — 
of their aid from Detroit and elsewhtsre ; of the 
nature of the ground, and the circumstances, 
fevorable or unfavorable. From all he could 
l(!arn, and considering the spirits of his army, 
now thoroughly disciplined, be determined to 
march forward and settle matters at once. Yet, 
ti'ue to his own instincts, and to the measures of 
peace so forcibly taught by Washington, he sent 
('hristopher Miller, who had been naturalized 
among the Shawanees, and taken prisoner by 
Wayne's spies, as a messenger of peace, offering 
terms of friendship. 

Unwilling to waste time, the troops began to 
move forward the 15th of August, and the next 
day met Miller with the message that if the Amer- 
icans would wait ten days at Auglaize the Indians 
would decide for peace or war. Wayne knew too 
well the Indian character, and answered the mes- 
sage by simply marching on. The 18th, the legion 
had advanced forty-one miles from Auglaize, and, 
being near the long-looked-for foe, began to take 
some measures for protection, should they be at- 
tacked. A slight breastwork, called Fort Deposit, 
was erected, wherein most of their heavy baggage 
was placed. They remained here, building their 
works, until the 2()th, when, storing their baggage, 
the army began again its march. After advancing 
about five miles, they met a large force of the ene- 
my, two thousand strong, who fiercely attacked 
them. Wayne was, however, prepared, and in the 
short battle that ensued they were routed, and 
large numbers slain. The American loss was very 
slight. The horde of savages were put to flight, 
leaving the Americans victorious almost under 
the walls of the British garrison, under Maj. 
Campbell. This officer sent a letter to Gen. 
Wayne, asking an explanation of his conduct in 
fighting so near, and in such evident hostility to 
the British. Wayne replied, telling him he was 
in a country that did not belong to him, and one 
he was not authorized to hold, and also chargino; 
him with aiding the Indians. A spirited corre- 
spondence followed, which ended in the American 
conmiander marching on, and devastating the In- 
dian country, even burning McKee's house and 
stores under the muzzles of the English guns. 

The 14ih of September, the army marched from 
Fort Defiance for the Miami village at the junc- 
tion of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers. It 



reached there on the 17th, and the next day Gen. 
Wayne selected a site for a fort. The 22d of Oc- 
tober, the fort was completed, and garrisoned by a 
detachment under Maj. IIamtramck,who gave to it 
the name of Fort Wayne. The 14th of October, 
the mounted Kentucky volunteers, who had be- 
come dissatisfied and mutinous, were started to 
Fort Washington, where they were immediately 
mustered out of service and discharged. The 28th 
of October, the legion marched from Fort Wayne 
to Fort Greenville, where Gen. Wayne at once 
established his headquarters. 

The campaign had been decisive and short, and 
had taught the Indians a severe lesson. The Brit- 
ish, too, had failed them in their hour bf need, and 
now they began to see they had a foe to contend 
whose resources were exhaustless. Under these 
circumstances, losing faith in the English, and at 
last impressed with a respect for American power, 
after the defeat experienced at the hands of the 
"Black Snake," the various tribes made up their 
minds, by degrees, to ask for peace. During the 
winter and spring, they exchanged prisoners, and 
made ready to meet Gen. Wayne at Greenville, in 
June, for the purpose of forming a definite treaty, 
as it had been agreed should be done by the pre- 
liminaries of January 24. 

During the month of June, 1795, representa- 
tives of the Northwestern tribes began to gather at 
Greenville, and, the 16th of the month, Gen. Wayne 
met in council the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawato- 
mies and Eel River Indians, and the conferences, 
which lasted till August 10, began. The 21st 
of June, Buckongahelas arrived ; tlie 23d, Little 
Turtle and other Miamis ; the 13th of July, 
Tarhe and other Wyandot chiefs ; and the 18th, 
Blue Jacket, and thirteen Shawanees and Massas 
with twenty Chippewas. 

Most of these, as it appeared by their statements, 
had been tampered with by the English, especially 
by McKee, Girty and Brant, even after the pre- 
liminaries of January 24, and while Mr. Jay was 
perfecting his treaty. They had, however, all de- 
termined to make peace with the "Thirteen Fires," 
and although some difficulty as to the ownership of 
the lands to be ceded, at one time seemed likely to 
arise, the good sense of Wayne and the leading 
chiefs prevented it, and, the 30th of July, the treaty 
was agreed to which should bury the hatchet for- 
ever. Between that day and the 3d of August, 
it was engrossed, and, having been signed by the 
various nations upon the day last named, it was 
finally acted upon the 7th, and the presents from 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



79 



the United States distributed. The basis of this 
treaty was the previous oue made at Fort flarmar. 
The boundaries made at that time were re-affirmed ; 
the whites were secured on the lands now occu- 
pied by them or secured by former treaties ; and 
among all the assembled nations, presents, in value 
not less than one thousand pounds, were distributed 
to each through its representatives, many thousands 
in all. The Indians were allowed to remove and 



punish intruders on their lands, and were permitted 
to hunt on the ceded lands. 

" This great and abiding peace document wa;^ 
signed by the various tribes, and dated August 3, 
1795. It was laid before the Senate December 9, 
and ratified the 22d. So closed the old Indian 
wars in the West." * 

* Annals of the West." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

JAY'S TREATY— THE QUESTION OF STATE RIGHTS AND NATIONAL SUPREMACY— EXTENSION 
OF OHIO SETTLEMENTS— LAND CLAIMS— SPANISH BOUNDARY QUESTION. 



WHILE these six years of Indian wars were 
in progress, Kentucky was admitted as a 
State, and Pinckney's treaty with Spain was com- 
pleted. This last occurrence was of vital impor- 
tance to the West, as it secured the free navigation 
of the Mississippi, charging only a fair price for 
the storage of goods at Spanish ports. This, 
though not all that the Americans wished, was a 
great gain in their favor, and did much to stop 
those agitations regarding a separation on the part 
of Kentucky. It also quieted affairs further 
south than Kentucky, in the Georgia and South 
Carolina Territory, and put an end to French 
and Spanish intrigue for the Western Territory. 
The treaty was signed November 24, 1794. 
Another treaty was concluded by Mr. John Jay 
between the two governments, Lord Greenville 
representing the English, and Mr. Jay, the Ameri- 
cans. The negotiations lasted from April to 
November 19, 1795, when, on that day, the treaty 
was signed and duly recognized. It decided 
effectually all the questions at issue, and was the 
signal for the removal of the British troops from 
the Northwestern outposts. This was effected as 
soon as the proper transfers could be made. The 
second article of the treaty provided that, " His 
INIajesty will withdraw all his troops and garrisons 
from all posts and places within the boundary 
lines assigned by the treaty of peace to the United 
States. This evacuation shall take place on or 
before the 1st day of June, 1796, and all the 
proper measures shall be taken, in the interval, by 
concert, between the Government of the United 
States and His Majesty's Governor General in 
America, for settling the previous arrangements 



which may be necessary respecting the delivery 
of the said posts; the United States, in the mean 
time, at their discretion, extending their settle- 
ments to any part within the said boundary line, 
except within the precincts or jurisdiction of any 
of the said posts. 

''All settlers and all traders within the precincts 
or jurisdiction of the said posts shall continue to 
enjoy, unmolested, all their property of every 
kind, and shall be protected therein. They shall 
be at full liberty to remain there or to remove 
with all, or any part, of their effects, or retain the 
property thereof at their discretion ; such of them 
as shall continue to reside within the said boundary 
lines, shall not be compelled to become citizens of 
the United States, or take any oath of allegiance 
to the Government thereof; but they shall be at 
full liberty so to do, if they think proper; they 
shall make or declare their election one year after 
the evacuation aforesaid. And all persons who 
shall continue therein after the expiration of the 
said year, without having declared their intention 
of remaining subjects to His Britannic Majesty, 
shall be considered as having elected to become 
citizens of the United States." 

The Indian war had settled all fears from that 
source ; the treaty with Great Britain had estab- 
lished the boundaries between the two countries 
and secured peace, and the treaty with Spain had 
secured the privilege of navigating the Mississippi, 
by paying only a nominal sum. It had also bound 
the people of the West together, and ended the 
old separation question. There was no danger 
from that now. Another difficulty arose, however, 
relating to the home rule, and the organization of 



80 



HISTORY OP OHIO. 



the home government. There were two parties in 
the country, known as Federalist and Anti-Federal- 
ist. One favored a central government, whose au- 
thority should be supreme ; the other, only a 
compact, leaving the States supreme. The worth- 
lessness of" the old colonial system became, daily, 
more apparent. While it existed no one felt safe. 
There was no prospect of paying the debt, and, 
hence, no credit. When Mr. Ilaniilton, Secretary 
of the Ti'easury, offered his financial plan to the 
country, favoring centralization, it met, in many 
places, violent opposition. Washington was strong 
enough to carry it out, and gave evidence that he 
would do so. When, therefore, the excise law 
passed, and taxes on whisky were collected, an 
open revolt occurred in Pennsylvania, known as 
the " Whisky Insurrection." It was put down, 
finally, by military power, and the malcontents 
made to know that the United States was a gov- 
ermnent, not a compact liable to rupture at any 
time, and by any of its members. It taught the 
entire nation a lesson. Centralization meant pres- 
ervation. Should a " compact" form of government 
prevail, then anarchy and ruin, and ultimate sub- 
jection to some foreign power, met their view. 
That they had just fought to dispel, and must it 
all go for naught? The people saw the rulers 
were right, and gradually, over the West, spread a 
spirit antagonistic to State supremacy. It did not 
revive till Jackson's time, when he, with an iron 
hand and iron will, crushed out the evil doctrine 
of State supremacy. It revived again in the late 
war, again to be crushed. It is to be hoped that 
ever thus will be its fate. " The Union is insepa- 
rable," said the Government, and the people echoed 
the words. 

During the war, and while all these events had 
been transpiring, settlements had been taking place 
upon the Ohio, which, in tlieir influence upon the 
Northwest, and especially upon the State, as soon 
as it was created, were deeply felt. The Virginia 
and the Connecticut Reserves were at this time 
peopled, and, also, that part of the Miami Valley 
about Dayton, which city dates its origin from that 
period. 

As early as 1787, the reserved lands of the Old 
Dominion north of the Ohio were examined, and, 
in August of that year, entries were made. As 
no good title could be obtained from Congress at 
this time, the settlement practically ceased until 
1790, when the prohibition to enter them was 
withdrawn. As soon as that was done, surveying 
began again. Nathaniel Massie was among the 



^ € 

'' 



foremost men in the survey of this tract, and lo- 
cating the lands, laid off a town about twelve miles 
above Maysville. The jtlace was called Manchester, 
and yet exists. From this point, Massie continued 
through all the Indian war, despite the danger, to 
survey the surrounding country, and prepare it for 
settlers. 

Connecticut had, as has been stated, ceded her 
lands, save a tract extending one hundred and 
twenty miles beyond the western boundary of 
Pennsylvania. Of this Connecticut Reserve, so 
far as the Indian title was extinguished, a survey 
was ordered in October, 1786, and an office opened 
for its disposal. Part was soon sold, and, in 1792, 
half a million of acres were given to those citizens 
of Connecticut who had lost property by the acts 
of the British troops during the Revolutionary 
war at New London, New Haven and elsewhere. 
These lands thereby became known as " Fire lands " 
and the "Sufferer's lands," and were located in the 
western part of the Reserve. In May, 1795, the 
Connecticut Legislature authorized a committee to 
dispose of the remainder of the Reserve. Before 
autumn the committee sold it to a company known 
as the Connecticut Land Company for |l, 200, 000, 
and about the 5th of September quit-claimed the 
land to the Company. The same day the Company 
received it, it sold 3,000,000 acres to John Mor- 
gan, John Caldwell and Jonathan Brace, in trust. 
Upon these quit-claim titles of the land all deeds 
in the Reserve are based. Surveys were com- 
menced in 1796, and, by the close of the next 
year, all the land east of the Cuyahoga was divided 
into townships five miles square. The agent of the 
Connecticut Land Company was Gren. Moses Cleve- 
land, and in his honor the leading city of the Re- 
serve was named. That township and five others 
were reserved for private sale; the balance were 
disposed of by lottery, the first drawing occurring 
in February, 1798. 

Dayton resulted from the treaty made by Wayne. 
It came out of the boundary ascribed to Symmes, 
and for a while all such lands were not recognized 
as sold by Congress, owing to the failure of 
Symmes and his associates in paying for them. 
Thereby there existed, for a time, considerable un- 
easiness regarding the title to these lands. In 
1799, Congress was induced to issue patents to the 
actual settlers, and thus secure them in their pre- 
emption. 

Seventeen days after Wayne's treaty, St. Clairs 
Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Israel Ludlow 
contracted with Symmes for the seventh and eighth 

■^"* «) 




MICHAEL NEWMAN. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



83 



ranges, between Mad River and the Little Miami. 
Three settlements were to be made: one at the 
mouth of Mad River, one on the Little Miami, in 
the seventh range, and another on Mad River. On 
the 21st of September, 1795, Daniel C. Cooper 
started to survey and mark out a road in the pur- 
chase, and John Dunlap to run its boundaries, 
which was completed before October 4. On No- 
vember -I, Mr. Ludlow laid off the town of Day- 
ton, which, like land in the Connecticut Reserve, 
was sold by lottery. 

A gigantic scheme to purchaj5e eighteen or 
twenty million acres in Michigan, and then pro- 
cure a good title from the Government — who alone 
had such a right to procure land — by giving mem- 
bers of Congress an interest in the investment, 
appeared shortly after Wayne's treaty. When 
some of the members were approached, however, 
the real spirit of the scheme appeared, and, instead 
of gaining ground, led to the exposure, resulting 
in the_ reprimanding severely of Robert Randall, 
the principal mover in the whole plan, and in its 
speedy disappearance. 

Another enterprise, equally gigantic, also ap- 
peared. It was, however, legitimate, and hence 
successful. On the 20th of February, 1795, the 
North American Land Company was formed in 
Philadelphia, under the management of such pat- 
riots as Robert Morris, John Nicholson and James 
Greenleaf This Company purchased large tracts 
in the West, which it disposed of to actual settlers, 
and thereby aided greatly in populating that part 
of the country. 

Before the close of 1795, the Governor of the 
Territory, and his Judges, published sixty-four 
statutes. Thirty-four of these were adopted at 
Cincinnati during June, July and August of that 
year. They were known as the Maxwell code, 
froni the name of the publisher, but were passed 
by Governor St. Clair and Judges Symmes and 
Turner. Among them was that which provided 
that the common law of England, and all its stat- 
utes, made previous to the fourth year of James 
the First, should be in full force within the Terri- 
tory. I' Of the system as a whole," says Mr. Case, 
" with its many imperfections, it may be doubted 
that any colony, at so early a period after its first 
establishment, ever had one so good and applicable 
to all." 

The Union had now safely passed through its 
most critical period after the close of the war of 
independence. The danger from an irruption of 
its own members ; of a war or alliance of its West- | 



ern portion with France and Spain, and many 
other perplexing questions, were now eflectually 
settled, and the population of the Territory began 
rapidly to increase. Before the close of the year 
179G, the Northwest contained over five thousand 
inhabitants, the requisite number to entitle it to 
one representative in the national Congress. 

Western Pennsylvania also, despite the various 
conflicting claims regarding the land titles in that 
part of the State, began rapidly to fill with emigrants. 
The "Triangle" and the " Struck District " were 
surveyed and put upon the market under the act 
of 1792. Treaties and purchases from the various 
Indian tribes, obtained control of the remainder of 
the lands in that part of the State, and, by 1796, 
the State owned all the land within its boundaries. 
Towns were laid off, land put upon the market, so 
that by the year 1800, the western part of the 
Keystone State was divided into eight counties, viz., 
Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, 
Venango and Armstrong. 

The ordinance relative to the survey and dis- 
posal of lands in the Northwest Territory has 
already been given. It was adhered to, save in 
minor cases, where necessity required a slight 
change. The reservations were recognized by 
Congress, and the titles to them all confirmed to 
the grantees. Thus, Clarke and his men, the 
Connecticut Reserve, the Refugee lands, the 
French inhabitants, and all others holding patents 
to land from colonial or foreign governments, were 
all confirmed in their rights and protected in their 
titles. 

Before the close of 1796, the upper North- 
western posts were all vacated by the British, 
under the terms of Mr. Jay's treaty. Wayne at 
once transferred his headquarters to Detroit, where 
a county was named for him, including the north- 
western part of Ohio, the northeast of Indiana, 
and the whole of Michigan. 

Tlie occupation of the Territory by the Ameri- 
cans gave additional impulse to emigration, and a 
better feeling of security to emigrants, who fol- 
lowed closely upon the path of the army. Na- 
thaniel Massie, who has already been noticed as 
the founder of Manchester, laid out the town of 
Chillicothe, on the Scioto, in 1796. Before the 
close of the year, it contained several stores, 
shops, a tavern, and was well populated. With 
the increase of settlement and the security guar- 
anteed by the treaty of Greenville, the arts of 
civilized life began to appear, and their influence 
upon pioneers, especially those born on the frontier, 



^1 
T 



-^l S) 



± 



84 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



n 



began to manifest itself. Bettcsr dwellings, schools, 
churches, dress and manners prevailed. Life 
began to assume a reality, and lost much of 
that recklessness engendered by the habits of a 
frontier life. 

Cleveland, Cincinnati, the Miami, the Mus- 
kingum and the Scioto Valleys were filling with 
people. Cincinnati had more than one hundred 
log cabins, twelve or fifteen frame houses and a 
population of more than six hundred persons. In 
1796, the first house of worship for the Presby- 
terians in that city was built. 

Before the close of the same year, Manchester 
contained over thirty families ; emigrants from 
Virginia were going up all the valleys from the 
Ohio; and Ebenczcr Zane had opened a bridle- 
path from the Ohio lliver, at Wheeling, across the 
country, by Chillicothe, to Limestone, Ky. The 
next year, the United States mail, for the first 
time, traversed this route to the West. Zane was 
given a section of land for his path. The popu- 
lation of the Territory, estimated at from five to 
eight thousand, was chiefly distributed in lower 
valleys, bordering on the Ohio River. The French 
still occupied the Illinois country, and were the 
principal inhabitants about Detroit. 

South of the Ohio River, Kentucky was pro- 
gressing favorably, while the '' Southwestern Ter- 
ritory," ceded to the United States by North 
Carolina in 1790, had so rapidly populated that, 
in 1793, a Territorial form of government was 
allowed. The ordinance of 1787, save the clause 
prohibiting slavery, was adopted, and the Territory 
named Tennessee. On June 6, 1796, the Terri- 
tory contained more than seventy-five thousand 
inhabitants, and was admitted into t.he Union as a 
State. Four years after, the census showed a 
population of 1 05,602 _soula^^ including^ 13,584 
slaves and— persons of color. The same year 
Tennessee became a State, Samuel Jackson and 
Jonathan Sharpless erected the Redstone Paper 
Mill, four miles east of Brownsville, it being the 
first manufactory of the kind west of the Alle- 
ghanies. 

In the month of December, 1790, Gen. Wayne, 
who had done so much for the development of the 
West, while on his way from Detroit to Philadel- 
phia, was attacked with sickness and died in a 
cabin near Erie, in the north part of Pennsylvania. 
He was nearly fifty-one years old, and was one of 



the bravest officers in the Revolutionary war, and 
one of America's truest patriots. In 1809, his 
remains were removed from Erie, by his son. Col. 
Isaac Wayne, to the Radnor churchyard, near the 
place of his birth, and an elegant monument erected 
on his tomb by the Pennsylvania Cincinnati So- 
ciety. 

After the death of Wayne, Gen. Wilkinson was 
appointed to the command of the Western army. 
While he was in command, Carondelet, the Spanish 
governor of West Florida and Louisiana, made one 
more effort to separate the Union, and set up either 
an independent government in the West, or, what 
was more in accord with his wishes, effect a 
union with the Spanish nation. In June, 1797, 
he sent Power again into the Northwest and into 
Kentucky to sound the existing feeling. Now, 
however, they were not easily won over. The 
home government was a certainty, the breaches had 
been healed, and Power was compelled to abandon 
the mission , not, however, until he had received a 
severe reprimand from many who saw through his 
plan, and openly exposed it. His mission closed 
the efforts of the Spanish authorities to attempt 
the dismemberment of the Union, and showed 
them the coming downfixU of their power in Amer- 
ica. They were obliged to surrender the posts 
claimed by the United States vinder the treaty of 
1795, and not many years after, sold their Amer- 
ican possessions to the United States, rather than 
see a rival European power attain control over them. 

On the 7th of April, 1798, Congress passed an 
act, appointing Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the 
Northwest Territory, Governor of the Territory of 
the Mississippi, formed the same day. In 1801, 
the boundary between America and the Spanish pos- 
sessions was definitely fixed. The Spanish retired 
from the disputed territory, and henceforward their 
attempts to dissolve the American Union ceased. 
The seat of the Mississippi Territory was fixed at 
Loftus Heights, six miles north of the thirty-first 
degree of latitude. 

The appointment of Sargent to the charge of the 
Southwest Territory, led to the choice of William 
Henry Harrison, who had been aid-de-camp to 
Gen. Wayne in 1794, and whose character stood 
very liigh among the people of the West, to the 
Secretaryship of the Northwest, which place he held 
until appointed to represent that Territory in Con- 
gress. 



:^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



85 



CHAPTER IX. 

FIRST TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS-DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY-FORMA- 
TION OF STATES— MARIETTA SETTLEMENT— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— SETTLEMENTS IN 
THE WESTERN RESERVE — SETTLEMENT OF THE CENTRAL VALLEYS- 
FURTHER SETTLEiMENTS IN THE RESERVE AND ELSEWHERE. 



THE ordinance of 1787 provided that as soon 
as there were 5,000 persons in the Territory, 
it was entitled to a representative assembly. On 
October 29, 1798, Governor St. Clair gave notice 
by proclamation, that the required population ex- 
isted, and directed that an election be held on the 
third Monday in December, to choose representa- 
tives. These representatives were required, when 
assembled, to nominate ten persons, whose names 
were sent to the President of the United States, 
who selected five, and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate, appointed them for the legislative 
council. In this mode the Northwest passed into 
the second grade of a Territorial government. 

The representatives, elected under the proclama- 
tion of St. Clair, met in Cincinnati, January 22, 
1799, and under the provisions of the ordinance 
of 1787, nominated ten persons, whose names were 
sent to the President. On the 2d of March, he 
selected from the list of candidates, the names of 
Jacob Burnet, James Findlay, Henry Vander- 
burgh, Robert Oliver and David Vance. The 
next day the Senate confirmed their nomination, 
and the first legislative council of the Northwest 
Territory was a reality. 

The Territorial Legislature met again at Cincin- 
nati, September 16, but, for want of a quorum, 
was not organized until the 24th of that month. 
The House of Representatives consisted of nine- 
teen members, of whom seven were from Hamilton 
County, four from Ross — erected by St. Clair in 
1798; three from Wayne — erected in 1796; two 
from Adams — erected in 1797; one from Jefier- 
son — erected in 1797; one from Washington — 
erected in 1788; and one from Knox — Indiana 
Territory. None seem to have been present from 
St. Clair County (Illinois Territory). 

After the organization of the Legislature, Gov- 
ernor St. Clair addressed the two houses in the Rep- 
resentatives' Chamber, recommending such meas- 
ures as, in his judgment, were suited to the con- 
dition of the country and would advance the safety 
and prosperity of the people. 



The Legislature continued in session till the 19th 
of December, when, having finished their business, 
they were prorogued by the Governor, by their 
own request, till the first Monday in November, 
1800. This being the first session, there was, of 
necessity, a great deal of business to do. The 
transition from a colonial to a semi-independent 
form of government, called for a general revision 
as well as a considerable enlargement of the stat- 
ute-book. Some of the adopted laws were re- 
pealed, many others altered and amended, and a 
long list of new ones added to the code. New 
ofiices were to be created and filled, the duties at- 
tached to them prescribed, and a plan of ways and 
means devised to meet the increased expenditures, 
occasioned by the change which had now occurred. 

As Mr. Burnet was the only lawyer in the Legis- 
lature, much of the revision, and putting the laws 
into proper legal form, devolved upon him. He 
seems to have been well fitted for the place, and 
to have performed the laborious task in an excel- 
lent manner. 

The whole number of acts passed and approved 
by the Governor, was thirty-seven. The most im- 
portant related to the militia, the administration of 
justice, and to taxation. During the session, a bill 
authorizing a lottery was passed by the council, 
but rejected by the Legislature, thus interdicting 
this demoralizing feature of the disposal of lands 
or for other purposes. The example has always been 
followed by subsequent legislatures, thus honorably 
characterizing the Assembly of Ohio, in this re- 
spect, an example Kentucky and several other 
States might well emulate. 

Before the Assembly adjourned, they issued a 
congratulatory address to the people, enjoining 
them to " Inculcate the principles of humanity, 
benevolence, honesty and punctuality in dealing, 
sincerity and charity, and all the social afieetion.s/' 
At the same time, they issued an address to the 
President, expressing entire confidence in the wis- 
dom and purity of his government, and their 
warm attachment to the American Constitution. 



^- 



:£ 



86 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The vote on this address proved, however, that the 
dift'erenees of opinion agitating the Eastern States 
had penetrated the West. Eleven Representatives 
voted for it, and five against it. 

One of the important duties that devolved on 
this Legislature, was the election of a delegate to 
Congress. As soon as the Governor's proclama- 
tion made its appearance, the election of a person 
to fill that position excited general attention. Be- 
fore the meeting of the Legislature public opinion 
had settled down on William Henry Harrison, and 
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., who eventually were the only 
candidates. On the 3d of October, the two houses 
met and proceeded to a choice. Eleven votes were 
cast for Harrison, and ten for St. Clair. The Leg- 
islature prescribed the form of a certificate of the 
election, which was given to Harrison, who at once 
resigned his office as Secretary of the Territory, 
proceeded to Philadelphia, and took his seat. Con- 
gress being then in session. 

" Though he represented the Territory but one 
year, " says Judge Burnett, in his notes, " he ob- 
tained some important advantages for his constitu- 
ents. He introduced a resolution to sub-divide 
the surveys of the public lands, and to offer them 
for sale in smaller tracts ; he succeeded in getting 
that measure through both houses, in opposition to 
the interest of speculators, who were, and who 
wished to be, the retailers of the land to the poorer 
classes of the community. His proposition be- 
came a law, and was hailed as the most beneficent 
act that Congress had ever done for the Territory. 
It put in the power of every industrious man, how- 
ever poor, to become a freeholder, and to lay a 
foundation for the future support and comfort of 
his family. At the same session, he obtained a 
liberal extension of time for the pre-emptioners in 
the northern part of the Miami purchase, which 
enabled them to secure their farms, and eventually 
to become independent, and even wealthy." 

The first session, as has been noticed, closed 
December 19. Gov. St. Clair took occasion to 
enumerate in his speech at the close of the session, 
eleven acts, to which he saw fit to apply his veto. 
These he had not, however, returned to the Assem- 
bly, and thereby saved a long struggle between the 
executive and legislative branches of the Territory. 
Of the eleven acts enumerated, six related to the 
formation of new counties. These were mainly 
disproved by St Clair, as he always sturdily main- 
tained that the power to erect new counties was 
vested alone in the Executive. This free exercise 
of the veto power, especially in relation to new 



counties, and his controversy with the Legislature, 
tended only to strengthen the popular discontent 
regarding the Governor, who was never fully able 
to regain the standing he held before his in- 
glorious defeat in his campaign against the Indians. 
While this was being agitated, another question 
came into prominence. Ultimately, it settled the 
powers of the two branches of the government, 
and caused the removal of St. Clair, then very 
distasteful to the people. The opening of the 
present century brought it fully before the 
people, who began to agitate it in all their 
assemblies. 

The great extent of the Territory made the 
operations of government extremely uncertain, 
and the power of the courts practically worthless. 
Its division was, therefore, deemed best, and a 
committee was appointed by Congress to inquire 
into the matter. This committee, the 3d of 
March, 1800, reported upon the subject that, "In 
the three western counties^ there has been but 
one court having cognizance of crimes in five 
years. The immunity which ofi"enders experience, 
attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and aban- 
doned criminals, and, at the same time, deters 
useful and virtuous citizens from making settle- 
ments in such society. The extreme necessity of 
judiciary attention and assistance is experienced 
in civil as well as criminal cases. The supplying 
to vacant places such necessary officers as may bf 
wanted, such as clerks, recorders and others of 
like kind, is, from the impossibility of correct 
notice and information, utterly neglected. This 
Territory is exposed as a frontier to foreign nations, 
whose agents can find sufficient interest in exciting 
or fomenting insurrection and discontent, as 
thereby they can more easily divert a valuable 
trade in furs from the United States, and also have 
a part thereof on which they border, which feels 
so little the cherishing hand of their proper gov- 
ernment, or so little dreads its energy, as to render 
their attachment perfectly uncertain and am- 
biguous. 

" The committee would further suggest, that 
the law of the 3d of March, 1791, granting land 
to certain persons in the western part of said Ter- 
ritory, and directing the laying-out of the same, 
remains unexecuted; that great discontent, in 
consequence of such neglect, is excited in those 
who are interested in the provisions of said laws, 
which require the immediate attention of this 
Legislature. To minister a remedy to these evils, 
it occurs to' this committee, that it is expedient 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



87 



that a division of said Territory into two distinct 
and separate governments should be made ; and 
that such division be made by a line beginning at 
the mouth of the great Miami River, running 
directly north until it intersects the boundary 
between the United States and Canada." * 

The recommendations of the committee were 
favorably received by Congress, and, the 7th 
of May, an act was passed dividing the Ter- 
ritory. The main provisions of the act are as 
follows : 

"That, from and after the 4th of July next, 
all that part of the territory of the United States 
northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the 
westward of a line beginning at the Ohio, opposite 
to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and running 
thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until 
it intersects the territorial line between the United 
States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of tem- 
porary government, constitute a separate Territory, 
and be called the Indiana Territory. 

"There shall be established within the said Ter- 
ritory a government, in all respects similar to that 
provided by the ordinance of Congress passed July 
13, 1797." t 

The act fiirther provided for representatives, and 
for the establishment of an assembly, on the same 
plan as that in force in the Northwest, stipulating 
that until the number of inhabitants reached five 
thousand, the whole number of representatives to 
the General Assembly should not be less than seven, 
nor more than nine ; apportioned by the Governor 
among the several counties in the new Terri- 
tory. 

The act further provided that " nothing in the 
act should be so construed, so as in any manner 
to aifect the government now in force in the teiTi- 
tory of the United States northwest of the Ohio 
River, further than to pi'ohibit the exercise thereof 
within the Indiana Territory, from and after the 
aforesaid 4th of July next. 

" Whenever that part of the territory of the 
United States, which lies to the eastward of a line 
beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, 
and running thence due north to the territorial 
line between the United States and Canada, shall 
be erected into an independent State, and admitted 
into the Union on an equal footing with the orig- 
inal States ; thenceforth said line shall become and 
remain permanently, the boundary line between 
such State and the Indiana Territory." 

♦Ameri'-an State Papers. 
tLand Laws. 



It was further enacted, " that, until it shall be 
otherwise enacted by the legislatures of the said 
territories, respectively, Chillicothe, on the Scioto 
River, shall be the seat of government of the ter- 
ritory of the United States northwest of the Ohio 
River; and that St. Vincent's, on the Wabash 
River, shall be the seat of government for the 
Indiana Territory." * 

• St. Clair was continued as Governor of the old 
Territory, and William Henry Harrison appointed 
Governor of the new. 

Connecticut, in ceding her territory in the West 
to the General Government, reserved a portion, 
known as the Connecticut Reserve. When she 
afterward disposed of her claim in the manner 
narrated, the citizens found themselves without any 
government on which to lean for support. At that 
time, settlements had begun in thirty-five of the 
townships into which the Reserve had been divided ; 
one thousand persons had established homes there ; 
mills had been built, and over seven hundred miles 
of roads opened. In 1800, the settlers petitioned 
for acceptance into the Union, as a part of the 
Northwest ; and, the mother State releasing her judi- 
ciary claims. Congress accepted the trust, and 
granted the request. In December, of that year, 
the population had so increased that the county of 
Trumbull was erected, including the Reserve. 
Soon after, a large number of settlers came from 
Pennsylvania, from which State they had been 
driven by the dispute concerning land titles in its 
western part. Unwilling to cultivate land to 
which they could only get a doubtful deed, they 
abandoned it, and came where the titles were 
sure. 

Congress having made Chillicothe the capital of 
the Northwest Territory, as it now existed, on the 
3d of November the General Assembly met at that 
place. Gov. St. Clair had been made to feel the 
odium cast upon his previous acts, and, at the open- 
ing of this session, expressed, in strong terms, his 
disapprobation of the censure cast upon him. He 
had endeavored to do his duty in all cases, he said, 
and yet held the confidence of the President and 
Congress. He still held the ofiice, notwithstanding 
the strong dislike against him. 

At the second session of the Assembly, at Chil- 
licothe, held in the autumn of 1801, so much out- 
spoken enmity was expressed, and so much abuse 
heaped upon the Governor and the Assembly, that 
a law was passed, removing the capital to Cincinnati 

* Land Laws. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



again. It was not destined, however, that the 
Territorial Assembly should meet again anywhere. 
The unpopularity of the Governor caused many to 
long for a State government, where they could 
choose their own rulers. The unpopularity of St. 
Clair arose partly from the feeling connected with 
his defeat ; in part from his being connected with 
the Federal party, fast falling into disrepute ; and, 
in part, from his assuming powers which must 
thought he had no right to exercise, especially the 
power of subdividing the counties of the Terri- 
tory. 

The opposition, though powerful out of the 
Assembly, was in the minority there. During the 
month of December, 1801, it was forced to protest 
against a measure brought forward in the Council, 
for changing the ordinance of 1787 in such a man- 
ner as to make the Scioto, and a line drawn from 
the intersection of that river and the Indian 
boundary to the western extremity of the Reserve, 
the limits of the most eastern State, to be formed 
from the Territory. Had this change been made, 
the formation of a State government beyond the 
Ohio would have been long delayed. Against it, 
RepresentativesWorthington,Langham, Darlington, 
Massie, Dunlavy and Morrow, recorded their pro- 
test. Not content with this, they sent Thomas 
Worthington, who obtained a leave of absence, to 
the seat of government, on behalf of the objectors, 
there to protest, before Congress, against the pro- 
posed boundary. While Worthington was on his 
way, Massie presented, the 4th of January, 1802, 
a resolution for choosing a committee to address 
Congress in respect to the proposed State govern- 
ment. This, the next day, the House refused to 
do, by a vote of twelve to five. An attempt 
was next made to procure a census of the Ter- 
ritory, and an act for that purpose passed the 
House, but the Council postponed the considera- 
tion of it until the next session, which would com- 
mence at Cincinnati, the fourth Monday of No- 
vember. 

Meanwhile, Worthington pursued the ends of 
his mission, using his influence to effect that organ- 
ization, "which, terminating the influence of tyr- 
anny," was to "meliorate the circumstances of thou- 
sands, by freeing them from the domination of a 
despotic chief" His eff'orts were successful, and, 
the 4th of March, a report was made to the 
House in favor of authorizing a State convention. 
This report was based on the assumption that there 
were now over sixty thousand inhabitants in the 
proposed boundaries, estimating that emigration had 



increased the census of 1800, which gave the Ter- 
ritory forty-five thousand inhabitants, to that num- 
ber. The convention was to ascertain whether it 
were expedient to form such a government, and to 
prepare a constitution if such organization were 
deemed best. In the formation of the State, a 
change in the boundaries was proposed, by which 
all the territory north of a line drawn due east 
from the head of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie was 
to be excluded from the new government about to 
be called into existence. 

The committee appointed by Congress to report 
upon the feasibility of forming the State, suggested 
that Congress reserve out of every township sections 
numbered 8, 11, 26 and 29, for their own use, and 
that Section 16 be reserved for the maintenance 
of schools. The committee also suggested, that, 
"religion, education and morality being necessary 
to the good government and happiness of mankind, 
schools and the means of education shall be forever 
encouraged." 

Various other recommendations were given by 
the committee, in accordance with which, Congress, 
April 30, passed the resolution authorizing the 
calling of a convention. As this accorded with 
the feelings of the majority of the inhabitants of the 
Northwest, no opposition was experienced ; even 
the Legislature giving way to this embryo gov- 
ernment, and failing to assemble according to ad- 
journment. 

The convention met the 1st of November. Its 
members were generally Jeffersonian in their na- 
tional politics, and had been opposed to the change 
of boundaries proposed the year before. Before 
proceeding to business, Gov. St. Clair proposed to 
address them in his official character. This propo- 
sition was resisted by several of the members ; but, 
after a motion, it was agreed to allow him to speak 
to them as a citizen. St. Clair did so, advising 
the postponement of a State government until the 
people of the original eastern division were plainly 
entitled to demand it, and were not subject to be 
bound by conditions. This advice, given as it was, 
caused Jefferson instantly to remove St. Clair, at 
which time his office ceased.* " When the vote 
was taken," says Judge Burnet, "upon doing what 

* After this, St. Clair returned to his old home in the Ligonier 
Vallpy, Pennsylvania, where he lived with his children in alniuHt 
atiject poverty. He had lost money in his public life, as In gave 
close attention to public affairs, to the detriment of his own business. 
He presented a claim to Congress, afterward, for supplies furni^lled 
to the army, but the claim was outlawed. After trying in vain to 
get the claim allowed, ho returned to his home. Pennsylvania, 
learning of his distress, granted him an annuity of 8350, afterward 
raised to SfiOO. He lived to enjoy this but a short time, his death 
occurring August 31, 1818. He was eighty-four years of age. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



89 



he advised them not to do, but one of thirty-three 
(Ephraim Cutler, of Washington County) voted 
with the Grovernor." 

On one point only were the proposed boundaries 
of the new State altered. 

" To every person who has attended to this sub- 
ject, and who has consulted the maps of the West- 
ern country extant at the time the ordinance of 
1787 was passed, Lake Michigan was believed to 
be, and was represented by all the maps of that 
day as being, very far north of the position which 
it has since been ascertained to occupy. I have 
seen the map in the Department of State which 
was before the committee of Congress who framed 
and reported the ordinance for the government of 
the Territory. On that map, the southern bound- 
ary of Michigan was represented as being above 
the forty-second degree of north latitude. And 
there was a pencil line, said to have been made by 
the committee, passing through the southern bend 
of the lake to the Canada line, which struck the 
strait not far below the town of Detroit. The 
line was manifestly intended by the committee 
and by Congress to be the northern boundary of 
our State; and, on the principles by which courts 
of chancery construe contracts, accompanied by 
plats, it would seem that the map, and the line 
referred to, should be conclusive evidence of our 
boundary, without reference to the real position of 
the lakes. 

" When the convention sat, in 1802, the under- 
derstanding was, that the old maps were nearly 
correct, and that the line, as defined in the ordi- 
nance, would terminate at some point on the strait 
above the Maumee Bay. While the convention 
was in session, a man who had hunted many years 
on Lake Michigan, and was well acquainted with 
its position, happened to be in Chillicothe, and, in 
conversation with one of the members, told him 
that the lake extended much farther south than 
was generally supposed, and that a map of the 
country which he had seen, placed its southern 
bend many miles north of its true position. This 
information excited some uneasiness, and induced 
the conveaMon to modify the clause describing the 
north boundary of the new St&te, so as to guard 
against its being depressed below the most north- 
ern cape of the Maumee Bay."* 

With this change and some extension of the 
school and road donations, the convention agreed 
to the proposal of Congress, and, November 29, 



■Historical Transactions of Ohio. — Judge Burnett. 



their agreement was ratified and signed, as was 
also the constitution of the State of Ohio — so 
named from its river, called by the Shawanees Ohio, 
meaning beautiful — forming its southern bound- 
ary. Of this nothing need be said, save that it 
bore the marks of true democratic feeling — of full 
faith in the people. By them, however, it was 
never examined. It stood firm until 1852, when 
it was superseded by the present one, made neces- 
sary by the advance of time. 

The Greneral Assembly was required to meet at 
Chillicothe, the first Tuesday of March, 1803. 
^his change left the territory northwest of the 
Ohio River, not included in the new State, in the 
Territories of Indiana and Michigan. Subse- 
quently, in 1809, Indiana was made a State, and 
confined to her present limits. Illinois was made 
a Territory then, including Wisconsin. In 1818, 
it became a State, and Wisconsin a Territory at- 
tached to Michigan. This latter was made a State 
in 1837, and Wisconsin a separate Territory, which, 
in 1847, was made a State. Minnesota was made 
a Territory the same year, and a State in 1857, 
and the five contemplated States of the territory 
were complete. 

Preceding pages have shown how the territory 
north of the Ohio River was peopled by the 
French and English, and how it came under the 
rule of the American people. The war of the 
Revolution closed in 1783, and left all America in 
the hands of a new nation. That nation brought 
a change. Before the war, various attempts had 
been made by residents in New England to people 
the country west of the Alleghanies. Land com- 
panies were formed, principal among which were 
the Ohio Company, and the company of which 
John Cleves Symmes was the agent and chief 
owner. Large tracts of land on the Scioto and 
on the Ohio were entered. The Ohio Company 
were the first to make a settlement. It was or- 
ganized in the autumn of 1787, November 27. 
They made arrangements for a party of forty-seven 
men to set out for the West under the supervision of 
Gen. Rufus Putnam, Superintendent of the Com- 
pany. Early in the winter they advanced to the 
Youghiogheny River, and there built a strong boat, 
which they named "Mayflower." It was built by 
Capt. Jonathan Devol, the first ship-builder in the 
West, and, when completed, was placed under his 
command. The boat was launched April 2, 1788, 
and the band of pioneers, like the Pilgrim Fathers, 
began their voyage. The 7th of the month, 
they arrived at the mouth of the Muskingum, 



90 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



their destination, opposite Fort Ilarmar,* erected 
in the autumn of 1785, by a detachment of 
United States troops, under command of Maj. 
John Doughty, and, at the date of the Mayflower's 
arrival in possession of a company of soldiers. 
Under the protection of these troops, the little band 
of men began their labor of laying out a town, 
and commenced to erect houses for their own and 
subsequent emigrants' occupation. The names of 
these pioneers of Ohio, as far as can now be 
learned, are as follows: 

Gren. Putnam, Return Jonathan Meigs, Win- 
throjySargeant (Secretary of the Territory), Judges 
Parsons and Varnum, Capt Dana, Capt. Jonathan 
Devol, Joseph Barker, Col. Battelle, Maj. Tyler, 
Dr. True, Capt. Wm. Gray, Capt. Lunt, the 
Bridges, Ebenezer and Thomas Cory, Andrew Mc- 
Clure, Wm. Mason, Thomas Lord, Wm. Grridley, 
Gilbert Devol, Moody Russels, Deavens, Cakes, 
Wright, Clough, Green, Shipman, Dorance, the 
Masons, and others, whose names are now be- 
yond recall. 

Oti the 19th of July, the first boat of families 
arrived, after a nine-weeks journey on the way. 
They had traveled in their wagons as far as Wheel- 
ing, where they built large flat-boats, into which 
they loaded their efiects, including their cattle, and 
thence passed down the Ohio to their destination. 
The families were those of Gen. Tupper, Col. 
Ichabod Nye, Col. Cushing, Maj. Coburn, and 
Maj. Goodal. In these titles the reader will ob- 
serve the preponderance of military distinction. 
Many of the founders of the colony had served 
with much valor in the war for freedom, and were 
well prepared for a life in the wilderness. 

They began at once the construction of houses 
from the forests about the confluence of the rivers, 
guarding their stock by day and penning it by 
night. Wolves, bears and Indians were all about 
them, and, here in the remote wilderness, they 
were obliged to always be on their guard. From 
the ground where they obtained the timber to erect 
their houses, they soon produced a few vegetables, 
and when the families arrived in August, they 
were able to set before them food raised for the 



*The outlines of Fort Harmar formed a regular pentagon, 
embracing within the area about three-fourths of an acre. Its 
walls were formed of large horizontal timbers, and the bastions 
of large uprighttimbersaboutfourteen feet in height, fastened to each 
oth'T by strips of timber, tree-nailed into each jiicket. In the rear 
of the fort Maj. Doughty laid out fine gardens. It continued to be 
occupied by United States troops until September 1790, when 
they were ordered to Cincinnati. A company, vinder Capt. Haskell, 
continued to make the fort their headquarters during the Indian 
war, occasionally assisting the colonists at Marietta, Belpre and 
Waterford against the Indians. When not needed by the troops, 
the fort was used by the people of Marietta. 



first time by the hand of American citizens in the 
Ohio Valley. One of those who came in August, 
was Mr. Thomas Guthrie, a settler in one of the 
western counties of Pennsylvania, who brought a 
bushel of wheat, which he sowed on a plat of 
ground cleared by himself, and from which that 
fall he procured a small crop of wheat, the first 
grown in the State of Ohio. 

The Marietta settlement was the only one made 
that summer in the Territory. From their arrival 
until October, when Governor St. Clair came, they 
were busily employed making houses, and prepar- 
ing for the winter. The little colony, of which 
Washington wrote so favorably, met on the 2d day 
of July, to name their newborn city and its pub- 
lic sqares. Until now it had been known as " The 
Muskingum" simply, but on that day the name 
Marietta was formally given to it, in honor of Ma- 
rie Antoinette. The 4th of July, an ovation was 
held, and an oration delivered by James M. Var- 
num, who, with S. H. Parsons and John Arm- 
strong, had been appointed Judges of the Terri- 
tory. Thus, in the heart of the wilderness, 
miles away from any kindred post, in the forests 
of the Great West, was the Tree of Liberty watered 
and given a hearty growth. 

On the morning of the 9th of July, Governor 
St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume 
form. The ordinance of 1787 had provided for 
a form of government under the Governor and 
the three Judges, and this form was at once put 
into force. The 25th, the first law relating to the 
militia was published, and the next day the Gov- 
ernor's proclamation appeared, creating all the 
country that had been ceded by the Indians, east 
of the Scioto River, into the county of Washing- 
ton, and the civil machinery was in motion. From 
that time forward, this, the pioneer settlement in 
Ohio, went on prosperously. The 2d of Septem- 
ber, the first court in the Territory was held, but 
as it related to the Territory, a narrative of its pro- 
ceedings will be found in the history of that part 
of the country, and need not be repeated here. 

The 15th of July, Gov. St. Clair had published 
the ordinance of 1787, and the commissions of 
himself and the three Judges. He also assembled 
the people of the settlement, and explained to 
them the ordinance in a speech of considerable 
length. Three days after, he sent a notice to the 
Judges, calling their attention to the subject of 
organizing the militia. Instead of attending to 
this important matter, and thus providing for their 
safety should trouble with the Indians arise, the 



:^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



91 



Judges did not even reply to the Governor's letter, 
but sent hiai what they called a "project" of a 
law for dividing real estate. The bill was so 
loosely drawn that St. Clair immediately rejected 
it, and set about organizing the militia himself. 
He divided the militia into two classes, "Senior" 
and "Junior," and organized them by appointing 
their officers. 

In the Senior Class, Nathan Cushing was ap- 
pointed Captain; Greorge Ingersol, Lieutenant, 
and James Backus, Ensign. 

In the Junior Class, Nathan Goodale and Charles 
Knowls were made Captains ; Watson Casey and 
Samuel Stebbins, Lieutenants, and Joseph Lincoln 
and Arnold Colt, Ensigns. 

The Governor next erected the Courts of Pro- 
bate and Quarter Sessions, and proceeded to ap- 
point civil officers. Rufus Putnam, Benjamin 
Tupper and Winthrop Sargeant were made Jus- 
tices of the Peace. The 30th of August, the day 
the Court of Quarter Sessions was appointed, 
Archibald Cary, Isaac Pierce and Thomas Lord 
were also appointed Justices, and given power to 
hold this court. They were, in fact, Judges of a 
Court of Common Pleas. Return Jonathan Meigs 
was appointed Clerk of this Court of Quarter 
Sessions. Ebenezer Sprout was appointed Sheriff of 
Washington County, and also Colonel of the militia; 
William Callis, Clerk of the Supreme Court; 
Rufus Putnam, Judge of the Probate Court, and 
R. J. Meigs, Jr., Clerk. Following these appoint- 
ments, setting the machinery of government in 
motion, St. Clair ordered that the 25th of Decem- 
ber be kept as a day of thanksgiving by the infant 
colony for its safe and propitious beginning. 

During the fall and winter, the settlement was 
daily increased by emigrants, so much so, that the 
greatest difficulty was experienced in finding them 
lodging. During the coldest part of the winter, 
when ice covered the river, and prevented navi- 
gation, a delay in arrivals was experienced, only to 
be broken as soon as the river opened to the beams 
of a spring sun. While locked in the winter's 
embrace, the colonists amused themselves in vari- 
ous ways, dancing being one of the most promi- 
nent. At Christmas, a grand ball was held, at 
which there were fifteen ladies, "whose grace," 
says a narrator, "equaled any in the East." 
Though isolated in the wilderness, they knew a 
brilliant prospect lay before them, and lived on in 
a joyous hope for the future. 

Soon after their arrival, the settlers began the 
erection of a stockade fort (Campus Martius), 



which occupied their time until the winter of 
1791. During the inten^al, fortunately, no hos- 
tilities from the Indians were experienced, though 
they were abundant, and were fretjuent visitors to 
the settlement. 

From a communication in the American Pioneer, 
by Dr. S. P. Hildreth, the following description of 
Campus Martius is derived. As it will apply, in 
a measure, to many early structures for defense in 
the West, it is given entire : 

" The fort was made in the form of a regular 
parallelogram, the sides of each being 180 feet. 
At each corner was erected a strong block-house, 
surmounted by a tower, and a sentry box. These 
houses were twenty feet square below and twenty- 
four feet square above, and projected six feet be- 
yond the walls of the fort. The intermediate walls 
were made up with dwelling-houses, made of wood, 
whose ends were whip-sawed into timbers four 
inches thick, and of the requisite width and length. 
These were laid up similar to the structure of log 
houses, with the ends nicely dove-tailed together. 
The whole were two stories high, and covered with 
shingle roofs. Convenient chimneys were erected 
of bricks, for cooking, and warming the rooms. A 
number of the dwellings were built and owned by 
individuals who had families. In the west and 
south fronts were strong gateways ; and over the 
one in the center of the front looking to the Mus- 
kingum River, was a belfry. The chamber beneath 
was occupied by Winthrop Sargeant, as an office, 
he being Secretary to the Gt)vernor, and perform- 
ing the duties of the office during St. Clair's ab- 
sence. This room projected over the gateway, like 
a block-house, and was intended for the protection 
of the gate beneath, in time of an assault. At 
the outer corner of each block-house was erected a 
bastion, standing on four stout timbers. The floor 
of the bastion was a little above the lower story of 
the block-house. They were square, and built up 
to the height of a man's head, so that, when he 
looked over, he stepped on a narrow platform or 
" banquet " running around the sides of the bulwark. 
Port-holes were made, for musketry as well as for 
artillery, a single piece of which was mounted in 
the southwest and northeast bastions. In these, 
the sentries were regiilarly posted every night, as 
more convenient than the towers ; a door leading 
into them from the upper story of the block-houses. 
The lower room of the southwest block-house was 
occupied as a guard-house. 

" Running from corner to corner of the block- 
houses was a row of palisades, sloping outward, 



92 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



and resting on stout rails. Twenty feet in advance 
of these, was a row of very strong and large pick- 
ets, set upright in the earth. Gateways through 
these, admitted the inmates of the garrison. A 
few feet beyond the row of outer palisades was 
placed a row of abattis, made from the tops and 
branches of trees, sharpened and pointing outward, 
so that it would have been very difficult for an 
enemy to have penetrated within their outworks. 
The dwelling-houses occupied a space from fifteen 
to thirty feet each, and were sufficient for the ac- 
commodation of forty or fifty families, and did 
actually contain from two hundred to three hun- 
dred persons during the Indian war. 

"Before the Indians commenced hostilities, the 
block-houses were occupied as follows : The south- 
west one, by the family of Grov. St. Clair; the 
northeast one as an office for the Directors of the 
Company. The area within the walls was one 
hundred and forty-four feet square, and afibrded a 
fine parade ground. In the center, was a well 
eighty feet in depth, for the supply of water to the 
inhabitants, in case of a siege. A large sun-dial 
stood for many years in the square, placed on a 
handsome post, and gave note of the march of 
time. 

" After the war commenced, a regular military 
corps was organized, and a guard constantly kept 
night and day. The whole establishment formed 
a very strong work, and reflected great credit on 
the head that planned it. It was in a manner im- 
pregnable to the attacks of- Indians, and none 
but a regular army with cannon could have reduced 
it. The Indians possessed no such an armament. 

" The garrison stood on the verge of that beauti- 
ful plain overlooking the Muskingum, on which 
are seated those celebrated remains of auti(piity, 
erected probably for a similar purpose — the defense 
of the inhabitants. The ground descends into shal- 
low ravines on the north and south sides ; on the 
west is an abrupt descent to the river bottoms or 
alluvium, and the east passed out to a level plain. 
On this, the ground was cleared of trees beyond 
the reach of rifle shots, so as to afford no shelter 
to a hirlden foe. P^xtensive fields of corn were 
grown in the midst of the standing girdled trees be- 
yond, in after years. The front wall of palisades 
was about One hundred and fifty yards from the 
Muskingum River. The appearance of the fort 
from without was imposing, at a little distance re- 
sembling the military castles of the feudal ages. 
Between the outer palisades and the river were 
laid out neat gardens for the use of Gov. St. Clair 



and his Secretary, with the officers of the Com- 
pany. 

" Opposite the fort, on the shore of the river, 
was built a substantial timber wharf, at which was 
moored a fine cedar barge for twelve rowers, built 
by Capt. Jonathan Devol, for Gen. Putnam ; a 
number of pirogues, and the light canoes of the 
country ; and last, not least, the Mayflower, or 
' Adventure Galley,' in which the first detach- 
ments of colonists were transported from the shores 
of the ' Yohiogany ' to the banks of the Muskingum. 
In these, especially the canoes, during the war, 
most of the communications were carried on between 
the settlements of the Company and the more re- 
mote towns above on the Ohio River. Traveling 
by land was very hazardous to any but the rangers 
or spies. There were no roads, nor bridges across 
the creeks, and, for many years after the war had 
ceased, the traveling was nearly all done by canoes 
on the river." 

Thus the first settlement of Ohio provided for 
its safety and comfort, and provided also for that 
of emigrants who came to share the toils of the 
wilderness. 

The next spring, the influx of emigration was 
so great that other settlements were determined, 
and hence arose the colonies of Belpre, Waterford 
and Duck Creek, where they began to clear land, sow 
and plant crops, and build houses and stockades. 
At Belpre (French for "beautiful meadow"), were 
built three stockades, the upper, lower and middle, 
the last of which was called " Farmers' Castle," 
and stood on the banks of the Ohio, nearly oppo- 
site an island, afterward fiimous in Western history 
as Blennerhasset's Island, the scene of Burr's con- 
spiracy. Among the persons settling at the upper 
stockade, were Capts. Dana and Stone, Col. Bent, 
Wilham Browning, Judge Foster, John Rowse, 
Israel Stone and a Mr. Keppel. At the Farmers' 
Castle, were Cols. Cushing and Fisher, Maj. Has- 
kell, Aaron Waldo Putnam, Mr. Sparhawk, and, 
it is believed, George and Israel Putnam, Jr. At 
the lower, were Maj. Goodale, Col. Rice, Esquire 
Pierce, Judge Israel Loring, Deacon Miles, Maj. 
Bradford and Mr. Goodenow. In the summer of 
1789, Col. Ichabod Nye and some others, built a 
block-house at Newberry, below Belpre. Col. Nye 
sold his lot there to Aaron W. Clough, who, with 
Stephen Guthrie, Joseph Leavins, Joel Oakes, 
Eleazer Curtis, Mr. Denham J. Littleton and Mr. 
Brown, was located at that place. 

"Every exertion possible," says Dr. Hildreth, 
who has preserved the above names and incidents, 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



93 



" for men in these circumstances, was made to se- 
cure food for future difficulties. Col. Oliver, Maj. 
Hatfield White and John Dodge, of the Water- 
ford settlement, began mills on Wolf Creek, about 
three miles fi-om the fort, and got them running; 
and these, the first mills in Ohio, were never de- 
stroyed during the subsequent Indian war, though 
the proprietors removed their fauiiles to the fort 
at Marietta. Col. E. Sproat and Enoch Shep- 
herd began mills on Duck Creek, three miles from 
Marietta, from the completion of which thc^y were 
driven by the Indian war. Thomas Stanley be- 
gan mills farther up, near the Duck Creek settle- 
ment. These were likewise unfinished. The Ohio 
Company built a large horse mill near Campus 
Martins, and soon after a floating mill." 

The autumn before the settlements at Belpre, 
Duck Creek and Waterford, were made, a colony 
was planted near the mouth of the Little Miami 
River, on a tract of ten thousand acres, purchased 
fromSymmes by Maj. Benjamin Stites. In the pre- 
ceding pages may be found a history of Symmes' 
purchase. This colony may be counted the second 
settlement in the State. Soon after the colony at 
Marietta was founded, steps were taken to occupy 
separate portions of Judge Symmes' purchase, be- 
tween the Miami Rivers. Three parties were 
formed for this purpose, but, owing to various 
delays, chiefly in getting the present colony stead- 
fast and safe from future encroachments by the 
savages, they did not get started till late in the fall. 
The first of these parties, consisting of fifteen or 
twenty men, led by Maj. Stites, landed at the 
mouth of the Little Miami in November, 1788, 
and, constructing a log fort, began to lay out a 
village, called by them Columbia. It soon grew 
into prominence, and, before winter had thoroughly 
set in, they were well prepared for a frontier life. 
In the party were Cols. Spencer and Brown, Maj. 
Gano and Kibbey, Judges Goforth and Foster, 
Rev. John Smith, Francis Dunlavy, Capt. Flinn, 
Jacob White, John Riley, and Mr. Hubbell. 

All these were men of energy and enterprise, 
and, with their comrades, were more numerous 
than either of the other parties, who commenced 
their settlements below them on the Ohio. This 
village was also, at first, more flourishing; and, for 
two or three years, contained more inhabitants 
than any other in the Miami purchase. 

The second Miami party wtis formed at Lime- 
stone, under Matthias Dcnham and Robert Pat- 
terson, and consisted of twelve or fifteen persons. 
They landed on the north bank of the' Ohio, oppo- 



site the mouth of the Licking River, the 24th of 
December, 1788. They intended to establish a 
station and lay out a town on a plan prepared at 
Limestone. Some statements affirm that the town 
was to be called " L-os-aati-viUc,'' by a romantic 
school-teacher named Filson. However, be this as 
it may, Mr, Filson was, unfortunately for himself, 
not long after, slain by the Indians, and, with him 
probably, the name disappeared. He was to have 
one-third interest in the proposed city, which, 
when his death occurred, was transferred to Israel 
Ludlow, and a new plan of a city adopted. Israel 
Ludlow surveyed the proposed town, whose lots were 
principally donated to settlers upon certain condi- 
tions as to settlement and improvement, and the 
embryo city named Cincinnati. Gov. St. Clair 
very likely had something to do with the naming 
of the village, and, by some, it is asserted that he 
changed the name from Losautiville to Cincinnati, 
when he created the county of Hamilton the en- 
suing winter. The original purchase of the city's 
site was made by Mr. Denham. It included about 
eight hundred acres, for which he paid 5 shillings 
per acre in Continental certificates, then worth, in 
specie, about 5 shillings per pound, gross weight. 
Evidently, the original site was a good investment, 
could Mr. Denham have lived long enough to see 
its present condition. 

The third party of settlers for the Miami pur- 
chase, were under the care of Judge Symmes, 
himself. They left Limestone, January 29, 1789, 
and were much delayed on their downward jour- 
ney by the ice in the river. They reached the 
'' Bend," as it was then known, early in February. 
The Judge had intended to found a city here, 
which, in time, would be the rival of the Atlantic 
cities. As each of the three settlements aspired 
to the same position, no little rivalry soon mani- 
fested itself The Judge named his proposed city 
North Bend, from the fact that it was the most 
northern bend in the Ohio below the mouth of the 
Great Kanawha. These three settlements ante- 
dated, a few months, those made near Marietta, 
already described. They arose so soon after, partly 
fi'om the extreme desire of Judge Symmes to settle 
his purchase, and induce emigration here instead 
of on the Ohio Company's purchase. The Judge 
labored earnestly for this purpose and to further 
secure him in his title to the land he had acquired, 
all of which he had so far been unable to retain, 
owing to his inability to meet his payments. 

All these emigrants came down the river in the 
flat-boats of the day, rude afi'airs, sometimes called 



^- 



:e 



94 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



" Arkis,"' and tliea the only safe mode of travel in 
the West. 

Judge Symmes found he must provide for the 
safety of the settlers on his purchase, and, after 
earnestly soliciting Gen. Harmar, commander of 
the Western posts, succeeded in obtaining a de- 
tachment of •forty-eight men, under Capt. Kearsey, 
to protect the improvements just commencing on 
the jNIiami. This detachment reached Limestone 
in December, 1788. Part was at once sent for- 
ward to guard Maj. Stites and his pioneers. Judge 
Symmes and his party started in January, and, 
about February 2, reached Columbia, where the 
Captain expected to find a fort erected for his use 
and shelter. The flood on the river, however, de- 
feated his purpose, and, as he was unprepared to 
erect another, he determined to go on down to the 
garrison at the falls at Louisville. Judge Symmes 
was strenuously opposed to his conduct, as it left 
the colonies unguarded, but, all to no purpose; the 
Captain and his command, went to Louisville early 
in March, and left the Judge and his settlement 
to protect themselves. Judge Symmes immedi- 
ately sent a strong letter to Maj. Willis, command- 
ing at the Falls, complaining of the conduct 
of Capt. Kearsey, representing the exposgd situ- 
ation of the Miami settlements, stating the indi- 
cations of hostility manifested by the Indians, 
and requesting a guard to be sent to the Bend. 
This request was at once granted, and Ensign 
Luce, with seventeen or eighteen soldiers, sent. 
They were at the settlement but a short time, 
when they were attacked by Indians, and one of 
their number killed, and four or five wounded. 
They repulsed the savages and saved the set- 
tlers. 

The site of Symmes City, for such he designed it 
should ultimately be called, was above the reach of 
water, and sufficiently level to admit of a conven- 
ient settlement. The city laid out by Symmes 
was truly magnificent on paper, and promised in 
the future to fulfill his most ardent hopes. The 
plat included the village, and extended across the 
peninsula between the Ohio and Miami Rivers. 
Each settler on this plat was promised a lot if he 
would improve it, and in conformity to the stipu- 
lation. Judge Symmes soon found a large number 
of persons applying for residence. As the number 
of these adventurers increased, in consequence of 
this provision and the protection of the military, 
the Judge was induced to lay out another village 
six or seven miles up the river, which he called 
South Bend, where he disposed of some donation 



lots, but the project failing, the village site was de- 
serted, and converted into a farm. 

During all the time these various events were 
transpiring, but little trouble was experienced with 
the Indians. They were not yet disposed to evince 
hostile feelings. This would have been their time, 
but, not realizing the true intent of the whites until 
it was too late to concjuer them, they allowed them 
to become prepared to withstand a warfare, and in 
the end wereobliged to suffer their hunting-grounds 
to be taken from them, and made the homes of a 
race destined to entirely supercede them in the 
New World. 

By the means sketched in the foregoing pages, 
were the three settlements on the Miami made. By 
the time those adjacent to JNIariettawere well estab- 
lished, these were firmly fixed, each one striving to 
become the rival city all felt sure was to arise. For 
a time it was a matter of doubt which of the rivals, 
Columbia, North Bend or Cincinnati, would event- 
ually become the chief seat of business. 

In the beginning, Columbia, the eldest of the 
three, took the lead, both in number of its in- 
h-ribitants and the convenience and appearance of 
its dwellings. For a time it was a flourishing place, 
and many believed it would become the great busi- 
ness town of the Miami country. That apparent 
fact, however, lasted but a short time. The garri- 
son was moved to Cincinnati, Fort Washington 
built there, and in spite of all that Maj. Stites^ or 
Judge Symmes could do, that place became the 
metropolis. Fort Washington, the most extensive 
garrison in the West, was built by Maj. Doughty, 
in the summer of 1789, and from that time the 
growth and future greatness of Cincinnati were 
assured. 

The first house in the city was built on Front 
street, east of and near Main street. It was 
simply a strong log cabin, and was erected of the 
forest trees cleared away from the ground on which 
it stood. The lower p;irt of the town was covered 
with sycamore and maple trees, and the upper with 
beech and oak. Through this dense forest the 
streets were laid out, and their corners marked on 
the trees. 

The settlements on the Miami had become 
sufficiently numerous to warrant a separate county, 
and, in January, 1790, Gov. St. Clair and his 
Secretary arrived in Cincinnati, and organized the 
county of Hamilton, so named in honor of the 
illustrious statesman by that name. It included 
all the country north of the Ohio, between the 
Miamis, as far as a line running " due east from the 



^1 




Standing Stone forks " of Big Miami to its inter- 
section with the Little Miami. The erection of 
the new county, and the appointment of Cincin- 
nati to be the seat of justice, gave the town a fresh 
impulse, and aided greatly iu its growth. 

Through the summer, but little interruption in 
the growth of the settlements occurred. The 
Indians had permitted the erection of defensive 
works in their midst, and could not now destroy 
them. They were also engaged in traffic with the 
whites, and, though they evinced signs of discon- 
tent at their settlement and occupation of the 
country, yet did not openly attack them. The 
truth was, they saw plainly the whites were always 
prepared, and no opportunity was given them to 
plunder and destroy. The Indian would not 
attack unless success was almost sure. An oppor- 
tunity, unfortunately, came, and with it the hor- 
rors of an Indian war. 

In the autumn of 1790, a company of thirty- 
six men went from Marietta to a place on the 
Muskingum known as the Big Bottom. Here 
they built a block-house, on the east bank of the 
river, four miles above the mouth of Meigs Creek. 
They were chiefly young, single men, but little 
accjuainted with Indian warfare or military rules. 
The savages had given signs that an attack on the 
settlement was meditated, and several of the know- 
ing ones at the strongholds strenuously opposed 
any new settlements that fall, advising their post- 
ponement until the next spring, when the question 
of peace or war would probably be settled. Even 
Gen. Putnam and the Directors of the Ohio Com- 
pany advised the postponement of the settlement 
until the next spring. 

The young men were impatient and restless, and 
declared themselves able to protect their fort 
against any number of assailants. They might 
have easily done so, had they taken the necessary 
precautions ; but, after they had erected a rude 
block-house of unchinked logs, they began to pass 
the time iu various pursuits ; setting no guard, and 
taking no precautionary measures, they left them- 
selves an easy prey to any hostile savages that 
might choose to come and attack them. 

About twenty rods from the block-house, and a 
little back from the bank of the river, two men, 
Francis and Isaac Choate, members of the com- 
pany, had erected a cabin, and commenced clearing 
lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer, and James 
Patten, another of the associates, lived with them. 
About the same distance below the block-house 
was an old "Tomahawk Improvement" and a 



small cabin, which two men, Asa and Eleazur 
Bullard, had fitted up and occupied. The Indian 
war-path, from Sandusky to the mouth of the 
jMuskingum, passed along the opposite shore of 
the river. 

" The Indians, who, during the summer," says 
Dr. Hildreth, " had been hunting and loitering 
about the Wolf Creek and Plaiufield settlements, 
holding fre(|uent and friendly intercourse with the 
settlers, selling them venison and bear's meat in ex- 
change for green corn and vegetables, had with- 
drawn and gone up tlie river, early in the au- 
tumn, to their towns, preparatory to going into 
winter quarters. They very seldom entered on 
any warlike expeditions during the cold weather. 
But they had watched the gradual encroach- 
ment of the whites and planned an expedition 
against them. They saw them in fancied security 
in their cabins, and thought their capture an easy 
task. It is said they were not aware of the Big 
Bottom settlement until they came in sight of it, 
on the opposite shore of the river, in the afternoon. 
From a high hill opposite the garrison, they had a 
view of all that part of the bottom, and could see 
how the men were occupied and what was doing 
about the block-house. It was not proi ected with 
palisades or pickets, and none of the men were 
aware or prepared for an attack. Having laid 
their plans, about twilight they crossed the river 
above the garrison, on the ice, and divided their 
men into two parties — the larger one to attack the 
block-house, the smaller one to capture the cabins. 
As the Indians cautiously approached the cabin 
they found the inmates at supper. Part entered, 
addressed the whites in a friendly manner, but 
soon manifesting their designs, made them all pris- 
oners, tieing them with leather thongs they found 
in the cabin." 

At the block-house the attack was far different. 
A stout Mohawk suddenly burst open the door, 
the first intimation the inmates had of the pres- 
ence of the foe, and while he held it open his 
comrades shot down those that were within. Rush- 
ing in, the deadly tomahawk completed the on- 
slaught. In the assault, one of the savages was 
struck by the wife of Isaac Woods, with an ax, 
but only slightly injured. The heroic woman was 
immediately slain. All the men but two were 
slain before they had time to secure their arms, 
thereby paying for their failure to properly secure 
themselves, with their lives. The two excepted 
were John Stacy and his brother Philip, a lad six- 
teen years of age. John escaped to the roof. 



^' 



96 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



where lie was shot by the Indians, while begging 
for his life. The firing at the block-house alarmed 
the Bullards in their cabin, and hastily barring the 
door, and securing their arms and ammunition, they 
fled to the woods, and escaped. After the slaughter 
was over, the Indians began to collect the plunder, 
and in doing so discovered the lad Philip Stacy. 
They were about to dispatch him, but his entrea- 
ties softened the heart of one of the chiefs, who 
took him as a captive with the intention of adopt- 
ing him into his family. The savages then piled 
the dead bodies on the floor, covered them with 
other portions of it not needed for that purpose, 
and set fire to the whole. The building, being 
made of green logs, did not burn, the flames con- 
suming only the floors and roof, leaving the walls 
standing. 

There were twelve persons killed in this attack, 
all of whom were in the prime of life, and valuable 
aid to the settlements. They were well provided 
with arms, and had they taken the necessary pre- 
cautions, always pressed upon them when visited 
by the older ones from Marietta, they need not 
have suff"ered so terrible a fate. 

The Indians, exultant over their horrible victory, 
went on to Wolf's mills, but here they found the 
people prepared, and, after reconnoitering the place, 
made their retreat, at early dawn, to the great re- 
lief of the inhabitants. Their number was never 
definitely known. 

The news reached Marietta and its adjacent 
settlements soon after the massacre occurred, and 
struck terror and dismay into the hearts of all. 
Many had brothers and sons in the ill-fated party, 
and mourned their loss. Neither did they know 
what place would fall next. The Indian hostilities 
had begun, and they could only hope for peace 
when the savages were effectually concjuered. 

The next day, Capt. Rogers led a party of men 
over to the Big Bottom. It was, indeed, a melan- 
choly sight to the poor borderers, as they knew not 
now how soon the same fate might befall them- 
selves. The fire had so disfigured their comrades 
that but two, Ezra Putnam and William Jones, 
were recognized. As the ground was frozen out- 
side, a hole was dug in the earth underneath the 
block-house floor, and the bodies consigned to one 
grave. No further attempt was made to settle 
here till after the peace of 1795. 

The outbreak of Indian hostilities put a check 
on further settlements. Those that were estab- 
lished were put in a more active state of defense, 
and every preparation made that could be made 



for the impending crisis all felt sure must come. 
Either the Indians must go, or the whites must 
retreat. A few hardy and adventurous persons 
ventured out into the woods and made settle- 
ments, but even these were at the imminent risk 
of their lives, many of them perishing in the 
attempt. 

The Indian war that followed is given fully in 
preceding pages. It may be briefly sketched by 
stating that the first campaign, under Gren Har- 
mar, ended in the defeat of his army at the Indian 
villages on the Miami of the lake, and the rapid 
retreat to Fort Washington. St. Clair was next 
commissioned to lead an army of nearly three thou- 
sand men, but these were furiously attacked at 
break of day, on the morning of November 4, 
1791, and utterly defeated. Indian outrages 
sprung out anew after each defeat, and the borders 
were in a continual state of alarm. The most ter- 
rible sufferings were endured by prisoners in the 
hands of the savage foe, who thought to annihilate 
the whites. 

The army was at once re-organized. Gen. An- 
thony Wayne put in command by Washington, 
and a vigorous campaign inaugurated. Though 
the savages had been given great aid by the Brit- 
ish, in direct violation of the treaty of 1783, Gen. 
Wayne pursued them so vigorously that they could 
not withstand his army, and, the 20th of August, 
1794, defeated them, and utterly annihilated their 
forces, breaking up their camps, and laying waste 
their country, in some places under the guns of 
the British forts. The victory showed them the 
hopelessness of contending against the whites, and 
led their chiefs to sue for peace. The British, as 
at former times, deserted them, and they were again 
alone, contending against an invincible foe. A 
grand council was held at Greenville the 3d day 
of August, 1795, where eleven of the most power- 
ful chiefs made peace with Gen. Wayne on terms 
of his own dictation. The boundary established 
by the old treaty of Fort Mcintosh was confirmed, 
and extended westward from Loramie's to Fort 
Recovery, and thence southwest to the mouth of 
the Kentucky River. He also purchased all the 
territory not before ceded, within certain limits, 
comprehending, in all, about four-fifths of the State 
of Ohio. The line was long known as " The Green- 
ville Treaty line." Upon these, and a few other 
minor conditions, the United States received the 
Indians under their protection, gave them a large 
number of presents, and practically closed the war 
with the savao;es. 



y: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



97 



The only settlement uf any consequence made dur- 
ingthe Indian war, was that on the platof Hamilton, 
laid out by Israel Ludlow in December, 1794. Soon 
after, Darius C. Orcutt, John Green, William Mc- 
Clennan, John Sutherland, John Torrence, Benjamin 
F.Randolph, Benjamin Davis, Isaac Wiles, Andrew 
Christy and William Hubert, located here. The 
town was laid out under the name of Fairfield, but 
was known only a short time by that name. Until 
ISUl, all the lands on the west side of the G-reat 
Miami were owned by the General Government ; 
hence, until after that date, no improvements were 
made there. A single log cabin stood there until 
the sale of lands in April, 1801, when a company 
purchased the site of Rossville, and, in March, 
1804, laid out that town, and, before a year had 
passed, the town and country about it was well 
settled. 

The close of the war, in 1795, insured peace, 
and, from that date, Hamilton and that part of the 
Miami Valley grew remarkably fast. In 1803, 
Butler County was formed, and Hamilton made 
the county seat. 

On the site of Hamilton, St. Clair built Fort 
Hamilton in 1791. For some time it was under 
the command of Maj. Rudolph, a cruel, arbitrary 
man, who was displaced by Gen. Wayne, and who, 
it is said, perished ignobly on the high seas, at the 
hands of some Algerine pirates, a fitting end to a 
man who caused, more than once, the death of 
men under his control for minor offenses. 

On the return of peace, no part of Ohio grew 
more rapidly than the Miami A^alley, especially 
that part comprised in Butler County. 

While the war with the Indians continued, but 
little extension of settlements was made in the 
State. It was too perilous, and the settlers pre- 
ferred the security of the block-house or to engage 
with the army. Still, however, a few bold spirits 
ventured away from the settled parts of the Terri- 
tory, and began life in the wilderness. In tracing 
the histories of these settlements, attention will be 
paid to the order in which they were made. They 
will be given somewhat in detail until the war of 
HI 2, after which time they become too numerous 
to follow. 

The settlements made in Washington — Marietta 
and adjacent colonies — and Hamilton Counties 
have already been given. The settlement at Gal- 
lia is also noted, hence, the narration can be re- 
sumed where it ends prior to the Indian war of 
1795. Before this war occurred, there were three 
small settlements made, however, in addition to 



those in Washington and Hamilton Counties. 
They were in what are now Adams, Belmont and 
Morgan Counties. They were block-house settle- 
ments, and were in a continual state of defense. 
The first of these, x\dams, was settled in the winter 
of 1790-91 by Gen. Nathaniel Massie. near where 
Manchester now is. Gen. Massie determined to 
settle here in the Virginia Military Tract — in the 
winter of 1790, and sent notice throughout Ken- 
tucky and other Western settlements that he would 
give to each of the first twenty-five families who 
would settle in the town he proposed laying out, 
one in-lot, one out-lot and one hundred acres of 
land. Such liberal terms were soon accepted, and 
in a short time thirty families were ready to go 
with him. After various consultations with his 
friends, the bottom on the Ohio River, opposite 
the lower of the Three Islands, was selected as 
the most eligible spot. Here Massie fixed his sta- 
tion, and laid oft' into lots a town, now called 
JNIanchester. The little confederacy, with Massie 
at the helm, went to work with spirit. Cabins 
were raised, and by the middle of March, 
1791, the whole town was inclosed with strong 
pickets, with block-houses at each angle for de- 
fense. 

This was the first settlement in the bounds of 
the Virginia District, and the fourth one in the 
State. Although in the midst of a savage foe, 
now inflamed with war, and in the midst of a 
cruel conflict, the settlement at Manchester suf- 
fered less than any of its cotemporaries. This 
was, no doubt, due to the watchful care of its in- 
habitants, who were inured to th^ rigors of a front- 
ier life, and who well knew the danger about them. 
" These were the Beasleys, Stouts, Washburns, 
Ledoms, Edgingtons, Denings, Ellisons, Utts, 
McKenzies, Wades, and others, who were fully 
equal to the Indians in all the savage arts and 
stratagems of border war." 

As soon as they had completed preparations for 
defense, the whole population went to work and 
cleared the lowest of the Three Islands, and planted 
it in corn. The soil of the island was very rich, 
and produced abundantly. The woods supplied an 
abundance of game, while the river furnished a 
variety of excellent fish. The inhabitants thus 
found their simple wants fully su])plied. Their 
nearest neighbors in the new Territory were at 
Columbia, and at the French settlement at Gallip- 
olis ; but with these, owing to the state of the 
country and the Indian war, they could hold little, 
if any, intercourse. 



"7" 



(5- 



98 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The station being established, Massie continued 
to make locations and surveys. Great precautions 
were necessary to avoid the Indians, and even the 
closest vigilance did not always avail, as the ever- 
watchful foe was always ready to spring upon the 
settlement, could an unguarded moment be ob- 
served. During one of the spring months, Gren. 
Massie, Israel Donalson, William Lytle and James 
Little, while out on a survey, were surprised, and 
Mr. Donalson captured, the others escaping at 
great peril. Mr. Donalson escaped during the 
march to the Indian town, and made his way to 
the town of Cincinnati, after suffering great hard- 
ships, and almost perishing from hunger. In the 
spring of 1793, the settlers at Manchester com- 
menced clearing the out-lots of the town. While 
doing so, an incident occurred, which shows the 
danger to which they were daily exposed. It is 
thus related in Howe's Collections : 

" Mr. Andrew Ellison, one of the settlers, 
cleared an out-lot immediately adjoining the fort. 
He had completed the cutting of the timber, rolled 
the logs together, and set them on fire. The next 
morning, before daybreak, Mr. Ellison opened one 
of the gates of the fort, and went out to throw his 
logs together. By the time he had finished the 
job, a number of the heaps blazed up brightly, and, 
as he was passing from one to the other, he ob- 
served, by the light of the fires, three men walking 
briskly toward him. This did not alarm him in 
the least, although, he said, they were dark-skinned 
fellows ; yet he concluded they were the Wades, 
whose complexions were very dark, going early to 
hunt. He continued to right his log-heaps, until 
one of the fellows seized him by the arms, calling 
out, in broken English, ' How do ? how do ? ' He 
instantly looked in their faces, and, to his surprise 
and horror, found himself in the clutches of three 
Indians. To resist was useless. 

" The Indians quickly moved off with him in 
the direction of Paint Creek. When breakfast 
was ready, Mrs. Ellison sent one of her children 
to ask its father home ; but he could not be found 
at the log-heaps. His absence created no immedi- 
ate alarm, as it was thought he might have started 
to hunt, after completing his work. Dinner-time 
arrived, and, Ellison not returning, the family 
became uneasy, and began to suspect some acci- 
dent had happened to him. His gun-rack was 
examined, and there hung his rifles and his pouch. 
Gen. Massie raised a party, made a circuit around 
the place, finding, after some search, the trails of 
four men, one of whom had on shoes; and the 



fact that Mr. Ellison was a prisoner now became 
apparent. As it was almost night at the time the 
trail was discovered, the party returned to the 
station. Early the next morning, preparations 
were made by Gen. Massie and his friends to con- 
tinue the search. In doing this, they found great 
difficulty, as it was so early in the spring that the 
vegetation was not grov^n sufficiently to show 
plainly the trail made by the savages, who took 
the precaution to keep on high and dry ground, 
where their feet would make little or no impres- 
sion. The party were, however, as unerring as a 
pack of hounds, and followed the trail to Paint 
Creek, when they found the Indians gained so 
fast on them that pursuit was useless. 

"The Indians took their prisoner to Upper 
Sandusky, where he was compelled to run the 
gantlet. As he was a large, and not very active, 
man, he received a severe flogging. He was then 
taken to Lower Sandusky, and again compelled to 
run the gantlet. He was then taken to Detroit, 
where he was ransomed by a British officer for 
$100. The officer proved a good friend to him. 
He sent him to Montreal, whence he returned 
home before the close of the summer, much to the 
joy of his family and friends, whose feelings can 
only be imagined." 

"Another incident occurred about this time," 
says the same volume, "which so aptly illustrates 
the danger of frontier life, that it well deserves a 
place in the history of the settlements in Ohio. 
John and Asahel Edgington, with a comrade, 
started out on a hunting expedition toward Brush 
Creek. They camped out six miles in a northeast 
direction from where West Union now stands, and 
near the site of Treber's tavern, on the road from 
Chillicothe to Maysville. They had good success 
in hunting, killing a number of deer and bears. 
Of the deer killed, they saved the skins and hams 
alone. They fleeced the bears ; that is, they cut 
off all the meat whicb adhered to the hide, with- 
out skinning, and left; the bones as a skeleton. 
They hung up the proceeds of their hunt, on a scaf- 
fold out of the reach of wolves and other wild ani- 
mals, and returned to Manchester for pack-horses. 
No one returned to the camp with the Edgingtons. 
As it was late in December, few apprehended dan- 
ger, as the winter season was usually a time of re- 
pose from Indian incursions. When the Edgingtons 
arrived at their camp, they alighted from their 
horses and were preparing to start a fire, when a 
platoon of Indians fired upon them at a distance 
of not more than twenty paces. They had 



^±=±= 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



101 



evidently found the results of the white men's labor, 
and expected they would return fur it, and pre- 
pared to waylay them. Asahel Edgiugton fell 
dead. John was more fortunate. The sharp 
crack of the rifles, and the horrible yells of the 
savages as they leaped from their place of ambush, 
frightened the horses, who took the track for 
home at full speed. John was very active on foot, 
and now an opportunity offered which required his 
utmost speed. The moment the Indians leaped 
from their hiding-place, they threw down their 
guns and took after him, yelling with all their 
power. Edgington did not run a booty race. For 
about a mile, the savages stepped in his tracks al- 
most before the bending grass could rise. The 
uplifted tomahawk was frequently so near his head 
that he thought he felt its edge. He exerted 
himself to his utmost, while the Indians strove 
with all their might to catch him. Finally, he be- 
gan to gain on his pursuers, and, after a long race, 
distanced them and made his escape, safely reach- 
ing home. This, truly, was a most fearful and 
well-contested race. The big Shawanee chief, Capt. 
John, who headed the Indians on this occasion, 
after peace was made, in narrating the particulars, 
said, " The white man who ran away was a smart 
fellow. The white man run ; and I run. He run 
and run ; at last, the white man run clear off from 
me. " 

The settlement, despite its dangers, prospered, 
and after the close of the war continued to grow 
rapidly. In two years after peace was declared, 
Adams County was erected by proclamation of 
Grov. St. Clair, the next year court was held, and 
in 1804, West Union was made the county seat. 

During the war, a settlement was commenced 
near the present town of Bridgeport, in Belmont 
County, by Capt. Joseph Belmont, a noted Dela- 
ware Revolutionary ofiicer, who, because his State 
could furnish only one company, could rise no 
higher than Captain of that company, and hence 
always maintained that grade. He settled on a 
beautiful knoll near the present county seat, but 
erelong suffered from a night attack by the In- 
dians, who, though unable to drive him and his 
companions from the cabin or conquer them, 
wounded some of them badly, one or two mortally, 
and caused the Captain to leave the frontier and 
return to Newark, Del. The attack was made 
in the spring of 1791, and a short time after, 
the Captain, having provided for the safety of his 
family, accepted a commission in St. Clair's army, 
and lost his life at the defeat of the General in 



November. Shortly after the Captain settled, a 
fort, called Dillie's Fort, was built on the Ohio, 
opposite the mouth of Grave Creek. About two 
hundred and fifty yards below this fort, an old 
man, named Tato, was shot down at his cabin door 
by the Indians, just as he was in the act of entering 
the house. His body was pulled in by his daugh- 
ter-in-law and grandson, who made an heroic de- 
fense. They were overpowered, the woman slain, 
and the boy badly wounded. He, however, man- 
aged to secrete himself and afterward escaped to 
the fort. The Indians, twelve or thirteen in num- 
ber, went off unmolested, though the men in the 
fort saw the whole transaction and could have 
punished them. Why they did not was never 
known. 

On Captina Creek in this same county, occurred, 
in May, 1794, the "battle of Captina," a fa- 
mous local skirmish between some Virginians from 
Fort Baker, and a party of Indians. Though the 
Indians largely outnumbered the whites, they were 
severely punished, and compelled to abandon the 
contest, losing several of their bravest warriors. 

These were the only settlements made until 
1795, the close of the war. Even these, as it will 
be observed from the foregoing pages, were tem- 
porary in all cases save one, and were maintained 
at a great risk, and the loss of many valuable lives. 
They were made in the beginning of the war,and such 
were their experiences that further attempts were 
abandoned until the treaty of Greenville was made, 
or until the prospects for peace and safety were 
assured. 

No sooner, however, had the prospect of quiet 
been established, than a revival of emigration be- 
gan. Before the war it had been large, now it 
was largely increased. 

Wayne's treaty of peace with the Indians was 
made at Greenville, in what is now Darke County, 
the 3d of August, 1795. The number of Indians 
present was estimated at 1,300, divided among the 
principal nations as follows: 180 Wyandots, 381 
Delawares, 143 Shawanees, 45 Ottawas, 46 Chip- 
pewas, 240 Pottawatomies, 73 Miamis and Eel 
River, 12 Weas and Piankeshaws, and 10 Kicka- 
poos and Kaskaskias. The principal chiefs were 
Tarhe, Buckongahelas, Black Hoof, Blue Jacket 
and Little Turtle. Most of them had been tam- 
pered with by the British agents and traders, but 
all had been so thoroughly chastised by Wayne, and 
found that the British only used them as tools, 
that they were quite anxious to make peace with 
the " Thirteen Fires." By the treaty, former ones 



102 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



were establislied, the boundary lines confirmed and 
enlarged, an exchange and delivery of prisoners 
effected, and permanent peace assured. 

In the latter part of September, after the treaty 
of Greenville, Mr. Bedell, from New Jersey, 
selected a site for a home in what is now Warren 
County, at a place since known as " Bedell's Sta- 
tion," about a mile south of Union Village. Here 
he erected a block-house, as a defense against the 
Indians, among whom were many renegades as 
among the whites, who would not respect the 
terms of the treaty. Whether Mr. Bedell was 
alone that fall, or whether he was joined by others, 
is not now accurately known. However that may 
be, he was not long left to himself; for, ere a year 
had elapsed, quite a number of settlements were 
made in this part of the Territory. Soon after 
his settlement was made, Gen. David Sutton, Capt. 
Nathan Kelley and others began pioneer life at 
Deerfield, in the same locality, and, before three 
years had gone by, a large number of New Jersey 
people were established in their homes; and, in 
1803, the county was formed from Hamilton. 
Among the early settlers at Deerfield, was Capt. 
Robert Benham, who, with a companion, in 1779, 
sustained themselves many days when the Captain 
had lost the use of his legs, and his companion 
his arms, from musket-balls fired by the hands of 
the Indians. They were with a large party com- 
manded by Maj. Rodgers, and were furiously 
attacked by an immense number of savages, and 
all but a few slain. The event happened during 
the war of the Revolution, before any attempt 
was made to settle the Northwest Territory. The 
party were going down the Ohio, probably to the 
falls, and were attacked when near the site of 
Cincinnati. As mentioned, these two men sus- 
tained each other many days, the one having per- 
fect legs doing the necessary walking, carrying his 
comrade to water, driving up game for him to 
shoot, and any other duties necessary; while the 
one who had the use of his arms could dress his 
companion's and his own wounds, kill and cook 
the game, and perform his share. They were 
rescued, finally, by a flat-boat, whose occupants, 
for awhile, passed them, fearing a decoy, but, 
becoming convinced that such was not the case, 
took them on down to Louisville, where they were 
nursed into perfect health. 

A settlement was made near the present town of 
Lebanon, the county seat of Warren County, in 
the spring of 1796, by Henry Taylor, who built a 
mill one mile west of the town site, on Turtle 



Creek. Soon after, he was joined by Ichabod 
Corwin, John Osbourn, Jacob Vorhees, Samuel 
Shaw, Daniel Boute and a Mr. Manning. When 
Lebanon was laid out, in 1803, the two-story log 
house built in 1797 by Ichabod Corwin was the 
only building on the plat. It was occupied by 
Ephraim Hathaway as a tavern. He had a black 
horse painted on an immense board for a sign, and 
continued in business here till 1810. The same 
year the town was laid out, a store was opened by 
John Huston, and, from that date, the growth of 
the county was very prosperous. Three years 
after, the Wet^feni Sfar was established by 
Judge John McLain, and the current news of 
the day given in weekly editions. It was one of 
the first newspapers established in the Territory, 
outside of Cincinnati. 

As has been mentioned, the opening of naviga- 
tion in the spring of 1796 brought a great flood 
of emigration to the Territory. The little settle- 
ment made by Mr. Bedell, in the autumn of 1795, 
was about the only one made that fall ; others made 
preparations, and many selected sites, but did not 
settle till the following spring. That spring, colo- 
nies were planted in what are now Montgomery, 
Licking, Ross, Madison, Mahoning, Trumbull, 
Ashtabula and Cuyahoga Counties, while prepara- 
tions were in turn made to occupy additional terri- 
tory, that will hereafter be noticed. 

The settlement made in Montgomery County 
was begun early in the spring of 1796. As early 
as 1788, the land on which Dayton now stands was 
selected by some gentlemen, who designed laying 
out a town to be named Venice. They agreed 
with Judge Symmes, whose contract covered the 
place, for the purchase of the lands. The Indian 
war which broke out at this time prevented an 
extension of settlements from the immediate 
neighborhood of the parent colonies, and the proj- 
ect was abandoned by the purchasers. Soon after 
the treaty of 1795, a new company, composed of 
Gens. Jonathan Dayton, Arthur St. Clair, James 
Wilkinson, and Col. Israel Ludlow, purchased the 
land between the Miamis, around the mouth of 
Mad River, of Judge Symmes, and, the 4th of 
November, laid out the town. Arrangements were 
made for its settlement the ensuing spring, and 
donations of lots, with other privileges, were offered 
to actual settlers. Forty-six persons entered into 
engagements to remove from Cincinnati to Day- 
ton, but during the winter most of them scat- 
tered in different directions, and only nineteen ful- 
filled their contracts. The first families who 



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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



103 



made a permanent residence here, arrived on the 
first day of April, 1796, and at once set about 
establishing homes. Judge Symmes, however, 
becoming unable soon after to pay for his purchase, 
the land reverted to the United States, and the set- 
tlers in and about Dayton found themselves with- 
out titles to their lands. Congress, however, came 
to the aid of all such persons, wherever they had 
purchased land of Symmes, and passed a pre-emp- 
tion law, under which they could enter their lands 
at the regular government' price. Some of the set- 
tlers entered their lands, and obtained titles directly 
from the United States ; others made arrangements 
with Daniel C. Cooper to receive their deeds from 
him, and he entered the residue of the town lands. 
He had been the surveyor and agent of the first 
company of proprietors, and they assigned to him 
certain of their rights of pre-emption, by which he 
became the titular owner of the land. 

When the State government was organized in 
1803, Dayton was made the seat of justice for 
Montgomery County, erected the same year. At 
that time, owing to the title question, only five 
families resided in the place, the other settlers hav- 
ing gone to farms in the vicinity, or to other 
parts of the country. The increase of the town 
was gradual until the war of 1812, when its 
growth was more rapid until 1820, when it was 
again checked by the general depression of busi- 
ness. It revived in 1827, at the commencement 
of the Miami Canal, and since then its growth has 
always been prosperous. It is now one of the 
best cities in Ohio. The first canal boats from 
Cincinnati arrived at Dayton January 25, 1829, 
and the first one from Lake Erie the 24th of 
June, 1845. In 1825, a weekly line of stages 
was established between Columbus and Cincinnati, 
via Dayton. Two days were occupied in coming 
from Cincinnati to Dayton. 

On the 18th of September, 1808, the Dayton 
Repertory was established by William McClureand 
George Smith. It was printed on a foolscap sheet. 
Soon after, it was enlarged and changed from a 
weekly to a daily, and, ere long, found a number 
of competitors in the field. 

In the lower part of Miamisburg, in this county, 
are the remains of ancient works, scattered about 
over the bottom. About a mile and a quarter 
southeast of the village, on an elevation more than 
one hundred feet above the level of the Miami, 
is the largest mound in the Northern States, ex- 
cepting the mammoth mound at Grave Creek, on 
the Ohio, below Wheeling, which it nearly equals 



in dimensions. It is about eight hundred feet 
around the base, and rises to a height of nearly 
seventy feet. When first known it was covered 
with forest trees, whose size evidenced great age. 
The Indians could give no account of the mound. 
Excavations revealed bones and charred earth, 
but what was its use, will always remain a con- 
jecture. 

One of the most important early settlements 
was made cotemporary with that of Dayton, in 
what is now Ross County. The same spring, 
1796, quite a colony came to the banks of the 
Scioto River, and, near the mouth of Paint Creek, 
began to plant a crop of corn on the bottom. The 
site had been selected as early as 1792, by Col. 
Nathaniel Massie* and others, who were so de- 
lighted with the country, and gave such glowing 
descriptions of it on their return — which accounts 
soon circulated through Kentucky — that portions 
of the Presbyterian congregations of Caneridge and 
Concord, in Bourbon County, under Rev. Robert 
W. Finley, determined to emigrate thither in a 
body. They were, in a measure, induced to take 
this step by their dislike to slavery, and a desire 
for freedom from its baleful influences and the un- 
certainty that existed regarding the validity of the 
land titles in that State. The Rev. Finley, as a 
preliminary step, liberated his slaves, and addressed 
to Col. Massie a letter of inquiry, in December, 
1794, regarding the land on the Scioto, of which 
he and his people had heard such glowing ac- 
counts. 

"The letter induced Col. Massie to visit Mr. 
Finley in the ensuing March. A large concourse 
of people, who wished to engage in the enterprise, 
assembled on the occasion, and fixed on a day to 
meet at the Three Islands, in Manchester, and 
proceed on an exploring expedition. Mr. Finley 
also wrote to his friends in Western Pennsylvania 

* Nathaniel Massie was born in (Joochland County, Va., Decem- 
ber 28, 1763. In 1780, he engaged, for a short time, in the Revolu- 
tionary war. In 1783, he left for Kentucky, where he acted as a 
surveyor. He was afterward made a Government surveyor, and 
labored much in that capacity for early Ohio proprietors, being paid 
in lands, the amounts graded by the danger attached to the survey. 
In 1791, he established the settlement at Manchester, and a year or 
two after, continued his surveys up the Scioto. Here he was con- 
tinually in great danger from the Indians, but knew well how tc 
guard against them, and thus preserved hiniselt. In 1796, he estab 
lished the Chillicothe settlement, and made his home in the Scioto 
Valley, being now an extensive land owner by reason of his long 
surveying service. In 1807, he and Return J. Meigs were compet- 
itors for the ofhce of Governor of Ohio. Meigs was elected, but 
Massie contested his eligibility to the office, on the grounds of his 
absence from the State and insufficiency of time as a resident, as 
required by the Constitution. Meigs was declared inelieible liy the 
Qpneral Assembly, and Massie declared Governor. He, however, 
resigned the office at once, not desiring it. He was often Repre- 
sentative afterward. He died November 13, 1813. 



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104 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



informing them of tlie time and place of rendez- 
vous. 

" About sixty men met, according to appoint- 
ment, wh(,) were divided into three companies, 
under Massie, Finley and Falenash. They pro- 
ceeded on their route, without interruption, until 
they struck the fills of Paint Creek. Proceeding 
a short distance down that stream, they suddenly j 
found themselves in the vicinity of some Indians 
who had encamped at a place, since called Reeve's 
Crossing, near the present town of Bainbridge. 
The Indians were of those who had refused to 
attend Wayne's treaty, and it was determined to 
give them battle, it being too late to retreat with 
safety. The Indians, on being attacked, soon fled 
with the loss of two killed and several wounded. 
One of the whites only, Joshua Robinson, was 
mortally wounded, and, during the action, a Mr. 
Armstrong, a prisoner among the savages, escaped 
to his own people. The whites gathered all their 
plunder and retreated a.s far as Scioto Brush 
Creek, where they were, according to expectation, 
attacked early the next morning. Again the In- 
dians were defeated. Only one man among the 
whites, Allen Gilfillan, was wounded. The party 
of whites continued their retreat, the next day 
reached Manchester, and separated for their homes. 

" After Wayne's treaty. Col. Massie and several 
of the old explorers again met at the house of 
Rev. Finley, formed a company, and agreed to 
make a settlement in the ensuing spring (1796), 
and raise a crop of corn at the mouth of Paint 
Creek. According to agreement, they met at Man- 
chester about the first of April, to the number of 
forty and upward, from Mason and Bourbon 
Counties. Among them were Joseph McCoy, 
Benjamin and William Rodgers, David Shelby, 
James Harrod, Henry, Bazil and Reuben Abrams, 
William Jamison, James Crawford, Samuel, An- 
thony and Robert Smith, Thomas Dick, William 
and James Kerr, George and James Kilgrove, 
John Brown, Samuel and Robert Templeton, Fer- 
guson Moore, William Nicholson and James B. 
Finley, later a prominent local Methodist minister. 
On starting, they divided into two companies, one 
of which struck across the country, while the 
other came on in pirogues. The first arrived 
earliest on the spot of their intended settlement, 
and had eonmien -ed erecting log huts above the 
mouth of Paint Creek, at the 'Prairie Station,' 
before the others had come on by water. About 
three hundred acres of the prairie were cultivated 
in corn that season. 



" In August, of this year— 179G— Chillicothe* 
was laid out by Col. Massie in a dense forest. He 
gave a lot to each of the first settlers, and, by the 
beginning of winter, about twenty cabins were 
erected. Not long after, a ferry was established 
across the Scioto, at the north end of Walnut 
street. The opening of Zane's trace produced a 
great change in travel westward, it having pre- 
viously been along the Ohio in keel-boats or canoes, 
or by land, over the Cumberland Mountains, 
through Crab Orchard, in Kentucky. 

" The emigrants bnmght corn-meal in their pi- 
rogues, and after that was gone, their principal 
meal, until the next summer, was that pounded in 
hominy mortars, which meal, when made into 
bread, and anointed with bear's-oil, was quite pal- 
atable. 

" When the settlers first came, whisky was $4.50 
per gallon; but, in the spring of 1797, when the 
keel-boats began to run, the Monongahela whisky- 
makers, having found a good market for their fire- 
water, rushed it in, in such quantities, that the 
cabins were crowded with it, and it soon fell to 50 
cents. Men, women and children, with some excep- 
tions, drank it freely, and many who had been 
respectable and temperate became inebriates. 
Many of Wayne's soldiers and camp-women settled 
in the town, so that, for a time, it became a town 
of drunkards and a sink of corruption. There 
was, however, a little leaven, which, in a few 
months, began to develop itself 

" In the spring of 1797, one Brannon stole a 
great coat, handkerchief and shirt. He and his 
wife absconded, were pursued, caught and brought 
back. Samuel Smith was appointed Judge, a 
jury impanneled, one attorney appointed by the 
Judge to manage the prosecution, and another the 
defense ; witnesses were examined, the case argued, 
and the evidence summed up by the Judge. The 
jury, having retired a few moments, returned with 
a verdict of guilty, and that the culprit be sen- 
tenced according to the discretion of the Judge. 
The Judge soon announced that the criminal 
should have ten lashes on his naked back, or that 
he should sit on a bare pack-saddle on his pony, 
and that his wife, who was supposed to have had 
some agency in the theft, should lead the pony to 
every house in the village, and proclaim, 'This is 

*f^hillicr>the appears to have been a favorite name among the 
Indians, as many localities were known by that name. Col. John 
Johnston says : "Chillicothe is the name of one of the principal 
trihes of the Shawanees. They would say, CJiil-i-cothe ntany, i. e., 
Chillicothe town. The Wyandots would say, for Chillicothe town, 
Tal-a-ra-ra, Do-tia, or town at the leaning of the bank." 



*7- 



■V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



105 



Braunon, who stole the great coat, handkerchief 
and shirt ; ' and that James B. Finley, afterward 
Chaplain in the State Penitentiary, should see the 
sentence faithfully carried out. Brannou chose 
the latter sentence, and the ceremony was faith- 
fully performed by his wife in the presence of 
every cabin, under Mr. Finley's care, after which 
the couple made off. This was rather rude, but 
effective j urisprudence. 

" Dr. Edward Tiffin and Mr. Thomas Worth- 
ington, of Berkley County, Va., were brothers-in-law, 
and being moved by abolition principles, liberated 
their slaves, intending to remove into the Ter- 
ritory. For this purpose, Mr. Worthington visited 
Chillicothe in the autumn of 1797, and purchased 
several in and out lots of the town. On one of the 
former, he erected a two-story fi-ame house, the 
first of the kind in the village. On his return, 
having purchased a part of a farm, on which his 
family long afterward resided, and another at the 
north fork of Paint Creek> he contracted with Mr. 
Joseph Yates, a millwright, and Mr. George Haines, 
a blacksmith, to come out with him the following 
winter or spring, and erect for him a gi-ist and saw 
mill on his north-fork tract. The summer, fall 
and following winter of that year were marked by 
a rush of emigration, which spead over the high 
bank prairie, Pea-pea, Westfall and a few miles 
up Paint and Deer Creeks. 

" Nearly all the first settlers were either regular 
members, or had been raised in the Presbyterian 
Church. Toward the fall of 1797, the leaven of 
piety retained by a portion of the first settlers be- 
gan to diffuse itself through the mass, and a large 
log meeting-house was erected near the old grave- 
yard, and Rev. William Speer, from Pennsylvania, 
took charge. The sleepers at first served as seats for 
hearers, and a split-log table was used as a pulpit. 
Mr. Speer was a gentlemanly, moral man, tall and 
cadaverous in person, and wore the cocked hat of 
the Revolutionary era. 

" Thomas Jones arrived in February, 1798, 
bringing with him the first load of bar-iron in the 
Scioto Valley, and about the same time Maj. Elias 
Langham, an officer of the Revolution, arrived. Dr. 
Tiffin, and his brother, Joseph, arrived the same 
month from Virginia and opened a store not far 
from the log meeting-house. A store had been 
opened previously by John McDougal. The 17th 
of April, the families of Col. Worthington and 
Dr. Tiffin arrived, at which time the first marriage 
in the Scioto Valley was celebrated. The parties 
were George Kilgore and Elizabeth Cochran. The 



ponies of the attendants were hitched to the trees 
along the streets, which were not then cleared out, 
nearly the whole town being a wilderness. Joseph 
Yates, George Haines, and two or three others, 
arrived with the families of Tiffin and Worthing- 
ton. On their arrival there were but four shingled 
roofs in town, on one of which the shingles 
were fastened with pegs. Col. Worthington's 
house was the only one having glass windows. The 
sash of the hotel windows was filled with greased 
paper. 

" Col. Worthington was appointed by Gen. Ru- 
fus Putnam, Surveyor General of the Northwest 
Territory, surveyor of a large district of Congress 
lands, on the east side of the Scioto, and Maj. 
Langham and a Mr. Matthews, were appointed to 
survey the residue of the lands which afterward 
composed the Chillicothe land district. 

"The same season, settlements were made about 
the W^alnut Plains by Samuel McCuUoh and 
others; Springer, Osbourn, Dyer, and Thomas and 
Elijah Chenowith, on Darly Creek; Lamberts and 
others on Sippo ; on Foster's Bottom, the Fosters. 
Samuel Davis and others, while the following fam- 
ilies settled in and about Chillicothe : John Crouse, 
William Keys, William Lamb, John Carlisle, John 
McLanberg, William Chandless, the Stoctons, 
Greggs, Bates and some others. 

" Dr. Tiffin and his wife were the first Metho- 
dists in the Scioto Valley. He was a local preacher. 
In the fall, Worthington's grist and saw mills on 
the north fork of Paint Creek were finished, the 
first mills worthy the name in the valley. 

" Chillicothe was the point from which the set- 
tlements diverged. In May, 1799, a post office 
was estabUshed here, and Joseph Tiffin made Post- 
master. Mr. Tiffin and Thomas Gregg opened 
taverns; the first, under the sign of Gen. Anthony 
Wayne, was at the corner of Water and Walnut 
streets ; and the last, under the sign of the ' Green 
Tree,' was on the corner of Paint and Water 
streets. In 1801, Nathaniel Willis moved in and 
established the Scioto Gazette^ probably, the sec- 
ond paper in the Territory."* 

In 1800, the seat of government of the North- 
west Territory was removed, by law of Congress, 
from Cincinnati to Chillicothe. The sessions of 
the Territorial Assembly for that and the next 
year were held in a small two-story, hewed-log 
house, erected in 1798, by Bazil Abrams. A wing 
was added to the main part, of two stories in 



* Recollections of Hon. Thomas Scott, of Chillicothe— Howe's 
Annals of Ohio. 



^- 



liL 



106 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



height. In the lower room of this wing, Col. 
Thomas Gibson, Auditor of the Territory, kept 
his office, and in the upper room a small family 
lived. In the upper room of the main building 
a billiard table was kept. It was also made a re- 
sort of gamblers and disreputable characters. The 
lower room was used by the Legislature, and as a 
court room, a church or a school. In the 
war of 1812, the building was a rendezvous and 
barracks for soldiers, and, in 1840, was pulled 
down. 

The old State House was commenced in 1800, 
and finished the next year for the accommodation 
of the Legislature and the courts. It is said to 
be the first public stone edifice erected in the Ter- 
ritory. Maj. William Rutledge, a Revolutionary 
soldier, did the mason work, and William Guthrie, 
the carpenter. In 1801, the Territorial Legislature 
held their first session in it. In it was also held 
the Constitutional Convention of Ohio, which be- 
gan its sessions the first jMonday in November, 
1802. In April, 1803, the first State Legislature 
met in the house, and continued their sessions here 
until 1810. The sessions of 1810-11, and 1811- 
12, were held in Zanesville, and from there re- 
moved back to Chillicothe and held in the old 
State House till 1816, when Columbus became the 
permanent capital of the State. 

Making Chillicothe the State capital did much 
to enhance its growth. It was incorporated in 
1802, and a town council elected. In 1807, the 
town had fourteen stores, six hotels, two newspa- 
pers, two churches — both brick buildings — and 
over two hundred dwellings. The removal of the 
capital to Columbus checked its growth a little, still, 
being in an excellent country, rapidly filling with 
settlers, the town has always remained a prominent 
trading center. 

During the war of 1812, Chillicothe was made 
a rendezvous for LTnited States soldiers, and a 
prison established, in which many British prison- 
ers were confined. At one time, a conspiracy for 
escape was discovered just in time to prevent it. 
The plan was for the prisoners to disarm the 
guard, proceed to jail, release the officers, burn the 
town, and escape to Canada. The plot was fortu- 
nately disclosed by two senior British officers, upon 
which, as a measure of security, the officers and 
chief conspirators were sent to the penitentiary 
at Frankfort, Kentucky. 

Two or three miles northwest of Chillicothe, on 
a beautiful elevation, commanding an extensive 
view of the valley of the Scioto, Thomas Worth- 



ington,* one of the most prominent and influential 
men of his day, afterward Governor of the State, 
in 1806, erected a large stone mansion, the wonder 
of the valley in its time. It was the most elegant 
mansion in the West, crowds coming to see it 
when it was completed. Gov. Worthington named 
the place Adena, " Paradise " — a name not then 
considered hyperbolical. The large panes of glass, 
and the novelty of papered walls especially attracted 
attention. Its architect was the elder Latrobe, of 
Washington City, from which place most of the 
workmen came. The glass was made in Pitts- 
burgh, and the fireplace fronts in Philadelphia, the 
latter costing seven dollars per hundred pounds for 
transportation. The mansion, built as it was, cost 
nearly double the expense of such structures now. 
Adena was the home of the Governor till his death, 
in 1827. 

Near Adena, in a beautiful situation, is Fruit 
Hill, the seat of Gen. Duncan McArthur,"}" and 
later of ex-Gov. William Allen. Like Adena, Fruit 
Hill is one of the noted places in the Scioto Val- 
ley. Many of Ohio's best men dwelt in the valley ; 
men who have been an honor and ornament to the 
State and nation. 

Another settlement, begun soon after the treaty 
of peace in 1795, was that made on the Licking 
River, about four miles below the present city of 
Newark, in Licking County. In the fall of 1796, 
John RatclifF and Elias Hughes, while prospecting 
on this stream, found some old Indian cornfields, 
and determined to locate. They were from West- 
ern Virginia, and were true pioneers, living mainly 
by hunting, leaving the cultivation of their small 
cornfields to their wives, much after the style of 



* Gov. Worthington was born in Jefferson County, Va., about the 
year 1769. He setlled in Ohio in 1798. He was a firm Ijeliever in 
liberty and came to tlie Territory after liberating liis slaves. He was 
one of the most efficient men of his day ; was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention, and was sent on an important mission 
to Congress relative to the admission of Ohio to the Union. He 
was afterward a Senator to Congress, and then Governor. On 
the expiration of his gubernatorial term, he was appointed a mem- 
ber of the Board of Public Works, in which capacity he did much 
to advance the canals and railroads, and other public improve- 
meulB. He remained in thiB office till his death. 

t Gen. McArlhur was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1772. 
When eight years of age, his father removed to Western Pennsyl- 
vania. When eighteen years of age, he served in Harmar's 
campaign. In 1792, he was a very efficient soldier among the front- 
iersmen, and gained their approbation by his bravery. In 1793, he 
was connected with Gen. Massie, and afterward was engaged in 
land speculations and became very wealthy. He was made a mem- 
ber of the Legislature, in 1806; in 7806, a Colonel', and in 1808, a 
Major General of the militia. In this capacity he was in Hull's 
surrender at Detroit. On his return he was elected to (-'ongress, 
and in 1813 commissioned Brigadier General. He was one of the 
most efficient officers in the war of 1812, and held many important 
posts. After the war, he was again sent to the Legislature ; in 1822 
to Congress, and in 1830 elected Governor of the S'ate. By an un- 
fortunate accident in 1830, he was maimed for life, and gradually 
declined till death came a few years after. 



*^ i 



:V 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



107 



their dusky neighbors. They were both inveterate 
Indian haters, and never allowed an opportunity to 
pass without carrying out their hatred. For this, 
they were apprehended after the treaty; but, 
though it was clearly proven they had murdered 
some inoffensive Indians, the state of feeling was 
such that they were allowed to go unpunished. 

A short time after their settlement, others joined 
them, and, in a few years, quite a colony had 
gathered on the banks of the Licking. In 1802, 
Newark was laid out, and, in three or four years, 
there were twenty or thirty families, several stores 
and one or two hotels. 

The settlement of Granville Township, in this 
county, is rather an important epoch in the history 
of this part of the State. From a sketch pub- 
lished by Rev. Jacob Little in 1848, in Howe's 
Collections, the subjoined statements are taken: 

"In 1804, a company was formed at Granville, 
Mass., with the intention of making a settlement 
in Ohio. This, called the Scioto Company, was 
the third of that name which effected settlements 
in Ohio. The project met with great favor, and 
much enthusiasm was elicited, in illustration of 
which a song was composed and sung to the 
tune of ' Pleasant Ohio ' by the young people in 
the house and at labor in the field. We annex 
two stanzas, which are more curious than poetical: 

"'When rambling o'er these mountains 

And rocks where ivies grow 
Thick as the hairs upon your head, 

"Mongst which you cannot go — 
Great storms of snow, cold winds that blow, 

We scarce can undergo — 
Says I, my boys, we'll leave this place 

For the pleasant Ohio. 

" 'Our precious friends that stay behind. 

We're sorry now to leave; 
But if they'll stay and break their shins, 

For them we'll never grieve 
Adieu, my friends! — Come on, my dears, 

This journey we'll forego, 
And settle Licking Creek, 

In yonder Ohio.' " 

" The Scioto Company consisted of one hundred 
and fourteen proprietors, who made a purchase of 
twenty-eight thousand acres. In the autumn of 
1805, two hundred and thirty-four persons, mostly 
from East Granville, Mass., came on to the pur- 
chase. Although they had been forty-two days on 
the road, their first business, on their arrival, hav- 
ing organized a church before they left the East, 
was to hear a sermon. The first tree cut was that 



by which public worship was held, which stood 
just in front of the Presbyterian church. 

On the first Sabbath, November 16, although 
only about a dozen trees had been felled, they held 
divine service, both forenoon and afternoon, on 
that spot. The novelty of worshiping in the 
woods, the forest extending hundreds of miles each 
way ; the hardships of the journey, the winter set- 
ting in, the thoughts of home, with all the friends 
and privileges left behind, and the impression that 
such must be the accommodations of anew country, 
all rushed on their minds, and made this a day of 
varied interest. When they began to sing, the 
echo of their voices among the trees was so differ- 
ent from what it was in the beautiful meeting- 
house they had left, that they could no longer 
restrain their tears. They icept when they remem- 
bered Zion. The voices of part of the choir were, 
for a season, suppressed with emotion. 

"An incident occurred, which many said Mrs. 
Sigourney should have put into verse. Deacon 
Theophilus Reese, a Welsh Baptist, had, two or 
three years befoi'e, built a cabin, a mile and a half 
north, and lived all this time without public wor- 
ship. He had lost his cattle, and, hearing a low- 
ing of the oxen belonging to the Company, set out 
toward them. As he ascended the hills overlook- 
ing the town plot, . he heard the singing of the 
choir. The reverberation of the sound from hill- 
tops and trees, threw the good man into a serious 
dilemma. The music at first seemed to be behind, 
then in the tree-tops, or in the clouds. He stopped, 
till, by accurate listening, he caught the direction 
of the sound ; went on and passing the brow of 
the hill, he saw the audience sitting on the 
level below. He went home and told his wife that 
' the promise of God is a bond ' ; a Welsh proverb, 
signifying that we have security, equal to a bond, 
that religion will prevail everywhere. He said : 
' These must be good people. I am not afraid to 
go among them.' Though he could not under- 
stand English, he constantly attended the reading 
meeting. Hearing the music on that occasion 
made such an impression on his mind that, when 
he became old and met the first settlers, he would 
always tell over this story. The first cabin built 
was that in which they worshiped succeeding 
Sabbaths, and, before the close of the winter, they 
had a schoolhouse and a school. That church, in 
forty years, received more than one thousand per- 
sons into its membership. 

"Elder Jones, in 1806, preached the first ser- 
mon in the log church. The Welsh Baptist 






108 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Church was organized in the cabin of David 
Thomas, September 4, 1808. April 21, 1827, 
the Grranville members were organized into the 
Granville Church, and the corner-stone of their 
house of worship laid September 21, 1829. In 
the fall of 1810, the first Methodist sermon was 
preached here, and, soon after, a class organized. 
In 1824, a church was built. An Episcopal 
church was organized in May, 1827, and a 
church consecrated in 1838. In 1849, there 
were in this township 405 families, of whom 214 
sustain family worship ; 1431 persons over four- 
teen years of age, of whom over 800 belong to 
church. The town had 150 families, of whom 80 
have family worship. In 1846, the township 
furnished 70 school teachers, of whom 62 prayed 
in school. In 1846, the township took 621 peri- 
odical papers, besides three small monthlies. The 
first temperance society west of the mountains was 
organized July 15, 1828, in this township; and, 
in 1831, the Congregational Church passed a by- 
law to accept no member who trafficked in or used 
ardent spirits." 

It is said, not a settlement in the entire West 
could present so moral and upright a view as that 
of Granville Township; and nowhere could so 
perfect and orderly a set of people be found. 
Surely, the fact is argument enough in favor of 
the religion of Jesus. 

The narrative of Mr. Little also states that, 
when Granville was first settled, it was supposed 
that Worthington would be the capital of Ohio, 
between which and Zanesville, Granville would 
make a great half-way town. At this time, wild 
animals, snakes and Indians abounded, and many 
are the marvelous stories preserved regarding the 
destruction of the animals and reptiles — the 
Indians being bound by their treaty to remain 
peaceful. Space forbids their repetition here. 
Suffice it to say that, as the whites increased, the 
Indians, animals and snakes disappeared, until 
now one is as much a curiosity as the other. 

The remaining settlement in the southwest- 
ern parts of Ohio, made immediately after the 
treaty — fall of 1795 or year of 1796 — was in 
what is now Madison County, about a mile north 
of where the village of Amity now stands, on the 
banks of the Big Darby. This stream received its 
name from the Indians, from a Wyandot chief, 
named Darby, who for a long time resided upon it, 
near the Union County line. In the fall of 1795, 
Benjamin Springer came from Kentucky and selected 
some land on the banks of the Big Darby, cleared 



the ground, built a cabin, and returned for his 
family. The next spring, he brought them out, 
and began his life here. The same summer he was 
joined by William Lapin, Joshua and James Ew- 
ing and one or two others. 

When Springer came, he found a white man 
named Jonathan Alder, who for fifteen years had 
been a captive among the Indians, and who could 
not speak a word of English, living with an Indian 
woman on the banks of Big Darby. He had been 
exchanged at Wayne's treaty, and, neglecting to 
profit by the treaty, was still living in the Indian 
style. When the whites became numerous about 
him his desire to find his relatives, and adopt the 
ways of the whites, led him to discard his squaw — 
giving her an unusual allowance — learn the English 
language, engage in agricultural pursuits, and be- 
come again civilized. Fortunately, he could remem- 
ber enough of the names of some of his parents' 
neighbors, so that the identity of his relatives and 
friends was easily established, and Alder became a 
most useful citizen. He was very influential with 
the Indians, and induced many of them to remain 
neutral during the war of 1812. It is stated that 
in 1800, Mr. Ewiug brought four sheep into the com- 
munity. They were strange animals to the Indians. 
One day when an Indian hunter and his dog were 
passing, the latter caught a sheep, and was shot by 
Mr. Ewing. The Indian would have shot Ewing in 
retaliation, had not Alder, who was fortunately 
present, with much difficulty prevailed upon him 
to refrain. 

While the southern and southwestern parts of 
the State were filling with settlers, assured of safety 
by Wayne's victories, the northern and eastern 
parts became likewise the theater of activities. 
Ever since the French had explored the southern 
shores of the lake, and English traders had car- 
ried goods thither, it was expected one day to be 
a valuable part of the West. It will be remem- 
bered that Coimecticut had ceded a large tract of 
land to the General Government, and as soon as 
the cession was confirmed, and land titles became 
assured, settlers flocked thither. Even before that 
time, hardy adventurers had explored some of the 
country, and pronounced it a "goodly land," 
ready for the hand of enterprise. 

The first settlement in the Western Reserve, 
and, indeed, in the northern part of the State, was 
made at the mouth of Conneaut* Creek, in Ash- 
tabula County, on the 4th of July, 1796. That 



*Conneaut, in the Seneca language, signifies "many flsh." 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



109 



day, tlie first surveying party landed at the mouth 
of this creek, and, on its eastern bank, near the 
lake shore, in tin cups, pledged — as they drank the 
limpid waters of the lake — their country's welfare, 
with the ordnance accompaniment of two or three 
fowling-pieces, discharging the required national 
salute. 

The whole party, on this occasion, numbered 
fifty-two persons, of whom two were females (Mrs. 
Stiles and Mrs. Gunn) and a child, and all deserve 
a lasting place in the history of the State. 

The next day, they began the erection of a large 
log building on the sandy beach on the east side 
of the stream. When done, it was named " Stow 
Castle," after one of the party. It was the dwell- 
ing, storehouse and general habitation of all the 
pioneers. The party made this their headquar- 
ters part of the summer, and continued busily 
engaged in the survey of the Reserve. James 
Kingsbury, afterward Judge, arrived soon after 
the party began work, and, with his family, was 
the first to remain here during the winter follow- 
ing, the rest returning to the East, or going south- 
ward. Through the winter, Mr. Kingsbury's 
family suffered greatly for provisions, so much so, 
that, during the absence of the head of the family 
in New York for provisions, one child, born in his 
absence, died, and the mother, reduced by her suf- 
ferings and solitude, was only saved by the timely 
arrival of the husband and father with a sack of 
flour he had carried, many weary miles, on his 
back. He remained here but a short time, re- 
moving to Cleveland, which was laid out that same 
fall. In the spring of 1798, Alexander Harper, 
William McFarland and Ezra Gregory, with their 
families, started from Ilarpersfield, Delaware Co., 
N. Y., and arrived the last of June, at their new 
homes in the Far West. The whole population on 
the Reserve then amounted to less than one hun- 
dred and fifty persons. These were at Cleveland, 
Youngstown and at Mentor. During the summer, 
three families came to Burton, and Judge Hudson 
settled at Hudson. All these pioneers suffered 
severely for food, and from the fever induced by 
chills. It took several years to become accli- 
mated. Sometimes the entire neighborhood 
would be down, and only one or two, who could 
wait on the rest "between chills," were able to do 
anything. Time and courage overcame, finally. 

It was not until 1798, that a permanent settle- 
ment was made at the mouth of Conneaut Creek. 
Those who came there in 1796 went on with their 
surveys, part remaining in Cleveland, laid out that 



summer. Judge Kingsbury could not remain at 
Conneaut, and went nearer the settlements made 
about the Cuyahoga. In the spring of 1798, Thomas 
Montgomery and Aaron Wright settled here and 
remained. Up the stream they found some thirty 
Indian cabins, or huts, in a good state of preserva- 
tion, which they occupied until they could erect 
their own. Soon after, they were joined by others, 
and, in a year or two, the settlement was permanent 
and prosperous. 

The site of the present town of Austinburg in 
Ashtabula County was settled in the year 1799, 
by two families from Connecticut, who were in- 
duced to come thither, by Judge Austin. The 
Judge preceded them a short time, driving, in 
company with a hired man. some cattle about one 
hundred and fifty miles through the woods, follow- 
ing an old Indian trail, while the rest of the party 
came in a boat across the lake. When they ar- 
rived, there were a few families at Harpersburg ; 
one or two families at Windsor, twenty miles 
southwest; also a few families at Elk Creek, forty 
miles northeast, and at Vernon, the same distance 
southeast. All these were in a destitute condition 
for provisions. In 1800, another fiimily moved 
from Norfolk, Conn. In the spring of 1801, sev- 
eral families came from the same place. Part came 
by land, and part by water. During that season, 
wheat was carried to an old mill on Elk Creek, 
forty miles away, and in some instances, half was 
given for carrying it to mill and returning it in 
flour. 

Wednesday, October 21, 1801, a church of six- 
teen members was constituted in Austinburg. 
This was the first church on the Reserve, and was 
founded by Rev. Joseph Badger, the first mission- 
ary there. It is a fact worthy of note, that in 
1802, Mr. Badger moved his family fi-om Buffalo 
to this town, in the first wagon that ever came 
from that place to the Reserve. In 1803, noted 
revivals occurred in this part of the West, attended 
by the peculiar bodily phenomenon known as the 
" shakes " or "jerks." 

The surveying party which landed at the mouth 
of Conneaut Creek, July. 4, 1796, soon completed 
their labors in this part of the Reserve, and ex- 
tended them westward. By the first of September, 
they had explored the lake coast as far west as the 
outlet of the Cuyahoga* River, then considered 



* Cuyahoga, in the Indian language, signifies "crooked." — 
Uowe^H CoUectione. 

"The Indians called the river 'Cuyahoghan-uk,' 'Lake River' 
It 18, emphatically, a Lake river. It rises in lakes and empties into 
a lake." — Atwater's Iliilory of Ohio. 



110 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



by all an important Western place, and one des- 
tined to be a great commercial mart. Time has 
verified the prophecies, as now the city of Cleve- 
land covers the site. 

As early as 1755, the mouth of the Cuyahoga 
River was laid down on the maps, and the French 
had a station here. It was also considered an im- 
portant post during the war of the Revolution, 
and later, of 1812. The British, who, after the 
Revolution, refused to abandon the lake country 
west of the Cuyahoga, occupied its shores until 
1790. Their traders had a house in Ohio City, 
north of the Detroit road, on the point of the hill 
near the river, when the surveyors arrived in 
1796. Washington, Jefferson, and all statesmen 
of that day, regarded the outlet of the Cuyahoga 
as an important place, and hence the early at- 
tempt of the surveyors to reach and lay out a town 
here. 

The corps of surveyors arrived early in Septem- 
ber, 1796, and at once proceeded to lay out a town. 
It was named Cleveland, in honor of Gen. Moses 
Cleveland, the Land Company's agent, and for 
years a very prominent man in Connecticut, where 
he lived and died. By the 18th of October, the 
surveyors had completed the survey and left the 
place, leaving only Job V. Stiles and family, and 
Edward Paine, who were the only persons that 
passed the succeeding winter in this place. Their 
residence was a log cabin that stood on a spot of 
ground long afterward occupied by the Commercial 
Bank. Their nearest neighbors were at Conne- 
aut, where Judge Kingsbury lived; at Fort 
Mcintosh, on the south or east, at the mouth of 
Big Beaver, and at the mouth of the river Raisin, 
on the west. 

The next seasoij, the surveying party came again 
to Cleveland, which they made their headquarters. 
Pearly in the spring, Judge Kingsbury came over 
fi'om Conneaut, bringing with him Elijah Gunn, 
who had a short time before joined him. Soon 
after, Maj. Lorenzo Carter and Ezekiel Hawley 
came with their families. These were about all 
who are known to have settled in this place that 
summer. The next year, 1798, Rodolphus Ed- 
wards and Nathaniel Doane and their families set- 
tled in Cleveland. Mr. Doane had been ninety- 
two days on his journey from Chatham, Conn. In 
the latter part of the summer and fall, nearly every 
person in the settlement was down with the bil- 
ious fever or with the ague. Mr. Doane's family 
consisted of nine persons, of whom Seth, a lad six- 
teen years of age, was the only one able to care for 



them. Such was the severity of the fever, that 
any one having only the ague was deemed quite 
fortunate. Much suffering for proper food and 
medicines followed. The only way the Doane 
family was supplied for two months or more, was 
through the exertions of this boy, who went daily, 
after having had one attack of the chills, to Judge 
Kingsbury's in Newburg — five miles away, where 
the Judge now lived — got a peck of corn, mashed it 
in a hand-mill, waited until a second attack of the 
chills passed over, and then returned. At one time, 
for several days, he was too ill to make the trip, 
during which turnips comprised the chief article 
of diet. Fortunately, Maj. Carter, having only 
the ague, was enabled with his trusty rifle and dogs 
to procure an abundance of venison and other wild 
game, His family, being somewhat acclimated, 
suffered less than many others. Their situation can 
hardly now be realized. " Destitute of a physician, 
and with few medicines, necessity taught them to 
use such means as nature had placed within their 
reach. They substituted pills from the extract of 
the bitternut bark for calomel, and dogwood and 
cherry bark for quinine." 

In November, four men, who had so far recov- 
ered as to have ague attacks no oftener than once 
in two or three days, started in the only boat for 
Walnut Creek, Penn., to obtain a winter's supply 
of flour. When below Euclid Creek, a storm 
drove them ashore, broke their boat, and compelled 
their return. During the winter and summer fol- 
lowing, the settlers had no flour, except that 
ground in hand and coffee mills, which was, how- 
ever, considered very good. Not all had even that. 
During the summer, the Connecticut Land Com- 
pany opened the first road on the Reserve, which 
commenced about ten miles south of the lake 
shore, on the Pennsylvania State line, and extended 
to Cleveland. In January, 1799, Mr. Doane 
moved to Doane's Corners, leaving only Maj. Car- 
ter's family in Cleveland, all the rest leaving as 
soon as they were well enough. For fifteen months, 
the Major and his family were the only white per- 
sons left on the town site. During the spring, 
Wheeler W. Williams and Maj. Wyatt built the 
first grist-mill on the Reserve, on the site of New- 
burg. It was looked upon as a very valuable acces- 
sion to the neighborhood. Prior to this, each fam- 
ily had its own hand-mill in one of the corners of 
the cabin. The old mill is thus described by a 
pioneer : 

" The stones were of the common grindstone 
grit, about four inches thick, and twenty in diame- 



:v 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Ill 



ter. The runner, or upper, was turned by hand, 
by a pole set in the top of it, near the outer edge. 
The upper end of the pole was inserted into a hole 
in a board fastened above to the joists, immedi- 
ately over the hole in the verge of the runner. 
One person fed the corn into the eye — a hole in 
the center of the runner — while another turned. 
It was very hard work to grind, and the operators 
alternately exchanged places." 

In 1800, several settlers came to the town and 
a more active life was the result. From this time, 
Cleveland began to progress. The 4th of July, 
1801, the first ball in town was held at Major 
Carter's log cabin, on the hill-side. John and 
Benjamin Wood, and R. H. Blinn were managers; 
and Maj. Samuel Jones, musician and master of 
ceremonies. The company numbered about thirty, 
very evenly divided, for the times, between the 
!?exes. " Notwithstanding the dancers had a rough 
p\jncheon floor, and no better beverage to enliven 
their spirits than sweetened whisky, yet it is doubt- 
ful if the anniversary of American independence 
was ever celebrated in Cleveland by a more joyful 
and harmonious company than those who danced 
the scamper-down, double-shuffle, western-swing 
and half-moon, that day, in Maj. Carter's cabin." 
The growth of the town, from this period on, re- 
mained prosperous. The usual visits of the Indi- 
ans were made, ending in their drunken carousals 
and fights. Deer and other wild animals furnished 
abundant meat. The settlement was constantly 
augmented by new arrivals, so that, by 1814, Cleve- 
land was incorporated as a town, and, in 1836, as 
a city. Its harbor is one of the best on the lakes, 
and hence the merchandise of the lakes has always 
been attracted thither. Like Cincinnati and Chil- 
licothe, it became the nucleus of settlements in this 
part of the State, and now is the largest city in 
Northern Ohio. 

One of the earliest settlements made in the 
Western Reserve, and by some claimed as the first 
therein, was made on the site of Youngstown, Ma- 
honing County, by a Mr. Young, afterward a Judge, 
in the summer of 1796. During this summer, 
before the settlements at Cuyahoga and Conneaut 
were made, Mr. Young and Mr. Wilcott, proprie- 
tors of a township of land in Northeastern Ohio, 
came to their possessions and began the survey of 
their land. Just when they came is not known. 
They were found here by Col. James Hillman, 
then a trader in the employ of Duncan & Wilson, 
of Pittsburgh, " who had been forwarding goods 
across the country by pack-saddle horses since 



1786, to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, thence to be 
shipped on the schooner Mackinaw to Detroit. 
Col. Hillman generally had charge of all these 
caravans, consisting sometimes of ninety horses 
and ten men. They commonly crossed the Big 
Beaver four miles below the mouth of the She- 
nango, thence up the left bank of the Mahoning — 
called by the Indians " 3Iahoni" or " Mahonicky 
signifying the " lick" or " at the lick " — crossing 
it about three miles below the site of Youngstown, 
thence by way of the Salt Springs, over the sites 
of Milton and Ravenna, crossing the Cuyahoga at 
the mouth of Breakneck and again at the mouth 
of Tinker's Creek, thence down the river to its 
mouth, where they had a log hut in which to 
store their goods. This hut was there when the 
surveyors came, but at the time unoccupied. At 
the mouth of Tinker's Creek were a few log huts 
built by Moravian Missionaries. These were used 
only one year, as the Indians had gone to the Tus- 
carawas River. These and three or four cabins at 
the Salt Springs were the only buildings erected 
by the whites prior to 1796, in Northeastern Ohio. 
Those at the Salt Springs were built at an early 
day for the accommodation of whites who came 
from Western Pennsylvania to make salt. The 
tenants were dispossessed in 1785 by Gen. Harmar. 
A short time after, one or two white men were 
killed by the Indians here. In 1788, Col. Hill- 
man settled at Beavertown, where Duncan & 
Wilson had a store for the purpose of trading 
with the Indians. He went back to Pittsburgh 
soon after, however, owing to the Indian war, and 
remained there till its close, continuing in his busi- 
ness whenever opportunity offiered. In 1796, 
when returning from one of his trading expeditions 
alone in his canoe down the Mahoning River, he 
discovered a smoke on the bank near the present 
town of Youngstown, and on going to the spot 
found Mr. Young and Mr. Wolcott, as before men- 
tioned. A part of Col. Hillman 's cargo consisted 
of whisky, a gallon or so of which he still had. 
The price of " fire-water " then was $1 per quart 
in the currency of the country, a deerskin being 
legal tender for $1, and a doeskin for 50 cents. 
Mr. Young proposed purchasing a quart, and 
having a frolic on its contents during the even- 
ing, and insisted on paying Hillman his cus- 
tomary price. Hillman urged that inasmuch as 
they were strangers in the country, civility re- 
quired him to furnish the means for the entertain- 
ment. Young, however, insisted, and taking the 
deerskin used for his bed — the only one he had — 



112 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



paid for his quart of whisky, and an evening's 
frolic was the result. 

" Hillman remained a few days, when they ac- 
compuuied him to Beaver Town to celebrate the 
-tth, and then all returned, and Hillman erected a 
cabin on the site of Youngstown. It is not cer- 
tain that they remained here at this time, and 
hence the priority of actual settlement is generally 
conceded to Conneaut and Cleveland. The next 
year, in the fall, a Mr. Brown and one other per- 
son came to the banks of the Mahoning and made 
a permanent settlement. The same season Uriah 
Holmes and Titus Hayes came to the same locality, 
and before winter quite a settlement was to be seen 
here. It proceeded quite prosperously until the 
wanton murder of two Indians occurred, which, 
for a time, greatly excited the whites, lest the In- 
dians should retaliate. Through the efforts of 
Col. Hillman, who had great influence with the 
natives, they agreed to let the murderers stand a 
trial. They were acquitted upon some technicality. 
The trial, however, pacified the Indians, and no 
trouble came from the unwarranted and unfortu- 
nate circumstance, and no check in the emigration 
or prosperity of the colony occurred."* 

As soon as an effective settlement had been es- 
tablished at Youngstown, others were made in the 
surrounding country. One of these was begun by 
William Fenton in 1798, on the site of the pres- 
ent town of Warren, in Trumbull County. He 
remained here alone one year, when he was joined 
by Capt. Ephraim Quimby. By the last of Sep- 
tember, the next year, the colony had increased to 
sixteen, and from that date on continued prosper- 
ously. Once or twice they stood in fear of the 
Indians, as the result of quarrels induced by 
whisky. Sagacious persons generally saved any 
serious outbreak and pacified the nativ^es. Mr. 
Badger, the first missionary on the Reserve, came 
to the settlement here and on the Mahoning, as 
soon as each was made, and, by his earnest labors, 
succeeded in forming churches and schools at an 
early day. He was one of the most efficient men 
on the Reserve, and throughout his long and busy 
life, was well known and greatly respected. He 
died in 1846, aged eighty-nine years. 

The settlements given are about all that were 
made before the close of 1797. In following the 
narrative of these settlements, attention is paid to 
the chronological order, as far as this can be done. 
Like those settlements already made, many which 



* Recollections of Col. Hillman. — Howe's Annali. 



are given as occurring in the next year, 1798, 
were actually begun earlier, but were only tem- 
porary preparations, and were not considered as 
made until the next year. 

Turning again to the southern portion of Ohio, 
■the Scioto, Muskingum and Miami Valleys come 
prominently into notice. Throughout the entire 
Eastern States they were still attracting attention, 
and an increased emigration, busily occupying their 
verdant fields, was the result. All about Chilli- 
cothe was now well settled, and, up the banks of 
that stream, prospectors were selecting sites for 
their future homes. 

In 1797, Robert Armstrong, George Skidmore, 
Lucas Sullivant, William Domigan, James Mar- 
shall, John Dill, Jacob Grubb, Jacob Overdier, 
Arthur O'Hara, John Brickell, Col. Culbertson, 
the Deardorfs, McElvains, Selles and others, came 
to what is now Franklin County, and, in Augu,vt, 
Mr. Sullivant and some others laid out the tow/ of 
Franklinton, on the west bank of the Scioto, oppo- 
site the site of Columbus. The country about this 
locality had long been the residence of the Wyan- 
dots, who had a large town on the city's site, and 
cultivated extensive fields of corn on the river bot- 
toms. The locality had been visited by the whites 
as early as 1780, in some of their expeditions, and 
the fertility of the land noticed. As soon as peace 
was assured, the whites came and began a settle- 
ment, as has been noted. Soon after Franklinton 
was established, a Mr. Springer and his son-in-law, 
Osborn, settled on the Big Darby, and, in the sum- 
mer of 1798, a scattering settlement was made on 
Alum Creek. About the same time settlers came 
to the mouth of the Gahannah, and along othi^r 
water-courses. Franklinton was the point to which 
emigrants came, and from which they always made 
their permanent location. For several years there 
was no mill, nor any such commodity, nearer than 
Chillicothe. A hand-mill was constructed in 
Franklinton, which was commonly used, unless the 
settlers made a trip to Chillicothe in a canoe. 
Next, a horse-mill was tried ; but not till 1805, 
when Col. Kilbourne built a mill at Worthington, 
settled in 1803, could any efficient grinding be 
done. In 1789, a small store was opened in Frank- 
linton, by James Scott, but, for seven or eight 
years, Chillicothe was the nearest post office. 
Often, when the neighbors wanted mail, one of 
their number was furnished money to pay the 
postage on any letters that might be waiting, and 
sent for the mail. At first, as in all new localities, 
a great deal of sickness, fever and ague, prevailed. 



-^ 



HISTOKY or OHIO. 



113 



As the peopk became acclimated, this, however, 
disappeared. 

The township of Sharon in this county has a 
liistory similar to that of Granville Township in 
Licking' County. It was settled by a " Scioto 
Company," Ibrmed in Granby, Conn., in the winter 
of 1801-02, consisting at first of eight associates. 
They drew up articles of association, among which 
was one limiting their number to forty, each of 
whom must be unanimously chosen by ballot, a 
single negative being sufficient to prevent an election. 
Col. James Kilbourne was sent out the succeeding 
spring to explore the country and select and pur- 
chase a township for settlement. He returned in 
the fall without making any purchase, through 
ffear that the State Constitution, then about to be 
/ foymed, would tolerate slavery, in which case the 
' prOiject would have been abandoned. While on 
this 'visit, Col. Kilbourne compiled from a variety 
of so>urces the first map made of Ohio. Although 
much of it was conjectured, and hence inaccurate, 
it was very valuable, being correct as far as the 
State was then known. 

"As soon as information was received that the 
con.stitutiou of Ohio prohibited slavery, Col. Kil- 
bourne purchased the township he had previously 
Selected, within the United States military land 
district, and, in the spring of 1803, returned to 
Ohio, and began improvements. By the succeed- 
ing December, one hundred settlers, mainly from 
Hartford County, Conn., and Hampshire County, 
Mass., arrived at their new home. Obeying to the 
letter the agreement made in the East, the first 
cabin erected was used for a schoolhouse and a 
church of the Protestant Episcopal denomination ; 
the first Sabbath after the arrival of the colony, 
divine service was held therein, and on the arrival 
of the eleventh family a school was opened. This 
early attention to education and religion has left 
its favorable impress upon the people until this day. 
The first 4th of July was uniquely and appropri- 
ately celebrated. Seventeen gigantic trees, em- 
blematical of the seventeen States forming the 
Union, were cut, so that a few blows of the ax, at 
sunrise on the 4th, prostrated each successively 
with a tremendous crash, forming a national salute 
novel in the world's history."* 

The growth of this part of Ohio continued 
without interruption until the establishment of the 
State capital at Columbus, in 1816. The town was 
laid out in 1812, but, as that date is considered re- 



♦Howe's Collections. 



mote in the early American settlements, its history 
will be left to succeeding pages, and there traced 
when the history of the State capital and State 
government is given. 

The site of Zanesville, in Muskingum County, 
was early looked upon as an excellent place to form 
a settlement, and, had not hostilities opened in 
1791, with the Indians, the place would have been 
one of the earliest settled in Ohio. ' As it was, the 
war so disarranged matters, that it was not till 
1797 that a permanent settlement was efi'ected. 

The Muskingum country was principally occu- 
pied, in aboriginal times, by the Wyaudots, Dela- 
wares, and a few Senecas and Shawanees. An In- 
dian town once stood, years before the settlement 
of the country, in the vicinity of Duncan's Falls, 
in Muskingum County, from which circumstance 
the place is often called "Old Town." Near Dres- 
den, was a large Shawanee town, called Wakato- 
maca. The graveyard was quite large, and, when 
the whites first settled here, remains of the town 
were abundant. It was in this vicinity that the 
venerable Maj. Cass, father of Lewis Cass, lived 
and died. He owned 4,000 acres, given him for 
his military services. 

The first settlers on the site of Zanesville were 
William McCulloh and Henry Crooks. The lo- 
cality was given to Ebenezer Zane, who had been 
allowed three sections of land on the Scioto, Mus- 
kingum and Hockhocking, wherever the road 
crossed these rivers, provided other prior claims 
did not interfere, for opening "Zane's trace." 
When he located the road across the Muskingum, 
he selected the place where Zanesville now stands, 
being attracted there by the excellent water privi- 
leges. He gave the section of land here to his 
brother Jonathan Zane, and J. Mclntire, who 
leased the ferry, established on the road over the 
Muskingum, to William McCulloh and Henry 
Crooks, who became thereby the first settlers. The 
ferry was kept about where the old upper bridge 
was afterward placed. The ferry-boat was made 
by fastening two canoes together with a stick. 
Soon after a flat-boat was used. It was brought 
from Wheeling, by Mr. Mclntire, in 1779, the 
year after the ferry was established. The road cut 
out through Ohio, ran fi-om Wheeling, Ya., to 
Maysville, Ky. Over this road the mail was car- 
ried, and, in 1798, the first mail ever carried 
wholly in Ohio was brought up from Marietta to 
McCulloh's cabin by Daniel Convers, where, by 
arrangement of the Postmaster General, it met 
a mail from Wheeling and one from Maysville. 



:^ 



114 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



McCulloh, who could hardly read, was authorized 
to assort the mails and send each package in its 
proper • direction. For this service he received 
$r>0 per annum ; but owing to his inability to read 
well, Mr. Convers generally performed the duty. 
At that time, the mails met here once a week. 
Four years after, the settlement had so increased 
that a regular post office was opened, and Thomas 
Dowden appointed Postmaster. He kept his office 
in a wooden building near the river bank. 

Messrs. Zane and Mclntire laid out a town in 
1799, which they called Westbourn. When the 
post office was established, it was named Zanesville, 
and in a short time the village took the same name. 
A few families settled on the west side of the river, 
soon after McCulloh arrived, and as this locality 
grew well, not long after a store and tavern was 
opened here. Mr. Mclntire built a double log 
cabin, which was used as a hotel, and in which 
Louis Philippe, King of France, was once enter- 
tained. Although the fare and accommodations 
were of the pioneer period, the honorable guestseems 
to have enjoyed his visit, if the statements of Lewis 
Cass in his " Camp and Court of Louis Philippe" 
may be believed. 

In 1804, Muskingum County was formed by the 
Legislature, and, for a while, strenuous efforts made 
to secure the State capital by the citizens of Zanes- 
ville. They even erected buildings for the use of 
the Legislature and Grovernor, and during the ses- 
sions of 1810—11, the temporary seat of govern- 
ment was fixed here. When the permanent State 
capital was chosen in 181G, Zanesville was passed 
by, and gave up the hope. It is now one of the 
most enterprising towns in the Muskingum Valley. 

During the summer of 1797, John Knoop, then 
living four miles above Cincinnati, made several 
expeditions up the Miami Valley and selected the 
land on which he afterward located. The next 
spring Mr. Knoop, his brother Benjamin, Henry 
(jrarard, Benjamin Hamlet and John Tildus estab- 
lished a station in what is now Miami County, near 
the present town of Staunton Village. That sum- 
mer, Mrs. Knoop planted the first apple-tree in 
the Miami * country. They all lived together for 
greater safety for two years, during which time 
they were occupied clearing their farms and erect- 
ing dwellings. During the summer, th<^ site of 
Piqua was settled, and three young men located at a 
place known as " Freeman's Prairie." Those who 



* The word Miami in the Indian tongue signified mother. The 
Miamia were the original owners of the valley by that name, and 
affirmed they were created there. 



settled at Piqua were Samuel Hilliard, Job Garard, 
Shadrac Hudson, Jonah Rollins, Daniel Cox, 
Thomas Rich, and a Mr. Hunter. The last named 
came to the site of Piqua first in 1797, and 
selected his home. Until 1799, these named were 
the only ones in this locality ; but that year emi- 
gration set in, and very shortly occupied almost all 
the bottom laud in Miami County. With the 
increase of emigration, came the comforts of life, 
and mills, stores and other necessary aids to civil- 
ization, were ere long to be seen. 

The site of Piqua is quite historic, being the 
theater of many important Indian occurrences, 
and the old home of the Shawanees, of which 
tribe Tecumseh was a chief. During the Indian 
war, a fort called Fort Piqua was built, near the 
residence of Col. John Johnston, so long the faitl^ i- 
ful Indian Agent. The fort was abandoned at tjie 
close of hostilities. n 

When the Miami Canal was opened through; this 
part of the State, the country began rapiiU'J to 
improve, and is now probably one of the besjt por- 
tions of Ohio. ^ 

About the same time the Miami was settf^*^, a 
company of people fi-om Pennsylvania and * ir- 
ginia, who were principally of German and Ii^ish 
descent, located in Lawrence County, near the irorl 
region. As soon as that ore was made available, 
that part of the State rapidly filled with settlers, 
most of whom engaged in the mining and working 
of iron ore. Now it is very prosperous. 

Another settlement was made the same sea.son, 
1797, on the Ohio side of the river, in Columbia 
County. The settlement progressed slowly for a 
while, owing to a few difficulties with the Indians. 
The celebrated Adam Poe had been here as early 
as 1782, and several localities are made locally 
famous by his and his brother's adventures. 

In this county, on Little Beaver Creek, near its 
mouth, the second paper-mill west of the Alle- 
ghanies was erected in 1805-6. It was the pioneer 
enterprise of the kind in Ohio, and was named the 
Ohio Paper-Mill. Its proprietors were John 
Bever and John Coulter. 

One of the most noted localities in the State is 
comprised in Greene County. The Shawanee 
town, " Old Chillicothe," was on the Little Miami, 
in this county, about three miles north of the site 
of Xenia. This old Indian town was, in the an- 
nals of the West, a noted place, and is frequently 
noticed. It is first mentioned in 1773, by Capt. 
Thomas Bullitt, of Virginia, who boldly advanced 
alone into the town and obtained the consent of 



"^ a r- 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



115 



the Indians to o-o on to Kentucky and make his 
settlement at the fa'i« of the Ohio. His audacious 
bravery o-aiued hi^ request. Daniel Boone was 
taken prfsoner e^i'ly in 1778, with twenty-seven 
others and ke]^ for a time at Old Chillicothe. 
Thnau'-h the nfluence of the British Governor, 
Hamilton, wh> liad taken a great fancy to Boone, 
he Jad ten o-^ers were sent to Detroit. The In- 
dians*, however, had an equal fancy for the brave 
iroiitiersma i, and took him back to Chillicothe, 
and adopt/^d him into their tribe. About the 1st 
, of June le escaped from them, and made his way 
back to Kentucky, in time to prevent a universal 
assacre of the whites. In July, 1779, the town 
destroyed by Col. John Bowman and one 
ndred ;iud sixty Kentuckians, and the Indians 

7. 

J^'^lie Americans made a permanent settlement in 
•ounty in 1797 or 1798. This latter year, a 
^^ -iS erected in the confines of the county. 



us 
liU 



implies the settlement was made a short 
^reviouslv. A short distance east of the 



which 

time pleviouily. A 

mill tw(^ block -houses were erected, and it was in- 
tended,) .should it bect)me necessary, to surround 
them md the mill with pickets. The mill was 
used ty the settlers at " Dutch Station," in Miami 
County, fully thirty miles distant. The richness 
of the coiiQtry in this part of the State attracted a 
great, number of settlers, so that by 1803 the 
county ^as established, and Xenialaid out, and des- 
ignate! as the county seat. Its first court house, 
a I'Miitive log structure, was long preserved as a 
curikity. It would indeed be a curiosity now. 
. _ ZaVe's trace, passing from Wheeling to Mays- 
Ville, ^ossed the Hockhocking* River, in Fairfield 
l^unty, where Lancaster is now built. Mr. Zane 
loii^ted one of his three sections on this river, 
covei"S the site of Zanesville. Following this 
trace iu^-^^^' ^^*"y individuals noted the desira- 
bleness of"^^ locality, some of whom determined 
to return ant^®^*^'^- " "^^^^ ^^^^ *^f ^^^ ^'i^J had 
in former times^^^° ^^^ ^^me of the Wyandots, 
who had a to/ }^^^'^^ ^^^t, in 1790, contained 
over 500 wio-w^'* ^^^'^ more than one l,0(iO souls. 
Their town y called Tarhee, or, in English, the 
Crane-toicii/ -^ derived its name from the princi- 

s T},e ^y^ji-jOock-hock-ing in the DeJaware language signifies 

#ha\vanee8 liave it Wea-tha-kagh-qua sepe, ie ; bottle 

k^hite in the Amorican Pionper Bays: "About seven 

-stnf Lancaster, there is a fall In the Hockhocking of 

feet. Above the fall for a short distance, the creek 

mw and straight forming a neck, while at the falls it 

idens on eacli side and swells into the appearance of the 

ottle. The whole, when seen from aliove, appears exactly 

shape of a bottle, and from this fact the Indians called the 

:k-hock-ing.'' — Howti's Collections. 




pal chief of that tribe. Another portion of the 
tribe then lived at Toby-town, nine miles west of 
Tarhe-town (now Royaltown), and was governed 
by an inferior chief called Toby. The chief's wig- 
wam in Tarhe stood on the bank of the prairie, 
near a beautiful and abundant spring of water, 
whose outlet was the river. The wigwams of the 
Indians were built of the bark of trees, set on 
poles, in the form of a sugar camp, with one square 
open, fronting a fire, and about the height of a 
man. The Wyandot tribe that day numbered 
about 500 warriors. By the treaty of Greenville, 
they ceded all their territory, and the majority, un- 
der their chief, removed to Upper Sandusky. The 
remainder lingered awhile, loath to leave the home 
of their ancestors, but as game became scarce, they, 
too, left for better hunting-grounds."* 

In April, 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold, 
enterprising man, settled on Zane's trace, on the 
bank of the prairie, west of the crossings, at a 
place since known as "Hunter's settlement." For 
a time, he had no neighbors nearer than the set- 
tlers on the Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. He 
lived to see the country he had found a wilderness, 
full of the homes of industry. His wife was the 
first white woman that settled in the valley, and 
shared with him all the privations of a pioneer 
life. 

Mr. Hunter had not been long in the valley till 
he was joined by Nathaniel Wilson, John and Al- 
len Green, John and Joseph McMullen, Robert 
Cooper, Isaac Shaefer, and a few others, who 
erected cabins and planted corn. The next year, 
the tide of emigration came in with great force. 
In the spring, two settlements were made in Green- 
field Township, each settlement containing twenty 
or more families. One was called the Forks of 
the Hockhocking, the other, Yankeetown. Set- 
tlements were also made along the river below 
Hunter's, on Rush Creek, Raccoon and Indian 
Creeks, Ple;isant Run, Felter's Run, at Tobeytown, 
Muddy Prairie, and on Clear Creek. In the fiill, 
— 1799 — Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith, 
built a log grist-mill at the Upper Falls of the 
Hockhocking, afterward known as Rock Mill. 
This was the first mill on this river. In the latter 
part of the year, a mail route was established over 
the trace. The mail was carried through on horse- 
back, and, in the settlements in this locality, was 
left at the cabin of Samuel Coates, who lived on 
the prairie at the crossings of the river. 

*Lecture of George Anderson. — Howe's Collections. 



116 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Ill the fall of the next year, Ebenezer Zane laid 
out Lancaster, which, until 1805, was known as 
Ntiw Lancaster. The lots sold very rapidly, at 
$*9 tiiich, and, in less than one year, quite a vil- 
lage apj)eared. December 9, the Governor and 
Jud<>;(\s of the Northwest Territory organized 
Fairfield County, and made Lancaster the county 
seat. The next year. Rev. John Wright, of the 
Presbyterian Church, and Revs. Asa Shinn and 
James Quiiin, of the Methodist Church, came, and 
from that time on schools and churches were main- 
tained. 

Not far from Lancaster are immense mural es- 
carpments of sandstone formation. They were 
noted among the aborigines, and were, probably, 
used by them as places of outlook and defense. 

The same summer Fairfield County was settled, 
the towns of Bethel and Williamsburg, in Cler- 
mont County, were .settled and laid out, and in 
1800, the county was erected. 

A settlement was also made immediately south 
of Fairfield County, in Hocking County, by Chris- 
tian Westenhaver, a German, from near Hagers- 
town, Md. He came in the spring of 1798, and 
was soon joined by several families, who formed 
quite a settlement. The territory included in the 
county remained a part of Ross, Holmes, Athens 
and Fairfield, until 1818, when Hocking County 
was erected, and Logan, which had been laid out 
in 1816, was made the county seat. 

The country comprised in the county is rather 
broken, especially along the Hockhocking River. 
This brokcm country was a favorite resort of the 
Wyandot Indians, who could easily hide in the 
numerous grottoes and ravines made by the river 
and its uIHuents as the water cut its way through 
the sandstone rocks. 

In 1798, soon after Zane's trace was cut through 
the country, a Mr. Graham located on the site of 
Cambridge, in Guernsey County. His was then 
the only dwelling between Wheeling and Zanes- 
ville, on the trace. He remained here alone about 
two years, when he was succeeded by George Bey- 
mer, fi-om Somerset, Penn. Both these persons 
kept a tavern and ferry over Will's Creek. In 
April, 1803, Mr. Beymer was succeeded by John 
Beatty, who came from Loudon, Va. His fiimily 
consisted of eleven persons. The Indians hunted 
in this vicinity, and were frequent visitors at the 
tavern. In June, 1806, Cambridge was laid out, 
and on the day the lots were offered for sale, sev- 
eral families from the British Isle of Guernsey, 
near the coast of France, stopped here on their 



way to the West. They wfe. ■ n ^ ^^. \. 
location and purchased many oitf^f^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 
land in the vicinity. They werSf" '^^^sf"^ fT 
other flimilies from the same pla^"" ;*"7^^^ ^'y 
settling in this locality gave the nam\ ^' V ^ '"^ 
when it was erected in 1810. V ^^^ ^^unty 

A settlement was made in the centil 
State, on Darby Creek, in Union Co\P^^^"* '^f^ 
summer of 1798, by James and JosF^' J,° ."'^^ 
The next year, they were joined by S^^ i^^*^^' 
David Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Jr:"'Jf' ^^'^ 
Kirkpatrick and Samuel McCullough,and, ^^'^^ 
by George and Samuel Reed, Robert S"^ , ' 
and Pau! Hodgson. ' Vdgrass 

"James Ewing's farm was the site oi 
cient and noted Mingo, town, which was _. " 

at the time the Mingo towns, in what is novy Xo^ 
County, were destroyed by Gen. Logan, of K^'^] 
tucky, in 1786. When Mr. Ewing took pc-^ss 
sion of his farm, the cabins were still stf'^^dii, 
and, among others, the remains of a blaclp™Jtl,\ 
shop, with coal, cinders, iron-dross, etc. JfJnathax 
Alden, formerly a prisoner among the indians,V 
says the shop was carried on by a renegadt'* white 
man, named Butler, who lived among the Mingoes. 
Extensive fields had formerly been cil^^^'^^^^d in 
the vicinity of the town."* 

Soon after the settlement was establi?'^^"' Col. 
James Curry located here. He was quite ^i' influ- 
ential man, and, in 1820, succeeded in get*;^'J.y' the 
county formed from portions of Delaware, ^I'^nk- 
lin, Madison and Logan, and a part of the oU In- 
dian Territory. Marysville was made the cjunty 
seat. 

During the year 1789, a fort, called For/ Steu- 
ben, was built on the site of Steuben ville, but w/ 
dismantled at the conclusion of hostilities in I'i^j- 
Three years after. Bezaleel Williams and ^ 
James Ross, for whom Ross County w;""' ■,' 
located the town of Steubenville alu'-'T'^ , i , ,' 

fort, and, by liberal oflFers of lots, - ,, , , 

. ' ' -^ , f. ...1 T '^oon attracted 

quite a number oi settlers. Ln^, qak xi j. 
1 . ^ J ] ,, 1 /■ IbOo, the town 

was incorporated, and then h:^^ „ , . . „ 

, , ^ , J ' Ti-'~: a population of 

several hundred persons. iJeflf^u.,,,^ (5^^^^ ^^^ 

created by Gov. St. CI^at, July 29^797 thevear 

before Steubenville was laid out. Ii hen' included 

the large scope of country west of I nnsylvania • 

east and north of a line from the mv,ith of the 

Cuyahoga; southwardly to the Muskii..um and 

east to the (/Jo ; including, in its territu-ies' the 

cities of g^VeJand, Canton, Steubenville ai.1 War 




#' 




^^^^^Uc^^^JiJco 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



119 



ren. Only a short time, however, was it allowed 
to retain this size, as the increase in emigration 
rendered it necessary to erect new counties, which 
was rapidly done, especially on the adoption of the 
State government. 

The county is rich in early history, prior to its 
settlement by the Americans. It was the home of 
the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan, who resided 
awhile at an old Mingo town, a few miles below the 
site of Steubenville, the place where the troops 
under Col. Williamson rendezvoused on their in- 
famous raid against the Moravian Indians ; and 
also where Col. Crawford and his men met, when 
starting on their unfortunate expedition. 

In the Reserve, settlements were often made 
remote from populous localities, in accordance with 
the wish of a proprietor, who might own a tract of 
country twenty or thirty miles in the interior. In 
the present county of Geauga, three families located 
at Burton in 1798. They lived at a considerable 
distance from any other settlement for some time, 
and were greatly inconvenienced for the want of 
mills or shops. As time progressed, however, 
these were brought nearer, or built in their midst, 
and, ere long, almost all parts of the Reserve could 
show some settlement, even if isolated. 

The next year, 1799, settlements were made at 
Ravenna, Deerfield and Palmyra, in Portage 
County. Hon. Benjamin Tappan came to the site 
of Ravenna in June, at which time he found one 
white man, a Mr. Honey, living there. At this date, 
a solitary log cabin occupied the sites of Buffalo and 
Cleveland. On his journey from New England, 
Mr. Tappan fell in with David Hudson, the founder 
of the Hudson settlement in Summit County. 
After many days of travel, they landed at a prairie in 
Summit County. Mr. Tappan left his goods in a 
cabin, built for the purpose, under the care of a hired 
man, and went on his way, cutting a road to the 
site of Ravenna, where his land lay. On his return 
for a second load of goods, they found the cabin 
deserted, and evidences of its plunder by the In- 
dians. Not long after, it was learned that the man 
left in charge had gone to Mr. Hudson's settle- 
ment, he having set out immediately on his arrival, 
for his own land. ]Mr. Tappan gathered the re- 
mainder of his goods, and started back for Ravenna. 
On his way one of his oxen died, and he found 
himself in a vast forest, away from any habitation, 
and with one dollar in money. He did not falter 
a moment, but sent his hired man, a faithftil fellow, 
to Erie, Penn., a distance of one hundred miles 
through the wilderness, with the compass for his 



guide, requesting from Capt. Lyman, the com- 
mander at the fort there, a loan of money. At 
the same time, he followed the township lines to 
Youugstown, where he became acquainted with 
Col. James Hillman, who did not hesitate to sell 
him an ox on credit, at a fair price. He returned 
to his load in a few days, found his ox all right, 
hitched the two together and went on. He was 
soon joined by his hired man, with the money, and 
together they spent the winter in a log cabin. He 
gave his man one hundred acres of land as a reward, 
and paid Col. Hillman for the ox. In a year or 
two he had a prosperous settlement, and when the 
county was erected in 1807, Ravenna was made 
the seat of justice. 

About the same time Mr. Tappan began his 
settlement, others were commenced in other locali- 
ties in this county. Early in May, 1799, Lewis 
Day and his son Horatio, of Granby, Conn., and 
Moses Tibbals and Green Frost, of Granville, 
Mass., left their homes in a one-horse wagon, and, 
the 29th of May, arrived in what is now Deerfield 
Township. Theirs was the first wagon that had 
ever penetrated farther westward in this region 
than Canfield. The country west of that place 
had been an unbroken wilderness until within a 
few days. Capt. Caleb Atwater, of Wallingford, 
Conn., had hired some men to open a road to 
Township No. 1, in the Seventh Range, of which 
he was the owner. This road passed through 
Deerfield, and was completed to that place when 
the party arrived at the point of their destination. 
These emigrants selected sites, and commenced 
clearing the land. In July, Lewis Ely arrived 
from Granville, and wintered here, while those 
who came first, and had made their improvements, 
returned East. The 4th of March, 1800, Alva 
Day (son of Lewis Day), John Campbell and 
Joel Thrall arrived. In April, George and Rob- 
ert Taylor and James Laughlin, from Pennsylvania, 
with their families, came. Mr. Laughlin built a 
grist-mill, which was of great convenience to the 
settlers. July 29, Lewis Day returned with 
his family and his brother-in-law, Maj. Rogers, 
who, the next year, also brought his family. 

" Much suflPering was experienced at first on 
account of the scarcity of provisions. They were 
chiefly supplied from the settlements east of the 
Ohio River, the nearest of which was Georgetown, 
forty miles away. The provisions were brought 
on pack-horses through the wilderness. August 
22, Mrs. Alva Day gave birth to a child — a fe- 
male — the first child born in the township. 



^- 



1^ 



120 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



November 7, tlie first wedding took place. John 
Campbell and Sarah Ely were joined in wedlock 
by Calvin Austin, Es(j[., of Warren. He was 
accompanied from Warren, a distance of twenty- 
seven miles, by Mr. Pease, then a lawyer, after- 
ward a well-known Judge. They came on foot, 
there being no road; and, as they threaded their 
way through the woods, young Pease taught the 
Justice the marriage ceremony by oft repetition. 

" In 1802, Franklin Township was organized, em- 
bracing all of Portage and parts of Trumbull and 
Summit Counties. About this time the settlement 
received accessions from all parts of the East. In 
February, 1801, Rev. Badger came and began his 
labors, and two years later Dr. Shadrac Bostwick 
organized a Methodist Episcopal church.* The 
remaining settlement in this county. Palmyra, was 
begun about the same time as the others, by David 
Daniels, from Salisbury, Conn. The next year he 
brought out his family. Soon after he was joined 
by E. N. and W. Bacon, E. Cutler, A. Thurber, 
A. Preston, N. Bois, J. T. Baldwin, T. and C. 
Gilbert, D. A. and S. Waller, N. Smith, Joseph 
Fisher, J. Tuttle and others. 

" When this rogion was first settled, there was 
an Indian trail commencing at Fort Mcintosh 
(Beaver, Penn. ), and extending westward to San- 
dusky and Detroit. The trail followed the highest 
ground. Along the trail, parties of Indians were 
frequently seen passing, for several years after the 
whites came. It seemed to be th 3 groat aboriginal 
thoroughfare from Sandusky to the Ohio River. 
There were several large piles of stones on the 
trail in this locality, under which human skeletons 
have been discovered. These are supposed to be 
the remains of Indians slain in war, or murdered 
by their enemies, as tradition says it is an Indian 
custom for each one to cast a stone on the grave 
of an enemy, whenever he passjs by. These stones 
appear to have been picked up_ along the trail, and 
cast upon the heaps at different times. 

"At the point where this trail crosses Silver 
Creek, Fredrick Daniels and others, in 1814, dis- 
covered, painted on several trees, various devices, 
evidently the work of Indians. The bark was 
carefully shaved off" two-thirds of the way around, 
and figures cut upon the wood. On one of these 
was delineated seven Indians, equipped in a par- 
ticular manner, one of whom was without a head. 
This was supposed to have been made by a party 
on their return westward, to jiive intelligence to 



■ Uowe'B Collections. 



their friends behind, of the loss of one of their 
party at this plac'e ; and, on making "search, a hu- 
man skeleton was discovered near by." * 

The celebrated Indian hunter, Brady, made his 
remarkable leap across the Cuyahoga, in this 
county. The county also contains Brady's Pond, 
a large sheet of water, in which he once made his 
escape from the Indians, from which circumstance 
it received its name. 

The locality comprised in Clark County was 
settled the same summer as those in Summit County. 
John Humphries came to this part of the State 
with Gen. Simon Kenton, in 1799. With them 
came six families from Kentucky, who settled 
north of the site of Springfield. A fort was 
erected on Mad River, for security against the In- 
dians. Fourteen cabins were soon built near it, 
all being surrounded by a strong picket fence. 
David Lowery, one of the pioneers here, built the 
first flat-boat, to operate on the Great Miami, and, 
in 1800, made the first trip on that river, coming 
down from Dayton. He took his boat and cargo 
on down to New Orleans, where he disposed of his 
load of " five hundred venison hams and bacon." 

Springfield was laid out in March, ISOl. Griffith 
Foos, who came that spring, built a tavern, which 
he completed and opened .in June, remaining in 
this place till 181-4. He often stated that when 
emigrating West, his party were four days and a 
half getting from Franklinton, on the Scioto, to 
Springfield, a distance of forty -two miles. When 
crossing the Big Darby, they were obliged to caiTy 
all their goods over on horseback, and then drag 
their wagons across with ropes, while some of the 
])arty swam by the side of the wagon, to prevent 
its upsetting. The site of the town was of such 
practical beauty and utility, that it soon attracted 
a large number of settlers, and, in a few years, 
Springfield was incorporated. In 1811, a church 
was built by the residents for the use of all denom- 
inations. 

Clark County is made famous in aboriginal 
history, as the birthplace and childhood home of 
the noted Indian, Tecumseh.f He was born in 



* Howe's Collections. 

f Tecumseli, or Tecurashe, was a son of Puckeshinwa, a member 
of tlie Kiscopoke tribe, and Methoataske, of the Turtle tribe of the 
Shawaiiee nation. They removed from Floricia to Ohio soon after 
their ni;irriage. The father, Puckesliinwa, rose to the rank of a thief, 
and fell at tt'e battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774. After his deatli, 
the mother, Methdata ke, returned to the south, where she died at 
an advanced age. Tecum eh was born about the year 1768. He 
early showed a passion for war, and, when only 27 years of age, was 
made a chief. The next year he removed to Deer f'reck, in the 
vicinity of Urbana, and from there to the site of Piqua, on the 
Great Miami. In 17il8 h'l accepte<l the invitation of the Delawares 
in the vicinity of White River, Indiana, and from that time made 




tiie old Indian town of Piqua, the ancient Piqua 
of the Shawanees, on the north side of Mad River, 
about five miles west of Springfield. The town 
was destroyed by the Kentucky Rangers under 
Gen. George Rogers Clarke in 1780, at the same 
time he destroyed " Old Chillicothe." Immense 
fields of standing corn about both towns were cut 
down, compelling the Indians to resort to the hunt 
with more than ordinary vigor, to sustain them- 
selves and their wives and children. This search 
insured safety for some time on the borders. The 
site of Cadiz, in Harrison County, was settled in 
April, 1799, by Alexander Henderson and his 
family, from Washington County, Penn. When 
they amved, they found neighbors in the persons 
of Daniel Peterson and his family, who lived near 
the forks of Short Creek, and who had preceded 
them but a very short time. The next year, emi- 
grants began to cross the Ohio in great numbers, 
and in five or six years large settlements could be 
seen in this part of the State. The county was 
erected in 1814, and Cadiz, laid out in 1803, made 
the county seat. 

While the settlers were locating in and about 
Cadiz, a few families came to what is now Monroe 
County, and settled near the present town of 
Beallsville. Shortly after, a few persons settled on 
the Clear Fork of the Little IMuskingum, and a 
few others on the east fork of Duck Creek. The 



next season all these settlements received addi- 
tions and a few other localities were also occupied. 
Before long the town of Beallsville was laid 
out, and in time became quite populous. The 
county was not erected until 1813, and in 1815 
Woodsfield was laid out and made the seat of 
justice. 

The opening of the season of 1800 — the dawn 
of a new century — saw a vast emigTation west 
ward. Old settlements in Ohio received immense 
increase of emigrants, while, branching out in all 
directions like the rndii of a circle, other settle- 
ments were constantly formed until, in a few years, 
all parts of the State knew the presence of the 
white man. 

Towns sprang into existence here and there ; 
mills and factories were erected; post oflBces and 
post-routes were established, and the comforts and 
conveniences of life began to appear. 

With this came the desire, so potent to the mind 
of all American citizens, to rule themselves through 
representatives chosen by their own votes. Hith- 
erto, they had been ruled by a Governor and Judges 
appointed by the President, who, in turn, appointed 
county and judicial ofl&cers. The arbitrary rulings 
of the Governor, St. Clair, had arrayed the mass 
of the people against him, and made the desire for 
the second grade of government stronger, and 
finally led to its creation. 



CHAPTER X. 



FORMATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT— OHIO A STATE— THE STATE CAPITALS— LEGIS- 
LATION— THE "SWEEPING RESOLUTIONS"— TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS. 



SETTLEMENTS increased so rapidly in that 
part of the Northwest Territory included in 
Ohio, during the decade from 1788 to 1798, 
despite the Indian war, that the demand for an 
election of a Territorial Assembly could not be 
ignored by Gov. St. Clair, who, having ascertained 
that 5,000 free males resided within the limits of 
the Territory, issued his proclamation October 29, 
1798, directing the electors to elect representatives 
to a General Assembly. He ordered the election 

his home with them. He was most active in the war of 1812 
against the Americans, and from the time he hepran his work to 
unite the tribes, his history is so closely ide:ititic(l therewith that 
the reader is referred to the history of that war in succeeding pages. 
It may notbe amiss to sav that all stones regarding the manner 
of his death are Considered erruneous. He was undoubtedly killed 
in the outset of the battle of the Thames In Canada in 1814, and his 
body secretly buried by the Indians. 



to be held on the third Monday in December, and 
directed the representatives to meet in Cincinnati 
January 22, 1799. 

On the day designated, the representatives * 
assembled at Cincinnati, nominated ten persons, 
whose names were sent to the President, who 
selected five to constitute the Legislative Council, 



* Those elected were : from Washington County, Return Jona- 
than Meigs and Paul Fearing; from Hamilton County, William 
Goforth, William McMillan, John Smith, John Ludlow, Robert 
Benham, Aaron Caldw-U and Isaac Martin; trora St. Clair County 
(Illinois"), Shiidrach Bond; from Knox County (Indiana), John 
Small; from Randolph County (Illinois), John Edgar; from Wayne 
County, So'omon Sibley, Jac.'b Visgar and Charles F. Chabart de 
Joncavie; from Adams County, Joseph Darlington and Nathaniel 
Massie; from Jefferson County, James Pritchard; from Ross County, 
Thomas Wo thingt^n, Elias Langhani,S»muel Findley and Edward 
Tiffin. The five gentlemen cliosi n as the Upper House were all 
from counties afterward included in Ohio. 



122 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



or Upper House. These five were Jacob Burnet, 
James Fiudley, Henry Vanderburgh, Robert 
Oliver and David Vance. On the od of March, 
the Senate confirmed their nomination, and the 
Territorial Government of Ohio* — or, more prop- 
erly, the Northwest — was complete. As this 
comprised the essential business of this body, it 
was prorogued by the Governor, and the Assembly 
directed to meet at the same place September 16, 
171*9, and proceed to the enactment of laws for 
the Territory. 

That day, the Territorial Legislature met again 
at Cincinnati, but, for want of a quorum, did not 
organize until the 24th. The House consisted of 
nineteen members, seven of whom were from Ham- 
ilton County, four from Ross, three from Wayne, 
two from Adams, one from Jeff"erson, one from 
Washington and one from Knox. Assembling 
both branches of the Legislature, Gov. St. Clair 
addressed them, recommending such measures to 
their consideration as, in his judgment, were suited 
to the condition of the country. The Council 
then organized, electing Henry Vanderburgh, Presi- 
dent ; William C. Schenck, Secretary; George 
Howard, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Ser- 
geant-at-arms. 

The House also organized, electing Edward Tif- 
fin, Speaker ; John Reilly, Clerk ; Joshua Row- 
land, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Sergeant- 
at-arms. 

This was the first legislature elected in the old 
Northwestern Territory. During its first session, 
it passed thirty bills, of which the Governor vetoed 
eleven. They also elected William Henry Harri- 
son, then Secretary of the Territory, delegate to 
Congress. The Legislature continued in session 
till December 19, having much to do in forming 
new laws, when they were prorogued by the Gov- 
ernor, until the first Monday in November, 1800. 
The second session was held in Chillicothe, which 
had been designated as the seat of government by 
Congress, until a permanent capital should be 
selected. 

May 7, 1800, Congress passed an act establish- 
ing Indiana Teri'itory, including all the country 
west of the Great Miami River to the Mississippi, 
and appointed William Henry Harrison its Gov- 
ernor. At the autumn session of the Legislature 

* Ohio never existed as a Territory proper. It was known, both 
before and atter tlie division of the Northwest Territory, as the 
"Territory northwest of the Ohio River." Still, as tlie country 
comprised in its limits was the principal theater of action, the short 
resume given here is made necessary in the logical course of events. 
Ohio, as Ohio, never existed until the creation of the State in 
March, 1803. 



of the eastern, or old part of the Territory, Will- 
iam McMillan and Paul Fearing were elected to 
the vacancies caused by this act. By the organ- 
ization of this Territory, the counties of Knox, St. 
Clair and Randolph, were taken out of the juris- 
diction of the old Territory, and with them the 
representatives, Henry Vandenburgh, Shadrach 
Bond, John Small and John Edgar. 

Before the time for the next Assembly came, a 
new election had occurred, and a few changes were 
the result. Robert Oliver, of Marietta, was cho- 
sen Speaker in the place of Henry Vanderburgh. 
There was considerable business at this session ; 
several new counties were to be erected ; the coun- 
try was rapidly tilling with people, and where the 
scruples of the Governor could be overcome, some 
organization was made. He was very tenacious of 
his power, and arbitrary in his rulings, affirming 
that he, alone, had the power to create new coun- 
ties. This dogmatic exercise of his veto power, 
his rights as ruler, and his defeat by the Indians, 
all tended against him, resulting in his displace- 
ment by the President. This was done, however, 
just at the time the Territory came from the second 
grade of government, and the State wa>; created. 

The third session of the Territorial Legislature 
continued from November 24, 1801, to January 
23, 1802, when it adjourned to meet in Cincin- 
nati, the fourth Monday in November, but 
owing to reasons made obvious by subsequent 
events, was never held, and the third session 
marks the decline of the Territorial government. 

April 30, 1802, Congress passed an act "to 
enable the people of the eastern division of the 
territory northwest of the Ohio River, to form a 
constitution and State government, and for the 
admission of such States into the Union on 
an equal footing with the original States, and for 
other purposes." In pursuance of this act, an 
election had been held in this part of the Tenitory, 
and members of a constitutional convention cho- 
sen, who were to meet at Chillicothe, November 
1, to perform the duty assigned them. 

The people throughout the country contemplat- 
ed in tlie new State were anxious for the adoption 
of a State government. The arbitrary acts of the 
Territorial Governor had heightened this feeling ; 
the census of the Territory gave it the lawful 
number of inhabitants, and nothing stood in its 
way. 

The convention met the day designated and 
proceeded at once to its duties. When the time 
arrived for the opening of the Fourth Territorial 



yz 



-\ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



123 



Legislature, the convention was in session and had 
evidently about completed its labors. The mem- 
bers of the Legislature (eight of whom were mem- 
bers of the convention^ seeing that a speedy 
termination of the Territorial government was inev- 
itable, wisely concluded it was inexpedient and 
unnecessary to hold the proposed session. 

The convention concluded its labors the 29th of 
November. The Constitution adopted at that time, 
though rather crude in some of its details, was an 
excellent organic instrument, and remained almost 
entire until 1851, when the present one was 
adopted. Either is too long for insertion here, 
but either will well pay a perusal. The one adopted 
by the convention in 18l>2 was never submitted 
to the people, owing to the circumstances of the 
times ; but it was submitted to Congress February 
19, 1803, and by that body accepted, and an act 
passed admitting Ohio to the Union. 

The Territorial government ended March 3, 
1803, by the organization, that day, of the State 
government, which organization defined the pres- 
ent limits of the State. 

" We, the people of tlie Eastern Division of the Ter- 
ritory of the United States. Northwest of the River 
Ohio, having the right of admission into the General 
Government as a member of the Union, consistent with 
the Constitution of the United States, the Ordinance 
of Congress of one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
seven, and of the law of Congress, entitled 'An act to 
enable the people of the Eastern Division of the Terri- 
tory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio, 
to form a Constitution and a State Government, and for 
the admission of such State into the Union on an equal 
footing with the original States, and for other purpo- 
ses ;' in order to establish Justice, promote the well- 
fare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves 
and our posterity, do ordain and establish the follow- 
ing Constitution or form of government; and do mu- 
tually agree with each other to form ourselves into a 
free and independent State, by the name of the State 
of Ohio.'"* — Preamble, Constitution of 1802. 

When the convention forming the Constitution, 
completed its labors and presented the results to 
Congress, and that body passed the act forming 

* The name of the State is derived from the river forming its 
siuthern lioumlaiy. Its origin is somewliat obscure, l>ut is com- 
monly ascrilied to the Indians. On this point. Col. Johnston says: 
" The Shawauoese called the Ohio River '■ KU-ke-pirla, Sepe, i. e., 'Eagle 
River.'' The Wyan lors were in the conntry generations before the 
ShawanoesB, and, consequently, their name of the river is the prim- 
itive one and should stand in preference to all others. Ohio may 
be called a'l improvement on the expression, '0-he-zuh' and was, no 
doubt, adopted by the early French voyagers in their boat-songs, 
and is substantially the same wor i as used by the Wyandots: the 
meaning applied by the French, fair and beautiful 'la belle river,^ 
being the same precisely as that meant by the Indians — 'great, 
grand and fair to look upon.' " — Howe's Collections. 

Webster's Dictionary gives the word as of Indian origin, and its 
meaning to be, " Beautiful." 



the State, the territory included therein was di- 
vided into nine counties, whose names and dates of 
erection were as follows: 

Washington, July 27, 1788; Hamilton, Janu- 
ary 2, 1790; (owing to the Indian war no other 
counties were erected till peace was restored); Ad- 
ams, July 10, 1797; Jefi"erson, July 29, 1797; 
Ross, August 20, 1798; Clermont, Fairfield and 
Trumbull, December 9, 1800; Belmont, Septem- 
ber 7, 1801. These counties were the thickest- 
settled part of the State, yet many other localities 
needed organization and were clamoring for it, but 
owing to St. Clair's views, he refused to grant 
their requests. One of the first acts on the as- 
sembling of the State Legislature, March 1, 1803, 
was the creation of seven new counties, viz., Gal- 
lia, Scioto, Greauga, Butler, Warren, Greene and 
Montgomery. 

Section Sixth of the "Schedule" of the Consti- 
tution required an election for the various officers 
and Representatives necessary under the new gov- 
ernment, to be held the second Tuesday of Janu- 
ary, 1803, these ofiicers to take their seats and as- 
sume their duties March 3. The Second Article 
provided for the regular elections, to be held on 
the second Tuesday of October, in each year. The 
Governor elected at first was to hold his office 
until the first regular election could be held, and 
thereafter to continue in ofiice two years. 

The January elections placed Edward Tiffin in 
the Governor's office, sent Jeremiah Morrow to 
Congress, and chose an Assembly, who met on the 
day designated, at Chillicothe. Michael Baldwin 
was chosen Speaker of the House, and Nathaniel 
Massie, of the Senate. The Assembly appointed 
William Creighton, Jr., Secretary of State ; Col. 
Thomas Gibson, Auditor ; William McFarland, 
Treasurer; Return J. Meigs, Jr., Samuel Hun- 
tington and William Sprigg, Judges of the Su- 
preme Court; Francis Dunlevy, Wyllys Silliman 
and Calvin Pease, President Judges of the First, 
Second and Third Districts, and Thomas Worth- 
ington and John Smith, United States Senators. 
Charles Willing Byrd was made the United States 
District Judge. 

The act of Congress forming the State, con- 
tained certain requisitions regarding public schools, 
the " salt springs," public lands, taxation of Gov- 
ernment lands, Symmes' purchase, etc., which the 
constitutional c(mvention agTeed to with a few 
minor considerations. These Congress accepted, 
and passed the act in accordance thereto. The 
First General Assembly found abundance of work 



iiJ 



1£ 



124 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



to do regarding these various items, and, at once, 
set themselves to tlifi task. Laws were passed re- 
garding all these ; new counties created ; officers 
appointed for the same, until they could be elected, 
and courts and machinery of government put in 
motion. President Judges and lawyers traveled 
their circuits holding courts, often in the open air 
or in a log shanty ; a constable doing duty as 
guard over a jury, probably seated on a log under 
a tree, or in the bushes. The President Judge in- 
structed the officers of new counties in their duties, 
and though the whole keeping of matters accorded 
with the times, an honest feeling generally pre- 
vailed, inducing each one to perform his part as 
eflPectually as his knowledge permitted. 

The State continually filled with people. New 
towns arose all over the country. Excepting the 
occasional sicknesses caused by the new climate and 
fresh soil, the general health of the people im- 
proved as time went on. They were fully in ac- 
cord with the President, Jefferson, and carefully 
nurtured those principles of personal liberty en- 
grafted in the fundamental law of 1787, and later, 
in the Constitution of the State. 

Little if any change occurred in the natural 
course of events, following the change of govez'n- 
ment until Burr's expedition and plan of secession 
in 1805 and 1806 appeared. What his plans 
were, have never been definitely ascertained. His 
action related more to' the General Government, 
yet Ohio was called upon to aid in putting down 
his insurrection — for such it was thought to be — 
and defeated his purposes, whatever they were. 
His plans ended only in ignominious defeat ; the 
breaking-up of one of the finest homes in the [ 
Western country, and the expulsion of himself and j 
all those who were actively engaged in his scheme, 
whatever its imports were. 

Again, for a period of four or five years, no 
exciting events occurred. Settlements continued ; 
mills and factories increased ; towns and cities 
grew ; counties were created ; trade enlarged, and 
naught save the common course of events trans- 
pired to mark the course of time. Other States 
were made from the old Northwest Territory, all 
parts of which were rapidly being occupied by 
settlers. The danger from Indian hostilities was 
little, and the adventurous whites were rapidly 
occupying their country. One thing, however, 
was yet a continual source of annoyance to the 
Americans, viz., the British interference with the 
Indians. Their traders did not scruple, nor fail 
on every opportunity, to aid these sons of the 



forest with arms and ammunition as occasion 
offered, endeavoring to stir them up against the 
Americans, until events here and on the high seas 
culminated in a declaration of hostilities, and the 
war of 1812 was the result. The deluded red 
men found then, as they found in 1795, that they 
were made tools by a stronger power, and dropped 
when the time came that they were no longer 
needed. 

Before the opening of hostilities occurred, how- 
ever, a series of acts passed the General Assembly, 
causing considerable excitement. These were the 
famous "Sweeping Resolutions," passed in 1810. 
For a few years prior to their passage, considera- 
ble discontent prevailed among many of the legis- 
lators regarding the rulings of the courts, and by 
many of these embryo law-makers, the legislative 
power was considered omnipotent. They could 
change existing laws and contracts did they desire 
to, thought many of them, even if such acts con- 
flicted with the State and National Constitutions. 
The " Sweeping Resolutions " were brought about 
mainly by the action of the judges in declaring 
that justices of the peace could, in the collection 
of debts, hold jurisdiction in amounts not exceed- 
ing fifty dollars without the aid of a jury. The 
Constitution of the United States gave the jury 
control in all such cases where the amount did not 
exceed twenty dollars. There was a direct con- 
tradiction against the organic law of the land — to 
which every other law and act is subversive, and 
when the judges declared the legislative act uncon- 
stitutional and hence null and void, the Legisla- 
ture became suddenly inflamed at their independ- 
ence, and proceeded at once to punish the admin- 
istrators of justice. The legislature was one of 
the worst that ever controlled the State, and was 
composed of many men who were not only igno- 
rant of common law, the necessities of a State, and 
the dignity and true import of their office, but 
were demagogues in every respect. Having the 
power to impeach officers, that body at once did 
so, having enough to carry a two-thirds majority, 
and removed several judges. Further maturing 
their plans, the " Sweepers," as they were known, 
construed the law appointing certain judges and 
civil officers for seven years, to mean seven years 
from the organization of the State, whether they 
had been officers that length of time or not. All 
officers, whether of new or old counties, were con- 
strued as included in the act, and, utterly ignoi'ing 
the Constitution, an act was passed in January, 
1810, removing every civil officer in the State. 



V k- 






(2_ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



125 



February 10, they proceeded to fill all these va- 
cant offices, from State officers down to the lowest 
county office, either by appointment or by ordering 
an election in the manner prescribed by law. 

The Constitution provided that the office of 
judges should continue for seven years, evidently 
seven years from the time they were elected, and 
not from the date of the admission of the State, 
which latter construction this headlong Legisla- 
ture had construed as the meaning. Many of the 
counties had been organized but a year or two, 
others three or four years ; hence an indescribable 
confusion arose as soon as the new set of officers 
were appointed or elected. The new order of 
things could not be made to work, and finally, so 
utterly impossible did the justness of the proceed- 
ings become, that it was dropped. The decisions 
of the courts were upheld, and the invidious doc- 
trine of supremacy in State legislation received 
such a check that it is not likely ever to be repeated. 

Another act of the Assembly, during this pe- 
riod, shows its construction. Congress had granted 
a township of land for the use of a university, and 
located the township in Symmes' purchase. This 
Assembly located the university on land outside 
of this purchase, ignoring the act of Congress, as 
they had done before, showing not only ignorance 
of the true scope of law, but a lack of respect un- 
becoming such bodies. 

The seat of government was also moved from 
Chillicothe to Zanesville, which vainly hoped to be 
made the permanent State capital, but the next 
session it was again taken to Chillicothe, and com- 
missioners appointed to locate a permanent capital 
site. 

These commissioners were James Findley, Jo- 
seph Darlington, Wyllys Silliman, Reason Beall, 
and William McFarland. It is stated that they 
reported at first in favor of Dublin, a small town 
on the Scioto about fourteen miles above Colum- 
bus. At the session of 1812-18, the Assembly 
accepted the proposals of Col. James Johnston, 
Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, and Lyne 
Starling, who owned the site ot Columbus. The 
Assembly also decreed that the temporary seat of 
government should remain at ChiUicothe until the 
buildings necessary for the State officers should be 



erected, when it would be taken there, forever to 
remain. This was done in 1816, in December of 
that year the first meeting of the Assembly being 
held there. 

The site selected for the capital was on the east 
bank of the Scioto, about a mile below its junction 
with the Olentangy. Wide streets were laid out, 
and preparations for a city made. The expecta- 
tions of the founders have been, in this respect, re- 
alized. The town was laid out in the spring of 1812, 
under the direction of Moses Wright. A short 
time after, the contract for making it the capital was 
signed. June 18, the same day war was declared 
against Great Britain, the sale of lots took place. 
Among the early settlers were George McCor- 
mick, George B. Harvey, John Shields, Michael 
Patton, Alexander Patton, William Altman, John 
CoUett, William McElvain, Daniel Kooser, Peter 
Putnam, Jacob Hare, Christian Heyl, Jarvis, George 
and Benjamin Pike, William Long, and Dr. John 
M. Edminsou. In 1814, a house of worship was 
built, a school opened, a newspaper — The Wtstern 
Intelligencer and Columbus Gazette, now the 
Ohio State Journal — was started, and the old 
State House erected. In 1816, the "Borough of 
Columbus" was incorporated, and a mail route once 
a weeb between Chillicothe and Columbus started. 
In 1819, the old United States Court House was 
erected, and the seat of justice removed from 
Franklinton to Columbus. Until 1826, times were 
exceedingly " slow " in the new capital, and but lit- 
tle growth experienced. The improvBment period 
revived the capital, and enlivened its trade and 
growth so that in 1834, a city charter was granted. 
The city is now about third in size in the State, 
and contains many of the most prominent public 
institutions. The present capitol building, one of 
the best in the West, is patterned somewhat after 
the national Capitol at Washington City. 

From the close of the agitation of the " Sweeping 
Resolutions," until the opening of the war of 1812, 
but a short time elapsed. In fact, scarcely had 
one subsided, ere the other was upon the country. 
Though the war was national, its theater of opera- 
tions was partly in Ohio, that State taking an act- 
ive part in its operations. Indeed, its Uberty 
depended on the war. 



126 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



LIST OF TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS, 

Fro7n the organization of the first civil government in the Northwest Territory (1788 to 1802), 0/ wAicA the State of 

Ohio was apart, until the year 1880. 



(a) Arthur St. Clair 

*Charles Willing Byrd 

(6) Edward Tiffin 

(c) fThomas Kirkei- 

Samuel Hunt ingtoa 

(d) Return Jonathan Meigs. 

■j-Ot hniel Looker 

Thomas Worthington 

(e) Ethan Allen Brown 

fAllen Trimble 

J eremiah Morrow 

Allen Trimble 

Duncan McArthur 

Robert Lucas 

Joseph Vance 

Wilson Shannon 

Thomas Corwin 

(/■) Wilson Shannon 

JThomas W. Bartley 

Mordecai Bartley 

William Bebb...'. 

(^) Seabury Ford , 

(/t) Reuben Wood , 

(./)^ William Medill 

Salmon P. Chase 

William Dennison 

David Tod...., 

(k) John Brough , 

^Charles Anderson 

Jacob D. Cox 

Rutherford B. Hayes 

Edward F. Noyes 

William Allen 

{I) Rutherford B. Hayes 

(m) Thomas L. Young , 

Richard M. Bishop 

Charles Foster , 



COUNTY. 



Hamilton 

Ross 

Adams 

Trumbull 

Washington.. 

Hamilton 

Ross 

Hamilton , 

Highland , 

Warren , 

Highland , 

Ross 

Pike 

Champaign .. 

Belmont 

Warren 

Belmont...... 

Richland 

Richland 

Butler 

Geauga 

Cuyahoga 

Fairfield 

Hamilton , 

Franklin , 

Mahoning — 

Cuyahoga , 

Montgomery. 

Trumbull 

Hamilton 

Hamilton 

Ross 

Sandusky.. ... 

Hamilton 

Hamilton 

Sandusky 



Term 
Commenced. 



July 13, 



March 

March 

Dec. 

Dec. 

April 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec, 

April 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

July 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Aug. 

Jan 

Jan. 

.Tan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

March 

Jan. 

Jan. 



1788 
1802 
1803 
1807 
1808 
1810 
1814 
1814 
1818 
1822 
1822 
1826 
1830 
1832 
1836 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1844 
1844 
1846 
1849 
18.5(t 

185;: 

1856 
1860 
1862 
1864 
1861: 
1866 
1868 
1872 
1874 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1880 



Term Ended. 



March 3. 
March 4, 
Dec. 12! 
Dec. 8! 
March 25, 
Dec. 8 



Dec. 
Jan. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 



April 13, 
Dec. 3 



Dec. 
Jan. 
Dec. 
July 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Aug. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
.Jan. 



March 2, 
Jan. 14, 
Jan. 14, 



1802 
1803 
1807 
1808 
1810 
1814 
1814 
1818 
1822 
1822 
1826 
1830 
1832 
18.36 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1844 
1844 
1846 
1849 
1850 
1853 
1856 
1860 
1862 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1868 
1872 
1874 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1880 



(a) Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the North- 
west Territory, of which Ohio was a part,from July 13, 1788, when the 
first civil government was established in the Territory, until about 
the close of the year 1802, when he was removed by the President. 

♦Secretary of the Territory, and was acting Governor of the 
Territory after the removal of Gov. St. Clair. 

(b) Resigned March .S, 1807, to accept the office of U. S. Senator. 

(c) Return .Jonathan Meigs was elected Governor on the second 
Tuesday of October, 1807, over Nathaniel Massie, who contested the 
election of Meigs, on the gmund that "he had not been a resident of 
this State for fovir years next preceding the election, as required by 
the Constitution,"' and the General Assembly, in joint convention, 
declared tiiat he was not eligible. The office was not given to 
Massie, nor does it appear, from the records that he claimed it, but 
Thomas Kirker, acting Governor, continued to discharge the duties 
of the office until December 12, 1808, when Samuel Huntington was 
inaugurated, he having been elected on the second Tuesday of 
October in that year 

(d) Resigned March 25, 1814, to accept the office of Postmaster- 
General of the United States. 



(«) Resigned January 4, 1822. to accept the office of United 
States Senator. 

(/) Resigned April 13, 1844, to accept the office of Minister to 
Mexico. 

(gi The result of the election in 1848 was not finally determined in 
joint convention of the two houses of the General Assembly until 
January 19,1849, and the inauguration did not take place until tlic 
22d of that month. 

(h) Resigned July 15, 1853 to accept the office of Consul to Val- 
paraiso. 

0) Elected in October, 1853, for the regular term, to commence 
on tlie Second Monday of January, 1854. 

(it) Died August 29, 1865. 

■j- Acting Governor. 

X Acting Governor, vice Wilson Shannon, resigned. 

1[ Acting Governor, vice Reuben Wood, resigned. 

? Acting Governor, vice John Brough, deceased. 

(I) Resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the office of President of 
the United States. 

(m) Vice Rutherford B. Hayes, resigned. 



^■. 



'V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



127 



CHAPTER XL 

THE WAR OF 1812— GROWTH OF THE STATE— CANAL, RAILROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS 

—DEVELOPMENT OF STATE RESOURCES. 



IN June, 1812, war was declared against Great 
Britain. Before this, an act was passed by Con- 
gress, authorizing the increase of the regular army 
to thirty-five thousand troops, and a large force of 
volunteers, to serve twelve months. Under this 
act, Beturn J. Meigs, then Governor of Ohio, in 
April and May, 1812, raised three regiments of 
troops to serve twelve months. They rendez- 
voused at Dayton, elected their officers, and pre- 
pared for the campaign. These regiments were 
numbered First, Second and Third. Duncan Mc- 
Arthur was Colonel of the First ; James Findlay, 
of the Second, and Lewis Cass, of the Third. 
Early in June these troops marched to Urbana, 
where they were joined by Boyd's Fourth Regiment 
of regular troops, under command of Col. Miller, 
who had been in the battle of Tippecanoe. Near 
the middle of June, this little army of about 
twenty-five hundred men, under command of Gov. 
William Hull, of Michigan, who had been author- 
ized by Congress to raise the troops, started on 
its northern march. By the end of June, the 
army had reached the jNIaumee, after a very severe 
march, erecting, on the way. Forts Mc Arthur, Ne- 
cessity and Findlay. By some carelessness on the 
part of the American Government, no official word 
had been sent to the frontiers regarding the war, 
while the British had taken an early precaution to 
prepare for the crisis. Gov. Hull was very care- 
ful in military etiquette, and reftised to march, or 
do any ofi'ensive acts, unless commanded by his 
superior officers at Washington. While at the 
Maumee, by a careless move, all his personal 
effects, inchiding all his plans, number and strength 
of his army, etc., fell into the hands of the enemy. 
His campaign ended only in ignominious defeat, 
and well-nigh paralyzed future efforts. All Mich- 
igan fell into the hands of the British. The com- 
mander, though a good man, lacked bravery and 
promptness. Had Gen. Harrison been in com- 
mand no such results would have been the case, 
and the war would have probably ended at the 
outset. 

Before Hull had surrendered, Charles Scott, 
Governor of Kentucky, invited Gen. Harrison, 



Governor of Indiana Territory, to visit Frankfort, 
to consult on the subject of defending the North- 
west. Gov. Harrison had visited Gov. Scott, and 
in August, 1812, accepted the appointment of 
Major General in the Kentucky militia, and, by 
hasty traveling, on the receipt of the news of the 
surrender of Detroit, reached t^incinnati on the 
morning of the 27th of that month. On the 30th 
he left Cincinnati, and the next day overtook the 
army he was to command, on its way to Dayton. 
After leaving Dayton, he was overtaken by an ex- 
press, informing him of his appointment by the 
Government as Commander-in-Chief of the armies 
of the Indiana and Illinois Territories. The army 
reached Piqua, September 3. From this place 
Harrison sent a body of troops to aid in the de- 
fense of Fort Wayne, threatened by the enemy. 
On the 6th he ordered all the troops forward, and 
while on the march, on September 17, he was 
informed of his appointment as commander of the 
entire Northwestern troops. He found the army 
poorly clothed for a winter campaign, now ap- 
proaching, and at once issued a stirring address to 
the people, asking for food and comfortable cloth- 
ing. The address was not in vain. After his 
appointment. Gen. Harrison pushed on to Au- 
glaize, where, leaving the army under command of 
Gen. Winchester, he returned to the interior of the 
State, and establishing his head(juarters at Frank- 
linton, began active measures for the campaign. 

Early in March, 1812, Col. John Miller raised, 
under orders, a regiment of infimtry in Ohio, and 
in July assembled his enlisted men at Chillicothe, 
where, placing them — only one hundred and forty 
in number — under command of Captain Angus 
Lewis, he sent them on to the fi'ontier. They erect- 
ed a block-house at Picjua and then went on to 
Defiance, to the main body of the armv. 

In July, 1812, Gen. Edward W.'Tupper, of 
Gallia County, raised one thousand men for six 
months' duty. Under orders from Gen. Winches- 
ter, they marched through Chillicothe and Urbana, 
on to the Maumee, where, near the lower end of 
the rapids, they made an ineffectual attempt to 
drive off the enemy. Failing in this, the enemy 



128 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



attacked Tapper and his troops, who, though worn 
down with the march and not a Httle disorganized 
through the jealousies of the officers, withstood 
the attack, and repulsed the British and their red 
allies, who returned to Detroit, and the Americans 
to Fort McArthur. 

In the fall of 1812, Gen. Harrison ordered a 
detachment of six hundred men, mostly mounted, 
to destroy the Indian towns on the Missisineway 
River, one of the head-waters of the Wabash. 
The winter set in early and with unusual severity. 
At the same time this expedition was carried on, 
Bonaparte was retreating from Moscow. The expe- 
dition accomplished its design, though the troops 
suffered greatly from the cold, no less than two 
hundred men being more or less frost bitten. 

Gen. Harrison determined at once to retake 
Michigan and establish a line of defense along the 
southern shores of the lakes. Winchester was 
sent to occupy Forts Wayne and Defiance; Perkins' 
brigade to Lower Sandusky, to fortify an old 
stockade, and some Pennsylvania troops and artil- 
lery sent there at the same time. As soon as 
Gen. Harrison heard the results of the Missis- 
ineway expedition, he went to Chillicothe to con- 
sult with Gov. Meigs about further movements, 
and the best methods to keep the way between the 
Upper Miami and the Maumee continually open. 
He also sent Gen. Winchester word to move for- 
ward to the rapids of the Maumee and prepare for 
winter quarters. This Winchester did by the 
middle of January, 1813, establishing himself on 
the northern bank of the river, just above Wayne's 
old battle-ground. He was well fixed here, and 
was enabled to give his troops good bread, made from 
corn gathered in Indian corn-fields in this vicinity. 

While here, the inhabitants of Frenchtown, on 
the Raisin River, about twenty miles from Detroit, 
sent W^inchester word claiming protection from the 
threatened British and Indian invasion, avowing 
themselves in sympathy with the Americans. A 
council of war decided in favor of their request, 
and Col. Lewis, with 550 men, sent to their relief 
Soon after. Col. Allen vras sent with more troops, 
and the enemy easily driven away fnjm about 
Frenchtown. Word was sent to Gen. Winchester, 
who determined to march with all the men he 
could spare to aid in holding the post gained. He 
left, the 19th of January, with 250 men, and ar- 
rived on the evening of the 20th. Failing to 
take the necessary precaution, from some unex- 
plained reason, the enemy came up in the night, 
estabUshed his batteries, and, the next day, sur- 



prised and defeated the American Army with a 
terrible loss. Gen. Winchester was made a pris- 
oner, and, finally, those who were intrenched in 
the town surrendered, under promise of Proctor, 
the British commander, of protection from the 
Indians. This promise was grossly violated' the 
next day. The savages were allowed to enter the 
town and enact a massacre as cruel and bloody as 
any in the annals of the war, to the everlasting 
ignominy of the British General and his troops. 

Those of the American Army that escaped, ar- 
rived at the rapids on the evening of the 22d of 
January, and soon the sorrowftil news spread 
throughout the army and nations. Gen. Harrison 
set about retrieving the disaster at once. Delay 
could do no good. A fort was built at the rapids, 
named Fort Meigs, and troops from the south and 
west hurriedly advanced to the scene of action. 
The investment and capture of Detroit was aban- 
doned, that winter, owing to the defeat at French- 
town, and expiration of the terms of service of 
many of the troops. Others took their places, 
all parts .of Ohio and bordering States sending 
men. \ 

The erection of Fort Meigs was an obstacle in 
the path of the British they determined to remove, 
and, on the 28th of February, 1813, a large band 
of British and Indians, under command of Proc- 
tor, Tecumseh, Walk-in-the-water, and other In- 
dian chiefs, appeared in the Maumee in boats, and 
prepared for the attack. Without entering into 
details regarding the investment of the fort, it is 
only necessary to add, that after a prolonged siege, 
lasting to the early part of May, the British were 
obliged to abandon the fort, having been severely 
defeated, and sailed for the Canadian shores. 

Next followed the attacks on Fort Stephenson, 
at -Lower Sandusky, and other predatory excur- 
sions, by the British. All of these failed of their 
design; the defense of Maj. Croghan and his men 
constituting one of the most brilliant actions of the 
war. For the gallant defense of Fort Stephenson by 
Maj. Croghan, then a young man, the army merited 
the highest honors. The ladies of Chillicothe voted 
the heroic Major a fine sword, while the whole 
land rejoiced at the exploits of him and his band. 

The decisive efforts of the army, the great num- 
bers of men offered — many of whom Gen. Harrison 
was obliged to send home, much to their disgust — 
Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 
1813 — all presaged the triumph of the American 
arms, soon to ensue. As soon as the battle on 
the lake was over, the British at Maiden burned 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



129 



tlicir stores, and fled, while the Americans, under 
their gallant commander, followed them in Perry's 
vessel to the Canada shore, overtaking them on 
the Eiver Thames, October 5. In the battle that 
ensued, Tecumseh was slain, and the British Army 
routed. 

The war was now practically closed in the West. 
Ohio troops had done nobly in defending their 
northern fi'ontier, and in regaining the Northwest- 
ern country. Gen. Harrison was soon after elected 
to Congress by the Cincinnati district, and Gen. 
Duncan McArthur was appointed a Brigadier 
General in the regular army, and assigned to the 
command in his place. Gen. McArthur made an 
expedition into Upper Canada in the spring of 
1814, destroying considerable property, and driv- 
ing the British farther into their own dominions. 
Peace was declared early in 1815, and that spring, 
the troops were mustered out of service at Chilli- 
cothe, and peace with England reigned supreme. 

The results of the war in Ohio were, for awhile, 
similar to the Indian war of 1795. It brought 
many people into the State, and opened new por- 
tions, before unknown. Many of the soldiers im- 
mediately invested their money in lands, and became 
citizens. The war drove many people from the 
Atlantic Coast west, and as a result much money, 
for awhile, circulated. Labor and provisions rose, 
which enabled both workmen and tradesmen to 
enter tracts of land, and aided emigration. At the 
conclusion of Wayne's war in 1795, probably 
not more than five thousand people dwelt in the 
limits of the State ; at the close of the war of 1812, 
that number was largely increased, even with the 
odds of war against th-m. After the last war, the 
emigration was constant and gradual, building up 
the State in a manner that betokened a healthful 
life. 

As soon as the effects of the war had worn off, 
a period of depression set in, as a result of too 
free speculation indulged in at its close. Gradu- 
ally a stagnation of business ensued, and many 
who found thi-mselves unable to meet contracts 
made in "flush" times, found no alternative but 
to fail. To relieve the pressure in all parts of 
the West, Congress, about 1815, reduced the 
price of public lands from $2 to $1.25 
per acre. This measure worked no little 
hardship on those who owned large tracts of 
lands, for portions of which they had not fully 
paid, and as a consequence, these lands, as well 
as all others of this class, reverted to the 
Government. The general market was in New 



Orleans, whither goods were transported in flat- 
boats built especially for this pupose. This com- 
merce, though small and poorly repaid, was the 
main avenue of trade, and did much for the slow 
prosperity prevalent. The few banks in the State 
found their bills at a discount abroad, and gradu- 
ally becoming drained of their specie, either closed 
business or failed, the major part of them adopt- 
ing the latter course. 

The steamboat began to be an important factor 
in the river navigation of the West about this 
period. The first boat to descend the Ohio was 
the Orleans, built at Pittsburg in 1812, and in 
December of that year, while the fortunes of war 
hung over the land, she made her first trip fi-om the 
Iron City to New Orleans, being just twelve days 
on the way. The second, built by Samuel Smith, 
was called the Comet, and made a trip as far 
south as Louisville, in the summer of 1813. The 
third, the Vesuvius, was built by Fulton, and went 
to New Orleans in 1814. The fourth, built by 
Daniel French at Brownsville, Penn., made two 
trips to Louisville in the summer of 1814. The 
next vessel, the ^tna, was built by Fulton & 
Company in 1815. So fast did the business 
increase, that, four years after, more than 
forty steamers floated on the Western waters. 
Improvements in machinery kept pace with the 
building, until, in 1838, a competent writer stated 
there were no less than four hundred steamers in 
the West. Since then, the erection of railways 
has greatly retarded ship-building, and it is alto- 
gether probable the number has increased but 
little. 

The question of canals began to agitate the 
Western country during the decade succeeding the 
war. They had been and were being constructed 
in older countries, and presaged good and prosper- 
ous times. If only the waters of the lakes and 
the Ohio River could be united by a canal run- 
ning through the midst of the State, thought the 
people, prosperous cities and towns would arise on 
its banks, and commerce flow through the land. 
One of the firmest friends of such improvements 
was De Witt Clinton, who had been the chief man 
in forwarding the " Clinton Canal," in New York. 
He was among the first to advocate the feasibility 
of a canal connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio 
River, and, by the success of the New York canals, 
did much to bring it about. Popular writers of the 
day all urged the scheme, so that when the Assem- 
bly met, early in December, 1821, the resolution, 
offered by 5licajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, 



:t 



1£ 



130 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



for the appointment of a committee of five mem- 
bers to take into consideration so much of the 
Governor's message as related to canals, and see if 
some feasible plan could not be adopted whereby a 
beginning could be made, was (juiekly adopted. 

The report of the committee, advising a survey 
and examination of routes, met with the approval 
of the Assembly, and commissioners were ap- 
pointed who were to employ an engineer, examine 
the country and report on the practicability of a 
canal between the lakes and the rivers. The com- 
missioners employed James Geddes, of Onondaga 
County, N. Y., as an engineer. He arrived in 
Columbus in June, 1822, and, before eight months, 
the corps of engineers, under his direction, had 
examined one route. During the next two sum- 
mers, the examinations continued. A number of 
routes were examined and surveyed, and one, from 
Cleveland on the lake, to Portsmouth on the Ohio, 
was recommended. Another canal, from Cincin- 
nati to Dayton, on the Miami, was determined on, 
and preparations to commence work made. A 
Board of Canal Fund Commissioners was created, 
money was borrowed, and the morning of July 
4, 1825, the first shovelful of earth was dug near 
Newark, with imposing ceremonies, in the presence 
of De Witt Clinton, Governor of New York, and 
a mighty concourse of people assembled to witness 
the auspicious event. 

Gov. Clinton was escorted all over the State to 
aid in developing the energy everywhere apparent. 
The events were important ones in the history of 
the State, and, though they led to the creation of 
a vast debt, yet, in the end, the canals were a 
benefit. 

The main canal — the Ohio and Erie Canal — 
was not completed till 1882. The Maumee Canal, 
from Dayton to Cincinnati, was finished in 1834. 
They cost the State about $(i,()0((,000. Each of 
the main canals had branches leading to important 
towns, where their construction could be made 
without too much expense. The Miami and Mau- 
mee Canal, from Cincinnati northward along the 
Miami River to Piqua, thence to the Maumee 
and on to the lake, was the largest canal made, 
and, for many years, was one of the most important 
in the State. It joined the Wabash Canal on the 
eastern boundary of Indiana, and thereby saved 
the construction of many miles by joining this 
great canal from Toledo to Evansville. 

The largest artificial lake in the world, it is said, 
was built to supply water to the Miami Canal. It 
exists yet, though the canal is not much used. It 



is in the eastern part of Mercer County, and is 
about nine miles long by from two to four wide. 
Tt was formed by raising two walls of earth from 
ten to thirty feet high, called respectively the east 
and west embankments ; the first of which is about 
two miles in length ; the second, about four. These 
walls, with the elevation of the ground to the 
north and south, formed a huge basin, to retain 
the water. The reservoir was commenced in 1837, 
and finished in 1845, at an expense of several 
hundred thousand dollars. When first built, dur- 
ing the accumulation of water, much malarial 
disease prevailed in the surrounding country, owing 
to the stagnant condition of the water. The citi- 
zens, enraged at what they considered an innova- 
tion of their rights, met, and, during a dark night, 
tore out a portion of the lower wall, letting the 
water flow out. The damage cost thousands of 
dollars to repair. All who participated in the 
proceedings were liable to a severe imprisonment, 
but the state of feeling was such, in Mercer County, 
where the offense was committed, that no jury 
could be found that would try them, and the afi"air 
gradually died out. 

The canals, so efficacious in their day, were, 
however, superseded by the railroads rapidly find- 
ing their way into the West. From England, 
where they were early used in the collieries, the 
transition to America was easy. 

The first railroad in the United States was built 
in the summer of 182(3, from the granite quarry 
belonging to the Bunker Hill Monument Associa- 
tion to the wharf landing, three miles distant. The 
road was a slight decline from the quarry to 
the wharf, hence the loaded cars were pro 
pelled by their own gravity. On their return, 
when empty, they were drawn up by a single 
horse. Other roads, or tramways, quickly followed 
this. They were built at the Pennsylvania coal 
mines, in South Carolina, at New Orleans, and at 
Baltimore. Steam motive power was used in 1831 
or 1832, first in America on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, and in Charlestown, on a railroad there. 

To transfer these highways to the West was the 
question of but a few years' time. The prairies of 
Illinois and Indiana offered superior inducements 
to such enterprises, and, early in 1835, they began 
to be agitated there. In 1838, the first rail was 
laid in Illinois, at Meredosia, a little town on the 
lUinois River, on what is now the Wabash Railway. 

"The first railroad made in Ohio," writes Caleb 
Atwater, in his "History of Ohio," in 1838, "was 
finished in 1836 by the people of Toledo, a town 



\ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



131 



some two years old then, situated near the mouth 
of Maumee River. The road extends westward in- 
to Michigan and is some thirty miles in length. 
There is a road about to be made from Cincinnati 
to kSpringfield. This road follows the Ohio River 
up to the Little Miami River, and there turns 
northwardly up its valley to Xenia, and, passing 
the Yellow Sjjrings, reaches Springfield. Its length 
must be about ninety miles. The State will own 
one-half of the road, individuals and the city of 
Cincinnati the other half. This road will, no 
doubt, be extended to Lake Erie, at Sandusky 
City, within a few short years." 

" There is a railroad." continues Mr. Atwater, 
"about to be made from Painesville to the Ohio 
River. There are many charters for other roads, 
which will never be made." 

Mr. Atwater notes also, the various turnpikes as 
well as the famous National road from Baltimore 
westward, then completed only to the mountains. 
This latter did as much as any enterprise ever en- 
acted in building up and populating the West. 
It gave a national thoroughfare, which, for many 
years, was the principal wagon-way from the At- 
lantic to the Mississippi Valley. 

The railroad to which Mr. Atwater refers as 
about to be built from Cincinnati to Springfield, 
was what was known as the Mad River Railroad. 
It is commonly conceded to be the first one built 
in Ohio.* Its history shows that it was chartered 
March II, 1836, that work began in 1837; that 
it was completed and opened for business from 
Cincinnati to Milford, in December, 1842; to Xe- 
nia, in August, 1845, and to Springfield, in Au- 
gust, 1846. It was laid with strap rails until 
about 1848, when the present form of rail was 
adopted. 

One of the earliest roads in Ohio was what was 
known as the Sandusky, M ansfield & Newark Rail- 
road. It was chartered at first as the Monroeville 
& Sandusky City Railroad, March 9, 1835. March 
12, 1836, the Mansfield & New Haven road was 
chartered; the Columbus & Lake Erie, March 12, 

1845, and the Huron & Oxford, February 27, 

1846. At first it ran only from Sandusky to 
Monroeville, then from Mansfield to Huron. These 



* Hon. E D. Mansfield states, in 1873, that the " first actual piece 
of railroad laid in Ohio, was made on the Cincinnati & Sandusky 
Railroad; hut, about the same time we have the Little Miami Rail- 
road, which was surveyed in 1836 and 1837. If this, the generally 
accepted opinion, is correct, then Mr. Atwater's statement as given, 
is wrong. His history is, however, generally conceded to be correct. 
Written in 1838, he surely ought to know whereof he was writing, 
as the railroads were then only in construction ; but few, if any, 
in operation. 



two were connected and consolidated, and then ex- 
tended to Newark, and finally, by connections, to 
Columbus. 

It is unnecessary to follow closely the history of 
these improvements through the years succeeding 
their introduction. At first the State owned a 
share in nearly all railroads and canals, but finally 
finding itself in debt about $15,000,000 for such 
improvements, and learning by its own and neigh- 
bors' experiences, that such policy was detrimental 
to the best interests of the people, abandoned the 
plan, and allowed private parties entire control of 
all such works. After the close of the Mexican 
war, and the return to solid values in 1 854 or there- 
abouts, the increase of railroads in all parts of Ohio, 
as well as all parts of the West, was simply marvel- 
ous. At this date there are more than ten thou- 
sand miles of railroads in Ohio, alongside of which 
stretch innumerable lines of telegraph, a system of 
swift messages invented by Prof. Morse, and adopted 
in the United States about 1851. 

About the time railroad building began to as- 
sume a tangible shape, in 1840, occurred the cele- 
brated political campaign known in history as the 
" Hard Cider Campaign." The gradual encroach- 
ments of the slave power in the West, its arrogant 
attitude in the Congress of the United States and 
in several State legislatures : its forcible seizure of 
slaves in the free States, and the enactment and 
attempted enforcement of the "fugitive slave" law 
all tended to awaken in the minds of the Northern 
people an antagonism, terminating only in the late 
war and the abolishment of that hideous system in 
the United States. 

The " Whig Party" strenuously urged the 
abridgment or confinement of slavery in the 
Southern States, and in the contest the party took 
a most active part, and elected William Henry 
Harrison President of the United States. As he 
had been one of the foremost leaders in the war of 
1812, a resident of Ohio, and one of its most pop- 
ular citizens, a log cabin and a barrel of cider were 
adopted as his exponents of popular opinion, as 
expressive of the rule of the common people repre- 
sented in the cabin and cider, in turn representing 
their primitive and simple habits of life. Though 
a rugged man when elected, he lived but thirty 
days after his inauguration, dying April 9, 1841. 
John Tyler, the Vice President, succeeded him in 
the oSice. 

The building of railroads ; the extension of com- 
merce ; the settlement of all parts of the State ; 
its growth in commerce, education, religion and 



I [a, 



132 



HISTOKY OF OHia 



-^ 



population, are the chief events from 1841 to the 
jNIexicau war. Hard times occurred about as often 
as they do now, preceded by " flush" times, when 
speculation ran rife, the people all infatuated with 



an insane idea that something could be had for 
nothing. The bubble burst as often as inflated, 
ruining many people, but seemingly teaching few 

lessons. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MEXICAN WAR— CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE STATE— WAR OF THE REBELLION— OHIO'S 

PART IN THE CONFLICT. 



THE Mexican War grew out of the question of 
the annexation of Texas, then a province of 
Mexico, whose territory extended to the Indian 
Territory on the north, and on up to the Oregon 
Territory on the Pacific Coast. Texas had been 
settled largely by Americans, who saw the condi- 
tion of affairs that would inevitably ensue did the 
country remain under Mexican rule. They first 
took steps to secede from Mexico, and then asked 
the aid of America to sustain them, and annex the 
country to itself. 

The Whig party and many others opposed this, 
chiefly on the grounds of the extension of slave 
territory. But to no avail. The war came on, 
Mexico was conquered, the war lasting from April 
20, 184G, to May 30, 1848. Fifty thousand vol- 
unteers were called for the war by the Congress, 
and $10,000,000 placed at the disposal of the 
President, James K. Polk, to sustain the army and 
prosecute the war. 

The part that Ohio took in the war may be 
briefly summed up as follows : She had five vol- 
unteer regiments, five companies in the Fifteenth 
Infimtry, and several independent companies, with 
her full proportion among the regulars. When 
war was declared, it was something of a crusade to 
many ; full of romance to others ; hence, many 
more were offered than could be received. It was 
a campaign of romance to some, yet one of reality, 
ending in death, to many. 

When the first call for troops came, the First, 
Second and Third Regiments of infantry responded 
at once. Alexander Mitchell was made Colonel of 
the First; John D. Wellerits Lieutenant Colonel ; 

and Giddings, of Dayton, its Major. Thomas 

Hanna, one of the ablest lawyers in Ohio, started 
with the First as its Major, but, before the regi- 
ment left the State, he was made a Brigadier 
General of Volunteers, and, at the battle of Mon- 
terey, distinguished himself; and there contracted 



disease and laid down his life. The regiment's 
Colonel, who had been wounded at Monterey, came 
home, removed to Minnesota, and there died. 
Lieut. Col. Weller went to California after the 
close of the war. He was a representative from 
that State in the halls of Congress, and, at last, 
died in New Orleans. 

The Second Regiment was commanded by Col. 
George W. Morgan, now of Mount Vernon ; Lieut. 
Col. William Irwin, of Lancaster, and Maj. Will- 
iam Wall. After the war closed, Irwin settled in 
Texas, and remained there till he died.. Wall lived 
out his days in Ohio. The regiment was never in 
active field service, but was a credit to the State. 

The officers of the Third Regiment were. Col. 
Samuel Curtis; Lieut. Col. G. W. McCook and 
Maj. John Love. The first two are now dead ; 
the Major lives in Connellsville. 

At the close of the first year of the war, these 
regiments (First, Second and Third) were mustered 
out of service, as their term of enlistment had 
expired. 

When the second year of the war began, the 
call for more troops on the part of the Government 
induced the Second Ohio Infantry to re-organize, 
and again enter the service. William Irwin, of the 
former organization, was chosen Colonel; William 
Latham, of Columbus, Lieutenant Colonel, and 

Link, of Circleville, Major. All of them 

are now dead. 

The regular army was increased by eight Ohio 
regiments of infantry, the Third Dragoons, and 
the Voltigeurs — light-armed soldiers. In the Fif- 
teenth Regiment of the United States Army, there 
were five Ohio companies. The others were three 
from Michigan, and two from Wisconsin. Col. 
Morgan, of the old Second, was made Colonel of 
the Fifteenth, and John Howard, of Detroit, an 
old artillery officer in the regular army. Lieutenant 
Colonel. Samuel Wood, a captain in the Sixth 



s^ C 



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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



133 



United States Infantry, was made Major ; but was 

afterward succeeded by iMill, of Vermont. 

The Fifteenth was in a number of skirmishes at first, 
and later in the battles of Coutreras, Cherubusco 
and Chapultepec. At the battle of Cherubusco, 
the Colonel was severely wounded, and Maj. Mill, 
with several officers, and a large number of men, 
killed. For gallant service at Contreras, Col. Mor- 
gan, though only twenty-seven years old, was made 
a Brevet Brigadier Greneral in the United States 
Army. Since the war he has delivered a number 
of addresses in Ohio, on the campaigns in Mex- 
ico. 

The survivors of the war are now few. Though 
seventy-five thousand men from the United States 
went into that conflict, less than ten thousand now 
survive. They are now veterans, and as such de- 
light to recount their reminiscences on the fields of 
Mexico. They are all in the decline of life, and 
ere a generation passes away, few, if any, will be 
left. 

After the war, the continual growth of Ohio, 
the change in all its relations, necessitated a new 
organic law. The Constitution of 1852 was the 
result. It re-affirmed the political principles of 
the "ordinance of 1787 " and the Constitution of 
1802, and made a few changes necessitated by the 
advance made in the interim. It created the 
office of Lieutenant Grovernor, fixing the term of 
service at two years. This Constitution yet stands 
notwithstanding the prolonged attempt in 1873-7-1 
to create a new one. It is now the organic law of 
Ohio. 

From this time on to the opening of the late war, 
the prosperity of the State received no check. 
Towns and cities grew ; railroads multiplied ; com- 
merce was extended ; the vacant lands were rapidly 
filled by settlers, and everything tending to the 
advancement of the people was well prosecuted. 
Banks, after much tribulation, had become in a 
measure somewhat secure, their only and serious 
drawback being their isolation or the confinement 
of their circulation to their immediate localities. 
But signs of a mighty contest were apparent. A 
contest almost without a parallel in the annals of 
history ; a contest between freedom and slavery ; 
between wrong and right ; a contest that could 
only end in defeat to the wrong. The Republican 
party came into existence at the close of President 
Pierce's term, in 1855. Its object then was, prin- 
cipally, the restriction of the slave power ; ultimately 
its extinction. One of the chief exponents and sup- 
porters of this growing party in Ohio, was Salmon P. 



Chase ; one who never faltered nor lost faith ; and 
who was at the helm of State ; in the halls of Con 
gress ; chief of one the most important bureaus of 
the Government, and, finally, Chief Justice of the 
United States. When war came, after the election 
of Abraham Lincoln by the Republican party, Ohio 
was one of the first to answer to the call for troops. 
Mr. Chase, while Governor, had re-organized the 
militia on a sensible basis, and rescued it from the 
ignominy into which it had fallen. When Mr. 
Lincoln asked for vseventy-five thousand men, 
Ohio's quota was thirteen regiments. The various 
chaotic regiments and militia troops in the State 
did not exceed 1,500 men. The call was issued 
April 15, 1861 ; by the 18th, two regiments were 
organized in Columbus, whither these companies 
had gathered ; before sunrise of the 1 9th the Jirst 
and second regiments wei'e on their way to Wash- 
ington City. The President had only asked for 
thirteen regiments; thirti/ were gathering; the 
Government, not yet fully comprehending the 
nature of the rebelHon, refused the surplus troops, 
but Gov. Dennison was authorized to put ten 
additional regiments in the field, as a defensive 
measure, and was also authorized to act on the 
defensive as well as on the offensive. The immense 
extent of southern border made this necessary, 
as all the loyal people in West Virginia and Ken- 
tucky asked for help. 

In the limits of this history, it is impossible to 
trace all the steps Ohio took in the war. One of 
her most talented sons, now at the head of one of 
the greatest newspapers of the world, says, regard- 
ing the action of the people and their Legislature : 

" In one part of the nation there existed a grad- 
ual growth of sentiment against the Union, ending 
in open hostility against its integrity and its Con- 
stitutional law ; on the other side stood a resolute, 
and determined people, though divided in minor 
matters, firmly united on the question of national 
supremacy. The people of Ohio stood squarely 
on this side. Before this her people had been di- 
vided up to the hour when — 

"'That fierce and sudden flash across the rugged black- 
ness broke, 

And, with a voice that shook the land, the guns of Sum- 
ter spoke; 

********* 

And whereso'er the summons came, there rose the 

angry din. 
As when, upon a rocky coast, a stormy tide sets in.' 

" All waverings then ceased among the people 
and in the Ohio Legislature. The Union must be 



*^, 



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134 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



preserved. The white heat of patriotism and fe- 
alty to the flag that had been victorious in three 
wars, and had never met but temporary defeat 
then melted all parties, and dissolved all hesitation, 
and, April 18, 18G1, by a unanimous vote of 
ninety-nine Representatives in its favor, there was 
passed a bill appropriating $500,000 to carry into 
effect the requisition of the President, to protect 
the National Government, of which sum $450,000 
were to purchase arms and equipments for the 
troops required by that requisition as the quota of 
Ohio, and $50,000 as an extraordinary contingent 
fund for the Governor. The commissioners of the 
State Sinking Fund were authorized, by the same 
bill, to borrow this money, on the 6 per cent bonds 
of the State, and to issue for the same certificates, 
freeing such bonds from taxation. Then followed 
other such legislation that declared the property of 
volunteers free from execution for debt during 
their term of service; that declared any resident 
of the State, who gave aid and comfort to the 
enemies of the Union, guilty of treason against 
the State, to be punished by imprisonment at hard 
labor for life; and, as it had become already evi- 
dent that thousands of militia, beyond Ohio's 
quota of the President's call, would volunteer, the 
Legislature, adopting the sagacious suggestion of 
Gov. Dennison, resolved that all excess of volunteers 
should be retained and paid for service, under 
direction of the Governor. Thereupon a bill 
was passed, authorizing the acceptance of volunteers 
to form ten regiments, and providing $500,000 
for their arms and equipments, and $1,500,000 
more to be disbursed for troops in case of an in- 
vasion of the State. Then other legislation was 
enacted, looking to and providing against the ship- 
ment from or through the State of arms or mu- 
nitions of war, to States either assuming to be 
neutral or in open rebellion; organizing the whole 
body of the State militia; providing suitable offi- 
cers for duty on the staff of the Governor ; re- 
quiring contracts for subsistence of volunteers to 
be let to the lowest bidder, and authorizing the 
appointment of additional general officers. 

" Before the adjournment of that Legislature, 
the Speaker of the House had resigned to take 
command of one of the regiments then about to 
start for Washington City ; two leading Senators 
had been appointed Brigadier Generals, and many, 
in fact nearly all, of the other members of both 
houses had, in one capacity or another, entered the 
military service. It was the first war legislature 
ever elected in Ohio, and, under sudden pressure, 



nobly met the first shock, and enacted the first 
measures of law for war. Laboring under difficul- 
ties inseparable from a condition so unexpected, 
and in the performance of duties so novel, it may 
be historically stated that for patriotism, zeal and 
ability, the Ohio Legislature of 1861 was the 
equal of any of its successors ; while in that exu- 
berance of patriotism which obliterated party lines 
and united all in a common effort to meet the 
threatened integrity of the United States as a 
nation, it surpassed them both. 

" The war was fought, the slave power forever 
destroyed, and under additional amendments to her 
organic law, the LTnited States wiped the stain of 
human slavery from her escutcheon, liberating over 
four million human beings, nineteen-twentieths of 
whom were native-born residents. 

"When Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court 
House, Ohio had two hundred regiments of all 
arms in the National service. In the course of 
the war, she had furnished two hundred and thirty 
regiments, besides twenty -six independent batteries 
of artillery, five independent companies of cavalry, 
several companies of sharpshooters, large parts of 
five regiments credited to the West Virginia con- 
tingent, two regiments credited to the Kentucky 
contingent, two transferred to the United States 
colored troops, and a large proportion of the rank 
and file of the Fifty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts Regiments, also colored men. Of these or- 
ganizations, twenty-three were infantry regiments 
furnished on the first call of the President, an ex- 
cess of nearly one-half over the State's quota ; one 
hundred and ninety-one were infantry regiments, 
furnished on subsequent calls of the President — 
one hundred and seventeen for three years, twenty- 
seven for one year, two for six months, two for 
three months, and forty-two for one hundred days. 
Thirteen were cavalry, and three artillery for three 
years. Of these three-years troops, over twenty 
thousand re-enlisted, as veterans, at the end of 
their long term of service, to fight till the war 
would end." 

As original members of these organizations, Ohio 
furnished to the National service the magnificent 
army of 310,654 actual soldiers, omitting from 
the above number all those who paid commuta- 
tion money, veteran enlistments, and citizens who 
enlisted as soldiers or sailors in other States. The 
count is made from the reports of the Provost 
Marshal General to the War Department. Penn- 
sylvania gave not quite 28,000 more, while Illinois 
fell 48,000 behind; Indiana, 116,000 less; 








t::^i^^M/i^ 




±. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



137 



Kentucky, 235,000, and Massachusetts, 164,000. 
Thus Ohio more than maintained, in the National 
army, the rank among her sisters which her popu- 
lation supported. Ohio furnished more troops than 
the President ever required of her ; and at the 
end of the war, with more than a thousand men in 
the camp of the State who were never mustered 
into the service, she still had a credit on the rolls 
of the War Department for 4,332 soldiers, beyond 
the aggregate of all quotas ever assigned to her; 
and, besides all these, 6,479 citizens had, in lieu of 
personal service, paid the commutation ; while In- 
diana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York 
were all from five to one hundred thousand behind 
their quotas. So ably, through all those years of 
trial and death, did she keep the promise of the 
memorable dispatch from her first war Governor : 
" If Kentucky refuses to fill her quota, Ohio will 
fill it for her." 

"Of these troops 11,237 were killed or mor- 
tally wounded in action, and of these 6,563 were 
left dead on the field of battle. They fought on 
well-nigh every battle-field of the war. Within 
forty-eight hours after the first call was made for 
troops, two regiments were on the way to Wash- 
ington. An Ohio brigade covered the retreat from 
the first battle of Bull Run. Ohio troops" formed 
the bulk of army that saved to the Union the 
territory afterward erected into West Virginia ; 
the bulk of the army that kept Kentucky from 
seceding ; a large part of the army that captured 
Fort Donelson and Island No. 10 ; a great part of 
the army that from Stone River and Chickamauga, 
and Mission Ridge and Atlanta, swept to the sea 
and captured Fort McAllister, and north through 
the Carolinas to Virginia." 

When Sherman started on his famous march to 
the sea, someone said to President Lincoln, "T hey 
will never get through ; they will all be captured, 
and the Union will be lost." " It is impossible," 
replied the President ; "it cannot be done. There 
is a mighty sight of fight in one hundred thou- 
sand Western menP 

Ohio troopsfought at Pea Ridge. They charged 
at Wagner. They helped redeem North Carolina. 
They were in the sieges of Vicksburg, Charleston, 
Mobile and Richmond. At Pittsburg Landing, 
at Antietam, Gettysburg and Corinth, in the 
Wilderness, at Five Forks, before Nashville and 
Appomattox Court House; "their bones, reposing 
on the fields they won and in the graves they fill, are 
a perpetual pledge that no flag shall ever wave over 
their graves but that flag they died to maintain." 



Ohio's soil gave birth to, or furnished, a Grant, 
a Sherman, a Sheridan, a McPherson, a Rosecrans, 
a McClellan, a McDowell, a Mitchell, a Gilmore, a 
Hazen, a Sill, a Stanley, a Steadman, and others — all 
but one, children of the country, reared at West Point 
for such emergencies. Ohio's war record shows 
one General, one Lieutenant General, twenty Major 
Generals, twenty seven Brevet Major Generals, and 
thirty Brigadier Generals, and one hundred and 
fifty Brevet Brigadier Generals. Her three war 
Governors were William Dennison, David Todd, and 
John Brough. She furnished, at the same time, 
one Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, and 
one Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase. 
Her Senators were Benjamin F. Wade and John 
Sherman. At least three out of five of Ohio's 
able-bodied men stood in the line of battle. On 
the head stone of one of these soldiers, who gave 
his life for the country, and who now lies in a 
National Cemetery, is inscribed these words : 

" We charge the living to preserve that Constitution we 
have died to defend." 

The close of the war and return of peace brought 
a period of fictitious values on the country, occa- 
sioned by the immense amount of currency afloat. 
Property rose to unheard-of values, and everything 
with it. Ere long, however, the decline came, and 
with it " hard times." The climax broke-over the 
country in 1873, and for awhile it seemed as if 
the country was on the verge of ruin. People 
found again, as preceding generations had found, 
that real value was the only basis of true prosper- 
ity, and gradually began to work to the fact. The 
Government established the specie basis by 
gradual means, and on the 1st day of January, 
1879, began to redeem its outstanding obligations 
in coin. The efi'ect was felt everywhere. Busi- 
ness of all kinds sprang anew into life. A feeling 
of confidence grew as the times went on, and now, 
on the threshold of the year 1880, the State is en- 
tering on an era of steadfast prosperity ; one which 
has a sure and certain foundation. 

Nearly four years have elaped since the great 
Centennial Exhibition was held in Philadelphia; 
an exhibition that brought from every State in the 
Union the best products of her soil, factories, and 
all industries. In that exhibit Ohio made an ex- 
cellent display. Her stone, iron, coal, cereals, 
woods and everything pertaining to her welflire were 
all represented. Ohio, occupying the middle ground 
of the Union, was expected to show to foreign na- 
tions what the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio 



i^ 



138 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



could produce. The State nobly stood the test 
and ranked foremost among all others. Her cen- 
tennial building was among the first completed 
and among the neatest and best on the grounds. 
During the summer, the Centennial Commission 
extended invitations to the Grovernors of the several 
States to appoint an orator and name a day for his 



delivery of an address on the history, progress and 
resources of his State. Gov. Hayes named the 
Hon. Edward J). Mansfield for this purpose, and 
August 9th, that gentleman delivered an addri'ss 
so valuable for the matter which it contains, that 
we here give a synopsis of it. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



OHIO IN THE CENTENNIAL— ADDRESS OF EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, LL. D., PHILADELPHIA, 

AUGUST 9, 1870. 



ONE hundred years ago, the whole territory, 
from the Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains 
was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and 
Indians. The Jesuit and Moravian missionaries 
were the only white men who had penetrated the 
wilderness or beheld its mighty lakes and rivers. 
While the thirteen old colonies were declaring 
their independence, the thirteen new States, which 
now lie in the western interior, had no existence, 
and gave no sign of the future. The solitude of 
nature was unbroken by the steps of civilization. 
The wisest statesman had not contemplated the 
probability of the coming States, and the boldest 
patriot did not dream that this interior wilderness 
should soon contain a greater population than the 
thirteen old States, with all the added growth of 
one hundred years. 

Ten years after that, the old States had ceded 
their Western lands to the Greneral Government, 
and the Congress of the United States had passed 
the ordinance of 1785, for the survey of the pub- 
lic territory, and, in lT87,the celebrated ordinance 
which organized the Northwestern Territory, and 
dedicated it to freedom and intelligence. 

Fifteen years after that, and more than a quarter 
of a century after the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, the State of Ohio was admitted into the 
Union, being the seventeenth which accepted the 
Constitution of the United States. It has since 
grown up to be great, populous and prosperous 
under the influence of those ordinances. At her 
admittance, in 1803, the tide of emigration had 
begun to flow over the AUeghanies into the Valley 
of the Mississippi, and, although no steamboat, no 
railroad then existed, nor even a stage coach helped 
the immigrant, yet the wooden " ark " on the 
Ohio, and the heavy wagon, slowly winding over 



the mountains, bore these tens of thousands to the 
wilds of Kentucky and the plains of Ohio. In 
the spring of 1788 — the first year of settlement — 
four thousand five hundred persons passed the 
mouth of the Muskingum in three months, and 
the tide continued to pour on for half a century in 
a widening stream, mingled with all the races of 
Europe and America, until now, in the hundredth 
year of America's independence, the five States of the 
Northwestern Territory, in the wilderness of 1776, 
contain ten millions of people, enjoying all the 
blessings which peace and prosperity, freedom and 
Christianity, can confer upon any people. Of these 
five States, born under the ordinance of 1787, Ohio 
is the first, oldest, and, in many things, the greatest. 
In some things it is the greatest State in the Union. 
Let us, then, attempt, in the briefest terms, to 
draw an outline portrait of this great and remark- 
able commonwealth. 

Let us observe its physical aspects. Ohio is 
just one-sixth part of the Northwestern Territory 
— 40,000 square miles. It lies between Lake Erie 
and the Ohio River, having 200 miles of navigable 
waters, on one side flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, 
and on the other into the Gulf of Mexico. Through 
the lakes, its vessels touch on 6,000 miles of 
interior coast, and, through the Mississippi, on 
36,000 miles of river coast; so that a citizen of 
Ohio may pursue his navigation through 42,000 
miles, all in his own country, and all within naviga- 
ble reach of his own State. He who has circumnavi- 
gated the globe, has gone but little more than 
half the distance which the citizen of Ohio finds 
within his natural reach in this vast interior. 

Looking upon the surface of this State, we find 
no mountains, no barren sands, no marshy wastes, 
no lava-covered plains, but one broad, compact 



\ 



HISTOKY or OHIO. 



139 



body of arable land, intersected with rivers and 
streams and running waters, wliile the beautiful 
Ohio flows tranquilly by its side. More than three 
times the surface of Belgium, and one-third of the 
whole of Italy, it has more natural resources in 
proportion than either, and is capable of ultimately 
supporting a larger population than any equal sur- 
face in Europe. Looking from this great arable 
surface, where upon the very hills the grass and 
the forest trees now grow exuberant and abundant, 
we find that underneath this surface, and easily 
accessible, lie 10,000 square miles of coal, and 
4,000 square miles of iron — coal and iron enough 
to supply the basis of manufacture for a world ! 
All this vast deposit of metal and fuel does not in- 
terrupt or take from that arable surface at all. 
There you may find in one place the same machine 
bringing up coal and salt water from below, while 
the wheat and the corn grow upon the surface 
above. The immense masses of coal, iron, salt and 
freestone deposited below have not in any way 
diminished the fertility and production of the soil. 

It has been said by some writer that the char- 
acter of a people is shaped or modified by the 
character of the country in which they live. If 
the people of Switzerland have acquired a certain 
air of liberty and independence from the rugged 
mountains around which they live; if the people 
of Southern Italy, or beautiful France, have ac- 
quired a tone of ease and politeness from their 
mild and genial clime, so the people of Ohio, 
placed amidst such a wealth of nature, in the tem- 
perate zone, should show the best fruits of peace- 
ful industry and the best culture of Christian 
civilization. Have they done so? Have their 
own labor and arts and culture come up to the ad- 
vantages of their natural situation? Let us exam- 
ine this growth and their product. 

The first settlement of Ohio was made by a 
colony from New England, at the mouth of the 
Muskingum. It was literally a remnant of the 
officers of the Revolution. Of this colony no 
praise of the historian can be as competent, or as 
strong, as the language of Washington. He says, 
in answer to inquiries addressed to him: "No col- 
ony in America was ever settled under such favor- 
able auspices as that which has just commenced at 
the Muskingum. Information, prosperity and 
strength will be its characteristics. I know many 
of the settlers personally, and there never were 
men better calculated to promote the welfare of 
such a community;" and he adds that if he were 
a young man, he knows no country in which he 



would sooner settle than in this Western region." 
This colony, left alone for a time, made its own 
government and nailed its laws to a tree in the vil- 
lage, an early indication of that law-abiding and 
peaceful spirit which has since made Ohio a just 
and well-ordered community. The subsequent 
settlements on the Miami and Scioto were made by 
citizens of New Jersey and Virginia, and it is cer- 
tainly remarkable that among all the early immi- 
gration, there were no ignorant people. In the 
language of Washington, they came with " infor- 
mation," ({ualified to promote the welfare of the 
community. 

Soon after the settlement on the Muskingum 
and the Miami, the great wave of migration 
flowed on to the plains and valleys of Ohio and Ken- 
tucky. Kentucky had been settled earlier, but the 
main body of emigrants in subsequent years 
went into Ohio, influenced partly by the great 
ordinance of 1787, securing freedom and schools 
forever, and partly by the greater security of 
titles under the survey and guarantee of the 
United States Grovernment. Soon the new State 
grew up, with a rapidity which, until then, was 
unknown in the history of civilization. On the 
Muskingum, where the buffalo had roamed; on 
the Scioto, where the Shawanees had built theu* 
towns ; on the Miami, where the great chiefs of 
the Miamis had reigned ; on the plains of San- 
dusky, yet red with the blood of the white man ; 
on the Maumee, white Wayne, by the victory of 
the " Fallen Timbers," had broken the power of 
the Indian confederacy — the emigrants from the 
old States and from Europe came in to cultivate 
the fields, to build up towns, and to rear the insti- 
tutions of Christian civilization, until the single 
State of Ohio is greater in numbers, wealth, and 
education, than was the whole American I'nion 
when the Declaration of Independence was made. 

Let us now look at the statistics of this growth 
and magnitude, as they are exiiibited in the cen- 
sus of the United States. Taking intervals of 
twenty years, Ohio had : In 1810, 45,365 ; in 
1880, 937,903 ; in 1850, 1,980,329 ; in 1870, 
2,665,260. Add to this the increase of population 
in the last six years, and Ohio now has, in round 
numbers, 3,000,000 of people — half a million 
more than the thirteen States in 1776 ; and 
her cities and towns have to-day six times the 
population of all the cities of America one hund- 
red years ago. This State is now the third in 
numbers and wealth, and the first in some of 
those institutions which mark the progress of 



>>- 



140 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



mankind. That a small part of the wilderness of 
1776 should be more populous than the whole 
Union was then, and that it should have made a 
social and moral advance greater than that of any 
nation in the same time, must be regarded as one 
of the most startling and instructive facts which 
attend this year of commemoration. If such has 
been the social growth of Ohio, let us look at its 
physical development ; this is best expressed by the 
aggregate productions of the labor and arts of a 
people applied to the earth. In the census statistics 
of the United States these are expressed in the 
aggregate results of agriculture, mining, manufact- 
ures, and commerce. Let us simplify these statis- 
tics, by comparing the aggregate and ratios as 
between several States, and between Ohio and some 
countries of Europe. 

The aggregate amount of grain and potatoes — 
farinaceous food, produced in Ohio in 1870 was 
134,938,413 bushels, and in 1874, there were 157,- 
323,597 bushels, being the largest aggregate 
amount raised in any State but one, Illinois, and 
larger per square mile than Illinois or any other 
State in the country. The promises of nature 
were thus vindicated by the labor of man ; and 
the industry of Ohio has fulfilled its whole duty 
to the sustenance of the country and the world. 
She has raised more grain than ten of the old 
States together, and more than half raised by 
Great Britain or by France. I have not the 
recent statistics of Europe, but McGregor, in his 
statistics of nations for 1832 — a period of pro- 
found peace — gives the following ratios for the 
leading countries of Europe : Great Britain, area 
120,324 miles; amount of grain, 262,500,000 
bushels; rate per square mile, 2,190 to 1; 
Austria — area 258,603 miles ; amount of grain, 
366,800,000 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1 ,422 to 
1; France — area 215,858 miles ; amount of grain, 
233,847,300 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1,080 
to 1. The State of Ohio — area per square miles, 
40,000 ; amount of grain, 150,000,000 bushels ; 
rate per sfjuare mile, 3,750. Combining the great 
countries of Great Britain, Austria, and France, 
we find that they had 594,785 square miles and 
produced 863,147,300 bushels of grain, which was, at 
the time these .statistics were taken, 1 ,450 bushels per 
square mile, and ten bushels to each one of the 
population. Ohio, on the other hand, had 3,750 
bushels per square mile, and fifty bushels to each 
one of the population ; that is, there was five 
times as much grain raised in Ohio, in proportion 
to the people, as in these great countries of Europe. 



As letters make words, and words express ideas, so 
these dry figures of statistics express facts, and 
these facts make the whole history of civilization. 

Let us now look at the statistics of domestic 
animals. These are always indicative of the state 
of society in regard to the physical comforts. The 
horse must furnish domestic conveyances ; the 
cattle must furnish the products of the dairy, as 
well as meat, and the sheep must furnish wool. 

Let us see how Ohio compares with other States 
and with Europe : In 1870, Ohio had 8,818,000 
domestic animals ; Illinois, 6,925,000 ; New York, 
5,283,000; Pennsylvania, 4,493,000; and other 
States less. Tlie proportion to population in these 
States was, in Ohio, to each person, 3.3 ; Illinois, 
2.7; New York, 1.2; Pennsylvania, 1.2. 

Let us now see the proportion of domestic ani- 
mals in Europe. The results given by McGregor's 
statistics are : In Great Britain, to each j^erson, 
2.44; Russia, 2.00; France, 1.50 ; Prussia, 1.02; 
Austria, 1.00. It will be seen that the proportion 
in Great Britain is only two-thirds that of Ohio ; 
in France, only one-half; and in Austria and 
Prussia only one-third. It may be said that, in 
the course of civilization, the number of animals 
diminishes as the density of population increases ; 
and, therefore, this result might have been ex- 
pected in the old countries of Europe. But this 
does not apply to Russia or Germany, still less to 
other States in this country. Russia in Europe 
has not more than half the density of population 
now in Ohio. Austria and Prussia have less than 
150 to the square mile. The whole of the north 
of Europe has not so dense a population as the 
State of Ohio, still less have the States of Illinois 
and Missouri, west of Ohio. Then, therefore, 
Ohio showing a larger proportion of domestic ani- 
mals than the north of Europe, or States west of 
her, with a population not so dense, we see at once 
there must be other causes to produce such a 
phenomenon. 

Looking to some of the incidental results of this 
vast agricultural production, we see that the United 
States exports to Europe immense amounts of 
grain and provisions ; and that there is manufact- 
ured in this country an immense amount of woolen 
goods. Then, taking these statistics of the raw 
material, we find that Ohio produces one-fifth of 
all the wool ; one-seventh of all the cheese ; one- 
eighth of all the corn, and one-tenth of all the 
wheat ; and yet Ohio has but a fourteenth part of 
the population, and one-eightieth part of the sur- 
face of this country. 



■~e) 



^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



141 



Let us take another — a commercial view of this 
matter. We have seen that Ohio raises five times 
as much grain per square mile as is raised per 
square mile in the empires of Great Britain, France 
and Austria, taken together. After making allow- 
ance for the diiferences of living, in the working 
classes of this country, at least two-thirds of the 
food and grain of Ohio are a surplus beyond the 
necessities of life, and, therefore, so much in the 
commercial balance of exports. This corresponds 
with the fact, that, in the shape of grain, meat, 
li(|uors and dairy products, this vast surplus is con- 
stantly moved to the Atlantic States and to Europe. 
The money value of this exported product is equal 
to $ I 00,000,000 per annum, and to a solid capital 
of $1,500,000,000, after all the sustenance of the 
people has been taken out of the annual crop. 

We are speaking of agriculture alone. We are 
speaking of a State which began its career more 
than a quarter of a century after the Declaration 
of Independence was made. And now, it may be 
asked, what is the real cause of this extraordinary 
result, which, without saying anything invidious of 
other States, we may safely say has never been 
surpassed in any country? We have already 
stated two of the advantages possessed by Ohio. 
The first is that it is a compact, unbroken body of 
antble land, surrounded and intersected by water- 
courses, equal to all the demands of commerce and 
navigation. Next, that it was secured forever to 
freedom and intelligence by the ordinance of 1787. 
The intelligence of its future people was secured 
by immense grants of public lands for the purpose 
of education ; btit neither the blessings of nature, 
nor the wisdom of laws, could obtain such results 
without the continuous labor of an intelligent 
people. Such it had, and we have only to take 
the testimony of Washington, already quoted, and 
the statistical results I have given, to prove that 
no people has exhibited more steady industry, nor 
has any people directed their labor with more in- 
telligence. 

After the agricultural capacity and production 
of a country, its most important physical feature 
is its mineral products; its capacity for coal and 
iron, the two great elements of material civiliza- 
tion. If we were to take away fi-om Great Britain 
her capacity to produce coal in such vast quanti- 
ties, we should reduce her to a third-rate position, 
no longer numbered among the great nations of the 
earth. Coal has smelted her iron, run her steam 
engines, and is the basis of her manufactures. 
But when we compare the coal fields of Great 



Britain with those of this country, they are insig- 
nificant. The coal fields of all Europe are small 
compared with those of the central United States. 
The coal district of Durham and Northumberland, 
in England, is only 880 square miles. There are 
other districts of smaller extent, making in the 
whole probably one-half the extent of that in 
Ohio._ The English coal-beds are represented as 
more important, in reference to extent, on account 
of their thickness. There is a small coal district 
in Lancashire, where the workable coal-beds are in 
all 150 feet in thickness. But this involves, as is 
well known, the necessity of going to immense 
depths and incurring immense expense. On the 
other hand, the workable coal-beds of Ohio are 
near the surface, and some of them require no ex- 
cavating, except that of the horizontal lead fi-om 
the mine to the river or the railroad. In one 
county of Ohio there are three beds of twelve, six 
and four feet each, within fifty feet of the surface. 
At some of the mines having the best coal, the 
lead fi-om the mines is nearly horizontal, and just 
high enough to dump the coal into the railroad 
cars. These coals are of all qualities, from that 
adapted to the domestic fire to the very best qual- 
ity for smelting or manufacturing iron. Kecollect- 
ing these flicts, let us try to get an idea of the coal 
district of Ohio. The bituminous coal region de- 
escending the western slopes of the Alleghanies, 
occupies large portions of Western Pennsylvania, 
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. I 
suppose that this coal field is not less than fifty 
thousand square miles, exclusive of Western Mary- 
land and the southern terminations of that field in 
Georgia and Alabama. Of this vast field of coal, 
exceeding anything found in Europe, about one- 
fifth part lies in Ohio. Prof Mather, in his 
report on the geology of the State (^first Geologi- 
cal Report of the State) says: 

" The coal-measures within Ohio occupy a space 
of about one hundi-ed and eighty miles in length by 
eighty in breadth at the widest part, with an area 
of about ten thousand square miles, extending 
along the Ohio from Trumbull County in the north 
to near the mouth of the Scioto in the south. 
The regularity in the dip, and the moderate incli- 
nation of the strata, aff"ord fiicilities to the mines 
not known to those of most other countries, espe- 
cially Great Britain, where the strata in which the 
coal is imbedded have been broken and thrown out 
of place since its deposit, occasioning many slips 
and faults, and causing much labor and expense in 
again recovering the bed. In Ohio there is very 



.4^—" 



i±. 



142 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



little difficulty of this kind, the faults being small 
and seldom found." 

Now, taking into consideration these geological 
facts, let us look at the extent of the Ohio coal 
field. It occupies, wholly or in part, thirty-six 
counties, including, geographically, 14,000 square 
miles ; but leaving out fractious, and reducing the 
Ohio coal field within its narrowest limits, it is 
1 0,000 square miles in extent, lies near the surface, 
and has on an average twenty feet thickness of work- 
able coal-beds. Let us compare this with the coal 
mines of Durham and Northumberland (England), 
the largest and best coal mines there. That coal 
district is estimated at 850 square miles, twelve 
feet thick, and is calculated to contain 9,000,000^- 
000 tons of coal. The coal field of Ohio is twelve 
times larger and one-third thicker. Estimated by 
that standard, the coal field of Ohio contains 180,- 
000,000,000 tons of coal. Marketed at only $2 
per ton, this coal is worth $360,000,000,000, or, 
in other words, ten times as much as the whole 
valuation of the United States at the present time. 
But we need not undertake to estimate either its 
quantity or value. It is enough to say that it is a 
quantity which we can scarcely imagine, which is 
tenfold that of England, and which is enough to 
supply the entire continent for ages to come. 

After coal, iron is beyond doubt the most val- 
uable mineral product of a State. As the mate- 
rial of manufacture, it is the most important. 
What are called the " precious metals " are not to 
be compared with it as an element of industry or 
profit. But since no manufactures can be success- 
fully carried on without fuel, coal becomes the first 
material element of the arts. Iron is unquestion- 
ably the next. Ohio has an iron district extending 
from the mouth of the Scioto River to some point 
north of the Mahoning River, in Trumbull County. 
The whole length is nearly two hundred miles, and 
the breadth twenty miles, making, as near as we can 
ascertain, 4,000 square miles. The iron in this dis- 
trict is of various qualities, and is manufactured 
largely into bars and castings. In this iron dis- 
trict are one hundred furnaces, forty-four rolling- 
mills, and fifteen rail-mills, being the largest num- 
ber of either in any State in the Union, except 
only Pennsylvania. 

Although only the seventeenth State in its admis- 
sion, I find that, by the census statistics of 1870, 
it is the third State in the production of iron and iron 
manufactures. Already, and within the life of 
one man, this State begins to show what must in 
future time be the vast results of coal and iron, 



applied to the arts and manufactures. In the 
year 1874, there were 420,000 tons of pig iron 
produced in Ohio, which is larger than the prod- 
uct of any State, except Pennsylvania. The 
product and the manufacture of iron in Ohio 
have increased so rapidly, and the basis for 
increase is so great, that we may not doubt that 
Ohio will continue to be the greatest producer of 
iron and iron fabrics, except only Pennsylvania. 
At Cincinnati, the iron manufacture of the Ohio 
Valley is concentrating, and at Cleveland the ores 
of Lake Superior are being smelted. 

After coal and iron, we may place salt among 
the necessaries of life. In connection with the 
coal region west of the Alleghanies, there lies in 
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, a large 
sjiace of country underlaid by the salt rock, which 
already produces immense amounts of salt. Of 
this, Ohio has its fidl proportion. In a large 
section of the southeastern portion of the State, 
salt is produced without any known limitation. 
At Pomeroy and other points, the salt rock lies 
about one thousand feet below the surface, but 
salt water is brought easily to the surface by the 
steam engine. There, the salt rock, the coal 
seam, and the noble sandstone lie in successive 
strata, while the green corn and the yellow wheat 
bloom on the surface above. The State of Ohio 
produced, in 1874, 3,500,000 bushels of salt, 
being one-fifth of all produced in the United 
States. The salt section of Ohio is exceeded only 
by that of Syracuse, New York, and of Saginaw, 
Michigan. There is no definite limit to the 
underlying salt rock of Ohio, and, therefore, the 
production will be proportioned only to the extent 
of the demand. 

Having now considered the resources and the 
products of the soil and the mines of Obio, we 
may properly ask how far the people have employed 
their resources in the increase of art and manu- 
facture. We have two modes of comparison, the 
rate of increase within the State, and the ratio 
they bear to other States. The aggregate value 
of the products of manufacture, exclusive of 
mining, in the last three censuses were: in 1850, 
$62,692,000; in 1860, $121,691,000; in 1870, 
$269,713,000. 

The ratio of increase was over 100 per cent in 
each ten years, a rate far beyond that of the in- 
crease of population, and nuich beyond the ratio of 
increase in the whole country. In 1850, the man- 
ufactures of Ohio were one-sixteenth part of the 
aggregate in the country; in 1860, one-fifteenth 



:^ 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



143 



part; in 1870, one-twelfth part. In addition to 
this, we find, from the returns of Cincinnati and 
Cleveland, that the value of the manufactured prod- 
ucts of Ohio in 1875, must have reached $400,- 
000,000, and, by reference to the census tables, it 
will be seen that the ratio of increase exceeded that 
of the great manufacturing States of New York, 
Massachusetts and Connecticut. Of all the States 
admitted into the Union prior to Ohio, Pennsylvania 
alone has kept pace in the progress of manufiicture. 
Some little reference to the manufacture of leading 
articles may throw some light on the cause of this. 
In the production of agricultural machinery and 
implements, Ohio is the first State ; in animal and 
vegetable oils and in pig iron, the second; in cast 
iron and in tobacco, the third ; in salt, in machinery 
and in leather, the fourth. These facts show how 
largely the resources of coal, iron and agriculture 
have entered into the manufactures of the State. 
This great advance in the manufactures of Ohio, 
when we consider that this State is, relatively to 
its surface, the first agricultural State in the 
country, leads to the inevitable inference that its 
people are remarkably industrious. When, on 
forty thousand square miles of surface, three mill- 
ions of people raise one hundred and fifty million 
bushels of grain, and produce manufactures to the 
amount of $269,000,000 (which is fifty bushels 
of breadstuff" to each man, woman and child, and 
$133 of manufacture), it will be difficult to find 
any community surpassing such results. It is a 
testimony, not only to the State of Ohio, but to 
the industry, sagacity and energy of the American 
people. 

Looking now to the commerce of the State, we 
have said there are six hundred miles of , coast line, 
which embraces some of the principal internal ports 
of the Ohio and the lakes, such as Cincinnati, Cleve- 
land, Toledo and Portsmouth, but whose commerce 
is most wholly inland. Of course, no comparison 
can be made with the foreign commerce of the 
ocean ports. On the other hand, it is well known 
that the inland trade of the country far exceeds 
that of all its foreign commerce, and that the larg- 
est part of this interior trade is carried on its 
rivers and lakes. The materials for the vast con- 
sumption of the interior must be conveyed in its 
vessels, whether of sail or steam, adapted to these 
waters. Let us take, then, the ship-building, the 
navigation, and the exchange trades of Ohio, as 
elements in determining the position of this State 
in reference to the commerce of the country. At 
the ports of Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky and Cin- 



cinnati, there have been built one thousand sail and 
steam vessels in the last twenty years, making an 
average of fifty each year. The number of sail, 
steam and all kinds of vessels in Ohio is eleven 
hundred and ninety, which is equal to the number 
in all the other States in the Ohio Valley and the 
Upper Mississippi. 

When we look to the navigable points to which 
these vessels are destined, we find them on all this 
vast coast line, which extends from the Gulf of 
Mexico to the Yellowstone, and from Duluth to 
the St. Lawrence. 

Looking again to see the extent of this vast in- 
terior trade which is handled by Ohio alone, we 
find that the imports and exports of the principal 
articles of Cincinnati, amount in value to $500,- 
000,000; and when we look at the great trade of 
Cleveland and Toledo, we shall find that the an- 
nual trade of Ohio exceeds $700,000,000. The 
lines of railroad which connect with its ports, are 
more than four thousand miles in length, or rather 
more than one mile in length to each ten square 
miles of surface. This great amount of railroads is 
engaged not merely in transporting to the Atlantic 
and thence to Pjurope, the immense surplus grain 
and meat in Ohio, but in carrying the largest part 
of that greater surplus, which exists in the States 
west of Ohio, the granary of the West. Ohio 
holds the gateway of every railroad north of the 
Ohio, from the Mississippi to the Atlantic, and 
hence it is that the great transit lines of the coun- 
try pass through Ohio. 

Let us now turn from the progress of the arts 
to the progress of ideas ; from material to intellect- 
ual development. It is said that a State consists 
of men, and history shows that no art or science, 
wealth or power, will compensate for the want of 
moral or intellectual stability in the minds of a 
nation. Hence, it is admitted that the strength 
and perpetuity of our republic must consist in the 
intelligence and morality of the people. A re- 
public can last only when the people are enlight- 
ened. This was an axiom with the early legislators 
of this country. Hence it was that when Vir- 
ginia, Connecticut and the original colonies ceded 
to the General Government that vast and then un- 
known wilderness which lay west of the Allegha- 
nies, in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, they 
took care that its future inhabitants should be an 
educated people. The Constitution was not formed 
when the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was passed. 

That ordinance provided that, " Religion, mor- 
ality, and knowledge being necessary to good 



:>L 



144 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



government and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and the means of education shall be forever en- 
couraged;" and by the ordinance of 1785 for the 
survey of public lands in the Northwestern Terri- 
tory, Section 16 in each township, that is, one 
thirty-sixth part, was reserved for the maintenance 
of public schools in said townships. As the State 
of Ohio contained a little more than twenty-five 
millions of acres, this, together with two special 
grants of three townships to universities, amounted 
to the dedication of 740,000 acres of land to the 
maintenance of schools and colleges. It was a 
splendid endowment, but it was many years before 
it became available. It was sixteen years after the 
passage of this ordinance (in 1803), when Ohio 
entered the Union, and legislation upon this grant 
became possible. The Constitution of the State 
pursued the language of the ordinance, and de- 
clared that "schools and the means of education 
shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision." 
The Grovernors of Ohio, in successive messages, 
urged attention to this subject upon the people; 
but the thinness of settlement, making it impossi- 
ble, except in few districts, to collect youth in suf- 
ficient numbers, and impossible to sell or lease 
lands to advantage, caused the delay of efiicient 
school system for many years. In 1825, however, 
a general law establishing a school system, and levy- 
ing a tax for its support, was passed. 

This was again enlarged and increased by new 
legislation in 1836 and 1846. From that time to 
this, Ohio has had a broad, liberal and efficient sys- 
tem of public instruction. The taxation for schools, 
and the number enrolled in them at different pe- 
riods, will best show what has been done. In 
1855 the total taxation for school purposes was 
$2,672,827. The proportion of youth of school- 
able age enrolled was 67 per cent. In 1874 the 
amount raised by taxation was $7,425,135. The 
number enrolled of schoolable age was 70 per 
cent, or 707,943. 

As the schoolable age extends to twenty-one 
years, and as there are very few youth in school 
after fifteen years of age, it follows that the 70 
per cent of schoolable youths enrolled in the pub- 
lic schools must comprehend nearly the whole 
number between four and fifteen years. It is im- 
portant to observe this fact, because it has been 
inferred that, as the whole number of youth be- 
tween five and twenty-one have not been enrolled, 
therefore they are not educated. This is a 
mistake; nearly all over fifteen years of age have 
been in the public schools, and aU the native 



youth of the State, and all foreign born, young 
enough, have had the benefit of the public schools. 
But in consequence of the large number who 
have come from other States and from foreign 
countries, there are still a few who are classed by 
the census statistics among the "illiterate;" the 
proportion of this class, however, is less in propor- 
tion than in twenty-eight other States, and less in 
proportion than in Connecticut and Massachusetts, 
two of the oldest States most noted for popular 
education. In fact, every youth in Ohio, under 
twenty-one years of age, may have the benefit of a 
public education ; and, since the system of graded 
and high schools has been adopted, may obtain a 
common knowledge from the alphabet to the classics. 
The enumerated branches of study in the pub- 
lic schools of Ohio are thirty-four, including 
mathematics and astronomy, French, Grcrman and 
the classics. Thus the State which was in the 
heart of the wilderness in 1776, and was not a 
State until the nineteenth century had begun, now 
presents to the world, not merely an unrivaled de- 
velopment of material prosperity, but an unsur- 
passed system of popular education. 

In what is called the higher education, in the 
colleges and universities, embracing the classics 
and sciences taught in regular classes, it is the pop- 
ular idea, and one which few dare to question, that 
we must look to the Eastern States for superiority 
and excellence ; but that also is becoming an as- 
sumption without proof; a proposition difficult to 
sustain. The facts in regard to the education of 
universities and colleges, their faculties, students 
and course of instruction, are all set forth in the 
complete statistics of the Bureau of Education for 
1874. They show that the State of Ohio had the 
largest number of such institutions; the largest 
number of instructors in their faculties, except one 
State, New York ; and the largest number of stu- 
dents in regular college classes, in proportion to 
their population, except the two States of Connect- 
icut and Massachusetts. Perhaps, if we look at 
the statistics of classical students in the colleges, 
disregarding preparatory and irregular courses, we 
shall get a more accurate idea of the progress of 
the higher education in those States which claim 
the best. In Ohio, 36 colleges, 258 teachers, 
2,139 students, proportion, 1 in 124; in Penn- 
sylvania, 27 colleges, 239 teachers, 2,359 students, 
proportion, 1 in 150; in New York, 26 colleges, 
343 teachers, 2,764 students, proportion, 1 in 176; 
in the six NewEngland States, 17 colleges, 252 teach- 
ers, 3,341 students, proportion, 1 in 105; in Illi- 






HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



145 



nois, 24 colleges, 219 teachers, 1,701 students, 
proportion, 1 in 140. 

This shows there are more collegiate institutions 
in Ohio than in all New England ; a greater num- 
ber of college teachers, and only a little smaller ratio 
of students to the population ; a greater number of 
such students than either in New York or Pennsyl- 
vania, and, as a broad, general fact, Ohio has made 
more progress in education than either of the old 
States which formed the American Union. Such 
a fact is a higher testimony to the strength and the 
beneficent influence of the American Government 
than any which the statistician or the historian 
can advance. 

Let us now turn to the moral aspects of the 
people of Ohio. No human society is found with- 
out its poor and dependent classes, whether made 
so by the defects of nature, by acts of Providence, 
or by the accidents of fortune. Since no society 
is exempt from these classes, it must be judged 
not so much by the fact of their existence, as by 
the manner in which it treats them. In the civil- 
ized nations of anti(|uity, such as Greece and 
Rome, hospitals, infirmaries, orphan homes, and 
asylums for the infirm, were unknown. These 
are the creations of Christianity, and that must be 
esteemed practically the most Christian State which 
most practices this Christian beneficence. In Ohio, 
;is in all the States of this country, and of all 
Christian countries, there is a large number of the 
infirm and dependent classes; but, although Ohio 
is the third State in population, she is only the 
fourteenth in the proportion of dependent classes. 
The more important point, however, was, how does 
she treat them? Is there wanting any of all 
the varied institutions of benevolence? How does 
she compare with other States and countries in 
this respect? It is believed that no State or coun- 
try can present a larger proportion of all these 
institutions which the benevolence of the wise and 
good have suggested for the alleviation of suffer- 
ing and misfijrtune, than the State of Ohio. With 
3,500 of the insane within her borders, she has 
five great lunatic asylums, capable of accommodat- 
ing them all. She has asylums for the deaf and 
dumb, the idiotic, and the blind. She has the 
best hospitals in the country. She has schools 
of reform and houses of refuge. She has " homes " 
for the boys and girls, to the number of 800, who 
are children of soldiers. She has penitentiaries 
and jails, orphan asylums and infirmaries. In 
every county there is an infirmary, and in every 
public institution, except the penitentiary, there is a 



school. So that the State has used every human 
means to relieve the sufiering, to instruct the igno- 
rant, and to reform the criminal. There are in 
the State 80,000 who come under all the various 
forms of the infirm, the poor, the sick and the 
criminal, who, in a greater or less degree, make 
the dependent class. For these the State has 
made every provision which humanity or justice 
or intelligence can require. A young State, de- 
veloped in the wilderness, she challenges, without 
any invidious comparison, both Europe and Amer- 
ica, to show her superior in the development of 
humanity manifested in the benefaction of public 
institutions. 

Intimately connected with public morals and 
with charitable institutions, is the religion of a 
people. The people of the United States are a 
Christian people. The people of Ohio have man- 
ifested their zeal by the erection of churches, of 
Sunday schools, and of religious institutions. So 
far as these are outwardly manifested, they are 
made known by the social statistics of the census. 
The number of church organizations in the leading 
States were : In the State of Ohio, 6,488 ; in 
the State of New York, 5,627 : in the State of 
Pennsylvania, 5,984 ; in the State of lUinois, 4,298. 
It thus appears that Ohio had a larger number 
of churches than any State of the Union. The 
number of sittings, however, was not quite as 
large as those in New York and Pennsylvania. 
The denominations are of all the sects known in 
this country, about thirty in number, the majority 
of the whole being Methodists, Presbyterians and 
Baptists. Long before the American Independ- 
ence, the Moravians had settled on the Mahoning 
and Tuscarawas Rivers, but only to be destroyed ; 
and when the peace with Great Britain was made, 
not a vestige of Christianity remained on the 
soil of Ohio ; yet we see that within ninety years 
from that time the State of Ohio was, in the num- 
ber of its churches, the first of this great Union. 
In the beginning of this address, I said that 
Ohio was the oldest and first of these great States, 
carved out of the Northwestern Territory, and that 
it was in some things the greatest State of the 
American Union. I have now traced the physi- 
cal, commercial, intellectual and moral features of 
the State during the seventy-five years of its 
constitutional history. The result is to establish 
fully the propositions with which I began. These 
facts have brought out : 

1. That Ohio is, in reference to the square 
miles of its surface, the first State in agricukure 






1^ 



146 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



of the American Union; this, too, notwithstand- 
ing it has SOOjOUO in cities and towns, and a large 
development of capital and products in manu- 
factures. 

2. That Ohio has raised more grain per square 
mile than either France, Austria, or Great Britain. 
They raised 1,450 bushels per square mile, and 
10 bushels to each person. Ohio raised 3,750 
bushels per S(|uare mile, and 50 bushels to each 
one of the population ; or, in other words, five 
times the proportion of grain raised in Europe. 

3. Ohio was the first State of the Union in 
the production of domestic animals, being far in 
advance of either New York, Pennsylvania or Illi- 
nois. The proportion of domestic animals to each 
person in Ohio was three and one-third, and in 
New York and Pennsylvania less than half that. 
The largest proportion of domestic animals pro- 
duced in Europe was in Great Britain and Russia, 
neither of which come near that of Ohio. 

4. The coal-field of Ohio is vastly greater than 
that of Great Britain, and we need make no com- 
parison with other States in regard to coal or iron ; 
for the 10,000 square miles of coal, and 4,000 
s((uare miles of iron in Ohio, are enough to supply 
the whole American continent for ages to come. 

5. Neither need we compare the results of 
commerce and navigation, since, from the ports of 
Cleveland and Cincinnati, the vessels of Ohio 
touch on 42,000 miles of coast, and her 5,000 
miles of railroad carry her products to every part 
of the American continent. 

0. Notwithstanding the immense proportion 
and products of agriculture in Ohio, yet she has 
more than kept pace with New York and New 
England in the progress of manufactures during 
the last twenty years. Her coal and iron are prf)- 
duciiig their legitimate results in making her a 
great manufacturing State. 

7. Ohio is the first State in the Union as to 
the proportion of youth attending school; and the 
States west of the Alleghanies and north of the 
Ohio have more youth in school, proportion ably, 
than New England and New York. The facts on 
this subject, are so extraordinary that I may be 
excused for giving them a little in detail. 

The proportion of youth in Ohio attending 
school to the population, is 1 in 4.2 ; in Illinois, 1 
in 4.3; in Pennsylvania, 1 in 4.8; in New York, 
1 in 5.2 ; in Connecticut and Massachusetts, 1 in 
8.7. 

These proportions show that it is in the West, 
and not in the East, that education is now advanc- 



ing; and it is here that we see the stimulus given 
by the ordinance of 1787, is working out its great 
and beneficent results. The land grant for educa- 
tion was a great one, but, at last, its chief effort 
was in stimulating popular education ; for the State 
of Ohio has taxed itself tens of millions of dollars 
beyond the utmost value of the land grant, to 
found. and maintain a system of public education 
which the world has not surpassed. 

We have seen that above and beyond all this 
material and intellectual development, Ohio has 
provided a vast benefaction of asylums, hospitals, 
and infirmaries, and special schools for the support 
and instruction of the dependent classes. There is 
not within all her borders a single one of the deaf, 
dumb, and blind, of the poor, sick, and insane, not 
an orphan or a vagrant, who is not provided for 
by the broad and generous liberality of the State 
and her people. A charity which the classic ages 
knew nothing of, a beneficence which the splendid 
hierarchies and aristocracies of Europe cannot 
equal, has been exhibited in this young State, 
whose name was unknown one hundred years ago, 
whose people, from Europe to the Atlantic, and 
from the Atlantic to the Ohio, were, like Adam 
and Eve, cast out — ^'■the world before them where 
to choose y 

Lastly, we see that, although the third in pop- 
ulation, and the seventeenth in admission to the 
Union, Ohio had, in 1870, 6,400 churches, the 
largest number in any one State, and numbering 
among them every form of Christian worship. 
The people, whose fields were rich with grain, 
whose mines were boundless in wealth, and whose 
commerce extended through thousands of miles 
of lakes and rivers, came here, as they came to 
New England's rock-bound coast — 

" With freedom to worsliip God." 

The church and the schoolhouse rose beside the 
green fields, and the morning bells rang forth to 
cheerful children going to school, and to a Chris- 
tian people going to the church of God. 

Let us now look at the possibilities of Ohio in 
the ftiture development of the American Repub- 
lican Republic. The two most populous parts of 
Europe, because the most food-producing, are the 
Netherlands and Italy, or, more precisely, Belgium 
and ancient Lombardy ; to the present time, their 
population is, in round numbers, three hundred to 
the square mile. The density of population in 
England proper is about the same. We may 
assume, therefore, that three hundred to the square 



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HISTORY or OHIO. 



147 



mile is, in round numbers, the limit of comfortable 
subsistence under modern civilization. It is true 
that modern improvements in agricultural machin- 
ery and fertilization have greatly increased the 
capacity of production, on a given amount of 
land, with a given amount of labor. It is true, 
also, that the old countries of Europe do not 
possess an equal amount of arable land with Ohio 
in proportion to the same surface. It would seem, 
therefore, that the density of population in Ohio 
might exceed that of any part of Europe. On 
the other hand, it may be said with truth that the 
American people will not become so dense as in 
Europe while they have new lands in the West 
to occupy. This is true ; but lands such as those 
in the valley of the Ohio are now becoming 
scarce in the West, and we think that, with her 
great capacity for the production of grain on one 
hand, and of illimitable quantities of coal and 
iron to manufacture with on the other, that Ohio 
will, at no remote period, reach nearly the density 
of Belgium, which will give her 10,000,000 of 
people. This seems extravagant, but the tide of 
migration, which flowed so fast to the West, is 
beginning to ebb, while the manufactures of the 
interior off"er greater inducements. 

With population comes wealth, the material for 
education, the development of the arts, advance 
in all the material elements of civilization, and the 
still grander advancements in the strength and 
elevation of the human mind, conquering to itself 
new realms of material and intellectual power, 
acquiring in the future what we have seen in the 
past, a wealth of resources unknown and undreamed 
of when, a hundred years ago, the fathers of the 
republic declared their independence. I know 
how easy it is to treat this statement with easy 
incredulity, but statistics is a certain science ; the 
elements of civilization are now measured, and we 
know the progress of the human race as we know 



that of a cultivated plant. We know the resources 
of the country, its food-producing capacity, its 
art processes, its power of education, and the unde- 
fined and illimitable power of the human mind 
for new inventions and unimagined progress. With 
this knowledge, it is not difficult nor unsafe to say 
that the future will produce more, and in a far 
greater ratio, than the past. The pictured scenes 
of the prophets have already been more than ful- 
filled, and the visions of beauty and glory, which 
their imagination failed fully to describe, will be 
more than realized in the bloom of that garden 
which republican America will present to the 
eyes of astonished mankind. Long before another 
century shall have passed by, the single State of 
Ohio will present fourfold the population with which 
the thirteen States began their independence, more 
wealth than the entire Union now has ; greater 
universities than any now in the country, and a 
development of arts and manufacture which the 
world now knows nothing of. You have seen 
more than that since the Constitution was adopted, 
and what right have you to say the future shall 
not equal the past ? 

I have aimed, in this address, to give an exact 
picture of what Ohio is, not more for the sake of 
Ohio than as a representation of the products 
which the American Republic has given to the 
world. A State which began long after the 
Declaration of Independence, in the then unknown 
wilderness of North America, presents to-day 
the fairest example of what a republican govern- 
ment with Christian civilization can do. Look 
upon this picture and upon those of Assyria, 
of Greece or Rome, or of Europe in her best 
estate, and say where is the civilization of the 
earth which can equal this. If a Roman citizen could 
say with pride, " Cwis Romanm mm,'' with far 
greater pride can you say this day, "I am an 
American citizen." 




>» -^— — — 

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-^ e) 



CHAPTER XIV. 



EDUCATION* — EARLY SCHOOL LAWS — NOTES — INSTITUTES AND EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS- 
SCHOOL SYSTEM — SCHOOL FUNDS— COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. 



WHEN the survey of the Northwest Terri- 
tory was ordered by Cougress, March 20, 
1785, it was decreed that every sixteenth section 
of land should be reserved for the "maintenance 
of public schools within each township." The 
ordinance of 1787 — thanks to the New England 
Associates — proclaimed that, " religion, morality 
and knowledge being essential to good government, 
schools and the means of education should forever 
be encouraged." The State Constitution of 1802 
declared that " schools and the means of instruc- 
tion should be encouraged by legislative provision, 
not inconsistent with the rights of conscience." 
In 1825, through the persevering efforts of Nathan 
(luilford, Senator from Hamilton County, Ephraim 
Cutler, Representative from Washington County, 
and other friends of education, a bill was passed, 
" laying the foundation for a general system of 
common schools." This bill provided a tax of one- 
half mill, to be levied by the County Commis- 
sioners for school purposes ; provided for school 
examiners, and made Township Clerks and County 
Auditors school officers. In 1829, this county 
tax was raised to three-fourths of a mill ; in 1834 
to one mill, and, in 1836, to one and a half mills. 
In March, 1837, Samuel Lewis, of Hamilton 
County,was appointed State Superintendent of Com- 
mon Schools. He was a very energetic worker, trav- 
eling on horseback all over the State, delivering ad- 
dresses and encouraging school officers and teachers. 
Through his efforts much good was done, and 

* From the School Commis'iioners' Reports, principally those of 
Thomas W. Harvey, A. M. 

Note 1. — The first school taught in Ohio, or in the Northwestern 
Territory, was iu 1791. The first teacher was Maj. Austin Tiipper, 
I'ldestson of Gen. Benjamin Tupper, both Revolutionary officers. 
The room occupied was the same as that in which the first Court was 
held, and was situated in. the northwest block-house ot the garrison, 
called the stockade, at Marietta. During the Indian war Bchool 
was also taught at Fort Harmar. Point Marietta, and at other set- 
tlements. A meeting was held in Marietta, April 29, 1797, to con- 
sider the erection of a school building suitable for the instruction 
lit the youth, and for conducting religious services. Resolutions 
were adopted which led to the erection of a building called the 
Muskingum Academy. The building was of frame, forty feet long 
and twenty-four feet wide, and is yet(l.'i7S (standing. Thebuilding 
was twelve fpet high, with an arched ceiling It stood upon a stone 
foundation, three steps from the ground. There were twochimneys 
and a lobby projection. There was a cellar under the whole build- 
ing. It stood upon a beauti'ul lot, fronting the Muskingum River, 
and about sixty feet back fioui the street. Some large trees were 



many important features engraft.ed on the school 
system. He resigned in 1839, when the officewas 
abolished, and. its duties imposed on the Secretary 
of State. 

The most important adjunct in early education 
in the State was the college of teachers organized 
in Cincinnati in 1831. Albert Pickett, Dr. Joseph 
Ray, William H. McGruffey — so largely known by 
his Readers — and Milo G. Williams, were at its 
head. Leading men in all parts of the West at- 
tended its meetings. Their published deliberations 
did much for the advancement of education among 
the people. Through the efforts of the college, 
the first convention held in Ohio for educational 
purposes was called at Columbus, January 13, 
1836. Two years after, in December, the first 
convention in which the different sections of the 
State were represented, was held. At both these 
conventions, all the needs of the schools, both com- 
mon and higher, were ably and fully discussed, 
and appeals made to the people for a more cordial 
support of the law. No successful attempts were 
made to organize a permanent educational society 
until December, 18-47, when the Ohio State Teach- 
ers' Association was formed at Akron, Summit 
County, with Samuel Galloway as President; T. 
W. Harvey. Recording Secretary ; M. D. Leggett, 
Corresponding Secretary ; William Bowen, Treas- 
urer, and M. F. Cowdrey, Chairman of the Executive 
Committee. This Association entered upon its 
work with commendable earnestness, and has since 



upon the lot and on the street in front. Across the street was an 
open common, and beyond that the river. Immediately opposite 
tlie door, on entering, was a broad aisle, and, at the end of the 
aisle, against the wall, was a desk or pulpit. On the right and left 
of the pulpit, against the wall, and fronting the pulpit, was a row 
of slips. On each sideof the door, facing the pulpit, were two slips, 
and, at each end of the room, one slip. These slips werchtationary, 
and were fitted with desks that could be let -lown, and there were 
boxes in the desks for holding books and papers. In the center of 
the room was an open space, which could be filled with movable 
seats. The first school was opened here in 1800." — Letter of A. T. 
Nye. 

Note 2. — Another evidence of the character of th»> New England 
Associates is the founding of a public library as early as 1796, or 
before. Another was also established at Belpre about the same time. 
Abundant evidence proves the existence of these libraries, all tend- 
ing to the fact that the early settlers, though conquering a wilder- 
ness and a savage foe, would not allow their mental faculties to 
lack for food. The cliaracter of the books shows that "solid" 
reading predominated. 



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HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



149 



never abated its zeal. Semi-annual meetings were 
at first held, but, since 1858, only annual meetings 
occur. They are always largely attended, and al- 
ways by the best and most energetic teachers. 
.The Association has given tone to the educational 
interests of the State, and has done a vast amount 
of good in popularizing education. In the spring 
of 1851, Loriu Andrews, then Superintendent of 
the Massillon school, resigned his place, and be- 
came a common-school missionary. In July, the 
Association, at Cleveland, made him its agent, and 
instituted measures to sustain him. He remained 
zealously at work in this relation until 1853, when 
he resigned to accept the presidency of Kenyon 
College, at Gambier. Dr. A. Lord was then chosen 
general agent and resident editor of the Journal 
of Education, which positions he filled two years, 
with eminent ability. 

The year that Dr. Lord resigned, the ex oificio 
relation of the Secretary of State to the common 
schools was abolished, and the office of school com- 
missioner again created. H. H. Barney was 
elected to the place in October, 1853. The office 
has since been held by Rev. Anson Smyth, elected 
in 1856, and re-elected in 1859 ; E. E. White, 
appointed by the Grovernor, November 11, 1863, 
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C. 
W. H. Cathcart, who was elected in 1862; John 
A. Norris, in 1865; W. D. Henkle, in 1868; 
Thomas W. Harvey, in 1871 ; C. S. Smart, in 
1875, and the present incumbent, J. J. Burns, 
elected in 1878, his term expiring in 1881. 

The first teachers' institute in Northern Ohio 
was held at Sandusky, in September, 18-15, con- 
ducted by Salem Town, of New York, A. D. Lord 
and M. F. Cowdrey. The second was held at Char- 
don, Geauga Co., in November of the same year. 
The first institute in the southern part of the 
State was held at Cincinnati, in February, 1837; 
the first in the central part at Newark, in March, 
18-18. Since then these meetings of teachers have 
occurred annually, and have been the means of 
great good in elevating the teacher and the public 
in educational interests. In 1848., on petition of 
forty teachers, county commissioners were author- 
ized to pay lecturers from surplus revenue, and the 
next year, to appropriate $100 for institute pur- 
poses, upon pledge of teachers to raise half that 
amount. By the statutes of 1864, applicants for 
teachers were required to pay 50 cents each as an 
examination fee. One-third of the amount thus 
raised was allowed the use of examiners as trav- 
eling expenses, the remainder to be applied to in- 



stitute instruction. For the year 1871, sixty-eight 
teachers' institutes were held in the State, at which 
308 instructors and lecturers were employed, and 
7,158 teachers in attendance. The expense incurred 
was $16,361.99, of which $10,127.13 was taken 
from the institute fund; $2,730.34, was contrib- 
uted by members; $680, by county commis- 
sioners, and the balance, $1,371.50, was ob- 
tained from other sources. The last report of the 
State Commissioners — 1878 — shows that eighty- 
five county institutes were held in the State, con- 
tinuing in session 748 days; 416 instructors were 
employed; 11,466 teachers attended; $22,531.47 
were received from all sources, and that the ex- 
penses were $19,587.51, or $1.71 per member. 
There was a balance on hand of $9,460.74 to com- 
mence the next year, just now closed, whose work 
has been as progressive and thorough as any former 
year. The State Association now comprises three 
sections; the general association, the superintend- 
ents' section and the ungraded school section. All 
have done a good work, and all report progress. 

The old State Constitution, adopted by a con- 
vention in 1802, was supplemented in 1851 by 
the present one, under which the General Assem- 
bly, elected under it, met in 1852. Harvey Rice, 
a Senator from Cuyahoga County, Chairman of 
Senate Committee on " Common Schools and 
School Lands," reported a bill the 29th of March, 
to provide "for the re-organization, supervision 
and maintenance of common schools." This bill, 
amended in a few particulars, became a law 
March 14, 1853. The prominent features of the 
new law were : The substitution of a State school 
tax for the county tax ; creation of the office of 
the State School Commissioner; the creation of a 
Township Board of Education, consisting of repre- 
sentatives fi-om the subdistricts ; the abolition of 
rate-bills, making education free to all the youth of 
the State; the raising of a fund, by a tax of one- 
tenth of a mill yearly, " for the purpose of fur- 
nishing school libraries and apparatus to all the 
common schools." This "library tax" was abol- 
ished in 1860, otherwise the law has remained 
practically unchanged. 

School journals, like the popular press, have 
been a potent agency in the educational history of 
the State. As early as 1838, the Ohio School 
Director was issued by Samuel Lewis, by legisla- 
tive authority, though after six months' continu- 
ance, it ceased for want of support. The same 
year the Pestalozzian, by E. L. Sawtell and H. 
K. Smith, of Akron, and the Common School 






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150 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Advocate, of Cincinnati, were issued. In 18-46, 
the School Journal began to be published by A. 

D. Lord, of Kirtland. The same year saw the 
Free School Clarion, by W. Bowen, of Massillon, 
and the School Friend, by W. B. Smith & Co., 
of Cincinnati. The next year, W. H. Moore & 
Co., of Cincinnati, started the Western School 
Journal. In 1851, the Ohio Teacher, by 
Thomas Rainey, ajDpeared; the JVews and Edu- 
cator, in 1863, and the Educational Times, in 
1866. In 1850, Dr. Lord's Journal of Educa- 
tion was united with the School Friend, and 
became the recognized organ of the teachers in 
Oliio. The Doctor remained its principal editor 
until 1856, when he was succeeded by Anson 
Smyth, who edited the journal one year. In 1857, 
it was edited by John D. Caldwell ; in 1858 and 
and 1859, by W. T. Coggeshall; in 1860, by Anson 
Smyth again, when it passed into the hands of 

E. E. White, who yet controls it. It has an 
immense circulation among Ohio teachers, and, 
though competed by other journals, since started, 
it maintains its place. 

The school system of the State may be briefly 
explained as follows: Cities and incorporated vil- 
lages are independent of township and county con- 
trol, in the management of schools, having boards 
of education and examiners of their own. Some 
of them are organized for school purposes, under 
special acts. Each township has a board of edu- 
cation, composed of one member from each sub- 
district. The township clerk is clerk of this board, 
but has no vote. Each subdistrict has a local 
board of trustees, which manages its school affairs, 
subject to the advice and control of the township 
board. These officers are elected on the first 
Monday in April, and hold their offices three 
years. An enumeration of all the youth between 
the ages of five and twenty-one is made yearly. 
All public schools are required to be in session at 
least twenty-four weeks each year. The township 
clerk reports annually such facts concerning school 
affairs as the law requires, to the county auditor, 
who in turn reports to the State Commissioner, 
who collects these reports in a general report to 
the Legislature each year. 

A board of examiners is appointed in each 
county by the Probate Judge. This board has 
power to grant certificates for a term not exceed- 
ing two years, and good only in the county in 
which they are executed ; they may be revoked on 
sufficient cause. In 1864, a State Board of 
J]xaminers was created, with power to issue life cer- 



tificates, valid in all parts of the State. Since 
then, up to January 1, 1879, there have been 188 
of these issued. They are considered an excellent 
test of scholarship and ability, and are very credit- 
able to the holder. 

The school funds, in 1865, amounted to $3,271,- 
275.66. They were the proceeds of appropriations 
of land by Congress for school purposes, upon 
which the State pays an annual interest of 6 per 
cent. The funds are known as the Virginia Mili- 
tary School Fund, the proceeds of eighteen quar- 
ter-townships and three sections of land, selected 
by lot from lands lying in the United States 
Military Reserve, appropriated for the use of 
schools in the Virginia Military Reservation ; the 
United States Military School Fund, the proceeds 
of one thirty-sixth part of the land in the United 
States Military District, appropriated "for the use 
of schools within the same;" the Western Reserve 
School Fund, the proceeds from fourteen quarter- 
townships, situated in the United States JMilitary 
District, and 37,758 acres, most of which was lo- 
cated in Defiance, Williams, Paulding, Van Wert 
and Putnam Counties, appropriated for the use of 
the schools in the Western Reserve; Section 
16, the proceeds from the sixteenth section of 
each township in that part of the State in which 
the Indian title was not extinguished in 1803; the 
Moravian School Fund, the proceeds from one 
thirty-sixth part of each of three tracts of 
4,000 acres situated in Tuscarawas County, orig- 
inally granted by Congress to the Society of United 
Brethren, and reconveyed by this Society to the 
United States in 1834. The income of these funds 
is not distributed by any uniform rule, owing to 
defects in the granting of the funds. The territo- 
rial divisions designated receive the income in 
proportion to the whole number of youth therein, 
while in the remainder of the State, the rent of 
Section 16, or the interest on the proceeds 
arising from its sale, is paid to the inhabitants of 
the originally surveyed townships. In these terri- 
torial divisions, an increase or decrease of popula- 
tion must necessarily increase or diminish the 
amount each youth is entitled to receive; and the 
fortunate location or judicious sale of the sixteenth 
section may entitle one township to receive a large 
sum, while an adjacent township receives a mere 
pittance. This inequality of benefit may be good 
for localities, but it is certainly a detriment to the 
State at large. There seems to be no legal remedy 
for it. In addition to the income from the before- 
mentioned ftinds, a variable revenue is received 



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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



151 



from certain fines and licenses paid to either county 
or township treasurers for the use of schools; 
from the sale of swamp lands ($25,720.07 allotted 
to the State in 1850), and from personal property 
escheated to the State. 

Aside from the funds, a State school tax is fixed 
by statute. Local taxes vary with the needs of 
localities, are limited by law, and are contingent 
on the liberality and public spirit of diiFerent com- 
munities. 

The State contains more than twenty colleges 
and universities, more than the same number of 
female seminaries, and about thirty normal schools 
and academies. The amount of property invested 
in these ife more than $6,000,000. The Miami 
University is the oldest college in the State. 

In addition to the regular colleges, the State 
controls the Ohio State University, formerly the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College, established 
from the proceeds of the land scrip voted by Con- 
gress to Ohio for such purposes. The amount 
realized from the sale was nearly $500,000. This 
is to constitute a permanent fund, the interest only 
to be used. In addition, the sum of $300,000 
was voted by the citizens of Franklin County, in 
consideration of the location of the college in that 
county. Of this sum $111,000 was paid for three 
hundred and fifteen acres of land near the city of 
Columbus, and $112,000 for a college building, 



the balance being expended as circumstances re- 
quired, for additional buildings, laboratory, appa- 
ratus, etc. Thorough instruction is given in all 
branches relating to agriculture and the mechanical 
arts. Already excellent results are attained. 

By the provisions of the act of March 14, 1853, 
township boards are made bodies politic and cor- 
porate in law, and are invested with the title, care 
and custody of all school property belonging to 
the school district or township. They have control 
of the central or high schools of their townships ; 
prescribe rules for the district schools ; may appoint 
one of their number manager of the schools of the 
township, and allow him reasonable pay for his 
services ; determine the text-books to be used ; fix 
the boundaries of districts and locate schoolhouse 
sites ; make estimates of the amount of money re- 
quired ; apportion the money among the districts, 
and are recjuired to make an annual report to the 
County Auditor, who incorporates the same in his 
report to the State Commissioner, by whom it 
reaches the Legislature. 

Local directors control the subdistricts. They 
enumerate the children of school age, employ and 
dismiss teachers, make contracts for building and 
furnishing schoolhouses, and make all necessary 
provision for the convenience of the district schools. 
Practically, the entire management rests with 
them. 



CHAPTER XV. 



" Oft did the harvest to their sickles yield, 

Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke ; 

How jocund did they drive their teams afield ! 

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke." 

THE majority of the readers of these pages are 
farmers, hence a resume of agriculture in the 
State, would not only be appropriate, but valuable 
as a matter of history. It is the true basis of 
national prosperity, and, therefore, justly occupies 
a foremost place. 

In the year 1800, the Territory of Ohio con- 
tained a population of 45,365 inhabitants, or a 
little more than one person to the square mile. At 



AGRICULTURE— AREA OF THE STATE— EARLY AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST— MARKETS— LIVE 

STOCK — NURSERIES, FRUITS, ETC. — CEREALS — ROOT AND CUCURBITACEOUS 

CROPS— AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES— 

POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



this date, the admission of the Territory into the 
Union as a State began to be agitated. When the 
census was made to ascertain the legality of the 
act, in conformity to the '-Compact of 1787," no 
endeavor was made to asceitain additional statis- 
tics, as now ; hence, the cultivated land was not 
returned, and no account remains to tell how 
much existed. In 1805, three years after the ad- 
mission of the State into the Union, 7,252,856 
acres had been purchased from the General Gov- 
ernment. Still no returns of the cultivated lands 
were made. In 1810, the population of Ohiowa.s 
230,760, and the land purchased from the Gov- 






'.£. 



152 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



ernment amounted to 9,933,150 acres, of which 
amount, however, 3,569,314 acres, or more than 
one-third, was held by non-residents. Of the lands 
occupied by resident land-owners, there appear to 
have been 100,968 acres of first-rate, 1,929,600 
of second, and 1,538,745 acres of third rate lands. 
At this period there were very few exports ft"om 
the farm, loom or shop. The people still needed 
all they produced to sustain themselves, and were 
yet in that pioneer period where they were obliged 
to produce all they wanted, and yet were opening 
new farms, and bringing the old ones to a productive 
state. 

Kentucky, and the country on the Monongahela, 
lying along the western slopes of the Alleghany 
Mountains, having been much longer settled, had 
begun, as early as 1795, to send considerable quan- 
tities of flour, whisky, bacon and tobacco to the 
lower towns on the Mississippi, at that time in the 
possession of the Spaniards. At the French set- 
tlements on the Illinois, and at Detroit, were 
being raised much more than could be used, and 
these were exporting also large quantities of these 
materials, as well as peltries and such commodities 
as their nomadic lives furnished. As the Missis- 
sippi was the natural outlet of the West, any at- 
tempt to impede its free navigation by the various 
powers at times controlling its outlet, would lead 
at once to violent outbreaks among the Western 
settlers, some of whom were aided by unscrupulous 
persons, who thought to form an independent 
Western country. Providence seems to have had 
a watchful eye over all these events, and to have 
so guided them that the attempts with such objects 
in view, invariably ended in disgrace to their per- 
petrators. This outlet to the West was thought 
to be the only one that could carry their produce to 
market, for none of the Westerners then dreamed 
of the immense system of railways now covering 
that part of the Union. As soon as ship-building 
commenced at Marietta, in the year 1800, the 
farmers along the borders of the Ohio and Musk- 
ingum Rivers turned their attention to the culti- 
vation of hemp, in addition to their other crops. In a 
few years sufficient was raised, not only to furnish 
cordage to the ships in the West, but large quan- 
tities were worked up in the various rope-walks 
and sent to the Atlantic cities. Iron had been 
discovered, and forges on the Juniata were busy 
converting that necessary and valued material into 
implements of industry. 

By the year 1805, two ships, seven brigs and 
three schooners had been built and rigged by the 



citizens of Marietta. Their construction gave a 
fresh impetus to agriculture, as by means of them 
the surplus products could be carried away to a 
foreign market, where, if it did not bring money, 
it could be exchanged for merchandise equally 
valuable. Captain David Devoll was one of the 
earliest of Ohio's shipwrights. He settled on the 
fertile Muskingum bottom, about five miles above 
Marietta, soon after the Indian war. Here he 
built a "floating mill," for making flour, and, in 
1801, a ship of two hundred and fifty tons, called 
the Muskingum, and the brig Eliza Greene, of one 
hundred and fifty tons. In 1804, he built a 
schooner on his own account, and in the spring 
of the next year, it was finished and loaded for a 
voyage down the Mississippi. It was small, only of 
seventy tons burden, of a light draft, and intended 
to run on the lakes east of New Orleans. In 
shape and model, it fully sustained its name, Nonpa- 
reil. Its complement of sails, small at first, was 
completed when it arrived in New Orleans. It 
had a large cabin to accommodate passengers, was 
well and finely painted, and sat gracefully on the 
water. Its load was of assorted articles, and shows 
very well the nature of exports of the day. It con- 
sisted of two hundred barrels of flour, fifty barrels of 
kiln-dried corn meal, four thousand pounds of 
cheese, six thousand of bacon, one hundred sets 
of rum puncheon shooks, and a few grindstones. 
The flour and meal were made at Captain Devoll's 
floating mill, and the cheese made in Belpre, at that 
date one of Ohio's most flourishing agricultural dis- 
tricts. The Captain and others carried on boating as 
well as the circumstances'of the days permitted, fear- 
ing only the hostility of the Indians, and the duty 
the Spaniards were liable to levy on boats going 
down to New Orleans, even if they did not take 
it into their erratic heads to stop the entire navi- 
gation of the great river by vessels other than 
their own. By such means, merchandise was car- 
ried on almost entirely until the construction of 
canals, and even then, until modern times, the 
flat-boat was the main-stay of the shipper inhabit- 
ing the country adjoining the upper Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers. 

Commonly, very little stock was kept beyond 
what was necessary for the use of the fiimily and 
to perform the labor on the farm. The Scioto 
Valley was perhaps the only exception in Ohio to 
. this general condition. Horses were brought by the 
emigrants from the East and were characteristic 
of that region. In the French settlements in Illi- 
nois and about Detroit, French ponies, marvels of 



V 




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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



155 



endurance, were, chiefly used. They were impractic- 
able in hauhng the immense emigrant wagons over 
the mountains, and hence were comparatively 
unknown in Ohio. Until 1828, draft liorses 
were chiefly used here, the best strains being 
brought by the -'Tunkers," "Mennouites," and 
'' Ormish," — three religious sects, whose members 
were invariably agriculturists. In Stark, Wayne, 
Holmes, and Kichlaud Counties, as a general thing, 
they congregated in communities, where the neat- 
ness of their farms, the excellent condition of 
their stock, and the primitive simplicity of their 
UKumers, made them conspicuous. 

In 1S28, the French began to settle in Stark 
Ciiunty, where they introduced the stock of horses 
known as '• Selim," "Florizel,"' '•Fo.stBoy" and 
'Timolen." These, crossed upon the descents of 
the Norman and Conestoga, produced an excellent 
stock of farm horses, now largely used. 

In the Western Reserve, blooded horses were in- 
troduced as early as 1825. John I. Van Meter 
brought fine horses into the Scioto Valley in 1815, 
or thereabouts. Soon after, fine horses were 
brought to Steuben ville from ^^irginia and Penn- 
sylvania. In Northern Oliio the stock was more 
miscellaneous, until the introduction of improved 
breeds from 1815 to 1835. By the latter date 
the strains of horses had greatly improved. The 
same could be said of other parts of the State. 
Until after 1825, only farm and road horses were 
re(juired. That year a race-course — the first in 
the State — was established in Cincinnati, shortly 
followed by others at Chillicothe, Dayton and Ham- 
ilton. From that date the race-horse steadily im- 
proved. Until 1838, however, all race-courses 
were rather irregular, and, of those named, it is 
difficult to determine which one lias priority of 
date over the others. To Cincinnati, the prece- 
dence is, however, generally given. In 1838, the 
Buckeye Course was established in Cincinnati, and 
before a year had elapsed, it is stated, there were 
fifteen regular race-courses in Ohio. The effect 
of these courses was to greatly stimulate the stock 
of racers, and rather detract from draft and road 
horses. The organization of companies to import 
blooded horses has again revived the interest in 
this class, and now, at annual stock sales, these 
strains of horses are eagerly sought after by those 
having occa.sion to use them. 

Cattle were brought over the mountains, and, 
for several years, were kept entirely for domestic 
uses. By 1805, the country had so far settled 
that the surplus stock was fattened on corn and 



fodder, and a drove was driven to Baltimore. The 
drove was owned by Greorge lienick, of Chillicothe, 
and the feat was looked upon as one of great im- 
portance. The drove arrived in Baltimore in ex- 
cellent condition. The impetus given by this 
movement of Mr. Renick stimulated greatly the 
feeding of cattle, and led to the improvement of 
the breed, heretofore only of an ordinary kind. 

Until the advent of railroads and the shipment 
of cattle thereon, the number of cattle driven to 
eastern markets from Ohio alone, was estimated at 
over fifteen thousand annually, whose value was 
placed at $600,000. Besides this, large numbers 
were driven from Indiana and Illinois, whose 
boundless prairies gave free scope to the herding of 
cattle. Improved breeds, '-Short Horns," '-Long 
Horns" and others, were introduced into Ohio ;,s 
early as 1810 and 1815. Since then the stock 
has been gradually improved and acclimated, until 
now Ohio produces as fine cattle as any State in 
the Union. In some localities, especially in the 
Western Reserve, cheesemaking and dairy interests 
are the chief occupations of whole neighborhoods, 
where may be found men who have grown wealthy 
in this business. 

Sheep were kept by almost every family, in pio- 
neer times, in order to be supplied with wool for 
clothing. The wool was carded by hand, spun in 
the cabin, and frequently dyed and woven as well 
as shaped into garments there, too. All emigrants 
brought the best household and fiirming imple- 
ments their limited means would allow, so also did 
they bring the best strains of horses, cattle and 
sheep they could obtain. About the year 1809, 
Mr. Thomas Rotch, a Quaker, emigrated to Stark 
County, and brought with him a small flock of 
Merino sheep. They were good, and a part of 
them were from the original flock brought over 
from Spain, in 1801, by Col. Humphrey, United 
States IMinister to that country. He had brought 
200 of these sheep, and hoped, in time, to see 
every part of the United States stocked with Me- 
rinos. In this he partially succeeded only, owing 
to the prejudice against them. In 1816, IMessrs. 
Wells & Dickenson, who were, for the day, exten- 
sive woolen manufacturers in Steubenville, drove 
their fine flocks out on the Stark County Plains 
for the summer, and brought them back for the 
winter. This course was pursued for several years, 
until farms were prepared, when they were per- 
manently kept in Stark County. This flock was 
originally derived from the Humphrey importation. 
The failure of Wells & Dickenson, in 1824, placed 



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156 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



a good portion of this flock in the hands of Adam 
Hildebrand, and became the basis of his celebrated 
flock. Mr. T. S. Humrickhouse, of Coshocton, 
in a communication regarding sheep, writes as fol- 
lows : 

" The first merinos brought t6 Ohio were doubt- 
less by Seth Adams, of Zanesville. They were 
Humphrey's Merinos — undoubtedly the best ever 
imported into the United States, by whatever 
name called. He kept them part of the time in 
Washington, and afterward in Muskingum County. 
He had a sort of partnership agency from Gen. 
Humphrey for keeping and selling them. They 
were scattered, and, had they been taken care of 
and appreciated, would have laid a better found- 
ation of flocks in Ohio than any sheep brought 
into it from that time till 1852. The precise date 
at which Adams brought them cannot now be as- 
certained ; but it was prior to 1813, perhaps as 
early as 1804." 

"The first Southdowns," continues Mr. Hum- 
rickhouse," " New Leicester, Lincolnshire and Cots- 
wold sheep I ever saw, were brought into Coshocton 
County from England by Isaac Maynard, nephew 
of the famous Sir John, in 1834. There were 
about ten Southdowns and a trio of each of the 
other kinds. He was ofiered $500 for his Lin- 
colnshire ram, in Bufl^alo, as he passed through, 
but refused. He was selfish, and unwilling to put 
them into other hands when he went on a farm, 
all in the woods, and, in about three years, most of 
them had perished." 

The raising and improvement of sheep has kept 
steady tread with the growth of the State, and 
now Ohio wool is known the world over. In quan- 
tity it is e(|ual to any State in America, while its 
quality is unequaled. 

The first stock of hogs brought to Ohio were 
rather poor, scrawny creatures, and, in a short 
time, when left to themselves to pick a livelihood 
from the beech mast and other nuts in the woods, 
degenerated into a wild condition, almost akin to 
their originators. As the country settled, however, 
they were gathered from their lairs, and, by feed- 
ing them corn, the farmers soon brought them out 
of their semi-barbarous state. Improved breeds 
were introduced. The laws for their protection 
and guarding were made, and now the hog of to- 
day shows what improvement and civilization can 
do for any wild animal. The chief city of the 
State has become famous as a slaughtering place; 
her bacon and sides being known in all the civil- 
ized world. 



Other domestic animals, mules, asses, etc., have 
been brought to the State as occasion required. 
Wherever their use has been demanded, they have 
been obtained, until the State has her complement 
of all animals her citizens can use in their daily 
labors. 

Most of the early emigrants brought with them 
young fruit trees or gi'afts of some favorite variety 
from the " old homestead." Hence, on the West- 
ern Reserve are to be found chiefly — especially in 
old orchards — New England varieties, while, in the 
localities immediately south of the Reserve, Penn- 
sylvania and Maryland varieties predominate ; but 
at Marietta, New England fruits are again found, 
as well as throughout Southeastern Ohio. One of 
the oldest of these orchards was on a Mr. Dana's 
farm, near Cincinnati, on the Ohio River bank. It 
consisted of five acres, in which apple seeds and 
seedlings were planted as early as 1790. Part of 
the old orchard is yet to be seen, though the trees 
are almost past their usefulness. Peaches, pears, 
cherries and apples were planted by all the pioneers 
in their gardens. As soon as the seed produced 
seedlings, these were transpfanted to some hillside, 
and the orchard, in a few years, was a productive 
unit in the life of the settler. The first fruit 
brought, was, like everything else of the pioneers, 
rather inferior, and admitted of much cultivation. 
Soon steps were taken by the more enterprising 
settlers to obtain better varieties. Israel Putnam, 
as early as 1796, returned to the East, partly to 
get cions of the choicest apples, and, partly, on 
other business. He obtained quite a quantity of 
choice apples, of some forty or fifty varieties, and 
set them out. A portion of them were distrib- 
uted to the settlers who had trees, to ingraft. 
From these old grafts are yet to be traced some of 
the best orchards in Ohio. Israel Putnam was one 
of the most prominent men in early Ohio days. 
He was always active in promoting the interests of 
the settlers. Among his earliest eff"orts, that of 
improving the fruit may well be mentioned. He 
and his brother, Aaron W. Putnam, living at Bel- 
pre, opposite Blennerhasset's Island, began the 
nursery business soon after their arrival in the 
West. The apples brought by them from their 
Connecticut home were used to commence the busi- 
ness. These, and the apples obtained from trees 
planted in their gardens, gave them a beginning. 
They were the only two men in Ohio engaged in 
the business till 1817. 

In early times, in the central part of Ohio, 
there existed a curious character known as "Johnny 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



157 



Appleseed." His real name was John Chapman. 
He received his name from his habit of planting, 
along all the streams in that part of the State, 
apple-seeds from which sprang many of the old 
orchards. He did this as a religious duty, think- 
ing it to be his especial mission. He had, it is 
said, been disappointed in his youth in a love 
affair, and' came West about 1800, and ever after 
followed his singular life. He was extensively 
known, was quite harmless, very patient, and did, 
without doubt, much good. He died in 1847, at 
the house of a Mr. Worth, near Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, who had long known him, and often 
befriended him. He was a minister in the Swed- 
enborgian Church, and, in his own way, a zealous 
worker. 

The settlers of the Western Reserve, coming 
from New England, chiefly from Connecticut, 
brought all varieties of fruit known in their old 
homes. These, whether seeds or grafts, were 
planted in gardens, and as soon as an orchard 
could be cleared on some favorable hillside, the 
young trees were transplanted there, and in time 
an orchard was the result. Much confusion 
regarding the kinds of fruits thus produced arose, 
partly from the fact that the trees grown from 
seeds did not always prove to be of the same qual- 
ity as the seeds. Climate, soil and surroundings 
often change the character of such fruits. 
Many new varieties, unknown to the growers, 
were the result. The fruit thus produced was 
often of an inferior growth, and when grafts were 
brought from the old New England home and 
grafted into the Ohio trees, an improvement as 
well as the old home fruit was the result. After 
the orchards in the Reserve began to bear, the 
fruit was very often taken to the Ohio River for 
shipment, and thence found its way to the South- 
ern and Eastern seaboard cities. 

Among the individuals prominent in introducing 
fruits into the State, were Mr. Dille, of Euclid, Judge 
Fuller, Judge Whittlesey, and Mr. Lindley. 
George Hoadly was also very prominent and ener- 
getic in the matter, and was, perhaps, the first to 
introduce the pear to any extent. He was one of 
the most persistent and enthusiastic amateurs in 
horticulture and pomology in the West. About 
the year 1810, Dr. Jared Kirtland, father of 
Prof J. P. Kirtland, so well known among 
horticulturists and pomologists, came from Con- 
necticut and settled in Portland, Mahoning 
County, with his family. This family has done 
more than any other in the State, perhaps, to 



advance fruit culture. About the year 1824, 
Prof J. P. Kirtland, in connection with his brother, 
established a nursery at Poland, then in Trumbull 
County, and brought on from New England above 
a hundred of their best varieties of apples, cherries, 
peaches, pears, and smaller fruits, and a year or 
two after brought from New Jersey a hundred of 
the best varieties of that State ; others were ob- 
tained in New York, so that they possessed the larg- 
est and most varied stock in the Western country. 
These two men gave a great impetus to fruit cult- 
ure in the West, and did more than any others 
of that day to introduce improved kinds of all 
fruits in that part of the United States. 

Another prominent man in this branch of mdus- 
try was Mr. Andrew H. Ernst, of Cincinnati. 
Although not so early a settler as the Kirtlands, 
he was, like them, an ardent student and propa- 
gator of fine fi-uits. He introduced more than 
six hundred varieties of apples and seven hun- 
dred of pears, both native and foreign. His 
object was to test by actual experience the most 
valuable sorts for the diversified soil and climate 
of the Western country. 

The name of Nicholas Longworth, also of Cin- 
cinnati, is one of the most extensively known of any 
in the science of horticulture and pomology. For 
more than fifty years he made these his especial 
delight. Having a large tract of land in the 
lower part of Cincinnati, he established nurseries, 
and planted and disseminated every variety of 
fruits that could be found in the United States — 
East or West — making occasional importations 
from European countries of such varieties as 
were thought to be adapted to the Western climate. 
His success has been variable, governed by the 
season, and in a measure by his numerous experi- 
ments. His vineyards, cultivated by tenants, gen- 
erally Grermans, on the European plan, during the 
latter years of his experience paid him a hand- 
some revenue. He introduced the fiimous Catawba 
grape, the standard grape of the West. It is 
stated that Mr. Longworth bears the same relation 
to vineyard culture that Fulton did to steam navi- 
gation. Others made earlier effort, but he was the 
first to establish it on a permanent basis. He has 
also been eminently successful in the cultivation of 
the strawberry, and was the first to firmly establish 
it on Western soil. He also brought the Ohio Ever- 
bearing Raspberry into notice in the State, and 
widely disseminated it throughout the country. 

Other smaller fruits were brought out to the 
West like those mentioned. In some cases fruits 



V?' 



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158 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



indigenous to the soil were cultivated and improved, 
and as improved fruits, are known favorably where- 
ever used. 

In chronology and importance, of all the cereals, 
corn stands foremost. During the early pioneer 
period, it was the staple article of food for both 
man and beast. It could be made into a variety 
of forms of food, and as such was not only palata- 
ble but highly nutritious and strengthening. 

It is very difficult to determine whether corn 
originated in America or in the Old World. Many 
prominent botanists assert it is a native of Turkey, 
and originally was known as " Turkey wheat." Still 
others claimed to have found mention of maize in 
Chinese writings antedating the Turkish discovery. 
Grains of maize were found in an Egyptian mum- 
my, which goes to prove to many the cereal was 
known in Africa since the earliest times. Maize 
was found in America when first visited by white 
men, but of its origin Indians could give no ac- 
count. It had always been known among them, 
and constituted their chief article of vegetable diet. 
It was cultivated exclusively by their squaws, the 
men considering it beneath their dignity to engage 
in any manual labor. It is altogether probable corn 
was known in the Old World long before the New 
was discovered. The Arabs or Crusaders probably 
introduced it into Europe. How it was introduced 
into America will, in all probability, remain un- 
known. It may have been an indigenous plant, 
like many others. Its introduction into Ohio dates 
with the settlement of the whites, especially its 
cultivation and use as an article of trade. True, 
the Indians had cultivated it in small ({uantities ; 
each lodge a little for itself, but no effort to make 
of it a national support began until the civilization 
of the white race became established. From that 
time on, the increase in crops has grown with the 
State, and, excepting the great corn States of the 
West, Ohio produces an amount equal to any State 
in the Union. The statistical tables printed in 
agricultural reports show the acres planted, and 
bushels grown. Figures speak an unanswerable 
logic. 

Wheat is probably the next in importance of the 
cereals in the State. Its origin, like corn, is lost 
in the mists of antiquity. Its berry was no doubt 
used as food by the ancients for ages anterior to 
any historical records. It is often called corn in 
old writings, and under that name is frequently 
mentioned in the Bible. 

"As far back in the vistas of ages as human 
records go, we find that wheat has been cultivated. 



and, with corn, aside from animal food, has formed 
one of the chief alimentary articles of all nations ; 
but as the wheat plant has nowhere been found wild, 
or in a state of nature, the inference has been 
drawn by men of unquestioned scientific ability, 
that the original plant from which wheat has been 
derived was either totally annihilated, or else cul- 
tivation has wrought so great a change, that the 
original is by no means obvious, or manifest to bot- 
anists." 

It is supposed by many, wheat originated in 
Persia. Others affirm it was known and cultivated 
in Egypt long ere it found its way into Persia. It 
was certainly grown on the Nile ages ago, and 
among the tombs are found grains of wheat hi a 
perfectly sound condition, that unquestionably 
have been buried thousands of years. It may be, 
however, that wheat was grown in Persia first, and 
thence found its way into Egypt and Afi-ica, or, 
vice versa. It grew first in Egypt and Africa and 
thence crossed into Persia, and from there found 
its way into India and all parts of Asia. 

It is also claimed that wheat is indigenous to 
the island of Sicily, and that from there it spread 
along the shores of the Mediterranean into Asia 
Minor and Egypt, and, as communities advanced, 
it was cultivated, not only to a greater extent, but 
with greater success. 

The goddess of agriculture, more especially of 
grains, who, by the Grreeks, was called Demeter, 
and, by the Romans, Ceres — hence the name ce- 
reals — was said to have her home at Enna, a fertile 
region of that island, thus indicating the source 
from which the Greeks and Romans derived their 
Ceralia. Homer mentions wheat and spelt as 
bread; also corn and barley, and describes his 
heroes as using them as fodder for their horses, as 
the people in the South of Europe do at present. 
Rye was introduced into Greece from Thrace, or 
by way of Thrace, in the time of Galen. In 
Caesar's time the Romans grew a species of wheat 
enveloped in a husk, like barley, and by them 
called "Far." 

During the excavations of Herculaneum and 
Pompeii, wheat, in an excellent state of preserva- 
tion, was frequently found. 

Dr. Anson Hart, Superintendent, at one time, of 
Indian Aifairs in Oregon, states that he found 
numerous patches of wheat and flax growing wild 
in the Yackemas country, in Upper Oregon. There 
is but little doubt that both cereals were intro- 
duced into Oregon at an early period by the Hud- 
son Bay, or other fur companies. Wheat was also 




found by Dr. Boyle, of Columbus, Ohio, growing 
in a .similar state in the Carson A'^alley. It was, 
doubtless, brought there by the early Spaniards. 
In 1530, one of Cortez's slaves found several grains 
of wheat accidentally mixed with the rice. The 
careful negro planted the handful of grains, and 
succeeding years saw a wheat crop in Mexico, 
which found its way northward, probably into 
California. 

Turn where we may, wherever the foot of civil- 
ization has trod, there will we find this wheat 
plant, which, like a monument, has perpetuated 
the memory of the event; but nowhere do we find 
the plant wild. It is the result of .cultivation in 
bygone ages, and has been produced by "progress- 
ive development.' 

It is beyond the limit and province of these 
pages to discuss the composition of this important 
cereal ; only its historic properties can be noticed. 
With the advent of the white men in America, 
wheat, like corn, came to be one of the staple prod- 
ucts of life. Iff followed the pioneer over the 
mountains westward, where, in the rich Missis- 
sippi and Illinois bottoms, it has been cultivated 
by the French since 1690. When the hardy New 
Englanders came to the alluvial lands adjoining 
the Ohio, Muskingum or Miami Rivers, they 
brought with them this "staff of life," and forth- 
with began its cultivation. Who sowed the first 
wheat in Ohio, is a question Mr. A. S. Guthrie 
answers, in a letter published in the Agricultural 
Report of 1857, as follows: 

" My father, Thomas Guthrie, emigrated to the 
Northwest Territory in the year 1788, and arrived 
at the mouth of the Muskingum in July, about 
three months after Gen. Putnam had arrived with 
the first pioneers of Ohio. My father brought a 
bushel of wheat with him from one of the frontier 
counties of Pennsylvania, which he sowed on a 
lot of land in Marietta, which he cleared for that 
purpose, on the second bottom or plain, in the 
neighborhood of where the Court House now 
stands." 

Mr. Guthrie's opinion is corroborated by Dr. 
Samuel P. Hildreth, in his "Pioneer Settlers of 
Ohio," and is, no doubt, correct. 

From that date on down through the years of 
Ohio's growth, the crops of wheat have kept pace 
with the advance and growth of civilization. The 
soil is admirably adapted to the growth of this ce- 
real, a large number of varieties being grown, and 
an excellent quality produced. It is firm in body, 
and, in many cases, is a successful rival of wheat 



produced in the great wheat-producing regions of 
the United States — Minnesota, and the "farther 
Northwest. 

Oats, rye, barley, and other grains were also 
brought to Ohio from the Atlantic Coast, though 
some of them had been cultivated by the French 
in Illinois and about Detroit. They were at first 
used only as food for home consumption, and, until 
the successful attempts at river and canal naviga- 
tion were brought about, but little was ever sent 
to market. 

Of all the root crops known to man, the potato 
is probably the most valuable. Next to wheat, 
it is claimed by many as the staff of life. In 
some localities, this assumption is undoubtedly 
true. What would Ireland have done in her fam- 
ines but for this simple vegetable? The potato is 
a native of the mountainous districts of tropical 
and subtropical America, probably from Chili to 
Mexico ; but there is considerable difiiculty in 
deciding where it is really indigenous, and where 
it has spread after being introduced by man. 
Humboldt, the learned savant, doubted if it had 
ever been found w^ild, but scholars no less famous, 
and of late date, have expressed an opposite 
opinion. In the wild plant, as in all others, the 
tubers are smaller than in the cultivated. The 
potato had been cultivated in America, and its 
tubers used for food, long before the advent of the 
Europeans. It seems to have been first brought 
to Europe by the Spaniards, from the neighbor- 
hood of Quito, in the beginning of the sixteenth 
century, and spread through Spain, the Netherlands, 
Burgundy and Italy, cultivated in gardens as an 
ornament only and not for an article of food. 
It long received through European countries the 
same name with the batatas — sweet potato, which 
is the plant meant by all English writers down to 
the seventeenth century. 

It appears that the potato was brought from 
Virginia to Ireland by Hawkins, a slave-trader, 
in 1565, and to England by Sir Francis Drake, 
twenty years later. It did not at first attract much 
notice, and not until it was a third time imported 
fi'om America, in 1623, by Sir Walter Raleigh, 
did the Europeans make a practical use of it. 
Even then it was a long time before it was exten- 
sively cultivated. It is noticed in agricultural 
journals as food for cattle only as late as 1719. 
Poor people began using it, however, and finding it 
highly nutritious, the Royal Geographical Society. 
in 1663, adopted measures for its propagation. 
About this time it beo:an to be used in Ireland as 



1>L 



160 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



food, and from the beginning of the eighteenth cent- 
ury, its use has never decUned. It is now known 
in every quarter of the world, and has, by cultiva- 
tion, been greatly improved. 

The inhabitants of America learned its use 
from the Indians, who cultivated it and other 
root crops — rutabagas, radishes, etc., and taught 
the whites their value. When the pioneers of 
Ohio came to its fertile valleys, they brought 
improved species with them, which by cultiva- 
tion and soil, are now greatly increased, and are 
among the standard crops of the State. 

The cucurbitaceous plants, squashes, etc., were, 
like the potato and similar root crops, indigenous 
to America — others, like the melons, to Asia — 
and were among the staple foods of the original 
inhabitants. The early French missionaries of 
the West speak of both root crops and cucurbi- 
taceous plants as in use among the aboriginal inhab- 
itants. "They are very sweet and wholesome," 
wrote Marquette. Others speak in the same terms, 
though some of the plants in this order had found 
their way to these valleys through the Spaniards 
and others through early Atlantic Coast and Mex- 
ican inhabitants. Their use by the settlers of the 
West, especially Ohio, is traced to New England, 
as the first settlers came from that portion of the 
Union. They grow well in all parts of the State, 
and by cultivation have been greatly improved in 
quality and variety. All cucurbitaceous plants 
require a rich, porous soil, and by proper atten- 
tion to their cultivation, excellent results can be 
attained. 

Probably the earliest and most important imple- 
ment of husbandry known is the plow. Grain, 
plants and roots will not grow well unless the soil 
in which they are planted be properly stirred, 
hence the first requirement was an instrument that 
would fulfill such conditions. 

The first implements were rude indeed ; gener- 
ally, stout wooden sticks, drawn through the earth 
by thongs attached to rude ox-yokes, or fastened 
to the animal's horns. Such plows were in use 
among the ancient J]gyptians, and may yet be 
found among uncivilized nations. The Old Testa^ 
ment furnishes numerous instances of the use of 
the plow, while, on the ruins of ancient cities and 
among the pyramids of Egypt, and on the buried 
walls of Babylon, and other extinct cities, are rude 
drawings of this useful implement. As the use 
of iron became apparent and general, it was util- 
ized for plow-points, where the wood alone would 
not penetrate the earth. They got their plow- 



shares sharpened in Old Testament days, also 
coulters, which shows, beyond a doubt, that iron- 
pointed plows were then in use. From times 
mentioned in the Bible, on heathen tombs, and 
ancient catacombs, the improvement of the plow, 
like other farming tools, went on, as the race of 
man grew in intelligence. Extensive manors in 
the old country required increased means of turning 
the ground, and, to meet these demands, ingenious 
mechanics, from time to time, invented improved 
plows. Strange to say, however, no improvement 
was ever made by the farmer himself This is ac 
counted for in his habits of life, and, too often, 
the disposition to "take things as they are." When 
America was settled, the plow had become an im- 
plement capable of turning two or three acres per 
day. Still, and for many years, and even until 
lately, the mold-board was entirely wooden, the 
point only iron. Later developments changed the 
wood for steel, which now alone is used. Still 
later, especially in prairie States, riding plows are 
used. Like all other improvements, they were 
obliged to combat an obtuse public mind among 
the ruralists, who slowly combat almost every 
move made to better their condition. In many 
places in America, wooden plows, straight ax 
handles, and a stone in one end of the bag, to bal- 
ance the grist in the other, are the rule, and for no 
other reason in the world are they maintained than 
the laconic answer: 

" My father did so, and why should not I? Am 
I better than he? " 

After the plow comes the harrow, but little 
changed, save in lightness and beauty. Formerly, 
a log of wood, or a brush harrow, supplied its 
place, but in the State of Ohio, the toothed instru- 
ment has nearly always been used. 

The hoe is lighter made than formerly, and is 
now made of steel. At first, the common iron 
hoe, sharpened by the blacksmith, was in constant 
use. Now, it is rarely seen outside of the South- 
ern States, where it has long been the chief imple- 
ment in agriculture. 

The various small plows for the cultivation of 
corn and such other crops as necessitated their use 
are all the result of modern civilization. Now, 
their number is large, and, in many places, there 
are two or more attached to one carriage, whose 
operator rides. These kinds are much used in the 
Western States, whose rootless and stoneless soil is 
admirably adapted to such machinery. 

When the grain became ripe, implements to cut 
it were in demand. In ancient times, the sickle 



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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



161 



was tlie only instrument used. It was a short, 
curved iron/whose inner edge was sharpened and 
serrated. In its most ancient form, it is doubtful 
if the edge was but little, if any, serrated. It is 
mentioned in all ancient works, and in the Bible is 
frequently referred to. 

" Thrust in the sickle, for the harvest is 
ripe," wrote the sacred New Testament, while 
the Old chronicles as early as the time of Moses : 
"As thou beginnest to put the sickle to the 
corn." 

In more modern times, the handle of the sickle 
was lengthened, then the blade, which in time led 
to the scythe. Both are yet in use in many parts 
of the world. The use of the scythe led some 
thinking person to add a " finger " or two, and to 
change "the shape of the handle. The old cradle 
was the result. At first it met considerable oppo- 
sition from the laborers, who brought forward the 
old-time argument of ignorance, that it would 
cheapen labor. 

Whether the cradle is a native of America or 
Europe is not accurately decided; probably of the 
mother country. It came into common use about 
1818, and in a few years had found its way into 
the wheat-producing regions of the West. Where 
small crops are raised, the cradle is yet much used. 
A man can cut from two to four acres per day, 
hence, it is much cheaper than a reaper, where the 
crop is small. 

The mower and reaper are comparatively mod- 
ern inventions. A rude reaping machine is men- 
tioned by Pliny in the first century. It was pushed 
by an ox through the standing grain. On its 
front was a sharp edge, which cut the grain. It 
was, however, impracticable, as it cut only a por- 
tion of the grain, and the peasantry preferred the 
sickle. Other and later attempts to make reapers 
do not seem to have been successful, and not till 
the present century was a machine made that would 
do the work required. In 1826, Mr. Bell, of 
Scotland, constructed a machine which is yet used 
in many parts of that country. In America, Mr. 
Ilussey and Mr. McCormick took out patents for 
reaping machines of superior character in 1833 
and 1834. At first the cutters of these machines 
were various contrivances, but both manufacturers 
soon adopted a serrated knife, triangular shaped, at- 
tached to a bar, and driven through "finger 
guards" attached to it, by a forward and backward 
motion. These are the common ones now in use, 
save that all do not use serrated knives. Since 
these pioneer machines were introduced into the 



harvest fields they have been greatly improved and 
changed. Of late years they have been constructed 
so as to bind the sheaves, and now a good stout 
boy, and a team with a "harvester," will do as 
much as many men could do a few years ago, and 
with much greater ease. 

As was "expected by the inventors of reapers, 
they met with a determined resistance from those 
who in former times made their living by harvest- 
ing. It was again absurdly argued that they would 
cheapen labor, and hence were an injury to the 
laboring man. Indeed, when the first machines 
were brought into Ohio, many of them were torn 
to pieces by the ignorant hands. Others left fields 
in a body when the proprietor brought a reaper to 
his farm. Like all such fallacies, these, in time, 
passed away, leaving only their stain. 

Following the reaper came the thresher. As 
the country filled with inhabitants, and men in- 
creased their possessions, more rapid means than 
the old flail or roller method were demanded. At 
first the grain was trodden out by horses driven over 
the bundles, which were laid in a circular inclosure. 
The old flail, the tramping-out by horses, and the 
cleaning by the sheet, or throwing the grain up 
against a current of air, were too slow, and 
machines were the result of the demand. In Ohio 
the manufixcture of threshers began in 1846, in 
the southwestern part. Isaac Tobias, who came 
to Hamilton from Miamisburg that year, com- 
menced building the threshers then in use. They 
were without the cleaning attachment, and simply 
hulled the grain. Two years later, he began 
manufacturing the combined thresher and cleaner, 
which were then coming into use. He continued 
in business till 1851. "Four years after, the in- 
creased demand for such machines, consequent 
upon the increased agricultural products, induced 
the firm of Owens, Lane & Dyer to fit their estab- 
lishment for the manufiicture of threshers. They 
afterward added the manufacture of steam engines 
to be used in the place of horse power. Since 
then the manufacture of these machines, as well as 
that of all other agricultural machinery, has greatly 
multiplied and improved, until now it seems as 
though but little room for improvement remains. 
One of the largest firms engaged in the manufact- 
ure of threshers and their component mai-hinery is 
located at Mansfield— the ' Aultman & Taylor 
Co. Others are at Massillon, and at other cities 
in the West. 

Modern times and modern enterprise have devel- 
oped a marvelous variety of agricultural implements 



162 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



— too many to bo mentioned in a volume like 
this. Under special subjects they will occasionally 
be found. The fiirmer's life, so cheerless in pioneer 
times, and so full of weary labor, is daily becom- 
ing less laborious, until, if they as a class profit 
by the advances, they can find a life of ease 
in farm pursuits, not attainable in any other 
profession. Now machines do almost all the work. 
They sow, cultivate, cut, bind, thresh, winnow 
and carry the grain. They, cut, rake, load, mow 
and dry the hay. They husk, shell and clean the 
corn. They cut and split the wood. They do al- 
most all ; until it seems as though the day may 
come when the farmer can sit in his house and 
simply guide the affairs of his farm. 

Any occupation prospers in proportion to the 
interest taken in it by its members. This interest 
is always heightened by an exchange of views, hence 
societies and periodicals exercise an influence at 
first hardy realized. This feeling among prominent 
agriculturists led to the formation of agricultm-al' 
societies, at first by counties, then districts, then 
by States, and lastly by associations of States. 
The day may come when a national agricul- 
tural fair may be one of the annual attractions of 
America. 

Without noticing the early attempts to found 
such societies in Hurope or America, the narrative 
will begin with those of Ohio. The first agricul- 
tural society organized in the Buckeye State was 
the Hamilton County Agricultural Society. Its 
exact date of organization is not now preserved, 
but to a certainty it is known that the Society held 
public exhibitions as a County Society prior to 
1823. Previous to that date there were, doubt- 
less, small, private exhibitions held in older local- 
ities, pi'obably at Marietta, but no regular organi- 
zation seems to have been maintained. The 
Hamilton County Society held its fairs annually, 
with marked success. Its successor, the present 
Society, is now one of the largest county societies 
in the Union. 

During the legislative session of 1832-33, the 
subject of agriculture seems to have agitated the 
minds of the people through their representatives, 
fur the records of that session show the first laws 
passed for their benefit. The acts of that body 
seem to have been productive of some good, for, 
though no records of the number of societies or- 
ganized at that date exist, yet the record shows 
that " many societies have been organized in con- 
formity to this act," etc. No doubt many societies 
held fairs from this time, for a greater or less 



number of years. Agricultural journals* were, 
at this period, rare in the State, and the subject of 
agricultural improvement did not receive that at- 
tention from the press it does at this time ; and, 
for want of public spirit and attention to sustain 
these fairs, they were gradually discontinued until 
the new act respecting their organization was 
passed in 184G. However, records of several 
county societies of the years between 1832 and 
18-16 yet exist, showing that in some parts of the 
State, the interest in these fairs was by no means 
diminished. The Delaware County Society re- 
ports for the year 1833 — it was organized in June 
of that year — good progress for a beginning, and 
that much interest was manifested by the citizens 
of the county. 

Ross County held its first exhibition in the 
autumn of that year, and the report of the mana- 
gers is quite cheerful. Nearly all of the exhibited 
articles were sold at auction, at greatly advanced 
prices from the current ones of the day. The en- 
try seems to have been free, in an open inclosure, 
and but little revenue was derived. Little was ex- 
pected, hence no one was disappointed. 

Washington County reports an excellent cattle 
show for tliat year, and a number of premiums 
awarded to the successful exhibitors. This same 
year the Ohio Importation Company was organ- 
ized at the Ross County fair. The Company began 
the next season the importation of fine cattle trom 
England, and, in a few years, did incalculable good 
in this respect, as well as make considerable money 
in the enterprise. 

These societies were re-organized when the law 
of 1846 went into eft'ect, and, with those that liad 
gone down and the new ones started, gave an im- 
petus to agriculture that to this day is felt. Now 
every county has a society, while district, State 
and inter-State societies are annually held; all 
promotive in their tendency, and all a benefit to 
every one. 

The Ohio State Board of Agriculture was organ- 
ized by an act of the Legislature, passed February 
27, 1846. Since then various amendments to the 
organic law have been passed from time to time as 

*The Western TillerwsiB publiBlied in Cincinnati, in 1S20. It was 
"miscellaneous," but contained many excellent articles on iigri- 
culture. 

The Farmers^ Iteeord was published in Cincinnati, in 1831, and 
continued for sevcnil years. 

The Ohio Furruer was published at Batavia, Clermont County, in 
183:}, by Hon. Samuel Mertary. 

These were the early agricultural journals, some of which yet 
survive, though in new names, and under new management. Others 
have, also, since been added, some of which have an exceedingly 
large circulation, and are an influence for much good in the State. 






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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



163 



tlie necessities of the Board and of agriculture in 
the State demanded. The same day that the act 
was passed creating the State Board, an act was 
also passed providing for the erection of county and 
district societies, under which law, with subsequent 
amendments, the present county and district agri- 
cultural societies are managed. During the years 
from 18-16 down to the present time, great improve- 
ments have been made in the manner of conduct- 
ing these societies, resulting in exhibitions unsur- 
passed in any other State. 

Pomology and horticulture are branches of in- 
dustry so closely allied with agriculture that a 
brief resume of their operations in Ohio will be 
eminently adapted to these pages. The early 
planting and care of fruit in Ohio has already been 
noticed. Among the earliest pioneers were men of 
fine tastes, who not only desired to benefit them- 
selves and their country, but who were possessed 
with a laudable ambition to produce the best fruits 
and vegetables the State could raise. For this end 
they studied carefully the topography of the coun- 
try, its soil, climate, and various influences upon 
such culture, and by careful experiments with fruit 
and vegetables, produced the excellent varieties now 
in use. Mention has been made of Mr. Longworth 
and Mr. Ernst, of Cincinnati ; and Israel and Aaron 
W. Putnam, on the Muskingum River ; Mr. Dille, 



Judges Fuller and Whittlesey, Dr. .Tared Kirtland 
and tiis sons, and others — all practical enthusiasts in 
these departments. At first, individual efforts alone, 
owing to the condition of the country, could be 
made. As the State filled with settlers, and means 
of communication became better, a desire for an in- 
terchange of views became apparent, resulting in 
the establishment of periodicals devoted to tJiese 
subjects, and societies where difterent ones could 
meet and discuss these things. 

A Horticultural and Pomological Society was 
organized in Ohio in 1866. Before the organiza- 
tion of State societies, however, several distinct or 
independent societies existed ; in fact, out of these 
grew the State Society, which in turn produced 
good by stimulating the creation of county societies. 
All these societies, aids to agriculture, have pro- 
gressed as the State developed, and have done much 
in advancing fine fruit, and a taste for aesthetic cul- 
ture. In all parts of the West, their influence is 
seen in better and improved fruit ; its culture and 
its demand. 

To-day, Ohio stands in the van of the Western 
States in agriculture and all its kindred associa- 
tions. It only needs the active energy of her 
citizens to keep her in this place, advancing 
as time advances, until the goal of her ambition is 
reached. 



CHAPTER XVL 



CLIMATOLOGY— OUTLINE —VARIATION 



IN OHIO— ESTIMATE 
—VARIABILITY. 



IN DEGREES— RAINFALL— AMOUNT 



THE climate of Ohio varies about four degrees. 
Though originally liable to malaria in many 
districts when first settled, in consequence of a 
dense vegetation induced by summer heats and 
rains, it has became very healthful, owing to clear- 
ing away this vegetation, and proper drainage. The 
State has became as favorable in its sanitary char- 
acteristics as any other in its locality. Ohio is re- 
markable for its high productive capacity, almost 
every thing grown in the temperate climates being 
within its range. Its extremes of heat and cold 
are less than almost any other State in or near the 
same latitude, hence Ohio suffers less from the ex- 
treme dry or wet seasons which affect all adjoining 
States. These modifications are mainly due to the 
influence of the Lake Erie waters. These not 



I only modify the heat of summer and the cold of 
winter, but apparently reduce the profiision of 
rainfall in summer, and favor moisture in dry pe- 
riods. No finer climate exists, all conditions consid- 
ered, for delicate vegetable growths, than that por- 
tion of Ohio bordering on Lake Erie. This is 
abundantly attested by the recent extensive devel- 
opment there of grape culture. 

Mr. Lorin Blodget, author of ''American Clima- 
tology," in the agricultural report of 185H, says; 
"A district bordering on the Southern and West- 
ern portions of Lake Erie is more favorable in this 
respect ( grape cultivation ) than any other on the 
Atlantic side of the Rocky Mountains, and it will 
ultimately prove capable of a very liberal extension 
of vine culture." 



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164 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



Experience has proven Mr. Blodget correct in 
his theory. Now extensive fields of grapes are 
everywhere found on the Lake Erie Slope, while 
other small fruits find a sure footing on its soil. 

" Considering the climate of Ohio by isother- 
mal lines and rain shadings, it must be borne in 
mind," says Mr. Blodget, in his description of 
Ohio's climate, from which these facts are drawn, 
" that local influences often require to be considered. 
At the South, from Cincinnati to Steubenville, the 
deep river valleys are two degrees warmer than the 
hilly districts of the same vicinity. The lines are 
drawn intermediate between the two extremes. 
Thus, Cincinnati, on the plain, is 2° warmer than 
at the Observatory, and 4° warmer for each year 
than Hillsboro, Highland County — the one being 
500, the other 1,000, feet above sea-level. The 
immediate valley of the Ohio, from Cincinnati to 
Gallipolis, is about 75° for the summer, and 54° 
for the year; while the adjacent hilly districts, 
:i00 to 500 feet higher, are not above 73° and 52° 
respectively. For the summer, generally, the 
river valleys are 73° to 75° ; the level and central 
portions 72° to 73°, and the lake border 70° to 
72°. A peculiar mildness of climate belongs to 
the vicinity of Kelley's Island, Sandusky and 
Toledo. Here, both winter and summer, the cli- 
mate is 2° warmer than on the highland ridge ex- 
t(^nding from Norwalk and Oberlin to Hudson and 
the northeastern border. This ridge varies from 
500 to 750 feet above the lake, or "850 to 1,200 
feet above sea level. This high belt has a summer 
temperature of 70°, 27° for the winter, and 49° 
for the year ; while at Sandusky and Kelley's 
Island the summer is 72°, the winter 29°, and the 
year 50°. In the central and eastern parts of 
the State, the winters are comparatively cold, the 
average falling to 32° over the more level districts, 
and to 29° on the highlands. The Ohio River 
valley is about 35°, but the highlands near it fall 
to 31° and 32° for the winter." 

As early as 1824, several persons in the State 
began taking the temperature in their respective 
localities, for the spring, summer, autumn and win- 
ter, averaging them for the entire year. From time 
t() time, these were gathered and published, inducing 
others to take a step in the same direction. Not 
long since, a general table, from about forty local- 



ities, was gathered and compiled, covering a period 
of more than a (juarter of a century. This table, 
when averaged, showed an average temperature of 
52.4°, an evenness of temperature not equaled 
in many bordering States. 

Very imperfect observations have been made 
of the amount of rainfall in the State. Until 
lately, only an individual here and there through- 
out the State took enough interest in this matter 
to faithfully observe and record the averages of 
several years in succession. In consequence of 
this fact, the illustration of that feature of Ohio's 
climate is less satisfactory than that of the 
temperature. "The actual rainfall of diff"erent 
months and years varies greatly," says Mr. Blod- 
get. "There may be more in a month, and, 
again, the quantity may rise to 12 or 15 inches 
in a single month. For a year, the variation may 
be from a minimum of 22 or 25 inches, to a maxi- 
mum of 50 or even 60 inches in the southern part 
of the State, and 45 to 48 inches along the lake 
border. The average is a fixed quantity, and, 
although requiring a period of twenty or twenty- 
five years to fix it absolutely, it is entirely certain 
and unchangeable when known. On chaits, these 
average quantities are represented by depths 
of shading. At Cincinnati, the last fifteen years 
of observation somewhat reduce the average of 
48 inches, of former years, to 46 or 47 inches." 

Spring and summer generally give the most rain, 
there being, in general, 10 to 12 inches in the 
spring, 10 to 14 inches in the summer, and 8 to 
10 inches in the autumn. The winter is the most 
variable of all the seasons, the southern part of 
the State having 10 inches, and the northern part 
7 inches or less — an average of 8 or 9 inches. 

The charts of rainfall, compiled for the State, 
show a fall of 30 inches on the lake, and 46 inches 
at the Ohio River. Between these two points, the 
fall is marked, beginning at the north, 32, 34, 36 
and 38 inches, all near the lake. Farther down, 
in the latitude of Tuscarawas, Monroe and Mercer 
Counties, the fall is 40 inches, while the south- 
western part is 42 and 44 inches. 

The clearing away of forests, the drainage of 
the land, and other causes, have lessened the rain- 
fall, making considerable diiference since the days 
of the aboriiiines. 



^< 



^ 



¥ 



^tJiU^^ 





^^— ^ 



-/ §) 



k 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



Thk Divide — Water Toirses — Soii.- 



■ SiRFACE Deposits — Goi-o- 
Geology. 



Iron Ore — Geolookal STRrcTURE — Economic 



SURVEY OF 1878 
In the beginning, the Lord made the heaven and the earth. 

RICHLAND COUNTY is situated on the 
highest part of the divide between the 
waters of Lalie Erie and the Ohio River. The 
surface on the north is comparativeh' level, but 
rises toward tlie south to the height, in places, 
of nearly one thousand feet above the lake. 
In the southeast part of the count}- there are 
chains of high hills, separated by narrow val- 
leys, and exhibiting almost a mountainous 
character. The Black Fork of the Mohican 
River rises in the north part of the count}', and, 
passing through the townships of Blooming 
Grove. Franklin. Weller, Mifflin and Monroe, 
and thence into Ashland Count}', flows in a deep 
channel which connects on the north with the 
channels of drainage into the lake. A similar 
cliannel. having a similar northern connection, 
passes a little west of Mansfield, and, now filled 
with silt and gravel, forms the bed of Owl Creek. 
Between these valleys the hills rise in irregular 
chains, often quite abruptly, and in the southern 
and southwestern parts of the county to an 
elevation of from 200 to 500 feet al)ove the 
valleys. In Jefferson Township a long -chest- 
nut ridge.' traversed by the road leading west 
from Independence, reaches an elevation of 



^1 



BY M. C. RE.4D. 

450 feet above the railroad at Independence. 
On the geologist's table of elevations this rail- 
road station is given as 659 feet, but he sus- 
pects this to be excessive. If correct, the 
elevation of the ridge is 1,059 feet above the 
lake, and is one of the highest points in the 
State. Two and a half miles northeast of Bell- 
ville, and near the north line of Jefferson Town- 
ship, the hills reach an elevation of 952 feet 
above the lake. About two miles north, and 
on the direct road to Mansfield, the surface 
rises rapidly to an elevation of 912 feet, and at 
three and a half miles, the summit between 
Bellville and Mansfield is 932 feet above the 
lake, or 370 feet above Mansfield.* The descent 
from the top of this divide is much more 
gradual to the north than to the south, a 
characteristic of all parts of the water-shed in 
this neighborhood. The highest points to the 
north and toward Mansfield are, by the 
barometer. 320 feet. 300 feet. 190 feet, etc.. 
above Mansfield. About seven miles west of 
the city, and near the western line of the county, 
is an isolated knob, which is designated by 



* The height of Mansfield above the lake is, on the profile of 
the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, 581 feet; on the profile of 
the Sandusky & Mansfield Railroad, 657 feet ; on the profile of the 
Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad, 592 feet; part of the 
diflerence being due to the different elevations of the localities 
passed by the railroads in the city. 



2i: 



l^ 



166 



irrsTOHY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



residents in tlie vieinit}- as the higliest land in 
tlie county and State. It is, liowever, by the 
barometer, only 240 feet above Mansfield, or 
832 feet altove the lake, while two and a half 
miles further east tlie surface rises by a more 
gentle inclination 80 feet higher. 

Soil. — The soil over the greater part of Rich- 
land County rests upon the unmodified drift 
clays, and takes its general character from them. 
It contains a large quantity of lime, derived 
mainly from the corniferous limestone, frag- 
ments of which are eAerywhere mingled with 
the drift. The clay in the soil is also modified 
and tempered by the deliris of the local rocks, 
which is largely mingled with the drift, and is 
mostly siliceous. This character, combined with 
a high elevation and thorough surface drain- 
age, furnishes a soil which renders the name of 
the county appropriate, and secures a great 
variety of agricultural products. 

While all parts of the count}' are well adapted 
to grazing, the land is especially fitted for the 
growth of wheat and other cereals, and to the 
production of fruit. The profusion of rock 
fragments in the drift renders the soil pervious 
to water, and prevents washing, even in the 
steepest hills. 

In the southeastern part of the count}' the 
higher hills are, in places, capped with a coarse 
ferruginous conglomerate, and are so covered 
with its debris as not to be susceptilile of til- 
lage. Nature has designated a use to which 
these sand-rock hills should be appropriated, 
as they are generally co^-ered with a dense sec- 
ond growth of chestnut. This timlier prefers a 
soil filled with fragments of sand-rock, and the 
second growth is almost as valuable as red cedar 
for fence posts and other similar purposes. If 
upon all similar rocky hills the inferior kinds 
of timber and tlie useless undergrowth were 
cut awa}', and the growth of the chestnut en- 
couraged, these now worthless hilltops would 
yield an annual harvest scarcel}' less valualjle 
than that of the most fertile valle^•s. ( )n the 



north side of the divide, the slopes of the hills 
are covered by the debris of the local rocks, and 
the soil is much less productive. 

Snrfacf Dejiosif^i. — The greater part of the 
county is covered by a thick deposit of unmotli- 
fied bowlder clay, which, in many of the north- 
ern townships, conceals from view all the under- 
lying rocks. Except upon the mai-gins of the 
streams, this bowlder clay, which is often very 
thick, is wholly unstratified. The clay near the 
surface is 3'ellow; at the bottom, l)lue. Granitic 
bowlders and pebbles, and fragments of the local, 
rocks are very abundant through the whole mass. 
In some places the line between the yellow and 
blue clay is sharpl}' defined, but, aside from the 
diflf'erence in color, there is no distinction, ex- 
cept that the yellow is fissured by vertical, hor- 
izontal and oblique seams, through which the 
water readily percolates, while the blue is gen- 
erally impervious to it. On this account, springs 
frequently mark the junction of these clays. 
Many of them, however, which afforded an 
abundant supply of water when the country 
was first settled, have dried up. This is no in- 
dication of a diminished rainfall, but may be 
explained partly by the more rapid surface 
drainage, resulting from the removal of the 
forest, and parti}- by the deeper oxidization 
of the bowlder cla}', which renders it porous, 
and depresses the junction between the yellow 
and blue clays, so as to change the line of 
drainage, or, from the deeper fissures of the 
clay, the water-bearing horizon has been car- 
ried below the outlets of the old springs. 

The hard granitic and metamorphic bowlders 
and pebbles of this drift are well worn, and 
often striated with great uniformity along their 
greatest diameter. On the contrary, the soft 
and friable debris of the local rocks on the top 
of the hills is neither water-worn nor striated. 
The fragments are often as angular as if just 
broken up in a quarry. Away from the water- 
courses the surface of the land is undulating, 
consisting of irregular j-idges with frequent 



TRT 



VK 



HISTOliY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



167 



depressions and cavities having no outlet, and 
indicating tliat tlie present contour of the sur- 
face is not the result of recent erosion. The 
surlace drainage is now filling up and obliterat- 
ing these cavities, some of which are still 
swanii)s. and generally the wash from the hills 
is carrying the silt and humus into these de- 
pressions, so that surface erosion is steadily 
diminishing instead of increasing these inequal- 
ities. Over large areas the clay includes such 
an alnnidance of rock fragments that, wherever 
surface erosion is facilitated down the slopes of 
the hills by road-making or otherwise, the wash 
is arrested as soon as a shallow channel is formed 
l)y the accumulation of rock fragments on the 
surface. If erosion by rainfall excavated the 
depressions and ravines, the water would have 
had force sufficient only to carry away the clay, 
sand, and finer gravels, and the surface would 
now be covered Avith bowlders and fragments 
of rocks, but such a condition of the surface is 
nowhere found. A comparatively few isolated 
bowlders are scattered over the surface as 
though dropped upon it. In the deeper ravines, 
which should he filled with a mass of these 
bowlders, they are Aery rarely found, and are 
no more abundant upon the slopes than upon 
the tops of the hills. 

On the margins of the streams there is fre- 
quently at the bottom a deposit of laminated 
or finel.y stratified clay, with rudely stratified 
gravel and bowlders above. The fragments of 
the local rocks are here rounded and globular ; 
no striated granitic fragments are found. In 
places, all the fragments of the local rocks are 
ground to powder, and, with all the clay and 
finer gravels of the drift, have been washed 
away, leaving only coarse, well-rounded gran- 
itic pebliles, with occasional bowlders of the 
corniferous limestone. In this material, also, 
cavities are occasionally found having no out- 
lets, the character of the underlying rocks, and 
the form of the surface, indicating that they are 
not properly sink-holes, such as are often found 



in limestone regions. A little east oi' tlie I'ail- 
road station at Lexington, two such cavities are 
quite conspicuous. They are on a long bil- 
low}' ridge, filled with coarse gravel and bowl- 
ders, and covered with a foi'cst of hard maple. 
In the deepest cavity tlie depression is twenty- 
five feet, in the other fifteen feet. The slopes in 
each are smooth, without rock fragments, and 
covered with the native forest trees. In both 
there is an accumulation of humus at the bottom, 
and the deeper one contains a little water. 
They afford a ready explanation <jf the origin 
of the small ponds having no outlet, found in 
other places along this divide, with dead forest 
trees standing in the water. In the original 
cavity the drainage through the porous bottom 
was free, and the forests occupied the liottom 
and the slopes. The wash of the slopes and the 
fine material of the decomposed vegetation 
gradually accunudated in the gravelly bottom, 
which, like a filter long used, gradually l)e- 
came impervious to the water, which encroached 
more and more upon the vegetation, ultimately 
destroying it, and the dry cavity became a 
pond. The accumulation of vegetable debris, 
and the growth of water plants upon the mar- 
gin, will finally convert the pond into a marsh, 
which in the end will be filled up and ol)literated. 
To account for the facts exhibited in the pro- 
file of Richland County, an agency is required 
which shall 1 )ring from their home in the far north 
the granitic bowlders and pelibles. the cornifer- 
ous limestone, and other hard rocks interven- 
ing; shall pulverize to clay the soft, argil- 
•laceous rocks; shall leave the hard rocks 
brought in from the north rounded and striated ; 
shall mingle all this material intimately with 
the debris of the friable local rocks, which are 
neither water-worn nor striated, but are sharp, 
angular fragments; and leave the whole entirely 
unassorted upon the high lands in undulating 
ridges, but upon the margins of the streams 
often washing away all the finer material, wear- 
ino- to a sand the debris of the soft local rocks. 



^ 



f 



ik^ 



168 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



assorting and depositing in different places the 
materials having different specific gravities. 
The question, what that agent probably was, 
will be discussed when other facts bearing 
upon its full solution shall be accumulated. 

Gt>/(1. — One of the most interesting surface 
deposits of the count}', and one intimately con- 
nected with the discussion of the drift, is the 
gold found al)out Bellville and other places in 
the southern part of Richland County. The 
origin of the gold has been attributed to an 
ancient drift agency, which brought in the peb- 
bles of the Waverly conglomerate ; but the 
geologist is quite confident that it should be 
referred to the surface drift, and was brought 
in b}' the same agency that transported the 
granitic bowlders and pebbles. If referred to 
the Waverly conglomerate, it should Ue found 
at the base of this deposit. It is, in fact, found 
most al^undantly about the level of its upper 
surface, and in perceptible quantities on the 
slopes of the hills fifty to one hundred feet 
above it. If it came from the Waverly con- 
glomerate, it should be the most abundant 
where the quartz pebbles of this conglomerate 
are the most numerous, while at Bellville and 
the immediate neighborhood this Waverly rock 
is comparativelj^ free from pel)l)les. The gold 
is found in minute flakes, associated with black 
sand (magnetic iron ore), small garnets, and 
fragments of quartz. It is most abundant at 
the mouth of gorges opening to the south, ris- 
ing rather rapidly toward the north, termintiting 
in various branches, which start from the top 
of the hills two or three hundred feet high. 
On the table-land above, large quartz bowlders 
are occasionally seen, and angular fragments of 
quartz are abundantly obtained in washing for 
gold. Pieces of native copper are also found, 
some of them of considerable size, occasionally 
copper ore. and. very rarely, minute quantities 
of native silver. In the stone quarry near 
Bellville an angular and partly decomposed 
fragment of quartz was picked up. containing 



what the miners call "wire gold," interlaced 
through it. It had evidently fallen from the 
gravel bed at the top of the quarry, which con- 
tained quartz fragments, mingled with other 
erratics. The most plausible theory of the 
origin of the gold is, that the transposing agen- 
cies which brought in and deposited the surface 
drift, passed over veins of gold-bearing quartz, 
which were crushed, l)roken up, and transported 
with the other foreign material, and scattered 
along a line extending through Richland, Knox, 
and Licking Counties. Over what is now the 
southern slope of the divide between the waters 
of the lake and the Ohio, a thick deposit of the 
drift has been washed awa,}', the fragments of 
the quartz tooken up and disintegrated, the 
gold of the drift concentrated probably a hun- 
dred thousand fold, so that in these protected 
coves the '-color" of gold can be obtained from 
almost every panful of earth. The first dis- 
covery of this fact caused much local excite- 
ment, and experienced miners and others pros- 
pected the whole region in the confident 
expectation that these indications would lead 
to rich placer mining. One returned California 
miner spent the whole of one summer and fall 
prospecting, part of the time with one, and the 
rest with three, hired assistants. The gross 
amount of gold obtained was lietween twent}'- 
five and thirty dollars. In the richest localities 
about one dollar per day can be obtained by 
steady work. As no gold-bearing rocks are to 
be found in the State, the occurrence of gold 
here can have only a scientific interest con- 
nected with the theories of the di-ift. 

Iron Ore.— The rocks of Richland County 
include a few deposits of iron ore, generally of 
little value, and the surface accumulations of 
this mineral are rare. In Plymouth Township, 
on a small stream near the center, and west of 
the railroad, is quite an extensive bed of hy- 
drated oxide of iron, containing large masses 
of calcareous tufa. No spring of water is appar- 
ent which could deposit these minerals, and 



V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND (XJUXTY 



109 



they probably indicate the bed of an old shal- 
low swamp, now five or six feet above the pres- 
ent channel of the adjacent stream. The 
stratum is from two to three feet in thickness, but 
not of sufficient extent to be of any great value. 
Geological Structure. — The geological struct- 
ure of Richland Count}' is easily- read, and has 
little variet3\ No single exposure discloses 
all the rocks of the series, and as the dip is 
often quite considerable, and is without uni- 
formity, the measurements of the different 
strata are only approximations. The subjoined 
section is the result of many observations and 
measurements, and will illustrate the general 
character of the geological structure: 

Carboniferous conglomerate 8 to 20 feet 

Argillaceous and siliceous shales 170 to "ioO feet 

Waverly conglomerate 100 to 190 feet 

Argillaceous and sandy shales, some- 
times bituminous 65 feet 

Shales with bands of flaggy sandstone... 235 feet 

Berea sandstone.. 

The highest hills in the northeastern parts 
of the county are capped with the carboniferous 
conglomerate, which is, in general, quite thin, 
rarely attaining a thickness of twenty feet. It 
frequently contains fragments of chert, and a 
large quantity of iron ore. In many places it 
is a siliceous iron ore, and would be valuable if 
there were a local demand for it. This conglom- 
erate contains, in many places, a great profusion 
of calamites — lepidodendra, sigillaria, etc. 

Below this is a series of shales correspond- 
ing to the Cuyahoga shales of the northeastern 
counties, in part argillaceous, with fragments of 
crinoids and nodules of iron ore ; and, in part, 
siliceous, containing the ordinary sub-carbon- 
iferous fossils. The transition is here apparent 
through which the varied strata composing the 
Cuyahoga shales pass in going southward into 
the homogeneous, sandy, olive shales of the 
Waverly ; and this member of the series is 
much more siliceous than it is further north. It 
varies much in thickness, ranging from 110 to 



200 feet, and over. In places, the lower part of 
it becomes massive, and not distinguishable 
from the Waverly conglomerate upon which it 
rests. Nowliere in it were minerals of any 
economic value observed. 

The Waverly conglomerate is the character- 
istic rock formation of the county, and, from its 
lithological character in many places, it might 
readil}' be mistaken for the ordinary carbon- 
iferous conglomerate, but its horizon can be 
definitely traced at a varying distance of from 
one hundred to two liundred and fifty feet be- 
low the true conglomerate, and upon careful 
study can everywhere be readily distinguished 
from it. It is generally more thoroughh- and 
evenly stratified than the carboniferous con- 
glomerate, the pebbles are usually smaller ; the 
orains of sand forming the mass of rock are 
mostly globular and transparent. When col- 
ored by iron it is oftener in regular bands or 
layers, as the result of more perfect stratifica- 
tion, and pebbles and grains of jasper are more 
abundant. The distinction between it and the 
carboniferous conglomerate of this immediate 
neighborhood is still more marked. The latter 
is quite coarse, containing large pebbles, some 
of them but little rounded fragments of fos- 
siliferous, cherty limestone, and many coal 
plants, including sigillaria, calamites, lepido- 
dendra, cordaites, etc. The plants of the 
Waverly conglomerate are mainly fucoids. The 
iron in the latter, shown only l^y the colgr of 
the rock, is magnetic, preventing the use of the 
compass in the vicinity of its massive out- 
crops. 

In Plymouth Township, about three miles 
southwest of Plymouth Village, there is a 
quarry in the Berea grit, showing something of 
a transition lietween this quarry rock and the 
coarse conglomerate. About twelve feet in 
thickness of the rock has been exposed, the 
upi)er layers yellow, thin, and much broken ; 
the lower ones more massive, blue in color and 
a sandstone grit. The dip of the rock is 5° 



■711 



!S> i> 



170 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY 



north, and the quarry is twenty feet below an 
opening in the same I'ock at Plymouth Village. 
This is the southern exposure in this neigh- 
borhood of unmistakable Berea, and there is 
great difficulty in tracing its connection with 
the outcrops of massive sand-rOck to the north- 
east, and in the central and eastern parts of 
the county. The surface rises to the northeast, 
is gently undulating, sometimes hilly, every- 
where exhibiting a thick deposit of drift, which 
conceals all the rocks, until a little north of 
Rome, in Blooming drove Township. On the 
banks of a small stream aliout fifteen feet of 
rocks are exposed, consisting of soft argilla- 
ceous shales, with haixl, Ijlue, tesselated bands 
which weather yellow, affording poor stone, but 
furuishiug the only supply in this neighborhood. 
These present somewhat the appearance of the 
Bedford shales, belonging l)elow the Berea, 
while, topographically, they are by the barom- 
eter 170 feet above the Berea last described, 
lu Weller Township, one-half mile northwest 
of ()lives])urg, awell was sunk, passing through 
twenty-one feet of unstratified clay drift, then 
striking a hard, fine-grained, blue sandstone, 
underlaid with alternate bands of sandstone 
and argillaceous shales. These were penetrated 
to the depth of nineteen feet, wdien a small sup- 
ply of water was obtained, and the explorations 
ceased. Four miles west, at Big Hill, the same 
sandstone is quarried. South of this, and in 
the Jiills immediately north of Windsor Sta- 
tion, in AVeller Township, the Waverly con- 
glomerate is quarried and exposed l)y outcrops 
and bluff's in several places. It is here 100 feet 
tliick. and its surface, by barometer, is 400 feet 
above the exposure of the Berea in Plymouth 
Village. It is a coarse, massive sandstone, in 
places white, in others covered with iron, con- 
taining many quartz pebbles, and presenting a 
strong resemblance to the ordinary conglomer- 
ate. In one quarry, about thirty feet of the 
structure of the ledge is exposed. It is mnch 
broken up, and, except at the top, has no reg- 



ular stratification, and is all coarse. In places 
it is full of pebbles, and bears little reseml>lance 
to any of the northern exposures of the Berea. 
Glacial striaj are here observed. l)earing south 
32° east. 

If this is a continuation of the Berea. its 
lithological characters here rapidly changed, and 
in the distance of about twenty miles it has 
risen about four hundred feet. This may be 
the fact, but, from a comparison of all the ob- 
servations made, it is pretty certain that it has 
no connection with the Berea, but is simply an 
ancient shore deposit of coarse material, haA- 
ing no great horizontal range, and not always 
to be found on the same vertical horizon. The 
Waverly rocks in passing northward liecome 
much more siliceous, and the sandy layers are 
generally composed of coarser materials. In 
places they consist entirel}', so far as they are 
exposed, of thin, fragile layers of sand}' shale, 
constituting the typical olive shales of the 
Waverly. These, in places, pass into a com- 
pact quarr}' rock, similar to the Logan sand- 
stone of Fairfield County, and often, at a dis- 
tance of from 120 to 250 feet below the coal- 
measure rocks, are succeeded by this coarse 
Waverl}' conglomerate. This, it is true, is 
about the distance below the coal measures at 
which the Berea is found at the north. But 
there is a gi''eat thickeuing-up southward of the 
Waverly rocks, and this conglomerate has 
neither the persistence nor any of the litholog- 
ical characters of the Berea. Its base, where 
well defined in Knox County, is shown l)y l)or- 
ings to be over three hundred and fift}- feet 
above the top of the red or chocolate shales, 
which there is a well-defined horizon, and ap- 
pears to be identical with the Cleveland shales 
of the Cuyahoga Valley, which are a))out 
seventy feet only below the Berea. These bor- 
ings disclose the fact that the Huron. Erie, and 
Cleveland shales extend northward through 
these counties with little change in their litho- 
logical characters — the Erie greatly reduced in 



■?i; 



\ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



173 



thickness ; that a1>ove them there is a marked 
thickening- of the Waverly rocks, and such 
change in their mineral constituents and modes 
of Reposition, as to make tlieir subdivision into 
Cuyahoga shales. Berea grit, and Bedford shales, 
so clearly defined in the Cuyahoga, impossi- 
ble. The interval between this rock and the 
coal measures also varies greatly, and it is evi- 
dent that at different horizons the sandy shales 
of the Waverly pass into coarse conglomerate, 
which form long, narrow ridges, with a north- 
erly and southerly l)earing, and nowhere ex- 
tending in broad sheets in an easterly and west- 
erly direction. The fact is of interest, in this 
connection, that the whole bod}' of the A\'averly 
here is composed of coarser material, and is 
generally more homogeneous than further south. 

The following sections will show the general 
character of the upper memliers of the Waverly, 
and the local character of the Waverly con- 
glomerate : 

Section from top of hill, near the southwest 
corner of Washington Township, to the "oil- 
well " on the banks of the Mohican, six miles 
south of Loudonville : ^ , 

Feet 
No. 1. Coarse ferruginous, cherty conglomerate 

No. 2. Olive shales of Waverly 270 

No. 3. Alternate bands of sandstone and argilla- 
ceous shales 100 

No. 4. Argillaceous shales, with nodules of iron ore, 

many fragments of crinoids, spirifers, etc. 20 

An exposure half a mile west of No. 3 of this 
section shows a coarse and more massive sand- 
stone, approaching to the WaA'erly conglomerate. 

Section three-fourths of a mile northwest of 
Lucas: 

Feet. 

No. 1. Red and yellow conglomerate 10 to 18 

No. 2. Hard white sand-rock in three layers... 19 

No. 3. Covered 160 

No. 4. Sand and argillaceous shales at bottom 

of valley 

The upper part of the Waverly conglomerate 
is represented l)}- the upper part of this sec- 
tion. The rock shows occasional seams of peb- 
bles, and in places colored bands, not as marked, 



but of the same character as the Mansfield 
quarry. It is firm and strong, splitting easily 
in the lines of stratification, and furnishes a 
very good quarry rock. 
Section at Newville: 

Feet. 

No. 1. Olive shales of Waverly 160 

No. 2. White sand-rock 10 to 15 

No. 3. Coarse sandstone with pebbles and 

bands of gravel 80 to 100 

The lower 100 feet of this section compose 
the rock bluffs at Newville, which present a 
striking resemblance to some of the outcrops 
of the sub-carboniferous conglomerate. It splits 
more readily into thin layers, and its true char- 
acter as the WaA^erly conglomerate is apparent 
from its mineral composition, as well as from 
its stratigraphical position. 

Section at Daniel Zent's quarry. Bellville: 

Feet. 

No. 1. Earth 2 to 4 

No. 2. Coarse pebbles of drift 8 to 10 

No. 3. Sandstone in thin layers 15 

No. 4. Sandstone in massive layers 8 

No. 5. Sandstone in layers of one to four feet.... 15 

The rock of this exposure is much like the 
Logan sandstone, contains few pebbles, l)ut is 
on the same horizon as the Waverly conglom- 
erate. '■" It affords a large amount of excellent 
building-stone, most of which is taken by the 
railroad company. This rock forms all the hills 
in this part of the county, which rise rapidly to 
the north to the height of thirty feet or more. 
It is in the coves and gorges cut down in this 
rock, and opening southward, that most of the 
gold of this county has been found, which is 
obtained not only at the bottom of the gorges, 
but from the earth which covers the slopes to 
the top. These facts, coupled with that of find- 
ing many erratics of quartz in the tops of the 
hills to the north and northwest, indicate that 
this gold was brought in b}' the recent, and not 
by the Waverly drift. 

Many la3'ers in this quarry are conspicuously 
ripple-marked, and remains of fucoids are 



fk 



174 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



abundant. Northward from this locality, on the 
road toward Mansfield, the hills rise through 
the olive shales of the Waverly to the height of 
350 feet above the base of this quarry. The 
character of the rock is well shown in the hills ; 
is a yellow, fine-grained, shelly sandstone, and 
valueless as a quarry rock. Approaching Mans- 
field, it becomes coarser, more massive, and 
more highly colored with iron, and finally 
passes into a coarse, massive sand-rock, evident- 
ly the Waverly conglomerate, the top of which 
is 145 feet above the base of the quarry at Bell- 
ville. Ninety feet below this, in the bed of a 
stream, alternate layers of argillaceous and 
sandy shales are exposed. 

The top of the quarry east from Mansfield is 
twenty feet below the top of this coarse sand- 
rock, and is a continuation of it, the town rest- 
ing upon this formation, which crops out on all 
sides of it. About sixty feet of the rock is 
here exposed. It is all much broken ; the 
upper thirty feet in thin layers, the lower thirty 
feet in layers of from one to six feet thick. 
Much of the rock is beautifully colored in 
waved bands and lines of black, yellow and red, 
as delicately shaded as the best artificial gi-ain- 
ing of wood. Very beautiful specimens can be 
obtained, and if it were harder it would make 
a very ornamental building stone. It dresses 
smoothly and endures exposure well, but is 
soft and easily worn away by abrasion. 

On Brushy Fork, near Millsborough, about 
six miles west of Mansfield, and thirty-five feet 
above the Mansfield quarry, is the outcrop of 
the same rock, of which the following is a sec- 
tion : j,,,t 
No. 1. Coarse, shaly sandstone in broken layers. 12 
No. 2. Ferruginous sandstone, with waved lines 

of stratification 6 to 10 

No. 3. Coarse, massive sandstone, with irregular 

veins of iron 6 

No. 4. Shelly Sandstone , 8 

No. 5. Blue argillaceous shale, with bands of 

hard, fine-grained sandstone, to bottom 

of exposure 



The upper members are the thinning-out of 
the Mansfield rock, the equivalent of the Wav- 
erly conglomerate. On the opposite side of 
the stream, the yellow sand-rock is about thir- 
tj'-five feet thick, coarse, ferruginous, with 
black iron streaks. There are about ten inches 
of light-colored and firm stone. All the rest, 
so far as exposed, is worthless for building pur- 
poses. 

The rock at the bottom is blue argillaceous 
shale, with hard, blue bands, bearing a close 
resemblance to the Erie shales ; no fossils dis- 
covered. In places, interstratified between the 
layers of the yellow sandstone, there is a layer 
of ten to twelve inches of white argillaceous 
shale, which, when disintegrated, bears a close 
resemblance to the fire-clays of the coal meas- 
ures. Outcrops of this rock are to be seen 
northward, near Lexington, and between Lex- 
ington and Bellville, containing quartz pebbles 
and many nodules of soft iron ore ; all the rock, 
in thin layers, extending to the tops of the 
hills, making the connection complete between 
the Mansfield and Bellville quarries. The 
Clear Fork here flows through a broad alluvial 
valley, bordered with heavy hills of modified 
drift, generally sandy, in places composed of 
coarse, water-worn pebbles and bowlders, the 
stream occupying the raised bed of the old 
channel, which passes west of Mansfield, and 
connects the waters of the lake with the 
Ohio. 

Between the top of the argillaceous and sil- 
iceous shales, which very generally underlie the 
horizon of the Waverly conglomerate, there is 
ah interval of something over three hundred 
feet, before the Berea, which is quarried in the 
extreme northwest corner of the county, is 
reached. The northern part of the county is 
comparatively level, the surface deeply covered 
with unmodified clay drift, except along the 
lines of ancient erosion, where the sand-ridges 
equally mark the geological structure. Hence 
there are very few rock exposures, and these so 



•^ 



HISTOEY OF KICHLAXD COUNTY. 



175 



isolated that the section cannot be constructed 
in detail. So far as seen, it is composed of 
alternate strata of argillaceous and siliceous 
shales having little economic value, though 
some of the layers afford a fair stone for ordi- 
nary foundation purposes. 

Economic Geology. — From what has already 
been written, it is apparent that the mineral 
deposits of the county are not of very great 
economic value. 

The heavy beds of the Waverly afford an 
inexhaustible supply of stone of good quality 
for bridge and foundation purposes, which 
would also make a very fair building stone, but 
not equal in value to the Berea north of it, or 
to the more homogeneous and finer-grained 
sandstones of the Waverly, further south. The 
peculiarly rich, but rather gaudy, coloring of 
the rock from the quarry near Mansfield and 
other places would, if properly selected, make 
highly ornamental window caps, sills, etc., and 
might be used for the entire fronts of buildings. 

The Berea is too far beneath the surface to 
be accessible, except at the northwest corner of 
the county, and does not there present its best 
characteristics. 

The iron ore of the county consists of the 
siliceous ore occupying the horizon of the 
conglomerate at the tops of the highest hills, 
nodules of clay-iron stone found here and there 
throughout the rock formations, and bog ore 
found in a few places on the surface. None of 
these are in sufficient quantity or of sufficient 
purity to pay for transportation to parts where 
they could be economically used. 

Since the explorations of the county were 
made, considerable local interest has been man- 



ifested in the reported discovery of coal by deep 
borings in the immediate neighborhood of 
Mansfield. Coal is exhibited, said to have been 
taken from the borings. It is a legitimate part 
of the work of a geological survey to expose 
and to prevent frauds of this kind so far as it 
can be done, but not to assert that any particu- 
lar individual has attempted or practiced a 
fraud. This is the province of the courts, uix)n 
a proper case being presented to them. It is 
enough to say here that there is some mistake 
in regard to these pretended discoveries. Thin 
seams of carbonaceous matter, or thick beds of 
bituminous shale may be reached by boring in 
this vicinity, but no coal seams will ever be found 
beneath the city of Mansfield or the adjacent 
country, and all pretended discoveries of them 
may at once be set down as either frauds or 
mistakes. The only place where coal can pos- 
sibly be found in the county is near the tops of 
the hills in the northeastern part. In none of 
the hills examined, were coal-measure rocks 
found, and the highest are capped with the 
carboniferous conglomerate, which is below the 
coal; so that the probabilities are that.no coal 
will be found in any of the hills. Explorations 
in Holmes County have shown that hills of 
Waverly rock in places rose above the margin 
of the old coal swamps, and that coal is now 
found near them at a lower level. It is, there- 
fore, barely possible that some outlying deposit 
may exist in this part of the county, and that 
these have not been discovered in making the 
survey. It ma}^ be positively asserted, how- 
ever, that no extensive and valuable deposits 
of coal will ever be found west of the Holmes 
County line, in Richland. 



^ <i 



176 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COl^NTY. 



CHAPTER XVTII 



ARCHEOLOGY.* 

Mound Builders — Mounds Classified — Mounds and Earth-Works in Richland County — Relics — Copper 
AND Stone Implements — Axes, Mauls, Hammers, etc. — Mortars and Pestles — Plates, Thread Sizers, 
Shuttles, etc. — Wands and Badges — Paint-Cups, Pipes. 



Before the white man, the Indian; before the Indian, ? 

THE archaeology of any county forms one 
of its most interesting chapters. Who 
the ancient dwellers were, what the}' did, 
what lives they led, are all questions of con- 
jecture now. Their history appears only in 
their silent monuments, as silent as the race 
they perpetuate. The relics they left are the 
only key to their lives now possessed, and these 
give a history whose antiquity seems almost 
Adamic. The principal remains left in this 
part of Ohio consist of earthworks, mounds 
and parapets, filled with the rude implements 
of the people who built them, and with the 
bones of these lost portions of humanity. 
From their proclivities to build these earth- 
works, these people are known as "Mound- 
Builders," the only name that now fits their 
peculiar style of life. The mounds erected by 
them are of all sizes and shapes, and range in 
height from three or foiir feet to sixty or seventy 
feet. In outline, they are of equal magnitude, 
though none of great height were ever known 
to exist in the confines of Richland County. 
What have been discovered are generally small 
in size and irregular in outline. The}' have, 
in nearly all instances, been much reduced in 
height, as the hand of modern man demands 
them for practical purposes. 

The earth mounds are classified as sepulchral, 
sacrificial, temple or truncated ; mounds of ob- 

*The not«8 and material of this chapter were prepared by Mr. 
Edw. Wilkinson, who has given the subject some study, and who 
has one of the finest private cabinets in tlie county. The chapter 
was written from his notes by Mr. A. A. Graham, the compiler of 
the history. 



servation, symbolical or animal — also known as 
emblematic — and mounds of defense. The first 
named, sepulchral, are the most common of 
any. Emblematical or symliolical mounds are 
not known to exist in this county. If they did 
in the earliest da^'s of the whites, all traces of 
them have lieen olil iterated by that leveler of 
savage country — the plow. Sepulchral mounds 
were devoted to the purpose of burial, and were 
generall}' pyramidal in form, and usually con- 
tained layers of clay, ashes, charcoal, various 
soils and one or more skeletons, often ver}' many. 

Sacrificial mounds are usually stratified, the 
strata being convex layers of clay and loam, 
the layers alternating above a layer of fine sand. 
They also contain ashes, igneous stones, char- 
coal, calcined animal bones, beads, implements 
of stone, pottery and rude sculpture. They 
also have altars of burned clay or stone, rest- 
ing in the center of the mound upon the original 
earth, on which the people offered sacrifice, em- 
ploying fire for the purpose. 

Mounds of observation — sometimes termed 
defensive — are found upon prominent eleva- 
tions. The}' were, doul)tless, alarm posts, watch- 
towers, signal stations, or outlooks. They 
commonly occur in chains or regular systems, 
and still bear traces of the beacon fires that 
once burned upon them. 

In addition to the division of mounds 
already made, some add monumental or memo- 
rial mounds, not numerous, supposed to have 
been erected as memorials to the distinguished 
dead among the Mound-Builders. 



:\ 



4i 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



177 



But few of the moiuids in Richland County 
have been properly opened. The examinations 
have rarely been systematic, and hence much 
has been lost. Commonly, the plow has been 
run over the mounds, regardless of the history 
a careful search would develop, until almost all 
traces of their existence have been obliterated. 
This ruthless leveling of the mounds has not 
been accomplished, however, merely to gratify 
the iconoclastic propensities of the plowman 
— their cupidity moved them. They wanted the 



nothing of special interest was found. Numer- 
ous stone relics were found in and about the 
inclosure. It wafe, mayhap, a place of defense 
in the prehistoric days. 

In that part of Polk Townsliip, in Crawford 
County, formerly a part of this county, about 
one and one-half miles southwest of Gallon, 
there is an inclosure of about one acre. It is 
shaped like a horseshoe, which would bring it 
under the head of symbolical mounds. This 
inclosure has never been well explored. Relics of 




WEDGE-SHAPED IMPLEMENTS. 



corn the mounds would produce. Running the 
plowshare through the mounds was not a very 
successful method of obtaining a knowledge of 
their contents. Of the mounds examined in 
this co»nty in a systematic manner, mention 
may be made as follows : 

In the southeast quarter of Section 15, in 
that part of Auburn Township formerly in this 
county, there is an inclosure of nearly four acres. 
There is a well-defined gateway at the eastern 
side, and near it a walled well. This well was 
dug out to a depth of nearly fifteen feet, but 



stone have been found in it, indicating that at 
one time it was a resort of those who erected it. 

About one mile southwest of this mound, is 
another, four or five feet in height, and about 
eighteen feet in diameter. It is supposed to 
have been a sepulchral mound, and has not. as 
far as is known, been opened. 

In Spring-field Township, on what is knowu 
as the Palmer farm, and just east of the Palmer 
spring, is a small mound, about five feet in 
height, and ten or twelve feet in diameter. It. 
also, has never been opened. 



\ 



'.^ 



178 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



In Sandusky Township, near the line between 
Sandusky and Polk, exists a mound, six or eight 
feet high, and, originally, twenty feet in diam- 
eter. It has been greatly reduced liy the plow. 



Section 16, there is a double mound about 
thirty feet high. It is supposed to be artificial; 
but it has never })een excavated. There is also 
a depression which the early settlers reported 




18 8 




.STONE AND CLAY I'IPKS. 



It was undoubtedly a sepulchral mound, as 
relics are often found about it to warrant such 
a conclusion. 

In Jefferson Township, on the farm of Mr. 
Reuben Evarts, on the northeast quarter of 



as a walled well. On the Laflferty form, in this 
same township, there is a large mound, seventy 
or eighty feet high, and as perfect as a sugar- 
loaf in form. It has never been excavated, but 
appears to be artificial. On account of its size. 



1^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



179 



however, many have doubted the authenticity 
of the statements made concerning it. The 
pioneers say it was used by the Indians as a 
place of burial. 

In Jackson Township, on John Palmers farm 
(Section 29), there is a mound about four feet 
high and twenty feet in diameter. Dr. J. W. 
Craig took from this mound several spear-heads. 
There was also found burnt cla}', with charcoal 
and bones, which evidenced that it was a sacri- 
ficial mound. A few miles to the east of this 
there is another small mound, which has not 
yet been explored. 

Dr. William Busluiell remembers there was 
a mound in Mifflin Township, situated about 
fifteen rods to the east of Black Fork, just 



east of the city of Mansfield. The work con- 
sists of a well-defined oval embankment with 
aged oaks growing thereon, and is 594 feet long, 
238 feet wide, and contains two and two-thirds 
acres. South 75 degTces, and west 710 feet, is 
a living spring of considerable power, and it 
was evidently here that the prehistoric man, who 
made this place his home, obtained water. 
From the lower end of the embankment to the 
spring is a ravine, perhaps artificial, which made 
a very convenient path. On the way to the 
spring is a " furnace," an excavated place walled 
with uncut stone. Several years ago a portion 
of this "furnace" was excavated, and a con- 
siderable amount of charcoal, stone implements, 
paint, etc.. were discoA^ered ; but the work 




SCRAPERS FLINT. 



northeast of the A. & (i. W. R. R. bridge. He 
thinks it may have been fifteen feet high and 
fifty feet in diameter. It had several large oak- 
trees gi'owing on its top, showing it to have 
been of ancient formation. It has been almost 
entirely obliterated by the plow, and could 
hardly be located now. There is another mound 
in this township, on the farm of Solomon Bal- 
liet. It is about eighty rods southeast of 
Simpson's Schoolhouse. It is placed on a high 
ridge, is of stone, and is about three feet high 
and fifteen feet in diameter. It was, doubtless, 
a mound of observation, a place of outlook, oi\ 
did it exist in use to-day, would he termed a 
" sentinel mound." 

The most noted earthwork in the county is 
in Madison Township, aliout one-half mile north- 



ceased in its incipiency, owing to a lack of funds. 
Leadinaf out from the embankment is a series 

O J. 

of depressions, arranged geometrically, of va- 
I'ious widths and depths, some of which are four 
feet in depth, and some ten to twenty feet in 
diameter. 

A partial investigation of this earthwork 
was made in September, 1879, by a few inter- 
ested individuals, and a survey made by Mr. 
John Newman, the County Surveyor. Owing 
to alack of funds, the work was only temporally 
made. One of the depressions referred to was 
excavated to the depth of eight feet. The in- 
dications were that the ground had been exca- 
vated by the prehistoric man, but for what pur- 
pose was not made apparent. It is hoped that 
a full investigation will in time be made of this 



^ 



'f j g' * ^ 



_-rf ® 



^ 



180 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUN^TY 



roo 











STONE KELIC8. (See page 184.) 



(S <r- 



~^ a) 



rv* 



A' 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



181 



ancient eartliwork. the principal one in Rich- 
land County. About two miles south of this 
'■ fort.'' as it may well be termed, there is a 
mound al)out five feet high and twenty feet in 
diameter, that has never been opened. 

Outside of the present limits of this county, 
in that part now comprised in Ashland Count}', 
there are several remains, all of which have 
been examined by Dr. Geo. W. Hill, of Ash- 
land, and descriptions of them made. Only an 
abridged description of each can be given here. 



his face. The other cranial bones showed this 
was truly a giant. 

About one-fourth of a mile southwest of the 
village of Orange, in a sugar-grove belonging 
to the estate of the Xorris family, exists an 
ancient mount, four or five feet high, and of 
considerable extent in outline. When the first 
settlers located here, large trees grew upon the 
mound. About forty jears ago. Dr. Deming 
and others excavated the mound and found well- 
preserved skeletons, with remnants of pottery. ^ 




CHISELS,. GOUGES AND ADZES. 



In (Grange Township, about thirty-five years 
ago. while excavating a bluflT on the creek, east 
of the residence of the late Patrick Murray-, 
for the purpose of improving the road, a num- 
ber of skeletons were unearthed, among which 
was one supposed to have been over seven feet 
high. The bones of this giant were in a good 
state of preservation, but it is a little doubtful 
if his height was equal to that given by his ex- 
cited discoverers. 

Col. John Murray, who found the bones, found 
no difficulty in passing the under jawbone over 



flints, etc. In 1850, George Barrick, when dig- 
ging a well for Isaac StuU, near his residence, 
one-half mile south of Orange Village, at the 
depth of five feet l)elow the surface found an 
earthen vessel that would hold perhaps two gal- 
lons. He unfortunately broke this valuable 
relic. It was foimd mouth u^jward. and I'esem- 
bled in many respects a common two-gallon 
crock. The rim around the top was artistically 
made and was intended to be used in lifting 
the vessel. It was formed of bluish earth, and 
seemed to have been subjected to the action of 



■^c 



,^ 



182 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



heat. It was ornamented all over the exterior 
surface by finely pulverized white' flint, some- 
what resembling rice grains, which adhered 
firmly to it. A short time after the discovery 
of this vessel, Mr. StuU plowed up a fragment 
of the same kind of ware in a field northwest 



work when the first settlers came, showing that 
it had existed for centuries. 

Vermilion, Hanoxer and Green Townships 
possess but few remains of a prehistoric age. 
In the latter township, near Perrysville, was an 
inclosure of an oblong form, containing about 




STONE PESTLE. 



of his house. He found several specimens of 
the same earthware on his place. The Indians 
are not known to have manufactured or used 
anything of the kind. 

On the fifth tier of sections in Montgomery 
Township, the surveyors found an ancient in- 



one acre. In this inclosure was a conical 
stone mound. About one-fourth of a mile east 
of this mound there was a similar stone mound, 
also one to the west of it. The purpose of these 
stone mounds is not clearly defined, unless they 
were sentinel posts. 




CLU15-HEADED STONES. 



trenchment containing about two acres. It was 
situated on the north side of Ashland. This 
earthwork was circular in form, and had a 
gateway facing the west. Its walls were aliout 
four feet high, and perhaps twice as wide at the 
base. A forest of timber grew on the old earth- 



In Mirtlin Townslii}) great numbers of arrow 
and spear heads are found. Stone axes, wedges 
and other prehistoric signs, as well as Indian 
relics, are plentiful. In a ravine, in the north- 
east part of the township, an old stone mortar, 
twenty inches across the top and seven across 



« w. 



~3>\^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



183 



the bottom, was found. It is about fifteen 
inches deep, and contains four distinct impres- 
sions of a drill, one and a fourth inches in diam- 
eter, and seven inches long. The inside of this 
block has been neatly dressed, and would 
answer well for the purpose for which it evi- 
dently was intended. Investigations proved the 
block to be the work of an old pioneer, front- 
iersman, bj' the name of Horrick. hence dis- 
pelling the romance of its supposed origin. 

Clear Creek Township contains more relics 
for the archaeologist than any in this part of 
the county. The nature of the soil enabled the 
Mound-Builders to erect earthworks that can 
yet be seen. On Section 36. there was an 
ancient embankment, known as the •• Square 
Fort," very few of which have been found in 
Ohio. Mr. John Bryte entered the land on 
which the fort was situated, about half a cen- 
tury ago. Then huge forest trees grew about 
and on the fort, showing its antiquity. At the 
time Mr. Bryte entered the land, the walls of 
this embankment were about three feet high, 
and probably twent}' feet wide at the base. 
The east and west sides were about 800 feet 
long ; the north and south 200. At the south- 
west corner was a gateway leading to a very 
fine spring. Dr. Hill thinks the walls were at 
one time probably seven feet high, as sufficient 
soil has been worn down to have made them 
that height, if not greater. 

Two old and curiously constructed mounds 
were found by the pioneers on Section 35. An 
elevation, composed of well-rounded bowlders, 
gravel and light loam — ancient glacial drift — 
lifts its head over one hundred feet above the 
surrounding valley's. When the glacial flow 
occurred, this large mound, containing over six 
acres, was left intact, alone on the plain. The 
surface on the top is about one hundred and 
twenty -five feet long from north to south, and 
about one hundred feet wide. Mr. Thomas 
Sprott, one of the early pioneers of this section, 
owns the farm on which this mound is placed. 



and when he settled here, says he found on the 
summit two smaller mounds, about twenty -five 
feet apart, nearly four feet high, and about 
thirty feet in size at the base. Large forest 
trees grew on the summit of this mound, and on 
the mounds on its crest. In making exca- 
vations about one of the smaller mounds, he 
found bones, Indian paint, arrow heads, etc., 
showing that the locality was used b}' the abo- 
rigines as a place of burial. 

The principal mounds in this county have 
now been mentioned. They open a. wide field 
of investigation, and may throw light on the 
problem that shrouds their makers in the dark- 
ness of antiquity. It will also l>e well to notice 
the implements made by this race, especially 
those found in Richland County. 

Very few, if any, copper implements have 
been found in this part of Ohio, owing partly 
to the fact of the unexplored condition of many 
of the mounds, and to the fact that little, if any, 
copper exists in this part of the United States. 
What does exist is in loose fragments that have 
been washed down from the upper lake . region. 
When mounds are explored, great care is neces- 
sary lest these small utensils be lost, as they 
are commonly scattered through the mass, and 
not always in close proximity to the skeletons. 
The copper deposits about Lake Superior fur- 
nished the prehistoric man with this metal, 
and. judging from the amount of relics made 
of this metal now found, it must have been 
quite abundant. The population of the country 
then must have been quite numerous, as 
occasional copper implements, tempered to 
an exceeding hardness, ai-e still found about 
the country. These implements are small, 
generally less than half a pound in weight, 
and seldom exceeding three pounds. There 
were millions of these in use during the 
period of the ancient dwellers, which must have 
been thousands of 3-ears in duration. The 
copper implements left on the surface soon dis- 
appeared b}' decomposition, to which copper is 



^ 



XL 



';^, 



184 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



nearly as liable as iron. Only a part of the 
tlead Mound-Bnilders were placed in burial 
mounds, and of these only a part were buried 
with their copper ornaments and implements on 
and about them. Of those that were, only a 
small part have been discovered, and, in many 
instances, the slight depth of earth over them 
has not prevented the decay and disappearance 
of the copper relics. 



sertion of a helve or handles, but were grooved 
to receive a withe twisted into the form of a 
handle. Under the head of axes, archgeologists 
include all wrought stones with a groove, a bit 
and a poll. They are found unpolished, partly 
polished and polished. The bit was made sharp 
b}^ rubbing, and the material is hard and tough, 
generally of trachyte, gi-eenstone, granite, 
(pinrtz or basalt. Most of them are straight 




PERFORATED PLATES, TH 

Articlcis of bronze or brass are not found 
with the buildei-s of the mounds. It is evident 
they knew nothing of these metals in the Ohio 
Valley, nor did they possess any of the copper 
that had been melted or east in molds. 

Stone relics are very numerous and well 
preserved. Stone axes, stone mauls, stone 
hammers, stone chisels, etc., are very plentiful 
yet, and were the common implements of the 
prehistoric man in this part of the West. 
None were made with holes or eyes for the in- 



READ SIZERS, SHUTTLES, ETC. 

on one edge. In Ohio, it is very rare that stone 
axes are found in the mounds, indicating that 
they are modern, or were not so much prized 
by the Mound-Builders as to be objects of 
burial. Occasionally, axes of softer material 
are found, such as slate, hematite and sand- 
stone, but these are small in size and not com- 
mon. They appear to have been manufactured 
from small, oblong bowldei's, first brought into 
shape by a pick, or chipping instrument, the 
marks of which are Ausible on nearly all of 



V 



^1 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



185 



them. They were made more perfect by rub- 
bing and polishing, probably done from time to 
time after they were lirought into use. A 
handle or helve, made of a withe or split stick, 
was fastened in the groove by thongs of hide. 
The bit is narrower than the body of the ax, 
which is generally not well enough balanced to 
be of much value as a cutting instrument. 



pounds, but are generally less than three 
pounds. The very heavy ones must have been 
kept at the regular camps and villages, as they 
could not have been carried far, even in canoes. 
Such axes are occasionally found in the Indian 
towns on the frontier, as they were fonnd in 
Ohio, among the aborigines. The Mound- 
Builders apparently did not give them as much 




PERFORATED PLATES, THREAD SIZERS, SHUTTLES, ETC. 



It is very seldom the material is hard enough 
to cut green and sound timber. The poll is 
usually round, but sometimes flat, and, rarel}', 
pointed. It is much better adapted to breaking 
than cutting, while the smaller ones are l^etter 
fitted for war-clubs than tools. As a maul to 
break dry limbs, they were very efficient, which 
was probably the use made of them. In weight 
they range from half a pound to sixteen 



prominence among their implements as their 
savage successors. Double-headed hammers 
have the groove in the middle. They were 
made of the same material as the axes, so bal- 
anced as to give a blow with equal force at 
either end. Their mechanical symmetry is 
often perfect. As a weapon in war, they were 
indeed formidable, for which purpose they are 
yet used among the Indians on the Pacific Coast. 






186 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Implements, known as " fleshers " and " skin- 
ners," chisel-formed, commonly called '' celts," 
were probably used as aids in peeling the skins 
of animals from the meat and bones. For the 
purpose of cutting- tools for wood, they were not 
sufficiently hard, and do not sliow such use, 
excepting a few flint chisels. They may have 
been applied as coal scrapers where wood had 
been burned ; but this could not have been a 
general thing without destroying the perfect 
edge most of them now exhibit. The grooved 
axes were much better adapted to this purpose. 

Stone pestles are not plentiful in this county, 
while stone mortars are rare, indicating that 
they were made of wood, which is^ lighter and 
more easily transported. Most of the pestles 
are short, with a wide base, tapering toward the 
top. They were probably used with one hand, 
and moved about in the mortar in a circle. The 
long, round instrument, usually called a pestle, 
does not appear to be fitted for crushing seeds 
and gi'ain by pounding or turning in the moTtar. 
It was probably used as a rolling-pin, perhaps 
on a board or leveled log, not upon stone. It 
is seldom found smooth or polished, and varies 
from seven to thirteen inches in length. In out- 
line they taper toward each end, which is gen- 
erally smooth, and circular in form, as though 
it had been twirled in an upright position. 

There is almost an endless variety of perfo- 
rated plates, thread-sizers, shuttles, etc. They 
are usually made of striped slate, most of which 
have tapering holes through them flat-wise, the 
use of which has been much discussed. The 
accompanying plates exhibit several specimens 
of these; but there are, doubtless, many other 
forms and styles. They are generally sym- 
metrical, the material fine-grained, and their pro- 
portions graceful, as though their principal use 
was that of ornamentation. Many of them 
may well have been worn suspended as beads or 
ornaments. Some partake of the character of 
badges or ensigns of authority. Others, if 
strung together on thongs or belts, would serve 



as a coat of mail, protecting the breast or back 
against the arrows of an enemy. A numl^er of 
them would serve to size and twist twine or 
coarse thread made of bark, raw-hide, or sinew. 
The most common theory regarding their use is, 
however, lacking one important feature. None 
of them show signs of wear by use. The edges 
of the holes through them are sharp and per- 
fect. This objection applies equally well to 
their use as suspended ornaments. Some of 
them are shuttle-form, through which coarse 
threads might have been passed, for weaving- 
rude cloth of bark or of fibrous plants, such as 
milk-weed or thistles. There are also double- 
ended and pointed ones, with a cross section, 
about the middle of which is a circle, and 
through which is a perforation. 

A great variety of wands or badges of dis- 
tinction are found. They are nearly all fab- 
ricated from striped and variegated slate, highly 
finished, veiy symmetrical and elegant in pro- 
portion, evidently designed to be ornamental. 
If they were stronger and heavier, some of 
them would serve the purpose of hatchets or 
battle-axes. The material is compact and fine 
grained ; but the eyes, or holes for handles or 
staves, are quite small, seldom half an inch in 
diameter. Their edges are not sharp, but 
rounded, and the bod}' is thin, usually less than 
one-fourth an inch in thickness. 

The form of badges known as " double-cres- 
cents " are the most elegant and expensive of 
any yet brought to notice. They were probably 
used to indicate the highest rank or office. 
The single crescent perhaps signified a rank 
next below the double. In Mr. John B. Mat- 
son's* collection there is a rough-hewn double 
one in process of construction, the horns of 
which turn inward. In nearl}' or quite all the 
finished ones the points turn outward. The 



* Mr. Matson resides in Springfield Towneliip, not far from Spring 
Mills. He has one of the largest and finest collections in the connty. 
Dr. J. P. Henderson, at Newville ; Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Dr. J. W. 
Craig, the Library Rooms, and Mr. Edward Wilkinson, at Mansfield, 
have large and interesting collections, showing quite lully the 
archajology, not only of this county, but of Ohio. 









zfk. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



187 



tinish around the bore of all winged badges 
and the crescents is the same, and the size of the 
bore about the same. — from two-fifths to three- 
fifths of an inch. On one side of all is a nar- 
row rid^e ; on the other, a fiat band, length- 



are also made of green striped slate, highly 
polished, with a bore of about one-half inch in 
diameter, appai-ently to insert a , light wooden 
rod or staff. They were probably emblems of 
distinction, and were not ornaments. Nothing 



88 (m~ 




DRILLED CEREMONIAL WEAPONS OF SLATE. 
Fig. 87 is a facsimile of a double crescent, owned by Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, at Newville. 



wise, like a ridge that has been ground down to 
a width of one to two tenths of an inch. 
Badges and crescents are invariably made of 
banded slate, generally of a gi-eenish shade of 
color. The other forms of wands or badges, 
such as those with symmetrical wings or blades. 



like them is known among the modern tribes, in 
form or use, hence they are attributed to the 
Mound-Builders. 

In addition to stone ornaments, the prehis- 
toric man seems to have had a penchant, like 
his savage successors, to bedaub his bod}' 



^. 



IV 



:i£ 



■► 



188 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 




PERFORATORS FLINT. 




ARROW ANii si'EAR HEADS. (See p.ige 191.) 



;i^ 




^v^-^ 




^- 



± 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



191 



with various colors, derived from different col- 
ored minerals. These compounds were mixed 
in hollowed stones or diminutive mortars — 
" paint cups," — in which the mineral mass of 
colored clay was reduced to powder and pre- 
pared for application to the body. Such paint 
cups are not common in this county ; in fact, 
they are quite rare, but one being known to 
exist — that in the collection of Dr. Craig. 

The comparative rarity of aboriginal smok- 
ing pipes is easily- explained by the fact that they 
were not discarded, as were weapons, when 
those by whom they were fashioned entered 
upon the iron age. The advances of the whites 



lost tribes of America. Arrow and spear heads 
and other similar pieces of flaked flints are the 
most abundant of any aboriginal relics in the 
Ignited States. They are chiefly made of hard 
and brittle siliceous materials; are easily dam- 
aged in hitting any object at which they are 
aimed, hence many of them bear marks of 
violent use. Perfect specimens are, however, 
liy no means rare. The art of arrow-making 
survives to the present day among certain 
Indian tribes, from whom is learned the art 
practiced that produces them. 

A classification of arrow-heads is not within 
the scope of this work; indeed, it is rarely at- 



SS'^'^v 




in no way lessened the demand for pipes, nor 
did the whites substitute a better implement. 
The pipes were retained and used until worn 
out or broken, save the few that were l)uried 
with their dead owners. What was the ultimate 
fate of these can only be conjectured. In very 
few instances does an Indian grave contain a 
pipe. If the practice of burying the pipe with 
its owner was common, it is probable that the 
graves were opened and robbed of this coveted 
article by members of the same or some other 
tribes. 

It only remains to notice the "flints," in ad- 
dition to which a few other archaeological relics 
of minor importance are found about the 
country, but none of suflficient import to merit 
mention, or to throw additional light on the 



tempted by archaeologists. The styles are 
almost as numerous as their makers. In gen- 
eral, they are all the same in outline, mostly 
leaf-shaped, varying according to the taste of 
their makers. The accompanying cut exhibits 
a few of the common forms, though the num- 
ber is infinite. They may have been chipped— 
pro])al:)ly most were— and some may have been 
ground. Spear-heads exhibit as large a variety 
as arrow-heads. Like arrow-heads, spear-heads 
were inserted in wooden handles of various 
lengths, though in many tribes they were 
fastened l\v thongs of untanned leather or 
sinews. 

Their modes of manufacture were generally 
the same. Sometimes tribes contained '■ arrow- 
makers," whose business was to make these 



^\(s- 



\1 



192 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



implements, selling them to, or exchanging 
them with, their neighbors for wampum or 
peltry. AA^ien the Indian desired an arrow- 
head, he could bu}' one of the 'arrow-maker " 
or make one himself The common method 
was to take a chipping implement, generally 
made of the pointed rods of a deer horn, from 
eight to sixteen inches in length, or of slender, 
short pieces of the same material, bound with 



sinews to wooden sticks resembling arrow 
shafts. The "arrow-maker" held in his left 
hand the flake of flint or obsidian on which he 
intended to operate, and. pressing the point of 
the tool against its edge, detached scale after 
scale, until the flake assumed the desired form. 

Note — Of the cuts vised in this chapter, those on pages 177, 178, 
179, 180, 181, 184, 185, 187, 188, and that of the club-headed stores, 
page 182, are from tlie collection of plates belonging to the Smith- 
sonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 




7< 




.^ «) 



HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



193 



CHAPTER XIX. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Agricultural Societies— Their History and Progress— The County Society, its Exhibitions and its several 
Grounds — The Bellville Fair — The Plymouth Fair — Horticulture and the Horticultural Society, 
their Influence on the Growth of Fruit Culture is the County — Statistics of Agriculture, Taxable 
Property, etc. 



" He that by the plow would thrive. 
Himself must either hold or drive." — FrankJin. 

PRECEDING pages, detailing the history of 
agriculture and agricultural societies in 
Ohio, give a resume of the growth of that indus- 
try in the West, from its settlement down to the 
present time. It only remains to notice the 
growth of the same industry in Richland 
Count}'. 

The first mention of any effort on the part of 
any citizens of this county to form a society, 
whose object should be promotive of agricult- 
ure, occurs in the columns of the old Mansfield 
Gazette, under date of July 8, 1829. Some 
person had been agitating the subject, evidently, 
from the tone of the article, as the paper in an 
editorial states that a committee has been ap- 
pointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and, 
further, that the citizens held an adjourned 
meeting July 4. for the purpose of forming an 
agricultural and mechanical society. '' S. Gr. 
Bushnell was called to the chair, and S. Rug- 
gles, Esq.. appointed Secretary. Gen. Alex. 
Enos, of the committee heretofore appointed 
for that purpose, submitted a constitution, 
which, after some alteration, was adopted." 

The constitution provided that members must 
be residents of the county, and that, as an ad- 
mission to the Society, they should pay into the 
treasury, annually, fifty cents. After providing 
for the officers, the constitution further stip- 
ulated that the yearly meeting should be held 
on the " last Friday of October." 



The officers of this pioneers' association elected 
that day were as follows : M. Bartley, Pres- 
ident ; John Stewart and John Oldshoe, Vice 
Presidents ; James Purdy, Corresponding Sec- 
retary ; Lanus Hays, Recording Secretary, and 
Robert Roland, Treasurer. The Board of Di- 
rectors consisted of William Riddle, S. G. 
Bushnell, Alexander Enos, Robert Bentley, 
Jonathan Coulter, Spooner Ruggles and Abra- 
ham Hufman. A committee of two was ap- 
pointed in each township (twenty-five) to solicit 
subscriptions and " forward the views of the 
Society." 

Of this Society , the above synopsis is all that 
is now preserved. It seems never to have attained 
any further progress. The country was then 
too new to properl}' sustain such an enterprise. 
Very few towns and counties in Ohio at that 
date were in a position to maintain such things ; 
and, after a brief struggle, the Society died out. 

From this time until after the passage of a 
law favoring agricultural societies, in 1846, no 
endeavor seems to have been made to foster 
such interests. From time to time, however, 
other and older localities began to hold such 
fairs, and gradually a spirit of improvement 
began to appear. This culminated in the law 
referred to, which gave additional impetus to 
the question. It revived it again in this county, 
now diminished in size by the creation of Craw- 
ford and Ashland Counties, and the prospect of 
a further reduction liy the proposed county of 
Morrow, created liefore the agricultural society 



"?- 



_g) 



194 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



was formed. Three years after the passage of 
the above-mentioned law, in 1849, a permanent 
agricultural society was organized. Its growth 
really began a year or so before, but the organ- 
ization was not effected until that year. A 
fair was held that autumn, which, for the first 
one, was very creditable. The exhibitions were, 
it is true, rather meager, yet they showed an 
advance in many regards. It is not likely that 
any admission fee was charged, as that was not 
the custom then. Probably a hat was passed 
around at the close of each day's exhibition, 
and what money could be collected was used to 
defray the light expense. Often the articles 
exhibited were sold on the ground at the close 
of the fair. 

There is no account of the fairs from 1849 to 
1857 ; neither can any one give an}' definite in- 
formation. It is pretty certain, however, that 
the fair was held regularly during that period 
of eight years. The report of 1857 speaks of 
the "annual exhibitions." The occasidnal pa- 
pers preserved of that period refer to the fair 
in the same terms, hence the inference is in 
favor of a regular exhibition. In addition to 
this, no one remembers other than that the 
fairs were regularly held. In 1857, the first 
printed report of the Agricultural Board of the 
State appeared. Reports fi'om nearly all the 
county societies are given. That from Richland 
County reads as follows: 

" The eighth annual fair was held September 
22 and 23, 1857. The Society has been holding 
its anniversaries upon ground belonging to a 
private citizen, without any other right than a 
permit, and for no specified time. The Society 
has adopted measures to procure and fit up 
grounds. The County Commissioners have 
agreed to appropriate one-half of the money, and 
the citizens of Mansfield agree to furnish one- 
half of the remainder, the balance to be 
raised b}' subscription in the count}'. The 
Society is confident of success in the enter- 
prise." 



The Secretary, Alex. Mcllvain, speaks hope- 
fully of the future and well of the past. He 
reports the total receipts from all sources, $223.- 
86; the total expenditures, $211.90, leaving a 
balance of $11.96 in the treasury. Ezra Osborn 
was President of the Society that year. 

The report of 1858 shows that steps were 
being taken to procure new grounds, which de- 
sired change was not accomplished till the next 
year. The fair of 1858 was only a partial success. 
The fair at Plymouth started that year, and 
drew nearly all the patronage from the north 
part of the county. The receipts were, how- 
ever, increased, and after paying all expenses 
(amounting to $726.58) there remained in the 
treasury $101.95. 

The next 3'ear, the new gi'ounds, on the south 
side of the city, were purchased, and there, on 
the 12th, 13th and 14th of October, 1859, the 
fair, the largest yet. was held. Over fifteen 
thousand persons were estimated to have been 
on the grounds. The receipts were $879 and 
the expenses $1,020. 

The new grounds contained about ten 
acres, and were in an excellent location, at 
the junction of the Lexington and Bellville 
roads. 

The county fairs continued to lie held here 
with varying successes during the years that 
followed, when the civil war almost swallowed 
every other question. Its influence was dis- 
cernible, however, as well as the Plymouth fair, 
and the Bellville fair, started in 1860. The 
close of the great war, and the return of pi'os- 
perity, brought a change over agricultural, as 
well as other, interests. The sixteenth fair, held 
October 3, 4 and 5, 1865, was, considering the 
weather, a success. Ten cents admission was 
charged ; 156 membership tickets sold, and 536 
entries made. The next year the prosperity 
continued, and thoughts of new and larger 
grounds were entertained. The fair of 1867 was 
still better. The Society made enough to pay 
all premiums, and also a part of their indebted- 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



195 



ness, incuiTed in the purchase of the grounds, 
and the losses occasioned by the depression of 
business during tlie war. 

The successes of the last two or three years 
determined the feasibility of the fair. The 
grounds, for the fair of 1868. were too small, 
and a committee was appointed to purchase a 
new location. Several localities were otfered, 
ranging in price from $125 to $300 per acre. 
October 1 , a contract was entered into, whereby 
Mr. E. Hade sold to the Society a fraction over 
twenty-four acres for $3,125.20, and Mr. A. C. 
Welch authorized to sell the old ground, which 
sale was afterward effected. 

The purchase of the new grounds, and the 
opening of the fair of 1869, marked an era of 
prosperity heretofore unknown. The Society 
had introduced many improvements ; had built 
commodious halls for floral, mechanical and 
agi-icultural displays ; and had completed a 
finely graded one-half-mile track. The entire 
expenditures for the year were $14,169.68. The 
receipts from all sources were $7,396.24, leav- 
ing a debt of $6,773.44, which the Society con- 
fidently expected to wipe out the following 
year. It will be remembered l)y the citizens of 
the county who attended this fair, that Mr. 0. 
H. Booth wrote an excellent humorous account 
of its proceedings, the most complete report b}^ 
far of any heretofore published. 

The report of 1870 was still successful. All 
parts of the county were well represented, and, 
though the weather for the most time was un- 
favorable, the attendance was large. A few 
new. halls had been erected for the further con- 
venience of visitors, and pipes laid from a 
spring of water in an adjacent hillside, which 
now sent its waters into the midst of the fair 
grounds. The supply of water, however, proved 
insufficient, and steps were taken to increase 
the volume from other sources. 

The report of 1871 shows continued prosper- 
ity. The Holly waterworks were in course of 
erection in the city, which, when completed, were 



expected to convey abundance of water to the 
grounds. The meeting this year is declared in 
the Secretary's report to be the best ever held 
in the county. 

The next year, the State Fair was held in 
this county. The attendance to this was very 
large, and caused a decline in the receipts of 
the county fair, held shortly afterward. The 
Society lost money this year, though it gained 
somewhat in interest caused by the State Fair 
that had held its meetings on the Society's 
grounds. The additional buildings erected for 
the use of the State Fair were retained for the 
county society. The number of members this 
year was 132. The report of 1873 shows a de- 
pression. The Secretary says : "The Society 
now numbers only about twenty members, 
which will probably be largely increased at the 
coming annual meeting of the Society. The State 
Fair having been held here for the past two 
years, has virtually killed the exhibitions of 
the county society, not enough being realized 
off the exhibitions of 1872 and 1873 to pay the 
premiums awarded. The Society has also 
largely involved itself through the fitting up 
of the grounds for the State Fair, and it will 
only be by careful management that the Society 
will come through." 

That fall, the First National Bank failed. 
The President of the bank, Mr. W. S. Hickox, 
was also President of the Society. His fixilure 
brought the climax of difficulties on the Society, 
and, though a fair was held the next fall, it was 
evident to all, particularly to the principal 
members of the Society, that it must succumb 
to hard times, its debt and the blow it received 
from the failure of the bank. The grounds 
were sold to pay the debts ; and, at a meeting 
held January 2, 1875, it was, 

''ResoJced. That it is the sense of this 
meeting that the Richland County Agricultural 
Society has, by reason of financial difficulties, 
outlived its usefulness, and it is hereby declared 
formally disbanded." This resolution was 



^" 



-^ 



196 



IIISTOIIY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



signed by J. W. Myers. Secretary, and the so- 
ciety declared adjourned "sine die." 

Richland County was now without an organ- 
ized society as a county society. The Bell- 
ville fair had. several years before, ceased its 
exhibitions. l)ut tiie Pl3'raouth fair was still 
prosperous. Influential citizens, however, were 
determined not to let the matter die out. and, 
soon after the above resolution was passed, a 
call for those interested in a county agricult- 
ural society appeared in the city papers, asking 
all such to meet in the I'ooms of the Richland 
.Mutual Insurance Company. April 24. That 
day a number of citizens met there, and, after 
organizing ami hearing the object of the meet- 
ing clearly stated, adopted a resolution forming 
a new agricultural society, using the con- 
stitution and by-laws of the old one, changing 
the name only by omitting the word ••county" 
from the new society. A committee was ap- 
pointed to solicit members, and the 8th of 
May set as the day on which to meet and per- 
fect the organization. 

That day quite a large number of persons 
met, and completed the organization by electing 
offlcers and a Board of Directors. The com- 
mittee repox'ted 177 names of those who had 
put down their names and agreed to support- 
the new society. The offlcers elected were : 
S. B. Sturges, President ; Robert Darling, Vice 
President; M. E. Douglass, Treasurer, and J. 
^V. Myers. Secretary. The old grounds were 
rented, and it was determined to hold a ftiir the 
coming autumn. 

From that time forward, there is but little to 
be written. Annual exhibitions have been held, 
increasing in interest and attendance. The So- 
ciety were enabled this last year to pay all pre- 
miums in full, and all current expenses, and 
have a margin over for future operations. 
Should the people of the county rally to the 
support of the Society, a few years hence will see 
it in full possession of its grounds, and in 
growing condition. 



Incidental mention has already l>een made 
of other fairs in this county. aIz.. the Bellville 
and Plymouth foirs. The former of these 
dates its earliest inception in 1850. Al)Outthe 
last of OctoJ)er in that year, Mr. Miller Moody 
ol)tained a charter, and, principally through his 
efforts, the fair was held. A lot of ground, 
just south of the elevator, was secured, where 
the out-door exhiliition was held. The in- 
door exhibition was held in the Universalist 
church, then in an unfinished condition. The 
fair is well spoken of now by those who attended 
it. and was. undoul)tedly. a good exhibition for 
that time. The Mansfield (county) fair was, 
however, coming into existence, and. being the 
principal agricultural attraction, drew the ma- 
jor part of the patronage, and al)Sorbed the 
society at Bellville. which seems to have held 
but one meeting. 

Ten years after, in 186(1. the citizens in the 
southern part of the county concluded a fair 
could be successfully maintained in Bellville, 
and, at an informal meeting, held in the sum- 
mer of that year, organized the Bellville Agri- 
cultural Society. They leased a beautiful plat 
of ground about one-fourth mile from the vil- 
lage, and. October 24. 25 and 26, held an excel- 
lent exhibition. Mr. Nicholas Fleharty was 
among the prime movers in this fair. The So- 
ciety held three exhibitions, but, owing to the 
war, could not maintain a paying organization, 
and allowed it to go down, and turned their at- 
tention to the county society, then, like all 
others, in a precarious condition. The end of 
the war brought new vigor to the county society ; 
but the Bellville organization was not revived. 

The Plymouth fair was organized June 15, 
1855, with the following list of officers : John 
Bodine, President ; Mr. Barker and Levi B. 
Shaver, Vice Presidents : R. McDonald. Treas- 
urer ; D. R. Locke (Nasby). Secretary. Exhi- 
bitions of a good character were maintained 
nearly every year down to 1870. on rented, 
leased or donated grounds. That year, how- 



#- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



197 



ever, a joint-stock company was formed, and 
not long after thirteen acres of land in the vil- 
lage purchased. The grounds were put in the 
best of order, and are now among the first in 
this part of Ohio. The fair draws a large pat- 
ronage from adjoining counties, especially from 
Huron and Crawford. Premiums are generally 
paid promptly, and bring a good class of exhib- 
itors. 

The present officers are John K. Brant, Pres- 
ident; Joseph Conley. Vice President ; A. B. 
Gilson, Treasurer ; J. Frank Beelman. Secre- 
tary ; and P. S. Brink, Superintendent. 

The foregoing history gives the county three 
distinct societies. Whether it can well support 
that number, remains a problem. Each one was 
a good one in its day: but at present only two 
maintain an active existence. A good fair, well 
attended l\y the farmers, for whom it is primarily 
intended, cannot fail to l»e of great benefit to 
them. Strange as it may appear, however, 
generally that class is the last to move energet- 
ically in the matter, and does not uniformly 
give the fair that attention due to it by them. 

HortlcnlturaJ ^Societies. — Horticulture, so near 
akin to agriculture, may well be noticed in this 
connection. From the earliest settlement of the 
county there have been those who took a deep 
interest in the cultivation of fruit. Probably 
the earliest horticulturist in this county, if 
not in Ohio, was the famous .John Chapman, 
better known as • Johnny Appleseed." whose 
singular history is elsewhere narrated. Many 
of the best nurseries in this and adjoining coun- 
ties trace their beginning to his erratic wander- 
ings. Following him. were those early em- 
igrants, who, having become accustomed to rich 
fruit in their Eastern homes, planted seeds and 
sprouts, grafted fruits, and. from time to time, im- 
proved the varieties introduced into this region. 
Improvement in one place suggested impro^e- 
ment in another, and thus gradually better 
grades of fruit found their way into the farm- 
ers' cellars, and to the market. By and by. 



consultations among neighbors, and an exchange 
of seeds and grafts, led to the desire in the 
minds of many for a society' whose object should 
be the discussion of, and the interchange of 
views regarding, fruit culture. 

Late in tlje season of 1873 (December 11), a 
meeting of prominent fruit-gTowers in the county 
decided that, on December 20, a meeting of all 
those whose minds favored the idea, should be 
held in the count}' seat, and a horticultural so- 
ciety organizted. That day, about thirty of those 
who were interested in fruit culture assembled, 
in defiance of the muddy roads, and proceeded to 
the formation of the society. Dr. Perkins Bige- 
low was called to the chair, and J. E. Wharton 
appointed Secretary. The Doctor explained 
the object of the meeting, and called upon the 
Secretary to read the constitution that had been 
prepared by the committee appointed for that 
purpose December 11. It was adopted. An 
election for officers then ensued, resulting in 
the choice of F. R. Palmer, President; Samuel 
Nail, Vice President; J. E. Wharton, Secretary, 
and Dr. Bigelow, Treasurer. An executive 
committee, consisting of the following gentle- 
men, was also chosen: John Booth. C. Elliott, 
S. S. Smith, R. M. Coulter, and H. Golliday. 
By-laws were then submitted and approved, and 
the " Richland Horticultural Society " was an 
actual fact. Before adjourning, it was decided 
that the first meeting for discussion should be 
held February 14. 1874, in the library rooms. 

That day quite a number of persons assem- 
liled, and, after the opening addresses by the 
elected officers, an interesting and instructive 
exhibition of fruits was shown, exhibiting the 
varieties grown in the county. These were dis- 
cussed, and views regarding their best modes of 
culture given. Subjects for the next meeting 
were selected, and the meetings, it was deter- 
mined, should be held each month. 

Since that time regular monthly meetings are 
held during the year, save in the winter, where 
all kinds of fruits are exhibited and discussed; 






A< 



198 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUiYTY. 



the best modes of cultivation noted; the ravages 
of climate, insects and other drawbacks given; 
the best modes of overcoming all difficulties 
stated, and the results olitained in each indi- 
vidual case. 

The effect of the Society's lalior has greatly 
advanced the standard of fruit in this county. 
It has brought other societies here at different 
times, and has awakened a general interest in 
most parts of the county, not easily measured 
by the standard of money. 

Mr. Palmer continued President till the early 
part of 1875, when he was succeeded by Adam 
Moore. At the same time, Mr. ■ Palmer was 
elected Vice President; John Booth, Secretary; 
and Dr. Bigelow continued as Treasurer. 

These persons remained in office until Janu- 
ary 12, 1878, when Mr. Palmer was elected 
President; R. M. Coulter, Vice President; C. S. 
Doolittell, Secretary; and Dr. Bigelow, Treas- 
urer. These officers are still occupying their 
respective positions. The monthly meetings are 
regularly held during the .proper season, and 
would the citizens of the count}^ in general, give 
the Society that encouragement properly due, 
its benefits would be largely increased. 

Regarding the beneficial results of the horti- 
cultural society, Mr. Palmer, its President, fur- 
nishes the following: ■' In the early settlement 
of the county but little attention was given to 
the cultivation of small fruits, such as straw- 
berries, raspberries, grapes, etc. Not till 1860, 
was any considerable quantity grown for mar- 
ket." 

The soil proved to be well adapted to the 
growth of these wholesome and delicious fruits, 
and very fine crops were grown. The fruit met 
a ready sale at good prices. The acreage in- 
creased for several years, until about fifty acres 
each of strawberries and raspberries were grown 
in the vicinity of Mansfield. Since 1865, the 
home market has been well supplied, and thou- 
sands of bushels have been shipped to other 
parts of the State. 



Grape-growing is also comparatively a new 
industry in this county. For a long time, it was 
the general opinion that grapes could not be 
grown with success, except in certain localities, 
and near large bodies of water; $80() an acre 
have been paid for land on Ivelley's Island and 
elsewhere about Sandusky City, for vineyard 
purposes. Experience lias proven that the hills 
of Richland County will grow as many tons of 
grapes per acre, and of as good quality, as could 
be raised in any of these localities. The first 
vineyard planting in the county was done in 
1863 by L. N. Pittenger and F. R. Palmer. Two 
years later, John Oswald planted a vineyard. 
All these vineyards bore fine crops of choice 
fruits. The fifth year after planting, Mr. Oswald 
gathered twelve tons of grapes from five acres; 
and the next year, gathered the enormous crop 
of twenty-seven tons from the same ground. 
This fruit sold readily for $100 per ton. The 
other vine3ards were not allowed to bear so 
heavily, being pruned, and yielding about three 
tons per acre. The fruit was larger and of much 
better quality, and sold in Fort Wayne and In- 
dianapolis for $140 per ton. 

The success of these vineyards encouraged 
others to plant, and in the spring of 1874, more 
than seventy thousand Concord grapevines 
were planted in Richland County. There are 
now (1880) 150 acres of vineyard in the county, 
whose average crops are two and one-half tons 
per acre, or nearly four hundred tons, worth 
$500 ; surely a profitable investment. But lit- 
tle wine is made in the county, the fruit being 
principally used for table purposes. The bulk 
of the crops have been principally shipped to 
Cincinnati, where the}' have commanded good 
prices. 

The first vines planted in 1863, b}' L. W. 
Pittenger, Ijore an excellent crop the third year 
after planting, and for thirteen 3^ears the vines 
have yielded an annual remunerative supply. 
In 1878 and 1879, many of the vine3ards lost 
their fruit by reason of rot, This does not ap- 



T^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



199 



pear to be the result of any defect in the soil 
nor infirmity in the vine : but of some peculiar 
atmospheric agency, which growers as yet do 
not understand. The prevailing opinion is that 
it is the result of excessive rainfall, followed 
by hot, sultry weather, and that it will disap- 
pear as the seasons change. 

The following statistics will give the reader 
a pretty accurate idea of the wealth of the 
county as represented in the last agTicul- 
tural report made to the Auditor for the year 
1879. 

There was sown in wheat, 36,030 acres, on 
which were grown 669,887 bushels ; rye, 730 
acres, 9,499 bushels ; buckwheat, 143 acres, 
1,118 bushels ; oats, 23,738 acres, 804,274 
bushels ; barley, 144 acres, 4,168 bushels ; corn 
31,243 acres, 1,020,412 bushels ; meadow, 22,- 
1 1 5 acres, 28,041 tons hay ; clover, 13,206 acres, 
11,133 tons hay, 5,981 bushels seed ; 739 acres, 
plowed under for manure ; flax, 248 acres, 
2,121 bushels seed ; patatoes, 1,445 acres, 91,- 
052 bushels; tobacco, 1 acre planted, 400 pounds 
produced; butter, 827,305 pounds produced; 
cheese, 9,728 pounds ; sorghum, 31 acres, 156 
pounds sugar, 4,632 gallons syrup ; maple su- 
gar in 1879, 38,589 pounds sugar, 17,417 gal- 
lons syrup; beehives, 2,137, 23,918 pounds 
honey ; grapes and wine, 25 acres planted in 
the year 1878, whole number of acres in the 
vineyard in 1878, 284; in 1878, 190,005 pounds 
of grapes gathered, and 245 gallons of wine 
produced. Sweet potatoes, 2 acres, 199 bushels ; 



orchards, 6,795 acres, 961,853 bushels apples, 
21,416 bushels peaches, 2,067 bushels pears. 
Lands owned in 1878— 1 48,852 acres, cultivated; 
41,469 acres, pasture; 68,261 acres, wood; 
3,849 acres, other uncultivated land ; total 269,- 
556. Wool, 227,154 pounds shorn ; sheep killed, 
285, value, $788 ; sheep injured, 168, estimate 
of injury done, $206.50 ; aggregate of injury 
done to sheep by dogs, $1,070.50; domestic 
animals died from disease, 888 head, value, ' 
$2,225 ; sheep, 1,096 head, value, $2,491 ; cat- 
tle, 241 head, value, $4,589 ; horses, 113 head, 
value, $7,025. 

The personal property in the county is thus 
exhibited in the same report : 

Value of bonds, etc., exempt from taxation, 
$76,700 ; horses, 10,329, value, $526,732 ; cat- 
tle, 23,075, value, $306,521; mules, etc., 245, 
value, $12,210; sheep, 63.310, value, $147,801 ; 
hogs, 31,751, value, $65,503 ; carriages, 5,888, 
value, $187,072; all other personal property, in- 
cluding bank capital and corpoi;ation property, 
$437,115 ; watches, 1,232, value, $24,154 ; pianos 
and organs, 887, value, $63,148. 

The total value of all stocks, bonds, moneys 
and credits, is estimated at $3,062,289, there 
are 3,440 dogs, whose value (fixed by owners), 
is $4,334. 

From the above reports the entire value of 
personal property is estimated at $4,838,^79. 
This, added to the value of real property, gives 
a total value of taxable property in the county 
of more than $14,000,000. 




^ 



(S k^ 



200 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER XX. 



INDIAN TRIBES IN THE COUNTY 



Wyandots or Huuons^Ottawas — Delawares — Shawanees — Greentown — Jeromeville — Capt.Pipe — Thomas 
Armstrong — Other Chiefs — John M. Armstrong, his Education, Marriage, Work and Death — 
Indian Villages — Manners, Customs, Food — Hunting — Marriage Ceremonies — Religion — Feasts at 
Greentown and Jeromeville — Removal. 



'• I have given you lands to hunt in, 
1 have given you streams to fish in, 
1 have given you bear and bison, 
I have given you roe and reindeer, 
I have given you brant and beaver. 
Filled the marshes full of wild-fowl, 
Fil'ed the river full of fishes." — Longfellow. 

COL. CHARLES WHITTLESEY'S map of 
the Indians of Ohio gives to this coitnty 
fonr principal tribes, the Wyandots or Hu- 
rons, the Ottawas.. the Delawares and the 
Shawanees. The division lines between these 
nations diverged in three directions from 
a point a few miles north of the site 
ot Mansfield, east, west and sonth. All 
the northern part of the connty was the comitry 
of the Hurons and 'Ottawas; the southeastern 
of the Delawares. and the southwestern of the 
Shawanees. In 1764, these nations were esti- 
mated by Mr. Hutchins, the United States 
geographer, to possess L600 warriors, divided 
among them as follows: Delawares, 600; Shaw- 
anees, 500; Wyandots. 300; Ottawas, 200. A 
brief history of each of these nations may not 
be out of place here, and, in as concise a man- 
ner as possible, it will be given, following the 
order given above. 

The Delawares, the strongest nation, who 
had a representation in Richland County, ac- 
cording to their own traditions — all the 
authority possessed of Indian history — origi- 
nally came from the West, crossing the Missis- 
sippi, gradually ascending the Ohio, fighting 
their way, and continuing on east until they 



reached the Delaware River, where the city of 
Philadelphia now stands, in which region of 
country they for a time obtained a fixed habi- 
tation. As time passed, they became very 
numerous and very powerful, and, while here, 
they welcomed to the shores of the New World 
that good man, AVilliam Penn, and his peaceful 
followers, for whom ever after the}^ entertained 
a very kind and friendly feeling. Col. John 
Johnston, so long the Indian Agent in the 
West, relates that, generations after the found- 
ing of Philadelphia, the Delaware Indians in 
speaking of a good man, would say •• Wa, she, a 
E, le, ne" — such a man is a Quaker, i.e., all good 
men are Quakers. It seems that a portion of 
the tribe remained on the Delaware until 
1823, when Col. Johnston removed them to the 
West. By their removal to the West, they 
called themselves '-Wa. l)e, nugh, ka;"" that is, 
"the people from the East," or "the sun-rising." 
What remained of the tribe then, the Colonel 
says, '-were the most wretched, squalid and 
debased of their race, and often furnished 
chiefs with a subject of reproach against the 
whites, pointing to these of their people and 
saying, ' See how you have spoiled them,' mean- 
ing they had acquired all the bad habits of the 
white people, and were ignorant of hunting, and 
incapable of making a liA^elihood as other In- 
dians." In 1819, Col. Johnston enumerates 
eighty Delawares residing in his agency in 
Ohio, who were stationed near Upper Sandusky, 
and 2,300 in Indiana. The Colonel mentions 



■^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



201 



Bockinghelas and Capt. Pipe, principal chiefs 
of tlie Delaware tribe, and Killbuck, who had 
received a liberal education at Princeton Col- 
lege, and who retained the principles of Chris- 
tianity until his death. 

Strong as the Delawares may have been in 
their halcyon days, disease and the vices of the 
whites rapidly diminished their numbers, until, 
when the Greenville treaty was made, only 381 
were enumerated. They were represented at the 
second Greenville treaty, in 1814, and in Sep- 
tember. 1817, at a treaty held at the foot of the 
Maumee Rapids with Lewis Cass and Duncan 
McArthur, Commissioners on the part of the 
United States, a reservation of three miles 
square was granted to them near the Wy- 
andot reservation, near the northern bound- 
ary of Marion County. This reservation was 
equally divided among sixteen principal In- 
dians, among whom were Capt. Pipe. Zeshanau.* 
or James Armstrong, and others who had lived 
in Greentown, in this county, and whose history 
will be noticed hereafter. By the treaty con- 
cluded at Little Sandusky August 3, 1829, the 
Delawares ceded their reservation to the United 
States for $3,000. and removed west of the 
Mississippi. 

The most noted Lidian town in old Richland 
County was in the part assigned to the Del- 
awares. This was Greentown. situated on Sec- 
tion 18. in Green Township. -^ Greentown was 
started aV)out 1783," says Dr. Hill, "on the 
Black Fork of Mohican by an American Tory 
from the blood-stained valley of Wyoming. 
After that sanguinary slaughter, Thomas Green, 
who had aided the fierce Mohawks to murder 
his countrymen, fled to the wilds of Ohio with 
Jelloway. Armstrong, Billy Montour, Tom Lyons 
and others. The village received thename of 
the white fiend, and was called Greentown." 

When the Indian war of 1790 broke out, the 
Greentown Indians were led by Thomas Arm- 

*Dr. George W. HiU fays ArnistroDg's Indian name was " Pa- 
moxet." 



strong, while that portion of the tribe living 
about Upper Sandusky were led 1)y Capt. Pipe. 
For a while they were able to repel the whites, 
but, in 1794. Gen. Wayne met them at the 
" Fallen Timbers," and so signally routed them 
that their power was forever Ijroken. Ever 
after the name of Wayne was a terror to them. 
After the treaty of 1795, part of the tribe 
returned to Greentown and part to Jeromeville,* 
established at that time. The Indians remained 
at Greentown at peace with the whites until the 
war of 1812. During this interval their village 
grew to a population of more than a hundred 
souls, and became one of the best known in 
Northern Ohio. It was one of the chief towns 
among the aborigines, and in it were held many 
of their feasts, an account of two being given 
in succeeding pages. They cultivated fields of 
corn adjacent to the village, built good cabins, 
and entertained, as best they could, any white 
person applying for their hospitality.t 

Capt. Pipe, who was one of their ruling spir- 
its, and long time a chief, was, after the peace 
of 1795, a fervent friend of the whites. He had 
been an inveterate foe, and was the principal 
actor in the cruel execution of Col. Crawford, 
in retaliation for the wanton murder of their 
Moravian brothers. This was in strict accord 
with the ideas of Indian justice, and, had Col. 
Williamson, the commander of the militia who 

* Jeromeville, another important Indian town in tUis part of the 
State though not in "old Kichland," well deserves a description. 
It was founded by John Baptiste Jerome, a Canadian Frenchman, 
who came about 1784 to the Huron River, where he married an 
Indian girl, a sister of the noted Indian, George Hamilton. After 
marriage, Jerome removed to upper Sandusky, where he remained 
until the outbreak of hostilities in 1790, when, with Capt. Pipe, of 
the Delawares, he engaged in battle against the Americana, only to 
be defeated by Gen. Wayne. After the treaty of Greenville Jerome 
Capt. Pipe, and a number of Delaware Indians, came to the site ot 
Mohican Johnstown, on the south side of the stream, about three- 
quarters of a mile from the present Jeromeville, where they estab- 
lished a town. This was about 1802 or 1803. Jerome crossed the 
stream and built a cabin a little northeast of a mill site long after- 
ward used for such. He was here when Joseph Larwill surveyed 
the country, in 1806 and 1807. He was still here when the first set- 
tlers came, and had considerable land cleared in the creek bottoms. 
He resided in this cabin with his Indian wife and daughter until 
the Indians were removed by orders of Capt. Murray, an account ot 
which is given in this volume. The removal caused their death. 
He was never the same man again. He married a German woman, 
sold his farm, and, after one or two moves, died at his old home, on 
the Huron River. 

t Another old Indian town in this vicinity was Helltown. Its 
location was not far from the present village of NewviUe. It is 
fully described in the history of Worthington Township. 



'If- 



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202 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



so cruelly slew the inoffensive Moravians, been 
captured, Col. Crawford would have been spared, 
(^apt. Pipe seemed to accept the results of war, 
and, knowing that the power of the Indians was 
gone, lived peaceably until his death. He was one 
of the Indian chiefs who signed the treaty of 
peace at (Ireenville, July 22, 1814, between the 
United States and his and other tribes. By this 
act he fully identified himself with the American 
cause.* When he came to Mohican John's 
town, or Mohican Johnstown, as it is variously 
written, he built his cabin about one mile north- 
west of the old Mingo town, south of the stream, 
and on what is now the Haysville roatl. There 
he lived several years. Dr. William Bushnell 
says he has often been in his caliin, and par- 
taken of his hospitality. He describes Capt. 
Pipe as humane, fine looking, dignified, courte- 
ous, a magnificent specimen of physical man- 
hood, fully six feet high, and exceptionally well 
proportioned. He thinks the cabin was about 
twelve feet square, and was well made for an 
Indian's work. 

The Armstrong family of Indians, members 
of the Delaware nation, became better known 
among the whites than any other famil}'. Dr. 
Hill mentions Thomas Armstrong as the chief 
of the Delawares at Greentown, and their 
leader against the Americans in the Indian 
wars between 1790 and 1795. He was associ- 
ated with Capt. Pipe, leader of the Delawares, 
upon the Sandusky and the Huron Rivers. 
Both were defeated by Gen. Wayne, whose 
power tliey ever after feared. After the treaty 
of peace at Greenville, Capt. Pipe, with Jerome 
and others, came to this part of Ohio, and es- 
tablished Jeromeville. Dr. Hill does not men- 
tion the fact of Thomas Armstrong returning, 
but in after jears, other authorities record the 
fact of there being other Indians by that name. 
These may have been his sons. The treat}- of 
peace made by Lewis Cass and Duncan Mc- 
Arthur in September, 1817, which gave a res- 

* statement of Dr. Hill. 



ervation to the Delawares adjoining that of the 
Wyandots, specifies the following persons 
among whom it should be divided : " Capt. 
Pipe, son of old Capt. Pipe; Zeshanau, or James 
Armstrong; Mahanto, or John Armstrong; San- 
oudoyeasquaw, or Silas Armstrong ; Teorow, or 
Black Raccoon ; Hawdorouwatistie, or Billy 
Montour ; Buckwheat, William Dondee, Thomas 
Lyons, Johnnj-cake, Capt. Wolfe, Isaac and 
John Hill, Tishatahoones, or Widow Armstrong, 
Ayenucere, Hoomawon, or John Ming, and 
Yondorast."* Many of these had lived at 
Greentown, others at Jeromeville. The Arm- 
strong family seems to have been well rep- 
resented at this time. No mention is made 
of the old chief Thomas Armstrong. He may 
have lost his life in the Indian war, and these 
mentioned may have been his sons and his 
widow\ 

Dr. Bushnell and other old citizens knew 
John M. Armstrong quite intimately. He was 
well educated, receiving his education at Noi*- 
walk. He returned to Mansfield when his course 
was completed, and studied law with Hon. 
Thomas Bartley, afterward Governor of Ohio. 
He also studied with Judge Stewart, when his 
law office was on the southeast corner of the 
square where the court house now stands. 
While studying in Mansfield he recited a few 
branches of learning to Rev. Russell Bigelow, 
and thereby became acquainted with the minis- 
ter's daughter, Lucy, a most excellent girl, 
whom he afterward married, to the great aston- 
ishment of her friends. -'He is such a fine 
man, so dignified and so manly," said she in 
response to the inquiry of a friend. ''■ I cannot 
help but respect and love him, and I think I will 
marry him. " ' He proved an exemplary and model 
husband, and, when his studies were completed, 
he went to Upper Sandusky, where he became 
the chief of his tribe. He regulated their affairs, 
did much to elevate them, and while there was 
associated with "Chub,"' "Monque," "Blue 

* Howe's Collections. 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



203 



^ 



Eyes," " Between-the-logs," and other noted 
Christian Indians. They were Methodists, and 
supported a church established by Rev. James 
B. Finley, about 1820. The first person to 
preach to them was John Stewart, a mulatto, a 
member of the Methodist Church, who came to 
the Wyandots of his own accord in 1816, and 
gained much influence over them. His efforts 
on their behalf paved the way for the estab- 
lishment of a permanent mission by the church, 
the first of this denomination among the In- 
dians in the Mississippi A' alley. 

The mission church building was built of 
blue limestone, in 1824, from government funds. 
Rev. Mr. Finley having permission from the 
Secretary of War, John C. Calhoun, to apply 
$1,333 for this purpose. The church still re- 
mains, and around it the graves of many of the 
Indian converts, who became most excellent 
citizens, many of whom were very loath to go 
farther West when their final remove was made 

in 1842. 

Speaking of the Shawanees or Shawanoes, 
Col. Johnston, a most excellent authority on 
such subjects, says: "We can trace their his- 
tory to the time of their residence on the tide- 
waters of Florida, and, as well as the Delawares, 
they aver that they originally came from west 
of the Mississippi. Blackhoof, who died at 
Wapaghkonnetta, at the advanced age of 105 
years, and who, in his day, was a very influen- 
tial chief among the Indians, told me that he 
remembered, when a boy. loathing in the salt 
waters of Florida; also that his people flrmly 
believed white or civilized people had been in 
the country before them, having found in many 
instances the marks of iron tools, axes upon 
trees and stumps, over which the sand had 
blown. Shawanoese means "the South," or 
- people from the South."* After the peace of 
1763, the Miamis removed from the Big Miami 
River and a l)ody of Shawanees established 
themselves at Lower and Upper Piqua, which 

* Howe's Collections. 



became their principal headquarters in Ohio. 
They remained here until driven off by the Ken- 
tuckians, when they crossed over to the St. 
Marys and to Wapaghkonnetta. The Upper 
Piqua is said to have contained at one period 
over four thousand Shawanees. They were 
very warlike and brave, and often were quite 
formidable enemies. 

In the French war, which ended in 1763, a 
bloody battle was fought near the site of Col. 
Johnston's residence, at Upper Piqua. At that 
time the Miamis had their towns there, which on 
ancient maps are marked as -Tewightewee 
towns." The Miamis, Ottawas, Wyandots, and 
other northern tribes, adhering to the French, 
made a stand here, assisted ])y the French. The 
Delawares, Shawanees, Munseys, parts of the 
Senecas, residing in Pennsylvania; Cherokees, 
Cataw]ias, and other tribes, adhering to the 
English, with English traders, attacked the 
French and Indians. The latter had built a 
fort in which to protect and defend themselves, 
and were able to withstand the siege, which 
lasted more than a week. Not long after this con- 
test, the Miamis left the country, retiring to the 
Miami of the lake, at and near Fort Wayne, and 
never returned. The Shawanees took their 
place, and gave names to many towns in this 
part of Ohio. 

The part assigned to this nation by Col. 
Whittlesey, extended to the line before men- 
tioned, i. e., to the center of the county east 
and west, and north as far as the southern line 
of the Hurons, a short distance north of the site 
of Mansfield. The only village of the tribe 
known to have existed here was in the edge of 
Crawford County, at a place known as Knise- 
ty's Spring, now Annapolis. The water of the 
spring is highly impregnated with sulphuretted 
hydrogen, tarnishes silver, and deposits a sul- 
phurous precipitate a short distance from the 
spring. Dr. William Bushnell says the spring 
was a favorite resort of the Indians after he 
came to the county. He says also that the 



204 



HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



locality was a very sickly one, and that, in his ca- 
pacity of a })hysiciaii, he often visited the Indians 
who lived tliere. He has often placed silver in the 
water to note the tarnish which is quickly im- 
parted to it. The water is a gentle cathartic, 
and, since the advent of the whites, the place 
has been improved, and accommodations made 
for visitors and those desirous of benefits ft'om 
the spring water. The Indians, doubtless, an- 
nually' came here during their occupancy of the 
country. They were well acquainted with all 
such localities, and often placed great confi- 
dence in the waters, whose effects they could 
perceive, but which they could not explain. 

A small village, hardly worth the name, also 
existed in Troy Township, a history of which is 
given in connection with that of the township. 
There were several such •' camps " in all parts 
of Richland County. They were really hunt- 
ing-places, and were not considered as vil- 
lages. The county was rather a good hunting- 
place, and as such, especially along its streams, 
was much traversed by wandering tribes of In- 
dians from all the nations dwelling in this part 
of Ohio. In the histories of the townships 
these various camps are more fully noticed. 

The northern portion of Richland County be- 
longed in ancient times to the Eries, who were 
exterminated by the Five Nations in some of 
their wars. The Wyandots, who, at the time 
the French missionaries came to America, were 
dwelling in the peninsula of Michigan, were al- 
lowed by the Five Nations to occupy the land 
of the Eries, and thus came to dwell in this 
county. The Ottawas, another conquered tribe, 
and one allowed existence only by paying a 
kind of tribute to their conquerors, the Iro- 
quois, were also part occupants of this same 
part of Ohio. This nation produced the re- 
nowned chief Pontiac, who was the cause of 
such widespread desolation in the West, an ac- 
count of which is given in the history of the 
Northwest in preceding pages. The Ottawas 
were often known as " Canada Indians " amona; 



the early settlers. Their principal settlements 
were on the Maumee, along the lake shore, on 
the Huron and Black Rivers, and on the streams 
flowing into them. The nation were distin- 
guished for cunning and artifice, and were de- 
void of the attributes of true warriors. The}- 
were often employed as emissaries, their known 
diplomacy and artifice l)eing well adapted to 
such iKisiness. The Wyandots, on the other 
hand, were a bold, warlike people. Gren. Har- 
rison says of them: "They were true war- 
riors, and neither fatigue, famine, loss, nor any 
of the ills of war could daunt their courage. 
They were our most formidable and stubborn 
enemies among the aborigines in the war of 
1812."' They, like all tribes in the West, were 
often influenced by British rum and British 
gold, and found in the end, as their chiefs so 
aptly expressed it, that they were " only tools 
in the hands of a superior power, who cared 
nothing for them, only to further their own sel- 
fish ends." 

Many of the Indians of all these tribes were 
friendly to all whites until the breaking-out of 
the war with Great Britain, when they left the 
country to join the forces of the king, and 
destroy the whites who occupied their country. 
They considered them then their enemies, and 
acted accordingly on all occasions, save where 
personal friendship, so strong in the Indian, 
developed itself and, in many instances, saVed 
the lives of those in danger. Instances of this 
kind are frequently given, which appear in the 
narrative as they occurred. 

The manners, customs, feasts, war parties and 
daily life of these sons of the forest, form in- 
teresting chapters in aboriginal history. It will 
be well to notice such in these pages, as far as 
space permits. The character of the Indians 
was largely the result of their lives. They 
judged and lived by what the senses dictated. 
They had names and words for what they could, 
hear, see, feel, taste and smell. They had no 
conceptions of abstract ideas until they learned 



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^fv 



tiL 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



205 



such from the whites. Hence their language 
was very symbolical. They could see the sun 
in his brightness, they could feel his heat, 
hence they compared the actions of a good man 
to the glory of the sun, and his fervent energy 
to the heat of that body. The moon in her 
brightness, the wind in its fury, the clouds in 
their majesty, or in their slow, graceful motion 
through a lazy atmosphere; the grace and 
flight of the deer; the strength and fury of 
tiie l)ear; the rush or ripple of water as it 
coursed along the bed of a river, all gave them 
words whose expressiveness are a wonder and 
marvel to this day. They looked on the beauti- 
ful river that borders the southern shores of 
our State and exclaimed "0-he-zo!" beauti- 
ful ; on the placid waters of the stream border- 
ing the western line of Indiana and ejaculated, 
'■ Wa-ba" — a summer cloud moving swiftly ; on 
the river flowing into Lake Erie and said, 
"Cuy-o-ga" (Cuyahoga), crooked; and so on 
through their entire vocabulary, each name ex- 
pressive of a meaning, full and admirably 
adapted to the object. At one time in the 
history of the Indians in the South, one tribe was 
driven from the homes of its ancestors, and in 
their flight they came to the green banks of a 
beautiful river. The spot was charmingly 
beautiful, and the chief thrusting his spear 
into the earth, cried in a loud voice, "Al-a-ba-ma" 
— here we rest. A river and State now perpet- 
uate the name and story. 

The Indians in Northern Ohio, the tribes 
already mentioned, had learned a few things 
from their intercourse with the whites on the 
borders of Western Pennsylvania, when they 
were first seen by the pioneers of Richland 
County. Their cabins or wigwams were of two 
kinds, circular and parallelogram. The former, 
the true wigwam, was in use among the Otta- 
was when the whites came to their country. It 
was made of a number of straight poles driven 
firmly into the ground, their upper ends being 
drawn closely together ; this formed a kind of 



skeleton tent. The squaws plaited mats of 
thongs, bark or grass, in such a manner as to 
render them impervious to water. These were 
spread on the poles, beginning at the bottom 
and extending upward. A small hole was left for 
the egress of smoke from the fire kindled in 
the center of the wigwam. Aroiuid this fire, 
mats or skins were spread, on which the Indians 
slept at night, and on which they sat during the 
day. For a door, the}' lifted one end of the 
mat. and crept in, letting it fall down behind them. 
These tents were warm and dry, and generally 
quite free from smoke. Their fuel was nearl}^ 
always split by the squaws in the fall of the 
year, and kept dry by placing it under an in- 
verted birch-bark canoe. These wigwams were 
easily moved about from place to place, the 
labor of their destruction and construction 
being always performed by the squaws — these 
beasts of burden among all savage nations. 
The wigwam was very light and easily carrietl 
about. It resembled the tents of to-day in 
shape, and was often superior in points of com- 
fort and protection. 

The cabins were more substantial aflOairs, and 
were luiilt of poles about the thickness of a 
small-sized telegraph pole and were of various 
sizes, commonly, however, about twelve by fif- 
teen feet in size. These poles were laid one on 
the other similar to the logs in a cabin, save 
that, until the Indians learned to notch the 
point of contact near the end. from the whites, 
they were held by two stakes being driven in 
the angles formed in the corners, and fastened 
at the top by a hickory or bark withe or by a 
thong of buckskin. The pen was raised to the 
height of from four to six feet, when an arched 
roof was made over it by driving at each end 
a strong post, with a fork at the upper end. 
which stood a convenient height above the top- 
most log or pole. A stout pole was laid on the 
forks, and on this was laid a small pole reach- 
ing down to the wall. On these rafters small 
lath were tied, and over the whole pieces of 



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206 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



linn l)ark were laid down. These were cut from 
the tree, often of great length and from six to 
twelve inches in width. The}' were then cut 
into proper lengths to cover the cabin. At the 
ends of the cabin sj^lit timbers were set up, so 
that the entire cabin was inclosed except a 
small aperture at one end, which was left for 
a door. This was covered b}' a deer's or bears 
skin. At the top of the cabin an opening was 
left for the smoke to escape, for all Indians 
built their fires on the ground in the center of 
the cabin or wigwam, around which they spread 
skins and mats on which to recline and sleep. 
The cracks between the logs were filled with 
moss gathered from old logs. When made, the 
cabin was quite comfortalile, and was often 
constructed in the same manner by the pioneers, 
while making improvements, and used until a 
permanent structure could be erected. 

In regard to food, the Indians were more 
careful to provide for their future needs than 
their successors of the West are to-day. In the 
spring they made maple sugar by boiling the 
sap in large brass or iron kettles which they 
had obtained from the French and English 
traders. To secure the w^ater they used vessels 
made of elm bark in a very ingenious manner. 
" They would strip the bark," says Dr. George 
W. Hill, of Ashland. '• in the winter season, when 
it would strip or run. by cutting down the tree, 
and, with a crooked stick, sharp and broad at 
one end, peel the bark in wide strips, from which 
they would construct vessels holding two or 
three gallons each. They would often make 
over a hundred of these. They cut a sloping 
notch in the side of a sugar-tree, stuck a toma- 
hawjv into the wood at the end of the notch, 
and, in the dent thus made, drove a long chip 
or spile, which conveyed the water to the l)ark 
vessels. They generally selected the larger trees 
for tapping, as they considered the sap from 
such stronger and productive of more sugar. 
Their vessels for carrying the sap would hold 
from three to five gallons each, and sometimes. 



where a large camp was located and a number 
of squaws at work, using a half-dozen kettles, 
great quantities of sugar would be made. When 
the sugar-water would collect faster than they 
could boil it, they would make three or four 
large troughs, holding more than a hundred 
gallons each, in which they kept the sap until 
ready to boil. When the sugar was made, it 
was generally mixed with bear's oil or fat, form- 
ing a sweet mixture into which they dipped their 
roasted venison. As cleanliness was not a 
reigning virtue among the Indians, the culti- 
vated taste of a civilized person would not always 
fanc}' the mixture, unless driven to it liy hunger. 
The compound, when made, was general!}" kept 
in large bags made of coon-skins, or vessels 
made of bark. The former were made h\ strip- 
ping the skin over the bod}' toward the head, 
tying the hole§ made by the legs with buckskin 
cords, and sewing securely the holes of the 
eyes, ears and mouth. The hair was all removed, 
and then the bag blown full of air, from a hole 
in the upper end, and allowed to dry. Bags 
made in this way. Dr. Bushnell says, would 
hold whisky, and were often used for such pur- 
poses. When they became saturated they were 
blown full of air again, the hole plugged, and 
they were left to dry. Some times the head 
w^as cut off without stripping the skin fi'om it, 
and the skin of the neck gathered in folds like 
a pui-se, below w-hich a string was tied and 
fastened with a pin. Skin vessels were very com- 
mon to the natives of America. All Oriental 
countries possess them, and there the traveler of 
to-day finds them the rule. They are as old 
almost as time. 

The Indians inhabiting this part of Ohio 
were rather domestic in their tastes, and culti- 
vated corn, potatoes and melons. Corn w^as 
their principal crop, and was raised entirely by 
the squaws. When the season for planting- 
drew near, the women cleared a spot of rich 
alluvial soil, and dug over the ground in a rude 
manner with their hoes. In planting the corn 



■7^ 




^Zp c<^y^ (y^ ^sJ^^^-t^^ 



4 



1^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



209 



they followed lines to a certain extent, thus 
forming rows each way across the field. When 
the corn began to gTOw, they cultivated it with 
wonderful industry until it had matured suffi- 
ciently for use. Their corn fields were nearly 
always in the vicinity of the villages, and 
sometimes were many acres in extent, and in 
favorable seasons yielded plentifully. The 
squaws had entire charge of the work. It was 
considered beneath the dignity of a brave to do 
any kind of manual labor, and, when any one 
of" them, or of any of the white men whom 
they had adopted, did any work, they were 
severely reprimanded for acting like a squaw. 
The Indian women raised the corn, dried it, 
pounded it into meal in a rude stone mortar, or 
made it into hominy. Corn in one form and 
another furnished the chief staple of the In- 
dian's food. They had various legends concern- 
ing its origin, which, in common with other 
stories, they were accustomed to recite in their 
assemblies. 

The Indians were always fond of amusements 
of all kinds. These consisted of races, games 
of Imll, throwing the tomahawk, shooting at 
a mark with the bow and arrow, or with the 
rifle after its distribution among them, horse 
races, and other sports incidental to savage 
life. Their powers of endurance were remark- 
able, and astonishing accounts are often now 
told of feats of prowess exhibited by these ab- 
origines. Of the animals hunted by the Indians, 
none seems to have elicited their skill more 
than the l^ear. To slay one of these beasts was 
\ proof of a warrior's prowess, and dangerous en- 
counters often resulted in the hunter's search 
for such distinction. The vitality of bruin was 
unequaled among the animals of the forest, 
and, because of the danger attached to his capt- 
ure, he was made an object of special hunts 
and feats of courage. 

'^The Black or Canesadooharie River," says 
Dr. Hill, " had always been famous among the 
aborigines of Northern Ohio for the number and 



largeness of its bears. Some of the pioneers 
yet surviving often visited this country in 
search of bruin, when they first settled in the 
country, and can relate astounding stories of 
their exploits at the time. The haljit of these 
animals was to search out a hollow tree or a 
warm clump of bushes late in the autumn, 
where they could remain three or four months, 
during the extreme cold of the winter, subsist- 
ing entirely on the fat of their bodies. They 
would emerge in the spring very lean, and when 
so were exceedingly ferocious. When searching 
out their places of winter solitude, they often 
left the impress of their feet on the bark of the 
tree they ascended, or on the grass in the lair 
they had found. These signs were easily discov- 
ered by Indians and expert bear hunters. They 
were then very fat, and were eagerly sought 
by the Indians for their flesh and fat. Some- 
times they would ascend trees thirty or forty 
feet high, and find a good wintering place and 
take possession. Again they would ascend the 
tree, if hollow, from the inside, and, finding a 
good place, occupy it. Then the hunters would 
divide forces, one ascend the tree and with 
a long pole, sharpened at one end, or wrapped 
with a rag or dry skin saturated with grease 
and set on fire, thrust the same down on the 
bear and compel him to descend, only to meet 
his death at the foot of the tree from the ar- 
row or bullet of the hunter below. 

The skin of a fat bear was a great prize to 
an Indian. It made him an excellent couch on 
which to sleep, or a cloak to wear. His flesh 
was supposed to impart bravery to those who 
ate it, hence when dipped in sweetened bear's 
fat, it was considered an excellent dish and one 
often oftered to friends. Venison, prepared the 
same way, was also considered a dish fit for the 
most royal visitors ; a hospitality always ex- 
tended to all who came to the camp, and if not 
accepted the donor was sure to be off"ended. 

The domestic life of the Indians was very 
much the same in all parts of America. Among 



^1 



>> 



210 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



the Northern (3hio tribes, marriage consisted 
simpl_y of two persons agreeing to live together, 
which simple agreement, among many tribes, was 
never broken. Sometimes the young woman 
courted the young brave, much after the fash- 
ion of the white people during leap years. This 
custom was considered quite proper, and favor- 
ably looked upon by the braves. In some lo- 
calities the chief gave away the young woman 
to some brave he considered competent to sup- 
port her in the chase, a part of the domestic 
economy always devolving on the man. When 
the game was killed, the squaw was expected to 
cut up and prepare the meat for use, and 
stretch and tan the hide. 

The marriage relation among the most of the 
tribes was held strictly by all, a variation from 
it on the part of the female meriting certain 
death. The Wyandots and Delawares prided 
themselves on their virtue and hospitality, and 
no authenticated case of the misuse of a female 
captive, except to treat them as prisoners of 
war, can now be quoted. They always evinced 
the utmost modesty toward their female cap- 
tives. Respect for the aged, for parents and 
those in authority prevailed. When one among 
them spoke, all listened, never, under any cir- 
cumstances, interrupting him. When he was 
done, then was the time to reply. 

In theology, the natives were all l^elievers of 
one deity, denominated l)y them the Great 
Spirit. They firmly believed in his care of the 
world and of his children," though different 
theories prevailed among the tribes regarding 
their creation. Their ideas of a divinity, as 
expressed by James Smith, a captive many 
years among them, are well given in the follow- 
lowing story, preserved in Smith's memoirs. 

He and his elder Indian brother, Tecaugh- 
retanego, had l)een on a hunt for some time, 
and, meeting with poor success, found them- 
selves straitened for food. After the^' had 
smoked at their camp-fire awhile, Tecaugh- 
retanego delivered quite a speech, in which he 



recounted how Owaneeyo ((irod) had fed them ' 
in times gone by ; how He fed the white people, 
and why they raised their own meat ; how the 
Great Spirit provided the Indian with food for 
his use ; and how. that though the prospect was 
sometimes gloomy, the Great Spirit was onl}- 
trying them ; that if they would only trust Him 
and use the means diligently, they would be 
certain to be provided for. The next morning 
Smith rose early, according to the Indians in- 
structions, and ere long killed a buffalo cow, 
whose meat kept them in food many days. 
This was the occasion of another speech from 
his Indian brother. This trust often led them 
to habits of prodigality. They seldom pro- 
vided for the future, almost literally fulfilling 
the adage: "'Let each day provide for its own 
wants." The}^ hunted, fished and idled away 
their days. Possessed of a boundless inherit- 
ance, they allowed the white race to come in 
and possess their lands and eventually drive 
them entirely awa}'. 

Their manner of feasts may also be noticed. 
After the county- began to settle, and while the 
Greentown Indians yet remained in Green Town- 
ship, a number of the early settlers, Andrew 
Craig, Capt. James Cunningham, James Copus, 
who preserved the following account of the 
feast, and a few others, were invited to one of 
their feasts. '• The ceremonies," says Dr. Hill, 
" took place in the council-house, a l)uilding 
made of clapboards and poles, about thirty feet 
wide and fifty feet long. When the Indians en- 
tered the council-house, the squaws seated 
themselves on one side of the room, while the 
braves occupied the opposite side. There was 
a small mound of earth in the center of the 
room, eight or ten feet in diameter, which 
seemed to be a sort of sacrificial mound. The 
ceremonies began with a sort of rude music, 
made by beating on a small brass kettle, and on 
dried skins stretched over the mouths of pots, 
making a kind of a rude drum. The pounding 
was accompanied by a sort of song, which, as 



r 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



211 



near as can be understood, ran: ' Tinny, tinny, 
tinny, ho, ha, ho, ha, ho,' accenting the last syl- 
lal)les. Then a chief arose and addressed them. 
During the delivery of his speech a profound si- 
lence prevailed. The whole audience seemed 
to be deeply moved by the oration. The speaker 
seemed to be about seventy years of age, and 
was very tall and graceful. His eyes had the 
fire of youth, and shone with emotion while he 
was speaking. The audience seemed deeply 
moved, and frequently sobbed while he spoke. 
Mr. Copus could not understand the language 
of the speaker, but presumed he was giving a 
summary history of the Delaware Nation, two 
tribes of which, the Wolf and the Turtle, were 
represented at the feast. Mr. Copus learned 
that the speaker was the famous Capt. Pipe, of 
Mohican Johnstown, the executioner of Col. 
Crawford. At the close of the address, dancing 
commenced. The Indians were clothed in deer- 
skin leggins and English blankets. Deer hoofs 
and bear's claws were strung along the seams 
of their leggins, and, when the dance com- 
menced, the jingling of the hoofs and claws 
made a sort of harmony to the rude music of 
the pots and kettles. The men danced in files 
or lines by themselves around the central 
mound, the squaws following in a company by 
themselves. In the dance there seemed to be 
a proper modesty between the sexes. In fact, 
the Greentown Indians were always noted for 
being extremely scrupulous and modest in the 
presence of one another. After the dance, the 
refreshments, made by lioiling venison and 
bear's meat, slightly tainted, together, were 
handed around. The food was not very pal- 
atable to the white persons present, and they 
were compelled to conceal it al)oat their per- 
sons until they had left the wigwam, when they 
threw the unsavory morsels away. No greater 
insult could have been offered the Indians than 
to have refused the proffered refreshments. 
Hence a little deception was necessary to evade 
the censure of these untutored sons of the 



forest,"whose stomachs could entertain almost 
anything." 

A feast was held by these same Indians in 
1811, a short time before the opening of the 
war of 1812. It is believed to be the last one 
held in this part of Ohio, as the war took away 
all the principal Indian characters. It was con- 
ducted very much as the one described — held 
in the fall of 1809. John Coulter, an old 
pioneer, recollects it very well, and, through 
Dr. Hill, gives a full description of it. Mr. 
Coulter says that, while the food was cooking, 
an occasional morsel was thrown in the fire as 
as offering to the Great Spirit. Also, while the 
supper was being prepared, the chiefs, a large 
number of whom from all parts of Northern 
Ohio were present, connnenced to move around 
the mound in the center of the cabin, some- 
times singing and sometimes delivering short 
speeches in their native tongue. While this 
was going on, the balance of the audience were 
arranged in lines two or three deep around the 
inside of the council-house, which Henry Howe 
estimated, from narratives of pioneers given him 
in 1849, was sixty feet long, twenty-five feet 
wide, one story high, and inclosed by clap- 
boards, or broad pieces of split lumber. The 
singing of the Indians at this second feast was 
a low kind of melancholy wail, accompanied 
by a sort of griint, contortions of the face and 
singular gesticulations of the arms. The Indians 
were dressed as those described in the feast of 
1800, and, though Mr. Coulter could not under- 
stand their language, he thought it was either 
a recital of then* history, or portended war. 
The ceremonies lasted two or three hours, when 
the provisions were handed around, and a gen- 
eral handshaking and congratulations followed, 
closing the feast. All the white men present 
at this feast gave it as their opinion that 
old Capt. Pipe was there. There were three 
or four hundred Indians present. Dr. Hill 
thinks, from all the evidence he can gather. 
Capt. Pipe was at this feast, and that soon 



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212 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



after he left for the war, which soon fol- 
lowed. 

Concerning the murders committed by the 
Indians in Richland Count}', their narration 
will be deferred to that part giving the histor}- 
of the pioneer settlements, as they more prop- 
erly belong there. The Indians did not all 
disappear from this part of Ohio for many 
years after the advent of the white^. During 
the war of 1812 they were rather troublesome, 
and about that time the murder of the Zimmer 
family, the militia at the Copus cabin, Mar- 
tin Ruffner and Levi Jones, occurred. After 
the war closed, the Indians found their town 
destroyed, as has been narrated, and from that 
time until their removal from the country they 
had no fixed habitation. They often came to 
Mansfield to trade. Dr. Bushnell says he has 
often seen them come to town, gather under the 
forest trees in the public square, and there talk, 
smoke, trade, or idle away their time as suited 
their fancy. He says they were sometimes the 
finest physical specimens of mankind he has 
ever seen. " Tall, straight as an arrow, unex- 
ceptional physique, clad only in leggins and 



breech-clout, they exhibited a physical body," 
says the Doctor, " I could not tire contemplat- 
ing." Sometimes they would get drunk, when 
they were a little dangerous. They traded 
peltry for hatchets, powder and ball, and trinkets 
of various kinds. By practice they became as 
sharp in bargains as the white traders and 
peddlers. Experience taught them to rely on 
their own judgment in all such matters. 

By the treaty of September 29, 1817, the 
Delawares were deeded a reservation on the 
south of the Wyandot reservation, both in 
Marion and Wyandot Counties. When this 
was done, Capt. Pipe, son of " Old Capt. Pipe," 
was the principal Delaware- chief The Dela- 
ware Indians remained on their reservation 
until about 1829, when they ceded their reser- 
vation to the United States for $3,000, and moved 
west of the Mississippi. The Wyandots ceded 
theirs in March, 1842, and left for the Far West 
in July of the next year. At that date they 
numbered about seven hundred souls, and were 
the last Indian tribe to relinquish their claims 
to the soil of Ohio. 




•^ (B r- 



\ 



(2 i^ 



^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



213 



CHAPTER XXI. 

FIRST WHITE MEN IN THE COUNTY. 
James Smith and his Captivity-Ma.i. Robert Rogers and his M.litia-The Old Sandusky Trail-G.rtt 
AND other White Renegades— Moravians and their Missionaries -Crawford s March through 
the County— Captivity of Christian Fast— Explorers and Hunters. 



" Dressed for travel, armed for hunting." 
A S far as is now known, James Smith, a 
-l\- native of Western Pennsylvania, was the 
first white man to set foot on the land embraced 
in "Old Richland." He was captured near 
Bedford, Penn., when about eighteen years of 
age, by three Indians on a marauding expedi- 
tion in the spring of 1755, a short time before 
the defeat of Gen. Braddock. He was taken 
to the Indian village on the Alleghany opposite 
Fort Du Quesne, and compelled to run the 
gantlet, where he nearly lost his life by the 
blow of a club from a stalwart savage. After 
his recovery and the defeat of Gen. Braddock, 
he was taken by his captors on a long journey 
through the forest to the village of Tullihas, 
on the west bank of the Muskingum River, 
about twenty miles above the forks. This vil- 
lage was occupied by Mohicans, Caryhnewagas 
and Delawares. Here he was adopted by the 
Indians into one of their tribes. The ceremony 
consisted in first plucking all the hair from his 
head except the scalp lock, which they fixed ac- 
cording to their fashion; in boring his ears and 
nose and placing ornaments therein; in putting 
on a breech-clout and painting his body and 
face in fantastic colors, and in washing him 
several times in the river to wash out all the 
white blood in his veins. This last ceremony was 
performed by three young squaws, and, as 
Smith was unacquainted with their usages, he 
thought they intended to drown him, and re- 
sisted at first with all his might, to the great 
amusement of the multitude on the river's 



bank. One of the young squaws finally made 
out to say " Me no hurt you," and he gave them 
privilege to souse and rub him as they desired. 
When brought from the river he was allowed 
other clothes, and in solemn council, in an im- 
pressive speech, he was admitted to full mem- 
bership in the nation. He says in his journal, 
he always fared as they, no exceptions being 
made. 

He remained at this town till the next Octo- 
ber, when he accompanied his adopted brother, 
Tontileaugo, who had a Wyandot wife on the 
shores of Lake Erie, on a visit to that nation. 
" Their route," says Dr. Hill, "was up the Lake 
Fork to near the present village of Tylertown, 
thence up the Jerome Fork, through the town- 
ships of Mohican, Montgomery and Orange, to 
the south borders of Sullivan, and across the 
same to the head branches of the Black River, 
called by the Indians, Canesadooharie. Then 
they journeyed across Medina and Lorain Coun- 
ties, following the Canesadooharie to where it 
falls into the lake, some distance north of Elyria, 
where they found a large camp of the Wyau- 
dots, and the wife of Tontileaugo." 

Smith remained among the Wyandots, Otta- 
was and Mohicans about four years, traversing 
all parts of Northern Ohio. He undoubtedly 
hunted over this part of the State, as the 
streams here afforded good hunting-grounds. 
He was probably the first white man who saw 
these valleys in their pristine beauty. At any 
rate, he is the first one known to have been 
here. If any preceded him they were French 



Ml 



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214 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



traders, of whom no records or legends exist 
in this part of Ohio. At the end of four years 
he escaped, and made his way to Pennsylvania, 
where he published a memoir from whic^h the 
al)ove facts are obtained. 

About two years after his escape, '^ Mohican 
John,'" a noted chief, with a band of Connecti- 
cut Mohicans, emigrated to Ohio, and settled 
on the west side of the Jerome Fork, on the site 
subsequently covered by the farms of Elijah 
Vocun^ and Judge Edmund Ingmand, in Ash- 
land County. Soon, after Baptiste Jerome and 
his Wyandot wife came and located. This was, 
however, just east of the original boundary of 
Richland County ; yet the village was so inti- 
mately connected with the early history of this 
locality, that it well deserves a place in the 
county's history. 

The next white men to see Richland County 
were Maj. Rol)ert Rogers and his band of rang- 
ers. It is noticed in the history- of the North- 
west in this volume, in the account of his expe- 
dition to take possession of the post at Detroit, 
in November, 1760. As the narrative is given 
there, only that portion relating directly to this 
county need be noticed here. 

After providing for the garrison, he began 
his return trip by land December 23, for Pitts- 
burgh, following the Indian trail from San- 
dusky Baj', where he arrived January 2, 1761. 
It is not known just how many rangers he had 
with him on this journey, but good authority' 
places the number at more than one hundred. 
Dr. Hill thinks there w^ere 120, or more, men. 
He accounts for the number l)y the fact that 
Pontiac's intentions were none of the best, and 
that, as many of the Indians in Northern Ohio 
had given onl}' a reluctant consent to the rule 
of the British after the close of the French and 
Indian war and the cession of Canada and the 
Upper Mississippi Valley- to the "Red Coats,' 
Maj. Rogers, knowing the dangers that beset 
the route through the country, would not 
trust himself unless a sufficient force accom- 



panied him to render safety comparatively 
sure. 

Different opinions concerning his exact route 
have prevailed, only one of which, however, has 
stood the test of inquir}'. He undoubtedly fol- 
lowed the old Indian trail from Sandusky Bay 
to Fort Du Quesne. This trail crossed the 
northeastern parts of Richland Count}'. It en- 
tered Richland Count}- on the north, near the 
division line between Plymovith and Cg,ss Town- 
ships, probably a little to the east of it ; pro- 
ceeding thence southeasterly, it passed over the 
site of Shiloh, on down over the site of the old 
village of Richland; thence over Blooming 
Grove Township, over the sites of Rome and 
Shenandoah, and Olivesburg in Weller Town- 
ship; through Milton Township, through Mont- 
gomery, a little south of the site of Ashland, 
and thence southerly through the northeast 
corner of Vermillion Township, where it 
emerged from " old Richland, " continuing in a 
southeasterl}^ direction to the forks of the Ohio. 
A public highway follows the old trail over 
much of the ground above described. Do the 
people of to-day, as they pass over it in wagon 
or carriage, know they are traveling a high- 
way centuries old ? 

This little army, the first ever seen on the 
soil of this county, stopped once or twice by 
fine springs found here, rested, and secured 
game for food while on the journey home. They 
were uxrmolested while on the wa}', and reached 
the forks of the Ohio in safet}'. 

Following Maj. Rogers and his rangers, the 
next whites to see Richland County were the 
missionaries of the Moravian Indians, who 
dwelt at their towns on the Muskingum River, 
whither they had come to escape their enemies 
in Western New York and Pennsylvania. In 
the history of Ohio, in this book, the narrative 
of their persecutions, their removal and their 
settlement in Ohio, is given. It will only be 
necessary to notice that part of their history 
relating to their removal from their prosperous 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAI^D COUNTY 



215 



towns on the Muskingum to the Sandusky 
River. The British were jealous of the power 
of these missionaries over the Indians ; the 
traders hated them because they stood in their 
way in selling rum to other Indians, and the 
Americans feared them because they were 
neutral, refusing to aid either side. The Brit- 
ish were the main ones in causing their removal. 
Through the notorious Girty and Elliott, two 
renegade whites, well known in border histor}^, 
the command for their removal was given. 
The}' were ordered to leave their peaceful 
homes, their schools, their churches, their 
fieldsof vegetables and grain, and repair to a 
colder part of the territory- and there begin 
anew. 

They were commanded to move September 
10, 1784, and, abandoning all that was dear on 
earth to them, they set out on their perilous 
journey . Their route was up the river, thence 
up the Waldhoning, and on north by a little 
west, thi'ough the townships of Hanover, 
Green, and northwesterly through the county, 
turning west near the western boundary-, went 
on to the site of Bucyrus. where they established 
their camp. Among the company was Mar}- 
Heckewelder, daughter of the missionary, John 
Heckewelder, supposed to 1)e the first white fe- 
male child born in Ohio. She thus describes 
the march : 

'^Our journey was exceedingl}' tedious and 
dangerous ; some of the canoes sunk when on 
the creeks and rivers, and those that were in 
them lost all their provisions and everything 
they had saved. Those that went by land 
di'ove the cattle — a pretty large herd. The 
savages now drove us along, the missionaries 
with their families usually in the midst, sur- 
rounded by their Indian converts. The roads 
were exceedingly bad, leading through a con- 
tinuation of swamps. We went by land through 
Goseuchguenk [Coshocton] to the Waldhoning, 
and then parti}- l:»y water and partly along the 
banks of the river to Sandusky Creek." From 



the nature of the ground. Dr. Hill thinks the 
Black Fork is meant. 

Not long after the removal of these Indians 
occurred the raid by Col. Williamson and the 
brutal massacre of many of these peaceful sons 
of the forest as they were gathering their corn. 
This was the next March, and the act stands 
unequaled on the annals of war for brutality 
and wickedness. This is also narrated in the 
history of Ohio. The act aroused the animos- 
ity of all other Indians, who, though not 
agreeing with the 3Ioravian converts in their 
attitude, yet, because many of them were 
Delawares and Wyandots, felt called upon 
to revenge the deep injury done to their rela- 
tions. 

Capt. Pipe and other warlike spirits at once 
took the war path, determined to revenge the 
injury. News of the impending uprising of 
the Indians reached the borders of Pennsyl- 
vania, and excited great fear. Another expedi- 
tion was at once raised, to again go against 
the Moravian Indians, a second time wrongly 
supposed to be the cause of all the trouble. 
Nearly fi^-e hundred men gathered at the de- 
serted Mingo town near the site of Steubenville, 
and, electing Col. William Crawford commander, 
started across the country for the old Moravian 
towns on the ^luskingum, thinking there might 
still be Indians there, and also the towns being 
nearly on a direct route to the new settlements 
on the Sandusky River. 

They found the Indian towns deserted of in- 
habitants, and, gathering suflBicient corn to feed 
their horses, pushed on for the towns on the 
Sandusky. 

Mr. C. W. Butterfield, of Bucyrus, has made 
'■ Crawford's campaign ' an especial study, and 
given the results of his study in an excel- 
lent and exhaustive work of nearly four hun- 
dred pages. It is not the intention here to note 
the campaign any further than it relates to 
Richland County. As a campaign, its history 
is o;iven elsewhere. 



^^ 



216 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Speaking of the route of the army after it 
left the Muskingum, Mr. Butterfield saj'S : 

" The marcli was continued on the morning 
of the29th, "[May,1782]." The guides, taking a 
northwest course through the wilderness from 
the Muskingum, brought the army to the Kill- 
buck, some distance above the present town of 
Millersburg, the county seat of Holmes County. 
' Thence, says Dunlevy, in his application for a 
pension, 'we marched up the Killbuck.' At not a 
great distance, the army reached a large spring, 
known at the present time as Butler's or Jones' 
spring, near the line of Wayne County, ten miles 
south of Wooster, where, on the evening of 
May 30, (Thursday), the army halted. 

"At this spring one of the men died and was 
buried. His name was cut on the bark of a 
tree close by his grave. 

" From this point the army moved westward, 
along the north side of Odell's lake — ' passing 
between two small lakes, where they found the 
heads of two large fish, freshly caught, lying 
on the ground, which awakened a suspicion 
that Indians were near.'* Thence they passed 
near the spot where was afterward the Indian 
village of Grreentown."' 

This brought the army to Eichland County. 
It will be observed they entered near the north- 
east corner of Green Township, near where old 
Helltown existed and thence proceeded north- 
westerly through it. Mr. Butterfield's account 
continues : 

"From this point — Helltown — they struck 
across to the Rocky Fork of the Mohican, up 
wliich stream they traveled until a fine spring 
was reached, near where the city of Mansfield 
now stands." 

This spring, almost undoubtedl}", was what 
is now known as the "Big Springs," on Fourth 
street, in the city. Here, then, an army camped 
nearly one hundred years ago, and white men 
gazed on these then densely wooded vales and 
hills. Perchance they thought of the numbers 

* Recollections of William Smith. 



of their race that were then making their way 
westward, driving the lone Indian slowly 
toward the setting sun. 

Leaving Big Spring, the army went north- 
ward " to a fine spring, five miles farther on, in 
what is now Springfield Township, a place now 
known as Spring Mills, where, on the evening 
of June 1, the army halted and encamped for 
the night. 

"The army had now reached, as was sup- 
posed, the head of streams fiowing north into 
Lake Erie. This, howcA^er, was an error; these, 
in reality, flow into the Mohican. A short 
distance traveled on the 2d of June brought 
the cavalcade to other small streams, having a 
northern trend, which were, in fact, aflfluents 
of the Sandusk}'. The army crossed into what 
is now Crawford County at 1 o'clock in the 
afternoon, and about an hour after reached the 
Sandusky* River, at a point immediately east 
of what is now the village of Leesville, at the 
mouth of a small creek called Allen's Run, 
when a halt was called and the volunteers took 
a half-hour's rest on the banks of the stream 
for which they had been for some time very 
anxiously looking." 

The army was now about three miles west of 
the present city of Crestline. The next day it 
came to the Plains, now embraced in Crawford, 
Marion and Wyandot Counties. Of its subse- 
quent marches but little need be said here. As 
has been stated in the State historj^, the cam- 
paign ended in defeat and disaster, the army 
being attacked two days afterward and defeated, 
at what is known as "Battle Island," a grove 
of timber in Crane Township, Wyandot County, 
and, after two days' fighting, the Americans were 
driven away in a sadly demoralized condition. 

Crawford was lost when the retreat began, 
and was seen by the main body no more, as it 

*The Sandusky River rises in "Palmer's Spring,' in Spring- 
field Township. Several small streams, commonly known as its 
heads, flow into it before it reaches Crawford Coiinty. The word 
"Sandusky" is of Indian origin. It was pronounced by them 
" Snn-rfoo<-«fe," or "Sa-undus<e#," meaning "clear, cold water," or 
" at the cold water." 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



317 



hurriedly retreated over the route by which it 
came. He was captured, in company with Dr. 
Knight, Lieut. Ashley- and Capt. Biggs, as they 
were endeavoring to escape, about a half-mile 
south of the site of the former camp at Lees- 
ville. The band of Delaware Indians were 
under command of a chief named Wingenund, 
to whose camp Crawford and the Doctor were 
taken, where they found several other prisoners, 
stragglers like themselves. 

Capt. Pipe was among the warriors, and was 
the chief instigator in the cruel death of Craw- 
ford, which ended the ill-fated expedition, Dr. 
Knight making his escape and saving himself 
from a horrible death. 

It should be stated, to the credit of Capt. 
Pipe and other Indians, that, had Williamson 
been captured, Crawford would doubtless have 
been spared. As it was, he was put to the 
most cruel death they could devise, at the Del- 
aware village of Capt. Pipe, situated a short 
distance northeast of the present town of 
Ci'awfordsville. Almost all other prisoners 
were horribl}' tortured in one form and 
another, but none so fearfull}- as the "Big 
Captain," as the Indians called Crawford, 
on whom all the hate of their passions was 
expended. 

The failure of the expedition excited the 
fears of the borderers, none of whom cared to 
venture far into the Indian country. A few 
venturesome spirits made the attempt along 
the Ohio River, but the danger was too great, 
and, moreover, the validity of claims not well 
established. Not till 1788, when the "Ordi- 
nance of 1787" had secured freeholders in 
their rights in the " Territory northwest of the 
Ohio," was a permanent settlement made in the 
State. 

x\nother captive among the Indians before 
the settlement l\y the whites was Christian 
Fast, 8r., afterward one of the earliest settlers 
in Orange Township. He often narrated the 
incidents of his capture and captivity, which 



Mr. Knapp preserves in his " History of Ashland 
County." Mr. Knapp says: 

" When a boy of sixteen, Mr. Fast was capt- 
ured by the Delaware Indians near the Falls of 
the Ohio. He had enlisted in Fayette County, 
Penn., in a company of 200 men, organ- 
ized for the purpose of chastising the In- 
dians, for depredations committed upon the 
frontier settlements. Such expeditions were of 
frequent occurrence in those times. This force 
descended the Ohio in boats, and. some distance 
above the falls, became separated into two 
parties, 3'oung Fast being among those in the 
rear. The advance party had driven posts in 
the river, upon the top of which they placed 
written directions, addressed to those who were 
following them, indicating the point where they 
would find the anchorage of the party, who 
would be in waiting for them. These written 
directions, it was supposed, fell into the hands 
of the Indians, who had whites among them 
competent to read, and who thus became in- 
formed of the movements of their foes. Before 
the latter could form a junction of their forces, 
the rear part}', a short distance above the falls, 
was attacked b}' parties of Indians on both 
sides of the river, while the men in the boats 
were making toward the shore to cook a heifer 
they had killed. The largest boat in the fleet, 
in which was Mr. Fast, had landed, and the 
others were making preparations to do so when 
the attack commenced. The smaller boats im- 
mediately put up stream, but the larger one was 
hard aground and could not get off. Of the 
one hundred, all but about thirty were killed. 
Young Fast jumped into the water, receiving, 
at the same instant, a flesh-wound in the hip, 
and swam to the opposite shore, where he was 
met by three Indians, who demanded that he 
should surrender, assuring him of friendly 
treatment. He declined their request and again 
plunged into the current, the three Indians 
firing at him as he swam, one of the balls 
grazing his cheek, momentarilv stunning him. 



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218 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Reaching the middle of the stream, he took 
observations to determine the course of safet}', 
and conckided to strike the shore several rods 
below where the large boat was grounded ; but, 
on approaching the shore, he again encountered 
the bullets of the Indians, and again made for 
the middle of the river. Some distance below, 
he discovered a horse-boat belonging to his 
party, and at once resolved to reach and board 
it. Just as he had succeeded in getting aboard, 
the Captain received a wound in the arm, and 
waved his hand to the Indians in token of sur- 
render. The boat was immediately boarded by 
the Indians, and the whites taken prisoners. 

" An old Indian took charge of Fast, by whom 
he was taken to Upper Sandusky. The prison- 
ers were divested of their clothing, and. as their 
march led through a rank growth of nettle- 
weeds, it was indescribably painful. Fast, 
becoming maddened with pain, at length refused 
to go forward, and, baring his head to his 
captor, demanded that he would tomahawk 
him, and thus put an end to his sufferings. The 
Indian took compassion on him and restored 
his clothing. During the remainder of the 
journey, he was treated with marked kindness. 
At Upper Sandusk}', he was adopted into a dis- 
tinguished family of the tribe. He visited the 
lamented Col. Crawford after the failure of the 
expedition and during his imprisonment, and 
was within hearing of his cries during the 
horrid cruelties he suffered at the stake. 

" About eighteen months after Fast's capture, 
an expedition left Upper Sandusky for the pur- 
pose of attacking the white settlements and 
fortifications at Wheeling. Connected with this 
expedition was the notorious James Girty. Fast, 
who now possessed the full confidence of the 
Indians, was also of the party. The expedition 
reached its destination, and had besieged the 
fort at Wheeling three daj's and two nights. On 
the third night Fast determined upon an attempt 
to effect his escape. Approaching his adopted 
brother at a late hour of the night, he awoke 



him, complaining of thirst, and urged his 
brother to accompany him to a place where they 
could procure a drink of water. The Indian 
pleaded weariness, and urged his brother to go 
alone, insisting that no harm would befall him. 
Thereupon, Fast, taking his camp-kettle, steered 
dii-ectly for his father's house in Fayette County, 
Penn., about thirty miles distant. The night 
being excessivel}- dark, he made slow progress, 
and at daylight was yet within hearing of the 
guns of the besiegers and besieged. As soon as 
daylight appeared, he pushed forward, and soon 
discovered, liy a fresh trail, that about tliirty In- 
dians were in advance of him, making for the 
white settlements in Washington County, Penn. 
On reaching the spur of a ridge, he discovered 
that the trails separated, and that the Indians 
had formed two parties, each pursuing parallel 
lines through the valleys. He hoped, by vigor- 
ously pursuing the middle and straighter course, 
to get in advance of the Indians, and in this 
effort he was successful. Before night he reached 
the margin of the settlement in Washington 
County, the Indians l)eing but a short distance 
in his rear. A few rods in advance of him and 
advancing on his own trail, he discovered a 
white man. with a couple of bridles on his arm, 
evidently in search of horses. Placing himself 
behind a tree. Fast waited until the white man 
was within a few feet of him, when he suddenly- 
placed himself in his path, and gave a hurried 
explanation of his name, object, and the imme- 
diate danger that threatened the white settle- 
ment. The man was paralyzed with fear ; he 
could not believe that the savage-looking man 
before him, with his painted face, his ears and 
nose filled with brooches, his hair (all except a 
tuft in front, which was passed through a silver 
tube) nearly plucked from his skull, was any- 
thing else than a veritable Indian. Mechanic- 
all}-, however, the man obeyed his directions, 
and each, seizing and mounting horses, which 
were near at hand, made for the settlements with 
all practicable speed. They gave the alarm to 



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HISTORY OF RICHLA:N^D COUNTY. 



219 



all the families in the neighborhood, and suc- 
ceeded in securing all in the fort except one 
boy, who was killed at the instant he reached 
the gate, which was thrown open for his in- 
gress. 

"After the beleaguered fort was relieved by the 
retirement of the Indians, he sought his father's 
house; but was so completely metamorphosed 
by his Indian costume that his parents could 
not, for a considerable length of time, recognize 
him. At length his mother, recalling some 
peculiar spots near the pupils of his eyes, gave 
a scrutinizing look, and at once identified her 
son. She sprang forward to embrace him, and 
would have fainted in his arms, but he repulsed 
her, exclaiming that his person, as was the case 
with all the Indians, was covered with vermin. 
He retired from the house, committed his In- 
dian clothes to the fire he had made, purified his 
body as best he could, and then clothed himself 
in garments furnished by his father. 

" On the very day of his arrival in Orange 
Township, in 1815, he met with Tom Lyons, a 
chief and one of his original captors, and a 
party of Indians by whom he was recognized. 
The Indians, who had not suspected that he had 
deserted, but who believed that he had been 
drowned in the river, evinced much "joy at the 
discovery of their lost ^'brother," and ever 
afterward offered numerous tokens of their 
friendship." 

Following Crawford's campaign, and the cap- 
tivity of Mr. Fast, the next member of the white 
race was the renegade Thomas Glreen, who came 
to the site of Greentown in 1783, and estab- 
lished that village. He was a Tory from the 
bloody Wyoming Valley. There he had been 
associated with the cruel Mohawks in the wan- 
ton murder of his countrymen, and, to escape 



their vengeance, fled with Billy Montour, Gello- 
wa}', Armstrong, Thomas Lyons and others, to 
the wilds of Ohio, and founded a town among 
the Delawares, which, in honor of this renegade, 
they called Greentown. The village became 
well known in Northern Ohio annals, and is 
fully noticed elsewhere. 

The rapid encroachment of the white race on 
the domain of the red men, and the arrogant 
manner of many of the borderers, coupled with 
British gold, stirred up the tribes of Ohio to an 
endeavor to exterminate the on-coming flood of 
emigrants. The savages persisted in their bar- 
barous mode of warfare, and the expeditions of 
Harmar. St. Clair and Wayne were the result. 
The former two proved disastrous to the whites, 
and ended in the route and almost total ruin of 
the armies. Their defeat caused wide-spread 
alarm, and effectually checked emigration to all 
parts of the territory. Washington selected the 
best man at his command, Anthony Wayne 
(" Mad Anthony '), and sent him to command 
the Western army, and subdue the savages. His 
campaign ended in 1794, and the peace of Green- 
ville, in 1795, secured comparative freedom, on 
all the frontiers. 

Emigration began again to pour in. The 
survey of the public lands, practically stopped, 
like all o'ther advances of the whites, was now 
resumed, and gradually extended northwesterly. 
The surveyors were kept in advance of the set- 
tlements wherever it could be done, and land 
offices established for the sale of land. At the 
date of the survey here, Richland had not a 
single pioneer in its limits. Indeed, no white 
men, save hunters, are known to have been o-^'er 
her hills and vales between the date of the cam- 
paign of Crawford and the beginning of the 
survey. 






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220 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE SURVEYORS. 

Ordinance for the Survey of the Northwest Territory — Ranges — Townships — James Hedges, Maxfield 
AND William Ludlow and Jonathan Cox — Descriptions of the Surveyors' Field Notes, etc. 



How canst thou walk these fieldf 
them for thy feet? 



and woods? Who measured 



THE advance of settlements into the North, 
w^est Territoiy forced Congi-ess at an early 
day to prepare for the survey of the lands. In 
May, 1785, that body passed an ordinance pre- 
scribing the mode of such a survey. In 1787, 
the Territory was accepted by the General Gov- 
ernment, and Gen. St. Clair was appointed 
Governor in October, and soon after came to 
Marietta, to perform the functions of his office. 

The ordinance prescribing the mode of the 
survey of the lands northwest of the Ohio 
River, stipulated that a corps of surveyors — 
one from each State — should be appointed by 
Congress, and placed under Thomas Hutch- 
ins, Geographer of the United States. This 
corps of engineers was to divide the Territory 
into townships, each six miles square, by run- 
ning lines due north and south, and crossing 
these by other lines running due east and west, 
the squares thus formed to constitute the town- 
ships. This was to be the rule over the entire 
Territory as far as practicable. It will be ob- 
served, however, that it was not followed in 
many parts of Ohio, the Western Reserve 
being surveyed into townships five miles 
square. 

The point of beginning the survey was at the 
Ohio River, at a place due north from the west- 
ern termination of the southern boundary of 
Pennsylvania. From this point lines were run 
north and west, extending through the Terri- 
tory. The townships, whole or fractional, were 
to be numbered from south to north, from a 
certain base line. What that line is in the sur- 



vey of Richland County, Mr. John Newman, 
the present Surveyor, ssljs he cannot determine. 
It is some irregular line, as the numbers of the 
townships diflTer very materially. The ranges 
were numbered progressively westward. Had 
the same base line been used for all ranges, 
the townships would have all had the same 
number in corresponding ranges, as they pro- 
gressed from east to west. 

After the county was surveyed into townships, 
these were to be divided into thirty -six sections, 
of 160 acres each, each township having 640 
acres. Since the survey was first made, the 
sections have been divided into quarters, eighths 
and sometimes sixteenths. 

The first range of townships in Richland, 
as originally created, was range numbered six- 
teen. This included the townships of Hanover, 
Green, Vermillion, Montgomery and Orange. 
These were numbered 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. 
The next range, 17, included — following the 
numbers, as the townships were then not named 
— Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Range 18 in- 
cludes Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23; Range 19 
contains also the same numbered towniships. 
The three ranges, 16, 18 and 19, were evi- 
dently numbered from the same base, as their 
numbers are all the same. Range 20 includes 
Townships Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. 

The county was surveyed in 1807, by James 
Hedges, Jonathan Cox and Maxfield Ludlow. 
Gen. Hedges was a citizen of Virginia, and was 
a Deputy United States Surveyor under Mr. 
Hutchins. He was born in Ohio County, 
Virginia, in a family of eleven children — nine 
brothers and two sisters. His parents were 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



221 



from Eastern Virginia. He came to Ohio 
about 1800, and settled in Belmont Count}', 
but in a short time returned to Virginia and 
studied surveying, then an excellent employ- 
ment for young men. He received an appoint- 
ment as Deputy Surveyor, and, returning to 
Ohio, entered on active field work. The lalwr 
was very arduous, not to say dangerous, and 
required not only bodily strength, but nerve 
and discretion. Gen. Hedges assisted in the 
survey' of this county, as will be obsei'ved from 
the description of the survey, and while here 
entered three quarters of land now covered 
partly by the city of Mansfield. He was the 
prime mover in locating the city. After the 
location of the village destined to be the counts- 
seat, he returned to Belmont County, where he 
was elected Sherift'. When the war of 1812 
broke out, he received the appointment of Cap- 
tain of cavalr}- in the regular army, and served 
with distinction during the war, under the 
immediate command of Gen. Harrison. Soon 
after the close of the war, he resigned his com- 
mission and returned to Mansfield to look after 
his interests here, and those of the town iden- 
tical with his own, and remained here in the 
active pursuits of life until his death, October 
4. 1854. For manj- ^-ears he was Register of 
the Virginia Military- Lands, then a ver}' im- 
portant oflftce. He also served a term in the 
Ohio Legislature. He was always a prominent 
man in the State militar}' operations, and became 
a Major General of militia. 

" Gen. Hedges was, in all respects," says one 
who knew him well, " a man of mark. In per- 
son, he was over six feet high, and well propor- 
tioned ; a man of iron frame and nerve. He 
was also a man of extreme modesty, and 
strong attachment to his friends. He was an 
open-handed, generous-hearted man, and was 
iniiversally popular among the people. He was 
continued in oflBce under all administrations, 
and was one of the foremost men among the 
pioneers of Ohio." 



The survey began at the southeast corner of 
the county — Range 16 and Township 19. The 
plat of the survey is now in the Surveyor's 
office, and from it the annexed facts are gleaned : 

The first township (19) in this range was sur- 
veyed by James Hedges, in March, 1807. In 
his field-notes he gives the quality and quan- 
tity of timber he found, the character of the 
soil,the surface of the country , the water-courses, 
the springs and whatever else interested him 
as he passed over the land. This township, 
afterward named Hanover, is noted as having 
on the east boundary much burnt woods. On 
the fifth mile, going south, the surveyors came 
to the old Indian boundary line, 'perhaps," 
says Dr. Hill, '-the north line of the Gellowaj' 
Reservation, in Knox County. The line runs 
southwest across the township, passing out 
nearl}' in the middle of Section 31." Between 
Sections 1 and 2, Armstrong's Creek, running 
southwest, was crossed. It was so named from 
Capt. Thomas Armstrong, an old Indian chief, 
who resided at Greentown, eight miles above. 
The Indian trail running north, and to the 
Gelloway settlement on the Waldhoning, is 
mentioned. The land of Hanover is noted as 
rough and poor, covered with stunted timber, 
much burnt on the northeast part of the town- 
ship. Green Township was also surveyed by 
Gen. Hedges, in April, 1807. "In running the 
south and east boundar}', Gen. Hedges seems 
to haA'e been much embarrassed," says Dr. 
Hill, '-over the variations in his compass. In 
order to test the accuracy' of the survey, the 
lines were resurvejed. He could not determine 
the cause of the variation." Magnetic ores 
may have existed in the earth on the line and 
influenced the needle. On the south line ol 
this township, the timber was much burnt ; un- 
derbrush was plent}'. On the west boundary. 
Mohican John's Creek was crossed, and on 
the fourth mile to Muddy Fork of Mohican 
John's Creek, the}- crossed the stream and 
came to the Indian village of Greentown, which 






^ 



222 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



at that date contained fifty or sixty families. 
The village occupied rolling land, in Section 
18. A number of well-used trails led in va- 
rious directions from the town. The survey- 
ors drove a section post in a corn field, which 
they mention as being well cultivated. The 
village and graveyard were estimated to con- 
tain five or six acres. The Indians offered no 
resistance to the survey. In fact, they hardly 
comprehended its significance. The land in 
this township, down the valley, is regarded as 
prime, other portions, poor. The varieties of 
white oak, burr oak, ash and other hard timber 
are noticed. 

The next township in this range, No. 20 
— Vermillion — was surveyed by Jonathan Cox, 
while Gen. Hedges was surveying Green. The 
southern boundary was run by Gen. Hedges, in 
October, 1806, soon after he received his com- 
mission and orders from the Surveyor General 
of the United States. Gen. Hedges experienced 
considerable difficulty in running this line, 
owing to the variations of his compass. He 
resurveyed it three times, and observed, "I am 
at a loss to know to what cause to attribute the 
increased length of the south boundary of this 
township." On the third survey, he says: "I 
find the chaining correct; I am now much per- 
plexed to know the cause of my westing or 
turning south. The variation must operate very 
partial, or my compass must have been un- 
luckily altered." 'Te then resurveyed the west 
l)oundary, and, coming to the southwest corner, 
observes : '' Here I experience troubles of a 
new kind. Having already spent two days and 
a half waiting on an Indian chief, who appeared 
hostile to our business, I also labored under 
the difficulty of a hand being absent thirteen 
days on a tour for provisions; in the mean time 
having lived eight days on parched corn. I 
now find my camp rol)bed of some necessary 
articles, and two hands that I left to keep the 
same, revolted and run away. These difflcult- 



ing finished — expecting other surveyors after 
me to subdivide — all conspire to make me un- 
happy. No alternative remains but to proceed 
to Owl Creek, and get hands and provisions, 
this being the 20th day of October, 180G." 
This suspended operations on this township un- 
til the following April, when Jonathan Cox 
subdivided it into sections. The land is de- 
scribed as gently mountainous ; the timber of 
oak, hickory, ash, and other forest trees. On 
the eastern boundary several Indian trails were 
found, the majority leading to Greentown. 

The range boundaries of ^Montgomery Town- 
ship, No. 22, were surveyed by Maxfield 
Ludlow, in October, 1806. In running the 
southern boundary of this township, seventeen 
chains west of the southeast corner, he crossed 
the famous trail leading from Sandusk}' to the 
fork of the Ohio. It is described in the notes 
of the survey as a well-worn trail or path. It 
was the well-known trail followed by Maj. 
Rogers and his rangers in 1761, on his return 
from establishing the station at Detroit. It 
was afterward followed by Gen. Beall in his 
expedition to Sandusky. The eastern boundary 
of this township is described as " low, wet and 
marshy, with bottoms subject to overflow." 
The timber was of the kind found in all parts 
of the county, the principal varieties already 
mentioned. The eastern part of the township 
is noted as good land; the middle and western 
parts as rolling and good. Jonathan Cox sur- 
veyed the township into sections in November, 
after Mr. Ludlow had completed the boundary- 
survey. 

The next township. No. 23 — Orange — was 
surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow in October, 
1806. He surveyed both the boundaries and 
the sectional lines. On the south boundary, 
about three miles west of the starting corner, 
they came to an Indian trail, bearing north- 
west and southeast. Its course was one leading 
into Mohican John's Town, and was surveyed 



ies increased ; my range and town lines not be- | in 1816, by Rev. James Huney, to Rowsburg 



V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



223 



and on to Wooster, and opened as a road. It 
was the common highway for the pioneers of 
Orange and Clear Creek Townships, and adja- 
cent countr}^ who for many years traded in 
Wooster. 

"The evidences of Indian occnpation in 
Orange Township," ^ays Dr. Hill, -at the time 
of its occupation by the whites, were very 
numerous. The aborigines, it seems, were ac- 
customed to assemble annually in the spring, in 
large numbers, to make sugar and hunt. They 
were here as late as 181 G, and were accustomed 
to get Mr. Peter Biddinger, a gunsmith, to repair 
their broken gun-locks." 

The next range of townships— 17 — now lies 
partly in Ashland and partly in Richland 
County, as it now exists. The first township 
in this range, No. 21 — Worthington — was sur- 
veyed by Gen. Hedges, after his return from 
Owl Creek, where he had gone, as has been 
stated, in search of hands and food. What 
time in the autumn he surveyed the township 
is not given on the records in the county, but 
it is probable he completed all the townships in 
this range, save the north one, No. 25. l:»efore 
the close of the year, or before the following 
spring. It is certain he began Township 23 — 
Mifflin— October 28, as two of his note-books 
are yet preserved, and are in the hands of the 
present County Surveyor, Mr John Newman. 
This note-l)Ook states, that, after an absence of 
six days. Gen. Hedges returned from Owl 
Creek, having procured hands and provisions. 
This would imply that he surveyed Mifflin be- 
fore Worthington and Monroe. As no records 
exist, the exact date of the survey of these two 
townships cannot now be ascertained. Gen. 
Hedges continued the survey of Mifflin until 
December 2, when he completed the township. 
His field-notes of this township state that the 
southern boundary passes over steep hills, and 
crosses the Black Fork, near the center of the 
line. He also notes the same of part of the 
eastern boundary. He notes the varieties of 



beech, hickory, ash, oak, etc. He was troubled 
again with the variations of his compass, which 
he was at a loss to account for, Init which was 
probably disturl)ed by metallic ores in the earth. 
In Section 21, he noted the existence of a small 
lake — Petersburg Lake — into and out of which 
he found a stream of clear water flowing. 

The next township north, No. 24, compris- 
ing part of Weller and all of Milton Townships, 
was surveyed by Gen. Hedges, late in the fall 
of 1806. The southern boundary was found 
uneven and hilly ; the land, second rate ; the 
timber, mostly beech, oak and hickory. The 
eastern boundary was generally level ; soil 
good, and the timber the same as in the south, 
save maple, dogwood and wild cherry are also 
found. The land of the township is described 
as " of gentle ascents and descents, some places 
level, soil good for farming, and. generally, 
more or less clayey. It has abundance of clear 
water flowing from never-failing springs." In 
the neighborhood of the " Short farm " is found 
one of the strongest springs in the county. 

The last township in this range. No. 25, 
now Clear Creek, in Ashland County, and 
part of Butler, in Richland County, was not 
surveyed and subdivided until the next autumn 
— 1807. The work was performed by Maxfield 
Ludlow. The land of the township is described 
in the surveyor's notes as level and second rate 
in places, and in others as rich and well adapted 
to farming. On Sections 13 and 24 he found 
an excellent lake of pure water, which jNIr. 
Ludlow found to be twenty chains wide from 
east to west. Several Indian trails are men- 
tioned, generally leading to Greent(.)wn. or to 
the main Sandusky trail below. 

This township was found to contain more 
archijeological remains than any in the county. 
An excellent field is here open for the student 
of the extinct tribes that once inhabited this 
region of Ohio. The remains are noted else- 
where in the chapter on that subject, and need 
not be repeated here. 



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224 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



The next range, 18, was surve^'ed entirel}' by 
Maxfield and William Ludlow, in 1806 and 
1807. The records in the Count}' Surve_yor's 
office show but xery little regarding this range. 
Many of the townships have no record of any 
returns. They were evidenth' made directly 
to the State Capitol or to the Surveyor Greneral. 
After much inquir}^ by mail, the j^ear of the 
survey' of each of the remaining ranges was 
ascertained, but the fleld-books could not be 
found. In this range, William Ludlow sur- 
ve3'ed Townships 21 and 22, and Maxfield Lud- 
low, Township 23, while together they surveyed 
Townships 19 and 20. 

Range 19 was surve3'ed entirely' in 1807. 
Maxfield Ludlow surveyed Townships 19, 20 
and 21 ; 22 and 23 were surveyed by himself 
and William. Range 20, the last one in the 
county, was all surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow, in 
1807. It is evident that the survey' proceeded 
from the east to the west, and that this range 



was the last one in Richland Count}^ (not then 
created), to be reached l\y the surveyors. 

As was their custom, they carefully noted 
all peculiarities of timber, land, the springs, the 
topographical features, etc. Afterward, when 
travelers or persons came in search of land, 
these surveyors knew just where to take them. 
Gren. Hedges kept a man who had been on the 
survey, ready, in after years, to show settlers 
where desirable lands could be found. Other 
early settlers soon explored the country, and 
became, in their time, guides to those who came 
after them. 

No l)etter and more truthful accounts of the 
new lands in the West could have been pub- 
lished than the notes of the surveyors who trav- 
ersed the county in advance of civilization. 
The same is true of the West of to-day, and, 
did people rely more on scientific observations, 
many a disappointment might he averted. 




7< 




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^ 2) 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



227 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

DIVISIONS INTO TOWNSHIPS. 

Wayne Cocnty Fairfield County — Knox County— Eichland County, attached to Knox — Madison Township 

Green Township — Richland County — Act for Organization — County Seat — First Division of the 

County Madison, Green, .Jefferson and Vermillion Townships — Troy and Mifflin — Worthington 

AND Montgomery — Blooming Grove, Springfield and Washington — Orange — Milton — Franklin — 
Leepsic (name changed to Perry) — Monroe — Plymouth and Sandusky — Hanover — Clear Creek — 
Sharon — Auhurn — North Bloomfield — Vernon — Congress — Formation of Crawford County — 
Ashland County — Morrow County — Jackson Township — Butler — Weller — Cass. 



IT will be uecessaiy, to give a clear explana- 
tion of the various divisions of Richland 
Count}-, to go back to the original county form- 
ations into which this part of Ohio was 
divided, and trace their alterations, made from 
time to time as the settlement of the country- 
required. 

The present county of Richland was origi- 
nally a part of Wayne Count}- — the third erected 
in the Northwest Territory. Wayne was created 
by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, August 15, 
1796, and embraced all of Northwestern Ohio, 
Northwestern Indiana, Michigan, Northern Illi- 
nois and Wisconsin. This immense tract of coun- 
try Avas then practically uninhabited by Ameri- 
cans, save a few 'settlements in the central part 
of Ohio. The Indian war had closed, however, 
and people were rapidly occupying all parts of 
the West, hence a division of the county soon 
occurred. December 9, 1800, Fairfield County, 
embracing a lai'ge tract of countr}- now included 
in Licking, Knox, Richland and other counties, 
was created, and Lancaster made the county 
seat. Again, the increase of settlements ren- 
dered the formation of new counties out of 
Fairfield necessary, and, in compliance with the 
urgent petitions of the people residing in the 
interested localities, on the IGth of January-, 
1808. a bill passed the (jreneral Assembl}' of 



Ohio, creating the counties of Knox, Licking 
and Richland. By the provisions of this act, 
as expressed in its seventh article, Richland 
was placed under the jurisdiction of Knox 
County, '-until the Legislature ma}- think 
proper to organize the same." June 9, 1809, 
the Commissioners of Knox County declared 
" the entire county of Richland a separate town- 
ship, which shall be called and known by the 
name of Madison." 

This township of Madison, the original Rich- 
land County, was thirty miles in extent each 
way, save on the east line, which lacked a few 
miles of this length. This was occasioned by 
the southern boundary being made on the old 
northern boundary line of the Greenville treaty, 
which diverges slightly northward about the 
middle of Range 17. At the date of its 
creation there were very few settlers in the 
county, so few that at the election of 1809, 
but seventeen votes were polled in the entire 
township ; the year following, this number was 
increased only two. The same year, several 
families moved into what is now Mifflin Town- 
ship ; a few came to the vicinity of Perrysville, 
near where the Indian town of Greentown ex- 
isted, so that it was deemed expedient to divide 
Madison Township. January 7. 1812, Green 
Township was made by dividing Madison as 



£. 



228 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



follows : •' The division line of the township 
sliall be one mile east of the center of the sev- 
enteenth mnge, in the lower townsliip, and shall 
be known and designated by the name of 
Green." This gave the new township a terri- 
tory eight miles wide and almost thirty miles 
long. The order for this division is on the 
reeonls of Knox County, and seems to lie the 
last otftt'ial one regarding the division of Rich- 
land County while attached to Knox. 

The original act for the creation of Richland 
County, passed in January. 1808. reads as fol- 
lows : '• And be it further enacted that all that 
tract of country lying north of the aforesaid 
county of Knox, and south of the Connecticut 
Western Reserve, and so far east as the line 
between the fifteenth and sixteenth ranges 
of Congress lands, and so far west as the west 
line of Range 20. shall be and is hereby erected 
into a separate county by the name of Rich- 
land, and shall be under the jurisdiction of 
Knox, until the Legislature may think proper 
to organize the same. 

"This act to take eft'ect and be in force from 
and after the first day of March next." 

As soon as the return of peace was assured, 
following the war of 1812, even before the war 
had actually closed, enough inhaljitants resided 
within the limits of Richland County to justify 
its erection into a separate count}- with entire 
control of its own aft'airs. In 1809, the Legis- 
lature provided for the location of the county 
seats of Wayne and Richland Counties. The 
Commissioners located the seat of justice for 
Richland (^)unty at the town of Mansfield, and 
returned the same to the Court of Common 
Pleas of Waj'ne County, who gave it to the court 
in Knox County, who recorded the decision of 
the Commissioners. By this act the county 
had a seat of justice ready whenever the Leg- 
islature should ■' think proper to organize the 
same." Only a few years elapsed from the fix- 
ing of the seat of justice until the increase of 
population rendered the organization of the 



county necessary ; hence, January 7, 1813, the 
following act was passed : 

AN ACT FOR THE RECOGNITION OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of 
the State of Ohio, That the county of Richland be, and 
the same is hereby, organized into a separate county. 

Sep. 2. Be it enacted. That all suits and actions, 
whether of a civil or a criminal nature, which shall be 
instituted, and all crimes which shall here be commit- 
ted within said county of Richland prior to the taking 
effect of this act. shall be prosecuted to final judgment 
in the county of Knox, as though the county of Rich- 
land had not been organized ; and the Sheriff, Coroners 
and Constables of the county of Knox shall execute 
within the county of Richland al! such process as shall 
be necessary to carry into effect such suiis, prosecutions 
and judgments, and the collectors of taxes for the 
county of Knox shall collect within the county of Rich- 
land all such taxes as shall be levied and unpaid previ- 
ous to the taking effect of this act. 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That, on the first day 
of April next, the legal voters residing in the county 
of Richland, shall, without further notice than tliis act, 
assemble in their respective townships, and elect their 
several county officers, who shall hold their offices until 
the next annual election. This act to take eflectandbe 
in force from and after the first Monday of March 
next. 

Richland County, as then organized, was one 
of the largest counties in Ohio. It should have 
always contained its original boundaries, but 
in later years a mania arose for county seats, 
resulting in the creation of other adjacent 
counties, which took from Richland County 
much of its territory. This will be noticed, 
however, in the chrouological order in which 
it occurred. 

The election of April 1, 1813, resulted in the 
choice of Samuel McCluer, Samuel Watson and 
Melzar Tannahill, Commissioners ; Hugh Cun- 
ningham, Coroner, and John Wallace, Sheriff. 
The Commissioners met in Mansfield Monday. 
June 7, 1813, and appointed Winn AVinship 
Clerk ; Andrew Cofflnberry. Recorder, and 
William Biddie, Surveyor. This was tlie first 
act of that body, and the county stood ready 
to enter upon its course. 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



229 



The Commissioners granted petitions for 
roads, provided for the use of the block-houses 
as court house and jail, and such other business 
as came before them, from time to time, until 
August 9, 1814, when a division of the county 
was made in accordance with a request of a 
majority of the inhabitants therein. This was 
the first division of the county after its organ- 
ization, and, as shown l\v the old Commission- 
ers" records, was as follows : 

■' Ordered that said county l)e divided into 
four townships, and that said townships lie 
bounded as follows, to wit : The range line 
between Range 17 and 18 to be the division 
line north and south, and that the second town- 
ship line from the south lioundary of the 
county be the division line east and west be- 
tween said townships. Ordered further, that 
the northwest township in said county retain 
its original name, to wit, Madison Township ; 
and that the name of. the southwest township 
in said county be Jefl'erson Township ; and that 
the southeast township retain its original name, 
to wit, (Ireen Township ; and that the northeast 
township in said county be named Vermillion 
Township, and that they are hereby named as 
above. " 

This division gave (Ireeu Township a bound- 
ary of twelve miles each way; Vermillion and 
Jefferson, twelve by eighteen, and ^ladison. 
eighteen, the southeast corner of the present 
Madison Township being the point from which 
the division lines between each of the townships 
radiated. 

The line defining the western boundar}- of 
(rreen and Vermillion Townships was made 
by this last division four miles west of the line 
established by the Commissioners of Knox 
County in 1812. Whether these oflficers failed 
to understand the proper township lines, or 
made the division as indicated Ijy the settle- 
ments, is not stated ; probably, however, the 
latter cause was the reason of its establishment. 
This division seems to have sufficed but a very 



short time, for, on September 5, Jeflei-son 
Township was divided on •• the first township 
line from the southern boundary- of the county," 
the southern township retaining the original 
name, Jefl'erson, while the northern one was 
called Troy. Each of these new towaiships was 
six miles wide from north to south, and eighteen 
miles long from east to west. December 5, 
Vermillion Township was divided in like man- 
ner, on a north and south line, making a new 
township of its western half called Miflilin. the 
eastern part retaining the original name, Ver- 
million. This left Richland County, at the close 
of the year 1814, with six townships, one of 
which, Madison, was eighteen miles square ; 
another, (Ireen, twelve, and four others, ^'er- 
million, Jefferson, Troy and 3Iifflin. six by 
eighteen in extent. 

The opening of the season of 1815 brought 
a fresh arrival of settlers to the county, neces- 
sitating a new^ division of the townships. June 
6, the Board divided Crreen Township "^on the 
range line running through the center of the 
said township," enacting that the part " l3nng 
east of the said line, retain the original name, 
to wit. Green, and that the part lying west of 
the line lie named Worthington." 

They further " orderetl that the township of 
Vermillion be divided in the following manner, 
to wit : That Township No. 21 of Range No. 
16 he and liereb}' is set apart a sepai'ate and 
distinct township, which shall retain the orig- 
inal name, to wit, Vermillion, and that alt the 
residue of said township constitute one other 
township, and that the same l)e and is heix^by 
named Montgomer}'." 

This last division left Vermillion Township six 
miles square, or the same as a government town- 
ship, it being the first to be reduced to its final 
limits ; the division left Montgomery six miles 
wide, from east to w'est, and twelve miles long. 
These were the only changes made that 3'ear. 

The spring of 181G brought large numbers 
of settlei's, and hence more chanoes were 



230 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



necessary. March 4, the County Commissioners, 
Michael Beam, Samuel Watson and Melzar 
Tannahill. " Moved to the division of Madison 
Township, out of which the township of Blooming 
Grove is erected, containing the original sur- 
veyed townships, No. 22 and 23 of Range No. 

18 and Townships No. 22 and 23 of Range No. 

19 : and Townships 21 and 22 of Range No. 
20. Also, Springfield Township is erected of 
Township No. 20 of Range No. 20 ; and Town- 
ship No. 21 of Range No. 19 ; reducing the 
township of Madison to the original surveyed 
lines of Township No. 20 of Range No. 18."' 
This division made Blooming Grove twelve 
by eighteen miles in extent, or two townshijjs 
wide by three long. Springfield Township was 
made six miles wide and twelve long. 

On the same da3% the Board divided Troy 
Township, by " erecting the township of Wash- 
ington, consisting of Township No. 29, of Range 
No. 18, only." 

This division lasted only till June, when " on 
application of the inhabitants of Township No. 
23 in Range No. 10, it is ordered that the 
said township be set off as a new township by 
the name of Orange."' This township was six 
miles square, and was taken from Montgomery, 
leaving that one the same size. 

The next day, June 4, Miflflin Township, 
heretofore six miles wide and eighteen long, 
was divided, and Milton created out of its north 
two-thirds, reducing Mifflin to a Congressional 
township's limits, and making Milton six miles 
wide and twelve long. 

It is very evident from succeeding records 
that Franklin Township was erected the same 
day with Milton. Almost the last entr^' in the 
first book of the Commissioner's records — a 
little, square, unruled book of ninety pages — 
is that of the creation of Orange Township. 
When the next book was purchased, a much 
larger volume was procured, which in the lapse 
of time became very much worn. Auditor 
Ward, recognizing the necessity of preserving 



these old records, a few years ago had them 
securely rebound. In this second book, com- 
mencing June 4, 1816, two leaves — pages one 
two, three and four — are lost ; and, as succeed- 
ing pages do not record the erection of Frank- 
lin Township, l)ut do mention it among the 
others as taxed in 1817, it is very safe to 
assume it was created on the date given, and 
the record lost with the leaves mentioned. At 
least, such will be assumed in these pages, 
leaving others to ferret out the m^'stery. As- 
suming such to be the case. Blooming Grove 
was left with five Congressional townships, an 
inference succeeding facts will develop to be 
true. 

At the next term of the Commissioner's 
Court, held September 3, it was " ordered that 
the original surveyed townships, numbered 19, 
in Range 19, and 18, in Range 20, be set off 
and created a new township, to be known and 
distinguished by the name of Leepsic." This 
name, for some unexplained reason, does not 
seem to have been very satisfactory to the 
people, for, October 11, it was "ordered that 
the township heretofore set off and established 
b}^ the name of Leepsic, be hereafter known 
and distinguished by the name of Peny." This 
township was then twelve miles long and six miles 
wide, and, by its construction, Jefferson was 
left its present size. Perry was the last town- 
ship erected in 1816, the year closing with 
Richland County divided into fifteen town- 
ships. 

February 11, 1817, at a meeting of the Board, 
it was "ordered that the original surveyed 
township, No. 22, in Range 17, be set off and 
created a new township, to be known and dis- 
tinguished by the name of Monroe." By its 
creation Worthington was left its present size 
— each one six miles square. Monroe Town- 
ship was the onl}' one erected that year. 

On the 12th of February, 1818, the court 
" ordered that the two townships by original 
surve}'. No. 23, in Range 19, and No. 22, in 



\. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



231 



Range 20, be set off and established a new 
township, to be known and distinguished b}' the 
name of Plymouth.'' Also, "that the two 
original surveyed townships, Nos. 21 and 20, in 
Range 20, be set off and established a new 
township in said count}", to be known and dis- 
tinguished b}- the name of Sandusky."' It will 
be observed that each of these two townships 
included a territory six miles wide by twelve in 
length, or two Congressional townships. 

October 4, 1818. the minutes record that -on 
application of the inhabitants of Township 19, 
in Range 16, which formerly comprised part of 
Green Township, be set off and established a 
new township, to be known liy the name of 
Hanover." This new township was made six 
miles square, and left Green, one of the first 
made, the same dimensions. 

The next day an order was passed -'that 
the original surveyed township. Xo. 25, in 
Range 17. formerly making part of Milton Town- 
ship, be set off and established a new township 
to be known by the name of Clear Creek." 
This division brought both to same size, six 
miles square. At the close of 1818, there were 
twenty-one townships. 

February 9, 1819, -on application of the in- 
habitants of Township 22, in Range 19, accord- 
ing to the original survey, it was set off from 
Blooming Grove Township, and established a 
new township, to be known by the name of 
Sharon. " This division left Blooming Grove 
six miles square. 

April 3, 1820, the limits of Auburn Town- 
ship were defined, as the -original surveyed 
township numbered 22 of Range 20, which has 
hitherto stood attached to Plymouth Township," 
and that township created, leaving Plymouth 
six miles square. 

For two years no other changes were made. 
An increase of settlers in Sharon by that time 
necessitated its division, and, March 4. 1823, it 
was '-ordered that Township 19 in Range 
20 be set off a separate township, to be known 



by the name of Bloomfield." This left Troy 
six miles square. 

Another interval of two years occurred, when 
it was deemed best to complete the division of 
the county into Congressional townships. March 
9, 1825, Township •• Xo. 21, in Range 20, 
was set off and declared a separate township by 
the name of Vernon. " This reduced Sharon to 
the required limits, leaving only one division to 
be made. This was done June 0, when •■ Town- 
ship Xo. 18, in Range 20," was organized into 
an independent township, '• to be known by the 
name of Congi-ess." 

This last division completed the work of the 
County Commissioners in this direction until 
new counties were formed, which took some of 
the territory from Richland, and made neces- 
sary new divisions. As it was, there were 
twenty-five townships, each six miles square, 
save Hanover, whose southeast corner lacked a 
little of being complete ; in all nearh* nine 
hundred square miles of territory. Richland 
County should have remained in this shape. 
Practically square, with the county seat as 
near the center as it could be located, it made 
one of the best counties in Ohio, and, had no 
changes been made, would, to-day, be still in 
the advance lines. 

The county remained intact until early in 
1845. At the session of the Assembly that 
year, February 3, Wyandot County was created 
largely from the western part of Crawford 
Count}'. In order to compensate the inhabit- 
ants of Crawford for the territory taken from 
them, a portion of Richland, four miles wide 
and nineteen miles long, two-thirds of the town- 
ships of Auburn, Vernon, and Sandusky, and 
one mile in extent of the north part of Bloom- 
field, were attached to Crawford. Soon after 
this was done, the Commissioners of Richland 
County ordered the remainder of Auburn and 
Vernon Townships, left in their county, to be 
attached to Plymouth and Sharon. Sandusky 
was left the same width as the others, but the 



f 



282 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



change made it seven miles long, hence the 
Board thouglit best to organize it into a sep- 
arate township, and did so. Its sliape remains 
the same at this day. 

A year from tliis date, the Legislature again 
listened to the appeals for new county seats, 
for which new counties must be created, and, 
I'^ebruary 18, 1846, erected Ashland County. 
tJiereby making a seat of justice of Ashland, 
the principal town in Montgomery Township. 
This act took from Richland the entire tier of 
the most eastern townships, two-thirds of Clear 
(^reek and Milton, and a little over one-third 
of Mifflin; in all al)out 240 square miles of ter- 
ritory. March 17, the County Commissioners 
met, and ordered that the remainder of Clear 
Creek Township, in Richland County, should 
constitute a separate township, and retain 
that name ; also the same with. Mifflin, while 
what remained of Milton should be attached to 
Franklin. 

Two years after this was done, Mount Crilead, 
an enterprising town near the southwest corner 
of the county, asserted her claims to a county 
seat so strenuously that the new county of 
Morrow was created, of which Mount Gilead 
was made the seat of justice. This new county 
took from Richland all of Congress and Bloom- 
ticld Townships — the latter known as North 
Bloomfield, since the creation of Bloomfield in 
Knox County, now also a part of Morrow 
County — the west half of Perry and the west half 
of Troy, save Sections 28 and 33. This last 
act reduced Richland to its present size, an area 
of 485 square miles. 

The creation of these new counties, it will be 
observed, left again irregularly shaped townships, 
some of which contained only twelve sections. 



No act of the Commissioners seemed to have 
been passed regarding the portions of Troy and 
Perry in this county. They seem to have been 
simply allowed to retain the original names, and 
as such yet exist. In the northern part of the 
county, however, the inhabitants soon expressed 
a desire for new divisions, and. in compliance 
there with, the next year after Ashland County 
was created, the citizens of the eastern part of 
Sharon petitioned the court for the erection of 
a new township. ^larch 2. 1847. the request 
was granted, and Jackson Township was created. 

In the spring of 1849, the citizens of Clear 
Creek and the eastern part of Blooming Grove 
requested a similar organization, and, March 5, 
1849, Butler Township, comprising two miles 
in width of the eastern part of Blooming Grove, 
and all of Clear Creek, in all four miles wide 
by six in length, was erected. June 5, in re- 
sponse to a request from the residents of the 
eastern part of Franklin Township, four miles 
in width of that township were erected into a 
new township, and named Weller. 

When Butler was organized, it left Blooming 
Grove an equal extent of territory. Plymouth 
was now left with its original six by six miles 
in extent, and that part of Auburn remaining 
in Richland County, when Crawford County 
was created. The residents of the eastern half 
of Plj^mouth asked for a separate organization 
in the autumn of 1849, and. December 6, the 
Board granted the request, creating Cass Town- 
ship. The erection of Cass completes the list 
of divisions in the county, leaving it with its 
present organizations. In all there have been 
about thirty divisions of the county made since 
1807, each division until 1845 marking an in- 
crease in population. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



233 



CHAPTER XXiy. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND THEIR EXTENSION. 

The Territory of Richland Count/ — First Settler and Settlement — The Newmans and Brubakers — The 
Newman Cabins — "Pole" Cabins — Catharine Brubaker — First Saw-Mill — Arrival of Michael 
Newman — The Fountain Cabin — Early Settlers on the Black Fork — First Gbist-Mill — Laying out 
a Town — Jacob Newman — Michael and "Mother" Beam — Second Settlement in the County — The 
McClueb Settlement — First Roads — Settlements in 1809 — Settlements in 1810 and 1811 — Opening of 
the County by the Army in 1812 — Settlements in 1814 and 1815 — Wagon Trains and other Means of 
Transportation — Products and Prices — "Taverns'" and Towns — Social Matters — Ring Fights — 
Wood Choppings, Quiltings, Corn Huskings, etc. — Wolf Pens — First Temperance Society — The Irish 
Schoolmaster — Fourth of July and Militia Musters — Ax Presentation — Agricultural Statistics 
— Health — Congressmen from Richland. 



" Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
An' never brought to min' ? " — Vld Son//. 

" 1 hear the tread of pioneers, 
Of nations yet to be, 
The first low wash of waves where soon 
Shall roll a human sea." — Whidier. 

WHEN Gen. James Hedges was sent West 
to " spy out the land." the territory now 
embraced in Fairfield. Licking, Knox. Richland, 
and parts of Morrow and Ashland Counties, con- 
stituted one count}', called Fairfield, with the 
county seat at Lancaster. But few settlers were 



man. Several white men were here before Jacob 
Newman, and some of them became, afterward, 
permanent settlers. Gen. Hedges himself was 
here a year or more before Newman, and after- 
ward became a permanent resident of Mansfield, 
but he was not here as a settler in 1807, when 
Jacob Newman came— he was simply in the em- 
ploy of the Government as surveyor : and the 
same luay be said of his employes. Thomas 
Green, who established the Indian village of 
Greentown. might have been called the first set- 



then in Knox and Licking (1805-6), and none i tier in Richland County, had he been consid- 



whatever in the others. This territory was then 
covered thickly with the original forest, and was 
the favorite himting-grounds of the Indian tribes 
of the Northwest. Hedges began the survey in 
1806. and in February, 1808. "Old Richland ' 
came into existence, not as a county proper, but 
as a township called '' Madison," not having a 
sufficient number of votes within its limits to en- 



ered a settler at all in the proper sense of that 
term ; but. although here years before Mr. 
Hedges, he Avas looked upon as a renegade, and 
not a settler, though he lived many years at 
Greentown, and his name is perpetuated in the 
history of that village, and the name of the 
township, which is now Avithin the limits of 
Ashland County. Other renegade white men, 



title it to a county organization. It therefore { may, and probably did, occupy the village tem- 



remained under the jurisdiction of Knox Count}' 
until 1813, and included nearly- all of Ashland, 
and part of Morrow, within its limits. The ques- 
tion of who was the first permanent white settler 
within this territory, has Ijeen settled beyond 
any reasonable doubt. The man was Jacob New- 



porarily. Just what date A])raham Baughman 
and John Davis came, has not been ascertained ; 
but the}' came to the neighborhood of Green- 
town at a Aery early date : it might have been 
before 1807. V)ut there is no evidence of it. 
They are mentioned in Knapp's history as 



234 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



being here before Peter Kinney, who arrived in 
1810. The evidence is very conclusive that 
Jacob Newman came to the Rocky Fork witliin 
tlie present limits of Richland County, in the 
spring of 1807, making him the earliest per- 
manent settler. Mr. Newman was then living 
near Canton, Stark County, whither he had 
moved from Pennsylvania. He may have been 
here to visit his kinsman, Gen. Hedges, once 
or twice before he located his land or built his 
cabin. He, however, sold out at Canton, and, 
in the spring or summer of 1807, built his cabin 



Jacob Newman, was his housekeeper. The 
settlers of Richland County then, during the 
year 1807, can be numbered on the fingers of 
one hand ; viz., Jacob Newman, Catharine, 
Isaac, Jacob and John Brubaker. The Bru- 
bakers were from Paint Creek, Ross County, 
Ohio. Mr. Newman's children (four in num- 
ber) were yet in Pennsylvania, except the 
youngest, Henry, who remained near Canton. 
The nearest neighbors of these hard}' pioneers, 
were, on the east, at Wooster, and on the south 
at Fredericktown, Knox County, the distance 




riRST CABIN HUII.T IN RICHLAND COINTY. 



on the bank of the Rocky Fork, three miles 
southeast of the present city of Mansfield, near 
the present site of Groudy's mill. Here he 
preempted three quarter-sections of land, 
and three brothers, b}' the name of Brubaker, 
came out with him and assisted in building 
his cabin. He may have been assisted by 
Gren. James Hedges and his employes, who, no 
doubt, made his cabin their headquarters, while 
survej'ing portions of the county. At this time 
Mr. Newman was a widower, his wife having 
died in Pennsylvania; and Catharine Brubaker, 
a sister of the three brothers, and a niece of 



to either place about twenty-five miles. They 
erected a small cabin on the bank of the 
beautiful Rocky Fork, near a clear, sparkling 
spring that yet gushes from the bank, emptying 
its waters into the first mill-race in Richland 
County. The cabin is fairl}- represented in the 
upper right-hand corner of the accompanying 
sketch. The sketch of these cabins was made 
from a description given by Henry Newman, one 
of the children of Jacob Newman, who is yet liv- 
ing at Bryan, Ohio, a hale, hearty, well-pre- 
serA'ed old gentleman, who was here before 
Richland Count}' was formed, and has lived 



4 ^^ 
^ 



■V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



235 



to see it peopled by its thousands ; its well- 
cultivated farms take the place of its dense 
forests; its thousands of cattle and other domes- 
tic animals, in place of its wolves and bears ; its 
beautiful towns and farmhouses, in place of 
the wigwam of the savage. He was a bo}' of 
nine or ten when this cabin was erected, but 
remembers it well, and sa^'s it was a little log 
pen, with a roof over it ; a wide fireplace occu- 
P3'ing nearly all of one end, with a stick and 
mud chimney running up on the outside, no 
floor but mother earth; windows made of a 
little twelve-l)y-tweh'e piece of oiled paper, put 
in where a log was sawed oft' for the purpose. 
It contained but a single room with a loft over- 
head ; was made of rough, round beech logs 
with the bark on ; chinked and daubed with 
sticks and mud to keep out the wintry blast. 
The door was so low that a man of ordinary 
height must stoop to enter ; but the latch-string 
always hung out, for these pioneers were men 
of large and open hearts, warm hands, and no 
stranger was turned away empty. Indian or 
white man, it mattered not. he was welcome to 
unroll his blanket by the great log fire, and par- 
take of the homeh" fare of venison and corn 
bread, served upon a table of puncheons. 

The Newmans lived in this little hut aljout 
two years, when, by hard work, having accum- 
ulated some means, they began to feel aristo- 
cratic, and erected a new cabin. This cabin is 
also shown in the sketch. It was of hewed logs, 
was built about eight or ten feet from the old 
one, and a covered porch extended from the old 
one over tliis space. By the time they were 
ready to erect this larger and better cabin the}- 
had a saw-mill in operation, and this enabled 
them to put a board floor in it, and. as it was a 
half-story higher than the old one, a board loft 
was put in, which was reached by a ladder and 
used as a sleeping-room. The doors and win- 
dow frames were made of sawed lumber ; the 
logs were nicely hewed and fitted, and they 
were able to procure glass for windows. The 



usual gi-eat cheerful fireplace occupied the end, 
and the never-to-be-forgotten iron crane was 
suspended therein, with its numerous hooks 
upon which to hang the iron cooking kettles. 

It was not often that an early settler of Rich- 
land County was found who could afford to have 
a cabin like this hewed-log one of the Newmans. 
The earliest settlers often lived for weeks and 
months, with their families, in what was called a 
'' pole cabin ;"' that is, a cabin made of small poles 
and sticks, and covered with Ijrush and bark. 
These could be erected by the head of the 
fiimily, without assistance, in twenty-four or 
fort^-eight hours, and during the summer sea- 
son were not unpleasant habitations. Hundreds 
of these brush cabins were erected. The set- 
tlers generally arrived in the spring, and the 
first consideration was to put in a crop of corn 
or wheat, and establish a '' truck " patch ; there- 
fore they put off building their permanent 
cabins until fall, or until the spring crop was 
attended to, and in the mean time these tempo- 
rary brush structures were erected to shelter 
the family. Sometimes the}- brought tents 
which they pitched upon the bank of some 
beautiful stream, and lived in them until they 
could make a little clearing in the gi-eat woods, 
and put in the spring crop ; at other times they 
camped out without shelter except such as their 
covered wagons aflforded. They did their cook- 
ing by a fire in the open air and used their 
wagons for sleeping-rooms. 

It maj^ be imagined what these five pioneers 
at the Newman caliin did during the long sum- 
mer, autumn and winter of 1807, occupying 
their solitary cabin far in the deep, dark woods, 
surrounded by wild animals and wilder men. 
There was much more to do than could be ac- 
complished in one season ; indeed, years must 
elapse — years of the hardest kind of pounding — 
before a home could be shaped out of this wil- 
derness. Catharine Brubaker, the pioneer 
woman of the county — the first wliite woman to 
settle in Richland County, so far as known — 



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236 



HISTOEY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



had enough to do to cook for those four brawny 
backwoodsmen, with their appetites sharpened 
by Uvbor and the pure air of the woods. It is 
not on record that they raised a crop that first 
Huninier, the^^ were too hite for that, and the 
wootls were to be cleared away and buildings 
erected. Their provisions were brought from 
Canton, to which place Mr. Newman frequently 
returned. But four of them could get through 
with a good deal of work, and, knowing they 
would soon be followed b}' other pioneers, who 
would need lumber for their cabins, the}' made 
preparations to erect a saw-mill. This saw- 
mill was not finished, however, until the spring 
of 1809, and was the first mill of any kind in 
the county. It was not until the spring of 1808, 
that an addition was made to the settlement — 
then Michael Newman came — a brother of 
Jacol)'s. He brought his wife with him from 
(,'anton, and went into that little cabin with 
one room. ITpon his arrival (^atharine Bru- 
})aker returned to her home, and Michael 
Newman's wife became the housekeeper. The 
location of this first cabin was upon the right 
bank of the creek, back several hundred yards 
from it, near the present dwelling of H. L. 
(loudy. a few feet west of his barn. The spring 
is a short distance west of the site of the cabin. 
The saw-mill they erected stood almost on the 
exact spot where Goudy's mill now stands. 

The spring of 1808 opens Avith six settlers 
in this little cabin. People may now wonder 
how so many could be accommodated, and it 
must be remembered that, in addition to these, 
Gen. Hedges and his employes were frequently 
there a day or two, so that without doubt, eight 
or ten people or more were often crowded 
into this cal)in. During this summer the men 
worked upon the mill race, and put in crops of 
corn and wheat in tlie clearings they had made 
during the winter. In the foil of this year 
Jacob Newman brought his son Henry, from 
Canton, and he constituted the seventh perma- 
nent occupant. This was not enough, however; 



the cal)in must have looked very empty and 
cheerless to Jacob Newman; for he went back 
to Pennsylvania and married again, bringing his 
bride out, on horseback probably, to occupy 
and render cheerful the vacant places in that 
cabin, which now contained but eight people. 

It is not remembered whether the Brubaker 
boys remained at the Newman cabin during the 
winter of 1808-9. but Michael, his wife and 
others, occupied it, and Gen. Hedges made it 
his headquarters. 

In the spring of 1809 the saw-mill was in 
operation, and the}' probably had an addition 
to their settlement during this 3'ear. A family 
by the name of Fountaine came, and erected a 
cabin near the Newmans. Other pioneers were 
b}' this time coming in along the Black Fork, a 
few miles further east. The Copus and Zimmer 
families, Martin Ruffner. Samuel Lewis, Henry 
McCart, James Cunningham, Mr. Schaffer, Arch- 
iljald Gardner and Andrew Craig, arrived and 
settled near tlie Indian village of Greentown, 
in Green Township, now Ashland County. 

The saw-mill erected by the Newmans was a 
rude log affair, and had all the business it could 
do from the start. It worked very slowly. 

In the spring of 1810. Michael Newman 
moved out of Jacob Newman's cabin and into 
the one erected near, by Moses Fountaine, the 
latter having moved away, probably east to his 
former home. 

About this time the Newmans saw the neces- 
sit}' and l)egan the erection of a grist-mill. Thus 
the first grist-mill in the county was established ; 
and a mill is yet in operation on its site, though 
nearly all evidences of the first mill have dis- 
appeared. 

There is little doul)t that James Hedges and 
Jacob Newman thought, when Mr. Newman 
entered his land on the Rocky Fork, that it was 
near the center of the territory which they 
knew would soon be erected into a county, 
and they desired to make their fortunes by 
establishing a county seat. With this in view 



^1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



237 



they laid out a town near the mill. They 
soon changed their minds, however, regarding 
this location, and went further up the Rocky- 
fork where Gen. Hedges had entered land, and 
nearer the center of what afterward became a 
county, where they established the present 
city of Mansfield. In 1811 Jacob Newman j 
sold his possessions on the Rocky Fork, and 
moved to the present site of Mansfield. Mr. 
Newman was in all respects a superior man. 
He is described as an imposing-looking man, 
over six feet high, well proportioned and of 
light complexion. He was of a social disposi- 
tion and very popular among his associates. 
He was temperate in his habits, never using in- 
toxicating liquors of any kind or tobacco in 
any form. He was always a friend to the poor, 
and had many of them about him dependent 
on him. He was a man of the highest character 
in all respects, and died greatly beloved and 
regretted. In the winter of 1812, he acted as 
guide to Gen. Crooks, contracting a disease 
from which he died. Thus passed away the first 
settler in Richland County. His remains were 
among the first to occupy the old cemetery that 
had been established on the southwest corner 
of the town plat. They were removed about 
twenty years since, and now rest in the new 
cemetery, in Lot 100. 

Michael Beam purchased the Newauan place 
on the Rocky Fork, finished the grist-mill, 
which l)ecame celebrated and widely known as 
"Beam's mill." It was a crude water-mill the 
buhrs being made of "nigger-heads," which did 
poor work, but it was a great deal better than 
no mill, and was patronized by the early settlers. 
who came from great distances, from ever}' di- 
rection through the unbroken forest. Mr. Beam 
was often compelled to turn away patrons, 
being unable to do all the grinding that came 
to him. His wife, familiarly known as " Mother 
Beam," was largely instrumental in l)ringing cus- 
tom to the mill. 8ett!ers were often compelled 
to wait several days for their grinding, mean- 



while boarding with Mother Beam, who was 
celebrated for the excellence of her corn-cakes, 
corn-dodgers, and her general superiority as 
cook. 

Mr. Beam remained here many years, and. in 
1812, erected a block-house near the mill, well 
known as • Beam's block-house," where squads 
of soldiers w-ere stationed at different times 
during the war, and to which the settlers looked 
for protection from the Indians. 

The second settlement in Richland County, 
so far as known, was on the site of the city of 
Mansfield, in the fall of 1808. made by one 
Samuel Martin, from New Lisbon, Columbiana 
Co., Ohio. Martin was somewhat of an advent- 
urer, had followed the current of the pioneers 
westward, stumbled upon the Newman settle- 
ment, heard of the new town which li^d been 
laid out in June, 1808, came up, and, with the 
help of Jacob Brubaker, one of the employes 
of Gen. Hedges, erected the first cabin and be- 
came the first settler in Mansfield. The record 
is silent as to whether Martin brought his fam- 
ily with him ; but he lived in this cabin during 
the winter, and sold whisky to the Indians, 
which, being against the law, compelled him 
to leaA'e the country. When he moved out, 
the cabin was occupied by James Cunningham, 
in 1809. From this date, the settlement at 
Mansfield began a steady and permanent growth, 
the details of which will be found in another 
chapter. 

The next settlement in the present limits of 
Richland County was upon the present site of 
Bellville. in 1809, and was known as the " Mc- 
Cluer settlement." 

James McCluer seems to have wandered up 
the Clear Fork in 1808, entered land and erected 
a cabin thereon, but did not bring his family 
until the spring of 1809, from which time, 
therefore, the settlement must be dated. 

At that time there were no roads in Richland 
Coimty, nor anything resembling a road more 
than an Indian trail. McCluer was a small 



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238 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



mnn, but one of those bold, daring spirits tliat 
always stand ready to act as' the picket-guard 
of civilization. He walked up through the 
woods from Mount Vernon, then a little hamlet 
and frontier town, and erected his cabin far in 
advance of all others. Proba1)ly the first road 
that entered the county came from the east at 
Wooster and ended somewhere about Green- 
town, and was probably soon extended to the 
Newman settlement, and thence to Mansfield. 
The next road was the one leading from Mount 
Vernon north through the McCluer settlement. 
A settlement existed at the mouth of Huron 
River, and this road connected Mount Vernon 
and other frontier towns with that settlement, 
and was opened through Richland County in 
1811. McCluer was so well pleased with the 
country and his prospects that he induced some 
of his relatives, among whom was Jonathan 
( )ldfleld and Samuel ^IcCluer, his nephew, 
to accompany him and his ftimil}- in the 
spring of 1809, and make a permanent set 
tlement. Thomas McCluer also came, and 
worked as a hired hand, helping to clear up 
the land. 

This James McCluer afterward became prom- 
inent in the affairs of the county, being one of 
its first Associate Judges. When Mansfield 
began to grow, he left his farm, at Bellville, and 
resided in Mansfield a few years, occupying a 
cabin on the southwest corner of Main and 
Fourth' streets (present site of the savings 
bank), and afterward moved to the vicinity of 
Leesville, in Crawford County, where he had 
previously purchased a piece of land, and where 
he resided until his death, occupied with farm- 
ing pursuits. 

During this year (1809) settlements were 
made in different parts of the county, mostly, 
however, along the tributaries of the Mohican, 
the Black Fork, Clear Fork and Rocky Fork. 
They came partly by boat up these streams, 
and partly l)y the Indian trails. David Hill made 
the first settlement at Lucas, in this year. A 



number of his kinsmen followed, and consti- 
tuted quite a settlement of Hills in this neigh- 
borhood. Samuel Lewis settled in the northern 
part of Worthington Township, and afterward 
erected the ''Lewis block-house"' on his prem- 
ises. Settlements were also made in Green 
Township, in what is now Ashland County, and 
in Mifflin Township, within the present limits 
of Richland. Mansfield also received two or 
three additional settlers during this year. 

During the j^ear 1810, the road before men- 
tioned, from Wooster to Mansfield was opened, 
and settlers came more rapidty ; none, however, 
settled west or north of Mansfield. A few 
were added to each of the settlements already 
made ; and the same may be said of the year 
1811, except that Archibald Gardner, and, per- 
haps, one or two others, pushed on up the 
Black Fork, settling near the present site of 
Windsor; a settlement was made in the vicinity 
of Lexington, another in Vermillion Township 
(now in Ashland County), east of Hayesville : 
one in Monroe and one in Worthington Town- 
ship. The war of 1812 checked emigration 
somewhat, but after it ended the tide began 
again to fiow in greater volume than ever. The 
jDassage of the armies of Gens. Crooks and 
Beall, as well as the presence and passage, at 
different times, of ' smaller bodies of troops, 
served the purpose of opening roads in diflfer- 
ent directions, as well as introducing into the 
new country thousands of men who would never 
otherwise haA^e known of its beaut}' or advan- 
tages, and who, when they were at liberty to do 
so, returned and settled in it. The county, no 
doubt, settled far more rapidly tlian it would 
had there been no war of 1812. 

The march of Bealls army opened up the 
county to the north, hence, in 1814 and 1815, 
quite a number of settlers followed -Beairs 
trail,'' and settlements were made at Trucks- 
ville, Pl3'mouth, and in different parts of Mont- 
gomer}', Milton, Weller, Franklin, Blooming 
Grove, Plymouth, Cass and other townships in 



^ 



-v 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



239 



the northern part of the county. The march 
of Crook's army opened the road west of Mans- 
field through to Upper Sandusky, and settlers 
followed this road, settling in Springfield and 
other townships west. 

The road from Mansfield to Ashland, or a 
point near Ashland— Treckle's cabin— was cut 
in 1813. Samuel Lewis cut six miles of it. 
beginning at Mansfield, and Capt. Ebenezer 
Rice the remainder, beginning at the cabin 
mentioned. It was ten feet wide, and they re- 
ceived $9 per mile, and went to Chillicothe to 
draw their pay. 

Where no roads existed, numerous '• blazed " 
trails led off through the woods in every direc- 
tion, from the diflferent settlements to the home 
of the solitary settler in the great woods. One 
of the most important and most used of the 
early roads was the one north and south from 
Mount Vernon to the lake. From Mansfield this 
road bore directly north to Brubaker Creek, in 
Eranklin Township, thence northeast through 
what is now Shiloh, to Plymouth and New Ha- 
ven, in Huron County, thence to the mouth of 
Huron River. At Plymouth it intersected BealFs 
trail, which is followed from that place to the 
lake. 

This road was the great outlet for grain and 
produce in the rich and older settled counties 
of Knox, Licking and others. Great covered 
freight wagons, with tires seven or eight 
inches broad and an inch thick, drawn by 
six horses or mules, made regular trips from 
Baltimore and Philadelphia over the national 
road to Zanesville ; thence over this mud road, 
stopping at the little stations on the way to re- 
ceive and discharge freight. Many of those 
teamsters were men of high character, standing 
and credit, and, in transacting their business, 
would require persons who shipped goods by 
their wagons to make out three bills of lading, 
all properly signed, with as much regularity as 
a ship at sea or the freight trains of to-day; 
one bill to accompany the goods, one to be re- 



tained by the shipper, and one to go by mail to 
the consignee. One of those teams would to- 
day be a greater curiosity than a steamer or a 
train of cars. They are yet to be found on the 
gTcat prairies of the West, transporting freight 
to points not yet reached by the iron horse. 

These wagons did most of the carrying trade 
of the country. The merchant who wished to 
purchase goods in the East, sent his order and 
received his goods by these wagons, and, in 
order to pay for the goods, often intrusted large 
sums of money to these teamsters. The prod- 
ucts of the country, received by the merchant 
in exchange for goods, consisting mostly of 
wheat, whisky, furs, etc., were also shipped by 
these wagons, going, generally, to the lake, where 
they were sold, or shipped on a vessel for some 
point east, and months would often elapse 
before returns could be received. 

Another source of outlet for the produce of 
the country was by the water-courses, which 
were then untrammeled by mills, or bridges, and, 
by reason of the swampy condition of the coun- 
try and the consequent abundance of water, 
were navigable for small boats to points which 
would seem incredible at this time. Flat-boats 
were built, carrying from twenty to fifty tons. 
These were loaded with pork, flour, whisky, the 
products of the chase, etc., and taken to New 
Orleans, where the cargo and boat were sold, 
and the pioneer, with his money in his pocket, 
would return across the country, walking per- 
haps the entire distance, or may be, purchasing 
a mule or horse by the way, or taking occa- 
sional advantage of the well-remembered stage 
coach for short distances. In this primitive 
way, the early pioneers of Richland County com- 
municated with the outside world. Nearly forty 
years elapsed from the time of the first settle- 
ment before these means of transportation were 
superseded by that great civilizer— the railroad. 
The products of the country, for want of 
a market, brought very low prices: The 
average being, for wheat, 35 cents per bushel ; 



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240 



HISTORY OF RICHLAI^D COUNTY. 



oats, 12 cents per bushel ; corn, 20 cents per 
bushel ; whisky, 15 cents per gallon ; pork, $1.50 
per cwt. ; cows, $8 to $10 each ; horses, |30 to 
$40 each. Coffee bought from 75 cents to $1 
per pound ; salt, from $4 to |G per barrel ; cali- 
coes from 50 cents to $1 per 3'ard, etc. Money 
was the exception, traffic and trade the rule. 
The great wagons carried the produce to Port- 
land (now Sandusky City) and Huron, and re- 
turned with salt, fish, etc. 

In trading witli the Indians it was customary 
to set a bottle of whisky on each end of the 
counter, that the purchasers might help them- 
selves gratuitously, and thus facilitate the busi- 
ness. These cabins for the purposes of trade 
and traffic sprang up along the new roads, and 
were occupied by some hardy pioneer and fam- 
ily, who procured his living partly by hunting, 
partly by trading whisk}', tobacco, blankets, 
knives, tomahawks and trinkets with the Indi- 
ans and settlers, and, as travel on the roads 
increased, by keeping travelers over night, 
finally converting his cabin into a ''tavern." 
Frequently these taverns were the means of 
starting a town, which afterward grew and pros- 
pered, or became extinct. p]stal)lishinga town 
was like investing in a lottery ticket, which 
might draAV a prize or a blank. Nothing now 
remains to mark the site of many early towns 
platted on the soil of Richland ; others are 
marked by small clusters of partially deserted 
houses. 

One of the earliest settlers thus writes : 
" Our social parties consisted of cabin-raisings, 
log-rollings, quilting parties, corn-huskings, etc. 
Our sports were various gymnastic exercises 
and shooting matches. There was no punctil- 
ious formality, nor aping after fashions. The 
rich and poor Avere dressed alike. The clothing 
of the men consisted of coarse material for 
hunting shirts, and pants made of buckskin. 
The women were also attired in coarse fabric ; 
if a young damsel wanted a magnificent wed- 
ding dress, she Avould have her highest aspira- 



tions in this respect gratified by obtaining a 
suit of American cotton check, which then cost 
from 50 cents to $1 per yard, but which can 
now be obtained for one shilling. Silks, satins 
and other varieties of fancy go(jds. which now 
infest society, were never thought of Our 
drink was whisky toddy, which we thought was 
good enough for a king. The Avoods furnished 
us with abundance of meat, and corn-pone sup- 
plied the place of the present dyspeptic-produc- 
ing pastry." 

This pioneer might have added that, in addi- 
tion to their gymnastic exercises and shooting 
matches, the}' frequently engaged in ring-fights 
b}' Avay of variety. Mr. John M. ^lay. the firet 
law3'er in Mansfield, thus describes one of these 
affairs : 

•' Every neighborhood had its bully or chief 
fighter, and these were pitted against each other 
like game-cocks. These fights often ended in 
a general melee, in which whole neighborhoods 
Avere sometimes engaged against each other. I 
remember one fight of this kind which took 
place on the public square in Mansfield, be- 
tween the Clearforkers and Blackforkers. The 
Clearforkers Avere the fighting men living in the 
southern portion of the county, in the valley of 
the Clear Fork, and the Blackforkers were from 
the northern and eastern portions of the county, 
liAdng along the Black Fork. These two regions 
AA'ere alAA'ays at enmity, and ahvays getting up 
fights Avith each other. 

" Among the Blackforkers were the Prossers, 
Burrels and Pittengers, noted fighting men. 
Jonathan Prosser was their champion man. 
Among the Clearforkers were the Brodies, 
Slaters and Driskells. Of these Stephen Brodie 
was the champion. 

" At the time referred to, I noticed Stephen 
Brodie and Bill Slater riding up to the North 
American corner. 

'• They hitched their horses, and there I no- 
ticed Burrell and tAvo of the Prosser boys ride 
up also. 



'f^ 



^- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



241 



• Jonathan Prosser jumped off his horse and 
told Brodie he was going to whip liim. I saw 
there was to he a figlit. so I and 83'lvenus Day 
mounted a big stump on tlie square to see the 
fun. A crowd gathered and joined hands, 
forming a ring around the champions. Pi'osser 
and Brodie stepped into this ring, stripped and 
prepared for battle. Tliey looked like giants. 

•' The fight soon commenced, and was going 
on in due order, according to the rules of the 
ring, when suddenly Bill Slater, who was out- 
side, made a rush to break through the ring. 
As he came up, Burrell let go and knocked him 
down like a l)eef I thought he was dead. 

•• The ring was re-formed, and tlie light con- 
tinued as before. Pretty soon, however, Slater 
came to, and, raising up, caught Burrell l)y the 
leg, threw him down. and. getting on top of 
him, began pounding him. This brought on a 
general fight, and all hands went in with a will. 
The result was, the Clearforkers came out 
ahead."' 

The early settlers were a rough, hardy set of 
backwoodsmen ; and, if they were always ready 
for a fight, the}' were also always ready to help 
each other on any and all occasions, and for 
this purpose would put themselves to great in- 
convenience and go great distances. Did one 
of them want a cabin raised, he had only to let 
his neighbors (and all were neighbors who lived 
within a circle of five or ten miles) know they 
were wanted on a certain day, and they would 
be there, the only compensation asked being a 
generous supply of whisk}-. 

Log-rollings were almost an every-day occur- 
rence ; every settler would have one or more of 
these gatherings every 3'ear. Settlers would 
come for miles around, with their handspikes, 
oxen and axes ; the logs were cut, hauled to- 
gether and piled in great heaps, to be set on 
fire after drying. The younger members of the 
community, girls and boys, piled the brush and 
smaller sticks in immense heaps ; and boys, not 
very old, can remember when these heaps were 



set on fire at night, and how all the young peo- 
ple for miles around gathered, and played 
'•goal ■' and "round-town"' by the light of the 
cracking brush. 

Then there were • wood-choppin"s "" and •• cpiilt- 
in's,"" where everybody, old and young, would 
go — the men with their teams and axes, the 
women with their needles. Aunt and Uncle 
Somebody would get wood enough in a few 
hours, delivered at their cabin door, to keep 
the great fireplace roaring the whole winter ; 
and enough quilts and things to keep them 
warm in spite of the snow that drifted through 
the clapboard roof upon their beds. The de- 
lightful part came in the evening, when the 
older people went home, and the younger danced 
the happy hours of the night away to the music 
of the violin and the orders of some amateur 
cotillion caller. 

The red man of the forest was often the silent 
and amazed spectator of these happy gather- 
ings. In the simplicity of his heart, he did not 
dream the white people were •' like the leaves 
of the forest," and that the}- would soon over- 
run and possess all the soil that for centuries 
had been the hunting-grounds of his tribe. He 
could not realize the fate that awaited him, so 
beautifully expressed in Longfellow's verse — 

" Wrapt in thy scarlet blanket, I see thee stalk through 

the city's 
Narrow and populous streets, as once by the margins 

of rivers 
Stalked those birds unknown, that have left us only 

their footprints. 
What, in a few short years, will remain of thy race but 

the footprints ?" 

In later years, when Johnny Appleseed's or- 
chards began to bear fruit, ■' parin" bees ' were 
in order, and also " corn-huskin's."' These were 
gotten up on the principle that ■• many hands 
make light work," and, in addition to the work 
accomplished, they furnished excuses for social 
gatherings. Fashionable calls, were, of course, 
unknown ; work was the order of the day, and. 
all feeling the necessity of continual labor, the}- 



j^ 



243 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



varied its monotony and made it lighter by as- 
sembling together and getting through with a 
large amount of it at one time, at the same 
time enjoying the social advantages thus of- 
fered. 

A moonlight night was selected for the corn- 
huskings. Sometimes the corn was husked as it 
stood in the field, and large fields were thus 
cleared of corn in a single evening. At other 
times, the owner of the corn field would go 
through it a day or two before the husking was 
to take place, jerk the ears from the stalk, and 
haul them to some dry place in the meadow, 
where they were piled in a huge circle. About 
this circle, on the outside, the men would gather 
in the evening, and, amid the rattle of husks, 
and the general hilarity, the yellow ears would 
flow toward the center of the circle in a con- 
tinual stream, while the buskers buried them- 
selves deeper and deeper in the husks, until 
after a time they emerged and stood upon the 
inner line of the circle, with a great pile of corn 
in front and a pile of husks in the rear. 

Occasionall}" the corn was, as nearly as pos- 
sible, equally divided into two heaps ; captains 
or leaders were chosen b}- the men, who, choos- 
ing their men, arranged themselves in opposi- 
tion. P^ach of the opposing captains endeav- 
ored to finish his pile first, the bottle being 
passed frequently, each one helping himself to 
as much of . the contents as he desired. The 
successful captain was elevated upon the shoul- 
ders of his men, amid prolonged cheers, and 
carried around the pile. Sometimes the beaten 
party were aggravated until knock-downs en- 
sued, after which they would repair to the 
house of the host and partake of the good 
things prepared for the occasion. 

A good deal of ingenuity was exhibited 
among the early settlers in making traps to 
secure the wild animals of the forest. At one 
time it seemed utterly impossible for the 
pioneers to raise sheep or hogs, on account of 
the depredations of wolves and bears : the latter 



invariabl}- preferred pork to mutton, but the 
wolves always attacked the sheep in preference. 
The State offered $6 each for wolf scalps ; this 
and other considerations stimulated the settlers 
in the work of capturing and destroying them. 
Many of the young men devoted their time al- 
most exclusively to this business. For the pur- 
pose of trapping them, a '• wolf-pen " was " con- 
structed of small logs, six feet long, four feet 
wide and three feet high. It was formed like a 
large box, with a puncheon floor. The lid was 
made of heavy puncheons, and was moved b}' 
an axle at one end, made of a small round 
stick. • This trap was set b}' sticks placed in 
the shape of a figure 4, and baited with any 
kind of meat, except wolf meat, the animal pre- 
ferring an}' other to his own. Upon gnawing 
the meat the lid fell, inclosing the unwary na- 
tive for the benefit of the trapper." 

The continual and common use of whisky 
among the pioneers, received its first check in 
Richland County, on the 29th of March, 1828, 
at which time the first temperance society was 
organized, at the house of Samuel Smith, in 
Monroe Township, near the east line of Wash- 
ington. This society was entirely indigenous 
to the soil of old Richland, none of its mem- 
bers having had any previous knowledge of 
such an organization. On this occasion, Thomas 
Smith was called to the chair, and Samuel 
Ritchey appointed Secretary. Thomas Smith, 
Alexander McBride and Samuel Smith were 
appointed a committee, and presented the fol- 
lowing as a basis of action : 

Where'fS, The common use of intoxicating liquors 
as a beverage is injurious to the health of the consumer, 
and ruinous to the morals of the community, 

Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society to 
be known by the name of the Washington and Monroe 
Temperance Society, and that we adopt the following 
pledge for our guide: 

We, whose names are hereunto attached, do pledge 
ourselves to dispense with the common use of ardent 
spirits in our families, and at our gatherings and frolics ; 
and, as far as our influence extends, use all laudable 
means to discourage the use of it in others. 



;v 




o^ffB^^^,:^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



245 



This was adopted after considerable discus- 
sion, in which many expressed their fear that 
they could not get along with their raisings, 
rollings and harvestings without liquor. The 
pledge was signed by Thomas Smith, Sr., Henry 
INIosar, Lambert Larnee, Joseph Coe, Jedediah 
Smith, Robert McDermot, Levi Tarr, David New- 
lin, Thomas Smith, Jr., Samuel Smith, John Con 
well, Joseph Reed and Alexander McBride. 
Thus began a crusade in this county which has 
not yet ended. The pledge was for one year, 
but at the end of that time it was renewed, and 
continued gaining in strength until more than 
five hundred names appeared on its list. 
This was a society of earnest workers. 
The}' met on the 1st day of January, j'earlj^, 
and continued the organization more than thirty 
years. 

This curse of intemperance permeated all 
classes and conditions of society. Even the 
children of the earl}' schools, when they barred 
out their teacher on New Year's Day, as was 
the custom of the time, frequently demanded 
a certain amount of whisky, among other things, 
as the price of admission. The children could 
hardly be blamed, since both teachers and par- 
ents, perhaps, as a rule, indulged more or less 
in strong drink. In this connection. Judge 
Jacob Brinkerhotf. in his address at the laying 
of the corner-stone of the new court house, 
tells an anecdote characteristic of the times. 

'• I have told you who was the first tavern- 
keeper in Mansfield. Now, among his success- 
ors in that hospitable employment, was a Mr. 
Moore, whose weakness it was to entertain what 
were then deemed extravagant notions of the 
future prosperity and glory of the town of 
Mansfield. 

"The village school was taught or rather 
kept by an Irish schoolmaster, who, before cross- 
ing the water, had kissed the blarney-stone, was 
always ready to make free use of the gift thus 
derived, and well aware of the ' powerful weak- 
ness ' of Mr. Moore. 



" In those days to keep a tavern was to sell 
whisky, carefully measured out at a fippenny- 
bit a gill, and it happened that the schoolmas- 
ter's weakness for whisky was quite equal to 
that of Mr. Moore, for the future of Mansfield. 
And the cases were not infrequent, that, when 
the ardent spirit was most ardently desired, the 
requisite fippenny-bit would be wanting and 
the blarney would be the only available substi- 
tute. And so he would begin — 'Ah! Mesther 
Moore, there are few gintlemen in this wilder- 
ness counthry that have your sagacity — your 
gifts of foresight. I tell you what it is, Mesther 
Moore, Mansfield is predestined to be a great 
say-port yit some day ! ' No sooner would this 
prediction be uttered than the heart of Mesther 
Moore would soften, and then would follow the 
coaxing question — ' Mesther Moore, couldn't 
yees trust us for a gell of whisky, this blessed 
mornin'?' 

^' The coveted potation would at once appear, 
and go where so many of the like had gone 
before — to cheer the heart and thaw the blood 
of the ' poor exile of Erin," as he went forth to 
the arduous labor of dusting, with his hickory 
rod, the buckskin breeches of boys, who, in 
those days, were not always ruled by moral 
suasion alone." 

The great days among the pioneers were the 
Fourth of July and those upon which the 
militia assembled for muster. These were the 
holidays, when the people ceased from labor 
and turned out en masse, and when plenty of 
fun and whisky were expected. The place of 
assembling was generally in some clearing, near 
some " tavern,"' the landlady of which had the 
reputation of being a good cook. There was 
plenty of drumming, fifing and noise, and 
somebody was always found who could readily 
perform the duties of President of the meeting ; 
somebody who could read the toasts, and some- 
body who had been under Harrison or Van 
Rensselaer as Orderly Sergeant, to act as mar- 
shal. Plenty of men were ready to read that 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



wonderful document, the ■ Declaration," for 
aniong the settlers were not only many excel- 
lent scholars and gentlemen, l)ut here and there 
could l)e found a veritable graduate of Yale 
College. When no minister was present to 
act as chaplain, a good pious man was called 
to that post. If the meeting did not end with 
a grand ring fight, the people went home dis- 
appointed. 

At a meeting of the pioneers of the county 
in 1858, of which Mr. Jabez Cook was Pres- 
ident, an ax was presented to each of the fol- 
lowing persons, they being the oldest pioneers 
then living in the county; Jacob Stoner, who set- 
tled here in 1807 or 1 808 ; Michael Newman, who 
settled in 1808 ; Jonathan Oldfield. 1809 ; Thos. 
McCluer, 1809; Henry Nail. 1810, and John 
Coulter. Uriah Matson was also presented 
with an ax in consideration of his having 
cleared more land than any man in the county. 

Richland County is only seventy-two years of 
age — yet in its infancy. What mighty changes ! 
The human mind can hardly comprehend it. 
Yesterda}^, a wilderness, full of wild animals 
and wild men ; to-day, rejoicing in the bright 
light of the highest civilization. 

" I ask myself, Is this a dream ? 
Will it vanish into air ? 
Is there a land of such supreme 
And perfect beauty anywhere ? " 

There are over three hundred thousand acres 
of tillable land in the coiuity, valued at about 
eleven millions of dollars ; property in city 
and villages valued at about four millions, and 
chattels and personal property, nearly twenty 
millions ; all in seventy-two years. 

Statistics prove that Richland (Jounty is one 
of the best in the State for agricultural pui'- 
poses, generally. Almost everything gTown in 
the Northern States can be grown on its soil. 
It does not largely excel in any one thing, but 
in some things stands first among the best. 

Out of eighty-eight counties in the State, 
only nine raised more wheat in 1878 than Rich- 



land, and these were generally larger counties, 
with more acreage sown. The average j'ield 
was a little more than fifteen bushels to the 
acre ; the average in the State, for twenty-eight 
years, being a little more than eleven bushels 
per acre. 

In the same year, only two counties in the 
State raised more oats than this ; these were 
Stark and Wayne, in both of which the acreage 
was greater. The average is in favor of Rich- 
land, it being a little more than forty Inishels 
per acre, while both Stark and Wayne averaged 
a little more than thirty-nine bushels. The 
yield of wheat was 488.041 l)ushels. and of 
oats, 982,993 bushels. 

The average yield of corn in the State for 
twenty-eight years was a little over thirty 
bushels per acre ; Richland, in 1878, averaged 
over thirty-five bushels, the yield being 1.063.- 
045 bushels. 

These are the principal crops, and it will be 
seen that Richland excels. In all other crops 
her standing is high. 

For a healthful climate and the longe\ity of 
its citizens the county stands almost unrivaled. 
The purity of its water and air, and the general 
intelligence of its citizens, have tended to 
lengthen their days. There are a numl)er of 
hale, hearty pioneers who have passed the three- 
score and ten allotted to man ; a few who walk 
with comparatively firm step under the weight 
of eighty or ninety, or more years, and one at 
least — John Wiler, Esq. — -who, in this year 
(1880) completes a century of existence. 

The political history of the county is not 
unlike that of other counties in the State. Its 
first member of Congress was jMordecai Bartk\v, 
who was elected in 1823, to the House of Rep- 
resentatives, serving four terms, or until 1831. 
The second, William Patterson, was elected to 
the Twenty-third Congress in 1833, serving as 
a member of the House until 1837. The third 
was Jacob Brinkerhoff*. elected to the House in 
1843, serving two terms, or until 1847. The 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



247 



fourth was John Sherman, elected to the Thirty- 
fourth Congress, in 1855, serving as a member 
of the House until 18G1. when he was called 
to the Senate to take the chair vacated by Sal- 
mon P. Chase, who became Secretary of the 
Treasur}'. The county was honored by the 
presence of Mr. Sherman in the Senate from 
that time until called to the cabinet of President 



Hayes. The fifth man elected to the House of 
Representatives from this county was William 
Johnson, who served one term, from 1863 to 
1 805. The present member, Greorge W. Geddes, 
resides in Mansfield, and was elected in 1879, 
making the sixth furnished Ijy this count}' to 
the councils of the nation. 




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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE GOOD OLD DAYS. 

Cabins and their Furniture — Early Educational Facilities — Clothing and its Manufacture — Super- 
stitions — Salt — Hominy Blocks — Meal — Distilleries — Whisky and its Use — Singing, Spelling and 
Dancing Schools — Camp Meetings — Modes of Emigration — Emigrants' Trials — Observance of the 
Sabbath — Marriages — Deaths — Incidents — Mills and Milling — Flat-Boats on the Bl4ck Fork — 
Militia Drills — Pioneer Jokes — Johnny Appleseed's Nurseries — Old Indian Landmarks. 



" Which naming no names, no offense could be took." 

— Sairi/ Gamp. 

THE primitive log cabins built b}' the earl}' 
pioneers, as long ago as from 1809 to 1820, 
were rarely double. The}' were generally 14x 
16 feet, covered by clapboards held on by 
weight-poles placed on each tier, a ridge-pole 
in the center. The floors were made of punch- 
eon, split out of logs, and roughly hewn with a 
broad-ax. The windows were square or long 
holes, made by sawing through one or two of 
the logs; slats were nailed across, and the ori- 
fice made into a window by covering it with 
greased paper, which was pasted over. In- 
stances are well remembered in which there was 
no flour of which to make the paste, and burnt 
Angers and scowling brows attested to the in- 
efficiency of corn-meal for that purpose. Bed- 
steads were improvised of rough dogwood 
poles, with the bark left on, and bottomed very 
serviceably with strips of elm bark, woven in 
and out skillfully; or, they were made fast to 
the wall, requiring only two posts. A substi- 
tute for chairs was found in small benches, 
hewn out roughly, as were the puncheons. The 
cupboard, or "dresser," was made by boring 
holes in the wall, driving wooden pins therein, 
and placing boards on them. A row of wide 
shelves, made the same way, was likewise nec- 
essary, and considered an article of furniture, 
furnishing a place to store bed-clothes. If the 
family had not a square, four-legged table, they 



constructed one after this same fashion of bed- 
stead, cupljoard and wardrobe. 

The chamber, or '-loft," was reached by a 
ladder from the outside; or, if the family could 
spare the room for it, the ladder was placed 
inside, and if, from lack of skill or thrift, this 
necessary manner of ingress was wanting, a 
row of stout pegs, placed equidistant apart, 
could be climV)ed with wonderful agility. The 
rosy, bright-eyed nieces of Johnny Appleseed 
never appeared so beautiful and graceful as 
when they ran, hand over hand, with twinkling 
feet, lightly touching the smooth pins that 
served them well for a stairway. 

The fireplace occupied the greater part of 
one end of the cabin. Sometimes it had 
"wings," that came in reach of the hand. In 
the more modern cabins, jambs were built on 
the hearth. The trammel and hooks were found 
among the well-to-do families, as time pro- 
gressed. Previous to this, the lug-pole across 
the inside of the chimney, about even with the 
chamber floor, answered for a trammel. A 
chain was suspended from it, and hooks were 
attached, and from this hung the mush-pot or 
tea-kettle. If a chain was not available, a 
wooden hook was in reach of the humblest and 
the poorest. When a meal was not in prepara- 
tion, and the hook was endangered by fire, it 
was shoved aside to one end of the lug-pole 
for safety. Iron ware was very scarce in those 
days. Instances are related where the one pot 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



249 



served at a meal to boil water in for mint tea 
or crust coffee, to bake the bread, boil the pota- 
toes and fry the meat. Bj" fine management 
this was accomplished. Freqiienth* the kettle 
had no lid, and a flat stone, heated, and handled 
with the tongs, was used instead of one when 
a loaf or pone or pumpkin pie was baked. A 
short-cake could be baked by heating the kettle 
moderately, putting in the cake, and tipping it 
up sidewise before the glowing fire. Bannock, 
or board-cake, was made b}' mixing the corn- 
meal up with warm water, a pinch of salt and 
a trifle of lard, into a thick dough, spreading it 
on a clean, sweet-smelling clapboard, patting it 
into shape with the cleanest of hands, and 
standing it slanting before the fire, propped in- 
to the right position by a flat-iron behind it. 
Baked hastih', this made a delicious cake, 
sweet and nutty and fresh, and the pretty 
stamp of the mother's dear, unselfish, loving 
fingers was plainl}' detected in the crisp crust. 
There was little in the waj' of ornament in the 
homes of the pioneers. The looking-glass, with 
a snow-white towel ironed into intricate folds 
and checks, hung under it against the bare 
mud-daubed wall ; a pin-cushion, that puzzled 
the novice b}' its points and corners, made out 
of gay pieces of plaid and bombazine and bom- 
bazette and camlet ; a row of tiny pockets ; a 
black cloth cat with a rickety head dispropor- 
tionate to its size, and a comb-case, com- 
pleted the list of embellishments. If the fam- 
ily owned a Buckeye clock, abundant room for 
the ample sweep and swing of its pendulum 
was granted, but generall}' the time was marked 
by the sunshine on the puncheon floor, the 
cracks measuring off the hours with a tolerable 
degree of certainty. The pouch and powder- 
horn held the place of honor beside the clock ; 
the gun rested on two wooden hooks, secured 
to a joist overhead. The saddle, wheels, reels, 
quilting frames, beds, - chists," meal-bag and a 
few rude, splint-bottomed chairs completed the 
furniture. From the joists depended dried 



herbs, dipped candles, little pokes of dried 
plums, blackberries, hazel nuts, yarn, ginseng 
roots and golden-seal, hops, stockings, and gen- 
erally an old pair of white linen breeches 
stuffed full of dried pumpkin. 

One would presume that the weeks spent by 
pioneers in block-houses where they fled for 
safety, would have been doleful in the extreme, 
but assurances are frequent that they were not 
so. The poor old cracked voices laugh heartily 
yet over the fun they experienced in those 
times. In the twilight the roll would be called, 
and men and boys would answer in differ- 
ent voices, so that if Indians were prowling 
about meditating an attack, they would be sur- 
prised at the vast number ready to confront 
them in a fight. Names would be called and 
responded to, of men lining awaj' back in Penn- 
S3'lvania, Virginia, New York and Massachu- 
setts, or perhaps they would be names made up 
for the occasion. This constituted an immense 
amount of fun. 

Girls would steal out some of the horses 
and run races and chase one another up and 
down the hills, recklessly, excusing themselves 
before angry parents, "I didn't think!" 

A heedless lad, given to wandering along the 
trail out of sight of one of the forts, was sud- 
denl}' scared by one of the men hiding behind 
a tree, who gave a piercing 3'ell imitating an 
Indian. The bo}' flew back to the fort s.cream- 
ingpiteously. "Oh! mam, they're a-comin', they're 
a-comin ! "' - Who is it coming, son? " said the 
mother ; but he only cried the harder, " Oh! mam, 
the3''re a-comiri', they're a-comin'!" In after 
years when the boy became a man and held 
oflflces of trust, his laugh was a dr^', little 
abashed sniff Avhen reminded of the inci- 
dent. 

Education Avas not neglected. Books were 
few, but to those who longed to improve their 
opportunities the way was not hedged up en- 
tirely. They could study spelling, reading, 
writing, arithmetic and geography at all 



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250 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



times. Instances are related of the father 
teaching spelling and geography wliilo at work 
out in the clearing with his boys. He could 
drill them on the geography of other countries 
while they sat nooning, and eatiug their coru- 
l)r('ad and butter, and l)oiled turnips, under the 
trees and beside the brook. Tn the evenings 
tliey could study the multiplication table and 
the rules, and lia\'e good times spelling aloud. 
Once a week the young men in some localities 
met to compare writing and see how much or 
how little they had improved. Paper was -very 
scarce, and narrow strips only were used. It 
was no disadvantage to the eager boys of those 
days to browse among the few old books that 
had been their father's and their grandfathers. 
One boy, after he had mastered the alphabet, 
which was pasted on a smooth, board paddle. 
set traps and caught rabbits, and sold the skins 
for one cent apiece, and bought a new spelling- 
book with a nice wooden back. 

Any kind of a book was a school-book in 
pioneer times. The large reading class was the 
History of the United States, the lesser ones 
read in the Life of Capt. Riley. English Reader, 
Huck's Theological Dictionary, Book of Martyrs, 
Encyclopedia, Introduction, etc. Teacher's 
wages in the winter wei-e |8 or $10 a month 
and boarding round — the pay raised by sul)- 
scription and left at any of the mills within a 
dozen miles. More than usual was the prepara- 
tion made for the master's week — the time when 
the family expected the teacher to board with 
them a week. If they all slept in the same 
room, the teacher and his host, or one of the 
big boys. '• sat close to the fire and patted in 
the ashes,"' until the women retired, then the 
embers were buried, the room in darkness, and 
he could retire. In the morning he lay liiding 
his time, with one eye open. The pounding or 
grinding of the coffee was the signal bell that 
intimated it was time to '^ face the music." 
When the women went out to get the sausage 
in the lean-to. or to cut tlie meat, the delay was 



favorably lengthened, and he availed himself of 
the opportunity. 

Then, if he pulled down his A'est, cracked his 
knuckles, milked his beard, or did anything else 
that betokened his emliarrassraent. his host un- 
derstood, and. giving his head a side-wise jerk, 
said. " down to the brook " — then down to the 
brook, where there was plenty of water, went the 
master, and washed openly, and under the 
canopy of heaven, where there was no stint of 
accommodations, and where the oxygen was 
fre^h and free. Nowadays, people dignifv the 
calling, and don the teacher, professor; but then, 
wherever he went, a stranger and unknown, the 
parents of his pupils invariably, and away ahead 
of Young America, jovially called him • Jimmy," 
or '-Johnny." or " Greorgie." or • Billy. " He was 
fortunate if he escaped a nickname. They 
liked him. They wanted to prove it hy making 
him '■ one among 'em," and very often he was 
called '■ Nosey." or •' Boots. ' or ■ Parson," or 
•' Blinkey. " It was not uncommon for the 
teacher to be obliged to sleep with a couple of 
little scratching boys — all packed into one bed, 
like sardines in a box. A treat was expected 
on or about Christmas. Sixty years ago the 
treat was the bona-fide one of good whisky. 
Sometimes the master and the boys held their 
pow-wow in the schoolhouse, but generally, per- 
haps on account of the girls, they adjourned to 
a fence, where they sat like a row of rooks on 
the top rails, and passed the grog from one to 
another, with bits of jokes and repartee follow- 
ing the l)ottle in quick succession. An instance 
is recalled in which the teacher, a confirmed 
smoker, lighted his pipe, and passed it round 
among the boys and girls, inviting all to partake 
of the treat. Candies and raisins formed the 
staple of the more modern treat. If the 
teacher ignored the custom, or was too 
stingy to conform to it. he was •• barred 
out," — the windows were fastened secui-ely, 
the benches piled high against the door, and 
his entrance was impossible, unless some 



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HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



251 



stipulations were made whicli proved satis- 
factory to all. 

This foolish and barbarous custom was such 
an enorafted and fixed one that it has not be- 
come entirely rooted out yet, after all these 
years. Even parents and school officers sjnile 
half-approvingh'. still, wdien their boys threaten 
to '• bar out the master."' 

The best men on x\merican soil once belonged 
to this profession, and among their older memo- 
ries and reminiscences they treasure the recol- 
lections of '■ Iveepin' school and boardin" "round;"' 
of grandfathers stories of the Revolution, told 
from his seat in the warmest corner : of the sup- 
pers of mush and milk ; of the farmer's ros}'. 
robust daughter, toward whom the}^ cast 
" sheep's eyes ;" of the nightly feast of walnuts 
and doughnuts and cider ; of the countr}' sing- 
ing-schools, and of the jealous swain in gay 
wamus ; of the first love that only survived 
one winter ; of the monej' they earned all them- 
selves, and of the pride that swelled them when 
the school officers said '■ Well done." The vent- 
urous boy of a few months before stood up, 
strong in his new manhood, full of a sound, 
sweet taith in himself feeling the force of the 
poetasters creed, when lie sang : 

Better lore did never Science 
Teacli to man tiian self-reliance. 
'Tis the law of Him who made you — 
Aid yourself, and God will aid you. 

The spinning and weaving and clothing of 
large families comfortably, as did the thrifty 
pioneer mothers, is to the women of nowadays 
a marvel beyond their comprehension. How 
could they do it. those nursing mothers with 
large families ! They rose early and worked 
late, and improved every moment of time. They 
did nothing by halves. When they went visit- 
ing they took tlieir worli. not embroidery, or 
migniardise. or crocheting, as of present times, 
but substantial sewing or knitting. The min- 
ister's wife, for an afternoon's employment, 
one time, took a bed-tick and a paii- of panta- 



loons, both new linen, and made them with her 
deftly flying left hand too. She was the woman 
who hurriedh' told her day's work, saying, " I've 
w^ashed an" baked an' ironed six pies to-day." 

Linen for Sundaj^ clothes was made of cop- 
peras and white, checked or striped, and when 
bleached was ver}' pretty and soft. For very 
choice Avear it was all flax; for every da}' or 
second best, the warp was flax and the filling 
tow. Linsey-woolse}', or linsey, was wool and 
cotton, ver}- much the same as water-proof 
or repellent is now, onl}' that it was harsh and 
not finished. Dye-stuffs in early times were in 
reach of all — butternut or walnut hulls colored 
brown ; oak bark with copperas d^ed black ; 
hickory bark or the blossoms of the golden- 
rod made yellow ; madder, red ; and indigo, 
blue : green was obtained by first coloring yel- 
low, and then dipping into blue dye. Stocking 
yarn was dyed black, brown or blue ; and, for 
very choice stockings, strips of corn husks 
were lapped tightly in two or three places 
around a skein of ^arn, and dyed blue. When 
the husks were removed, whitish spots were 
found, and the rare *■ clouded yarn " was the 
result. The little tub of blue dye, with close- 
fitting cover, stood in the warm corner in every 
well-regulated household, and it made a very 
convenient seat, and the cover was always worn 
smooth. Man}' a lad inclined to matrimony 
has sneaked slyh' along and seated himself on 
the dye-tub as soon as the old folks retired. 
When carding machines came and lessened the 
labor of the toiling women, one of the first in- 
dications of anything as fine as " store clothes " 
was the soft, pressed flannel, grand enough for 
an}' uncommon occasion, called "London brown." 
The fijlds lay in it. and it shone to eyes accus- 
tomed to look upon nothing finer than home- 
made barred flannel, like lustrous satin. It 
smelt of the shop. howcAcr ; the odor of d}e- 
stuff' and gTease and gummy machinery clung 
to it for a long while. Al)Out tiiis time a bet- 
ter (luality of men's wear appeared in the same 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



wonderful color of London brown ; and, to 
young men coming of age, who had been in- 
dentured boys, the beautiful "freedom suit" 
was valued higher than the horse, saddle and 
bridle. Previous to this, the suit was often 
home-spun jeans, or home-fulled cloth in the 
rough, dyed a dark yellow or a snuffy brown ; 
cf)at, pants and vest cut and made by the hand- 
iest woman in the vicinit3\ The wamus ,was 
the common garb of the pioneer ; in color red, 
blue, brown, yellow or plaid, and not unfre- 
(pientl}', plain white flannel, made in a hui'ry, 
at the sudden approach of cold weather, and 
worn temporarily, which meant only until the 
time came in which the over-busy wife or 
mother could concoct a simple dye and give it 
a solid color. Long before this period of full- 
ing-mills, the ingenuity of the pioneer and his 
thrifty wife had devised a novel method of 
thickening the texture of flamiel so as to make 
it suitable for men's winter wear. It may not 
have l)een a practice everywhere. The web of 
goods was stretched out and held loosel}^ at 
each end, while men with bare feet and rolled- 
up trousers sat in rows on each side of it. 
Then the women poured strong hot soapsuds 
on the web while the men kicked it with all the 
vigor possible, making the white foam of the 
suds fly all over their persons. It proved a 
very good substitute, and caused an immense 
sight of fun and laughter. This was alwaj's 
done in the evening, was a "bee" the same as 
a husking bee or a chopping bee ; and, if the 
work was done b}^ the beaux, the belles poured 
on the hot suds and shared in the fun and wit- 
nessed the agility of the contestants, and after- 
ward refreshed themselves by a dance on the 
wet puncheon floov. This way of fulling cloth 
was called a " kicking bee, ' and was a feature 
of those times of privation and exigency. 
The stiff new linen shirts, trousers and sheets 
could hardh' Ije ironed into smoothness in those 
days, when no family owned more than one flat- 
iron, and there was not much time to be given 



to unnecessary work. Garments were gener- 
ally drawn back and forth, Ijriskl^', over the top 
of a chair-back, to take out the big wrinkles 
and give them a tolerable degree of softness, 
while plain wear, such as bed and table linen, 
and petticoats and aprons, were folded down 
as smoothly as possible on a chair, and the 
woman who spun at the little wheel sat upon 
them a day or two. A new tow-linen shirt 
could be compared to nothing else than a ver^^ 
guilty conscience by the man who wore it. 
The shives sticking in the linen pricked into 
the flesh continually, and were a source of 
great annoyance. 

In every neighborhood there were a few 
families who had brought with them the super- 
stitions of their forefathers, and the result was 
that some poor man or woman was reputed to 
be a witch. Not much proof was required. If 
a woman had very l)lack eyes, or stepped 
stealthily, or spoke in a low tone of voice, and 
the gossips said she was in league with the 
prince of the black art, it did not take long to 
fasten the reputation upon her, and the ignorant 
looked with awe and fear upon the poor hunted, 
watched creature. And so they greased their 
broom handles, and laid dead snakes head fore- 
most in the paths, and hung horse-shoes over 
the cabin doors,, and were careful to spit in the 
fire, and not look over their left shoulders when 
they passed the abode of the doomed one. But 
sometimes her wrath fell upon them, and the 
oxen would lie down in the furrow, and no 
power could move them, not even hot coals, nor 
boiling soap, when poured upon them. One 
time, when the family of a poor man rose in the 
earl}' morning, one of them lay still, and slept 
heavily and breathed noisily. On examination 
it was discovered that he had been witch-rid- 
den; his sides were black and blue from the 
kicking heels that had urged him on to his best 
paces, and the corners of his mouth were torn 
from cruel bits guided by jerking hands. Peo- 
ple who were objects of the witch's spite found 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



253 



a brood of downy young chicks in their chests, 
and piles of sprawling kittens under the half- 
liushel ; and they overheard deep, cavernous 
voices, and fine piping ones, in conclave at mid- 
night up in the air and the treetops, and under 
the dead leaves, and beside the chimney, and 
tracks, with a cloven hoof in among them, were 
discernable. Think of the misery of a poor 
creature reputed to be a wntch. met in her own 
lowlv cabin b}' a weeping mother beseeching 
her to remove the spell of incantation that her 
sick child might recover ! No denial of the 
absurd charge could avail her ; no sympathy 
offered was accepted ; and the foolish mother 
could do no more than return home, burn some 
woolen rags to impregnate the out-door air ; 
stand the child on its head while she could 
coiint fifty backward : grease its spine with the 
oil of some wild animal ; cut the tip hairs off 
the tail of a black cat, and bind them on the 
forehead of the persecuted one, while she re- 
peated a certain sentence in the Lord's Pra3'er. 
Then, in her own language, •' If the child died, 
it died ; and if it lived, it lived. " 

One verj' singular old man, a soldier of the 
Revolution, known to all the early settlers of 
the county, was remarkal)le for his peculiarities, 
his drolleries, and his fund of big stories. One 
of his little boys was a very good child, and 
he accounted for it from the ftict that the pros- 
pective mother had read a book of sermons, 
and the i-esult had made a favorable impression 
upon the mind of the boy. Relating this to a 
neighbor, he said : ■• ( )h. he's the piousest little 
cuss you ^ver saw I" 

Hauling logs out in the clearing one day with 
his hired man. the two sat down to rest, and 
make plans for lirush and log heaps. In an 
idle way the man said he would be satisfied if 
he had as mucli money as he wanted — sa^', a 
wagon loaded with needles, and ever}' needle 
worn out with making bags to hold his mone}'. 

" Poh ! " said the soldier ; '• now, I wish I had 
a pile so big, that your pile wouldn't be enough 



to pa}' the interest on mine so long as you could 
hold a red-hot knitting needle in your ear ! " 

He used to say to his nephew, in his strange, 
w'eird way, '• After I'm dead, I mean to come 
back, an' set round on the stumps, an' watch 
you, an' see how you're gittin' along. I'll set 
in the holler yonder, in the gTay o' the evenin', 
an' obsarve you; see "f I don't." And, though 
a half-century has elapsed since the old man 
was gathered to his fathers, the pioneer or his 
children never pass the - holler," a round, 
scooped-out basin in an old roadside field, 
without thinking of the words of the old 
man ; and involuntarily they turn their gaze 
upon the few gray stumps remaining, and the}' 
seem to see him sitting there with his queer, 
baggy breeches fastened b}' a wide waistband, 
his shirt collar open, and his long white locks 
tossed by the dallying breezes from the south. 

Another superstitious old man used to divine 
secrets, tell fortunes, foretell events, find the 
places where money Was buried, cure wens by 
words, blow the fire out of burns, mumlile over 
felons and catarrhs, remove warts, and, with 
his mineral ball, search out where stolen goods 
w-ere hidden. The '■ mineral ball '" to which the 
superstitious ascribed such marvelous power, 
was no less than one of those hairy calculi 
found in the stomachs of cattle, a ball formed 
compactly of the hair which collects on the 
tongue of the animal while licking itself This 
man, one of that class whose taint infects every 
neighborhood, could not from any considera- 
tion be prevailed upon to leave a grave3'ard 
first of all. •• Why, drat it! " he would say, 
•'it's sure and sartin death; ncA'cr knowed 
a fellow to leave the graveyard fust but what 
he'd be the next 'un planted there! " ' When an 
old neighbor of his died suddenly, this man 
said, with his thumbs hooked into his trousers' 
pockets restfully: "■Wy, drat him, he might a 
knowed niore'n to leave the graveyard fust 
man! As soon as I seed him do it. I says to 
m^'self says I. "Dan. you're a goner; j'oure 



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254 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



done for; tlievll tuck you uuter next time, an' 
nobody but your 1)ooby of a self to l)lame for 
it!" 

Tn very early times one of the sorest priva- 
tions that the poor pioneer encountered, was 
the scarcity of salt, Mush, hominy and corn- 
bread without a savor of salt was very insipid 
food. It was very precious, and when they had 
a little, they dealt it out generously to all, even 
though a teacupful was a man's allowance to 
carry home to his family. Women used to bor- 
row a '-mite of salt," and a "settin' o' butter." 
The workingmen — and they all belonged to this 
class — nearly starved at first for meat victuals. 
The}- wanted pork. Turkey and bear and ven- 
ison did not seeiii to touch the right place. Tn 
1811, a few of them joined in killing a large 
hog which had been lost so long in the wilder- 
ness that he had become wild, and was a fero- 
cious creature, with over-jutting white tushes 
and standing bristles. After several ineffect- 
ual rifle and musket shots, he was brought to 
the ground. The meat tasted well to the poor 
men, and the hide made good sole leather. 

Inthose early times, say before the pioneer had 
raised crops, and when mills were distant, they 
lived on mush and corn-bread made from the 
meal of corn that they had pounded in a hom- 
iny-block. The block was made by bmniing 
out, or hollowing out, a stump. By placing 
wood in the center of it, and laying on stones 
to become red-hot, a hollow could be made 
deep enough for use. The corn was pounded l)y 
an ax, or an iron wedge in the end of a stick. 
When sifted, the finest of the meal made bread, 
the next mush, and the third grade was grits 
or hominy. This, with butter and milk, con- 
stituted the daily food. Without salt, one can 
imagine what the living of the poor pioneer 
amounted to ; and it must not lie forgotten that 
manj?^ of them owned no cow. One of this class 
of men when interviewed not long ago said, 
" Yes, times were pretty hard for new-comers, 
but I want you to remember that there was a 



smart sprinkling of Virginians ahead of us here 
in Richland County, and the Lord never made 
better people. If they killed a deer, or a beef, 
they always shared liberally with their neigh- 
liors, and especially with those in need. I mind 
the year after we came, my father took down 
with the ague, and things looked dark enough 
for a while ; but, when old Billy Slater, on the 
Clear Fork killed a fat cow, he loaded a lot of 
the choicest on to a horse and brought it to us ; 
and old John Davis, another Virginian, looked 
after us as though we were his kindred. The 
hospitality and good will and courtesy of the 
^^irginia pioneer were without a parallel; they 
were so kind and cordial, so much ahead of the 
thi'ifty, selfish Yankees, in their gracious deeds 
and their generous conduct. That phrase, 
' the latch-string is always out,' is full of mean- 
ing" — the quivering old voice grew husky with 
emotions that overpowered him, and he was left 
alone with his thoughts and olden mem- 
ories. 

Salt was obtained at Zanesville and San- 
dusky, and, as there were no roads, it had to l>e 
packed on horses, following the trail, one be- 
hind another. At one time, Andy Craig, in 
company with two other men, brought a barrel 
of salt — 280 pounds — from Sandusk}', on the 
back of one horse. Andy had a daughter, 
a tair, fat girl, a young woman toward 
whom Johnu}' Appleseed was somewhat at" 
tracted, and for a time Johnny frequently 
spoke of "Ilanner Craig." Boys and girls 
laughed slyly, l)ut they did not venture to joke 
the kind old man. 

Distilleries were common. Tn one township 
alone thei'e were no less than six in full blast 
at one time. Whisky was currency for which 
grain was exchanged. It was a common liev- 
erage among all classes, a social habit, and its 
use was not abused over-much. It helped men 
at log-rollings and raisings and gatherings, kept 
their spirits up. and made them friendly and 
chatty. Sometimes it was the incentive to fights 



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HISTOKY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY 



255 



and quarrels, but the verdict invariably was, " the 
whisky was to blame."" Where stood those six 
seething still-houses, near beautiful springs and 
never-failing fountains, now stand churches and 
sehoolhouses. and the pure waters are not pttl- 
luted to base uses. 

Singing schools were a source of enjoyment 
in earl}^ times — healthful, pleasurable and in- 
structive. The music was better, no doubt, 
than it is now. judging from the pioneer's stand- 
point, although fine culture was wanting. 
Those stalwart lads with sound lungs, and the 
rosy girls with strong, sweet voices, untrained 
as now. made excellent music. As with spell- 
ing schools, the 3'oung people went far and 
near, night after night, some of the young men 
following the singing master through his week's 
round of appointments and not missing a week- 
day night in a month. Some of them went 
eight miles and returned home the same night. 
The rivalry at spelling schools went beyond all 
bounds. Brothers, proud of their little sisters, 
took them on horseback behind them, eager to 
"show off sis ;"' parents studied the spelling- 
book with their children, and pronounced to 
them, encouraged them bv cheering words, and 
were strong incentives in their laudable and 
zealous efforts. 

Dances and dancing schools were one of the 
sources of entertainment in the long ago. In 
very early pioneer times, and quite before the 
heroic and enthusiastic INIethodist preacher had 
pushed his way into the wilderness of the Far 
West, heads of families sometimes hurried 
through with their day's work, made a kettle 
of mush for the children, gave the elder one his 
orders about caruig for the little ones, told 
him to bury the embers carefully at bedtime, 
and, if remiss, would give him a good scutch- 
ing, and then mounted the same horse from a 
stump at the door, and hied awa}' on liAcly 
gallop to the dance, perhaps five miles dis- 
tant. But, when the ^' still, small voice of 
conscience whispered of a wiser and a better 



way, and of the mysteries of life and death, 
and that — 

" There'll come a day when Ihe supremest splendor 

Of earth, or sky, or sea, 
What e'er their miracles sublime or tender. 
Will make no joy in thee," 

then the men and women were ready and will- 
ing and eager to seek and find that pearl of 
greatest price. 

These people had all the warmth and fire in 
their souls of which to make active Christians. 
At their camp-meetings in the beautiful wild- 
wood, with their frank, honest, luistudied man- 
ners, their native intelligence, and their cordial, 
winsome ways, religion was attractive and lovely, 
and they could not help being zealous workers. 

One poor woman, in giving her experience, 
jears afterward, unconsciously drew an exquisite 
picture for the pencil of the beauty-loving artist. 

She said she was working near the roadside, 
poorly clad, when the sound of singing came to 
her ear — sweet singing of men's and women's 
voices mingling together. It came nearer, and 
her surprise increased, when, in glimpses among 
the dense branches of the trees, she saw a pro- 
cession on horseback. Abashed, she hid her- 
self behind a tree and peeped around. It was 
a company of men and women returning home 
to the southern part of the county (Richland), 
from a great Methodist camp-meeting that had 
been held at "the springs."' The class-leader 
and his wife rode foremost ; her bonnet hung 
by the ribbons down her back, her light brown 
hair lay in loose curls on her shoulders. Her 
face was lighted up beautifully, it seemed the 
glorified face of an angel ; all their ftices glowed 
with a joy such as she had never known in her 
life, and, as they rode, some horses carrying 
double, in and out among the low hanging 
branches, their voices blent in harmony and 
sweetness as they sang that old hymn : 
" What is this that casts you down, 
* What is this that grieves you ? 
Speak, and let the worst be known. 
Speaking may relieve you." 



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256 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



As the music died away in the grand arches 
of the wildwood cathedral, the poor woman 
cried aloud from the great burden of unrest 
that filled her poor soul, and she sank upon her 
knees and wept out her first praj'ei*. She 
wanted to walk in the light, to know the jo}' of 
a soul redeemed, to share in the blessedness 
with those who love the Lord, and, loving Him, 
find peace. Religious meetings were held in 
groves and barns and beside woodland springs, 
and the hospitality of Christian people was 
heavily taxed, but the}' were never cognizant of 
the fact. They enjo3'ed it ; they longed for it ; 
they were the gladdest when the lirethren lay 
crowded in a great "field-bed." on the floor, 
so crowded that perhaps the host and hostess 
had to sleep sitting with their backs against 
the jambs all night, each holding a restless, 
slumbering child, while the sisters lay in the 
"loft." on the loose, clattering clapboards. 
What must the few remaining pioneers think of 
nowadays, when the mistress of the house 
keeps a caller waiting while she arranges her 
clothing or the dear bangs on her prett}- fore- 
head ! 

The early pioneers in Richland Count}' came 
from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New 
York and the New England States. Many of 
them were poor, and, like Jack in the story, 
"came to seek their fortunes." A few came 
with ox teams ; some with horses, two, three or 
four of them ; some in two-wheeled carts, while 
others packed all their worldly possessions on 
a couple of old ''critters." Instances are re- 
lated of a bag on top, or snugged down in 
among the bundles, made somewhat after the 
fashion of a double knapsack, and a couple of 
babies poked their little bronzed faces out of 
the slits in this novel conveyance, and rode 
along like little "possums." The grandfathers 
will tell how knapsacks were made, if the unin- 
itiated will inquire, and they will tell how, with 
their own white-muslin knapsacks slung upon 
their shoulders, they went back to visit the 



old homes of their early boyhood, with hearts 
aching and sorrowing, and hungiy to look upon 
the beloved scenery that was so indelibly 
stamped in their memories. This they did, 
ten or twenty years afterward, on foot, staff in 
hand, like pilgrims going to Mecca. 

From fifteen to fifty-five da^^s were required 
in making the toilsome journey to the Far 
West, by the first pioneers. Streams had to be 
forded frequently. It was not unusual for a 
team to give out on the way and cause a delay 
of a fortnight or a month to one of the fami- 
lies. The joy was very great when the team 
hove in sight and the family rejoined the party 
who had found "the end of the road," or 
stopped until the men looked for a suitable lo- 
cation. The nois}^ joy of Paddy in America, 
meeting Micky, fresh from Ireland, would be a 
suitable comparison to the welcome given to 
the new arrival. 

The Sabbath day was observed in very early 
times by the pioneer families. Thej' met at 
the largest cabin, some one read a sermon, and 
the}' had prayer and singing. Whenever a 
preacher came, an appointment was made and 
word sent out to all the fiilnilies for many miles 
around. 

The first marriages were solemnized by " Par- 
son Scott," a minister living near Mount Ver- 
non. They were conducted as became the solem- 
nity of the occasion. There was no fun, no " run- 
ning after the liottle," and no undue or rude 
merriment at weddings in one part of the 
county, at least. An incident connected with 
one of the first deaths, in 1812, is touching. It 
was agreed upon that if the sick man was in 
danger of. death before morning, the musket 
was to be fired off. Just after midnight the re- 
port of the gun was heard, its echo reverber- 
ated among the hilltops until the ominous 
sound died mournfully away. Men sprang 
from their humble beds, hardly waiting to clothe 
themselves entirely, hurried through the thicket 
path, crossed the creek in the canoe, and when 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



257 



they reached the cabin on the beautiful hill- 
side, they found their neighbor, dead. 

When the iirst grist-mills were made the 
earl}' settlers felt that they would begin to en- 
jo}^ a luxury in bread made of good ground 
corn-meal. Going to mill meant riding off 
from fifteen to thirty miles on horseback, in a 
path through the woods, not wide enough for a 
wagon. A boy, bundled up in the spare clothes 
of his " daddy and mamma," with a chunk of 
corn-bread in his pocket, generall}- made the 
trip in two daj'S. At night he la}" in the mill, 
or in the miller's cabin, on the floor, with his 
feet to the fire. If it was at Beams mill. 
Mother Beam invited the lad to eat mush and 
milk with her family. The fame of " Mother 
Beam's good mush " lives yet. and the pioneer 
boy, remembers how she made it. and he can 
give no higher meed of praise to that article of 
food nowadays, than to say, •' Oh, it tastes just 
like Mother Beam's did ! carries me awa}- back 
to my boyhood ! You must have cooked this 
three or four hours, slowly, like she used to!" 
There are instances of the bag of meal fiiUing 
off the horse, and of the bo}' crying and de- 
spairing ; but, like the good ending to Sindbad's 
stories, a woman, a willing, tender hearted wom- 
an, with cheery words came bareheaded and 
bare-armed from the nighest cabin, and flopped 
the heavy bag back where it belonged and 
swung the lad in place upon it, and patted his 
shoulder and sent him on his way thankful and 
rejoicing , 

In 1820 Judge Thomas Coulter, of Grreen 
Township, devised the plan of constructing a 
large flat-boat, capable of carrying three or 
four hundred barrels, and taking produce to 
New Orleans. This opened a new branch of 
trade, and was successful, and was a means of 
exchanging surplus produce for mone}-. Tlfe 
boat was made large and strong, framed to- 
gether, and the plan was feasible during the 
early spring months, or the breaking-up of 
winter, when there was a freshet. This trade 



was kept up for several years ; perhaps twenty 
or twentj'-five boats went from Perrysville, 
thougli they were nearly all loaded at Loudon- 
ville, below the dam. The Legislature had de- 
clared the Black Fork to be navigable to Trux- 
ville — now Ganges — and some men taking ad- 
vantage of this decision loaded a boat at Per- 
rj'sville and ran over the dam at Loudonville, 
carrying it with the lioat. In the letter of the 
law it was an obstruction. 

The boats were loaded with pork, flour, beef 
and whisky. One very enterprising young man 
took a load once of thirty liarrels of good 
whisky pickles, of his own raising and making. 
He raised the cucumbers on one acre of rough 
ground, and tended them himself He took 
the boat to New Orleans, sold at good figures, 
sent the money home, went away into the 
mountains, was abundantlj- prospered, hired a 
tutor for his five brothers at home, bought 
farms in time for all of them, struck into the 
territories bravely, and at last was shot by the 
Indians, and. Smith was his name. 

" And I shall not deny 
In regard to the same 
What that name might imply." 

After the Ohio Cana). was made, there was a 
dam at Roscoe, but, previous to this, no ob- 
struction was found save the dam at Loudon- 
ville. After boats reached the Muskingum 
River they could travel all night. In the trib- 
utaries they fastened to the bank at night. 
They floated with the current, and men with 
long poles guided when necessary. 

Ninety days were required to make the round 
trip. The man or men were obliged to walk 
home. If they had purchased part of the 
boat load on credit, the notes were given pay- 
able at ninety days. One man took a boat on 
to Richmond, Va., sold out there and walked 
home. Judge Coulter took one to New York 
once. They were at no expense going down 
the rivers, and not much on their way back. 
Judge Coulter was the leading man in the 



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258 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



southern part of the count}-. He was a good 
friend to boys and young men ; he was enter- 
prishig, conscientious and a sound, lionest Clu'is- 
tian. His good deeds live after him. He often 
remarked to liis special friends that he was so 
ashamed one time during court in Mansfield, 
when he was Associate Judge. His son-in- 
law, the Sheriff, lighted candles at nild-(hiy, and 
went humming around like an old humblebee. 
He had been looking ■• upon the wine when it 
sparkled in the glass." 

The military drill, in pioneer days, was the 
grand occasion, (leneral muster, or regimental 
drill, was for a long while held twice a year at 
Mansfield. At that time, the militia of the whole 
county came together ; old friends met, and 
new acquaintances were formed. They asseml)led 
in parade on the square, marched through the 
streets and then went down to the " meadow " 
to drill. If they had arms, they carried them, 
if not, they used canes or mullein stalks. If 
one of the fathers was sick, one of his boys 
took his place — by permission of the C-aptain 
— with gun. cartridge-box and scabbard, answer- 
ing to the name of his father when the roll was 
called. The men met at 10 o'clock, and were 
dismissed at 4, some of them walking to their 
homes, a distance of sixteen miles. Some- 
where between the years 1820 and 1822, a ver}' 
severe storm came up, and the Colonel rode 
down the lines shouting, •■ Dismissed ! Dis- 
missed ! " The Captains repeated the order, 
and the crowd ran for shelter. Some new 
buildings just roofed gave shelter to a great 
many, but there was not room for all in town, 
and many started home. Some I'ushed to the 
••taverns " for something to drink after such a 
wetting, and then a few good fights ensued, as 
the natural result. Old pioneers rememl)er the 
funny fights these occasions afforded. 

It was common among rude l)oys, who luul 
disagreements to settle, to fix the time for 
adjustment on the Fourth of July, the last day 
of school or next o:eneral muster. 



The nearest mails were at Mansfield and 
Mount Vernon. Postage was high, and not 
many letters were written. Later, the mail 
was carried to villages once a week by a boy 
on horseback, who tooted a horn as he rode in 
on a gallop. The sound of the horn was the 
gladdest music known to the hills and vallej'S. 
A man who took one newspaper was called a 
large-hearted, liberal man ; generall}- two or 
three men joined together and subscribed, and 
took turns reading it. Some people refused to 
take a newspaper, for fear of spoiling the chil- 
dren, and making them lazy. The mail-boy, 
who rode on the gallop and tooted the horn, 
was as attractive to imaginative little boys 
then, as the circus-rider is now, and more than 
one little man-child looked longingly forward 
to the time when he could ride, and toot, and 
carry the mail-bag, and enjoy the delectable 
freedom and honor of this enviable place. 

Some old jokes among the pioneers were 
really' funny, and they still have the pith and 
point that they had when the old boys in tow 
shirts and deer-skin breeches laughed over 
them, sixty years ago. One was of a good- 
feeling young fellow, who, in singing schools, 
always sang the line, '• Cover m}' defenseless 
head," as '• Cover mj' deficient head." 

Another was of a woman who prided herself 
on her systematic housewifely accomplish- 
ments ; she never did anything slovenly or 
carelessl}', and, one time when making mush, 
stirrisg it pompously, she stopped and squinted 
into the pot, and then, lifting out a little shoe, 
she said : '• Lawful suz ! who d a thought 
jNIaudy's shoe 'd got lost in the mush ! But. 
then, I might 'a knowed 'twan't lost, for I never 
Jose anything !'' 

And one. too, of an old man whose child was 
drowned in the creek, and the body not re- 
covered. The neighbors sought in vain for it 
man}' days. One morning, the old man, with 
his great red, meat}' nose, his fishing-tackle 
over his shoulder, his trousers harnessed on by 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



259 



one suspender, started off, saying : " Well, I'll 
o-o an" sareh, myself, an', if I don't finrt the 
body, I'll try an git a good mess <i jisJi.'' 

One of the saddest sights that comes to the 
old pioneer now, is to see the old orchard trees 
that Johnny Appleseed nurtured and cared for, 
cut down as worthless, and used to fill up 
ditches at the roadside. This is a common oc- 
currence in different sections of Richland 
County. And yet it is a law of Nature ; with 
her there is no death, no deca3^ everything 
lives anew in one form or another. 

It is related of an apple-tree planted on the. 
o-rave of Rooer Williams, the founder of the 
State of Rhode Island, who died in 1G83, that 
the roots of the tree struck down and spread 
out into the shape of the man, following his 
legs, and arms, and trunk, so that learned men 
declare that Roger Williams passed into the 
apple-tree, and lived again on this earth in an- 
other form — that of luscious, red-cheeked 
apples. Indeed, the question has been asked, 
'' Who ate Roger Williams ? " 

The statue of Sir Robert Peel, a very eminent 
British statesman, was melted over to make one 
for Lord Palmerston. We need not shudder at 
these things, for Nature first set the example. 
When Hamlet spoke of turning the clay of 
Alexander into the bung of a beer barrel, he 
spoke the naked truth. The heathen gods 
vaguely penetrated this great mystery. 

A year means a hundred-fold more now than 
formerly. History is made rapidly in these 
days. The red men's trail across the valle}', 
and over the hills, and along the river's bank, 
could be traced I)}- the fewest number in this 
day ; their favorite haunts and play grounds 
are shorn of their primal charms in the 
sweeping aside of the grand old woodland. Tlje 
cattle upon a thousand hills roam over the 
land that they loved, and quench their thirst 



in the brooks and pools, that long time ago 
mirrored their dusky features. The plowman 
with stolid face upturn in the brown furrow the 
relic that their fingers deftly fashioned, and the 
mattock and scraper bring forth to the glare of 
day and the gaze of the curious, the crumbling 
brown bones of the chieftain and his squaw. 
And the contents of the Indian's grave, the 
moldering clay, will live anew in a pavement to 
be trodden under the foot of men. Ah, these old 
Indian graves on breezy knolls and reedy river 
banks — who knows but the site was selected by 
the sleepei'S therein ! Who knows but they 
dreamed in their moody moments that the tide 
of civilization was slowly coming nearer and 
nearer, to crowd aside their people and intrude 
upon, and finally possess, their vast and beauti- 
ful hunting grounds ? 

It is hard to be reconciled to this natural 
order of things ; to see the pioneers passing 
away ; to see them stand leaning on their 
staves, dim-eyed, and with white locks tossed in 
the winds, dazed at the change that has stamped 
its seal upon the wilderness whose winding- 
paths they once knew so well. They beheld it 
slowly laying off its primeval wildness and 
beauty, and its grandeur of woods and waters, 
until now it blooms like unto the garden of 
the gods. How beautiful the labors of their 
hands ! How much we owe them ! But the 
olden time is passing away and bearing on its 
bosom the dear old men and women whose 
"like we ne'er shall see again." The glory of 
one age is not dimmed in the golden glory of 
the age succeeding it. And none more than 
the pioneers of Richland County can compre- 
hend its growth and its change, or more fully 
appreciate the sad words of the poet when he 
sang in mournful strain — 

"And city lots are staked for sale, 
Above old Indian gi'aves." 



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260 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVI. i 

THE PIONEER SOCIETY. 
The Mketing at Hemlock Falls — The Oroanization at Bellville — The Organization in 1869 — Constitltion 



— The Cevtennial Meeting — The MEETI^G in 
Pioneers. 

FROM time to time, for many years, efforts 
had been made to organize a pioneer as- 
sociation for the purpose of preserving from 
oblivion important facts connected with the 
history of Richland County. Meetings for 
this purpose were occasionally held in different 
parts of the county. An impetus was given to 
this movement many years ago b3' Rev. James 
R. McGaw, who published an historical romance 
in the Mansfield papers, and b}' Gen. Brinker- 
hoff. who. from time to time, urged the neces- 
sity of it in the public prints. About the year 
1856, one of the first, if not the first, pioneer 
meeting in the county, was held at Hemlock 
Falls, in Worthington Township. This meet- 
ing was probabl}' an informal one, but the mat- 
ter of rescuing the early histor}- of the county 
from oblivion was earnestly discussed. The 
meeting was attended by Dr. Bushnell, Gen. 
Brinkerhoff", Rev. James R. McGaw, Dr. J. P. 
Henderson and other influential and interested 
parties. In 1858, Messrs. Cook and Robinson, 
manufacturers of axes, offered a certain num- 
ber of axes to the oldest pioneers then living, 
and a meeting of these pioneers was held in 
Mansfield for the purpose of awarding the axes 
thus offered. 

It was not, however, until September 26, 
1860, that a pioneer society was dul}' organ- 
ized at Bellville, at a fair held in that place. 
This organization, of which the temporary offi- 
cers were John Redding, of Morrow County, 
President, and Miller Moody, of Richland 
County, Secretary, included the veterans of 



1879 — Gen. Brinkerhoff's Address — A List of ihe 

the war of 1812 and the pioneers of Richland, 
, Knox, Erie, Huron, Morrow. Holmes, Wayne 
and Crawford Counties. 

A committee, consisting of H. B. Curtis, T. 
W. Bartley and William Larwell, was appointed 
to report a constitution and names of officers 
for a permanent organization. 

The meeting was addressed by Hon William 
Stanberry, Thomas H. Ford, H. B. Curtis, 
James Purdy and others. 

The permanent organization was effected by 
the election of ex-Gov. Mordecai Bartley, of 
Richland, as permanent President ; Eli Miller, 
of Knox ; Amos A. Coffer, of Licking ; John 
Shauck, of Morrow ; Nathan Haskill, of Ash- 
land ; Jabez Cook, of Richland ; Daniel Riblet, 
of Crawford ; William Larwell, of Wayne ; Abi- 
jah Ives, of Huron ; Elutherus Cook, of Erie, 
and D. P. Leadbetter, of Holmes, as Vice Presi- 
dents ; Miller Moody, of Richland, Secretaiy, and 
Fred M. Fitting, of Richland, as Treasurer. 

The Executive Committee were : Charles T. 
Sherman, of Richland ; Henry B. Curtis, of 
Knox ; William Stanberry, of Licking ; Gen. 
E. W. Benson, of Morrow ; Charles Tannehill, 
of Ashland ; William Musgrave, of Crawford ; 
Martin Welker, of Wayne ; Piatt Benedict, of 
Huron ; George Reber, of Erie, and Josejih 
Ankeny, of Holmes. 

A committee was also appointed to draft a 
constitution to be presented to the Societ}'^ (it 
a future meeting ; and those present were i*e- 
quested to obtain the names of the pioneers in 
their respective neighborhoods, and to obtain 



"~a) 



V 



XI 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



263 



and preserve all matters of historical impor- 
tance. 

Even, while this meeting was in progress, the 
rautterings of civil war were heard all over the 
land, and this, breaking out soon after, swal- 
lowed up all thought of everything save the 
safety of the countrj'. 

Upon the return of peace Gen. Brinkerhoff, 
of Mansfield, and a few others in various parts 
of Richland County, again urged the foi'ma- 
tion of an historical societ}^ This was again 
effected, as far as Richland County was con- 
cerned, in September, 1869, at the county fair 
in Mansfield. 

This meeting was a success, between two and 
three hundred pioneers, who were residents of 
the county prior to 1820, being present. 

The meeting was organized by calling Alex- 
ander C. Welch to the chair. Gen. Brinkerhoff' 
then reported the following constitution, which 
was adopted : 

Article 1. This Society shall be called the Richland 
County Historical Society. 

Akt. 2. Its objects are to collect and preserve 
in proper form, the facts constituting the full history 
of Richland County, Ohio. 

Art. 3. The otBcers of the Society shall consist 
of a President, eighteen Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, 
one Recorder and one Secret.ary. 

Art. 4. 'Ihe officers hereof shall be elected annu- 
ally, at the annual meeting, and shall perform the 
duties usually pertaining to their respective offices. 

Art. 5. The annual meeting of the Society shall 
be held in Mansfield on the last day of the county fair 
of each year hereafter. 

Art. 6. Any person may become a member 
hereof, by signing this constitution and paying into the 
treasury the sum cf '25 cents. 

Art. 7. This constitution may be altered or 
amended at any annual meeting hereafter, by a vote 
of two-thirds of the members present. 

The following-named persons were then 
elected officers for the first year : 

President — Alexander C. Welch. 

Vice Presidents — John Woods, Butler Town- 
ship ; Charles Savers, Blooming Grove Town- 



ship ; J. E. Bevier, Cass ; Michael Keith, 
Franklin ; Calvin Clark, Jackson ; Reulien Ev- 
arts, Jefferson ; Calvin Stewart, Madison ; Da- 
vid Miller, Mifflin ; Daniel Snyder, Monroe ; 
James Doty, Plymouth ; John Steel, Perry ; 
John Finney, Springfield ; Dr. John Mack. 
Sharon ; James Reed, Sandusky ; James R. 
Gass, Troy ; Benjamin Dean, Washington ; 
Nathaniel Pittenger, Weller, and T. B. Andrews, 
Worthington. 

Recorder — Henr}- C. Hedges. 

Secretar}^ — Gen. R. Brinkerhoff". 

Each Vice President was requested to make 
out a full list of the pioneers of his township. 
Addresses were then delivered by James Purdy, 
Mr. Welch and others. 

Notwithstanding the intention of the Society 
to have an annual meeting, for some reason the 
time went by, and for several years no regular 
meeting was held. The officers, however, held 
meetings occasionally, and kept the organiza- 
tion intact. 

The centennial year, however, lu'ought the 
matter again before the people of Richland, as 
w'ell as other counties, and a large meeting was 
held on the Fourth of July. At this meeting 
General BrinkerhoflT delivered an address of 
great value, the larger part of which has been 
incorporated in this history in various places. 
This centennial year gave a great impetus to 
the collection and preservation of pioneer 
history. 

The concluding part of Gen. Brinkerhoff 's 
address is the final verdict of all thoughtful 
students of pioneer times, and was as follows : 

" The settlement of Ohio was a mighty work, 
and those who did it were men of iron nerve, of 
undaunted courage, and persistent force. 

" God Almighty has so arranged and consti- 
tuted the nature of things that nothing gi-eat or 
good, or strong in matter or in mind, comes to 
the earth except it comes through struggle and 
through storm. It is this law, and the struggle 
under it. which has made Ohio, of all the States 



^1 



264 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



of the Union, foremost in war. and foremost in 
the councils of the nation. 

•Tlie original settlers of Richland ('Ounty, 
for tlu; most part, haxe passed away, but their 
childri'n. nurtured in the wilderness, are largely 
with us yet. and to them we of the second gen- 
eration owe a delit of gratitude which we can 
only repay hy imitating their A'irtues. and by 
perpetuating in our children, and through them 
in the generations of the futiu'e. the free insti- 
tutions and the (Christian civilization which they 
have bestowed upon us. I say Christian, because 
our institutions are the outgrowth of Christian- 
ity, as much as the oak is of the acorn. 

" The pioneers of Ohio, for the most part, 
were (irod-fearing, Christ-loving, serious-minded 
men ; their courage w^as a Christian courage, 
rooted and grounded in the hope of a life that 
lies beyond. Wherever they went, churches 
went with tliem ; and, wherever log cabins were 
gathered, there also was the meeting-house and 
the schoolhouse. 

" Men and brethren, fellow-citizens, young 
men and maidens, each and all, old or young, 
who have gathered here to-day, as we stand this 
hour at the threshoh] of a new century, let us 
not mistake the cause of all our gi'eatness, or 
the secret of its continuance. It is not in money ; 
it is not in railroads, or telegraphs, or architect- 
ure, or art ; it is not in the pride and pomp and 
circumstance of tramping armies ; or in a vast 
array of iron-clad vessels, or cannon-mounted 
forts. These are all well enough in their place, 
provided they are the l>attlements and bulwarks 
and ornamentation of that faith in (lod and 
humanity, that heritage of liberty and law 
and righteousness, which our fathers have 
bequeathed to us from their struggle in the 
wilderness. So long as the Repuljlic shall i-e- 
member and cherish the faith of its founders it 
will live. ])ut whenever it forgets it and shall 
recognize no God but the blind evolving forces 
of nature, and shall have no l)elief of life, or 
reward, or retribution l)evoud. it will die. 



'' Long before another centennial day shall 
be celebrated in this place, you and I, who are 
gathered here to-day, will have passed away ; 
and our children also will have passed away ; 
even our tombstones will be moss-grown and 
crumbling, but we may, if we will, keep our 
memory green by transmitting to that genera- 
tion unimpaired the faith and liberty we received 
from our lathers. 

■' For myself I desire to put on record now, 
in the full maturity of every mental and vital 
power, the convictions I have given as to the 
perpetuity of the Republic. 

•'In their lifetime but few men are judged 
rightly, and, therefore, when we die the wisest 
epitaph, perhaps, that can be written is. ' he 
was born and he died.' Still if a hundred years 
hence there are any living who care to remem- 
ber me, and, in looking back through the per- 
spective of a century gone, they can come to an 
honest conclusion that the facts will warrant it, 
there is nothing I can think of that I would 
desire more than that they would add to the 
inscription given, and grave it deeply in the 
granite. ' He loved his country ; he endea\'()red 
in his day and generation to be helpful to his 
fellow-men ; he lived and died in the faith of 
the Divine Nazarene.' " 

The next meeting of the Society was held in 
September, 187S, at the fair grounds in 3Ians- 
fiehl. and was largely attended and very enthu- 
siastic. At this meeting J. H. Cook. James 
R. (lass, Thomas B. Andrews, Samuel McCluer, 
Calvin Stewart, E. W. Smith and (len. R. Brin- 
kerhoft' were appointed an Executive Commit- 
tee for the purposes of keeping up the organiza- 
tion and arranging for future meetings. C'om- 
mittees were also appointed for each township. 

The next spring the P]xecutive Committee 
met at the savings l)ank, and arrangetl for a 
meeting of the Society- to l)e held July 4. 1 879. 
This meeting was held accordingly, was largely 
attended and very interesting. Addresses were 
delivered by some of the aged pioneers present. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



265 



These meetings from year to year are very 
interesting. The gray-haired veterans are 
dropping into the grave one by one. and the 
time cannot be far distant when all those who 
first set foot on the soil of Richland County 
Avill have passed away forever. So it has ever 
|)een — so it will ever be. 

'•Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore 
Who danced our infancy upon their knee, 
And told our marveling boyhood legend's store, 
Of their strange ventures happed Ly land and sea, 
How are they blotted from the things that be! 
How few, all weak and withered, of their force. 
Wait, on the verge of dark eternity, 
Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoan-e. 
To sweep them from our sight I Time rolls his cease- 
less course." 

At the pioneer meeting in 1878. Gen. R. 
Brinkerhoff delivered an address which seems 
so pertinent to the ol)jects of this chapter that 
it is inserted in full : 

" We of this generation are most happy to 
meet so many of the generation which preceded 
us. We rejoice to know that so many of the 
pioneers of Richland County yet remain, and 
we extend to one and all a cordial welcome. 

■It is now seventy years since the first white 
man made his home in Richland County, and 
the dozen years which succeeded his coming 
are those which Ave regard as ' the pioneer 
times.' During those years, the forests were 
subdued, roads were opened, houses were built, 
farms were inclosed, and the wilderness ceased 
to be the abode of wild animals and wilder 
men, and Richland County l)ecame the seat of 
an organized and permanent civilization. After 
1820, the special trials and hardships of a 
pioneer life were ended, and society was orderh' 
and comfortable. It is this heroic age, from 
1808 to 1820, inclusive, that we celebrate to- 
da}-. It is an age of scanty records, and yet 
the deeds of those who lived in it were more 
influential in shaping the civilization which fol- 
lowed than all the other years combined. 
Pioneer times tire tbvnitains in the wilderness 



from which rivers are formed, and whose waters 
through all the coming ages will flow in the 
channels first selected. 

•■ Richland County to-day. with slight varia- 
tions, is what the pioneers made it, and it will 
thus continue through the generations to come, 
until by some catastrophe, chaos and the Avilder- 
ness shall return again. 

" That I do not exaggerate in this estimate 
of pioneer times, let us look at the facts of the 
case in the State of Ohio. 

"1. Our constitution and laws, with all their 
peculiar differences from other States, are sub- 
stantially what the pioneers made them, and, 
labor as we will, it is impossible to secure any 
large . modifications. Take, for example, the 
restrictions upon our (xovernors, and the foi-m 
of our courts — our best thinkers belieAC they 
ought to be changed, and a change has been 
attempted by constitutional amendments, but 
the people promptly vote them down exery 
time. 

" 2. Our political divisions into counties and 
townships, with all their distinctive names and 
local combinations which so powei-fully affect 
the daily associations and life of our people, were 
all substantially the work of the pioneers. The 
boundaries of Richland County, it is true, were 
altered in 1845 and 1848 by the creation of 
Ashland and Morrow Counties, but it was a 
temporary aberration which the people them- 
selves of the districts cut oft' would to-day 
gladly rectify if they could. 

•' 3. The location of cities, eounty seats, vil- 
lages and roads, in which and through wliich 
the public and private life of our people must 
continue fin- the most part to manifest itself, 
remains almost entirely as the pioneers decreed. 
Suppose, for example, that Mansfield had been 
located at Campbells Mill. Avhere James Hedges 
and Jacob Newman first designed and staked 
it out, who can tell what its population and 
local life would have been to-day ? Supposing 
those two men had been New England Yankees. 



\^ d 



'.i. 



266 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



instead of Virginia and Pennsylvania G ermans, 
Mansfield, instead of being platted with a 
market sqnare in the center, with narrow streets 
radiating out in every direction, would have 
been laid out like a checker-board, with broad 
avenues toward the points of the compass, 
and who can tell what a difference it would 
have made in the whole internal life of our 
city. 

" The religious institutions and tendencies 
are mainl}^ as the pioneers made them. The 
most powerful element in the whole structure 
of society is its religion. Men in communities, 
or as individuals, develop according to their 
faith. Unlike an animal, a man's life is the 
outgrowth of what he lielieves, and what he 
believes is for the most part what he is taught 
in his youth. So a community develops ac- 
cording to its faith, and its faith in its fountain 
head is the faith of the men who founded it. 
In accordance with this law, the faith of Rich- 
land County, not only in religion, but also in 
politics, is stamped with the image and super- 
scription of our hard^' pioneers. Coming, 
as they did, in the main from Pennsjdvania, it 
was but natural that orthodox Christianity 
should dominate the county, and that it should 
manifest itself most largel}^ through the Meth- 
odist, Presbyterian and Baptist Churches, and 
so it did, and so it will continue to do for gen- 
erations to come. The pioneers of Richland 
Count}' were stead}', honest and industrious 
farmers, who feai'ed God and hated shams, and 
so to-day, we are unvexed with heresies in re- 
ligion or politics, and John Wesley, John Calvin 
and Thomas Jefferson continue the guiding 
stars of action in church and State with a lai'ge 
majorit}' of our people. 

'' 5. The equality of our social life, with 
none ver}' rich and but few very poor, we owe 
largely to the pioneers. They were mostly 
men of moderate means, and fulfilled the 
prayer of the Psalmist, who desired neither 
poverty nor riches. There were no large landed 



proprietors to absorb the public domain, and 
crowd our population into tenant houses, and 
the result is that to-day the average size of 
farms in Richland County is less than one hun- 
dred acres, and the great body of our farmers 
own the land they till, and non-resident farm- 
ers are few and far Ijetween. The advantages 
of this are immense, and will continue a sub- 
ject of thankfulness for generations to come. 
So in ever}' direction we look we have reason 
to rejoice in the legacies we have received from 
the pioneers of Richland County ; they were 
wise and prudent in their generation, and it is 
just and fitting that we should render honor to 
those who remain among us. 

" Our photographic friends are doing a good 
work in preserving their portraits, but a more 
important work should still be done in preserv- 
ing a record of their deeds. 

" The pioneers of Ohio were a different tj'pe of 
men from those who, for the most part, have 
settled the prairie States to the West of us. 
They were hardier and more adventurous ; and 
for the simple reason that the dangers to be 
encountered, and the difficulties to be over- 
come, were greater. Ohio was a gigantic forest, 
which to subdue was a work in itself so enor- 
mous as absolutely to appal the average civil- 
ized man. It was only the strongest, the bold- 
est, the most courageous, who dared to encoun- 
ter it. The men in war who volunteer to lead"*' 
a storming column in battle are honored for 
life when they survive. So it seems to me we 
should honor those who volunteered to charge 
upon the howling wilderness of Ohio during 
the early }'ears of the present century. No 
wonder Ohio stands to-day the foremost State 
of the Union. Her people are the descendants 
of the might}' men of valor who conquered the 
wilderness. 

" The time will come when the pioneers will be 
more appreciated than they have been hereto- 
fore, and our grandchildren will wonder why 



;v 



jVj 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUI^TY. 



267 



in presei-ving a record of their names and deeds. 
Every effort in this direction is praiseworth}-, 
and even at this late day much can be accom- 
plished. 

" We welcome, therefore, the pioneers of Rich- 
land County. We give them greeting in the 
name of 40.000 citizens who inherit their labors, 
and bask in the sunshine of that civilization 
which they founded sixty years ago. We invite 
you to all the honors of this convention, and 
hope to hear from you of the daj'S and doings 
of the years we celebrate to-day." 

So far as the record of the Society shows, the 
following names comprise a list of the pioneers 
who settled in Richland County, prior to the 
year 1820. This list is very meager and incom- 
plete, but in addition to this the reader is re- 
feiTcd to the histor}' of each township, in the 
gathering of which the compiler has been able 
to add a number of names to the pioneer list. 

Butler Township— Maria Wood, 1818; Su- 
sannah Claberg, 1819 ; Jacob Claberg, 1816. 

Franklin Township — Adam Linn, 1819 ; Mrs. 
E. Pettenger, 181G; Jacob Bradley, 1819; 
Samuel Stevenson, 1816 ; N. Pettenger, 1815 ; 
William Hagermau, 1817 ; ^Irs. William Brad- 
ley, 1818. 

Jackson Township — Henry Taylor, 1817. 

Mom'oe Township — Jane Douglas, 1819 ; 
Mrs. C. Welty, 1819; H. Ritchey, 1815; 
Joseph Williams, 1815 ; Mrs. John Douglas, 
1818; Daniel Cromer, 1815; William Stewart, 
1815; Solomon Gladden, 1817; John Coulter, 
1810 ; Mrs. John Coulter, 1810 ; I. Patterson, 
1817: John Wolfe, 1815; Melzer Coulter, 1811. 

Madison Township — Mrs. H. McLaughlin, 
1816 : William Niman, 1815 ; Stephen Welden, 
1819; John Cline, 1815; Mrs. Jane Broill, 
1815 ; Sarah Fleming. 1818 ; J. H. Cook, 1816 ; 
Mrs. A. Anderson, 1818; Robert Cairns, 1815; 
David Johns, 1812; John Weldon, 1810; 
Robert Larimer. 1815; E. Wilkison. 1817; 
Mrs. John C. Gilkison, 1810 ; Robert ]Maloney, 
1818 ; James Weldon. 1810 ; Eliza Grant. 1815 ; 



Mrs. Jane Newman, 1819 ; William Garrison. 

1815 ; Mansfield H. Gilkison, 1811 ; John Neil. 
1815; Harriet Newman, 1817; Henr}' New- 
man, 1810; Michael Keith, 1817; Mary Crall. 
1814; Mrs. William Garrison, 1819; Mrs. 
Sarah Finney. 1816; Margaret Niman, 1819; 
William Darling, 1814; Henry Cook, 1815: 
Nathaniel :Mitchell, 1815; Calvin Stewart. 
1816. 

^lifflin Township — John A^antilburg, 1815 ; 
Nancy Tagart, 1814; D. M. Snyder. 1815; 
James Raitt, 1814 ; John Yeamon, 1818 ; Elias 
Kissling, 1817 ; Charles Young, 1815 ; Thomas 
StaiTitt, 1816; Mrs. Rebecca Mann, 1814; 
David Miller, 1817; James Church, 1817; 
James Starr, 1816. 

Jefferson Township — ^Irs. Nanc}' Sargeant, 

1816 ; Mrs. Mary Hardesty, 1817 ; Lewis K. 
Leedy, 1811 ; Samuel Shaffer, 1817 ; J.F. Lewis. 
1815; George Coon, 1811 ; Richard Oldfield, 
1810; William Robinson, 1815; J. Flaherty. 
1817; Reuben Evarts, 1816 ; William Weaver, 
1815; Mrs. Catharine Garber, 1811. 

Perry Township — John Steel, 1818. 
Ph'mouth Township — Solomon Loffland. 
1810; Silas Morris, 1818; Alexander Ralston, 

1815 ; James Ralston, 1814 ; James Doty, 1815. 
Sharon Township — ]Mrs. Jane Kingsliorough. 

1816 ; Dr. John Mack, 1818 ; Harrison :\Iickey. 
1819 ; Hiram Wilson, 1818 ; S. Tucker, 1818.* 

Spring-field Township — Mrs. Mary Ann Bar- 
rett, 1815 ; Jeremiah Post, 1816; Mrs. Jane 
Marshall. 1813 ; James Marshall. 1817 ; Joseph 
Welch, 1815 ; Alexander C. Welch. 1815 ; John 
Finney, 1819 ; Julia Dougal, 1816 ; Mrs. Ellen 
Douglas, 1817; Jeremiah Post, 1815; Mrs. 
Jane Williams, 1813 ; Thomas Ferguson, 1817 ; 
A. Mitchell, 1816; Charles Ensell, 1819; J. C. 
Dougal, 1817; Mrs. Mirinda Casebar, 1812; J. 
Dougal, 1817; E. Mitchell, 1816 ; J. Pi'octor, 
1819 ; Mrs. Sallie Welch, 1816 ; Mi-s. M. Dougal. 
1815 ; Mrs. Jennette Welch, 1816 ; Mrs. J. C. 
Barr, 1815; Mrs. Eliza Finney. 1818: Mrs. 
Martha Day, 1816; Mrs. Ann Condon. 1814 ; 



'\L 



368 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



[\. II. Mitchell 1816: James Finney. 1819 ; 
I\lrs. Rosaniui Welch. 1818. 

Troy Township — Mrs. Sarah Johnson. 1815; 
Mrs. Jane Craycraft. 1815; Isaac Uass, 1819 ; 
Mrs. Rachel Dickey. 1814; Amos Day, 1815; 
William Gass, 1812; U. C. Day, 1815; James 
Craycraft, 1815 ; Charles Craycraft, 1815 ; Will- 
iam Post, 1818; Benjamin Oass, 1812; John 
.Meredith, 1818 : Samuel McChier, 1809 ; James 
R. Crass. 1811. 

Washington Township — Mrs. Hamilton Bell. 
1815; James Sirpless. 1815; E.Clark. 1815; 
Thomas Smith. ISKI; John S. Smith. 181(5; 
Thomas Pollock. 1817 ; William Stewart. 1815 ; 
Martha C. Riper, 1818; Hannah Pulver, 1819; 
Mrs. Mary Flint. 1819; Mrs. Ellen Stevens, 
1817 ; Mrs. Margaret Stewart. 1815 : Mrs. Mar- 
tlia A. Craig, 181G ; Mrs. Ellen Smith. 1817 ; J. 
Ford, 1819. 

Weller Township — Miss Sarah Dickson, 1814 ; 
John Ward, 1819 ; John E. Palmer, 1819 ; Mrs. 
Jane Newman. 1819; Mrs. John E. Palmer, 



1819; Samuel Pettenger, 1815; J. S. Houston, 
1814; John Taylor. 1818; J. 0. Hagerman. 
1815; Mrs. Abigail Taylor. 1817. 

Worthington Township — John Bishop, 1817 ; 
Mrs. Thomas B. Andrews, 1815. 

The following names appear in the Society 
report, unconnected with any township ; Mar- 
garet Cunningham. 1809; (Jeorge Dean. 1812 ; 
Hiram E. Gibson, 1818 ; Mrs. D. Dean, 1812 ; 
. Hemy Amsbaugh. 1815; Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, 
1816 ; George Amsbaugh. 1814; George Mull, 
1814; Mrs. Mary Bradley, 1818 ; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Baughman, 1819; Mrs. Mary Shirley, 1812; 
Mrs. E. Zent, 1809 ; Mrs. C. Coates, 1819 ; Mrs. 
Harriet Hedges, 1815; M. Day, 1815; A. A. 
Riche}', 1815 ; George Mitchell, 1817; Samuel 
Harmon, 1819; Alexander Robinson, 1814; 
Jonathan Peters, 1816 ; John Crawford, 1811 ; 
C. C. Coulter, 1818; Andrew Mason, 1814; 
William Bradley, 1819 ; John Doty, 1815 ; John 
Wiler. 1819; "Priscilla Burns, 1817; Gayier 
Blair, 1815. 





^ 



JOHNNY APPLESEED. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



■> ® 



260 



/L 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



JOHNNY APPLESEKD." 



A HISTORY of Ohio, and especially of 
jL^ Richland County, would be incomplete 
without some account of this very eccentric 
individual, known as Johnn}- Appleseed from 
the fact that he was the pioneer nurseryman of 
Ohio. 

Johnny Appleseed deserves a place in history 
among the heroes and martyi's, for he was lioth 
in his peculiar calling. His whole life was 
devoted to what he considered the public good, 
without regard to personal feeling, or hope of 
pecuniary reward. Not once in a century is 
such a life of self-sacrifice for the good of others 
known. There has been but one Johnny Apple- 
seed ; it is hardly possible there will ever be 
another. 

He was born, according to one or two authori- 
ties, in Massachusetts, about the year 1775 ; was 
first heard of in Ohio about the year 1801, and 
was known to huve traversed Richland Clounty 
for the first time about 1811. The date of his 
birth is shrouded in uncertainty. Mr. C. S. 
Coffinberry writes the following regarding this 
matter : " He was born in the State of Massa- 
chusetts, but at what period the writer never 
knew. As early as 1780. he was seen in the 
autumn, for two or three succe'ssi^^e years, along 
the banks of the Potomac River, in Eastern A"ir- 
ginia." If this be true, he must have been born 
some years before 1775. Why he left his native 
State and de\'oted his life to the planting of 
apple-seeds in the West, is known only to him- 
self He may have been insane, he was generally 
so considered to a certain degree. He was cer- 
tainly eccentric, as many [)eople are who are 
not considered insane : it is hard to trace eccen- 



tricity to the point where insanity begins. He 
was certainly smart enough to keep his own 
counsel. \y ithout doul )t his was a very affection- 
ate nature ; every act of his life reveals this most 
prominent characteristic. From this fact alone 
writers have reasoned, and with good ground, 
that he was crossed in love in his native State, 
and thus they account for his eccentricit}'. This 
is only supposition, however, as he was very 
reticent on the subject of his early life. He 
was conscientious in every act and thought, and 
a man of deep religious convictions. He was a 
rigid Swedenl)orgian, and maintained the doc- 
trine that spiritual intercourse could be held 
with departed spirits ; indeed, was in frequent 
intercourse himself with two of these spirits of 
the female gender, who consoled him with the 
news that they were to be his wi^•es in the future 
state should he keep himself from all entangling 
alliances in this. So kind and simple was his 
heart that he was equally welcome with the 
Indians or pioneers, and even the wild animals 
of the woods seemed to have an understanding 
with Johnu}- and never molested him. He has 
been variousl}' described, Init all agree that he 
was rather below the medium height, wiry, quick 
in action and conversation, nervous and restless 
in his motions ; e^'es dark and sparkling ; hair 
and beard generally long, but occasionally cut 
short ; dress scant}', and generally ragged and 
patched ; generally barefooted and liareheaded. 
occasionally, however, wearing some old shoes, 
sandals or moccasins in ver}' cold weather, and 
an old hat some one had cast off. It is said he 
was seen sometimes with a tin pan on his head, 
that served the double purpose of hat and 






^ 



270 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



mush-pot, at other times with a cap made by him- 
self of pasteboard, with a very broad visor to 
protect his e^es from the sun. 

His diet was very simple, consisting of milk, 
when he could get it, of which he was very 
fond ; potatoes and other vegetables, fruits, and 
meats ; but no veal, as he said this should be a 
land flowing with milk and honey, and the 
calves should be spared. He would not touch 
tea, coffee or tobacco, as he felt that these were 
luxuries in which it was wicked and injurious 
to indulge. He was averse to taking life of an}^ 
animal or insect, and never indulged in hunting 
with a gun. 

He thought himself ■" a messenger, sent into 
the wilderness to prepare the way for the peo- 
ple, as John the Baptist was sent to prepare the 
wa}' for the coming of the Savior." He gathered 
his apple-seeds, little by little, from the cider 
presses of Western Pennsylvania, and putting 
them carefully in leather bags, he transported 
them, sometimes on his back, and sometimes on 
the back of a broken-down horse or mule, to 
the Ohio River, where he usuall}' secm-ed a 
boat and brought them to the mouth of the 
Muskingum, and up that river, planting them 
in wild, secluded spots all along its numerous 
tributaries. Later in life, he continued his oper- 
ations further West. When his trees were 
ready for sale, he left them in charge of some 
one to sell for him. The price was low — a " fip- 
penny-bit " apiece, rareh' paid in money, and, if 
people were too poor to purchase, the trees were 
giA^en them. One of his nurseries was located 
on the flats, within the present limits of Mans- 
field, near where once stood the Pittsburgh, 
Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Depot. His 
residence in Mansfield covered the period of the 
war of 1812, and several years following it. 
From this, as headquarters, he would occasion- 
ally make trips further West, and return again 
after an absence of two or three months. On 
these excursions, he probabl}' visited his sister, 
Persis Broom, who lived in Indiana. 



Mr. C. S. Coffinberry, who was personally 
acquainted with him, writes thus : " Although 
I was but a mere child, I can remember as if it 
were but yesterday, the warning cry of Johnny 
Appleseed, as he stood before my father's log 
cabin door on that night — the cal)in stood where 
now stands the old North American in the city 
of Mansfield. I remember the precise language, 
the clear loud voice, the deliberate exclamations, 
and the fearful thrill it awoke in my bosom. 
' Fly ! fly ! for your lives ! the Indians are mur- 
dering and scalping the Seymours and Copuses.' 
These were his words. My father sprang to the 
door, but the messenger was gone, and midnight 
silence reigned without. * * * John Chapman 
was a regularly constituted minister of the church 
of the New Jerusalem, according to the revela- 
tions of Emanuel Swedenborg. He was also a 
constituted missionary of that faith under the 
authority of the regular association in the city 
of Boston. The writer has seen and examined 
his credentials as to the latter of these." He 
always caiTied in his pockets books and tracts 
relating to his religion, and took great delight 
in reading them to others and scattering them 
al)out. When he did not have enough with him 
to go around, he would take the books apart and 
distribute them in pieces. 

He was really one of the greatest benefactors 
of Richland County, as large orchards flour- 
ished in different parts of the county as the 
result of his labor. Besides the cultivation of 
apple-trees, he was extensively engaged in 
scattering the seeds of man}' wild vegetables, 
which he supposed possessed medicinal quali- 
ties, such as dog-fennel, penny-roj-al, may-apple, 
hoai'hound, catnip, wintergreen, etc. His olyect 
was to equalize the distribution, so that every 
locality would have a variety. His operations 
in Indiana began about 1836, and were con- 
tinued ten years. In the spring of 1847, being 
within fifteen miles of one of his nurseries 
ries on the St. Joseph River, woi-d was brought 
to him that cattle had l)roken into this nursery 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



271 



and were destroying his trees, and he started 
immediate]}' for the place. When he arrived, 
he was ver^- much fatigued ; being quite ad- 
vanced in years, the journey, performed without 
intermission, exhausted his strength. He lay 



down that night never to rise again. A fever 
settled upon him, and, in a day or two after 
taking sick, he passed away. " We buried him." 
says 3Ir. Worth, " in David Archer's gi'aveyard, 
two and a half miles north of Fort Wayne." 




^■. 



a) \ 



(S k>. 



_-« ?v 



hL 



272 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

INDIAN TROUBLKS. 

War ok 1812 — Alarm of thk .Settlers — Block Houses — Greentown Indians and their Removal — James 
Corns — His Influence over the Indians — Burning of the Indian Village — Captain Armstrong — 
The Killing of an Indian by Morrison and McCulloch — The Jones Tragedy — Search for the 
Murderers of Jones — The Killing of Ruffner and the Zimmers — Sketch of Ruffner — Battle on 
Black Fork and the Murder of James Copus — Removal of the ('opus Family — Mrs. Sarah Vail 
— Killing of two Indians near Mansfirld. . 



WHEN war was declared with Great Brit- 
ain, in the spring of 1812, a feeling of 
uneasiness ran through the border settlements. 
The Indians had always been allies of the En- 
glish as against Americans ; and they would 
have been equally allies of any other power 
that would have assisted them in regaining 
the territory that was being rapidly wrested 
from them by the advancing pioneers. 

Tecumseh, the brave and eloquent chief, was 
earnestly engaged in uniting the Indian tribes, 
inducing them to take up the hatchet, and, with 
the help of the British, drive the Americans 
from their country. Very few soldiers were then 
upon the border for the protection of the set- 
tlers ; block-houses and means of defense were 
scarce. When the American commander, flen. 
Hull, surrendered, this feeling of insecurity was 
increased to one of alarm. It was supposed 
that a British invading army would immedi- 
ately cross the State of Ohio, and that the In- 
dians would be let loose upon the defenseless 
settlers. Block-houses were immediately erect- 
ed for protection— they sprang up, like mush- 
rooms, almost in a single night. Two were 
erected on the site of Mansfield ; one on Rocky 
Fork, at Beams mill (now Goudy's mill) ; one 
on the Clear F<n'k of the ^lohican. and one where 
Ganges now stands. Within reach of these 
rude works the pioneers felt comparatively safe. 
A few of them could defend themselves aoainst 



quite a force <;)f savages ; and, as rapidly as 
possible, these works were occupied by sol- 
diers. 

There had l^een, for some 3'ears, a camp of 
Indians at Greentown on Black Fork— about one 
hundred of them. A few were Mohawks, but 
most of them were Delawares, under an old 
chief named Armstrong. They had always 
been friendly and neighborly with the whites, 
and quite a settlement of white people had 
gathered around them. Fearing that Tecumseh 
would influence these Indians to engage in the 
war, and that they would suddenly fall upon 
the settlers and murder them, the military 
authorities determined to remove them. It 
was the policy of the Government to gather all 
the friendly Indians together as much as possi- 
ble — to separate the sheep from the goats, as it 
were — that it might knoAv who were its friends 
and who its enemies. This was the motive for 
the order removing the Greentown Indians. 
However unjust it might seem to drive them 
from their homes and hunting-grounds, it was 
in accoixlance with a general policy that seemed 
to be for the best. A great many friendly 
Indians were gathered near the present site of 
Piqua. Ohio, where they were under the protec- 
tion and supervision of the military. To this 
place it was decided to remove these Indians, 
and that task was intrusted to Col. Samuel 
Kratzer, who had arrived in Mansfield with his 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



273 



cominuiid from Knox Couiitv. His soldiers 
were scattered about the vicinity. Iniilding 
hloelv-liouses and doing garrison duty. One 
company, under command of Capt. ]\Iartin, was 
stationed at the block-house at Beam's ]Mill. 
In 8epteml)er. Col. Kratzer sent a company- of 
soldiers, under Capt. Douglas, to bring the 
Grreentown Indians to Mansfield. It was a del- 
icate and disagreeable duty. When Douglas 
arrived at the village and reported his mission 
to the chief. Capt. Armstrong hesitated a])out 
obeying the order. He had eighty fighting 
men under his command, and could ha^•e made 
a vigorous resistance. It seemed cruel to 
remove these people from their homes, w^here 
they Avere living quietly, attending to their own 
business, molesting no one. living mostly in 
comfortable cabins, and surrounded by their 
families and the comforts of life : in a country 
wonderfully beautiful, wdiicli they had always 
called their own. What wonder is it that they 
hesitated to obey this peremptory- order ? These 
Indians were in a great degree under the influ- 
ence of Christianity. 3Iissionaries had visited 
them regularl}- for j-ears, and preached in their 
council-house. The}- traded freeh* with the 
whites, and were more intelligent and fui'ther 
on the road to ciA^lization than most other 
tribes. Their village site had been selected for 
the romantic beauty of its scenery ; it is said 
by those who visited it at that period that no 
more lovely spot could be found : 3-et they 
must leave all this at the bidding of destim*. 
It seems as if it was ordained that this race 
should be ground to powder under the heel of 
civilization. 

" Let them take the last look at the grass-covered grave, 
Where rest the remains of their forefathers brave : 
The hills and the valleys, the dark, waving woods, 
The murmuring brooks and broad, rolling floods : 
The bold, massive rocks which environ the shore 
Where the bright waters dance and the wild torrents 

roar — 
Bid a lasting farewell to each family spot, 
And march to where destiny fixes their lot." 



The Indians were thrown into a violent state 
of excitement upon the appearance of the sol- 
diers for their removal. Capt. Armstrong trem- 
bled with suppressed emotion ; so much so that 
he could hardly reply to Capt. Douglas. The 
camp w^as like a powder magazine — a spark 
would have caused an explosion — a word would 
have brought on a desperate struggle. Doug- 
las, finding he would have some difficulty, con- 
cluded to go to Mr. James Copus, for his advice 
and assistance, desiring, if possible, to avoid 
bloodshed. 

James Copus was the first settler in Mifflin 
Township. He was born in (ireene Count}-, 
Penn., about the year 1775 ; married in his 
native county in 1796 ; emigrated to Kich- 
land County, in March, 1809, and settled on 
the Black Fork of the Mohican. He first 
located about three miles east of the present 
site of Charles' Mill, on what has since been 
called 8eymore"s Run, where he erected a camp 
cabin of poles. In this cabin he lived eighteen 
months, when he moved down nearer to Black 
Fork, about three-fourths of a mile from that 
stream, where a beautiful spring gushes from 
the foot of a high rocky ridge or blufl'. Here 
he built a permanent cabin on land he had 
selected, and began clearing off a farm. Mean- 
while, he had become well known to the Clreen- 
town Indians ; was on the most friendly terms 
with them, and was much respected liy them. 
He was a man of strong religious convictions — a 
Methodist, and frequently preached for them in 
their council-house. He was a stout, fearless, 
industrious Cxerman, and soon had a small patch 
cleared about his cabin, fenced with brush and 
logs, and planted in corn. He possessed a yoke 
of oxen and a cow or two. A few white neigh- 
l)ors soon gathered around him, among whom 
w-ere James Cunningham. Andrew Craig, David 
and Samuel Hill and Mr. Lambright. The set- 
tlement came to be known as the Black Fork or 
Copus settlement. The Indians soon learned 
to trust Mr. Copus, to believe in his honesty 



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274 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



and fidelity, and, in consequence, lie soon ac- 
quired great influence over them. It was to 
this man that Capt. Douglas went, to secure, if 
possible, his influence in getting the Indians 
removed without a conflict. Mr. Copus enter- 
tained some peculiar views respecting human 
rights ; his sympathies were with the Indians, 
and he was strongly opposed to their removal. 
He liked them as neighbors, believed they were 
inclined to peace, and could not see the neces- 
sity of driving them from their homes. He 
entered into a long conversation with the officer 
respecting the justness of his mission. He 
maintained that they had suffered the most 
shameful wrongs, and that a God of mercy 
would require restitution from the hands of the 
whites. He at first refused to assist the officer, 
declaring to him, that, if he would not disturb 
them, he would, himself, stand accountable for 
their conduct. All Mr. (1opus' arguments were 
to no purpose. The officer stated simply that 
his orders were peremptory to remove them, and, 
however unjust it might be, he could not do 
less than obey orders. ^Ir. Copus saw that if 
he did not use his influence and persuade the 
Indians to go peaceably, there would be blood- 
shed, and. with this view, he at last agreed to 
accompany the officer to the Indian village'; 
first stipulating, however, that, should the Indi- 
ans quietly surrender, their lives and property 
should be protected. This Capt. Douglas prom- 
ised ; and. taking with him his three sons, Henry, 
James and Wesley, they proceeded to the vil- 
lage. Through Mr. Copus' influence, the Indi- 
ans were pursuaded to go quietly away with the 
soldiers, after receiving assurances that their 
prc^perty should lie protected and restored to 
them, and that they should be protected on the 
march. Prior to this, the Indians had assured 
Peter Kinney, a neighl)or, that, if permitted to 
remain, they would surrender all their guns and 
warlike-like weapons, and answer to roll-call 
every day, but, as Capt. Douglas had no dis- 
cretionary power, this could not be done. 



A schedule of their property was taken by 
James Cunningham and Peter Kinney, and they 
took up their line of march across the Black 
Fork, turning their faces from a home they, as- 
a tribe, were never to see again. They were 
taken across to the new State road, thence to 
Lucas, and from there to Mansfield, camping 
in the deep ravine, which now crosses the First 
Ward, abo^e the bridge on South Main street. 
It is now called Ritters Run. Some eight or 
ten soldiers straggled from Douglas' command, 
and remained behind at the Indian village. No 
sooner had Armstrong and his people disap- 
peared in the forest, than these soldiers deliber- 
ately, to the surprise and distress of Mr. Copus, 
set fire to the village and bv;rned it to the 
ground. Nearly everything the Indians left 
behind was consumed. The village contained 
some sixtj- comfortable log houses, a large 
council-liouse, and much personal property, 
which the Indians were unable to carry with 
them. 

This is the statement of ]Mr. Wesley- Copus, 
who was present. He is now dead, but the 
statement was written down in his presence, 
and by his dictation, some years before he 
died. He attributed the untimely death of his 
father to this act of perfidy on the part of 
Douglas' command. 

After being joined by a few Indians from 
Jeromeville, Col. Kratzer and his command con- 
ducted the Indians through Berkshire and across 
Elm Creek, in Delaware County, to Piqua. 

It is said the Indians discovered volumes of 
smoke rising over the treetops, surmised that 
their property was being burnt, and some of 
them vowed a terrilile vengeance. 

Capt. Thomas Steene Armstrong, chief of the 
Greentown Indians, whose Indian name was 
Pamoxet, was born in Pennsylvania, somewhere 
on the Susquehanna River. He was not a full- 
blooded Indian, but very dark skinned ; the 
name Steene probably alluded to some white 
relative. In this country he first came into 



(s~ 



rv 



^- 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



275 



notice at the ti'eat}' of Fort Industry-, July 4, 
1805. He was probably' chief of the Turtle 
branch of the Lena Lenapf, or Delaware trilie. 
and located at (rreentown, about the time Capt. 
Pipe made his residence near Mohican Johns- 
town. He was often visited by the Moravian 
missionary Heckewelder. long before any white 
settlers made their appearance. 

At the time these white settlers came, Capt. 
Armstrong appeared to be about sixty -five 
years of age ; was a small man, slightly stoop- 
ing, rather dignified and reticent, dressed in full 
Indian costume, and appeared to advantage. 
He had two wives — one an old squaw, by whom 
he had James and Silas, and, probably, other 
children. He married a young squaw in 1808, 
by whom he had children. He frequently vis- 
ited the cabin of James Copus, and made 
sugar there the first spring after his arrival. 
James and Silas often shot at a mark, with 
bows and arrows, with James and Wesley 
Copus, in the sugar camp. They also 
amused themselves by hopping, wrestling, 
and other l)oyish sports. Armstrong had 
two Indian slaves, or servants, both deaf 
They were of some other tribe. He was a 
harmless old chief, and treated every one veiy 
kindly. The favorite hunting-gi"ound of his 
tribe was in Knox County, along Owl Creek and 
its tributaries, and they frequentl}^ had difHculty 
with the early settlers of that region. After 
their removal to Piqua, Armstrong settled in 
the Upper Sandusk}' region, among the Dela- 
wares and Wyandots, and never returned to 
Greentown ; his boys, however, James and 
Silas, frequently came back. The chief was a 
good Indian Doctor, and could talk very good 
English. His descendants married among the 
Wyandots and Delawares, and, when these tribes 
were removed, went with them bej-ond the 
Mississippi, settling near Wyandot, Kansas. 

During the short time the Greentown Indians 
were encamped in Mansfield, two of them, a 
warrior and his daughter, a little girl, escaped 



from the guards and made their way toward 
Upper Sandusky. This Indian's name was 
Tol)y ; he did not belong to the Greentown In- 
dians, but to another tril)e located at Upper 
Sandusky. For some reason, his little daugh- 
ter had been living with the Greentown Indians, 
and, when he found they were being removed 
by the Government, he came to take her home, 
and met her at Mansfield. Here he found her 
under guard, and, not being -able to get her 
away openly, he succeeded in getting her 
through the guards, and they stai-ted for Upper 
Sandusky. At that time there was, in Col. 
Kratzer's command, a company of soldiers from 
Coshocton, and, among them, two men by the 
name of Morrison and McCulloch ; the latter 
had had a brother killed by the Indians at the 
battle of Brownstown. These two men took 
their rifles and started in pursuit of the fugi- 
tives, on the Sandusky trail. Two miles out, 
they overtook and immediately fired upon them, 
wounding the father. They then returned to 
town. The Indian ran about forty rods, to a 
stream, and laid down in it. Morrison and 
McCulloch told what they had done ; and a 
company of soldiers, under Sergt. J. C. Gilkin- 
son, and accompanied by the two scouts, Mor- 
rison and McCulloch, went out to look for the 
wounded Indian, and found him still alive, 
lying in the stream. As the}^ approached, he 
lifted his hands, imploring mercy, but there 
was no mercy for him. Morrison drew his 
tomahawk from his l^elt and handed it to 
McCulloch, saying, '• Take revenge for your 
brother's blood." McCulloch walked deliber- 
ately up, and, in spite of the entreaties of Mr. 
Gilkison, sank the tomahawk into the Indian's 
skull up to the handle. 

They then took the body out of the water, 
and, having piled some logs on it, left it for the 
present and went home, taking along the gun, 
tomahawk, and other articles belonging to the 
Indian. Some days after, they returned, cut ofl?" 
the head of the Indian, scalped it, brought it 



276 



HISTORY OF PtICHLAND COUNTY. 



tx) town and stuck it on a pole in the street, 
where it remained several days, when some one. 
becoming disgusted with the sight, took it down 
and Iniried it. Dr. J. P. Henderson, still liv- 
ing, adds to the aboAc the following : •■ The 
scalp they filled with whisk}-, handed if aroitiid 
and drank from /7. though mixed with l)lo()d." 

The daughter escaped, and, after living nine 
days on berries, arrived safely at Sandusky. 
Nothing could be done to punish Morrison and 
McCuUoch for this crime, as there was a stand- 
ing order that all Indians found in the woods, 
outside the guards, should l)e shot. 

Aliout the same time the Indians were re- 
moved from (Ireentown. Levi Jones was killed, 
near Mansfield. On the 13th of August. 1812, 
John Wallace, and a man by the name of Reed, 
went out a half-mile east of town to elear off 
a place for a l)rickyard. In the afternoon. Le\'i 
Jones, who kept a grocery in the cabin on the 
Sturgis corner, went out where they were at 
work and remained with them some time. In 
retiu-ning. he took a diflferent route from the 
one l)y which he went out. it lieing a trail 
through the woods. When he reached the vi- 
cinity of the brick l)lock lately known as the 
Friendly luu. and near the foot of the hill on 
the east side of North Main street, he was fired 
upon by a party of Indians in ambush. It is 
supposed this was a party of the (Ireentown In- 
dians. They probably had some grudge against 
Jones, who sold whisky, and had troul)le with 
them at different times on this account. One 
shot took effect, the ])all entering the Ixu-k of 
the left hand, passing through the iiand and 
entering the right breast. The hand through 
which the ball passed was confined at his breast 
by a sling, in consecjuence of a felon on his thumb. 
Jones did not fall immediately, but. giving a 
yell of pain and alarm, started on a run for the 
block-house. He might have reached it. but 
unfortunately came in contact with a lirush 
across the path, which threw him backward 
upon the ground. Before he could regain liis 



feet, the Indians were upon him, and finished 
their work ]\y stabbing him several times in 
the Ijack. They then scalped him. and. having 
secured his hat and handkerchief gave the 
scalp-yell and left. 

John Pugh and Mr. AVestfall were working a 
few rods from the place, and, hearing the yell, 
ran into town and gave the alarm. They re- 
turned, and found Jones lying dead in the trail, 
but, fearing an ambush, left him there and 
returned to the l)lock-house. In a A-ery few 
minutes everyliody in the vicinity heard the 
news, and all immediately took shelter in the 
block-hoiise. The excitement was very great ; 
they momentarily expected an attack. During 
all this time, the supposition was that Reed and 
AVallace. 'who were clearing the brickyard in 
that direction, had also been killed by the 
Indians, and that the latter were still lurking in 
the neighborhood. The wi^-es of Reed and 
Wallace were almost frantic, thinking their 
husbands had been murdered. It was now 
about sundown, and, as it seems there were no 
soldiers in the block-house at that time, it was 
determined to send immediately to Mount A^er- 
non for help. Who would volunteer to go. was 
the question. It was a hazardous journey ; 
whoever volunteered would stand a fair chance of 
losing his scalp. It happened that, just at that 
time, the eccentric but l)rave Johnny Appleseed. 
was present. He immediately vohuiteered to 
undertake the hazardous journey, and starti'd 
about dark, liareheaded and barefooted, through 
the wilderness. He i-eached Blount A^ernon in 
safety, and with such expedition that Capt. 
(}arey. with a party of soldiers, was at the 
block-house by sunrise the next morning. 

On this journey, Johnny Appleseed gave a 
warning cry at every cabin he passed, informing 
the inmates that Reed. Wallace and Jones were 
killed, and that the Indians wei'e passing south. 
There was something awful, it is saiil. in 
Johnny's warning ery. as he pounded at the 
door of each cabin he passed, and shouted to 



^1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



277 



the inmates : " Flee ! flee ! for 3'Oiir lives ! The 
Indians are upon you." and. before the}' could 
open the door, or fairly e(jmpreliend his mean- 
ino-, this angel of mercy had disappeared in tlie 
darkness and night, on liis way witli the fleet- 
ness of a deer to the next cabin — 

•• And, pressing forward like the wind, 
Left pallor and surprise heliind." 

Siiortly after Jolniny left. Heed ami Wallace 
made their appearance at tiic block-house, safe 
and sound, to the great joy of all. 

When tlie soldiers arrived in the morning, the 
V»(xly of Jones was brought in on a sled and buried, 
and a search made for any savages that might 
be lurking about. The place where the Indians 
had tied their horses was found near the foot 
of the hill upon which Judge (reddes now 
resides. The next day Capt. Douglas raised a 
company of fifteen volunteers, and started on 
the trail of the Indians, following it to Upper 
Sandusky. They came so near the fugitives 
on the second day. that they found their camp- 
fires still l)urning. At Upper Sandusky 
thev found Gov. McArthur. with a company 
ft'om Chillicothe. and remained there several 
da^'S. searching in the Indian camp for the mur- 
derers of Jones, Init did not find them. Some 
three hundred friendly Indians were encamped 
there. Douglas did not thinlv it safe to return 
by the way he went, and came liack liy way 
of Fredericktown. The men were roughly 
dressed, and had handkerchiefs tied about their 
heads instead of hats. They looked more like 
Indians than white men : and, as they were 
going into Fredericktown. tliey fired off their 
guns l)y way of salute, and greatly frightened 
the inhaljitants. Two women fainted in the 
street, and a general stampede for the block- 
house took place. 

The murder of Jones must have happened a 
few days before the removal of the Green- 
town Indians, as at that time soldiers were 
already occupying the block-houses on the 
square. 



Two weeks after the removal of the Green- 
town Indians, Martin Ruffner, and the Zimmer* 
family, living on the Black Fork, about five 
miles north of the site of the burned village, were 
murdered. The deed was supposed to ha^'e 
been committed ])v a portion of Armstrongs 
band, in retaliation for the injuries they had 
suflered. and it was also supposed they had a 
grudge against the Zimmer family, as mem- 
bers of that family had, on different occasions, 
tied clapboards to the tails of their ponies. 
Their pomes were allowed to run loose in the 
woods, and annoyed Mr. Zimmer by getting 
into his corn-field. Any insult to their ponies was 
made a personal matter, and resentedaccordingiy . 

Martin Rufther came from Shenandoah Coun- 
ty, Va.. and settled in Pleasant Township, Fair- 
field County. Oliio. in 1807. He was accom- 
panied by his mother, brother Micliael, and a 
sister, who married one Richard Hughes. Mar- 
tin Ruffner returned to Vii-ginia a year or two 
before he settled in Richland County, and mar- 
ried. In the spring of 1812, he and his rela- 
tives located on what is now Staman's Run, in 
Mifflin Township, half a mile a little north of 
west of the present village of ^Mifflin. He was 
of German origin, a bold, fearless backwoods- 
man, and an uncompromising enemy of the 
Indians, several of his friends and relatives hav- 
ing been murdered by them. On his aiTival in 
Mifflin, he built a cabin on the brow of the hill, 
not far from the Black Fork, about five minutes" 
walk from the present residence of ^Ir. Jacob Sta- 
raan. and on the latter's farm. While building this 
caliin and clearing ai'ound it, with the help of a 
bound boy named Levi Franghiser, his mother 
and brother ^Michael boarded with his brother- 
in-law. Richard Hughes, while he and Frang- 
hiser kept •■ liachelors hall "' at the caliin. 
They had just entered their lands at Canton, 
and wei-e preparing for a permanent residence. 

* This has generally been written •'Seymour." but the correct 
name has been ascertained to be Zimmgr. The settlers in that 
direction (including this family) were Germans, and their pronun- 
ciation of the name Zimmer sounds very much like " Seymour," 
hence the mistake. 



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278 



HISTORY OF RTCHLAND COUNTY. 



Mr. Zimmer, with his family, came about 
the same time, located his land and built his 
cabin about two and a half miles southeast of 
Ml'. Ruflf'ner. His family' consisted of his wife, 
a ])eautiful daughter named Kate, and his son 
Phillip, aged nineteen. He was an old man, 
not able to do much work, and, desiring to pre- 
pare some fifteen or twenty acres for corn, he 
employed Michael Ruft'ner to assist his son 
Phillip. 

Early in September, one afternoon, while 
Michael Ruffner was walking along the trail 
leading from the cal)in of Frederick Zimmer to 
that of his brother, he met a party of Indians,* 
who were well armed with guns, knives and 
tomahawks and appeared ver}- friendly. They 
asked him if the Zimmers were at home, and, 
upon receiving an affirmative reply, passed 
on. Having his suspicions aroused, he hastened 
to the cabin of his brother Martin, and informed 
him of his meeting witli the Indians. Martin's 
suspicions were aroused, and, taking down his 
rifle, he mounted a fleet mare, and rode rapidly 
down the trail to the Zimmer cabin. He arrived 
before the Indians ; and after a short consulta- 
tion it was decided that Phillip Zimmer should 
hasten to the cabin of James Copus, who lived 
about two miles further south, on the trail, give 
the alarm in that neighborhood, and return with 
assistance. Meanwhile the brave Ruffner was 
to remain and defend the family. Phillip Zim- 
mer hastened to Mr. Copus' cabin, and from 
there to John Lambright's, two miles further 
south on the Black Fork. Lambright returned 
with him, and, joined by Mr. Copus, they all pro- 
ceeded together to the Zimmer cabin, where the}' 
arrived in the early part of the evening. Finding 
no light in the cabin, and all being silent, fears 
were entertained that the inmates had been 
murdered. Mr. Copus moved cautiously around 
to the back window, and listened a moment ; 
but, hearing no movement, he crept quietly 

*Oiie account makes the number two, anotlier three, another 
four, and still another, five. 



around to the door, which, oh examination, he 
found slightly ajar, and, pressing upon it, found 
some obstruction behind it. He at once sus- 
pected the famil}- had been murdered ; and, on 
placing his hand upon the floor, found it wet 
with blood. There was no longer any doubt. 
Hastening back to Phillip and Lambright, who 
were concealed a short distance from the cabin, 
he stated his discoveries and convictions. 

Phillip became frantic with grief and excite- 
ment, and desired to rush into the cabin to learn 
the whole truth. In this he was prevented by 
the others, who feared that the Indians were 
yet concealed in the cabin, awaiting his return. 
Persuading Phillip to accompany them, they 
hastened back to the cabin of Mr. Copus, and, 
taking the latter's family, the}' all proceeded as 
rapidly as possible to Mr. Lambright's. This 
family was added to their numl)ers, and they 
pushed on to the cabin of Frederick Zimmer, Jr., 
Phillip's brother, and he and his famih- joined 
the fugitives. They hastened along an Indian 
ti-ail, near where the village of Lucas now 
stands, and stopped at the cabin of David Hill, 
where they remained until the next morning, 
when, accompanied by the family of Hill, all 
proceeded to the block-house at Beam's mill. 
This fort was then occupied by a company of 
soldiers under Capt. Martin. A party of these 
'Soldiers, accompanied by Mr. Copus, Phillip and 
Frederick Zimmer, Hill and Lambright. all well 
armed, proceeded by the most direct route 
through the forest, to the cabins of Martin Ruff- 
ner and Richard Hughes. They found the 
cabin of Ruffiier had not been disturbed, the 
boy Franghiser having slept there alone the 
night before ; and the cabin of Hughes was also 
undisturbed. Ruffner had, a short time prior 
to this, upon the surrender of Hull, sent his 
wife and child to Licking County, to a Mr. 
Lair, or Laird, an uncle, who lived about one 
and a half miles from Utica. At Ruffner's 
cabin, the}' were joined by Franghiser, Michael 
Ruffner and Mr. Hughes, and all hastened down 



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HISTOKY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



281 



the trail to the Zimmer cabin. Entering it, 
they found the old gentleman, the old lady and 
Catharine, all dead upon the floor, and dread- 
fully mangled. The gallant Rufl'uer was lying 
dead in the yard. There was every evidence 
that he had made a desperate struggle for his 
life and that of the Zimmers. His gun was 
bent nearly double, and several of his fingers 
had been cut off by blows from a tomahawk. 
The struggle had finall}' ended by his being 
shot twice through the body. The details of 
this butchery could never be certainly known, 
as the prominent actors were all killed ; all had 
also been scalped. It appeared that the table 
had been set with refreshments for the savages, 
and most of the food remained. Whether any 
of the Indians were killed, is not known ; they 
would have taken their dead away with them, 
and destro3^ed all evidences, if such a catas- 
trophe had happened to them. It is supposed 
that eight or ten Indians were engaged in this 
tragedy. 

There is a tradition among the early settlers, 
that an Indian by the name of Kanotchy was 
taken prisoner some years afterward, and re- 
lated the story of this massacre. It appears 
from this statement that the Indians entered 
the cabin and seated themselves very sullenl}-, 
while the terrified Kate was setting refresh- 
ments for them, as was usual. The heroic 
Dutchman was the only guard of consequence, 
as Mr. Zimmer was too old to make much re- 
sistance. The Indians made the attack very 
suddenly. Ruffiier, not having time to fire, 
clubbed his rifle, broke the stock in pieces and 
bent the barrel double in the terrilile fight. The 
odds were too much for him, and he soon went 
down before superior numbers. As soon as he 
was out of the way, they killed and scalped the 
old people. At the commencement of the 
aflray, Kate fainted and fell to the floor, and, 
until aroused from this state of syncope, was 
unaware of the murder of her parents. When 
she came to her senses, she looked about 



upon a scene of blood and horror, and burst 
into a paroxysm of weeping. She begged the 
savages to spare her life, but all to no purpose. 
They first ascertained from her where her 
father's money was concealed, and then buried 
the tomahawk in her brain. While she was in 
a senseless condition, a consultation had been 
held over her, to decide whether they should 
kill her or take her prisoner. It was decided 
that her life should be taken, but still they hesi- 
tated, as no one wished to do the deed. At 
length it was decided that the one who should 
perform the deed, should be considered as pos- 
sessing the gi'eatest heart, whereupon this same 
Phillip Kanotchy stepped forward, exclaiming, 
" Me kill white squaw, me got big heart." When 
Kate saw the tomahawk descending, she raised 
a beautiful white arm to ward ofl' the blow, 
which, falling upon the arm, nearly severed it 
in twain ; a second blow did the work — one 
quiver, and the lovely life went out. 

She was engaged to be married to Mr. Henry 
Smith, who was at that time in the East, attend- 
ing to some business ; they were to be married 
upon his return. 

Martin Ruffner and the Zimmers were buried 
on a little knoll near the cabin, in one gi'ave, 
where the remains still lie. The farm is now 
owned by a Mr. Culler. After performing the 
last sad ceremonies over the remains of the 
murdered pioneers, the}^ returned to the block- 
house at Beam's, and Michael Ruff'ner, his 
mother, and Hughes and family returned to 
Fairfield County, where they remained. 

The settlers were thoroughly aroused by the 
tragedy, and all fled to the block-house for 
safety. 

When Mr. James Copus and family had 
remained about five days at the block-house, 
they became tired of staying, and, hearing 
nothing of the Indians, determined to retiu'n. 
Having always enjoyed their respect and confi- 
dence, and having always been their firmest 
friend, he felt that they could harbor no ill will 



V 



>>, 



282 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COl^NTY. 



toward him or his ttimily. C^iipt. Martin pro-, 
tested ajiaiust his return, saying that in the 
present excited state of aftairs he would be 
running great risk. As Mr. Copus insisted on 
going, nine soldiers were detailed to aeeompany 
him. Mr. Oopus had seven ehildren, mostly 
small. They all arrived safely at tlie cabin, 
and found everything as they had left it. In 
the evening. Mr. ('opus invited the soldiers to 
sleep in the cabin, but, the weather being yet 
warm, they preferred to take quarters in the 
barn, which stood four or five rods north of the 
cabin, on the trail,* that they might have a bet- 
ter opportunity to indulge in frolic and fun, and 
be less crowded and under less restraiAt. 
Before retiring, Mr. Copus cautioned them 
against surprise by any Indians that might be 
lurking about. During the afternoon, Sarah, a 
little daughter of Mr. Copus. aged twelve, still 
living (November. 1879). went into the corn-field 
a few rods south of the cal)in, and. while there, 
saw an Indian in the edge of the woods skulk 
behind a brush-heap, but, unfortunately, did 
not relate the circumstance to her father. This 
child, now Mrs. Sarah Vail, aged seventj^-nine, 
says the reason why she did not tell her father 
of her discovery is that he was a very strict 
man in regard to truth, and, fearing she might 
have been deceived, did not wish to incur his 
displeasure by creating a false alarm. 

That night the dogs kept up a constant bark- 
ing, and Mr. Copus had many unpleasant dreams 
— sleeping but little. He was evidently im- 
pressed that danger was lurking near. Before 
daylight, he invited the soldiers into the cabin, 
telling them he feared some great disaster was 
about to overtake himself and family. He 
again laid down to rest, and, when daylight 
began to appear, the soldiers insisted on going 
to the spring, about three rods away, to wash. 
This spring is one of the finest of the many fine 
springs in Mifflin. It gushes from the base of a 



*A barn occupies the same spot still, and the trail is now a 
well-traveled road. 



hill several hundred feet high, in a large, glittering 
current of pure soft water. Mr. Copus again cau- 
tioned the soldiers of impending danger, telling 
them that Indians were certainly in the neighboi*- 
hood or liis dogs would not have made such a 
noise, and urged them to take their guns with 
them to the spring. They promised to do so, but, 
on passing out, leaned them against the cabin 
and went on to the spring. Fatal mistake! The 
Indians, who had been lurking about the ca1)in 
all night, were watching for just such an oppor- 
tunity as this. Swiftly, silently, stealthily, as a 
cat creeps upon its prey, they closed in upon the 
doomed cabin, and, before the soldiers were 
aware of their presence, were between them and 
their guns ; then came the horrid war-whoop as 
a score or more of painted warriors rushed upon 
them with tomahawk and scalping-knife. It 
seems that only seven of the soldiers went to 
the spring to wash, the other two — George 
Luntz and another whose name is not given — 
were not probably just ready to wash, and were 
in the cabin when the attack was made. Of 
the seven at the spring, three were instantly 
killed. Three more, whose names were (leorge 
Shiple}, John Tredrick and a Mr. Wai-noek, 
finding retreat to the cabin impossible, fled to 
the woods. These were pursued by the Indians, 
and two of them tomahawked ; the third. ^Ir. 
Warnock, being fleet on foot might have escaped, 
but could not outrun a bullet. They fired at 
him many times while running, one of the balls 
finally passing through his liowels. The Indians 
were not aware they had shot him, and gave 
up the chase. He only went a short distance, 
however, when, growing weak from loss of blood, 
he sat down by a tree, stuffed his handkerchief 
in the wound and died. 

The only soldier who regained the cal)in was 
Mr. Greorge Dye, who broke through the mass 
of savages, and sprang through the cabin door 
just as it was opened by Mr. Copus. He, how- 
ever, received a ball through his thigh as he 
entered. As soon as the attack commenced, 



■^ 



HISTORY or EICHLAND COUNTY. 



283 



Mr. Copiis sprang from his bed. seized his gun 
and rushed to the door. Just as he opened it, 
Oeorge Dye sprang through, and a volley of 
rifle balls came with him. One of these balls 
gave 3Ir. Copus a mortal wound, passing through 
his breast. ^Ir. Copus had raised his rifle, and, 
just as he was wounded, fired at an Indian but 
a few feet away, who fell. The ball that caused 
^Ir. Copus' death passed through the strap that 
supported his powder-horn. This horn is yet in 
possession of the family ; it is a large, hand- 
some one. and a rare relic. iNIr. Copus fell and 
was conveyed to his bed, where he Ijreathed his 
last in about an hour, while encouraging the 
soldiers to fight the enemy, and, if possible, 
save his tamily. On the east of the cabin 
extended a range of hills several hundred feet 
high, covered with timber and huge rocks, which 
furnished an excellent cover for the enemy, and 
gave them a position from which they could fire 
down upon the cabin ; they were not long in 
seeking this coAer, and, from their secure hiding- 
places. p)ured down ui)on the caliin a perfect 
storm of leaden hail. The door and roof were 
soon riddled with bullets. The soldiers tore 
up the puncheons of the floor, and placed 
them against the door to prevent the balls 
from penetrating to the interior of the cabin. 
Nancy Copus, a little girl, was wounded in 
the knee by a 1)all that passed through the 
door. One of the soldiers, George Launtz, had 
his arm l)roken ])y a ball while up-stairs remov- 
ing the chinking, in ord(?r to get a •• crack " at 
an Indian. He soon caught sight of an Indian 
peering from behind a medium-sized oak that 
stood on the side of the hill about a hundred 
yards away, and, taking deliberate aim, shot the 
savage, who Ijounded into the air and rolled to 
the foot of the hill into the trail. 

The firing became incessant on l)oth sides ; 
wherever the soldiers could make or find a place 
to fire through they returned the Indian fire 
with precision and eftect. One savage fell mor- 
tall}- wounded directly in front of the cabin, 



early in the engagement, whether from the ball 
from the rifle of 3Ir. Copus is not known. 
During the battle he was endea^'oring to crawl 
toward the trail, and, although moaning and 
evidently dying, he attempted several times to 
elevate his rifle in order to discharge it upon 
the cal)in, but his strength failed him. A 
soldier, seeing him attempting to shoot, sent a 
friendly bullet to ease him of his earthly cares 
and anxieties. He was shot through the head. 

The l)attle lasted from daylireak until about 
or 10 o'clock, when the savages, finding they 
could accomplish nothing more, raised the 
retreating yell, gathered up their dead and 
wounded (one account says nine in number) and 
left ; first firing upon a flock of sheep, which, 
during that eventful morning, had huddled 
together upon the brow of the hill, looking 
down in strange bewilderment .upon this scene 
of bloodshed. The poor aflfrighted animals 
tumbled down the hill, one after another, until 
thej lay in a heap at the bottom. 

As soon as the Indians disappeared, one of 
the soldiers crawled out through the roof of the 
cabin, and made all possible haste to the block- 
house at Beam's for assistance. The day l:)efore. 
Capt. Martin had agreed to call at the Copus 
cal)in the same evening^with a number of sol- 
diers and remain all night. But he and his 
soldiers, having been scouting all day and 
finding no signs of Indians, concluded that all 
apprehensions of danger were frivolous, there- 
fore neglected to appear as agreed. He 
encamped above, on the Black Fork, and, on the 
morning of the disaster, moved leisurel}' down the 
trail from the direction of KuflTner's, reaching 
the scene of the fight too late to aid in the fear- 
ful struggle. On approaching the caliin, he and 
his soldiers were awe-stricken on beholding the 
work of death around them. They attended 
at once to the wounded, and the grief-stricken 
family of 3Ir. Copus, Avho were weeping OAcr 
the murdered husljand and father. Search was 
made for the Indians, but, from the trail through 



S) \ 



^^i=±: 



'^ 



284 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



the weeds that grew hixuriantly around the 
base of the hill, it was found that they had 
retreated around the southern brow of the bluff, 
gone up a ravine about a quarter of a mile 
away, and fled in the direction of Quaker Springs, 
in Vermillion Township, and hence pursuit was 
abandoned. 

Mr. Copus and the murdered soldiers were 
buried bj' the command in one grave, at the 
foot of an apple-tree, a few yards south of the 
cabin, where their bones yet repose. Capt. 
Martin then took the famil}^ and wounded, and 
began his march to the block-house. Proceed- 
ing up the valley about half a mile, they halted 
for the night, placing pickets about the camp 
to prevent surprise. In all, there were about 
one hundred persons in this camp that night. 
The wounded were carried on poles, over which 
linen sheets had been sewed, making a sort of 
stretcher. The next morning the little armj' 
passed up the trail, near the deserted cabin of 
Martin Kuffner ; crossing the Black Fork about 
where the State road is now located ; that being 
the route by which Martin had advanced. The 
whole party reached the block-house in safety 
that evening. About six weeks after this, 
Henry Copus and five or six soldiers returned 
to the cabin, and, on their wa}', found Mr. War- 
nock leaning against a tree, as before stated, 
dead. They buried him near by. The two 
dead Indians, the one in the front yard and the 
one at the foot of the hill below the oak, were 
still there, and were, doubtless, afterward 
devoured l)y wolves. 

Thus ends the last tragedy of the Grreentown 
Indians. Their reasons for killing the Zimmer 
family have been noticed. Their reasons for 
killing Mr. Copus probably were that he had 
been instrumental in getting them removed ; 
that is, feai-ing bloodshed, he had used his influ- 
ence to get them away peaceably, on promise 
that their property should be protected. Find- 
ing their village destroyed, they entertained 
bitter and revengeful feelings toward Mr. Copus. 



As to the number of Indians engaged, nothing 
whatever is known. It was found on examina- 
tion of the neighborhood of the Copus cabin, 
that forty-five fires had been kindled, just south 
of the corn-field, near where Sarah had seen the 
Indian. These fires had been kindled in small 
holes, scooped out of the ground to prevent 
their being seen. Mrs. Vail thought the 
Indians had feasted on roasted corn the even- 
ing before the attack. Some writers upon this 
subject have inferred from the number of fires 
that there were forty-five Indians engaged in 
the attack. This reasoning is erroneous, as 
Indians have frequently lieen known to build 
fires for the purpose of deceiving their enemies ; 
and, on the other hand, half a dozen Indians 
might have used one fire. 

Mrs. Copus and her fixmily were removed to 
Guernsey County, Ohio, by Joseph Archer and 
Gleorge Carroll. They were hauled through the 
forest to Clinton, Newark, Zanesville and Cam- 
bridge, by a yoke of cattle, in an ordinary cart. 
The journey consumed many days, during 
which most of the family were compelled, on 
little food, to walk over a rough path, wade 
small streams, encamp by the waj^side, and al- 
ways in fear of being pursued and captured by 
the savages. They returned in 1815, and found 
their cabin as they had left it. A few of the 
Greentown Indians had also returned and re- 
erected their cabins, but peace had come by 
that time, and changed, somewhat, the savage 
nature of their Indian neighbors, with whom 
they ever after lived in peace and friendship. 

There are yet a few mementos of that 
battle on the Black Fork remaining. A 
single log of the old cabin remains, and 
is doing duty in a smokehouse on the 
premises. The oak, behind which the Indian 
was shot, still stands on the hillside, its top 
partly dead. A neat frame house stands a few 
feet west of where the cabin stood, and is oc- 
cupied by Mr. John W. Vail. The spot is a 
lovel}' one. To the east, the steep, precipitous 



& 



K* 



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^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



285 



hill rises abruptly, and is yet covered with tim- 
ber and great rocks. It is several hundred feet 
high, and from its base still gush the waters 
of the beautiful spring, just as they did on that 
fatal morning when its waters were dyed with 
human blood. Half a mile south, on the Black 
Fork, lives 3Irs. Sarah Vail, in a cabin alone, 
which she has occupied fifty-five years. She 
and her sister, Am}' Whetmox'e, now living in 
Seneca Count}', are the only surviving members 
of the Copus family, and were witnesses of the 
battle. Mrs. A^ail was eighty years old Jan- 
uary 1, 1880. Her mind is still clear and 
strong, and she has a vivid roeollectiou of that 
fearful tragedy. 

After the war, the Indians came straggling 
])ack, to occupy their old hunting-grounds. 



although but few of them had any fixed resi- 
dence. 

One day, two of them — young men — by the 
name of Seneca John and Quilipetoxe, came to 
Mansfield, became intoxicated and quarreled 
with some white men at William's tavern, be- 
fore mentioned, which stood on the present site 
of the North American. 

They left about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, 
and, shortly after, were followed by the white 
men, who vowed vengeance. They overtook 
them a mile east of town, shot them down, and 
buried them at the foot of a large maple at the 
edge of a swamp, thrusting their bodies down 
deep into the mud. The skeletons are probably 
there yet. The place is known as '• Spook Hol- 
low." 




^ 



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X^ 



286 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

WAR OF 1812. 

War Preparations in the State — Conoition of the Frontier — Hull's Surrender — Disposition of Troops 
—Erection of Block-Houses— Sketch of Gen. Beall's Life — Organization of his Army — Scarcity 
OF Supplies — Beall's March — Camp Council — Meeting among the Troops — Gen. Harrison Arrives 
— His Speech — Gen. Beall's Difficulty with Gen. Wadsworth — Arrested, Court-Martialed and 
Acquitted — His Brigade Disbanded — The Expedition of Gen. Crooks and Col. Anderson — The 
Statement of John F. Rice regarding the Battle on Lake Erie and Death of Tecumseh. 



THE difficulties which led to the war of 
1812 need not be repeated here. Early in 
the spring of that year, it was evident to Pres- 
dent Madison and the whole country that a war 
must ensue, and. more than two months before 
the declaration of war, the great State of Ohio 
was preparing for it. The command of (xen. 
Hull rendezvonsed at Dayton in April, and. 
while on their march northward, war was 
declared on the 18th of June. The arm}' was 
at the time passing through the Auglaize 
region. 

3Iansfield, a little hainlet in the wilderness, 
was at that time on the extreme frontier border. 
There were few, if any, settlers north or west of 
it. The line of the new settlements then 
extended through Canton, Stark County, and 
Wooster, Wayne Count}, to Creentown and 
jNIansfield, the latter being the extreme out- 
post — located in the midst of savage tribes 
that had always been the friends and allies 
of .the British, and which, it was reason- 
able to believe, would again join the Brit- 
ish standard. Hence the uneasy feeling, the 
thrill of fear that ran through this region, 
when war was declared. Hitherto, for many 
years, the Indians had been peaceable and 
friendly, therefore the settlers had not thought 
it necessary to construct block-houses for 
defense, and, at the time war was declared, no 



block-houses were in existence on this extreme 
frontier line, where they were most needed. It 
was not until the surrender of Hull, August 16, 
1812, that the pioneers began the erection of 
block-houses. Hitherto, the people had confi- 
dence in this army, feeling it would stand 
between them and their savage enemies, and 
the surrender came like a clap of thunder from 
a clear sky. Meanwhile, the militia of the 
State had been gathering in every direction ; 
the Governor, Return J. Meigs, and other offi- 
cers, were working hard to get the tirmy into 
fighting trim and get forward supplies. Upon 
the news of Hull's surrender, all the militia in 
the State Were moved forward to the frontier 
line. Col. Samuel Kratzer, stationed with his 
regiment aj; Mount A^ernon, was ordered to 
move forward to Mansfield. A company of 
men from Coshocton, under Capt. Williams, had 
preceded him and erected a l)lock-house on the 
public square ; another block-house was erected 
at the same time on the square by Capt. 
Shaffer, of Fairfield County. These block- 
houses sprang up as if liy magic all along the 
frontier line. One was erected on the Rocky 
Fork, three miles below Mansfield, at Beam's 
Mill ; another by Samuel Lewis on Clear Fork ; 
another by James Loudon Priest on Lake Fork. 
At the same time, or a little before, block- 
houses had been erected at Fredericktown and 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COI^NTY. 



287 



at Clinton, Knox County ; also at Bellville. and 
one (according, to the recollection of Dr. Busli- 
nell) east of Lucas, on the Rocky Fork, near the 
eastern line of Monroe Township ; Thomas Coul- 
ter's cabin, near Perrysville, was converted into 
a block-house ; there was a block-house at 
Wooster, then a small village, and Capt. Mur- 
ray, of Gen. Beall's arm}^, was sent to Jerome- 
ville, where he erected a block-house for the 
protection of the settlers along the Lake and 
Jerome Forks. Many families, not near enough 
to get into these block-houses, or preferring to 
remain nearer their homes, collected together 
and fortified the strongest of their cabins. 
There was a good deal of fear and confusion 
along the frpntier, the settlers fearing that the 
Indian hordes of Tecumseh would soon be 
upon them. However, in a few days after the 
cowardly surrender of Hull, the frontier line 
was fairly protected. On the west end, at 
Upper Sandusk}-, was (len. Harrison, awaiting 
supplies and re-enforcements ; at Mansfield was 
Col. Kratzer with several companies of militia 
and two good block-houses ; at Wooster, (len. 
Beall was collecting an army, and between 
Wooster and Mansfield the difterent block-houses 
were rapidly garrisoned by the troops of Beall 
or Kratzer. The line was very quickly com- 
plete, though weak in places. Roads had been 
cut between these points so that any part of 
this line could be speedily re-enforced. This 
was the condition of things in Septemljer, 
1812. 

Early in September. Gen. Reasin Beall began 
raising a brigade for the protection of the 
frontier and the assistance of Gen. Harrison. 
As it is necessary to give pretty fully the par- 
ticulars of this expedition, a sketch of Gen. 
Beall's life may be appropriately inserted here. 

Reasin Beall was born in Maryland, Decem- 
ber 3. 1769 ; removed with his parents, while 
yet young, to Washington County, Penn., where 
they made a permanent settlement. In 1790, 
Beall served in Gen. Harmar s campaign against 



the Indians, as an oflflcer in the Quartermaster's 
department, and was in the action under Col. 
Hardin, when that oflflcer was defeated near 
Fort Wayne, by the Indians under Little 
Turtle. Beall then returned to his friends in 
Pennsylvania, and was not in the disastrous 
campaign of Gen. St. Clair : but, when Wa3'ne 
took command of the army, and led it to vic- 
tory over the Miami Indians, he accompanied 
him in the capacity of Ensign. In this cam- 
paign he became intimately acquainted with 
Captain, afterward General, Harrison, who 
was on Gen. Wayne's staff. In 1793, he re- 
signed his position in the army and retiu-ned 
to his friends in Pennsylvania, where he was 
married to Miss Rebecca Johnson. In 1801, 
he removed with his family, and settled, for a 
short time, in Steubenville ; removing, in the 
fall of 1803 to New Lisbon, in Columbiana 
County. He was here when the war of 1812 
began, holding the position of Clerk of the 
Court. He had served long enough in the 
army to give his mind a military turn, and to 
render his services desirable l)y the Govern- 
ment. Soon after his removal to New Lisbon, 
he was made Colonel of militia, and, a few 
years afterward, was promoted to Brigadier 
General, which office he held at the breaking- 
out of the war. When the news of the sur- 
render of Hull reached him, Gen. Beall put him- 
self at the head of his command, and marched 
to the relief of the settlements in Richland and 
Wayne Counties. His command was made up 
of a regiment from Jefferson and Han-ison 
Counties, a regiment from Columbiana, and a 
small draft from Stark, all of which rendez- 
voused at Canton, in Stark County, where Gen. 
Beall. being the senior otficer, took com- 
mand. While collecting and drilling his troops 
at Canton, Gen. Beall sent forward a few squad- 
rons in detachments, to reconnoiter the country 
west, afford pi'otection to the ti-embling settlers, 
and garrison the newly constructed block- 
houses, beginning his march with the main army 



4 



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288 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



(about two thousand men), the hitter part of 
August.* 

The General Government had no military 
stores from which supplies could be drawn, nor 
was it possible to obtain a sufficient quantity 
of cloth, or a reasonable number of lilankets, to 
supply the army then in the service with even 
one-half which the health and comfort of the 
troops required ; nor had the State any means 
of meeting the necessities of the troops on 
short notice. The consequence was that those 
who were unable to purchase their own neces- 
saries (and most of them were) suffered greatly. 
To supply the army with rations in a very 
sparsely settled frontier region, where the 
inhabitants were few in numljer and had not 
enough for themselves, and the commissary 
department destitute of funds to purchase or 
transport from a distance, was a matter of the 
utmost difficulty ; indeed, it presented a barrier 
almost insurmountable. With all these diffi- 
culties, Gen. Beall felt the necessity of pushing 
forward, his first day's march taking him to the 
Tuscarawas River, near where Massillon is now 
located. After halting here a few days, he 
continued his march into the present county of 
Wayne, and camped about three weeks on 
the west side of the town of Wooster. Here 
he erected a block-house, and was joined 
by two or three new companies. His camp 
here was called " Camp Christmas."' Here he 
learned of the Zimmer murder, and dispatched 
a company of men to that neighliorhood. This 
company returned in a few days, and reported 
that they were unable to find the Indians who 
committed the murder. 

From Camp Christmas the arm}' continued 
its march west, so as to cover the border settle- 
ments, encamping the first night on the west 
bank of the Killbuck, cutting a road wide 
enough to permit the baggage wagons to pass. 

* One authority fays, Gen. Beall began organizing his troops 
about the 25th of September ; another, that he had arrived at 
Wooster, with the main body of his army, when the Zimmer and 
Copus tragedies occurred. As these tragedies occurred early in 
September, the above date is believed to be correct. 



From there, ]:>y the most direct route, a road 
was cut to Jeromeville. At the latter place, 
Gen. Beall detached Capt. Murray to occupy 
the block-house, and at the same time sent 
forward a party of pioneers, under guard, 
to cut a road through to the State road, which 
had been opened from Zanesville to the mouth 
of Huron River. This party started west, 
about 12° north. About three miles from 
Jeromeville the army camped on a small 
stream, on what was subsequently known as 
the Griffin farm. This camp was called " Mus- 
ser," in honor of Maj. Musser, who commanded 
one of the regiments. They remained in this 
camp, in the northern part of Vermillion Town- 
ship, about two weeks, and it was during their 
sta}' here that the " Battle of Cowpens " 
occurred, referred to in the histor}' of that 
township. 

The pioneers, who had been sent forward, 
cut the road through the north part of Vermill- 
ion and south part of Montgomery, passing 
two or three miles east of the present town of 
Ashland, and through Milton Township, in a 
northwesterly direction. This was known many 
years as "Beall's Trail," and was used as a 
common highway bj' the settlers. Gen. Beall 
then moved forward, aiming to keep between 
the enemy and the settlement, and encamped 
on a small stream near the present site of the 
village of Olivesburg, within the present limits 
of Richland County. This was called " Camp 
Whetstone." owing to the quality of stone 
found there, which made excellent whetstones. 
Remaining there aljout a week, he moved for- 
ward to the present site of the Shenandoah ; 
thence he turned southwest about one and a 
half miles, and again went into camp on the 
bank of a small stream, and on the north and 
south road, to better enable him t(j get forward 
supplies. 

The troops of Gen. Beall had been called into 
service by the Governor of the State for the 
purpose of protecting the frontier settlements. 



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i^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



289 



Impressed with the importance of his move- 
ments, his obligations to the settlers and to his 
country, Gen. Beall halted here for the purpose 
of holding a council with the judicious men of 
the State, and. in the mean time, sent out in 
various directions detached parties of troops to 
reconnoiter the surrounding country and report 
occasionally at headquarters. For this reason 
he named it " Camp Council." It was exceed- 
ingly difficult now to procure rations, as the 
army had advanced into the unsettled part of 
the country. The troops were compelled to 
live on half rations, and for a day or two they 
received only enough to keep soul and l)ody 
together. This caused a spirit of mutiny to 
appear among a few of the troops, who quietly 
began to make preparations to march to their 
homes. About a week from the time the troops 
went into camp here, and the evening previous 
to the morning on which the mutineers above 
mentioned intended to depart, a stranger sud- 
denly made his appearance from the south on 
the Huron trail. The sentinel, named Hacke- 
thorn, who was stationed on this post, says the 
stranger was on horseback, and was followed 
by seven mounted Indians, in Indian file. 

" Halt ! " said the sentry. 

The stranger stopped and said he wanted to 
pass through. 

" You can't pass without the countersign." 

" I don't know the countersign." 

" You can't pass, then," replied Hackethorn. 

" But I miisf pass, ' said the stranger, and 
started up his horse. 

Hackethorn cocked his musket, and the man 
again halted. He then informed the stranger 
if he moved another step he was a dead man. 

•' You would not slicxjt a man. would you ? " 
said the stranger. 

'• I would." 

After some further parley, Hackethorn called 
to the next sentr}-, and in this way convej'ed 
the intelligence to the officer of the guard, who 
came out and at once addressed the stranger as 



Gren. Harrison, and allowed him to pass. Har- 
rison turned to Hackethorn and said, •• That's 
right, young man. Let no one pass without 
the countersign ; it is the only way to keep 'em 
at gun's length." 

It was dark when Harrison rode into camp 
and located at headquarters. 

The next morning the troops were ordered to 
parade in close column at precisely' G o'clock, 
which order was promptly ol^eyed. As the}- 
thus stood at •' parade rest," some fifty of them 
appeared with their knapsacks and blankets 
buckled on. ready to commence their homeward 
march. At this moment, when a bi-eatliless 
silence pei-vaded the whole encampment, the 
Commander-in-Chief of the Northwestern Army 
(whose presence w^as unknown to the troops) 
stepped from the headquarters tent, and, mount- 
ing the trunk of a large tree, which lay within 
two feet of the front line, addressed the 
troops as follows: " Fellow - soldiers, we 
are called upon to vindicate our rights, to 
repel the insults, and chastise the arrogance 
of a supercilious nation, which has invaded 
our rights, insulted our flag, impressed our 
citizens, and totally disregarded our remon- 
strances. It is thus demonstrated, that we 
must either teach that nation that the pi'Ogeu}- 
of the Revolutionary fathers have not degener- 
ated and become dastards, ^or tamely siibmit to 
the dictation of that haughty people, and be 
reduced to vassalage. Can a man be found in 
this brigade who is willing to surrender to the 
British Government the liberties achieved by 
the Revolutionary patriots ? I trust no such 
individual can be found in the State or nation. 

" I have been informed that rebellion against 
the authority of j'our General has been threat- 
ened, and that the mutiny is to be consummated 
this morning by the mutineers departing for 
home. Soldiers, if you go home, what will 
your neighbors say ? Will they not frown upon 
you ? How will your wives look upon you ? 
They will shut the doors against 3'ou. Young 






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200 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



men. your sweethearts would scorn you ; all 
would call you cowards. No class of people 
are so innnediately interested in defending their 
countr}' as those in Ohio. The Indians have 
already commenced their incursions in jour 
State, and already have barbarously murdered 
several families. Should we all abandon the 
defense of the State, the British Army could 
safely march to the Ohio River, and take pos- 
session of the State. You are defending your 
wives and children, your fathers and mothers 
and your property. It is true you have met 
with some privations, but, as soon as we can 
obtain the necessaries required, all crooked 
things shall be made straight. Your sufferings 
are light, compared with those of your sires in 
the war of the Revolution. They were content 
with such fare as the limited means of the 
colonies at that time could furnish. They 
could ofttimes l)e traced, when marching to 
meet the enemy in Ijloody conflicts, by the blood 
that issued from their l)are feet upon the frozen 
earth. Fellow-soldiers, cultivate a spirit of 
subordination, patriotism and courage, and ere 
long the recent victory gained at Detroit by the 
enemy shall be refunded with double interest, 
and ultimately the haughty British Lion shall 
be subdued by the talons of the American 
Eagle.'' During the delivery of this speech, 
those troops who had their knapsacks and 
blankets on, began to unbuckle and drop them | 
to the ground one by one, and at its conclusion 
not one appeai'ed in his marching rig, and, from 
that time forward, until lionoral)ly discharged, 
no better soldiers were found in the army. 
Soon after the delivery of the address, Gen. 
Harrison departed from camp to attend to 
duties elsewhere. 

Up to this time, the troops of Gen. Beall had 
not been mustered into the llnited States serv- 
ice, l)ut were serving the State, and the Major 
General of the division to which they belonged, 
Wadsworth, claimed the right to control their 
movements, under the State law. In the exer- 



cise of this authority, he ordered Gen. Beall to 
march his Ijrigade to his headquarters at Cleve- 
land. This Gen. Beall declined to do, believ- 
ing it to be his duty to defend the frontiers 
from Indian raids, and to deter the British 
Ai'my from marching into the State, left in 
an exposed condition by the surrender of Hull. 
No part of the State was more exposed than 
Richland County, as the murders in the county 
l\y the Indians clearly established. Moreover, 
Wadsworth was an old, superannuated man, who 
had been brave and efflcient in the Revolution- 
aiy war. but had outlived his physical and in- 
tellectual powers, and was then incompetent to 
render service to his country. 

As (Jen. Beall remained at Camp Council 
several weeks after Wadsworth ordered him to 
Cleveland, that General dispatched Gen. Perkins 
with an order to arrest Gen. Beall. and march 
the brigade to Camp Avery, near the mouth of 
the Hui'on River. This order was promptly 
obeyed, and Gen. Beall, in accordance with the 
rules of the arm}", delivered his sword to Per- 
kins, and, two daj^s subsequently, the brigade 
arrived at Camp Avery. Here a court-martial 
was ordered for the trial of Gen. Beall, for dis- 
obedience of orders. Upon a full hearing of 
the charges, he was acquitted, and ordered to 
take his command and re-enforce Gen. Winches- 
ter, who was then in the neighborhood of the 
river Raisin. Marching as far as Lower San- 
dusk}- (Fremont), he there received orders to 
return to Camp Avery and disband his army, 
which he did. his soldiers returning along the 
route by which they had advanced, to their 
homes, the term of their enlistment having ex- 
pired. 

The General himself returned to his home in 
New Lisbon, and was elected to Congress, send- 
ing two terms. In 1814, he was appointed 
Register of the land office in Wooster, and re- 
signed his seat in Congress to accept that posi- 
tion, removing his family to Wooster in 1815. 
In 1824, he resigned this office and retired to 






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*4- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



291 



private life. He was President of tlie Wliig con- 
vention held in Columbus February 22, 1840, 
and was afterward chosen one of the electors 
for President and Vice President, and had the 
honor and pleasure of casting his vote for his 
old friend, Gen. Harrison. No incident of his 
life gave him more pleasure. He died at his 
home in Wooster February 20, 1843. 

Before the close of (ren. Beall's expedition, 
the Governor of Pennsylvania raised and dis- 
patched a force of 2,000 men to the assistance 
of Gen. Harrison in the West, under command 
of Gen. Robert Crooks. As this expedition 
passed through Mansfield on its way to the seat 
of war, a brief account of it is considered ap- 
propriate. Crooks marched his command by 
way of New Lisbon, Canton and Wooster, fol- 
lowing in the track of Gen. Beall, arriving at 
the latter place about three weeks after Beall 
left — probably , about the 11th or 12th of Octo- 
ber. The train of wagons connected Avith Gen. 
Crook's brigade numbered, as near as can be 
remembered, some twenty -five or thirty six-horse 
teams ; the wagons being coA'ered with canvas 
and filled with army stores of every description. 
Halting a day or two at Wooster to repair 
broken wagons, and allow the jaded teams to 
rest, the brigade was again put in motion. It 
reached the block-house at Jeromeville in one 
da}-, where the army crossed the Jerome Fork 
and turned southwest, leaving the trail of Gen. 
Beall, and passing up a small stream by what 
was afterward known as Goudy's mill, and began 
cutting the path afterward known as the " old 
Portage road." The pioneers cut the road 
along an Lidian trail as far as the Quaker 
springs, the first day, where the brigade halted 
and encamped for the night. The next day the 
pioneers continued along the old trail in a 
southwest direction, cutting a path large enough 
for the teams to pass. That night the brigade 
encamped at Greentown. Nearly all the Indian 
huts had been burned prior to this, and the vil- 
lage was deserted. The next day they crossed 



the Black Fork, and proceeding southwest a short 
distance, struck a new blazed road leading to 
the west. They continued on this road until 
they reached the cabin of David Hill, on the 
present site of Lucas, where the brigade again 
encamped for the night. In the afternoon of 
the following day, they I'eached Mansfield, going 
into camp on, the east side of the public square 
in the woods. The date of Gen. Crook's arrival 
here has not l)een ascertained to a certainty, 
but it must have been about the 18th or 20th 
of October. He was in camp here about six 
weeks, awaiting the arrival of quartermaster's 
stores, under Col. Anderson. During his stat- 
in Mansfield, his soldiers cleared off considerable 
land east of the square, and when his camp be- 
came quite muddy, he removed his army to, and 
encamped on, the west side of the square, where 
he cleared off another piece of ground. The 
occupation of Mansfield bj^ Gen. Crook's com- 
mand is referred to in the chapter on its early 
history. Crooks recei^^ed orders to leave Mans- 
field for Upper Sandusky, and was compelled 
to march liefore the arrival of Col. Anderson 
with his supplies. He probably left Mansfield 
some time between the 1st and 10th of Decem- 
ber. On this subject Dr. Hill says : " About 
the 15th of Deceml)er, Gen. Crooks was ordered 
to proceed to Upper Sandusky to assist in for- 
tifying that point." It will be perceiA-ed that 
he is in doul^t as to the date, and, in the same 
paper, a little further along, in speaking of 
Anderson's march, he says : " On the 12th 
(December) he reached the village of Mansfield, 
where they found two block-houses, a tavern 
and one store. Gen. Crooks had left before the 
arrival of Col. Anderson." As he speaks posi- 
tively about this date, it is evident that Crooks 
must have marched from here before the 12th. 
Comparing this date with that of other incidents 
occurring about this time, the evidence is A'ery 
conclusive that he left early in December. Mr. 
Henry Newman, still liAing, and whose father 
was Gen. Crooks' pilot from here to Upper 



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292 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND (^OUNTY. 



Sandusky, thinks that Gen. Crooks must have 
left ; here hiter in the winter ; his impression 
being that his father did not leave hei*e as early 
as December, as he did not return until spring, 
and tliinks he could not have been absent from 
home that length of time. In piloting Gen. 
Crooks through to Upper Sandusky, Jacob New- 
man (the first settler in the count}) lost his 
life ; contracting a severe cold on the trip, 
from the effects of which lie died the following 
June. 

Ih'ooks' Quartermaster, Col. James Anderson, 
could not have been far from Mansfield when 
Gen. Crooks left. His command was composed 
of Capt. Gratiot, Engineer of Equipments ; 
Capt. Paul Andei'son, Foragemaster ; Capt. 
Wheaton, Paymaster ; Capt. Johnston and ninety 
men, and Lieut. Walker, with forty men as a 
guard. Walker was afterward killed, while 
out hunting, by an Indian, while the command 
was encamped at Upper Sandusky. 

Anderson's convoy consisted of twenty -five 
iron cannons, mostly four and six pounders. 
These, and the balls fitting them, were placed in 
covered road-wagons, drawn by six horses each. 
The cannon caiTiages, twenty -five in number, 
empty, were each drawn by four horses. The car- 
tridges, canister and other ammunition were in 
large covered wagons. There were fifty cov- 
ered road wagons, drawn by six horses each ; 
they were loaded with general army stores, and 
one or two of them with specie for paying the 
troops, this specie being put up in small iron- 
hooped kegs. Thus equipped. Col. Anderson 
left Allegheny City about the 1st of Novem- 
ber, 1812, and followed, as rapidly as possible, 
the trail of Gen. Crooks' army. About the 11th 
of November, he reached Canton, where he 
remained ten days, repairing the wagons, shoe- 
ing t)ie horses and gathering provisions. On 
the 21st, h.<^ reached Halm's Swamp, and was 
three or four days passing over the same to 
Wooster, owing to the fact that Beall and Crooks' 
wagons had cut up the road badly. He left 



Wooster December 10, arriving in Mansfield on 
the 12th. 

The teamsters, being volunteers at |20 per 
month, and their time having expired, desired 
to return home. Col. Anderson, being ordered 
to follow Gen. Crooks to Upper Sandusky, 
offered to pay the teamsters $1 per day to con- 
tinue with him. These terms were accepted, 
and each teamster furnished with a gun, to be 
kept in the feed-trough for use in case of attack. 
The command was hardly out of sight of 
Mansfield when it began to snow, and continued 
until it was two feet deep. The ground being 
unfrozen, the heavy wagons cut into the soft 
earth, and the horses were unable to draw them. 
A council was held, and fifteen gun carriages 
were sent ahead to break the path. 3y this 
and various other means, they made a few miles 
each day. When a team gave out, it was 
turned aside and another put in its place. At 
night, the soldiers were compelled to work two 
or three hours shoveling off a suitable place to 
pitch their tents, build fires to cook their food 
and keep them from freezing. After two weeks 
of hardship and exposure, the command 
reached Upper Sandusky on New Year's Day, 
1813. 

The troubles between the Indians and early 
settlers, during this war, will be found in an- 
other chapter. But few of the heroes of that 
time are 3^et living. One by one they drop, 
like ripened fruit, and are gathered home. 
Here and there they are yet foimd, tottering on 
the verge of the grave, looking always back 
through the mist of years, and living over 
again, in memory, the thrilling scenes through 
which they passed. Thus history repeats itself; 
fifty years from to-day the survivors of the 
great rebellion will be looked upon in the same 
light, and will rehearse to their grandchildren, 
as these veterans are rehearsing to-day, the 
story of their exploits. 

One of them — George William Kincade — yet 
lives in Jefferson Township, at the age of 



^ a 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



293 



ninety-one. He participated in seven battles, 
and was at tlie bombardment of Fort McHenry, 
upon whicli occasion Cliarles Francis Key, then 
a prisoner on a British man-of-war, looked 
" through the dawn's early light," and gave to 
his country the " Star-Spangled Banner. " 

Another one of these veterans, Mr. John F. 
Rice, of Shelby, died only a short time ago, 
and appears to have been the last survivor of 
Perry's victory on Lake Ei'ie. In 1875, he was 
interviewed b}' Hon. S. S. Bloom, and the fol- 
lowing statement, of much historical impor- 
tance, was printed in the Shelby Times.. It 
is given in Mr. Rice's own words. His mind 
was then clear, and his body by no means im- 
paired by sickness or disease. No one who 
knew him has any doubts concerning the cor- 
rectness of his statements : 

" In March, 1813, I volunteered at Lewis- 
town, Penn., in Capt. Rogers' company, after- 
ward assigned to Col. Green's regiment, rendez- 
vousing at Bellefont, Centre Co., Penn. 

"• Early in April, 1813, we took up our line 
of March for Erie. Penn., where we arrived on 
April 22, 1813, and went into camp. Commo- 
dore Perry was there at the time, preparing his 
fleet. He had then only two brigs, the Law- 
rence and the Niagara, but he had a number of 
smaller vessels to be used as gunboats. I had 
voluteered in the land forces ; but Commodore 
Perr}', desiring more men for his fleet, came 
into camp for volunteers, offering |25 bounty 
for only one cruise. I was the only one 
of the company who then volunteered. I 
then remained in the fleet onl}' three days, 
when the cruise was ended, and I returned to 
camp to inform my comrades how much better 
I liked the navy than the land service. 

" Again volunteers were asked for, when 
Jacob Tool, Alexander Metlan, Thomas Green, 
Joseph Ammerman, John Ackerman, and a few 
others, went with me on board the Scorpion, 
under command of Capt. Christian Champlin, 
of Carlisle, Penn., and, soon after doing so, on 



September 10, 1813, I was present at the battle 
of Lake Erie. 

Two of the above named comrades of mine, 
Jacob Tool and Alick Metlan, rowed the boat 
in which Commodore Perry left the Lawrance, 
and went on board the Niagara ; and these two, 
I know, were the only men who were in that 
boat with him, for I saw it with my own eyes. 
They had been, or were then, members of the 
crew of the Scorpion, my own vessel, and had 
been detailed to row a lioat, upon a signal being 
given, and at a moment's warning, to go wher- 
ever sent. The Scorpion, on which I was, 
escorted them, or rather got between the small 
boat and the fire of the enemy, to pick up the 
Commodore, should it become necessary. 

" I heard the report of the shot that went 
crashing through the ])oat occupied by Com- 
modoi'e Perry. I saw him jump up, jerk off 
his coat and stuff it into the hole made by the 
ball, in order to keep out the water, and saw 
him, myself, take hold of the oars and assist in 
rowing the boat to the Niagara. Wlien Com- 
modore Perry got on board the Niagara, I heard 
him ask Capt. Elliott, " why he did not bring 
the vessel into action ?" Capt. Elliott replied, 
" that the wind had l^een against him, and that 
he had tried hard to do so, but could not." I 
heard Perry reph' to him, '' Captain, I am 
afraid the day is lost !" At that moment I 
heard a man, who, it was said, lielonged to 
Napoleon's army, step up to Commodore Perry 
and sa}' to him, ■ Commodore Perry, take my 
advice, and command this vessel j'ourself Try 
and break through their lines, open fire upon 
them from both sides of the vessel, then 
liring up your gun-]:)oats into action, and you 
will surely win the day." The Commodore 
immediately issued the orders accordingly, and, 
almost immediately, gained the victory. The 
Niagara now sailed directly through the British 
lines, opened fire upon them from both sides, 
with fifteen guns on both sides, with a noise that 
seemed to open earth and water, doing most 



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294 



HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



terrible execution on tlie enemys vessels. Each 
gun-boat had also several cannons, and now 
these commenced to fire upon the British fleet, 
and they were soon compelled to strike their 
colors. Commodore Peny had offered a re- 
ward of $500 to the first man who would board 
the British ship. This reward was won by 
James Sims, who first boarded the Queen 
Charlotte, and, subsequentl}^, got his prize. 

" From Perry's fleet I was soon after again 
transferred to the land forces under Gen. Harri- 
son. I was in Col. Richard M. Johnsons regi- 
ment at the battle of the Thames, fought on 
October 5, 1813. 

" I was near Col. Johnson when he killed 
Tecumseh. I saw the whole transaction m}^- 
self Col. Johnson had been wounded in his 
fore left arm or wrist, and had his bridle rein 
thrown over the wounded arm, holding it near 
the elbow, when, at that moment, his horse was 
shot under him and dropped right down, with 
the Colonel on his back astride of him. Just 
then I saw Tecumseh rush upon Col. Johnson, 
with a tomahawk, but the latter rose up, with 
his feet, as it were, in the stirrups, pulled his 
pistol from his left holster, and shot Tecumseh 
on the spot, before my eyes. The latter fell 
back on his haunches, rolled over dead, and I 
passed on beside hira. I saw he was a large, 
fine-looking Indian, but I had no time to further 
examine him. as we were in the fight advancing 
on the enemy. By this time the Indians, no 
longer hearing the loud shouts of their leader, 
turned and fled, and the victory again was ours. 
I know it was Tecumseh I saw shot by Col. 



Johnson, and there never ought to have been 
any doubt about it." 

Mr. Rice spoke often of these scenes with 
enthusiasm, as if they were passing before his 
mind, and were fresh in his memory. His 
mind was very good until within a year or so, 
when he was stricken down with paralysis, from 
which he never recovered. 

He was always of a retiring disposition, so 
that, mitil a few years since, his narrati-^e was 
never put into print. 

Mr. Rice was a member of the Lutheran 
Church ; for many years one of the principal 
supporters of the Sheriff congregation. His 
funeral was attended by the clergy of the town, 
the l)and, Light Guards, Artillery, ex-soldiers, 
public schools and a large concourse of citizens. 
The procession was formed under the direction 
of Col. Dempsey. and moved to the M. E. 
Church, where appropriate services were con- 
ducted by the several clergy and choir of the 
M. E. Church. Rev. 1). Summers read the above 
history, and preached the sermon from Lev., xix., 
32. 

The last hymn. '- My Country, 'tis of thee," 
was sung by about one hundred school children. 

After the services at the church, the proces- 
sion was again formed, and proceded to Oakland 
Cemetery, where the mortal remains of the old 
hero were buried with the honors of war. Mili- 
tary organizations, band and citizens honored 
themselves by the respect they paid to the 
memory of the departed. 

During Tuesday, the flags were placed at 
half-mast, both in Cleveland and Sandusky Cit}'. 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



29.1 



CHAPTER XXX. 



THE MEXICAN WAR. 



FiKST Troops raised in this Countv — McLaughlin'.^ and Ford's Companies — Letter of Dr. AVilliam Smith 
— Second Year of the War — George Weaver's Company — Its Part in the Conflict. 



PRECEDINGr pages give the history of this 
conflict as far as it was connected with the 
State of Ohio. It is proposed here simply to tell 
its history as tar as it relates to the history of 
* Richland County. When the call for troops was 
made, more than twice as many were offered 
as could be used. ( )hio sent more than was 
required, and hence not a few of those who 
expected to achieve glory on the field of war 
were disappointed at the outset, and sent home. 
When the call for troops reached this county, 
Maj. William McLaughlin, the ■ old war horse. 
was among the first to act. Thomas H. Ford, 
then a rising attorney of the county, was also 
among the first to respond. An enthusiastic 
war meeting was called in the latter part of 
May, 1846, in I^Linsfield. The old Mansfield 
and New Haven Railroad was approaching com- 
pletion, and, on the day set for the meeting, the 
citizens of Plymouth and Shelby chartered the 
train of small, square-box cars, on one of its 
early trips to the county seat, to convey them 
to that city, that they might appear at this 
meeting, and enjoy the excitement. The meet- 
ing was called in a large sugar grove near 
the east end of East Market street. A stand 
had been prepared, and, when the people 
gathered, rousing patriotic speeches were made 
by Maj. McLaughlin, Capt. Ford, and others. 
As the excitement increased, Maj. McLaughlin 
sprang down from the stand, mounted his old 
horse, and rode about, as he had done earlier in 
the daj^, and urged men to come forward. 
Finally, springing from his saddle, he let his 



horse go its own way. and called upon all thosi- 
who desij-ed to enlist to form themselves into a 
group and join him in the march to Mexico. 
The same feeling jirevailed later in the day. and 
the actions were repeated on the public square. 

Two companies, one under McLaughlin and 
one under Ford, were raised with little difficulty, 
and prepared for the campaign. They were only 
enlisted for one year, as all thought the war 
would be of short duration. 

Dr. William Smith, now a citizen of Van Wert. 
Ohio, in a letter of a recent date, gives an accu- 
rate description of the life of his company (Capt. 
^IcLaughlin's) during its campaigns in Mexico. 
The letter is so full and accurate in its details, and 
shows so well the common experience of all in 
the war, that it is well worth a place in this his- 
tory, and that part relating to the company' is 
given entire. The Doctor says : 

" My brother James and myself enlisted in 
the month of May. at the first call of the 
Grovernment for troops, made right after the 
army under Gen. Taylor was attacked at Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, which places 
were on the Texas side of the Rio (Irande 
River, opposite Matamoras, in Mexico. ( )ur 
company left Mansfield June 9, 1846. At its 
organization I was elected Second Lieutenant. 
in which capacity I acted during our term of 
service, one year. As there were no railroads 
at that time, we marched via Bellville and 
Blount Vernon to ColumV)us, Ohio, then took 
canal-boat to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, 
thence by steamboat to Cincinnati, and went 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



into camp at what was then called (and I believe is 
yet) Camp Washington, where we were organ- 
ized into regiments. We were put into the 
third regiment, under Samuel R. Curtis, who was 
our Colonel, and who was Gren. S. R. Curtis of 
the war of the rebellion. We left Cincin- 
nati on or about the 1st of July, by steamer, 
for New Orleans, and were about seven days 
on the passage. We landed at Camp Jackson, 
at that time about four miles below the 
city of New Orleans, between the river and 
Lake Pontchartrain, on Friday evening. I 
slept that night under the shade of four live 
oaks, where (len. Packingham died, at the 
time of the great battle of New Orleans. I sat 
under the shade of those trees the next day 
(Saturday), and wrote a letter home to Mans- 
field, and put some of the leaves and long 
Spanish moss from those four oaks in the letter. 
The next morning (Sunday) we took ship to 
cross the Gulf of Mexico. We sailed down 
the river and got into the gulf in the dusk of 
the evening. We had a very rough time in 
crossing ; the men were all more or less sea- 
sick. I was very sick myself, having a very 
severe spell of fever, besides the sea-sickness. 
We were some ten days in crossing over to the 
Brazos Santiago Island, and on account of the 
rough sea we had to lie at anchor four days 
before we could land. Brother James was on 
another vessel, acting in the commissary 
department. After lying off the Brazos 
(which is nothing but a large sand bar), as 
above stated, four days, we landed and remained 
there a few days (I remember the exact time), 
and then marched on to the mouth of the Rio 
Grande River. Arriving there, we moved up 
the river (a very crooked stream), some- 
times on board steamers and again march- 
ing on foot along the banks, until we arrived 
at what was called Camp Belknap, on the 
Texas side, opposite a small Mexican town 
called Burita. We remained there a few days, 
the river was so high, there having been so 



much rain that the banks were overflowed, and 
in order to keep out of the water we were com- 
pelled to cut brush and pile it up, on which to 
make our beds. After remaining there a few 
days we moved up the river to Camp Curtis, a 
little above Fort Brown, on the Texas side, and 
opposite the city of Matamoras, and where 
Brownsville is now located. We remained 
there a few da^^s, when my company and one 
other of our regiment marched into Fort 
Brown, two companies into Fort Parades and 
the other six across the river into Matamoras. 
When we moved into Fort Brown it was sur- 
rounded with water, the river was so high that 
we had to use flat-boats to get in. We had' 
charge of a lot of Mexican prisoners, who 
were in the fort. We remained in charge of 
the fort and city until the latter part of the 
winter of 184(3 and 1847. when we were 
ordered on up to Camargo, Monterey, Saltillo 
and Buena Vista. 

" On the march from Matamoras to Camargo, 
a distance of about one hundred and twenty- 
five miles, we had to depend principally on 
getting water to drink, cook, etc., from the 
lagoons or ponds ; and, as there had been no rain 
for several months, and the river was low, a 
good many of the lagoons were dry, and those 
that had water in them had become stagnant, 
the water was thick with a green scum over it, 
and full of dead fish, and cattle that had come 
in there from the surrounding country to get 
drink, stuck fast, lay down and died. We would 
sometimes have to get in on the carcass of a 
dead cow to keep out of the mud while getting 
water to drink. The water was so thick that, as 
the boys said, " you had to bite it ofl' when you 
wanted to stop drinking." We struck the river 
two or three times on the march, and some of 
our men came very near losing their lives by 
drinking too freely of the cold river water. 
We finally arrived at Camargo, where the 
famous Fort Pillow was located. Gen. Pillow, 
who was in the late rebel army, was stationed 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



299 



at Camargo, and undertook to build a fort, and, 
what gave it such notoriety, we had the trench 
or ditch dug on the inside of the fort. I have 
been in it and seen it often when there. We 
had charge of that point (Camargo), wliich at 
that time was a very important post, as it was 
near the moutli of the San Juan River, and at 
the head of steamboat navigation, and wliere 
our supplies of provisions, ammunition, ord- 
nance, etc., were stored, and right in the heart 
of the enemy's country — so that it kept us on 
the alert day and night. We remained at 
Camargo until near the time of the battle of 
Buena Vista, when we received marching orders 
on Sunday afternoon ; and, expecting rough 
times and a good deal of hard fighting, I went to 
the ordnance department and bought a large 
Prussian saber, had it ground up sharp, then 
left my light-infantr}' sword with my trunk and 
extra clothing and camp equipage under a 
large commissar}' tent, and we started that same 
night (Sunda}-) for Monterey and Buena Vista. 
All the important moves or marches we made, 
beginning from the time we left Camp Wash- 
ington at Cincinnati to New Orleans, then 
across the (lulf to Brazos, thence to Rio Grande 
and so on from one point to another until we 
reached Buena Vista, and thence from there, 
when we left for home at expiration of our 
term of service, were made on Sunday. The 
enemy under Gens. Urea and Connallis were 
between us and Monterey, and we had to fight 
and drive them before us until we got up to 
Seraloo and Marino when they found themselves 
between two fires, and turned off through the 
mountain passes to their headquarters at 
Catanta. We followed them to that place, and 
they retreated into the mountains. We made 
a requisition on the Alcalde of that city of corn 
and mules to the amount of the trains that 
Urea and Connallis' forces had destroyed, and 
informed them that if they did not comply we 
would lilow up the city. They agreed to furnish 
them. We then marched through the citv. 



across the San Juan River and on to Monterey. 
Gen. Zach Taylor on "old whitey" was with us 
on this expedition. 

" Let me sa}- here that Catanta, the last-named 
city or town, was one of the most beautiful 
places I saw in Mexico. It was located on the 
banks of the San Juan River, in a beautiful 
valle}', surrounded by mountains, and well sup- 
plied with clear spring water from the mount- 
ains, running through everj^ street and garden 
in the city. The streets were all paved with 
pebble-stones taken from the river bed and laid 
in waves. The gardens were full of orange, lemon, 
citron pomegTanate and other tropical fruit 
trees, which were laden with green and ripe 
fruit and blossoms. This was in the month of 
March, 1847. When we entered the valley 
through a narrow mountain pass, and came in 
view, or, rather, where the city was located, it 
appeared to be a large grove of orange, lemon 
and citron trees. We could not see the houses 
for the trees, as they were so thick and grew up 
above the tops of the buildings. We marched 
on from there to Monterey, and camped at what 
was called Walnut Springs, about four miles 
from the city. These were large springs of 
cool, clear water, and surrounded by black and 
English walnut trees. We remained but a 
short time at the Springs and Monterey (which 
is quite an important place, located in a valley 
surrounded by mountains. Gen. Arista's pri- 
vate residence was located here and was a beau- 
tiful place, and had one of the most beautiful 
gardens attached to it I ever saw), and then 
marched on up through the narrow valle}' and 
mountain passes via Molino del Rey (dead 
man's pass), Saltillo and Buena Vista (pleasant 
view), where we remained in camp on the battle 
gi'ound, after the battle was fought, until the 
expiration of our term of service, in the month 
of June, 1847. We then returned by the same 
route by which we came. William Johnston, 
the son of Preacher Johnston, died at Buena 
Vista, and we brouo;ht his remains ])ack with 



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300 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



IIS to New Orleans.. Allen Lewis was killed 
by guerrillas near Molino del Rey. Poor (leorge 
Hooker was so emaciated and run down with 
chronic diarrhoea that he was a mere skeleton. 
We tried to bring him home alive, but he died 
on board the ship a day or two after we left the 
Brazos, and we had to wrap him in his l)lanket 
and bury him in the deep gulf We arrived at 
New Orleans the latter part of June, and were 
discharged from the service, and I arrived at 
home in ^lanstield about the 3d or 4th of July, 
1847." 

The war was not completed in one year. 
Mexico developed into a more formidable an- 
tagonist than was at first supposed. The dis- 
turbances at home, occasioned by the opposition 
of the Whig party, who contended that the war 
would only extend slave territory, and the 
friends of Mexico in general by their aid, 
lengthened the contest, and called for more 
men and more supplies. A call for troops was 
made early in 1847. and. before the first two 
companies returned, a third company was begun 
by Mr. Greorge Weaver, then a resident of Gan- 
ges, in Blooming Grove Township. At that 
time he was running a flouring-mill. and occa- 
sionally working at his trade as a stonemason. 
He issued an appeal for troops, and offered 
ambitious spirits a chance to sei've their coun- 
try. The spirit of romance was, however, 
somewhat worn off by this time. ^Manj^ of the 
first year's troops were returning, who gave 
rather discouraging accounts of the climate 
and the life one would be compelled to lead, 
and Mr. Weaver found recruiting a rather 
tedious task. His call was issued early in May, 
1847, ajid, by the last of the month, the men 
gathered at Mansfield and prepared to go. The 
men comprising the company were from all 
parts of the count}- ; the major part from the 
neighborhood of Mr. Weaver's home in Bloom- 
ing Grove Township. As the entire number 
could not ])e raised here, Simpson P. Moses was 
sent on to Cincinnati to recruit the remainder 



necessary to complete the company. Those 
recruited in this county started for the war late 
in ^lay, going by stages to Columbus and 
Xenia. At this latter place they took the cars 
on the new Miami Railroad and went to Cincin- 
nati, where they went in quarters in Camp 
Ohio. Here they were joined by the men 
recruited in Cincinnati, and completed their com- 
pany organization. They elected Mr. Weaver 
Captain ; Simpson P. Moses, Obadiah Holmes 
and Beard, First, Second and Third Lieu- 
tenants, and William Bigams. Orderly. The 
company was assigned to the Fourth Regiment 
and designated as Company D. The regiment 
was under command of Charles H. Brough, 
brother of the war Governor Brough. This 
regiment went from Camp Ohio by boat to 
Camp Carleton, near New Orleans, where it 
remained one week. Tiien it was taken, with 
other troops, across the Gulf of Mexico to 
Point Isabella, on the Texas coast. It was now 
a part of Gen. Taylor's army. From Point 
Isabella it went to Matamoras, on the Rio 
Grande, and from there, in Gen. Scott's army, 
to Vera Cruz, near which place it was stationed 
on the beach several days. From this place, 
the Fourth Regiment went with its division on 
a forced march to Pueblo to assist in the recap- 
ture of that city. That done, it marclied to 
Atlixo, about twenty-five miles distant, where 
it engaged in the battle at that place. After- 
ward it was engaged in several battles and 
skirmishes, finally returning to Pueblo, where it 
remained about eight months. It was there 
when peace was declared, and left for home 
soon after, having been gone over one year. It 
lost but one man in battle — Andy Andrekan, at 
Pueblo, but a great number by disease and 
exposure. 

When Company D arrived in this county, it 
was welcomed by a large crowd of citizens at 
Ganges, where a public I'eceptifm was held, and 
a great banquet provided. Though about four- 
score men went out in Capt. Weaver's company. 



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HISTOKY OF KICHLAND COUXTY. 



301 



but little more than one-half returned, the 
remainder being left on the fields of Mexico, 
or on the way. 

Capt. Weaver entered the late war, where 
he evinced the same courage that had led him 
in the war against Mexico, being the first man 
to raise a company in Hardin County, to which 
place he had removed the year before it broke 
out. 



The three companies, McLaughlin's, Ford's 
and Weaver's, were the only organized bodies 
that went from this county. Other companies 
contained soldiers whose place of residence was 
in Richland's limits, but who went elsewhere to 
enlist. The experience of each company was, 
in the main, the same, that narrated showing 
the general outlines of their marches in that 
war. 




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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXL 

RAILROADS. 

The Mansfield & New Haven and Monroeville & Sandusky Roads — First Train in May, 1846 — Arrival 
OF the First Train at Mansfield and its Appearance — The Road-Bed — Breakinc Ground at 
Mansfield — The Depot — Grain Trade — Oxford & Huron Road — The Man.sfield & Sandusky Road 
— The Columbus & Lake Erie Road — Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Road — Baltimore & Ohio 
Road — The Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Road — Springfield & Mansfield Road — The Belle- 
FONTAiNE Road — Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, or, the Pennsylvania Road — The Atlantic 
& Great Western (name changed) — The Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Road — The 
Telegraph — The Telephone. 



" The coach stands rusting in the yard, 
The horse has sought the plow ; 
We have spanned the world with iron rails. 
The steam-king rules us now." 

RICHLAND COUNTY contains a portion of 
one of the oldest railroads in Ohio. The 
history of the State, in preceding pages, gives an 
account of the growth of early railways, men- 
tioning the Sandusky. Mansfield & Newark 
(now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio) Railroad. 
That portion of this road 1}' ing in this county 
was chartered March 12, 1836, as the Mansfield 
& New Haven Railroad, and extended from 
Mansfield to a point a short distance west of 
the village of New Haven, in the southern part 
of Huron County. Work began on both ends 
of the line about the same time, working toward 
the high ground near Pl3'mouth. Prior to the 
building of this railroad, a charter, dated March 
9, 1835, had been granted to the Sandusky & 
Monroeville Railroad, running from one city to 
the other.* This road was in running order a 
short time before the Mansfield & New Haven 
road. When the latter was built, a gap between 
Monroeville and New Haven, about fifteen miles 

* When this road was first built, it was laid simply with wooden 
rails, and the cars were drawn by horses. Mr. Henry Newman says 
he has often hauled his wheat to Milan, where a water communica- 
tion with the lake was maintained. After this wooden railway was 
built from Sandusky to Monroeville, he and his neighbors hauled 
their produce there. They could unload into the small cars, which 
were drawn to the lake by the horses. This road, when first built, 
made Monroeville a great point for the grain trade. 



in length, was left, which was subsequently 
filled, before the road to Mansfield was com- 
plete, b}^ the connection of the two roads, and 
the city had a direct line to the lake. As has 
been noticed, the Sandusky & Monroeville road, 
thirteen miles long, was completed prior to the 
Mansfield & New Haven. The part from New 
Haven south to Pl^^mouth was also finished 
before the deep cut near the village was made, 
and, in fact, the gap lietween New Haven and 
Monroeville filled before the cut was done. Mr. 
W. W. Drennan, in speaking of this road, says : 

'• The track was laid from the north to the 
south, within thirty rods or so from the county 
line, in the fall of 1845. Li the month of Sep- 
tember, the construction train brought salt and 
other merchandise to Plymouth. This train 
continued to run during that fall and winter, 
carrying back to Sandusky wheat in bags, and 
produce in barrels, upon the little open cars 
then in use." 

This assertion of Mr. Drennan, who has an 
accurate memor}^, gives credence to the state- 
ment that the '' gap '" between Monroeville and 
New Haven was completed before the train 
could come on down to Mansfield. Below the 
" deep cut," as it is often termed, near Plymouth. 
the road was ready for the cars very probably 
the same autumn, but none but construction 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



303 



cars, drawn b}- horses, were used, as the loco- 
motive could not be brought over the space 
occupied by the '• deep cut." 

Speaking of the grain and produce ti-ade of 
that date, Mr. Drennan says : 

'' I shipped the first wheat in September, and 
enjoyed for that day a good trade. The deep 
cut was not finished so that cars passed through 
until spring : but south of the deep cut. from 
Plymouth to Mansfield, on the McConnell & 
Leyman conti'act " — the part wholly in this 
county — •' the road was in a forward condition, 
and nearly ready for the cars, could they have 
been put on the track. The deep cut was com- 
pleted, and a train passed over the road in Maj' 
of the next spring [1846]. This,' says Mr- 
Drennan,, ••' was the first train over the road. It 
came on down to ^lansfield in accordance with 
a previous aiTangement with the Shelby and 
Plj'mouth people, to lie taken to jNIansfield to 
a war convention called to raise troops for 
the Mexican war." By some curious arrange- 
ment, these two events, lioth of importance 
to the eit}' and county, happened at the same 
time ; but. what is stranger still, no one can 
be found w^ho can tell what day in May they 
oecuiTed. As near as can now be ascertained, 
they happened about the middle of the month."* 

Considerable difficult}' was experienced in 
the endeavor to solve this question. Judge 
Dirlam, when at one time engaged in a law-suit 
in which the question arose, found in the diary 
of E. P. Sturges, Sr., under date of May 16 he 
thinks, a reference to the advent of the first train 
of cars. The}' came, however, no nearer the cit}' 
than the site of the present water-works build- 
ings. This is doubtless correct, and coincides 

* Mr. J. H. Cook statei, that he was conductor on one of the fir:;t 
trains that came to Man fifield, when the stopping-place was out by 
the water works. He saj> : " As we came around the hill, the en- 
gineer allowed the train to come slowly down. An immense assem- 
blage of citizens stood on the hillside ne,\t the tract, to view its 
approach. There must have been a thousand persons anxiously 
watching the train. Just as the engine came near the crowd, the 
engineer blew a shrilling blast upon the whistle — a loud and sharp 
one. The effect on the crowd was electric and amusing. They 
scampered up the hill like frightened sheep, greatly to the amuse- 
ment of the train-men.'" This may have been the first train to 
come to town. 



with "Sir. Drennan's and others" recollections. 
This was not, however, info the town. Mr. 
John Eicketts, in a communication to the writer 
of the history on this subject, states that the train 
came into the town the 19th day of June, 1846. 
His son Greorge, now a policeman in the cit}', 
was born about 4 o'clock oif the afternoon of 
that day, and Mr. Ricketts states he well remem- 
bers the coincidence of these two events. Dr. 
Teegarden was his family physician at the time, 
and was so excited over the arrival of the train, 
hourly expected, as to forget his patient for a 
time, and rush to the window to get a glimpse 
of the cars as thej' came up to the foot of Wal- 
nut street. An immense crowd was there to 
meet them, and a second hour of rejoicing 
passed, as one more step in the extension of the 
road had now been made. 

Mr. Ricketts says that the construction en- 
gine was called the '• Vigilant," and that, while 
used, it was run by Samuel Idler, who, he thinks, 
also ran the engine '' Empire," used to draw 
the first regular trains. He says he and many 
others often walked up the track as far as 
Spring Mills, where they would willingly assist 
to load and unload raili<oad supplies for a ride on 
the fiat-cars. His first ride on a train, as well 
as that of many other citizens, was ol)tained in 
this manner. 

The advent of the cars was the greatest event 
of the day to most people. "War and its attend- 
ant parades were more common afiTairs. Militia 
musters had familiarized the people with such 
scenes ; l)ut few of them had ever seen an engine 
and cars. A great crowd assembled at both 
places where the train stopped to see the novel 
sight. .The train would, indeed, be a novel sight 
now. The locomotive, the ■ Empire." was of 
the prevalent pattern of the da}' ; small, doubt- 
less devoid of a cow-catcher, and. mayhap, with 
onl}' one dri\'e-wheel on each side. The cars 
were small, square, open box cars, on which the 
first mei'chandise Avas brought that was un- 
loaded at the depot in Phanouth, in this county. 



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304 



HISTOKY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



The merchandise was consigned to John Gulp 
and W. W. Drennan. The train went back up 
the road carrying its load of liuman freight, 
many of whom enjoyed that day their first ride 
on a railroad, in cars drawn by steam. 

The eonstrnction of the road-lied Avas solid, 
if a multiplicity "of timbers could make it so. 
[•'irst a '• mud-sill " was laid down, lengthwise 
of the road : stnmg cross-ties were then spiked 
on this '• mud-sill ;"" into these "gains,'' as they 
were called, were cut. which received the wooden 
rails, sawed to fit the ■• gains."' These rails were 
al)out five inches wide, broadening oiit as they 
entered the '• gains." and w^ere about seven 
inches high. On them, the '' ribbon '' was 
spiked, being a strip of hardwood, about two 
and a half inches wide, by one inch thick, and 
on this the strap-iron rail was laid. Spikes 
were driven through the strap-rail and the rib- 
bon into the large wooden rail underneath. The 
heads of the spikes were sunken into " eyes " in 
the strap-rails, leaving a smooth surface for 
the wheels. This superstructui-e required fully 
three times as much timber as the present sys- 
tem of ties and iron rails. 

That portion of the. road in this county, 
almost the entire part of the Mansfield & 
New Haven road, lying south of Plymouth, 
was built mainly by Matthew McConnell and 
Henry IjeAman. They were then living in the 
county and engaged in business. In building 
the road, they were known by the firm name. 
• McConnell & Leyman, " and the contract com- 
monly went under the name. " McConnell & 
Leyman contract. " This part of the road was 
built after considerable effort had been ex- 
pended on the part of its friends and principal 
supporters in Mansfield and vicinity. Rail- 
roading was a new enterprise then to most 
people, whose ideas concerning such thorough- 
fares were rather meager. The principal abet- 
tors to the enterprise w-ere E. P. and Edward 
Sturges. James and Ellzey Hedges. Jabez Cook, 
Benjamin .Johns (the original proprietor of 



" Johns' Addition "' to Mansfield, and from whom 
it received its name), William Patterson, Charles 
T/ Sherman, Robert Bentley. Dr. William Bush- 
nell and a few others. They were the foremost 
men in the enterprise, and, wdien the time for 
the beginning came, were the foremost to put 
their money and time into the work. When 
the day came to throw the first shovelful of 
earth, a great concourse of people assembled 
at the place of beginning, and made the day a 
memorable one in the history of the town. The 
work had lieeu presaged by meetings in school- 
houses all over the county, and earnest efforts 
made to get the people to understand the im- 
port of the work, the benefits that would accrue 
from its completion, and the necessity for them 
to assist in the enterprise with subscriptions 
for stock and other material aid. The Legisla- 
ture had been for some time in the habit of 
gi'anting charters to ever}- corporation that de- 
sired one. until the evils of this unquestioned 
granting became so apparent that a re-action set 
in. and that bod}- began to refuse any charters 
whatever, unless the citizens or those interested 
could show some substantial reasons for the 
privilege of the charter. This required earnest 
work on the part of the promoters of the rail- 
road ; hence the meetings held in all parts of 
the count}' to awaken an interest and secure 
subscriptions to the stock of the road. Once 
or twice it failed, but rallied under the lead of 
others. Finally, the best business men of 
Mansfield took hold of the work. and. by their 
money and personal efforts, carried it through. 

As has been stated, the road was completed 
in the spring of 1846, and a train of cars, drawn 
by the " Empire." came triumphantly into the 
city over the old strap-bar tracks, the forerun- 
ner of that countless number of trains that 
have entered and passed out of Mansfield. 

The completion of this road gave the city 
and towns along its route an extra advantage 
over all other towns and cities in this part of 
Ohio. Mansfield now became a great center for 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



305 



buying and selling grain and produce, which 
were sent foi"ward to the lake. A depot was 
erected at what was then the foot of North Wal- 
nut street in Mansfield, to which point the road 
was brought ; another depot or two were soon 
added b.y the merchants, who found the gi'ain 
trade an exceptionally good one. The first 
gi-ain depot is now the fiouring-mill of Grilbert 
Waugh & Company, while the others sei-ve in 
various capacities. The fall of 1846, and, in- 
deed, two or three succeeding years, saw an 
immense grain trade here. Wagons came in 
from all parts of the country, often blocking 
the streets Avhile waiting their turn to be un- 
loaded. 

The warehouse in Plymouth was built on the 
deep cut. over the track, in the fall of 1846, and 
was completed in time for the wheat crop, which, 
Mr. Drennan says, was very large, and was the 
first crop of wheat shipped in bulk, not in 
bags or liarrels, from this county. This was in 
the latter part of August. The price was 45 
cents per bushel, the same price paid at Milan, 
and said to he the lowest price paid for wheat 
since the opening of the Erie Canal. Owing to 
the European demand, the price advanced, before 
all the crop was sold. $1.50 per bushel in Plym- 
outh and Mansfield. 

The cars used then were square box cars, 
covered with canvass or tarpaulin, and would 
hold aliout one hundred and forty liushels. They 
were the only kind used for tln-ee or four years 
after the road was put in operation. Time 
wrought improvements here as well as else- 
where. Mr. Drennan, in speaking of the feel- 
ings of many persons regarding a railroad then, 
states that there were in Plymouth Township a 
good many citizens who, because they were not 
compensated liberally for the land used in the 
construction of the road, and not realizing the 
advance sure t(i follow when the road was 
opened, determined to resist, and. when the la}'- 
ing of the iron rails was all that remained to 
complete the track, they armed themselves and 



prepared to resist the laborers. The contractor, 
a jolly, fat Irishman, got word of the scheme in 
some way, and came suddenl}- on the scene 
with a strong force of workmen able to defend 
themselves. The citizens chose discretion and 
abandoned their siege. 

The road was in tolerably good running order 
by 1847 and 1848. A branch, extending from 
Oxford to Huron, eight miles, was built about 
this time, but, proving um-emunerative, as other 
roads were constructed in the State, was, in 
after years, abandoned. It was chartered Fel> 
ruary 27, 1846. 

The purchase of the Monroeville & Sandusky 
City Road by the Mansfield & New Haven 
Road, gave the latter corporation, which had 
received its charter March 12, 1836 — one year 
after the former — direct control of a line from 
Mansfield to the lake. The road, as consol- 
idated, was fifty-four miles in length, and had a 
busy traffic. All along this line, at convenient 
distances, stations for receiving produce and 
discharging merchandise were established, and, 
until 1853, the road enjoyed the monopoly of 
the grain trade of this part of Ohio. 

An extension farther south than Mansfield 
began to be agitated before the road was put 
in running order. Considerable opposition was, 
however, exhibited among many classes of 
citizens, who firmly maintained the opinion 
that a prosperous railroad town must be a ter- 
minal point. A charter for a road, known as 
the Columbus & Lake Erie Railroad, was 
granted March 12. 1845, and. five or six years 
after, a road was built between Mansfield and 
Newark, where it could connect with a road to 
Columbus, known then as the Ohio Central Rail- 
road, now part of the Baltimore & Ohio, and 
which was completed in 1854, so that trans- 
portation was begun. That part of this road 
running through this county, south fi*ora Mans- 
field, was mainly built by Mr. Frederick M. 
Fitting, now a resident of Jefl!erson Township. He 
began the work in January. 1850, at Mansfield, 



71 



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306 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



doing the grading, furnishing the ties, and 
laying the iron. B^^ August, he had the road 
in running order, and had his construction train 
running to Lexington. He went on south in the 
construction of the road, doing the entire work 
from ^Mansfield to a point about six miles south 
of Bellville. The part through Knox and 
Licking Counties was being built at the same 
time, so that, by 1852, the cars went on down 
to Newark. Tliis gave this county a river com- 
munication. The two roads — the Mansfield & 
Sandusky City and the Columbus & Lake Erie — 
continued under separate organizations (as was 
also the case with the Huron & Oxford liranch), 
until November 23, 1853, when they were all con- 
solidated and took the name of the Sandusky, 
Mansfield & Newark Railroad. The consolid- 
ation of these roads did not bring the financial 
aid desired. Each corporation was l)urdened 
with deV)ts and judgments, and had hoped, by 
uniting, to establish a road that would meet the 
past liabilities and maintain itself in the future. 
This did not prove to be the case, and under an 
act of the Legislature, passed April 8, 1856, the 
road and property were sold and the company 
re-organized. Soon after this the Huron & Ox- 
ford Branch was abandoned and the rails re- 
moved. The re-organized company put the 
road in a better condition, and materially in- 
creased its traffic. Owing to various delays, 
the deed of conveyance from the old to the 
new company was not made until March 29, 
1865, several years after the sale had been 
made, and after the new company had taken 
charge of the road. 

This organization remained the same until 
February 13, 1869. when a contract was entered 
into l)y and between the Sandusky, IMansfield 
and Newark, the Ohio Central and the Balti- 
more & (^hio Railroads, whereby the first named 
came under the control of the last named, and 
is now operated by that extensive corporation. 

The second railroad built through Richland 
County is the present Cleveland, Columbus & 



Cincinnati, familiarly called the "three C's." 
It was chartered March 14, 1836, two days 
after the Mansfield & New Haven, and was 
intended, as the charter expresses it, " for 
the purpose of constructing a railroad from 
the city of Cleveland, through the city of 
Columbus and the town of Wilmington to 
the city of Cincinnati." Various amendments 
were made to the original charter prior to the 
commencement of the work, one relieving 
the company from any obligation to construct 
its road " to or through any particular place." 
Had this road l)een constructed on a direct line 
between its terminal points, Mansfield would 
now be one of its stations. The company 
desired to bring it through on such a route, 
but the refusal of the city to aid in its con- 
struction caused it to be built on its present 
route as far as this county is concerned. 

The original charter of 1836 became dormant, 
and was not revived for active work until 
March 12, 1845. A few years of delay now 
occurred again, and not until 1848 was work 
begun. It was, however, rapidly- pushed for- 
ward, and in two years the work had so lar pro- 
gressed that the cars ran as far south as Shelby, 
and then shortly to Crestline. By the next 
year (1851), the entire line was open from Cleve- 
land to Columbus. One year before, that part 
of the road south of Columlius was finished, and 
the first direct line lietween the lakes and the 
river was in operation. From the first, a very 
large traffic has been enjoyed by this road. The 
road controls a line from Delaware to Cincin- 
nati, fifty miles in length, which, when com- 
menced, was expected to run from Springfield 
to Mansfield. It was chartered as the Spring- 
field & Mansfield Railroad March 21, 1850, but 
the next year it was allowed to change its 
eastern terminus, and the next year the name 
was changed to the Springfield, Mount Vernon 
& Pittsburgh Railroad. The road, however, 
failed in the construction, and, in 1860, was 
sold for the benefit of its creditors. In Jan- 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



307 



uary, 1862, that part extending from vSpringfield 
to Delaware, then in an . operating condition, 
was sold b}' the Trustees to the Cleveland, 
Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad, and has since 
been operated by that corporation. It is now 
known as the Spring-field Branch. 

This railroad has since been incorporated and 
consolidated with the Bellefontaine Railroad 
Compam'. which in turn is the consolidation of 
two companies, the Indianapolis, Pittsburgh & 
Cleveland Railroad, and Bellefontaine & In- 
diana Railroad Company. The last-named 
road was chartered February 25. 1848, with 
power to construct a railroad from Marion to 
the west line of the State, in Darke County. An 
amendment was made to the charter February 
19, 1849, allowing the corporators to extend the 
road eastwardly from ^Marion to or near Mansfield. 
In 1856. the Company affected an arrangement 
with the Indianapolis, Pittsburgh & Cleveland 
Railroad, whereby both companies acted in 
unison until December 26, 1864. when they 
were consolidated under the name of the Belle- 
fontaine Railroad Company. Maj' 18, 1868, 
this Company was consolidated with the Cleve- 
land. Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad, and 
the present name, the Cleveland. Columlius. 
Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway Company, 
adopted. 

The third railroad built in Richland County 
is the Pittsbui*gh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Rail- 
road, now one of the grand trunk Hues lietween 
the East and the West. It, like all other roads, 
is the consolidation of several small lines whose 
interests demand they should l^e united. The 
road, as it now exists, extends from Pittsburgh 
to Chicago, a distance of 468 miles, of which 
distance 251 miles are in this State. The road 
is the consolidation of the Pennsylvania, Ohio 
& Indiana and Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad 
Companies August 1, 1856. The first-men- 
tioned road was chartered February 24. 1848. 
the charter authorizing the " construction of a 
railroad from Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, 



eastwardlj', by way of the towns of Wooster, 
Massillon, Canton, to some point on the eastern 
boundary of the State ; thence to the city of 
Pittsburgh." The road was also to extend 
"from the town of ^lansfield westwardl3% b}- 
way of Bucyrus, Crawford County, until it 
intersects the west line of the State of Ohio at 
such point as may be most eligible." The Leg- 
islature of Pennsylvania. liy an act of April 
1 1 of the same yeai\ concurrently made the 
Company a corporation of that State. Amend- 
ments were made to the charter afterward in 
both States as well as in Indiana and Illinois, 
which States had chartered the Ft. Wayne & 
Chicago road — authorizing and requiring coun- 
ties and towns along the route to •• subscribe 
stock to aid in building the road, upon an 
aflSrmative vote of a majority of the qualified 
voters of the same." 

It will be observed by the abo^e. that Mans- 
field was made the central starting-point on this 
line. The county and city, l)y a popular vote. 
subscri))ed in all about $90,000 for stock — the 
city taking one-third, the county two-thirds. 
The stock was not subscribed, however, until 
the early part of 1850. after work had begun. 
The 4th day of July, 1849, was the day on 
which work on the line east of Mansfield began. 
It was vigorously pushed forward and the road 
opened for traffic between Allegheny City and 
Crestline. 187 miles. April 11, 1853. The road 
was extended across the Alleghany River in 
September, 1857, and connected with the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh. The charter 
for that part of the Ohio & Pennsylvania road, 
from Mansfield west to the State line, was 
amended, and a new company, called the Ohio 
& Indiana Railroad Company, was chartered to 
Iniild a road from some point on the Cleveland. 
Columbus & Cincinnati road, westward over a 
new route, instead of over the designated one 
for the roail as originally chartered. " This 
point." says the charter. •• was to be selected 
. by the company near Selzers Tavern, in the 



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308 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY 



county of Richland." This tavern occupied 
a position east of Crestline, on the old Mansfield 
and Leesville wagon road. It is now in Crest- 
line, and the name of the crossing was desig- 
nated Crestline. The route from Crestline west 
was to be " to Bueyrus, Upper Sandusky, and 
on such a route as the Directors may select to 
the west line of the State, and thence to Fort 
Wa^'ue, Indiana." This company was made a 
corporation by the Indiana Legislature Januar}^ 
15, 1851. 

The compan}^ did not commence its surveys 
until the 10th of July, 1850, but pressed the 
work of construction with so much energy, that 
on the 1st of November, 1854, the line was 
opened to Fort Wayne, a distance of 131 miles. 
That part of the road, running from Fort Wayne 
to Chicago, was completed in 1858, and that 
year — the three companies being before con- 
solidated — cars ran on one continuous road 
from the Iron City to the city on the lake. 
Mansfield had now a direct line to every 
cardinal point of the compass. 

The Atlantic & Great Western, the third rail- 
way built through the county, is, like the Pitts- 
burgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago road, one of the 
great through lines of railway- connecting the 
East and the West. It was intended, when 
built, to connect New York and St. Louis by a 
continuous gauge of six feet. The route fol- 
lowed was by the Erie llailway to Salamanca, 
thence, in a southwesterly direction, through 
Pennsylvania to Dayton, Ohio ; thence to Cin- 
cinnati, over the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Day- 
ton road — then a broad gauge — at which city 
it connected with the Ohio & Mississippi, and 
over that road to the city of St. Louis. 

That part of the Atlantic & Grreat Western 
Railroad, in Ohio, was chartered March 10, 
1851, as the Franklin & Warren Railroad Com- 
pany', and authorized to build a railroad 
from Franklin. Portage County, via Warren, 
Truml>ull County, to the east line -of the State, 
with power -^to continue the same from its 



place of beginning, in a westerly or southwest- 
erly direction, to connect with any other rail- 
road within this State, which the Directors may 
deem advisable." Under this authority the 
line was constructed from a point on the State 
line, in Trumbull County, to Dayton, a distance 
of 246 miles. Preliminary surv^eys, to construct 
this part of the road, began in October, 1852, 
and active operations in July, 1853. In Sep- 
September, 1854, the name was changed to the 
Atlantic & Great Western Railway. Delay and 
embarrassment intervened, causing a temporary 
stoppage of the work ; but the work was finally 
pushed forward with great activity, the line 
being oj^ened from Salamanca to Warren, 
Ohio, 1(31 miles, in January, 1863; and from 
Warren to Ravenna, 24 miles further, the 
month following; to Ala'on, 17 miles, in May 
following; to Gallon, 82 miles, in February, 
1864, and to Daj-ton, 104 miles, in June of the 
same year. The above statement shows that 
the roatl came through this county early in 
1864. Work had l)een done on the road here 
the year before, and. in some places, a year or 
more before that ; ])ut delays of one kind and 
another kept the work back, sometimes almost 
threatening its permanent aljaudonment. It was 
finall}' finished, and became much more impor- 
tant than its projectors anticipated. By its im- 
portant connections with the Erie in the east, and 
the Ohio & Mississippi, west of Cincinnati, it 
became a great trunk line from New York to 
St. Louis, taking in on its way man}' large and 
important commercial cities. Its broad gauge 
— six feet — was supposed at first to be the 
strongest argument in its favor, and would make 
it, in time, the leading road in America ; but 
experience has demonstrated the fallacy of this, 
the broad gauge operating ad^•ersely to the 
general expectation. It has demonstrated the 
fact that a railroad can be built too wide, as 
well as too narrow, to pay ; the best results 
having been obtained from a medium width of 
track. A law seems to oovern these things, 



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HISTOKY OF EICHLAND COUNTY 



309 



which cannot ])c violated with impunity. A 
common vehicle on the road cannot be made 
wider or narrower than that in common vise, 
without detracting from its usefulness. Ever 
since the Atlantic & Great Western has been in 
operation, there has been continual talk of 
reducing the gauge to the ordinar}^ width, and 
over a great portion of the road between New 
York and St. Louis, this has been accomplished. 
All the new cars and machinery manufactured 
for the road are, and have been for years, made 
with a view to this narrowing of the track. 
That portion of the track now in Ohio 
still retains the broad gauge, with slight 
exceptions, and upon this part, therefore 
are concentrated that part of the material 
and machinery first constructed for the 
broad gauge. A few years more will, with- 
out doubt, see the road cut down to the ordinar}^ 
width, from New York to St. Louis. From Day- 
ton to Cincinnati it is already cut down. When 
the passenger on the Atlantic arrives at Day- 
ton, he finds the car in which he is seated being 
hoisted by machinery, using steam power ; the 
trucks are quickly changed, and the train pro- 
ceeds on its way with the loss of but a few 
minutes' time. The road was sold at the in- 
stance of the foreign bondholders, January 6, 
1880, and the name changed to the New York, 
Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad. Under the 
new regime, the entire track is to be narrowed 
to the standard gauge. A large amount of 
foreign capital was used in the construction of 
this road, and much of its stock is yet held by 
London capitalists. 

The Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan 
Railroad Compau}-, the fourth and last, to date, 
of the railroads passing through or entering 
Mansfield, filed its certificate of incorporation 
with the Secretary of State May 20, 1870, to 
build a railroad from Mansfield to a point on 
the State line lietween Ohio and Michigan, 
eighteen miles from the northwest corner of 
Ohio, 123 miles in lenath. 



By articles liearing date December 28, 1870, 
ratified and taking effect May 19, 1871. the 
Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan, and 
the Ohio & Michigan Railroad Companies 
were consolidated, taking the name of the 
Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad 
Company. Capital stock, #4,000,000 ; I'oad to 
extend from Mansfield, Ohio, via Tiffin, to Alle- 
gan, Mich., 223 miles. 

This railroad was projected and pushed 
through principally by citizens of Mansfield, 
who thought to advance the interest of the city 
by connecting themselves with the rich country 
northwest, which seemed to lack railroad facili- 
ties. The road was built, but not as at first 
intended, and the result was a disappointment. 

A contract was entered into (unfortunately, 
perhaps) July 20, 1871, by which the Pennsyl- 
vania Company' was, after the road-bed was 
graded, bridged and tied, to iron the same, 
build all depots, machine-shops and everything 
necessary to a first-class road ; and to receive 
for the same, $4,460,000 of 7 per cent, first- 
mortgage gold bonds and $5,000 of common 
stock in excess of all stock issued to all other 
parties — the subscription stock to be preferred, 
and to receive a dividend equal to 7 per cent, 
after expenses and interest on bonds are paid, 
and a reasonable amount reserved as a sinking- 
fund for the redemption of said l)onds, prior to 
any di^'idends on common stock ; the Pennsyl- 
vania to equip the road, but to pqy the cost 
from the earnings. 

By this contract, the road practically passed 
into the hands of the Pennsylvania Company, 
and the original object for which the road was 
projected was ignored. By this conti-act, Mans- 
field lost the road she intended to build and 
received another in its stead. To obtain stock 
subscriptions from the people of Mansfield, it 
was announced that the Pennsylvania Companj^ 
had agreed to locate the shops of the railroad 
at Mansfield. With this understanding, a large 
amount of stock was subscribed, and. when 






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310 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



payment was demanded, these subsci'ibers re- 
fused to pay until the shops should be located 
according to agreement. This was not done, 
and litigation ensued in consequence. 

Under provisions of the act of May 4, 1869, 
the city of Toledo contracted with this and the 
Toledo, Tiffin & Eastern Railroad Company, to 
build the Toledo & Woodville Railroad, and, 
March 18, 1873, leased the same to the said 
companies for the term of 999 years. The 
Pennsylvania Company, having secured a lease 
of this line, came into possession of a line 
directly from Mansfield to Toledo, and have 
since operated this line as a feeder to their 
gi'eat trunk road. The road was completed to 
Tiffin in June, 1 873 ; beyond Tiffin it was also 
graded, tied and the rails laid for ten or twelve 
miles, but was never used, the labor and expend- 
iture of money beyond Tiffin being thrown 
away. 

Much litigation and trouble for a few citizens 
of Mansfield, who were prominently connected 
with this road, has ensued ; and the benefits to 
the cit}'. if they have been anything, are tar 
behind the popular expectation. 

Mansfield has now a system of railroads that 
places her among the most important of the 
cities of the State for manufacturing and whole- 
saling purposes. 

Telegraphy began to awaken the world about 
the same time railroads appeared. Even before 
railroads came into the West, several lines, gen- 
erally short, and often experimental, were occa- 
sionally used. Not until after the railroad had 
become a fixed fact, however, did any permanent 
results appear. 

The first telegraph office in Mansfield was 
opened November 30, 1849. Mr. Samuel Hoyt, 
now an operator in Crestline, was in charge of 
the office. There was but one wire, and that, 
he says, was built along the mud road from 
Cleveland to Cincinnati. This telegraph line 
was known as the ''Cleveland & Cincinnati 
Telegi-aph Company." Mr. J. H. Wade, now a 



wealthy citizen of Cleveland, and a man long 
and intimately associated with the early days 
of telegraphy, was President of the Company, 
and was one of its chief originators. The route 
of the line was from Cleveland througli Medina, 
Wooster, Ashland, Mansfield, Bellville, Mount 
A^ernon, Granville, Newark (a branch went from 
Newark to Zanesville), Hebron, Columbus,Wash- 
ington and Wilmington to Cincinnati. These 
places were the onl}^ offices on the line. 

In 1851, the same Company Iniilt a line 
along the Cleveland, Columbus, & Cincinnati 
Railroad, and also along the railroad from 
Newark through Mansfield to Sandusky City. 
This last-named line was the second in 
this county, and was opened, Mr. Wade 
wTites, for business earty in 1852. Mr. Hoyt 
thinks it was not opened till 1853. Prior 
to the erection of any of the lines running north 
and south across the State, a line from Buffalo. 
N. Y., to Detroit, Mich., had been opened (in 
1847) as far as Cleveland, and the next spring 
extended to Detroit. At Sandusky City a junc- 
tion was made, in 1852, with the line along the 
Sandusky & Newark Railway, and the citizens 
of Mansfield could send Eastern dispatches by 
that line (which soon came to be the important 
one) instead of the old Cleveland & Cincinnati 
line, that followed the common highway to 
Cleveland. 

When the first line was built through this 
county, Mr. \\^ade came to Mansfield, and, by 
dint of personal efforts, secured several sub- 
scribers to the stock of the Company. Each 
share was valued at $50. Hugh McFall, Chas. 
Sherman, and other influential citizens took 
stock in the enterprise, none of them having 
very sanguine hopes of realizing anything from 
the investment. They desired to aid any enter- 
prise that favored the advancement of the town. 

The office in Mansfield was located up-stairs 
in Mr. James Purdy's building, one door south of 
the bank corner. Mr. Hoyt was placed in charge 
of the office, and, on the day mentioned (Novem- 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



311 



ber 30th), the office was opened for business. 
The receiving and sending of messages was a 
mystery then to most people, some of whom 
adA^anced curious and crude ideas regarding 
" how the thing was done." Their curiosity 
was not alwaj'S gi^atified by the operators who 
not often sent them away confident they knew 
the whole matter, when, in fact, they had lis- 
tened to some grandly devised scheme, the in- 
vention of the operator's brain, who immensely 
enjoj' ed the joke. 

At that date, operators who could read by 
sound were few. Dispatches were received on 
an old-fashioned Morse register, and run ofi" on 
paper by the yard. Mr. Hoyt saj's, if his mem- 
ory serves him right, the receipts were $G0 or 
$70 per month for the first months. As the 
business continued, and men saw the practical 
value of the telegraph, the revenue increased. 

In the spring of 1848, the office was moved 
to North Main street, and put in an upper 
room, on the McFall corner. '' That spring," 
writes Mr. Hoyt, " Mr. Wade sent me a list of 
the stockholders in Mansfield, and enough 
money to pay a 2 per cent dividend on the 
stock. Mr. McFall held one share. I handed 
him $1, and asked him to receipt for it. He 
replied ' there must be some mistake about it.' 
I assured him there was not. He took the dol- 
lar, handed it to his son Gaylord, requesting 
him to have it framed, and to hang it up in his 
office, as it was the first cent of dividend he had 
ever received from any stock he ever held. The 
bill, on a Plainfield (N. J.) bank, was framed, 
and hung in the designated place. The next 
day, word came that the bank had failed, and 
the dividend was worth only the paper upon 
which it was written." 

The office remained on the McFall corner 
during the year 1852 and part of 1853. In the 
spring of 1853, Mr. Hoyt went to the Cleveland 
office, and was succeeded by Thomas Beer, of 
Ashland, now deceased, a cousin of Judge 
Thomas Beer, of Crawford Countv. Not long 



after, the office was moAed from the McFall 
corner to a room in the Wiler House, near 
its north end. at the alley. B}- this time, the 
lines (m the railroads were in operation, and 
began rapidly to supersede all higliwa}- tele- 
graphs and to do a business commensurate with 
the times. 

The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad was com- 
pleted as far as Crestline in April, 1853 ; a year 
or two after, to Fort Wa^ne, Indiana, and then 
on to Chicago. Such a road used the telegraph 
from its incipienc}-. Soon after the road was 
built, Mr. Thomas T. Eckert, then the Superin- 
tendent of the Wade lines, removed to Mans- 
field from Wooster. and his brother, W. H. 
Eckert, was placed in charge of the office. 
He resided here until 1858. During his resi- 
dence here the Wade lines were made a part 
of the present Western Union lines. Mr. 
Eckert became, in after 3'ears, a widely known 
man. He was of a positive nature, and well 
calculated to manage men. He removed to 
North Carolina in 1859, but on the commence- 
ment of the war returned North and offered his 
services to the Federal GQvernment. He was 
given prominent and responsible positions in 
the service of the Military' Telegraph, and was 
for a time also Assistant Secretar}- of War under 
Edwin M. Stanton. When President Lincoln 
and Secretary Seward met the emissaries 
of the Confederacy, in February, 1865, to see 
if a peaceful solution of the great conflict could 
not be brought about. IMr. Eckert was one of 
the part}', and was intrusted with an impor- 
tant mission. His trust was carried out with 
courteous dignity and delicac}'. and to the en- 
tire satisfaction of the Federal Grovernment. 
After the war closed, Mr. Eckert moved to 
New York, and assumed the responsible posi- 
tion of General Superintendent, of the East- 
ern division of the Western Union Telegraph 
Company, a position he occupied several 
years. He afterward became President of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company, and is 



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312 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



now President of the American Union Tele- 
o^i-aph Compan}'. 

iMr. Eekert was succeeded in Mansfield, as 
Superintendent of the Telegraph, by Mr. 0. H. 
Booth, who now holds that position. He came 
here as an employe of the office, and has risen 
to the position he now holds. He removed the 
office from the room in the Wiler House to the 
southwest corner of Fourth and jMain streets, 
in Stocking's building, where it is now located. 

It lacks but a little of forty years since the 
first telegi-aph office was opened in this county. 
This lapse of time has brought great changes, 
none more strikingly exhibited than in the tele- 
graph business. Now Mr. Booth superintends 
a telegraph interest extending over nearly three 
thousand miles of railroads, on many of which 
are double or triple lines of wire, aggregating 
over ten thousand miles of line. 

The opening of the war gave the telegraph, 
then languishing, an impetus that soon sent it 
to the front as one of the leading business in- 
terests. Every telegraph office in the land was 
the center of intense interest when a battle 
occurred. Often crowds would block the streets 
in front of .an office, waiting for the latest dis- 
patches. The same scenes were again seen dur- 
ing the late Franco-German war. The Mans- 
field office was often crowded all night with eager 
citizens, hanging over the clicking of the in- 
struments, waiting news of a pending battle. 

Since the war at home, telegraph facilities 
have greatly increased. Twenty telegraph cir- 
cuits now traverse the county, connecting 
Mansfield with all the leadinar cities of the 



country. The new American Union Company, 
which is now making such an earnest and 
persistent eflfort to obtain business, comes 
through the county on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad. 

There are fourteen telegraph offices in Rich- 
land County, viz. : five in Mansfield ; one in 
Bellville ; one in Independence ; one in Lex- 
ington ; one in Shelby ; one in Plymouth ; one 
at Toledo Junction ; one at Lucas ; one in 
Windsor, and one in Ontario. 

Another discovery is now awakening a gen- 
eneral interest in all parts of the countrj^ — the 
telephone. It is largely being used by business 
firms, and l)y man}' private parties, who thus 
connect, by word of mouth, their dwellings and 
places of business. Over forty business offices 
and residences are now connected, in Mansfield, 
and are enabled to communicate with each 
other at a moment's call, obviating the necessity 
of employing a special messenger. 

One of the largest churches in the cit}^, the 
Congregationalist, has adopted its use, and, by 
means of its aid, several members who are too 
feeble to leave their residences hear ever}' part 
of the Service, almost as distinctl}^ as if in the 
church. 

Quite a number of persons who graduated in 
the Mansfield telegraph office have attained po- 
sitions of influence in the business world. 
Among these may be mentioned William Hunt- 
er, now Chief of the Western Union Supply 
Department in New York City, and James H. 
Barrett, who is now Superintendent of the 
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway. 




•^ (i 



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<2 ifc- 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



313 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE WAR OF THE* REBELLION. 

Commencement of the War — First News in Mansfield — Public Meetings — Maj. McLaughlin and the 
First Company — Departure for Columbus — Miller Moody's Company — The Fifteenth and Six- 
teenth Regiments in the Field — Their Return — Capt. M. R. Dickey's Company — Capt. A. C. 
Cummins' Company — Other Companies — Return of the Three-Months Troops. 



THE tirst gun tired on Fort Sumter sent its 
reverberations around the world. Not 
an inland hamlet in the whole United States 
existed without its influence an hour after it 
occurred. Telegraph wires flashed the news to 
all railroad towns ; expresses were sent on foot 
and on horseback to all interior towns ; neigh- 
bor hastened to tell it to neighbor, and thus, 
almost before evening of the same day, all parts 
of the Union felt the news and pi'epared to act. 
The nation was attacked, and it should be 
defended. 

The bombardment of Sumter began April 12, 
1861. January H preceding, the insurgents 
had attacked a vessel — '-Star of the West" — 
when on its way to the fort, and even then the 
surrender of the fort was demanded. By the 
12th of April, the rebellion had assumed a more 
formidable organization, and then the war was 
considered fairly opened. It awakened the 
nation. The attack was known in all parts of 
the North before the dawning of the next da^^ , 
and steps for organizing troops to defend the 
country began to be made. 

April 14, President Lincoln issued his proc- 
lamation for 75.000 troops to serve three months. 
Then the magnitude of the rebellion was not 
comprehended, else the call would have been 
very much larger, and for a longer term of serv- 
ice. Ohio's quota was 10,153 men ; more 
than thirty regiments Vere oflered ; 12,357 men 
were accepted, and the State provided (quarters 
for the remainder, mainly at her own expense. 



In this county, the foremost man was Gen. 
William ^McLaughlin, an old tried veteran of the 
Mexican Avar. Tall, erect, and manly in his 
bearing, the very personification of the soldier, 
with flowing white hair and beard (he was then 
nearly seventy years of age) giving a venerable, 
commanding presence — no man was better pre- 
pared than he. and no man more ready. He 
had been a gallant officer in the Mexican war. 
fifteen 3^ears before, and there learned some- 
thing of the privations and requirements of a 
soldier's life. Patriotic to the heart's core, he 
had long scented the danger to which the nation 
was exposed, and prepared himself as a " min- 
ute man "" of the Revolution, ready at a mo- 
ments notice. 

Fort Sumter surrendered Saturday at 1:30 
o'clock. Telegi'aphic news conveyed the word 
to all parts of the LTnion that evening. But 
that was all that was known. The next day 
was Sabbath, and no one in remote towns could 
get accurate and full details till the issue of the 
Monday morning papers. That da}' was a bo- 
nanza to those dailies which contained a full 
report. Early Monday morning, (len. R. Brink- 
erhoff went to the railroad where it entered the 
city, and procuring an Ohio <State Journal from 
the train boy, brought the sheet up to the court 
house, where many of the lawyers had assem- 
bled prior to the opening of court. He went 
into the court I'oom, where the majority of them 
were, and soon the account and the call for 
troops as they were printed in that paper were 



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314 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



known to all. A short silence ensued at its 
close. Mr. William Johnston was the first to 
speak. " I suppose some of j^ou will be volun- 
teering now," said he. " Very likely we will," 
replied some one. The conversation soon l)ecame 
general. The situation of national affairs wp-s 
surely serious. When the news became gener- 
ViWj known over the city, groups of talkers 
could be seen earnestly engaged in conversation. 
Trade was in the background just then. Farm- 
ers came in from the country to learn the latest 
word, and remained to discuss the situation, or 
hurried home to inform their neighbors. At 
dinner that day, the sulyect engrossed the entire 
family conversation. In the afternoon, posters 
were seen all over the city, bearing the follow- 
ing patriotic appeal : 

CITIZENS 

AND LOVERS OF THE COUNTRY 

and 

THE UNION, 

Come together at the 

COURT HOUSE 

THIS EVENING. 
S^^ Gen. McLaughlin and other speakers will ad- 
dress the meeting. 

" About dark," says the Herald, " a large 
crowd assembled, and soon the old court house 
was filled to overflowing. The crowd continued 
pouring in until the stairs were filled, and two 
or three hundred more collected on the outside. 

" The meeting was called to order by appoint- 
ing James Purdy, Esq., President. This gen- 
tleman, on taking his seat, stated the object of 
the meeting in a short speech. The organiza- 
tion was completed by appointing Grcn. John 
Meredith and Joel Myers Vice Presidents, and 
R. Brinkerhoff", and Eckles McCoy, Secretaries. 
A committee on resolutions was appointed, con- 
sisting of the following gentlemen : R. C. 
Smith, M. R. Dickey, Z. S. Stocking, N. L. JeflT- 
ries and B. S. Runyan. The crowd became 
so dense by this time, that it was moved that 



the meeting adjourn to Miller's Hall, and a 
gentleman was dispatched to see if it could be 
procured. He returned in a short time, and 
stated that the hall was lighted, and already 
half full of people. In the mean time. Gen. 
McLaughlin had been called upon to make a 
speech. The meeting adjourned to the hall, 
which was soon filled, and there the General 
resumed his speech. It breathed that patriotic 
fire and devotion to the country, for which the 
old veteran has always been noted. He was 
frequently loudly applauded. 

'^ After he had concluded, the committee on 
resolutions reported the following : 

" Whereas, The Government of the United States, 
when peaceably attempting to provision her starving 
troops in Fort Sumter, has been wantonly assailed by 
traitors to our flag and Government, and Fort Sumter 
compelled to surrender unconditionally ; and, 

"Wherea«, The United States authorities have 
called upon her loyal citizens to furnish men to enable 
her to maintain her authority and protect the common 
property of the people. 

^'Resolved, That we have a Government, and for the 
support of that Government against enemies without 
and traitors within, we hereby pledge our lives and 
fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

"Resolved, That we, as loyal citizens, hereby pledge 
our quota of men, and call upon the Legislature to fur- 
nish means to equip the same for service under the 
time-honored stars and stripes. 

" Mr. R. C. Davis sung the ' Star Spangled 
Banner " with great effect, the audience joining 
in the chorus. Hon. B. Burns, being called 
upon, made a strong Union speech. He was 
followed by N. L. Jeffi-ies, Hon. Jacob Brinker- 
hoff", Judge Geddis, M. R. Dickey and W. W. 
Smith. The meeting kept until a late hour, 
and the utmost enthusiasm and excitement were 
manifested. 

'' One thing," concludes the Herald, " was 
demonstrated b}^ the meeting, and that was that 
all party feeling was obliterated — the politician 
was sunk in the patriot — and each vied with 
the other in expressions of devotion and loyalty 
to the Union." 



*7i 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



317 



The President's proclamation was made the 
next day after Fort Sumter had surrendered, 
and the paper obtained by Gen. Brinkerhoff 
Mouda}' morning contained that in addition to 
the full account of the surrender. The Grov- 
ernor"s proclamation was issued the next day — 
Monda}', April 15 — calling for the organization 
of companies, and requiring them to notify 
him. Thirteen regiments were called for im- 
mediate service. The next day — Tuesday — 
Gen. McLaughlin telegraphed to the Govern- 
ment, tendering a company of 100 men, when 
he, in fact, had not yet enlisted a man. The 
Governor replied in the affirmative. That 
evening, he opened his muster-roll in the court 
house, and, in one hour and a half, sixtj -three 
men were enrolled.* " The scene," says the 
Herald, " as each man came forward, was in- 
tensely exciting. The entire number could 
easily have been filled that night, had not Gen. 
McLaughlin declared his intention to wait until 
morning to enlist the balance." 

The next morning, those who had enlisted 
the night before met at Miller's Hall. Others 
had joined. The roll was now seventy-eight, 
three more than the required number. A meet- 
ing of the citizens was also announced to meet 
at the same place. When they had assembled, 
Mr. H. Colby was called to the chair, who 
stated the object of this meeting to be for the 
purpose of making suitable provision for the 
families of those who enlisted, and announced 
the names of nineteen prominent gentlemen as 
a committee to take this matter in charge. 
The committee appointed five of their number 
as those to whom application should be made 
for such aid. 

After this was done, the company proceeded 
to elect their officers, and organize for active 
milit ary life. The election resulted fn the choice 

* There has been a little friendlj' controversy regarding who the 
first man was to enroll his name in this company. The facts in the 
case are these ; When the first call for volunteers was made by 
Gen. McLaughlin, Joseph Hedges, R. H. Bentley, H. Shelenbarger 
and T. E. Douglas went forward together. Their names appear as 
above mentioned. Hence it is probable they enrolled their names 
in the order given. 



of Gen. McLaughlin, Captain ; _ Alexander Mc- 
Ilvaine, First Lieutenant ; Thomas E. Douglas, 
Second Lieutenant ; and S. E. McFarland, Third 
Lieutenant.* While the election progressed, 
and even after, more applications for enlistment 
were made and accepted. When this was done, 
the men were dismissed for dinner till 1 o'clock. 
After dinner they assembled, and, preceded by 
the brass band, marched to the public square, 
where a handsome silk flag was presented to 
them in an energetic and patriotic speech, by 
William Johnston. It was received by the 
Captain, on behalf of the company, and given 
to T. G. Bristor, Ensign of the company. That 
done, Mrs. C. li. Taft sang, with excellent 
effect, the " Star Spangled Banner." Each man 
was pi'esented with a copy of the New Testa- 
ment, b}^ Mr. H. Colby, on behalf of the Rich- 
land County Bible Society. They then marched 
back to the hall, where they were dismissed, to 
be on hand at 7 o'clock in the morning, read}' 
to embark for the seat of war. During the after- 
noon more enlistments followed, and, by night, 
over one hundred names were em-olled. 

" During all this time," says the Herald, " the 
excitement on the street was most intense. 
Drums were beating in everj' direction, flags 
flying from the roofs and windows of houses, 
excited men walking to and fro — all presenting 
a scene of animation and bustle, reminding us 
of the dreadful scenes of the battle-field, and 
impressing upon all the realit}' of the scene. " 

Early Thursdaj- morning, people were astir 
and thronging the streets. Volunteers could be 
seen on ever}' hand, bidding friends good-bje 
and preparing for a hasty departure. At half- 
past 7 o'clock, the compan}' formed into line, 
and marched to the depot with Gen. McLaugh- 
lin at its head. The " old war horse " marched 
with the tread of a soldier. As the compam' 
came opposite his residence, the}' were di'awn 
up in front of it, and the General parted from 
his famil}' with a military salute, and a hearty 

* This office was afterward abolished. 



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318 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



" God bless you all," that touched many a heart 
and l)r()uoht tdars to many an eye. The com- 
pany then re-formed and proceeded. As they 
came opposite the foundry of Hall & Allen, the 
workmen came out in procession and escorted 
them to the depot. It was indeed a proud 
moment. At the depot the scene was quite 
thrilling. Friends parted from friends, brothers 
from l)rothers and sisters, husbands from wives, 
fathers and mothers from sons, lovers from 
lovers. " Man}^ a manly fellow," says one who 
saw it all, " felt the tear rush unbidden from his 
eye." Many a "God bless and preserve you " 
was heard as the train came in and left, while 
hearty cheers went up from the bystanders as 
this, the first company" from Eichland County, 
started on its mission of patriotism. 

On the way to Columbus, but little happened, 
Mr. George W. Grubb,* now a resident of Lex- 
ington, in a letter describes the trip as one full 
of fun, yet not unmixed with sadness. They 
had left homes and dear ones behind, not know- 
ing they would see them again. Yet they were 
determined to be brave, and mirth ruled the 
hour. He narrates an incident well worth pre- 
serving, which shows the ideas then held by 
new recruits regarding the discipline in an 
army. 

Mr. Thomas E. Douglas was the Second Lieu- 
tenant, and had been assigned charge of 
part of the men. While on the way, on the 
Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indian- 
apolis Railroad, he had occasion to reprove a 
soldier for some boisterous conduct. The sol- 
dier, not knowing his rank, and not relishing 
the reproof, looked in Lieut. Douglas' face and 
very blandly and coolly remarked, "And who 
the devil are you, sir ? " The joke was pretty 
good, and was relished by the rest of the boys, 
if not by the Lieutenant. 

Arriving at Columbus, the company reported 
to the Governor. That official and his Adju- 

* Mr. Grubb was the first man to enlist from Troy Township, and, 
he thinks, the fifth in the county. He was afterward a member of 
the Sixth Ohio Battery. 



tant found themselves suddenl}' with two or 
three regiments on hand, and no place to keep 
them. Hotels were utilized until a camp could 
be selected, and better means provided. The 
company, whose history is now being written, 
was assigned to the First Ohio Volunteers. 
While here, Joseph Hedges was appointed First 
Sergeant ; R. H. Bentley, Second ; T. G. Bris- 
tor,* Third, and James D. McBride, Fourth ; 
thus completing the organization of the com- 
pany, which was known in the regiment as 
" Company I." 

Owing to the chaotic state of military mat- 
ters at Camp Jackson, the men, in common 
with many other companies, did not get any 
supper until late at night, and found a place to 
sleep as best they could about the camp. At 
2 o'clock in the morning, they were marched to 
the depot, and, with a few other companies, 
were soon on the way to the front. At Harris- 
burg, the company remained over Sunday, and 
then went on to Lancaster, where it went into 
camp on the fair grounds, about a mile from 
the city. Both Ohio regiments, the First and 
Second, numbering about one thousand six 
hundred men, were there. Regimental officers 
had been elected while at Harrisburg, and, 
Sunday afternoon, April 29, the Colonel, Alex- 
ander McCook, arrived, and mustered the regi- 



* There is rather an amusing anecdote connected with the 
appointment of some of these officers that is worth preserving: 

When the election for company officers was held in Mansfield, T. 
G. Bristor and T. E. Douglas were both candidates for a Lieuten- 
ant's place. As it happened, however, neither of them knew the 
difference between the positions of Lieutenant and Sergeant, each 
thinking they were about the same. It was agreed that Bristor 
shovild support Douglas for Lieutenant, and he, Bristor for Sergeant. 
Douglas was elected, and. not long after, Bristor learned that his 
office depended on the Captain, who appointed Sergeants. lie nat- 
urally felt a little chagrined at his easy defeat. After the com- 
pany got to Columbus, Mr. B., wanted to go to the city, but found a 
guard around camp. None of them knowing much about the 
requirements of war, Mr. B., when confronted by the guard, deliber- 
ately snatched the musket out of his hands and went on his way. 
He knew Gen. McLaughlin had a weakness for whisky, and, after 
imbibing a quantity himself, returned to camp, where he was 
informed that the Captain would "see to his case at the proper 
time." Looking arounJfor that official, he found him sound asleep 
on a board. B. sat down by him and patiently awaited his waking. 
When that occurred, the first object that confronted the Captain 
was Private B., who, without giving him a chance to say anything, 
Invited him to " take something." The Captain could not resist, 
and, retiring to an obscure corner, was treated to a choice drink. 
Smacking liis lips, the old veteran patted Private Bristor on the 
shoulder, and very kindly called him " Sergeant Bristor, Sergeant 
Bristor, sir!" Private Bristor had gained his point. 



"TT'. 



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HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



319 



ment into service. At first, the officers per- 
emptorily refused to accept Capt. jNIcLauglilin, 
owing to liis age, claiming he could not stand 
the marches, should they be necessar}'. He 
was, however, finally given a commission. He 
was determined to go to the war, and, had an 
officer's commission been denied him, the " old 
war horse " would have shouldered a musket 
and gone, as he expressed it, " on his own 
hook." While in camp, Hon. John Sherman 
joined the company, and was made color bearer. 
He, however, was not mustered in, his duties aa 
Senator occupying his time. The regiments 
went to Philadelphia, May 1, where the}' were 
until near the last of the month, when they 
were ordered forward to the defense of Wash- 
ington. While at Washington, Capt. McLaugh- 
lin was offered a captain's commission in the 
regular arm}-, but declined it. On the 23d of 
the month, they left the vicinity of Washington 
and marched to Arlington Heights, where they 
remained till June 15, when they received 
orders to cross over into Virginia. In that 
State, they went into Camp Lincoln, remaining 
there two days, when they, in company with a 
large force of troops, were sent forward to guard 
the railroad. Near the town of Vienna, they 
encountered a masked battery, and a short, 
sharp fight ensued, in which the Federal troops 
were driven back. The troops left along the 
road hurried forward to aid their comrades, but 
met them too late to do an}- good, and together 
they retreated in good order to the road lead- 
ing from Georgetown to Fairfax, where a de- 
tachment had been left, and, with them, went 
into camp, naming it Camp LTpton. This was 
the first touch of war for any of Richland 
County's troops. It is said that in this retreat 
the "old war horse" was as active as any, 
despite his lameness ; but the men were all 
fresh, and, in after 3-ears, looked upon this first 
exploit with consideral^le feeling of mirth. 

Not long after this, the great battle of Bull 
Run — the first real battle of the war — occurred. 



The First Regiment was in the active part of 
the battle. It did good service, also, in con- 
ducting the retreat, and in re-forming the 
broken Federal lines. It is due to Mr. T. E. 
Douglas to sa}', that, when the rout began at 
that battle, he was the first man to call a rail}' 
of Ohio troops. Springing on a stump, he 
shouted, " Soldiers of Companj- 1, rally ! rally ! " 
A few gathered about him ; others came ; soon 
the regiment was called in, and an orderly 
retreat made, covering other flying troops, and 
saving the credit of Ohio. 

The term of enlistment of the three-months 
men began to expire about the 1st of August. 
The magnitude of the contest was now appar- 
ent, and, ere the day came to disband the first- 
•called soldiers, the President's call for 300,000 
troops went over the land. ^lau}- of the three- 
months men re-enlisted. They were, however, 
allowed a short furlough, and came home. 
Friday, August 6, Capt. Miller's compau}-, 
which had been in the Fifteenth Regiment, 
arrived in Mansfield. A gTeat concourse of 
citizens met them at the depot and escorted 
them up town. Speeches were made, and a 
happy reunion experienced. But one man had 
been killed. That was Mr. N. 0. Smith, who 
lost his life in a skirmish between a squad of 
rebels and his and the Sixteenth Regiments, on 
the 29th of June. He was Richland's first 
offering in the war.* 

The next day after Capt. Miller's company 
(enlisted under Capt. M. R. Dickey) came. 
Capt. McLaughlin's company arrived. He had 
lost but two men, James Morris t and Edward 
Horstack. The first named was missing ; the 
latter died at Lancaster, of disease. The 
Plymouth company, Capt. Hiram Miller, the 
Shelby company, Capt. A. C. Cummins, and the 

* When his comrades-in-arms received their pay in August, each 
one contributed to a common fund, and erected a beautiful monu- 
ment over liis grave in the little graveyard at Windsor, whither a 
great concourse of people laid him away forever at rest. 

fBysome means, lie was detached from the regiment at the 
battle of Bull Run, and was tal- en prisoner by the rebels. This 
was not known when the company returned. 



X. 



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320 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Bellville company, Capt. Miller Moody, had re- 
turned with all their men. Thus, in the three- 
months service, the county sent out four 
companies, in all of which but four men were 
lost. 

Before proceeding to the history of the 
three-years service, it will be well to go back 
and notice the organization of the three com- 
panies referred to, and their exploits in the war. 

Capt. McLaughlin's company, though the 
first to enlist men and to leave for the war, was 
but little in advance of others. He began 
enlisting men Tuesday night, April 17. In a 
day or two, his company was full, and on its 
way to Columbus. Other towns in the county 
were awaking. The next day after Capt. 
McLaughlin began enlisting men (Wednesday), 
Miller Moody, a resident of Bellville, began 
raising a volunteer company, and the following 
Monday started for Columbus with " about sev- 
enty-five men of the right stamp," say the local 
papers. The Village Council and the citizens 
raised over $700, and further pledged their aid 
to the support of the families of volunteers, 
should any necessity arise where such help 
would be needed. Mr. Moody was elected Cap- 
tain of the company ; A. W. Loback, First 
Lieutenant, and James Riddle, Second Lieuten- 
ant. At Columbus, the company- was assigned 
to the Sixteenth Regiment, and passed with it 
a very creditable campaign in the eastern 
division of the army, doing guard duty and 
aiding in repelling invasions toward the north. 
The regiment came home about the 8th or 9th 
of August. Capt. Moody's company had lost 
not a man. All returned in health and spirits, 
and, not long after, many re-enlisted in the 
three-years service. 

Other towns were also preparing for the fra3\ 
The next ^Nlonda}- evening after these two com- 
panies had left — the same daj' that Capt. Moody 
and his company left — Moses R. Dickey, now 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, began 
recruiting a company in Mansfield, and that 



evening it was full}' organized, and elected its 
officers. They were : Captain, Mr. Dickey ; 
First Lieutenant, Hiram Miller ; Second Lieu- 
tenant, A. R. Z. Dawson ; First Sergeant, H. L. 
Avery ; Second Sergeant, William Ritter ; Third 
Sergeant, S. M. AVilkinson. The company left 
for Columbus Thursday, April 25, and went into 
Camp Jackson. There it was assigned to the 
Fifteenth Regiment, and began drilling and the 
regular routine of camp life.* 

Shelb}' was also awake. A meeting of the cit- 
izens was held April 17. The following notice 
appeared in the Shelby papers concerning this 
meeting : 

In compliance with previous notice, a very large 
meeting of the citizens of Sharon Township met at Gen. 
Wilson's Hall, at 7 o'clock, P. M., to consider the state 
of the country, and consult together in reference to 
their duty on the proclamations of the President of the 
United States and the Governor of the State of Ohio. 

The meeting was organized by appointing William 
Cummins, Chairman, and John H. Cox, Secretary. 

A committee of five was appointed to draft resolu- 
tions expressive of the sense of the meeting, to wit : 
Harrison Mickey, William R. Bricker, D. Anderson, U. 
Matson and H. B. Gaylord. 

In the absence of the committee, Abraham Cummins, 
being called upon, made an able and patriotic appeal 
for the flag of our Union as it is, and the importance of 
sustaining the laws and liberties of our country. 

The committee reported the following resolutions, 
which were unanimously adopted amid the most enthu- 
siastic unanimity : 

Resolved, That the citizens of this community will to 
the utmost of their ability aid the General Government 
in maintaining its authority, enforcing the laws, and in 
upholding the flag of the Union. 

Resolved, That we have a Country and a Union, and 
that to the extent of our ability we pledge our lives and 
our property to sustain it against all traitors, come 
from what quarter they may. 



*A significant fact connected with the organization of Capt. 
Dickey's company is worth recording. 

At its first organization, five or six men got together and 
arransed the details, themselves forming the nuclens. It was 
agreed that no man wonid be accepted in the company who did 
not fill the standard regarding weight, size, height, etc. Also that 
no man would be eligible who would not receive the vote of not 
less than four-fifths of the members of the company, admitting him 
to membership. These requirements secured an excellent class of 
men, of whom it was said at the close of the war, " that not less 
than forty had held oomm'ssions before the conflict ended." 



^ a 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



321 



The meeting was then addressed by numerous speakers 
on the state of the country, and but one feeling pre- 
vailed — that the Government must be sustained. 
********* 

It was further resolved, that the families of volunteers 
must be cared for, and, on motion of S. Tucker, the fol- 
lowing committee of nine was appointed, to wit : Simeon 
Tucker, John Dempsey, David Anderson, W. R. Bricker, 
C. McMiller, J. H. Cox, S. S. Bloom, William Cummins 
and William Kerr. 

(Signed) William Cummins, Chairman. 

J. H. Cox, Secretary. 

Mr. A. C. Cummins, now a resident of 
Mansfield, began raising a company about 
the same time Capt. Dicke}' raised his, and, 
in a sliort time, had enlisted eight}^ men. 
When the officers of the company- were chosen, 
he was elected Captain; T. H. Wiggins, 
First Lieutenant, and H. B. Graylord, Second 
Lieutenant. The Sergeants were J. H. Fine- 
frock, A. M. Burns, S. H. Anderson and Edgar 
Wilson. The Corporals were John Saltzgarber, 
H. L. Bingham, William Fletcher and Isaac A. 
Mej'ers. A second company was also organ- 
ized there, of which William Cummins was 
elected Captain ; Rev. A. R. Brown, First Lieu- 
tenant, and Thomas H. Mickey, Second Lieu- 
tenant. It was, however, not out in the three- 
months service. 

Capt. Dickey's company went to Columbus 
Thursday, April 25. Capt. Cummins' company 
had preceded them a few days, and had been also 
assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment. This regi- 
ment was now filled, and ordered into service. 
Before going, Capt. Dickey had been promoted 
to the Lieutenant Colonel's place, and Hiram 
H. Miller, First Lieutenant of the company, 
elected to fill his place. The regiment left 
Camp Jackson May 15, and went to Camp 
Goddard, near Zanesville, where they spent 
about ten days drilling and waiting for equip- 
ments. At the end of that time, the Fifteenth 
went into West Virginia, crossing the Ohio 
River near Bellaire, and encamping at Camp 



Benwood. May 30, they left Camp Benwood, 
and went on to Camp Burton, the Sixteenth 
Regiment having preceded them one day. At 
Camp Burton, seven companies under command 
of Col. Andrews encamped, and three companies 
under Lieut. Col. Dickej' proceeded to Glover's 
Gap and camped. Both were doing guard dut}^ 
on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The regi- 
ments did not well relish this service. The}' 
desired to get to the front, and, by a stroke of 
policy, received an order from the General to 
" move on." They marched to Grafton. While 
at this place, three companies were detailed, 
under command of Lieut. Col. Dicke}', to go to 
Philippi. They reached there the day after the 
fight. None of these companies were from 
Richland County. The seven companies under 
Gen. Hill were sent to intercept Gen. Garnett's 
retreating troops ; but, halting a few miles too 
soon, the rebels passed them in the night, and 
escaped. Soon after, the skirmishes at Laurel 
Hill and Carrick's Ford occurred. At the latter 
place the rebels lost Gen. Garnett, one of their 
best generals. He was killed while endeavoi*- 
ing to rally his men. The term of enlistment 
of the three-months men had expired before 
these engagements occurred ; but the}^ were in- 
duced to remain in reponse to an urgent appeal 
from Gen. McClellan, who desired them in the 
crisis to stand a while longer. After the affairs 
terminated, the separated regiments were 
gathered at Grafton, and there took cars for 
home, arriving in Columbus about the 1st of 
August. They (the Fifteenth and Sixteenth) 
had been in almost the same kind of service, 
principally guard duty. They had performed 
a large amount of marching, guarding and re- 
pairing of bridges along the I'ailroad, and in the 
discharge of these duties had been of gi-eat 
value to the Government. The Fifteenth had 
lost but two men. 

Capt. Miller and Capt. Cummins' companies 
arrived home August 2, Mr. N. 0. Smith being 
the only man missing, and he, the county's first 



TT 



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822 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



offering on the altar of freedom, lay asleep in 
the cemetery. The next day after Capt. Miller 
arrived, ('apt. McLaughlin's company came; 
Capt. Moody was also home soon, and the 
three-months soldiers the county had sent 
were again in their homes, and narrating their 
exploits on the fields of battle. The war had, 
however, only begun. Their experiences soon 



gave way before those who had seen longer 
terms of service. The Government, recognizing 
the magnitude of the conflict, was now enlisting 
new men for three years instead of three months. 
Many who had seen the front began to prepare 
to return. "As long as the country is in danger, 
so long will we be ready," said they. The 
opportunity was at hand. They improved it. 




^ 



:nv 



(2 k_ 



-^ g) 



A 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



323 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

FIRST THREE-YEARS TROOPS. 

Re-Enlistment of Three-Months Men — Unsuccessful Attempt of Capt. Beekman's Company to Enter the 
Three-Months Service and its Return — Organization of Companies in the County — Thomas Ford 
Commissioned to Raise the Thirty-Second Regiment — Camp Mordecai Bartley — The Fifteenth 
Regiment — Departure of the Thirty-Second — Roster of the Thirty-Second — Its Life in the Field. 



AS early as May 4, President Lincoln began 
to see the immensity of the rebellion and 
prepare to meet it. That day, he issued a call for 
recruits to the regular army, and 42,000 men to 
serve three years. The call for three-months 
men. as has been noted, was more than twice 
filled, but still recruiting went on. " They will 
be needed," said the nation, and the nation was 
correct. Many of the three-months men re-en- 
listed, being given time to return home and 
arrange their affairs. While these companies 
were out in service, the enlistment of troops 
had gone steadily on at home. 

The town papers of that date are full of 
"war news." When locals ran short, all they 
needed was an item or two concerning enlist- 
ments or popular gatherings, which they could 
dilate to the extent of their columns. The^^ 
speak full}' of the companies mentioned, and 
their departure and return from war. 

Among those who raised companies that saw 
no service, but were ready, was Capt. John W. 
Beekman, of Plymouth, who raised a company 
of 100 men. He began recruiting April 18, 
the next day after Maj. McLaughlin, and, by 
Frida}' evening, enough men were enlisted and 
waiting for orders to march. Mr. Beekman 
was elected Captain, and B. F. Da}' and David 
Gribbs, Lieutenants. Sabbath day, after drill, 
the company marched in a body to the Presby- 
terian church, where the}' listened to a sermon 
from the fifteenth A'erse of the fourteenth chapter 
of Exodus — " Speak unto the children of Israel, 



that they go forward'' — by the Rev. Selman. 
At its close, the men were each presented with 
a Bible. " Fully three thousand people were in 
town," says the Advertise)-. The next morning, 
at 8 o'clock, the company left the village, 
marching to Norwalk, in Huron County, where 
it took the cars for Cleveland. Just as it 
formed to start from Plymouth, Miss Susan 
Seymour appeared with a fine flag, the gift of 
the ladies of the town, and, in a neat, appro- 
priate speech, asked the soldiers to " guard it 
well, and carry it through all war's vicissitudes." 
Arriving at Cleveland, the company went into 
camp. But the State could not receive half 
the men offered, and, after a short encampment, 
the company disbanded and returned home. 
Richland County was doing her part nobly. 
Only seven counties gave more troops on the 
first call. 

Mansfield was also organizing more com- 
panies. As fiist as organized, they met gener- 
ally in Miller's Hall to drill. Among these 
local companies were the " Mansfield Cadets," 
composed of fifty men, organized May 9. J. 
B. Hoffer was Captain; Michael Keiser was 
First Lieutenant ; F. Harding, Second Lieuten- 
ant ; Isaac Cass, First Sergeant. 

Jonas Smith, the County Auditor, also organ- 
ized a company, who met and drilled in the 
court house hall, while almost daily, on the 
streets, in the park or near the city, could be 
heard the 

" Tread of armed men.'" 



^; 



T^ 



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324 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



A militia company was formed in Washing- 
ton Township, consisting of fifty men, of whom 
Mr. Fickle was Captain ; James Pollock and 
Elias Hiser, First and Second Lieutenants. 
" This company," sa}' the Herald^ " was organ- 
ized under the call for 100,000 men, and holds 
itself in readiness to move, should it be 
needed." 

A company, called the " Old Guards," com- 
posed of men in the city and vicinity, whose 
ages ranged from thirty-five to sixty-five years, 
of whom George Armentrout was Captain, was 
also organized, and l^egan drilling. Several of 
the members of this company had served in 
the Mexican war, and were now reviving a 
taste of their old experiences. 

The Herald, in the latter part of July, says : 
" Rev. Jacob Kahler has just raised a company 
of artillery, who are to be ready in case an 
invasion of the city occurs. They are not to 
leave the city. Each man must be of 1 75 pounds 
weight, and of a necessary height and build. 
They are some of the best men of our county." 
This paper of the same date also says : " Capt. 
Thomas H. Ford, on Jul}' 25, sent another com- 
pany to Columbus under command of Capt. 
Bowland." 

Charles R. Lord organized a company early 
in May, and Friday, the 17th, he was elected 
Captain ; J. Davis, Jr., First Lieutenant, and 
L. D. Myers, Second Lieutenant. The com- 
pany, at its organization, numbered fifty-three 
men. Union meetings were held in most of 
the townships, at which stirring speeches were 
made, funds collected and supplies gathered 
for the relief of the families of those who vol- 
unteered, and to be sent to the soldiers in camp 
whom the Government had not yet supplied 
with equipments. Ex-Gov. Ford and Capt. 
Seaton each raised a companj', and June 8 
both companies were on their waj' to Columbus. 
M. W. Worden was, at the same time, raising 
a company, which, however, like all these 
noticed, was not needed, and, like many of 



them, saw no service until they re-enlisted as 
three-years soldiers. Capt. Worden's corn- 
pan}^ reported ready for duty August 3. 

This chaotic condition of affairs in the mili- 
tar}' departments of Ohio was largely due to 
the excited war Governor, and his equally ex- 
cited staflT of assistants. They had telegraphed 
hither and thither for troops, and suddenly 
found themselves with thousands of men on 
hand, and no provisions for their keeping. The 
newspapers of an adverse political faith, hear- 
ing the cry of favoritism and ill-supply of the 
men, took up the refrain and stirred up the 
masses, who in turn roundly abused the Gov- 
ernor and the Administration for not being pre- 
pared in a moment. Large numbers of the 
soldiers could not be received ; there was no 
call for them, and, like Capt. Beekman's company 
from Plymouth, they returned without being 
mustered, and without pay, and minus their 
time and expenses. The call for three-years 
men gave the State time and opportunity to 
relicA^e itself of its supply of men. They were 
returned to their homes, and recruiting for the 
war began. Gov. Dennison commissioned 
ex-Gov. Ford to raise a regiment, to be known 
as the Thirty-second, and gave him the colonelc3^ 
He enlisted as many of his men as he could 
induce to enter the service, and sent recruiting 
oflflcers to adjoining counties. His commission 
was given the last week in July, and in a short 
time he had one company in the city, full ; two 
being recruited, and one organizing in Perrys- 
ville, under command of Capt. Joseph Gladden. 
On the 2d day of August, two companies, one 
from Knox and one from Carroll County, came 
and were clothed here and kept to await the 
selection of a camp, near Mansfield, now becom- 
ing necessary. By the next week, five com- 
panies were read}', three of whom, Capt. Bow- 
land's, Worden's and Gladden's, were from this 
county. Two sites were proposed for camps. 
One was on the farm of Mr. Long, a little way 
northwest from the city ; the other near Bart- 



V 



_i: 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



335 



ley's mill. As the State had made no pro- 
visions for maintaining the camp here, it was 
expected that the citizens would raise the 
mone^' to pay the rent of the ground and pro- 
vide barracks for the men. 

The Hrndd of August 17 states that "a 
camp has been selected on the Tingley farm, to 
be known as Camp Mordecai Bartley," and 
'• that six companies are there busily engaged 
in preparing it for the reception of the troops 
of the Thirtj'-second Regiment." 

While Col. Ford was engaged in recruiting 
his regiment, Capt. Conger came to the cit}' and 
announced he would receive recruits for a cav- 
alry regiment. Soon after. Col. Lewis Zahm, a 
well-known citizen of the State, began raising a 
cavahy regiment, to which one company, raised 
by Charles Seidel, was attached. Several men 
in this company were from this county. At the 
same time these events were occurring, Lieut. 
Col. Dickey announced that he would raise a 
company for three years, to be assigned to the 
Fifteenth Regiment now recruiting for that serv- 
ice. Capt. Miller received a commission as a 
Captain, and AVilliam Ritter, as Second Lieuten- 
ant. Capt. Miller "has good success raising 
men," says the Herald. But various contin- 
gences arose, and the compan}' was, not raised 
as was at first proposed. Capt. Miller, however, 
raised a company, which was, not long after, 
assigned to the re-organized Fifteenth, for three 
years" service. Nearly all the returned soldiers 
were, in one way or another, engaged in recruit- 
ing. Capt. McLaughlin was commissioned about 
the middle of September to raise a Ixxttalion of 
cavalry, which afterward formed a part of the 
" Sherman Brigade." Alexander ^Mcllvaine, 
who had been First Lieutenant in McLaughlin's 
three-months company, was commissioned to 
raise a company, of which he was Captain, when 
the company was assigned to the Sixty-fourth 
Regiment. His compan}^ was organized Satur- 
day evening, September 21, and elected Mcll- 
vaine, Captain ; Michael Reiser, First Lieuten- 



ant, and Samuel Wolf, Second Lieutenant. The 
first and last named were in the three months' 
service, while Mr. Reiser had seen service in the 
Mexican war. 

H. Bentley Smith, Dr. Anderson, of Lexing- 
ton, Messrs. Winter and Gri'egg were au- 
thorized to raise companies, and nearly all suc- 
ceeded. Late in August, Miller Moody began 
re-enlisting his company for the Sixteenth Regi- 
ment, three years' service. Capt. A. R. Z. Daw- 
son was also commissioned, and began raising 
a company. This company was also intended 
for the Fifteenth Regiment, which, as three- 
months men, were paid off August 20, and began 
rapidly re-enlisting for three 3'ears. 

Speaking of the number of companies formed 
in the county, the Herald of August 21 says : 
" Several companies are being formed in the 
count3\ If all of them are accepted, Richland 
County will have furnished a full regiment of 
three-years men." 

August 15, Capt. Cummins received his com- 
mission to recruit men for the three-3'ears serv- 
ice. He at once went to work. In a short 
time after the men were paid for their three 
months' service, the Captain, like the others, had 
his company full. 

September 4, the Herald gives the following 
summary of enlisted men read}' for service : 

'' Capt. Aaron C. Johnston's company in the 
Twenty-fifth Regiment ; William H. Seaton's, in 
the same ; William B. Bowland's in the Thirty- 
second ; Joseph Clladden's, in the same : Hiram 
Miller's, A. R. Z. Dawson's and A. C. Cummins, 
in the Fifteenth ; and Miller Moody's in the 
Sixteenth ; Charles Seidel's company of cavalry 
is composed of men from this and adjoining 
counties, and are now in Col. Zahm's regiment. 
In addition to these. " continues the paper, "the 
following companies are nearh' ready : Capt. 
F. S. Sowers, for Col. Zahm's cavalry ; J. B. 
Franklin's, for Wade's cavalry ; E. B. Conger, 
for the First Virginia Cavalry, and Capt. George 
Weaver's for the Fourth Infantrv." 



t 



326 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



About this time, these various companies 
began organizing. Col. Ford was eomrais- 
sioned b}- the Governor to raise a regiment — 
the Thirty-second — and, as has been mentioned, 
was also progressing favoral>ly in its recruit- 
ing, while these events were occurring. Camp 
Mordecai Bartley had been selected on the 
Tingle}' farm, and there the Colonel liegan 
gathering his regiment, augmented to six com- 
panies when the site was selected. The camp 
equipage arrived Monday, August 19, the (tov- 
ernment having accepted the camp, and soon 
tents appeared. Strict military discipline was 
enforced by the Colonel, who was determined 
the soldiers should be well drilled. The camp 
was the center of attraction for all the adjacent 
country', and ever}' day received a great manj^ 
visitors, many of whom brought edibles of all 
sorts, by which means the soldiers fared very 
well. Tlie soldiers are all highly complimented 
by the local papers, as being very orderly and 
military in appearance. 

The next day after the tents arrived, August 
20, Col. Ford issued a special circular. No. G, 
in whicli he prescribes camp routine and which 
he heads as follows : " Headquarters Thirty- 
second Regiment, Camp Buckingham."* He 
had changed the name of the camp in honor of 
the then Adjutant General of the State. While 
he remained in camp, the latter name was 
used ; on his departure, September 2, the old 
name was again adopted. 

Col. Ford had secured Capts. Milton W. 
Worden, William B. Bowland, Joseph Gladden 
and C. R. Lord, all of whom were busily en- 
gaged recruiting men. As early as August 



* There seems to be a little confusion in the columns of the local 
papers regarding the name of the camp. Immediately underneath 
the ordt-r quoted, the Herald alludes to the change and says, " Col. 
Ford makes it, though the State had given the name 'Mordecai 
Bartley.' " " We think the Colonel has about made the State knock 
under," says the local column. However, old soldiers say the State 
did not " knock under," and that, though the Colonel tried to make 
the change, he did not succeed. The camp lor the Sherman bri- 
gade, mar town, was, however, named Buckingham, probably to 
compromise the matter. During the draft, it was also changed to 
Camp Mansfield. 



10, a company from Mount Vernon and one 
from Carrollton came to Mansfield for this regi- 
ment, and were quartered in the city until the 
camp was selected. By the latter part of 
August, another came, and went immediately 
into camp. At that date, there were four com- 
panies, which, the newspapers said, aggregated 
750 men. Recruiting went rapidly on in this 
regiment. August 24, Maj. Edie, an United 
States officer, arrived, and the men were 
sworn into the service. The camp at that time, 
each day, presented a livel}- appearance. Some 
minister from the city generally preached Sab- 
bath afternoon to the soldiers, although his 
audience contained often more citizens than 
soldiers. When the regiment was organized, 
Ford was made Colonel ; E. H. Swinne}', Lieu- 
tenant Colonel ; S. M. Hewett, Major ; R. F. 
Jackson, Adjutant, and R. H. Bentley, Quar- 
termaster. 

September 3, the Thirty-second received 
orders to repair to Camp Dennison. Though 
not quite full, the Colonel left recruiting offi- 
cers behind to fill the (juota as fast as possi- 
ble. Early Tuesday morning the regiment left 
Camp Buckingham and marched to the depot, 
where sixteen passenger cars awaited them, 
into which they went, and were soon leaving 
home. This was the first regiment that left 
Richland County for the three-years service. 
War was a realit}' now. They were leaving 
home, many of them forever, others to come 
back only in the bod}', while the spirit had gone 
to its Maker from some bloody field of battle, 
or from some lonely glen or vale ; others, 
maimed for life, while others, who are j'et liv- 
ing, came back in the full vigor of manhood, 
to recount in story and song their life in the 
camp, on the march and in the field. 

On the opposite page will be found the roster 
of the Thirty-second Regiment — three-years 
service — showing only the names of those 
officers who went from Richland Count}'. 



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HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



327 



ROSTER OF THE THIRTY- SECOND REGIMENT. 



Bank. 


Name. 


Date of 
Appointment. 


Commission 
Issued. 


Remarks. 




Thomas H. Ford 


July 26, 1861... 
Dec. 25, 1862... 
May 18, 1865... 
Sept. 5, 1861... 
August 31, 1862. 
August 31, 1862. 
May 4, 1863.... 
Nov. 18, 1864... 
May 18, 1865. . 
August 10, 1861. 
Feb. 8, 1862.... 
Feb. 8. 1862... 
March 15. 1862. 


Sept. 6, 1861.... 
Dec. 25. 1862. . 
May 18, 1865.. 
Sept. 16, 1861.. 
Sept. 16, 1361.. 
Sept. 16, 1861... 
Jan. 19, 1863.. 
Nov. 18, 1864... 
May 18, 1865... 
Sept. 16, 1861.. 

Feb. 8, 1862 

Feb. 8, 1862 

May 5, 1862 

June 29, 1863... 
April 6, 1864... 
August 11, 1864. 
Nov. 18, 1864... 

Jan. 9, 1862 

March 5, 1862... 
Dec. 27, 1862... 
Feb. 18, 1863... 
August 25, 1863. 
Mavis. 1865.... 


Discharged November 8, 1862. 
Resigned July 27, 1863. 
Resigned as Capt. in Jan., '66. 
Resigned March 17, 1862. 
Resigned June 17, 1862. 
Honorably disch'd June 18, '63. 


Lieut Col. . 


Robert H. Bentley 


Major 

Chaplain.... 
Captain 


Alexander R. Patterson 


William H. Nickerson 


William B. Rowland 


Milton W. Worden 


Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

First Lieut.. 


Alexander R. Patterson 

William Wise 


Promoted to Major. 
On detached duty. 
Mustered out with regiment. 
Promo' d to Capt., Dec. 25, 1862. 
Resigned April 27, 1863. 
Promoted to Captain. 
Resigned Jan. 7, 1864. 
Killed July 22, 1864. 
Promoted to Captain. 
Promoted to Captain. 
Mustered out with regiment. 
Pro. to First Lieut, Feb. 8, 1862. 


Daniel W. Wilson 


Robert H. Bentley 


First Lieut. 


Francis H Robbins 


First Lieut.. 


Alexander R. Patterson 








Alfred G Phillips 


May 4, 1 


863.... 
1863... 




William Wise 


Nov. 10, 


First Lieut. 


Daniel W. Wilson 


August 11, 1864. 
Nov. 18, 1864.. 
Jan. 9, 1862... 
April 5, 1862.. 
April 10, 1862. 
Jan. 18, 1863.. 
June 18, 1863. . 
Mav 1 8. 1 86.5 . . 


First Lieut.. 


.John ]Mitchell 


Sec. Lieut... 


Francis H . Robbins 


Sec. Lieut... 




Died May 13, 1862. 

Resigned January 17, 1863. 

Resigned June 24, 1863. 


Sec. Lieut... 


Calvin A. Rowland 






Sec. Lieut.. 


Daniel W. Wilson 


Promoted to First Lieutenant. 


Sec. Lieut... 










xlrriving 
was comph 
ice, and sp 
ing for act 

In folloi 
ond in the 
than the L 
Whitelaw 
It is as fol 

"On the 
ment left 
As was th 
first regim 
equipped, i 
old smooth 
regiment w 
at Grafton 
next da}- ft 
on the 22d 

At this 
to Brig. G 
district of 
at Huttons 


at Camp Dennison, the re 
3ted, armed and equipped foi 
ent some time drilling and \ 
ive dut}^ 
ving the history- of the Thii 

field, nothing better can be 
listory as pul)lished in the w( 
Reid, entitled " Ohio in the 
ows : 

15th of September, 1861, th 
Camp Dennison for West Vi 
e case with most, il not all, 
ents from Ohio, they were 
md armed with the almost i 
-bore musket of by-gone days 
as moved by railroad, and i 
, September 18, and marche 
)Y Beverly, W. Va., where it i 

point, Col. Ford reported for 
en. Reynolds, then command] 
Cheat Mountain, with headqi 
5ville, and was assigned to th 


^iment 
• serv- 
jrepar- 

ty-sec- 
given 

)rk by 
AVar." 

e regi- 
rginia. 
of the 
poorly 
useless 
. The 
irrived 
d the 
irrived 

orders 
ng the 
larters 
e com- 


mand then stationed on Cheat Mountain sum- 
mit, with Col. Nathan Kimball, of the Four- 
teenth Indiana Volunteers, commanding the 
post. 

'•The Thirtj'-second had been hurried to 
the field without discipline of anj' kind; in fact, 
it was hardly organized. Here, upon the 
rugged heights of Cheat Mountain, amid the 
wild scenery of the Alleghanies, the regiment 
received its first lesson in the art of war. On 
the 3d of October, 1861, the Thirty-second, 
under orders, made a forward movement and 
led the advance of the army against Green- 
brier, Va., through the mountains and pines 
of that region by midnight. The regiment re- 
mained at Greenbrier during the fall of 1861, 
engaged in watching the movements of the 
enemy, then commanded b}^ the afterward re- 
nowned rebel General, R. E. Lee. 

" On the 13th of December,'part of the Thirty- 
second, under command of Capt. Hamilton, ac- 
companied Gen. Milro}' in his advance on 
Camp Alleghan3^ In his report. Gen. jNIilro}' 



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328 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



complimented the regiment very highly on its 
gallantry and good conduct in its charge into the 
camp of the enemy. The loss of the regiment in 
this affair was four killed and fourteen wound- 
ed, some severely. On the return from this ex- 
pedition, it was ordered to Beverly, where it 
remained the rest of that severe winter. The 
time was profitably spent in still further disci- 
plining and organizing the regiment, which 
made necessary some changes in the roster. 
The following-named officers retired, and their 
places were filled by promotion from the ranks : 
Capt. J. A. Lacy, Company A ; W. M. Stanley, 
Company K, and J. Dyer, of Company I ; Chap- 
lain, Nickerson ; First Lieuts. C. C. Brandt, J. 
W. McLaughlin, Albert J. Spaulding and C. C. 
Nichols ; Second Lieuts. John Vanmeter, H. H. 
Fickel, B. F. Guck, R. F. Jackson (Adjutant), 
George F. Jack, W. H. H. Case and D. Stam- 
baugh. Surgeon John N. Mowry also retired 
and was succeeded by Dr. James G. Buchanan, 
of Willsville, Ohio. 

'' Still retained in Gen. Milroy's command, 
the regiment took the advance of the expedi- 
tion under that officer, which resulted in the 
capture of Camp Alleghany, Huntersville, Mon- 
terey and McDowell. About the 1st of May, 
a further advance was made to near Buffalo 
Gap, seven miles from Staunton, Va. The 
enem}^ was met at this point, and, after some 
severe fighting, the National forces fell back to 
the main army, camped at McDowell, in the 
Bull Pasture Valley, where Gens. Schenck and 
Milroy had united their forces, numbering 
about seven thousand men. 

" The rebel General, Stonewall Jackson, ad- 
vanced against the National force on the 8tli 
day of May, and was met on the side of the 
Bull Pasture Mountain. A severe battle en- 
sued, which lasted from 2 P. M. until dark, 
with varied success on each side. The Nation- 
al forces fell back to Franklin, W. Va., closely 
followed by the rebel army. In this battle, the 
Thirty-second lost six killed and fifty-three 



wounded, some mortally. It was the last regi- 
ment to leave the field. Lieut. C. Fugate, of 
Company E, a young officer of fine promise, 
was among the mortally wounded ; he died at 
Franklin five days after the battle. 

" On the 12th day of May, Maj. Gen. Fre- 
mont, commanding the Mountain Department, 
effected a junction with Gens. Schenck and Mil- 
roy, bringing with him about twelve thousand 
men. Before this junction, however, the rebel 
General Jackson had retired from the National 
front. The combined National forces lay at 
Franklin inactive until the 25th day of May, 
when they were ordered to the support of Gen. 
Banks, then operating in the Shenandoah Val- 
ley against the rebel army under Jackson 
While the army was in camp at Franklin, the 
Thirty-second was transferred from Milroy's 
to Schenck's brigade, composed of the Thirty- 
second, Fifty-fifth, Sevent^'-third, Seventy-fifth 
and Eighty-second, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

" In Fremont's pursuit of Jackson up the 
Shenandoah Valley, the Thirty-second bore its 
part and participated in the battles of Cross 
Keys and Port Republic, on the 8th and 9th 
days of June, 18G2. The regiment returned to 
Strausburg about the last of June, was trans- 
ferred to Piatt's Brigade, and moved to Win- 
chester, Va., July 5, 1862. It remained at 
Winchester doing garrison duty until the 1st 
of September, the day the place was evacuated 
by Gen. White, when the regiment moved with 
the brigade to Harper's Ferry, and assisted in 
the defense of that place. After making a 
hard fight and losing 150 of its number, the 
regiment, with the whole command, was sur- 
rendered by the commanding officer of the post 
to the enemy as prisoners of war. The history 
of this unaccountable affair is yet to be written. 
The Thirty-second was paroled and sent to An- 
napolis, Md., whence it was transferred to Chi- 
cago, 111. 

'' In the defense of Harper's Ferr}', the regi- 
ment lost some gallant officers and brave men. 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



329 



Capt. S. R. Breese, Company H, who succeeded 
Capt. Baxter, was killed by a musket ball, 
Capt. M. W. Worden lost a leg, Lieutenant A. 
G. Hostettei* was severely wounded in the foot, 
and Lieut. E. B. Adams, of Company- F, lost 
a hand. Col. Ford was placed under arrest 
and sent to Washington for trial by a mili- 
tary commission, on the charge of having neg- 
lected his duty in the defense of Maryland 
Heights. This trial resulted in his dismissal 
from the service November 8, 1862, by order 
of the War Department.* 

"At Chicago the regiment became almost 
completely demoralized. It had not been paid 
for eight months, and many of the men took 
" French leave " and went home to look after 
their families. Capt. B. F. Potts was sent to 
Columbus to ask Gov. Todd to procure an order 
from the War Department, transferring the regi- 
ment to Camp Taylor, near Cleveland. This 
application was successful, and the Thirty- 
second, or all that was left of it — thirty-five 
men, arrived at Camp Taylor December 1, 1862. 

" On the 2d of December, Capt. B. F. Potts 
was appointed by Gov. Todd, Lieutenant Colo- 
nel of the regiment, and that energetic officer 
went immediately to work ' reconstructing ' the 
command. Within ten days, order prevailed, and 
800 men had reported for duty. This happy 
result was not attained, however, without de- 
cisive action in the case of several officers, who 
were charged with inciting disaffection and re- 
volt among the men. Secretary Stanton, of the 
War Office, ordered their instant dismissal, 
which was consummated on the 23d of Decem- 
ber, 1862. The men were paid in full, and, on 
the 12th of January, 1863, declared to be ex- 
changed. On the 18th, orders were received 
to proceed to Memphis, Tenn. In re-organiz- 

*Tlie evidence afterward adduced proved almost conclusively 
tlie correctness of Ool Fort's position and that he was not, as he 
always asserted, in any case to blame for the day's disaster. That 
he was made a " scapegoat " to shield the blunders of a superior 
officer was pretty well established, and he was afterward re-in- 
stated by President Lincoln. He did not, however, accept the posi- 
tion, but retired from the service. 



ing the regiment, Lieut. Col. Potts was made 
Colonel, Quartermaster R. H. Bentley, Lieuten- 
ant Colonel ; Capt. A. M. Crumbacker, Major ; 
Assistant Surgeon Brundige, Surgeon, and Lieut. 
George Sinclair, Captain. The regiment left 
Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, January 20 ; 
reached Memphis on the 25th of January, 1863, 
and was assigned to Logan's division. Seven- 
teenth Army Corps. At the battle of Cham- 
pion Hills the Thirty-second made a bayonet 
charge and captured the First Mississippi Rebel 
Battery — men, guns and horses — with a loss of 
tweuty-four men. For this gallant achieve- 
ment, the captured battery was turned over to 
the regiment and manned by Company F dur- 
ing the entire siege of Vicksburg. The total 
loss of the regiment during the campaign and 
siege of Vicksburg was 225, rank and file. It 
participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Ray- 
mond, Jackson, Champion Hills ; was in the 
extreme front of Logan's division when Vicks- 
burg surrendered, and was assigned to post 
duty under Gen. Logan. 

" In August, 1863, the regiment accompanied 
Stevenson's expedition to Monroe, La., and 
McPherson's expedition to Brownville, Miss., 
in October of the same year. It was also with 
Sherman in February, 1864, at Meridian, and 
lost twenty-two men at Bakers Creek, Miss.; 
February 5, 1864, in which last affair Capt. W. A. 
McAllister was severely wounded while gallantly 
leading the advance. 

" Col. Potts had been assigned to the com- 
mand of the Second Brigade, Third Division, 
Seventeenth Army Corps, in the autumn of 
1863, and was thereafter but seldom in com- 
mand of the regiment. In December and Jan- 
uary, 1863-64, more than three-fourths of the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and on the 4th 
of March, 1864, it was furloughed home. It 
rejoined the army at Cairo, 111., on the 21st of 
April, with its ranks largely augmented by re- 
cruits. The onl}^ change made while at home 
was the addition of Dr. T. P. Bond, of 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Champaign County, as Assistant Surgeon. On 
the 27th of April, the regiment embarked at 
Cairo with its division and corps, on transports, 
lauding at Clifton. From there it marched to 
Ackworth, Ga., where it joined Gen. Sherman on 
the 10th of June, 1864. The Thirty-second 
was identified with the movements of the Sev- 
enteenth Army Corps in Sherman's advance 
against Atlanta ; participated in the assault on 
Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, and Nicka- 
jack Creek, near Howett's Ferry, on the Chatta- 
hoochie River, July 10, 1864. Also in the bat- 
tles of July 20, 21, 22 and 28, before Atlanta, 
and lost more than half its number in killed 
and wounded. In the affair of the 22d of July, 
Adjt. A. G. Phillips, of Mansfield, Ohio, was 
killed while encouraging the men, and Capts. 
Huber and Potts were severely wounded. The 
regiment was commanded, in those battles, by 
Lieut. Col. J. J. Hibbetts, Col. Potts being in 
command of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, 
Seventeenth Army Corps. (On the 12th of 
January, 1865, Col. Potts was promoted to the 
rank of Brigadier General, on the special rec- 
ommendation of Gen. Sherman, for gallantry 
before Atlanta, July 22, 1864.) 

" After the fall of Atlanta, the Thirty-second 
moved with the arm}^ in pursuit of Hood, after 
which it rejoined Gen. Sherman and accompa- 
nied him on his march to the sea. 

"On the 10th of December. 1864, the Thirty- 
second was in the advance of the army, and 
contributed its share toward driving the enemy 
into his works at Savannah. In this expedition, 
the Savannah & Charleston Railroad was cut, 
thus destroj'ing the enemy's communications 
with Charleston. On the 21st of December, 
the regiment entered Savannah with the army, 
and went into camp near Fort Thvmderbolt. 
After the review by Gen. Sherman of the whole 
arm}^, the Seventeenth Army Corps went by 
transports to Beaufort, S. C. ; thence to Poca- 



toligo Station, on the Savannah & Charleston 
Railroad. 

" On the 1st of February, 1865, the regiment 
moved with the army through the Carolinas, 
and, with the Thirteenth Iowa, was the first 
regiment to enter Columbia. (Col. Hibbetts, 
with a mounted detachment of the regiment, 
entered and captured Fa3'etteville, N. C, March 
10, 1865, after a severe fight with Wade Hamp- 
ton's cavalry.) 

"On the 20tli and 21st of March, it was en- 
gaged with the enemj' at Bentonville, N. C, 
where, on the 21st, Capt. D. R. Potts, Aid-de- 
Camp to Gen. B. F. Potts, was killed while 
gallantly leading the skirmish line of the bri- 
gade, in an assault on the enemy's works. 

" The regiment came out of the woods to see 
their friends at Goldsboro, moved '^ith the 
army to Raleigh, N. C., and was present at the 
surrender of Johnston's army. May 1, 1865. 
It marched with the army through Richmond, 
Va., to Washington City, where it participated 
in the grand review before President Johnson 
and his Cabinet. 

" The regiment remained in camp near Wash- 
ington until June 8, 1865, when it took the 
cars for Louisville. It lay there until Jul}^ 20, 
when it was mustered out of the service and 
proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, at which place the 
men received their final discharge Jul}^ 26, 1865. 

"During the stay of the Thirt^'-second in 
Washington, Lieut. Col. Hibbetts was commis- 
sioned Colonel, vice B. F. Potts, promoted ; 
Capt. S. Guthrie was made Lieutenant Colonel 
and Capt. Isaac B. Post, of Companj- C, pro- 
moted to Major, vice Crumbacker, resigned. 

" The Thirty-second entered the field Septem- 
ber 15, 1861, 950 strong, and during the war re- 
ceived more than 1,600 recruits. Only 565 re- 
mained at its muster-out. It is believed that 
the regiment lost and recruited more than any 
other from Ohio."' 



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HISTOEY OF EICHLAND COUITTY. 



331 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Organization — Life at Camp Bartlet — Leaves for the Front — Life in the Field — Sent to Texas- 
MusTER-OcT and Return — The Second Cavalry — Its Srrvicb in the War — Roster. 



AT the same time, as has incidentally been 
noticed, that Col. Ford was raising the 
Thirty-second Regiment, various efforts were 
being made to recruit the Fifteenth by officers 
who had been in the same regiment in the three- 
months service. Mention of their efforts has 
several times been made in the course of this 
narrative. Hiram Miller, A. C. Cummins, A. 
R. Z. Dawson, A. M. Burns, Thomas E. Douglas, 
C. H. Askew and others, were all vigorously at 
work during the summer of 1861, immediately 
following the three-months service, and by the 
time the Thirty-second left Camp Bartley, the 
Fifteenth was so far recruited as to be able to 
occupy the camp, and commence drill there. 
The Thirty-second left Camp Bartley, Sep- 
tember 3. The next day, the Fifteenth, already 
numbering two full and several incomplete 
companies, entered. Moses R. Dickey had 
been commissioned by the Covernor as Colonel 
of the regiment, and had been actively engaged 
while recruiting went on. Once in camp. Col. 
Dickey established camp routine and discipline. 
Drilling the men in the manual of arms, in 
the handling of tents and camp equipage, and 
the various duties of a soldier's life, was the 
dail}' order. Recruiting was also actively car- 
ried forward. When the companies took pos- 
session of the camp, few if any of them were 
completely organized. That was, however, 
quickly done. The next day after they went 
into camp, the Shelby company elected their 
officers. A. C. Cummins was made Captain, as 
he had Been in the three-months service. That 



officer, before the war closed, raised three com- 
panies, every one of whicW he took to the field. 
He was with the Fifteenth three-3'eai's troops 
till about the 1 st of May, 1862, when he resigned 
and returned home. He was not here but a 
short time till he raised Company H for the 
Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, three-months ser- 
vice, and went with that company to the front, 
remaining with them till they were mustered 
out late in the fall. 

The Fifteenth remained in Camp Bartley from 
September 4 till the 26th. All this time it was 
filling its ranks, drilling and receiving its camp 
equipage. By the latter day, it was fully organ- 
ized, and left Camp Bartley for Camp Dennison, 
where it received its arms. Its outfit being 
completed, on the 4th of October, the regiment 
left for the field. At Camp Nevin, near Nolin's 
Station, Ky., it was assigned to the Sixth Bri- 
gade, Second Division, of the Army of the 
Ohio, then commanded by Gen. W. T. Sherman, 
subsequently by Gen. Buell. On the 9th of 
December, 1861, the division marched to Bacon 
Creek, and, on the following day, the Sixth Bri- 
gade occupied Munfordsville. On the morn- 
ing of the 14th of February, 1862, the Second 
Division broke camp, moving in the direction 
of West Point, to embark for Fort Donelson : 
but, upon hearing of its capture, marched to 
Bowling Green. Crossing Barren River on the 
27th, the command reached Nashville, Tenn., 
on the 2d of March. Here the army rested till 
the 16th, when the march to Savannah began, 
which point was reached on the night of April 



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332 



HISTORY OF RICHLxVND COUNTY. 



6, and, on the morning of the 7th, embarked for 
the battle-field. In this engagement the regi- 
ment lost six men killed and sixty-two wounded. 

In the operations against Corinth the Second 
Division formed the reserve of the army, taking 
the front on the 27th of May. It was continu- 
all}' skirmishing with the enem}" until the town 
was taken on the 30th. On the 10th of June, 
the division marched to Battle Creek, Tenn., 
arriving there on the 18tli of Jul3\ The regi- 
ment was engaged in building a fort at the 
mouth of Battle Creek until the 20th of Au- 
gust, when (jren. McCook's command moved to 
Altamont, on the Cumberland Mountains, in 
which direction the army under Bragg was 
marching. Fi'om Altamont the divison 
marched to Nashville, and from there to Bow- 
ling Green, and thence to Louisville, arriving 
on the 25th of September. On the 1st of 
Octoljer, the Second Division marched on the 
Shelbyville pike, in pursuit of the enem}', until 
reaching Lawrenceburg, where a skirmish was 
had in which the regiment was engaged. The 
division marched in pursuit of Bragg as far as 
Crab Orchard, and then marched to Nashville, 
arriving on the 7th of November, 1862. 

On the 26th of December, the army advanced 
towards Murfreesboro. In the battle of Stone 
River, the regiment was heavily engaged, losing 
eighteen killed, and eighty-nine wounded. 

On the 24th of July, an advance was ordered 
on Tullahoma and Shelbyville, which places 
were occupied by our army after the enemy had 
been driven from his strong position at Gralner's 
and Liberty Gap. In this engagement, one 
officer and seven men were killed, and twenty- 
three wounded. About the middle of August 
the division was ordered to Bellefonte, Ala., 
arriving on the 2 2d, and from there to Stephen- 
son, Ala. The march was resumed on the 2d 
of September, in the direction of Rome, Ga., 
crossing Lookout Mountain and camping at the 
eastern ford, near Alpine, on the 1 0th. After re- 
maining two days the command recrossed Look- 



out Mountain to Winson's Valle^', and took a 
position with the main army in Lookout Valley. 

On the morning of the 19th, the regiment 
marched to the battle-field of Chickamauga. In 
this battle, the regiment lost one officer and nine 
men killed, two officers and sixt^-nine wounded, 
and forty men missing. The regiment was 
engaged in the siege of Chattanooga, and the 
assault of Mission Ridge. On the 28th of No- 
vember, the regiment then belonging to the 
First Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army 
Corps, marched with the corps to the relief of 
Knoxville, Tenn., and moved from there to 
Strawberry Plains. 

On the 14th of January, 1864, the greater 
portion of the regiment, having re-enlisted as 
veterans, were granted a furlough. On the 14th 
of March, the regiment assembled at Camp 
Chase, having recruited to upward of nine hun- 
dred men. Upon arriving at Nashville on the 
22d, the regiment was ordered to march to 
Chattanooga, arriving on the 5th of April. On 
the 8th, the regiment moved to Cleveland, Tenn., 
meeting with a serious accident near Charleston, 
Tenn., by a railroad train being thrown from 
the track, b}' which twenty men were more or 
less injured. 

The regiment moved to McDonald's Station 
on the 20th, and remained there till the open- 
ing of the spring campaign. On the 3d of May, 
the regiment marched to Tunnel Hill, and w^as 
frequently engaged until the 13th, when the 
enemy evacuated Rock}^ Face Ridge, and our 
army took position at Dalton. 

The regiment participated in the battle at 
Resaca, and in the engagement near Dallas, 
where it lost nineteen men killed, three officers 
and sixty-one men wovmded. While skirmish- 
ing on the 14th of June, the regiment lost one 
officer and one man killed, and five men wounded, 
all belonging to Company A. 

After crossing the Chattahoochie, the regi- 
ment moved down the river on the 11th of 
July, and in connection with the division 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



335 



covered the crossing of the Fourteenth Corps. 
The command to which tlie regiment belonged 
took a prominent part in the siege and reduc- 
tion of Atlanta. 

AVhen the army of Hood began its raid upon 
our communications, the regiment marched to 
the relief of Resaca and from there to Colum- 
bia, where it was engaged in a slight skirmish. 
The regiment did not participate in the battle 
of Fi'anklin, but was assigned the duty of cov- 
ering the withdrawal of the forces and the re- 
treat to Nashville. At Nashville, the regiment 
formed the extreme left of the army, where, 
upon receiving orders, it moved forward and 
captured a fine battery of four brass guns and 
some thirty prisoners. The regiment partici- 
pated in a movement on Franklin Pike, about 
five miles from the city, capturing prisoners to 
the number of two commissioned oflScers and 
100 men. The entire loss in the two days of 
the fight was two officers and one man killed, 
and two officers and twenty-four men wounded. 
After following the enemy to Lexington, Ala., 
the corps moved in the direction of Hunts ville, 
and the regiment went into camp at Bird Springs 



about the 5th of January, 1865, and remained 
till the 15th of March, when it moved into East 
Tennessee. 

It moved by railroad to New Market, Tenn., 
and marched from there to Greenville, arriving 
on the 5th of April, and on the 23d was ordered 
back to Nashville, arriving about the 1st of 
May. From this time till the 16th of June, it 
was in camp near Nashville, Tenn., when orders 
were received to move to Texas. It arrived at 
Indianola, Tex., July 9, disembarked and 
marched to Green Lake, a distance of twenty 
miles. On the 10th of August, it started for 
San Antonio, a distance of 150 miles. The 
scarcity of water, the extreme heat and the 
want of suitable rations, made this one of the 
severest marches the regiment ever endured. 
It reached the Salado, a small stream near An- 
tonio, on the 21st of August, and remained 
there and in the city till November 21, when 
it was mustered out and ordered to Columbus, 
Ohio, for final discharge. Arriving at Colum- 
bus, Ohio, December 25, it was finally dis- 
charged from the service of the United States 
on the 27th of December, 1865. 



ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH REGIMENT, SHOWING ONLY NAMES OF OFFICERS FROM RICHLAND COUNTY, 



Date of Rank. Commission Issued. 



Colonel iMoses R. Dickey August 7, 1861.... 

Major A. R. Z. Dawson July 22, 1864 

riiaplain ...'R. L Ganter |September20,1861 

Captain Hiram Miller Iseptember 11,1861 

Captain. ...A. R. Z. Dawson |September 11,1801 

Captain A. C. Cummins September 12,1801 

Captain Andrew M. Burns.... April 30, 1862 

Captain T. E. Douglas July 1, 1862 

Captain George W. Cummins.. March 18, 1863.... 

Captain.,... Calvin R. Tal't January 1, 1863... 

Captain Cyrus H. Askew [March 18, 186-t.... 

Captain A. L. Smith November 26, 1864 

Captain Alex B Lord January 18, 1865.. 

Captain L. Doolittle jjanuary 18, 1865.. 

Captain C. P. Lieter February 2, 1865.. 

Captain Joseph N. Welker ! February 28, 1865J 

Captain David Weh iMarch 29, 1865. ...I 

First Lieut. ,T. C. Bowles 'August 31, 1861...' 

First Lieut. T. t. Douglas September 11.18611 

First Lieut.! Andrew M. Burns. ...tSeptember 12,1861! 



August 7, 1861.... 
July 22, 1864 .. 
October 21, 1861. 



Remarks. 



Resigned October 21, 1862. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Resigned April 15, 1862. 
October 17, 180l..lResigned July 27, 1862. 
iOctober 17, 1861..IPromoted to Major. 
October 17, 1861.. Resigned April 2ft, 1862. 

iMay 10, 1862 Resigned March 18, 1863. 

July 10, 1862 Transferred to Invalid Corps. 

April 7. 1863 jMustered out. 

Ijune 10, 1863 [Mustered out. 

March 18, 1864.... Resigned June 14, 1865. 

November 26^, 1804'Declined promotion. 

January 18, 1865..' Honorably discharged January 19, 186' 

January 18, 1805.. Mustered out with regiment. 

February 2, 1865.. Commission returned. 

February 28, 1865 Declined promotion. 

March 29, 1865 Mustered out with regiment. 

October 21, 1861. .[Resigned May 17, 1862. 
(•ctober 17, 1861..jPromoted to Captain. 
October 17, 1861..iPromoted to Captain. 



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336 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



ROSTER OF THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT— Continued. 



Bank. 



Name. 



Date of Rank. 



Commission Issued. 



Remarks. 



First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieui. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut... 
Sec. Lieut .. 



Calvin R. Taft... 
Joseph McKee... 

T. Goldsmith 

George W. Cummins. .'April 30, 1 

Cyrus H. Askew iJuly 1, 1802 

J. Goldsmith KVlay 4, 1862, 



September 12,18(^1 
November 29, 1861 
January 30, 18(;2.. 



Augustus L. Smith... June 11, 1863 : 

Alex. B. Lord March 18, 1864... 

L. Doolittle March 18, 1864....! 

Collin P. Lieter August 11, 1864... 

Joseph N. VVelker November26 1804 

James G. Gass June 18, 186.5 

David Weh February 2, 186.5.. 

James G. Gass February 10, 1865 

Cyrus H. Askew September 11,1865 

George W. Cummins.. September 12,1865 

L. Doolittle April .30, 1862 

Augustus Smith July 1, 1862 

Andross E. Smiley... October 24, 1862... 

Alex. B. Lord March 18, 1863.... 

.loseph N. Welker March 18, 1864 

Collin P. Lieter [November 4, 1803 

James G. Gass ]November26, 1864 

Henry M. Leedy November 24, 18651 



October 21, 1861.. 
November 29, 1861 
January 30, 1862.. 

May 10, 1862 

August 10, 1862... 
August 12, 1862... 

June 10 1863 

March 18, 1864...! 
March 18, 1864... 
August 11, 1864... 
November 26, 1864 

June 18, 1865 

February 2, 1865.. 
February 10, 1865 
October 17, 1865.. 
October 17, 1865.. 

|May 10, 1862 

'August 12, 1862... 
November 28, 1862 

\pril 7, 1863 

March 18, 1864... 
March 30, 1864... 
November 26, 1864 
INovember 24, 1865 



Promoted to Captain. 

Resigned November 28, 1862. 

Revoked. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Resigned May 30, 1863. 

Mustered out. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Revoked. Wounded at Ricket Mills, Ga. 

Declined promotion. 

No vacancy at time of promotion. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Killed June 24, 1863. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Mustered out as Sergeant with regiment. 



The Second Ohio Cavalry", which contained a 
few men from tliis county, was organized in the 
summer and autumn of 1861, under the super- 
vision of Hon. B. F. Wade and Hon. John 
Hutchins, who received special authority from 
the War Office. Tlie regiment rendezvoused at 
Camp Wade, near Cleveland, the last company 
being mustered in October 10, 1861. It was 
the first cavalr}' regiment raised in the northern 
part of Ohio, and drew into its ranks a large 
number of wealth}^, intelligent and cultured 
men. Its roster shows that the following per- 
sons were from this county, who were in Com- 
pany M. the one referred to above : 

J. B. Franklin, Captain ; J. B. Holmes, First, 
and W. B. Niman, Second, Lieutenant ; First 
Sergeant, John Woolf Privates — Henry Dan- 
iels, David Osborn, Joseph McElroy, E. H. 
Ingham, Stephen Clifford, Gleorge W. Arm- 
strong, J. H. Armstrong, Albert Armstrong, 
Hiram France, Gaylord Ozier, D. S. Danser, 
Cromwell Marsh, T. B. Martin, Joseph Haver- 



field, Jacob Repp, M. M. Springer, Elijah Dick- 
son, A. F. Armetrout, Jacob Beard, Leonard 
Dumbarger, William Egner, William Furguson, 
John Grelvin, Henry Kelso, Damill Kelso, Smith 
Larrimer, Stephen Lewis, E. H. Pittinger, 
James Powell, A. G. Stoner and James Berry. 

The regiment served over four years in the 
war, and did most efficient service. It was sent, 
at first, to Arkansas, then to the Indian Terri- 
tory. It was afterward in the battles of 
Newtonia, Mo., Cow Hill, Wolf Creek, White 
River and Prairie Grove. It was also in 
charge of a battery, formed of a part of its com- 
mand. 

It was in the Morgan raid and for gallant serv- 
ice was furloughed by Gen. Burnside. After 
this, it was placed in the Arm}' of I^ast Ten- 
nessee, and was engaged in several fights. 

It time expiring earl}^ in 1864, the major part 
of the remaining men re-enlisted and recruited 
at Cleveland, where it obtained recruits and were 
sent to the East, and, by order of Gen. Grant, was 



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HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COUKTY. 



337 



attached to the Ninth Army Corps, and afterward 
attached to Sheridan's army corps, with which 
it did effective work. It participated in several 
battles in the eastern division of the arm}', and 
made several ver}' gallant raids nnder Gen. 
Sheridan. It was at the capture of Gen. Lee's 
forces and gained many trophies of war. After 
the grand review at Washington, it was sent to 
St. Louis in June, 1865, and from there to 



Springfield, Mo., where it was detained until 
about the 1st of September. 

It then returned to St. Louis, received its 
papers, proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, where it 
was discharged and paid ofl' September 11, 
1865. The Second Cavahy has one of the 
best arm}' records of an}- regiment in the field, 
and lost many of its best men, whose graves 
form a vidette line half across the continent. 




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338 



HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE SHERMAN BRIGADE. 

Earliest Steps — Me. Sherman's Arrival in Mansfield — Note — Interview with Brinkerhoff — Commence- 
ment OF Recruitino — Wm. Blair Lord — Captains Gass, McIlvain, Ayers and others — Sklection 
OF Camp Buckingham — Arrival of Maj. R. S. Granger — His forjier Life, Character and Standinu 
— He puts the Camp under Military Discipline — Organization of the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth 
Regiments — The Cavalry and Artillery — Senator Sherman's Letter to the Brigade — Quarter- 
master Bbinkeehoff detached from the Brigade — The Brigade's Departure for the Front — Its 
Disintegration as a Brigade — Rosters and Histories of the Sixty-fourth, the Sixty-fifth, the 
Cavalry- and the Artillery. 



WHEN the Thirty-second andFifteentli Keg- 
iments left Mansfield, quiet from camp life 
resulted. Companies were still being enlisted, 
but they were those credited to other counties, 
whose recruiting officers came to Mansfield and 
its vicinity for men to fill their ranks. The 
count}- furnished a good many men in this wa}- ; 
more than were really credited to it. 

The Government was needing still more men. 
The war was assuming its real proportions, and 
the North was rising to meet the conflict. One of 
the best men in the halls of Congress at that time 
was John Sherman, now the honored Secretary 
of the Treasury of the United States, and 
brother to the veteran who led an arm}- through 
the heart of the enemy's country. Mr. Sher- 
man had been active in the discharge of his 
duties during all the opening years of the war, 
and had gone as far as his station would per- 
mit. He was needed in the legislative halls 
and there he remained, doing, meanwhile, all he 
could to aid the volunteers. 

In September, 1861, soon after the Thirty- 
second had departed for the field, and while the 
Fifteenth was still in camp, Mr. Sherman was 
commissioned to raise a brigade to consist of 
two regiments of infantry, one squadron of cav- 
alry and one battery of artillery. In order to 
raise this brigade, Mr. Sherman came to Mans- 



field Saturday, the 21st day of September, and 
at once set about the task.* At that time, Mr. 
Sherman was living on West Market street in 
the house now occupied by Mr. A. L. Glrimes. 
Immediatel}" on his arrival, he sent for Mr. Roe- 
liff Brinkerhoff", afterward Gen. Brinkerhoff, who 
then resided tw-o doors west, in the house now 
occupied by Mathew Lind. Mr. Sherman stated 
to Mr. Brinkerhoff that he had authoritv to 
raise a brigade of troops, and that it was nec- 
essar}' and in compliance with his own wishes to 
do it as quickly as possible. He indicated that 
his plan would be not to issue any commissions 
to officers, except as Recruiting Lieutenants, 
until they would earn the commission b}' re- 
cruiting men. He also indicated the number 
of men he would expect a second lieutenant's 
commission to bring ; also a first lieutenant's, 
and a captain's. He further stated, however, 
that he must have a quartermaster at once, as 



* On the Jay Mr. Sherman came home, S. M. Wolff, Michael 
Keiser and Alexander Mcllvaine had sworn in, at Miller's Hall, at 
1 o'clock in the afternoon, twenty-one men, who had organized 
themselves into a rifle company, intending to join an independent 
rifle rpgiment organizing in the western part of the State. Tliey 
had enlisted in all about thirty men. Mr. Sherman sent fir Mr. 
McUvaine, and desired his services to aid in recruiting the brigade. 
He then learned of the organization of this rifle company. Mcll- 
vaine would not act until he had seen his associates, Wol ft' and 
Keiser. They at once s^,id, when the subject was broached to them, 
that it would be difficult to recruit a company for a foreign county 
if a camp was to be established near home, and advised that tlie 
company be transferred the Sherman brigade. This was done ; the 
company was given the first place in the Sixty-fourth, and Mcll- 
vaine made Captain. 



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HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



339 



it was impossible to obtain supplies except 
through a regularly commissioned officer. " I 
want you to take that place," said the Senator, 
" and then we can go to work at once." Mr. 
Brinkerhoff at first declined on account of per- 
sonal and family reasons which seemed almost 
insuperable. His law partner. Judge Dirlam, 
and his brother-in-law, Robert Bentley, had 
both gone into the ai'm3% and their business in- 
terests in a measure devolved upon him, so that, 
taking all things together, he felt that he ought 
to be excused. Mr. Sherman, however, insisted, 
stating that he had arranged with Gov. Denni- 
son to issue commissions to such persons as he 
should designate as necessary to start the re- 
cruiting, and further asked Mr. Brinkerhoff to 
take time — till the next morning — to think over 
the matter. The next morning, on his way to 
church, Mr. Brinkerhoff' called at Mr. Sher- 
man's, and consented to act. His name was at 
once sent to the Governor, and a commission, 
bearing date September 28, 18G1, sent him as 
First Lieutenant of the Sixty -fourth Ohio Yol- 
unteers, the first regiment of infantry to be 
raised. A commission was also sent to Mr. 
Sherman as Colonel of the same regiment. 

Without waiting for these commissions, Sen- 
ator Sherman and Mr. Brinkerhoff" established 
their headquarters in the latter gentleman's 
law office (then the office of Dirlam «^ Brink- 
erhoff"), over Miller's clothing store, and went 
to work. Soon after, Mr. William Blair Lord, 
of Washington City, a stenographer, and one 
of the official reporters of the House of Rep- 
resentatives, came to Mansfield and took charge 
of the correspondence, which quickly became 
very voluminous. He received a commission 
as First Lieutenant in the Sixty-fourth, and acted 
as x\djutant of the regiment whilst it remained 
at Mansfield. He was a valuable man, and an 
able and efficient writer, whose real services were 
never fully recognized b}' the Government. 

One of the first things to do, was to send 
notices throughout the county notifying the 



people of the proposed brigade, and urging the 
young men to volunteer. The Herald of Octo- 
ber 5, contains the first notice* of the Sena- 
tor, and the plan he proposed to follow regard- 
ing the appointment of officers. 

One of the first duties incumbent on Col. 
Sherman and Lieut. Brinkerhoff", was the selec- 
tion of a camp for the brigade. A site was 
chosen on the " John's farm," adjoining the city 
on the north, and the same rented from Mr. Z. 
S. Stocking, the representative of the John's 
estate. The camp was named " Camp Buck- 
ingham." The reader will remember Camp 
Bartley was so named by Col. Ford, though the 
name w^as not recognized by the State authori- 
ties. 

The establishment of the camp necessitated 
a requisition for supplies. Both Col. Sherman 
and Lieut. Brinkerhoff" were novices in the art 
of filling out such applications. The}' went to 
work, however, with a will, following the instruc- 
tions to the letter, and soon produced a requi- 
sition ; if not exactly according to rule, it was 
one the Department could understand. It was 
sent to Washington, and had the desired eff"ect. 
Others followed it, until the men, as fast as 
they were recruited, were equipped. 

Among the first appointees as Lieutenants 
were Isaac Gass and Capt. Alexander Mcll- 
vain. Isaac N. A^'res was also appointed in 
the same capacity. These three men were at 
once put in the field at active recruiting service. 



*The following is the notice in the Herald: "To the YotiNG 
Men of Ohio: I am authorized by the Governor of Ohio to raise 
at once two regiments of infai try, one fqnadron of cavalry, and 
one battery of artillery. I am also anthorized to recommend one 
Lieutenant for each company, who shall receive his commission and 
be furnished with proper facilities for enlisting. 1 am now ready 
to receive applications for such appointment^, accompanied with 
evidences of good habits and character, the age of applicant, and 
his Illness and ability to recruit a company. Maj. William Mc- 
Liughlin will command the cavalry. The company officers will be 
designated by the soldiers of each company, subject to the approval 
of the Governor. The field officers are not yet designated, but 
will be men of experience, and, if possible, men of military educa- 
tion. The soldiers shall have, without diminution, all they are 
entitled to by law. Danger is imminent. Promptness is indis- 
pensable. Let the people of Ohio now repay the debt which their 
fathers incurred to the gallant people of Kentucky for the defense 
of Ohio against the Indians and British. They now appeal to us 
for help against an invasion more unjustifiable and barbarous. Let- 
ters can be addressed to me, marked ' Free,' at Blansfield, Ohio, 

"John Sherman." 



TV 



k* 



340 



HISTOHY OF EICHLAN^D COUNTY. 



All these men were favorably noticed in the local 
papers, which evidenced commendable pride 
in the brigade abont to be raised. In the semi- 
weekl}^ Herald of October 12, a call for blank- 
ets is issued by Gen. M. C. Meigs, Quartermaster 
(leneral of the United States. Immediately 
underneath his call, Quartermaster Brinkerhoff 
publishes a notice that he will receive Ijlankets 
for the use of the soldiers in Camp Bucking- 
ham, for which " the usual Government prices 
will be paid." 

The same paper of October 19 states that 
"Maj. R. S. Granger, of the Eighth United 
States Infantry, has arrived here to take charge 
of the force now being raised by Hon. John Sher- 
man. He is a distinguished officer," continues 
the same paper, '' of thorough military attain- 
ments and tried courage." Capt. Granger was 
a true military officer, an excellent and dignified 
gentleman, a graduate of West Point, and had 
seen about twenty-five years of military life. 
He had been released b}' the rebels on parole, 
when captured at his post in San Antonio, Tex., 
and was in consequence disqualified from active 
service. He immediately put the camp in or- 
der and began a thorough drill of the men, as 
fast as they were recruited. He was greatl}^ 
admired by them and remained here until the 
brigade left for the field. He was afterward 
exchanged and again entered the army, emerg- 
ing at the close of the war as a Major General 
of volunteers, a rank deservedly earned. 

The Herald of October 23 gives considerably 
in detail the existence of afl^airs at that date in 
Camp Buckingham. Its local columns state 
that recruiting is going on rapidly in the bri- 
gade ; that " up to last Saturday night about 
nine hundred men have been sworn in," and 
'Hhat by the close of the present week, the 
first regiment of the brigade will be full." The 
same issue states that " Capt. McUvain's corn- 
pan}" is now so near full that it will have its 
complement in two or three days." iVlso that 
" there are now in the camp parts of three or 



four companies," among which it mentions 
Capt. McUvain's company, and adds " that an 
artillery company from Akron is here, com- 
posed of thirty-five fine-looking men." " There 
are also fragments from Mount Vernon and 
Canton," says the paper. 

" Capt. Andrews' compan}', from Lexington, 
was expected to go into camp yesterday ; Capt. 
Finfrock's, of Van AVert, and Capt. Cunning- 
ham's, of Knox, will be here to-day or to- 
morrow. Capt. Brown, of Marion, and Capt. 
Gass, of this city, will also go into camp this 
week. 

• " Capt. Austin is succeeding well in the north- 
ern part of the county and in Huron, as is 
also Lieut. Sarr, of Crestline. These com- 
panies will be complete at an early day." 

Speaking of the cavalry, the paper continues : 

" Maj. McLaughlin's squadron of cavalry is 
now read}' for camping. It is comprised of 
one company from Mansfield, Capt. McFall, 
and one from Lima, Capt Buekmaster." 

Referring to Maj. Granger and the progress 
of recruiting, the Herald continues : 

" Maj. Granger, . who superintends Camp 
Buckingham, informs us that he never saw 
recruiting progress more rapidly than it does 
for the Sherman Brigade. The ^lajor has seen 
considerable recruiting, both in the volunteer 
and regular service, and his testimon}' is worth 
much." 

The same paper gives the order of " daily 
exercises at the camp," and refers to the excel- 
lent discipline maintained b}' Maj. Granger, 
and the prompt efflcienc}' of Quartermaster 
Brinkerhofl". Advertisements for straw and 
wood appear in the paper, while JNIr. Blair 
Lord, as Adjutant of the Sixty-fourth, notifies 
the soldiers and citizens how they may obtain 
egress and ingress to the camp. Though no 
sick are reported, the paper says : " Surgeon 
Henr}- 0. Mack has commenced his duties," 
though it does not state what those duties 
were. 



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HISTOEY OF EICHLAND COUNTY, 



341 



The Herald of October 20 has a long article 
describing the uniform of the men, and the daily 
life in camp. It states that four companies, 
Capt. Mcllvain's, Capt. Brown's, Capt. Ander- 
son's and Capt. Smith's, are full, also that the 
Sixty-fifth Regiment is started with one full 
company, Capt. Cassil's, from Knox County. 
The " cavalry is now in camp in almost com- 
plete order," says the paper. " Capt. McFall's 
company went into camp Monday," it continues, 
" with Gaylord McFall, Captain ; Enoch J. 
Smith, First Lieutenant, and Samuel E. Fisher, 
Second Lieutenant." 

Two sections of the artillery were now in 
camp, one l^attery from Akron and part of 
Lieut. McElroy's company from Mansfield. 
Religious services were held each Sabbath, gen- 
erally both forenoon and afternoon, the city 
Pastors conducting the exercises. The camp, 
like those that preceded it, was quite a resort 
for townspeople and visitors. 

November 9, the Herald reports that there 
were " actually enlisted and sworn in on last 
Wednesday, 769 men in the Sixty-fourth ; 707 
in the Sixty-fifth ; 137 in the cavalry and 160 
in the artillery-, a total of 1,713 men." Others 
were constantly- arriving, and were being pro- 
vided with uniforms, tents, etc. The first dress 
parade of the force took place Thursday, No- 
vember 7, when more than one thousand men 
were in line. The paper states that Capt. Pha- 
lan, of Lucas, " is recruiting men for the Eighty- 
second Regiment, and meeting with very good 
success." It also mentions the fact of Capt. 
Christophel recruiting men, and stating that 
he "already has half acompau}- raised.'" 

The camp was the center of observation for 
all the country while the enlisting progressed. 
Farmers lirought wood and straw, for which 
they received good prices. While the camp 
remained, there was always a good cash market 
for all such articles. Quartermaster Brinker- 
hofl" was a busy man then, employing quite a 
number of assistants. 



Before the month of November had expired, 
the brigade was fully organized. Its complete 
organization is given in the Herald of Novem- 
ber 27. It is, however, incomplete in its details, 
and is revised, given in full and vouched for as 
correct, in the issue of December 4. It is as 
follows : 

Sixty-fourth. — Colonel, James W. Forsythe ; 
Lieutenant Colonel, Isaac Gass ; Major, John 
Williams ; Quartermaster, Lorenzo D. Myers ; 
Surgeon, H. 0. Mack ; Surgeon's Mate, H. P. 
Anderson ; Chaplain, Alex. R. Brown ; Sutler, 
William W. Drennan ; Sergeant-Major, W. H. 
Massey ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Pinckney 
Lewis ; Leader of Band, Theodore E. Bates. 

Company A — Mansfield. Alex. Mcllvain, 
Captain ; M. Keiser, First, and Samuel M. 
Wolff, Second Lieutenants. 

Company B— Marion. James Brown. Cap- 
tain ; D. A. Scott, First, and Bryant Grafton, 
Second, Lieutenants. 

Company C — Lexington. R. C. Brown. Cap- 
tain ; A. S. Campbell, First, and C. S. Freeman, 
Second, Lieutenants. 

Company D— Marioh. W. W. Smith, Cap- 
tain ; C. C. White, First, and I. F. Biggerstaff, 
Second, Lieutenants. 

Company E — INfansfield. Samuel Coulter, 
Captain ; Warner Young, First, and Chancey 
Woodruflf, Second, Lieutenants. 

Company F— Van Wert. J. H. Finfrock, 
Captain ; S. B. Conn and N. K. Brown, Lieu- 
tenants. 

Compan}' G — Akron. S. Neeper, Captain ; 
A. N. Goldwood and J. L. Smith, Lieutenants. 
Compan}' H — Shelby. C. R. Lord, Captain ; 
T. S. Marvin and William McDowell, Lieuten- 
ants. 

Company I — Stark and Wayne Counties. T. 
C. Meyer, Captain ; M. F. Meyer and T. McGill, 
Lieutenants. 

Company K — Bucyrus. J. B. Sweet (U. S. 
A.), Captain ; E. B. Finley and W. 0. Starr, 
Lieutenants. 



1^ 



342 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Sixty-fifth.— (Colonel, C. G. Harker, U. S. A. ; 
Lieutenant Colonel, Daniel French ; Quarter- 
master, William M. Farrar ; Adjutant, Horace 
H. Justis ; Surgeon, John Gr. Kjde ; Mate, John 

C. Gill ; Chaplain, Andrew Burns ; Sutler, 
Huros F. Horner. 

Company A — Mount Vernon. A. Cassill, 
Captain ; A. Ellis and Jacob Hammond, Lieu- 
tenants. 

Company B — Alliance. H. Camp, Captain ; 

D. G. Swain and J. Armstrong, Lieutenants. 
Compan}' C — Plymouth. E. L. Austin, Cap- 
tain ; Samuel L. Boulby and Frank B. Hunt, 
Lieutenants. > 

Company D — Mount Gilead. J. C. Baxter, 
Captain ; D. H. Rowland and John F. Hyatt, 
Lieutenants. 

Company E — ^Berea. N. N. Whitbeck, Cap- 
tain ; T. Powell and G. W. Huckings, Lieuten- 
ants. 

Company F — Millersburgh. E. M. Vorhees, 
Captain ; N. L. Williams and Jasper P. Brady, 
Lieutenants. 

Company G — Ashland and Sandusky. Orlow 
Smith, Captain ; C. S. Gregg and Charles Tan- 
nehill. Lieutenants. 

Company H — Guernsey County. S. C. Brown, 
Captain ; F. H. Graham and Samuel McKinnie, 
Lieutenants. 

Company I — Mansfield. J. Christofel, Cap- 
tain ; L. B. Eaton and A. Howenstein, Lieuten- 
ants. 

Company K — Findlay. J. Preble, Captain ; 
Joseph Ransdall and J. C. Matthias, Lieuten- 
ants. 

rVfrr/ ??•?/.— Major, William McLaughlin. 

Company A— Mansfield. Gaylord McFall, 
Captain ; Enoch Smith and Samuel Fisher., 
Lieutenants. 

Company B — Wooster and Lima. J. Buck- 
master, Captain ; Benj. J. Lake and Hermon 
Alleman, Lieutenants. 

Artillery.— QnWex Bradley (U. S. A.), Cap- 
tain ; Ayers, McElroy, Ferguson and Baldwin, 



Lieutenants ; recruited at Mansfield, Akron 
and Urichville. 

The Herald noticing the organization of the 
brigade makes the following comments : 

"We cannot close our notice of the Sherman 
Brigade without a word for Maj. R. S. Granger. 
Perfectly acquainted with all the details of 
military service, he has made himself a valu- 
able officer by the management of the camp 
and the fine discipline of the men. He is uni- 
versally liked. We learn that there is some 
probabilit}" of his exchange." 

It will be noticed in the foregoing that Sena- 
tor Sherman, the- originator of the brigade, 
was at one time the Colonel of the Sixty- 
fourth, the first regiment raised. His duties 
as Senator would not allow him to take com- 
mand of the regiment, which then devolved 
upon Col. Forsyth. On leaving the regiment, 
Senator Sherman issued the following order :* 

" The Colonel commanding deems it proper 
in taking leave of this force, to express his 
grateful acknowledgments to all the officers 
and men composing it for their prompt 
response to the call of their country in its 
time of need. He will ever remember with 
the warmest feelings of gratitude the assist- 
ance rendered in recruiting this force by every 
man connected with it, and take pride in its 
achievements ; and feels assured that the}' will 
reflect honor upon the State from which they 
come and upon the country they serve. 

"He leaves them with more confidence, in 
that they will have the active service of ex- 
perienced. officers, who, he is certain, will tem- 
per military discipline by the forbearance due 
to citizen soldiers voluntarily assuming the 
duties of military life. 

" He also takes this occasion for himself, and, 
as he believes, for this entire force, to return 
his acknowledgments to Maj. Robert S. Gran- 
ger, Fifth Infimtry, U. S. A., for his valuable 
services in organizing this force." 

* Dated December 1, 1861. 



vy 

^ 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



343 



After the brigade was organized. Quarter- 
master Brinkerhoff went in advance of it to 
Cincinnati and Louisville, to arrange for trans- 
portation and supplies. He had recently re- 
ceived from President Lincoln a commission as 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster of Linited 
States Volunteers, and after his arrival at Louis- 
ville reported to Gen. Swords, Chief Quarter- 
master of the Department, and was assigned to 
duty as Post Quartermaster at Bardstown, Ky., 
and was never again associated with the Sher- 
man Brigade, except during the Corinth cam- 
paign he was in charge of the field transporta- 
tion of the Army of the Ohio, of which the 
Sherman Brigade was a part. • 

The brigade, fully complete, well drilled and 
ready for service, left Camp Buckingham De- 
cember 17 and 18. The Sixty-fourth left at 12 
o'clock on the morning of the ITtli, en route for 
Louisville, Ky. Two trains of twenty cars 
each were required. McLaughlin's squadron 
of cavalry accompanied the regiment. The 
next morning the Sixty-fifth and the battery 



left the camp, and that place, which had known 
so much bustle and life, was quiet. " The city 
is empty of soldiers," says the Herald., '^ and 
Camp Buckingham, which has, for three months 
past, been so animated and busy, is deserted, 
save b}' the few shanties occupied hy the regi- 
mental oflficers. We presume that the brigade 
is now united, and that, as far as practicable, it 
will be kept so during its term of service." 
This, however, as its subsequent history shows, 
was not the case. After getting to the field the 
brigade was separated, and was never in the 
service as a brigade, its regiments belonging to 
other divisions, as their history in the field 
shows. 

The history of each of the Sixty-fourth, 
Sixty-fifth, the cavalry and the artillery, are 
given separately, as each has a separate historj' . 
That of the Sixty-fourth was written by Col. R. 
C. Brown, who kept a diary all through the war. 
The others were gathered from various sources, 
chiefly from Whitelaw Reid's book, " Ohio in 
the War. " 



ROSTER OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, SHOWING ONLY THOSE OFFICERS WHO WENT FROM 

RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Kank. 


Name. 


Date of Rank. 


Commission Issued. 


Remarks. 


Colonel 


Alex. IMcIlvain 


March 11, 1863. 


March 31, 1863. 


Killed May 9, 1864, at Rocky Face Ridge. 


Colonel 


Robert C. Brown 


June 24, 1804... 


June 24, 1864... 


Mustered out as Lieutenant Colonel. 


Colonel 


Samuel M. Wolff 


Dec. 16, 1865... 


Dec. 15, 1865 ... 


Mustered out as Lieutenant Colonel. 


Lieut. Col... 


Isaac Gass 


Nov. 30, 1861... 


Dec.—, 1861.... 


Resigned June 30, 1862. 


Lieut. Col... 


Alex Mcllvain 


Aug. 10, 1862... 
March 11, 1863. 


Nov. 19, 1862... 
March 31, 1863. 


Promoted to Colonel. 


Lieut. Col... 


Robert C. Brown 


Promoted to Colonel. 


Lieut. Col... 


Samuel L. Coulter... 


.June 27, 1864... 


June 27,1864... 


Mustered out Feb. 16, 1865. 


Lieut. Col... 


Samuel M. Wolff 


March 18, 1865. 


M.arch 18, 1865. 


Promoted to Colonel. 


Major 


Alex. Mcllvain 


.June 30, 1862... 


.July 29, 1862... 


Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 


Major 


William W. Smith ... 


Aug. 10, 1862... 


Nov. 19, 1862... 


Resigned July 15, 1865. 


Major.* 


Samuel L. Coulter... 


March U. 1863. 


March 31,1863. 


Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 


Major, 


Samuel M- Wolff 


Feb. 23, 1865... 


Feb. 23, 1865.. 


Promoted to Lieuten.ant Colonel. 


Major 


George Hall 


Dec. 15, 1865... 


Dec. 15, 1865... 


Mustered out with regiment as Captain. 


Surge'on . . . . 


Hugh P. Anderson... 


Julv 24, 1864... 


.July 24, 1864... 


Mustered out with regiment. 


Chaplain ... 


A. R Brown 


Nov. 26, 1861... 


Dec. 18, 1863... 


designed July 13, 1863. 


Captain'..... 


Alex. Mcllvain 


Oct. 15, 1861... 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Promoted to Major. 


Captaiff 


Hugh P. Anderson.. 


Oct 21, 1861... 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Promoted to Surgeon. 


Captain 


William W. Smith... 


Oct. 21. 1861... 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Promoted to Majfcr. 


Captain 


Isaac Gass 


|Nov. 1, 1861 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 


Captaih 


Robert C. Brown 


Nov. 27, 1861... 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 


Captain 


Charles H Lord 


Nov. 30, 1861... 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Resigned Jan. 31, 1863. 


Captain 


Samuel L. Coulter.. 


Dec. 1, 1861 


Dec. 18, 1861... 


Promoted to Major. 



*7n 



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344 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



ROSTER OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT— Con^mwerf. 



Captain .... 
Captam .... 
Captain .... 
Captain.... 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain — 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain — 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut, 
First Lieut, 
iirst Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
Fii'st Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut.. 



Name. 



Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 



Lieut.. 
Lieut.. 
Lieut.. 
Lieut.. 
Lieut.. 
Lieut.. 



Michael Keiser 

Warner Young , 

William 0. Sarr 

A. S. Campbell 

Samuel M. AVolff 

Henry H. Kling 

John W. Zeigler 

Tip S. Marvin 

George Hall 

.J. K. Shellenbarger. 

Thomas R. Smith 

J. G. Bittinger 

Wm. G. Patterson... 

H. Lawrence 

Chris M. Gowing 

William H. Farber... 
William J. Holden... 

.John F. Couter 

Roeliff Brinkerhoff.. 

Miphael Keiser 

Robert C. Brown 

Samuel L. Coulter... 

Warner Young 

A. 8. Campbell 

L. D. Myers 

Tip S. Marvin 

William 0. Sarr 

Samuel M. Wolif. 

Henry H. Kling 

C. Y. Freeman 

Thomas H. Ehlers... 

George Hall 

.J. K. Shellenbarger. 

Thomas R. Smith 

.John W. Zeigler 

Riley Abbott 

•J. Q. McHvain 

Daniel Howe 

J. G. Bittinger 

|Wm. G. Patterson... 

iH. Lawrence 

Chris M. Gowing 

William H. Farber... 
William J. Holden... 

.John F. Couter 

J. Andrews 

Uavid B. Leiter 

William A. Dillon.... 

Joseph Andrews 

Andrew Andrews 

William 0. Sarr 

Samuel M. WolfiF. 

C. G. Freeman 

William McDowell. 
Henry H. Kling.... 

George Hall 

Thomas H. Ehlers. 



Date of Kank. Commission Issued 



May 4, 1862.... 
Nov. 19, 1862... 
Dec. 6, 1862.... 

Nov. .5, 1862 

.Jan. 3, 1863... 
March 23, 1863 
May 18, 1863.. 
July 13, 1864.. 
.July 13, 1864.. 
Sept. 26, 1864.. 
Nov. 3, 1864.... 
Dec. 9, 1864.... 
.Jan. 28, 1865.. 
Feb. 23, 1865.. 
March 18, 1865 
April 26, 1865. 
June 16, 1865.. 
Dec. 15, 1865.. 
Sept. 28, 1861.. 
Oct. 15, 1861... 
Oct. 31, 1861... 

Nov. 1, 1861 

Nov. 27, 1861... 
Nov. 27, 1861... 
Nov. 30, 1861... 
Nov. 30, 1861... 

May 4, 1862 

June 20, 18r)2... 
Nov. 19, 1862... 

Nov. 8, 1862 

July 3, 1862 

Dec. 6, 1862 

April 1, 1863... 
April 1, 1863... 
April 1, 1863... 

Aug. 5, 1863 

July 13, 1864... 
July 13, 1864... 
July 13, 1864... 
Sept. 26, 1864... 

Nov. 3, 1864 

Nov. 3, 1864 

Dec. 9, 1861 

Dec. 9, 1864 

March 18, 1865. 
April 26, 1865.. 
May 31, 1865... 
May 31, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 

Oct. 1, 1861 

Oct. 28, 1861... 
Nov. 27, 1861... 
Nov. 30, 1861... 
Feb. 22, 1862... 

May 4, 1862 

June 30, 1862.... 



.Jan. 20. 1862... 

Dec. 9, 1862.... 

March 31, 1863 

March 31, 1863 

March 31, 1863, 
.April 22, 1863., 
.iMay 29, 1863... 
.July 13, 1864... 
.July 13, 1864... 
.Sept. 26, 1864... 

.'Nov. 3, 1864 

.'Dec. 9, 1864 

. .Jan. 28, 1865... 

Feb. 23, 1865... 
.March 18, 1865. 

April 26, 1865.. 

June 16, 1865... 

Dec. 15, 1865... 
.Sept. 28, 1861... 

Dec. 18, 1861... 



Jan. 20, 1862.. 
Jan. 29, 1862.. 
Dec. 9, 1862.... 
Dec. 9, 1862.... 
March 31, 1863. 
March 30, 186: 
April 29, 1863 
April 29, 1863.. 
April 29. 1863.. 
Aug. 25, 1863... 
July 13, 1864... 
.July 13, 1864... 
July 13, 1864... 
Sept. 26, 1864... 

Nov. 3, 1864 

Nov. 3, 1864 

Dec. 9, 1864 

Dec. 9, 1864 

March 18, 1865. 
April 26, 1865.. 
May 31, 1865... 
May 31, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 18, 1861... 
Dec. 18, 1861... 
Dec. 18, 1861... 
Dec. 18, 1861... 
March 20. 1862. 
July 29, 1862.... 
.July 29, 1862... 



Resigned June 28, 1864. 

Honorably discharged Oct. 1, 1863. 

Mustered out Aug. 26, 1864. 

Resigned Aug. 5, 1863. 

Promoted to Major. 

Killed Nov. 25, 1863. 

Killed Sept. 20, 1863. 

Declined. 

Promoted to Major. 

Declined. 

Declined. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Declined to accept. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Mustered out with regiment as First Lieut' nt. 

R. Q. M., app'd by President Captain in 1861. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain Nov. 19, 1862. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Appointed Captain by the President. 

Mustered out at expiration of term. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Revoked. 

Killed May 9, 1864. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Mustered out Feb. 6, 1865. 

Mustered out. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Pesigned May 7, 1864. 

Resigned as Second Lieutenant. 

Commission returned. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Resigned May 16, 1865. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Prom ted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Mustered out with regiment as First Sergeant. 

xMustered out with regiment. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Mustered out with regiment as First Sergeant. 

Mustered out with regiment as First Sergeant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted ; dismissed March 20, 1863. 

Resigned Sept. 7, 1862. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 



I 



\ ' 



is 






^ «) 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



345 



ROSTER OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT— Con i!mMerf. 



Rank. 


Name. 


Date of Bank. 


Commission Issued. 


Remarks. 


Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 


Thomas R. Smith 

Alexander Moffitt... 
.J. K. Shellenbarger.. 

.T. Q. Mcllvain 

Rilev Albach 


Sept. 7, 1862 

April 1, 1863... 
Nov. 26, 1863... 
April 1, 1863... 
April 1, 1863... 
April 1, 1863... 
April 1, 1863... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 


Dec. 9, 1862 

April '.'9, 1863.. 
March 6, 1863.. 
April 29, 1863.. 
April 29, 1863.. 
April 29, 1863.. 
Am-il 29, 1863.. 
Dec. 15, I860... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 
Dec. 15, 1865... 


Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Resigned Oct. 15, 1863. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Resigned .July 2'i, 1864. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Mustered out. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Mustered out as First Sergeants ; 

r 

command given after being mus 










Sec. Lieut.. 


.J. G. Bittinger 

•John Rhodes 






.J. W. Leidigh 


company 
tered out. 


Sec. Lieut.. 


A. G. Anderson 

S Campbell 


Sec. Lieut.. 


George Davy 





Armed with Springfield rifled muskets, the 
Sixty-fourth Ohio Vohinteer Infantry (Col. For- 
s^'tlie commanding), broke camp at Mansfield, 
Ohio, in December, 1861, and moved by rail to 
Cincinnati, thence by steamer to Louisville, Ky., 
where each company put up, with military pre- 
cision, their five Sibley and two officers' tents. 
When not engaged in company and regimental 
drill, most of the regiment gave assistance to 
the teamsters in breaking in their six-mule 
teams, as wagons and unliroken mules were 
furnished at this place. Here, for the first time, 
on Christmas, " hard tack " was issued. Started 
to Bardstown on the 26th, where the regiment 
arrived after three days' march. While here, 
many of the men were prostrated by sickness. 
After a brief stay, went to Lebanon, still occu- 
pying the time in company and regimental 
drill. The next move was to Danville and Hall's 
Gap, where the regiment was engaged for some 
time Ijuilding corduro}' roads. Here Col. For- 
S3-the left the regiment. Col. Gass taking com- 
mand. From this, moved back by way of 
Lebanon to Munfordsville, where the Sixty- 
fourth and Sixty-fifth Regiments and Sixth Ohio 
Batter}' were brigaded with the Thirteenth 
Michigan and Fifty-first Indiana. While here. 
Col. John Ferguson took command of the Six- 
ty-fourth, and the regiment was paid oflT in 
gold. After this, marched to Bowling Green, 



and thence to Nashville, Tenn. The roads for 
the preceding two months were almost impassa- 
ble, but now sunshine again improved the health 
and spirits of the boys. On the 29th of March, 
the Army of the Ohio, to which the Sixty 
fourth belonged, was ordered to Pittsburg 
Landing. Passing through Columbia, moved 
steadily on, until the morning of the 6th of 
April, when the artillery from Pittsburg Land- 
ing was heard. Orders were given to leave a,ll 
surplus baggage with the wagon train, and has- 
ten to the scene of action. The command 
halted but a short time for supper, then plodded 
on through the darkness, the terrors of the 
night increased by a frightful thunder-storm ; 
stopping two hours before day for rest, then 
moved on, reaching Savannah, seven miles from 
tbe battle-field of Shiloh, before noon. From 
this was sent by steamer, arriving in the after- 
noon of the 7th of April. The regiment, with 
its brigade, commanded by Gen. Garfield, dis- 
eml)arked, and was moved on the double-quick 
toward the scene of conflict, but the enemy was 
now giving wa}', and only Compan}' A was 
In-ought into action. After the battle, the regi- 
ment was engaged in burying the dead, doing 
picket duty, and getting up supplies, which had 
to be carried over the swamps lying ])etween 
Pittsburg Landing and Corinth. Participating 
in the siege of Corinth, Miss., June 1, it set out 



>y 



346 



HISTOKY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY. 



for luka, then Tuseumbia, where it drove stakes 
for a few days, then moved on to Decatur, crossed 
the Tennessee River on the pontoon bridge, 
and stopped at Mooresville, wliere, on the 4th of 
July, it was pu])licly announced that Vicks- 
burg liad surrendered unconditionally. From 
this, went by rail to Stevenson, Ala. Here it 
assisted in building Fort Harker, in honor of 
its brave and talented brigade commander. 
About the latter part of August, the rebel Gen. 
Bragg, stealing a march, started for Nashville. 
This required Buell to bestir himself, and to 
facilitate the movement, tents and other extra 
baggage were destroyed, and the men (their 
food consisting chiefly of green corn), started 
for a race with Bragg, arriving before him in 
Nashville, then renewing the race to Bowling 
Green, and next to Louisville, making on this 
march of al)out four hundred miles, sometimes 
upward of forty miles per da^'. The regiment 
being again supplied with shoes and other arti- 
cles of clothing, it again assumed the aggres- 
sive, and next is found at Perryville. Pursu- 
ing the enemy through Wild Cat, it then turned 
back through Stanford, Scottsville and Gallatin, 
to Nashville, and camped near the Nolinsville 
pike, where, Christmas, 1862, found it. While 
at Nashville, the army was re-organized by Gen. 
Rosecrans. The Sixty-fourth became a part of 
the Third Brigade, First Division and Twenty- 
first Army Corps, Harker commanding the bri- 
gade. Wood the division and Crittenden the corps. 
The advance on Murfreesboro being now un- 
dertaken, the regiment under command of Col. 
Mcllvain, on the night of December 30, crossed 
Stone River and skirmished with the enemy, 
but soon withdrew to the main line on the 
opposite side, and rested on its ai-ms until 
morning. At sunrise, it was ordered to double- 
quick to the relief of Gen. McCook's command 
— on the right wing, where, with the brigade 
and other opportune forces, it met and drove 
back the advancing foe for a time. Re-enforce- 
ments arriving, the enemy in turn drove back 



the Federal lines, capturing two guns of the 
Sixth Ohio Battery ; another moment, and a 
charge made in desperation retook the guns, 
and here it maintained the line until relieved by 
McCook's rallied forces, when it moved l)ack to 
the position it occupied in the morning. On 
the ] st of January, it was not actively engaged, 
but the next day supported the Sixth Ohio 
Batter}' under a galling fire, and, on the two 
remaining days of the battle, participated in the 
movements of the brigade, losing in the last 
five days moi'e than sevent^'-five men. The 
regiment remained at Murfreesboro until the 
early part of June, 1863, when it struck out, 
passing t^hrough Tullahoma and Chattanooga, 
and confronting the foe at Chickamauga. 
Skirmished with the enemy a few days near 
Lee & Gordon's mills, then engaged in the 
hard-fought battles of the 19th and 20th of 
September. On both these days, the Sixty- 
fourth was in the front, only falling back to 
Mission Ridge on the night of the 20th, and 
losing in the two days more than one hundred 
men, out of about three hundred. 

Remained at Chattanooga, building works, 
until November 23. Rations were scarce ; the 
men frequently, from necessity, gathered the 
corn spilled b}' the horses while eating, washed 
and parched it for their own use. , While here 
the army was re-organized. Harker's Brigade 
was now attached to Gen. Sheridan's division, 
Fourth Arm}' Corps, and the army, with Grant 
in command, advanced and drove the enemy 
back into their fortifications. On the afternoon 
of the 25th, they were ordered to take the line 
of works at the foot of the ridge. The men 
charged over the works, and, without orders, 
swept on up the ridge, driving the enemy from 
its crest and capturing many guns, Harkers 
brigade being the first one to reach the sum- 
mit. In this engagement, the regiment lost 
about sixty men, Capt. Kling being among the 
killed and Capts. Wolfl' and Hall and Lieut. 
Albach among the wounded. 



*7\: 



:f^ 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



347 



Immediately following this engagement, the 
Sixty-fourth was sent with the expedition for 
the relief of Knoxville, and marched as far as 
Strawberry Plains. The siege of Knoxville 
being raised, the regiment returned to Chat- 
tanooga. Here the men of the Sixty-fourth 
(with few exceptions) enlisted for three years 
more, and were sent to Ohio, with a leave of 
absence for thirty days. 

The following is a list of officers of the field, 
staff and line, after the re-enlistment of the 
regiment : 

Field and Staff— Colonel, Alex. Mcllvain ; 
Lieutenant Colonel, Robert C. Brown ; Major, 
S. L. Coulter; Adjutant, C. Woodruff; Sur- 
geon, A. McMahon ; Assistant Surgeon, H. P. 
Anderson ; Chaplain, Rev. R. CI. Thompson ; 
Quartermaster, Tip. S. Marvin. Captains — 
Samuel Neeper, Michael Keiser, W. 0. Sarr, S. M 
Wolff", N. K. Brown, R. S. Chamberlain, B. Graf- 
ton. First Lieutenants — D. C. Carr, T. H. Ehlers, 
a. Hall, T. E. Tilotson, J. K. Shelenbarger, T. R. 
Smith, F. H. Killinger, D. Cummins, J. C. 
Marshal, R. Albach. Second Lieutenants — 
John Blecker, J. D. Herbst, J. Q. Mcllvain, D. 
Howe, A. Hancock, J. Gr. Bittinger, L. High, 
A. M. Bloom, A. A. Reed. 

March 14, 1864, after a month of rest and 
good cheer at home, the regiment again set out 
for the front, traveling by rail to Nashville, 
then marched to Chattanooga, thence to Cleve- 
land, Tenn., and joined Sherman's forces, pre- 
paratory to the Atlanta campaign. . From 
Cleveland, Tenn., the Sixty-fourth, with Sher- 
man's army, started on the Atlanta campaign. 
At Rock}' Face Ridge, May 9, the regiment, with 
the brigade and division, made an unsuccessful 
charge, losing seventeen killed and fifty-seven 
wounded. Col. Mcllvain, Lieut. Ehlers, and 
Sergt. Patterson, color-bearer, and Sergt. Parr, 
were among the killed. At this place, Lieut. 
Col. Brown took command of the regiment. On 
the night of the 12th inst., the enem}- with- 
drew, Sherman pursuing, and on the 14th en- 



gaged the foe at Resaca, the Sixty-fourth losing 
two killed and fifteen wounded. Again en- 
gaged him at Adairsville, Altoona, Dallas and 
New Hope Church, with a slight loss at each 
place. At Acworth, Gen. Harker assembled 
the field officers of his brigade and announced 
that he had just received a commission as 
Brigadier Greneral. His toast was, "To the 
officers and men of my command, who made me 
Brigadier General." At Lost Mountain, June 18, 
the Sixtj'-fourth had seven men wounded, and on 
the 27th, it participated in the unsuccessful 
charge on the enemy's works at Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, losing one killed and four wounded. Here, 
Clen. Harker was killed, having held his com- 
mission as Brigadier General less than one 
month. Again, at the battle of Peach Tree 
Creek, July 20, the regiment was engaged, with 
loss, Sergt. Trego being among the killed. Two 
days more skirmishing, with some loss, and the 
regiment was fortified in front of Atlanta, Ga. 
Here, the next month, like the preceding ten 
weeks, was almost one conthiuous battle. The 
booming of cannon was the soldier's reveille, and 
the shrieking of shell his evening lullaby. The 
whole course of the arm}- was marked b}- the 
graves of its fallen heroes and endless lines of 
fortifications. The flanking movement on 
Jonesboro being commenced, the Sixt^'-fourth, 
at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 1st of Sep- 
tember, reached the Macon Railroad, near Bat- 
tle Station ; and, following along toward Jones- 
boro destroying the track, until ordered to the 
front in the afternoon, reaching Jonesboro be- 
fore sunset. The regiment was immediately 
brought into action, meeting some loss. The 
day following, it met the enemy at Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, where Sergt. Towsley was killed and some 
others wounded. xVtlanta being now evacuated, 
the Sixty-fourth, on the 8th of September, 
marched back through and camped near the 
city. Two weeks later, the regiment left the 
Gate City b}- rail " for Bridgeport, Ala., thence 
to Whitesides, Tenn., and, two weeks later, to 



t. 



348 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



Chattanooga. At the latter place, the regiment 
received 200 recruits from Ohio, and was paid 
up to the 31st of August, 1864. On the 22d 
of October, the Sixty-fourth, with the Fourth 
Army Corps, started in pursuit of the enemy's 
forces to Alpine, Ga., fifty miles south, lie- 
turning to Chattanooga, the regiment went by 
rail to Athens, Ala. ; from there it marched to 
Pulaski, Tenn. Here, on the 8th of November, 
1864 (being the day for Presidential election), 
the regiment balloted, the vote standing 232 
votes for Lincoln and 64 for McClellan. 

From this, it marched through Linville to Col- 
umbia ; here fortified against the enemy. On 
the morning of the 29th inst., it was discovered 
that one corps of the enemy's forces had 
crossed Duck River and were moving toward 
Spring Hill. The Sixty-fourth, with its division, 
making a forced march, met the enemy's cavalry 
at Spring Hill. Wagner's division (the only one 
having arrived from Columbia) being formed, 
the Sixty-fourth was ordered forward as skir- 
mishers. It met and drove back the cavah-y 
more than a mile, when the enemy was met ad- 
vancing in force. Here, in baffling the foe. meet- 
ing their cavalr}', charges and flank movements, 
the brave boys of the Sixty-fourth displayed 
an amount of courage and skill seldom equaled. 
Space forbids a detailed account of the strug- 
gle of the regiment in this engagement. Suf- 
fice it to say, -the Sixty-fourth never did better 
service. Driven back, inch by inch, into the 
works hastily thrown up by the division and 
such forces as had arrived, the enemy charged 
and carried the whole line ; but here night, 
that wished-for boon of Wellington at Water- 
loo, interposed, and the enemy settled down on 
his arms, while our artillery and army trains 
were moved l)v under cover of darkness, that, 
too, within a few hundred yards of the ene- 
my's lines. In this engagement, the Sixty- 
fourth sustained a loss in killed, wounded and 
missing, of forty-seven. Before daylight on 
the morning of the 30th, the regiment, with 



the army, was on the road to Franklin, Tenn., 
distance twelve miles. Here the Harpeth 
River had to be crossed on a single pontoon 
bridge, and, at the same time, the pursuing 
enemy must be held in check, to allow the 
trains time to pass over. This resulted in a 
bloody struggle. Here again the Sixt3^-fourth 
was in requisition. With the foe in front and 
the Harpeth in rear, it was blood to the sword- 
hilt or surrender. At first the Sixty-fourth, 
with one other regiment, occupied an advanced 
position, covering the center, but retired before 
a superior force to the main line, crossing the 
pike, and in front of the historic gin-house. 
It here engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict, the 
men even using their bayonets and butts of 
their guns.* The regiment met with consider- 
able loss. Gen. Cleburn, of the rebel army, 
fell on the works in front of this regiment, and 
his Adjutant General, with his leg broken, was 
pulled oflT the works b}' a member of the 
regiment. The enemy, repulsed in their 
repeated efforts to carry the line, withdrew, 
when the Army of the Cumberland moved 
quietly back to Nashville. Here the Sixty- 
fourth was engaged in the sorties, and. 
finally, the battles, on the 15th and 16th da^s 
of December, 1864, sustaining less loss than at 
the preceding engagements. Following this, the 
regiment pursued Hood's scattered forces 
across the Tennessee River, then turned to 
Huntsville, Ala.; from this was ordered to 
Decatur, and then to Athens, Avhere it did post 
duty for more than two months. While here, 
in February, 1865, Col. R. C. Brown and Maj. 
S. L. Coulter resigned, and S. ^I. Wolff" was 
promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment. 
From this it was ordered to Huntsville, thence 
to East Tennessee, and in a week was ordered 



* While in this '• hand-to-hand " conflict, an incident occurred 
worth preserving. The Colonel of a Mississippi regiment, Austin 
by name, crossed the works, and, encountering Capt. S. M. V/oIff, 
demanded his surrender. The Captain did not comply, hut 
made the same demand. The Colonel accepting the situation, grace- 
fully complied. Capt. Wolff bore home a fine sword as a trophy 
of the event, which he now owns. It is inscribed, "Presented to 
Col. Austin by his friend A. J. Smith." 



r 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



349 



back to Nashville, from where it was taken by 
transports to New Orleans, where it remained 
for three months, losing heavil}' by sickness. 
From this city it moved to Victoria, Tex., about 
the middle of September, and remained there 
until the 3d of December, 1865. It was mus- 
tered out and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where it 
was paid off and discharged January 3, 1866, 
never again to fall in for roll call or battle 
charge. 

At the battles of Stone River and Chick- 
amauga, the colors were carried by Sergt. 
James Irving, o<f Company D, who was wounded 
at each engagement ; at Mission Ridge, by 
Corp. William Dillon, of Company E ; at 
Rock}' Face Ridge, by Sergt. William D. Patter- 
son, of Company C, who was there killed ; at 
Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mount- 
ain, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, by Sergt. 
Asaph 0. Cranmer, of Company B ; at Jones- 
boro, Lovejoy, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nash- 
ville, by Sergt. Stephen A. McCollum, of Com- 
pany B ; at Stone River, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sion Ridge and Rocky Face Ridge, the regiment 
was commanded by Col. Alexander Mcllvain, 
who was killed in the latter engagement ; at 
Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoj', Spring Hill,' 



Franklin and Nashville, by Col. Robert C. 
Brown ; at Kenesaw Mountain, by Maj. S. L. 
Coulter. 

The following table shows the loss in each 
company, also in field and staff : 



Company A 

Company B 

Company C 

Company D 

Company E 

Company F 

Company G 

Company H 

Company I 

Company K 

Field and Staff. 



Total 6 



10 

11 
9 
4 

10 
7 
5 

12 
2 



78 



WOUNDED. PRISONERS. 



18 282 



57 



48 
44 
41 
29 
44 
54 
38 
54 
46 
41 
5 

444 



Losing 444 officers and men, out of less 
than 900 who originally belonged to the regi- 
ment. 

Tlte Sixty -fifth. — Very few men from Rich- 
land County belonged to this regiment. Two 
companies, C and I, were from Plymouth and 
Mansfield. The following roster shows the 
officers of these companies : 



Rank. 


Name. 


Date of Rank. 


Commission Issued. 


Remarks. 


Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain ...:. 

Captain 

First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut... 


Edw. L. Austin 

Jacob Christofel 

Samuel L. Boulby.... 

Lucian B. Eaton 

Andrew Howenstein. 
Samuel L. Boulby... 

Lucian B. Eaton 

Frank B. Hunt 

Andrew Howenstein. 

Frank B. Hunt 

Andrew Howenstein. 


November 4, 1864 
November 22, 1864 
April 14. 1862 .... 

May 26, 1862 

March 20, 1863... 
November 4, 1861 
November 22, 1861 
August 18, 1862 .. 
August 16, 1862 .. 
November 18, 1861 
November 30, 1861 


December 18, 1861 
December 18, 1861 

May 5. 1862 

December 31, 1862 
March 27, 1863... 
December 18, 1861 
December 18, 1861 
November 26, 1862 
November 26, 1862 


Resigned November 4, 1862. 

Killed December 31, 1862. 

Resigned May 24, 1863. 

Promoted Lieut. Col. of colored regiment. 

Honorably discharged March 10, 1865. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Resigned November 29, 1863. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 


Sec. Lieut... 




Promoted to First Lieutenant. 








The Si: 
of Decem 
it remain 
to Camp ? 
On the 1 
Hall's Gap 


cty-fifth left Mans 
ber, 1861, for Loi 
ed for a week a 
^lorton, four miles 
3th of January, 
), arriving on the 2 


sfield on the 1. 
lisville, K}'., wh 
md then marcl 
east of Bardstoi 
1862, it moved 
4th. On the 7tL 


3th 
ere 
led 
ivn. 
to 
I of 


February, i 
12th emba 
On the 23c 
at Nashvil 
29th of Ms 
nah, arrivii 


t marched to Lebanon and on the 
rked on the cars for Green River. 
, it crossed Green River, arriving 
le on the 13th of March. On the 
irch, it began the march to Savan- 
ig on the 6th of April, and on the 



^ 



v 






-^^ 



350 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



7th moved by steamer to Pittsburg Landing. 
At 4, P. M., it arrived on the battlefield, but 
was not actively engaged. 

After the evacuation of Corinth it marched 
northward in pursuit of Bragg's army, arriving 
at Louisville on 24th of September. After 
resting a week it moved to the vicinity of Per- 
ryville and marched from there to Nashville. 
On the 26th of December, it moved on the 
Nashville pike, fighting its way up to Stone 
River. On the night of the 29th, it ci'ossed 
Stone River, in the face of a heavj- fire. In the 
battles that followed it lost very heavily. 

On the 7th of June, 1863, it moved to the 
vicinity of Chattanooga, participating in the 
battles of Chattanooga and Mission Ridge, in 
lioth of which its losses were very severe. 

In the Atlanta campaign, it was under fire 
almost constantly-. After the evacuation of 



Atlanta, it went into camp, remaining about 
three weeks and then moved in pursuit of Hood. 
On the 29th of November, it participated in the 
battle of Springfield and on the 30th in the 
battle of Franklin. It was also engaged in the 
battle of Nashville and in the pursuit of the 
enemy across the Tennessee. When the pur- 
suit was abandoned, it returned to Nashville. 
Leaving there in June, 1865, it embarked on 
transports for New Orleans. It was then or- 
dered to Texas, performing garrison dut}' at 
San Antonio, until December, 1865, when it was 
ordered to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and 
mustered out January 2, 1866. 

McLaughlms ^Squadron of Cavalry. — Fol- 
lowing the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth, this 
squadron, as part of the brigade, was raised 
partly in this county. Its roster of oflflcers shows 
the following who went from Richland Countv : 



Rank. 


Name. 


Date of Rank. 


Commission Issued. 


Remarks. 


Major 

Major 

C-ipt.ain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

birst Lieut. 


William McLaughlin 

Gaylord McFall 

Gaylord McFall 

E. P. Coates 


Sept. 28, 1861... 
Fuly 19, 1862... 
Nov. 26, 1861... 
Sept 4, 1865.... 
•July 19, 18H2... 
Feb. 25, 1863... 
Nov. 21, 1861... 
Sept. 20, 1862... 
Feb. 25, 1863... 
Oct. 31, 1861.... 


Dec. 11, 1861.... 
Sept. 5, 1862.... 
Dec. 11, 1861.... 

Sept. 4, 1865 

Sept. 5, 1865.... 
Mar. 31, 1868... 
Dec. 11, 1861.... 
Oct. 21, 1862.... 
Mar. 31, 1863... 
Der> 11 1861 .. 


Died July 19, 1862. 

Resigned Jan. 12, 186-. ^ 

Promoted to Major. 


S II Fisher 




.John S. Skeggs 

Enoch Smith 


Resigned Dec. 12, 1864. 

Resigned Sept. 20, 1862. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Trans, to Fifth 0. V. Cav. and promoted Capt'n. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 


First Lieut. 


.John S. Skeggs 

E. P. Coates 




Enoch Smith 




S. H. Fisher 


Nov. 26, 1861... Dec. 11.' 1861... 


Promoted to Captain. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 






.July 19, 1862... 
Sept. 10, 1862... 


Sept. 5, 1862.... 
Ont '?A 1869 




E. P. Coates 


Promoted to First Lieutenant. 










Maj. M( 

part of tl 
rived at C 
other par 
them in 
shows. 

In the 1 
retary of 
of Ohio, i 
iam McLa 
of cavalr 
command 
Maj. McL 


jLaughlin's squat 
le Sherman Briga 
incinnati, it was 
ts of the brigade, 
service in the fi 

atter part of Octo 
War, at the reques 
ssued a special on 
ughlin of Mansfie 
y, which should 
and named " McLa 
aughlin.was an ol 


ron was rais( 
de, but, when 
detached fron 
and was not 
eld, as its hi 

ber, 1861, the 
)t of the Gov 
ler to Mayor 
d, to raise a 
be an indepei 
ughlin's Squad 
d citizen of ] 


5d as 
it ar- 
i the 
with 
stor^' 

Sec- 
ernor 
Will- 
force 
ident 
ron." 
^ans- 


field and had participated in the Mexican war. 
He was quite advanced in years, of rough ex- 
terior and iron will, and just the man to take to 
the field and successfully carry through an in- 
dependent command of this kind. He was pa- 
triotic in the extreme and was alwa3-s at his 
post in the hour of battle. The exertions and 
privations of his last service were, however, 
too much for one of his years, and July 19, 
1862, he went to his rest, in the field, on the 
Big Sandy River, in Kentucky. His remains 
were sent to his home in Mansfield and buried 
with the honors of war. 



:7: 




ISAAC PITTENGER. 



] 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



353 



The squadron left Mansfield for the field in 
the latter part of November and was sent to 
Eastern Kentucky to look after Humphrey 
Marshall's rebel command, then near Painesvllle. 
It operated with the command of Col. Garfield, 
of the Forty-third Ohio, and was with that 
command at the battles of Middle Creek, 
Pikeville and Pound Gap. The squadron was 
then sent to Gladesville, W. Va., across the 
Cumberland Mountains, and, after burning 
Gladesville, it surprised and captured a rebel 
regiment, just being formed by Col. Caudle. 

The movements above described consumed 
nearly two years of service, the greater' part of 
which was taken up by scouting, forced marches 
and skirmishing with the enem3^ 

In August, 1863, the squadron left Eastern 
Kentucky and joined the Twenty-third Army 
•Corps, under Gen. Hartsuff, then marching for 
Knoxville in Eastern Tennessee. While at 
Knoxville, it performed escort and picket duty, 
with occasional skirmishes with the enem}^ until 
January 10, 1864, at which time it re-enlisted 
and returned to Ohio to enjoy its veteran fur- 
lough of thirty days. 

During its stay in Ohio, the squadron was 
recruited up to its maximum. About the 1st 
of Ma}', it moved from Camp Dennison and 
joined a brigade of cavalry at Nicholasville, 
Ky., under command of Col. Capron, of Illi- 
nois. Moving through Kentucky and Tennes- 
see, it joined Gen. Sherman's forces at Big 
Shanty, Ga., and formed a part of Gen. Stone- 
man's command in his raid to Macon. In this 
raid, the squadron suffered severely in killed, 
wounded, and missing. The remainder of the 
squadron marched back to Marietta, where it 
rejoined Gen. Sherman's forces, in the latter 
part of July, 1864. 

Col. Israel Garrard, of the Seventh Ohio Cav- 
alry, having superseded Gen. Stoneman, the 
squadron marched in companj- with his com- 
mand, and operated in Sherman's flanking 
movements toward Atlanta. "Atlanta taken 



and fairly won," it joined Gen. Kilpatrick at 
Marietta, Ga., and operated with Sherman's for- 
ces from that point to Savannah. Thence it 
went with the national forces through North 
and South Carohna, participating in the fight 
at Bentonville, and the brisk skirmish at Black- 
ville and other points on the march up to Ra- 
leigh, N. C. 

The squadron was then sent up to Lexington 
and Concord, N. C, returning to Raleigh in July, 
1865. At this place, it was consolidated with 
the Fifth Ohio Cavahy. It remained here up 
to the latter part of October, and was then sent 
to Salisbury, N. C. ; from there went to Raleigh, 
and then to Charlotte, and was mustered out 
and discharged from the service at the latter 
place, on the 1st da}' of November, 1865. Then 
returning to Ohio, it was paid off at Camp 
Chase on the 17th. 

TJie iSixth Ohio Indejjendent Battery^ also a 
part of the " Sherman Brigade," had but two 
officers from this county. They were Joel 
Hersh, who was made a Second Lieutenant 
(commission dated January 28, 1865), was pro- 
moted First Lieutenant June 16, and must- 
ered out September 1, and James P. McElroy, 
who went as Second Lieutenant December 16, 
1861 ; promoted First Lieutenant two days 
after, and resigned March 10, 1864. 

The Captain of the battery, CuUen Bradley, 
after the war became a resident of this county. 
He was made Captain December 18, 1861, was 
mustered out January 17, 1865, and was suc- 
ceeded by Aaron C. Baldwin, who was pro- 
moted from the first lieutenancy, and was 
mustered out September 1, 1865. 

The battery did good service. Like the 
other parts of the Sherman Brigade, it was 
detached when it left for the field, fend, like 
them, had an independent field service. The 
battery was organized at Camp Buckingham. 
November 20, 1861. Capt. Bradley was an 
experienced artillerist ; and, before leaving Camp 
Buckingham, had his battery in complete trim 



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354 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



for active service. It consisted of four ten- 
pound Parrott guns and two six-pound bronze 
Rodmans. December 15, it left for Louisville, 
Ky., and thence by steamer for Nashville, Tenn., 
arriving the 20th. 

January 12, 1862, it moved to Columbia, 
Ky., arriving the 15th. Here it was divided, 
Lieut. McElroy's section (six-pound guns) 
remaining at Columbia, while the other four 
guns were taken to Jamestown, Kj'., taking a 
position at the ferry landing on the Cumber- 
land River, remaining here until the fall of 
Nashville. It moved from this point to Nash- 
ville, arriving the 19th of March. It was here 
placed in the artillery reserve, and marched 
with the army to Pittsburg Landing, arriving 
April 10, and went into camp on the battle- 
field ; it moved with the army on Corinth ; 
and. May 1, entered that place on its evacua- 
tion bj' the enemy. June 1, the battery marched 
through Northern Alabama, to Mooresville, 
arriving July 3. It was countermarched July 
9, to Decatur, on the Tennessee River, to cover 
that point from a threatened attack of the enemy. 

July 18, it marched to Stevenson, Ala., and, 
August 21, joined Buell's forces in their march 
to Louisville, in pursuit of Bragg's army. Ar- 
riving at Louisville September 28, 1862, whence, 
after a rest of three days, it again took up the 
march, moving in the direction of Penyville, 
where it arrived on the 8th of October. It took 
a position within fifteen hundred yards of the 
reljels, and, although in close range of the 
enemy, was compelled to be a spectator of the 
unequal fight. After pursuing the enemy to 
Mount Vernon, the army returned to Nash- 
ville, where it was re-organized by Gen. Rose- 
crans. In the battle of Stone River, the 
battery took an active part, losing heavily' both 
in men and horses. During the course of the 
battle, December 31, it lost two guns, spiking 
them first, however. Fifteen minutes later, they 
were retaken, and restored to working order 
durino- the niffht. 



September 19, the battle of Chickamauga 
was fought. The battery lost heavily in 
men, and during the battle expended 383 
rounds of ammunition, lost two caissons, a 
battery-wagon, and had two horses killed. It 
then fell back with the army to Chattanooga, to 
which the rebels immediately laid siege. While 
in Chattanooga, owing to want of forage, it 
was dismounted, and its guns placed in Fort 
Wood. 

December 12, 1863, two-thirds of the battery 
re-enlisted as veterans, the non-veterans being 
transferred to the Twentieth Ohio Batter}'. 
The veterans started for Ohio, on thirty' days' 
furlough, January 1, 1864, and, while at home, 
added 100 men to their ranks. 

In the Atlanta campaign, the battery was 
under fire almost constantly, and was highly 
complimented by Gen. 0. 0. Howard for 
accurate firing at Kenesaw. From July 13 to 
the 25th, the battery was busily engaged in 
bombarding the city of Atlanta. It partici- 
pated in the flanking movement to Jonesboro, 
and entered Atlanta September 9. 

October 3, it moved, in company with the 
Fourth Corps, after Hood. Near Franklin, 
Tenn., the enem}^ attacked the wagon train, but 
was quickly repulsed by the Sixth Ohio Bat- 
ter3^ In the battle of Franklin, it was assigned 
to Gen. Riley's brigade. Twenty-third Army 
Corps. December 16, the second da}- of the 
battle before Nashville, it took position in front 
of Overton's Hill, and engaged Sanford's Mis- 
sissippi rebel battery, completely silencing 
their guns. 

February 1, 1865, it made a terrible march 
of eight days' duration, having been ordered to 
Eastport, Miss. The order was countermanded 
before reaching there, and it returned to Hunts- 
ville, remaining until hostilities ceased. It was 
brought to Ohio in the latter part of August, 
1865, and mustered out at Camp Chase Sep- 
tember 1, 1865. 






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HISTORY OF RICHLA:N^D COUNTY 



355 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

WAR HISTORY CONCLUDED. 

The One Hundred and Second and Its Organization — Death and Burial of Ma.j. McLaughlin — War Meet- 
ings — Bounties — Departure of the One Hundred and Second — Its Roster — Its History in the Field 
— Its Discharge — The One Hundred and Twentieth — Recruiting to Avoid a Draft — Draft — Camp 
Mansfield Established — Drafted Men in Camp — The One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Organ- 
ized — Its Roster — History in the Field — Consolidation with the One Hundred and Fourteenth — 
Drafted Men in Camp Mansfield — Their Departure — Other Calls for Troops — Militia — Sanitary 
Fair — Ohio National Guard — The One Hundred and Sixty-Third Regiment — Close of the War — 
Retubn of Troops. 



THE departure of the Sherman Brigade left 
Mansfield and vicinity in comparative 
quiet again. Winter was now holding both 
armies in check somewhat, and only the " I'egular 
army news " engrossed the public mind. The 
opening of spring, however, in 1862, was the 
signal for activity all over ^he land. In the 
East, late in May, the rebel army suddenly 
threatened the capital, and the news flashed 
over the North. that Washington was in danger. 
Immediately the loj'al people sprang to the res- 
cue. The Governor of Ohio sent a dispatch to 
Mr. James Purd}', asking for 200 volunteers. 
Considerable excitement existed in the city on 
the receipt of the first news telling the people 
of the danger, and when the Grovernor's dis- 
patch came, the excitement reached fever heat. 
Word was sent all over the county, and that 
dsij (May 29) large meetings were held in Mans- 
field, Lexington, Belleville, Plymouth, Shelby, 
and other towns, and before the dawn of the 
next day, more than the required number of 
men were ready to go. Happily, the danger 
was temporary onl}*, the enemy becoming fright- 
ened and departing more hastily than he came. 
Work for the soldiers and recruiting was, 
however, going on all the time. Surgeons and 
surgeons' supplies were continually going to the 
front. Capt. John Pipe was organizing a com- 



pany at Lexington, in which men from Belle- 
ville and from Knox County were enlistnig. 

In the latter part of June and early part of 
July, McClellan's defeat before Richmond oc- 
curred. It was followed by a call for 300,000 
men, who should serve till the close of the war. 
Ohio's quota of this number was 40,000 men. 
In order to raise them quickly — as the call was 
urgent — the State was divided into eleven mili- 
tary districts, this county being placed in the 
Tenth. The Tenth District embraced in all, the 
counties of Huron, Erie, Ashland, Holmes. 
Wayne and Richland. It was ordered that two 
regiments, the One Hundred and First and One 
Hundred and Second, should be raised in this dis- 
trict and rendezvous at Mansfield. The One 
Hundred and First was, however, ordered to re- 
cruit at Monroeville, leaving the One Hundred 
and Second to be recruited here. 

The militar}' committee of the Tenth Dis- 
trict arranged that one regiment should be 
raised in Wa3ne, Ashland, Holmes and Rich- 
land Counties. A camp was selected for this 
regiment (the One Hundred and Second), and 
preparations made to recruit it as fast as pos- 
sible. Bounties for volunteers had increased, 
and large sums of money were raised b}' sub- 
scription and personal effort. Mr. S. B. Run- 
yan offered $100 to the first companj^ from this 






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356 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUN^TY. 



county to enter Camp Mansfield— the name of 
the new camp — fully recruited. Capt. George 
H. Bowman, Capt. Aaron E. Zody, Capt. Henry 
Bistline, of Shelby, and Capt. A. W. Lobache, 
of Belleville, were all energetically at work, 
not only tr3'ing to see who should be the first 
to enter camp, and thus gain the prize, but who 
could earn the name of being the most prompt 
in the call for duty. 

War meetings were held all over Ohio at 
this period, for the intimation had come to the 
people that a draft might be necessary. Three 
companies — Bowman's, Lobache's and Zody's — 
entered the field as contestants for the prize 
offered bj^ Mr. Run^-an, and each one strove 
earnestl}' for the prize. Each one had, by 
the latter part of July, twenty-five or thirty 
men. 

While recruiting was at its height, the sad 
news of the death of the gallant Maj. IMcLaugh- 
lin was received in the city. He had been 
taken ill early in July, while in active duty, 
and later in the month, he died, on the Big 
Sandy River, in Kentucky. His command was 
encamped there at the time. His remains were 
brought home, and, Wednesday afternoon, Jul}' 
23, followed to the cemeter}- bj- one of the 
largest concourses of people Mansfield ever 
witnessed, all the lodges and associations unit- 
ing in showing him the respect due such a 
man, of whom it was said, " Had there been 
more Maj. McLaughlins, the war would have 
been of short duration." 

In the early part of the recruiting service 
for the One Hundred and Second, the military 
committees had recommended, at their meeting 
at Wooster, Tuesday, July 8, that Hon. Will- 
iam Given, of Wayne, be appointed Colonel ; 

Speigel, of Holmes, Lieutenant Colonel ; 

George H. Topping, of Ashland, Major : John 
W. Beekman, of Richland, Adjutant ; Dr. W. 
R. Bricker, of Richland, Surgeon ; Dr. George 
Mitchell, Surgeon's Mate, and Rev. Hugh L. 
Parrish, Chaplain. 



Commissions to raise four companies were 
given in this county. The Captains of these 
have all been noticed. A. W. Lobache, of Jef- 
ferson Township, was Captain of the first com- 
pany ; John Gregg and Columbus Gass, both 
of Troy Township, were his Lieutenants. 

George Bowman, of Mansfield, was Captain 
of the second company; W. C. Scott, of Spring- 
field, and William Miller, of Franklin Town- 
ship, were the Lieutenants. 

Henry Bistline, of Shelby, was Captain of 
the third company; David Blymyer and Amos 

A. Jump, of Weller Township, were the Lieu- 
tenants. 

E. A. Zody, of Mansfield, was Captain of the 
fourth company; Gajdord Thomas and Gus- 
tavus Wolf, of Mansfield, were the Lieutenants. 

That the full quota of men from this county 
might be raised, and thus avoid a draft, an 
immense war meeting was proposed, in order 
that enthusiasm on the subject might be cre- 
ated, and that nione}' could be raised to offer 
bounties. The meeting was held in Miller's 
Hall, Friday evening, August 1, and was an 
enthusiastic gathering. Judge Jacob Brinker- 
hoff" presided. The " Baumgardner Quartette 
Glee Clvib, ' of Wooster, furnished stirring, 
patriotic music. Judge Given, of Wooster, 
Colonel of the One Hundred and Second, " Bob" 
Donnelley, of the same cit}', and Hon. C. T. 
Sherman, of Mansfield, all made excellent 
speeches. The latter stated the plan to be fol- 
lowed in collecting the subscriptions for bounty 
money. Judge Brinkerhoff" headed the list with 
1100. B. S. Runyan next came forward and 
put down his name for $500. Thereupon Judge 

B. doubled his subscription. Willard S. Hickox 
subscribed $500, and ofljered $25 to any five 
men who would enlist then. The offer was 
accepted, and five men enrolled. This started 
the ball. Before the meeting closed nineteen 
men had subscribed $500 each; one man, Z. S. 
Stocking, $600, while a large number had given 
various sums, from $5 to $300 each. The entire 



TZ 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



357 



amount, as reported in the next week's Herald 
was $18,279. The County Commissioners had 
agreed to levy a tax of $25,000, all to be ex- 
pended in px'ocuring volunteers. Committees 
were appointed in all the townships to work 
matters up, and, if possible, raise the full num- 
ber of men required. 

Recruiting went on in the One Hundred and 
Second as it had done in all other companies. 
Just before its ranks were filled, the One Hun- 
dred and Twentieth, which had two full com- 
panies from this county, and which had been 
recruiting since the call for 300,000 troops was 
made, assembled in Camp Mansfield August 
29, and began drilling and prepairing for 
war. 

The One Hundred and Second began recruit- 
ing July 23. August 18, it entered Camp 
Mansfield with 1,041, rank and file, showing 
that the energy of the oflficers, the money for 
bounty and the patriotism of the people were 
yet as strong as ever. The One Hundred and 
Second left Camp Mansfield Thursday, Septem- 



ber 4, and the next morning arrived in Coving- 
ton, Ky., where the men were mustered into 
service, all being accepted but one. Jonas 
Smith, the County Auditor, and T. J. Robinson, 
J^sq., accompanied the regiment, each man of 
which received about $90 bounty money, a 
large amount of which these gentlemen brought 
back to the soldiers' families. 

In order that the narrative of the One Hun- 
dred and Second regiment maj' not be broken, 
the history of its service will be given in this 
place, and followed through its life in camp, in 
the field, on the march and in its triumphs, 
until it returns home, when the reader will be 
invited to return to the history of events in 
the county immediatelj' following its departure. 
The roster of the One Hundred and Second as 
here given, gives the names of those ofl3cers 
only who went from Richland County. The 
history of the One Hundred and Second in the 
field is gleaned from " Ohio in the War," from 
which much is gathered regarding all the com- 
panies raised in this count}-. 



THE ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY ROSTER. 

SERVICE. 



-THREE-YEARS 



Lieut. CoL.. 
Surgeon... . 
Asst. Surg.. 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut, 
Sec. Lieut., 
Sec. Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut. 



Name. 



George H. Bowman.. 
Alex. V. Patterson... 

George Mitchel 

George H. Bowman.. 

Aaron E. Zody 

Wm. C. Scott 

Emanuel Hade 

Gaylord Thomas 

Emanuel Hade 

Wm. C. Scott 

De Witt Connell 

Samuel B. Donnell... 

Edwin Farmer 

.James P. Dougal 

Wm. C. Scott 

Gustavus Woolf 

Samuel P. Donnell.. 

Elias A. Palmer 

Edwin P. Farmer 

.James B. Dougal 

DeWitt Connell 



Date of Bank. 



March 6, 1863 April 29, 1863 

Aug. 25, 1862 Sept. 15, 1862 



CommissioD Issued. 



Aug. 9, 1862. 
July 22, 1862... 
July 22, 1862... 
March 6, 1863.. 
April 23, 1864., 
July 22, 1862.., 
July 22, 1862.., 

Feb. 1, 1863 

April 7, 1863... 
April 23, 1864. 
Oct. 12,1864..., 
April 8, 1865.., 
.July 22, 1862.., 
.July 22, 1862... 
Aug. 24, 1862... 
Nov. 17, 1862... 
Feb. 1, 1863...., 
Feb. 1, 1863.... 
Feb. 25, 1868... 



KemarkB. 



Discharged March 4, 1864. 

Mustered out with regiment. 

Nov. 6, 1862 Promoted to Surgeon 187th 0. V. I. 

Sept. 16, 1862 Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 

Sept. 16, 1862 Died of wounds Feb. 21, 1865. 

May 6, 1863 Mustered out with regiment. 

April 23, 1864 Appointed A. Q. M. U. S. V. Feb. 29, '64. 

Sept. 16, 18G2 Resigned Feb. 1, 1863. 

Sept. 16, 1862 1 Promoted to Captain. 

Feb. 19, 1863 jPromoted to Captain. 

June 29, 1863 Discharged Aug. 1, 1864. 

April 23, 1864 Mustered out with regiment. 



Oct. 12, 1864... 
April 8, 1865.. 
Sept. 16, 1862., 
Sept. 16, 1862. 

16, 1862. 

16, 1862.. 

19, 1863., 

19, 1863.. 



Sept 
Dec 
Feb 
Feb 
March 17, 1863.. 



Mustered out with regiment. 
Mustered out with regiment. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. 



Ml 



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358 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



The organization of the One Hundred and 
Second has been given, and its course noted, 
until its arrival into Kentucky. It was mus- 
tered into service at Covington, Ky., September 
6, 1862, and was ready for service, almost 
CA'cry man being accepted. Immediately after 
being mustered, it was ordered into the works 
around the cit3% where it remained until the 
22d, when it left in two diA'isions by boats for 
Louisville, K}., arriving on the 24th. It re- 
mained there until the 5th of October, when it 
was ordered to Shelby ville, Ky., in charge of 
a division supply-train, arriving on the 6th. 
Thence it moved to Perryville, where it lay in 
line within hearing of the battle at that place, 
but was not taken into the fight. Thence it 
proceeded to Crab Orchard, and thence to 
Bowling Green, Ky., arriving on the 30th. 

On the lOtli of December, the regiment 
moved to Russellville, thence to Clarksville, 
Tenn., arriving on Christmas night, where it 
remained nine months. 

On the 2od of September, 1863, the regi- 
ment moved to Nashville, thence proceeded by 
rail to Elk River and Cowan, Tenn. On the 
30th of October it went into winter quarters, 
at Nashville, Tenn., and was assigned to Gen. 
Ward's brigade, Rousseau's division, Twen- 
tieth Army Corps. It prepared to move to 
the front with the brigade, but was retained 
for duty in the city, where it remained six 
months. 

On the 26th of April, 1864, the regiment 
was transferred to Tullahoma, Tenn. Here 
Col. Given was relieved of the command of 
the brigade, and, with his regiment only, 
marched across the Cumberland Mountains to 
Bellefonte, Ala., arriving on the 10th of June. 
Here the regiment was emploj^ed on the de- 
fense of the line of the Tennessee River from 
Stevenson to the foot of Seven Mile Island, a 
distance of fifty miles, every part of which 
was patrolled four times every twent^'-four 
hours. 



On the 1st of September, at Bellefonte, the 
regiment went on board the cars and remained 
on them fourteen days, patrolling the Tennes- 
see & Alal)ama Railroad, from Decatur, Ala., 
to Columbia, Tenn., and, on the 15th of Sep- 
tember, went into camp at Decatur. 

On the night of the 23d of September, Col. 
Given, in command of the post, was ordered to 
send 400 men to re-enforce the fort at Athens, 
which was done by taking about equal num- 
bers from the One Hundred and Second 
Ohio and the Eighteenth Michigan. The next 
morning, this force met the enemy near 
Athens, cutting their way through two brig- 
ades of the enem}^. When they arrived in 
sight of the fort, they witnessed the humilia- 
tion of our flag, and the hoisting of the Confed- 
erate banner. The}' were surrounded by an 
overwhelming force of the enemy, a large num- 
ber of the men were killed and wounded, and 
the remainder captured. The officers were 
taken to Selma, and afterward transferred to 
Enterprise. The men were paroled and placed 
on board the ill-fated Sultana, at Vicksburg, 
and about eighth-one of the One Hundred 
and Second were lost by the disaster to that 
boat. 

On the 24th of October, Hood, with 35,000 
men and 108 pieces of artillery, attacked the 
garrison at Decatur, Ala., consisting of less 
than one thousand men for duty and seventeen 
pieces of artillery. During this siege, which 
lasted four days, the One Hundred and Second 
bore a conspicuous part in the defense. 

After the siege of Decatur, the regiment was 
engaged in frequent conflicts with the enemy, 
in which they drove the rebels at diflferent 
times from four to ten miles. 

In obedience to orders, Decatur was evac- 
uated on the 25tli of November, and the regi- 
ment, with other forces, marched 100 miles to 
Stevenson, Ala. It returned by transports from 
Stevenson to Decatur, arriving on the 1st of 
June, 1865. 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAN^D COUNTY. 



359 



On the 30th of June, it was mustered out at 
Nashville, Tenn., and was finally discharged at 
Columbus, Ohio, on the 8th of July, 1865. 

When the One Hundred and Second Regi- 
ment left Mansfield, the county lacked nearly 
three hundred men of filling its quota. As 
early as the 22d of August, IMr. James Purdy 
advertised in the city papers that he had been 
appointed by the Governor as Commissioner to 
conduct the draft, to fill the militia ranks or- 
dered out by the last call. He stated that, 
unless the county's quota was complete b}' the 
3d of September, he would, between the hours 
of 9 and 5 o'clock, draft, by lot, on the en- 
rolled militia of the county, to fill the call for 
300,000 men. He could not tell the number 
the draft would require, as the enlistments were 
going on at this time in the One Hundred and 
Second and One Hundred and Twentieth, as 
well as recruits for regiments already in the 
field. Before the time arrived, however, the 
(xovernor postponed the draft until October 1, 
hoping the enlistments would fill the quota. 
During this month occurred the famous raids 
endangering the Ohio Kiver cities in this State, 
and bringing out every militiaman in Ohio. 
The militia of Mansfield met for regular drills. 
It was composed of seventy men from the First 
Ward, fifty from the Second, fifty from the 
Third and about one hundred from the Fourth. 
T. G. Bristor, who had been out in the three- 
months service, was Captain ; Jonas . Smith 
and B. F. Blymyer, Lieutenants ; H. Colby, 
Orderly Sergeant, and Judge G. W. Geddes, 
Second Sergeant. The raids were of short 
duration, however, and the militia was not 
needed to repel an invasion. The county's 
quota of men was not, however, full, and the 
draft came. 

On the morning of October 1, Mr. Purd}^ 
began the draft. Two hundred and thirt3'-six 
men were required to fill the quota. The pro- 
portion to each township was as follows : Mad- 
ison, twenty-six men ; Butler, thirty-five ; 



Springfield, seventeen ; Blooming Grov^e, 
twenty ; Cass, twenty ; Weller, eight ; Mifflin, 
twenty ; Sandusky, twenty-nine ; Washington, 
seventeen ; Worthington, five ; Franklin, four- 
teen, and Jackson, twenty-five. 

From this statement it will be seen that, in 
proportion to the area, Sandusky was the most 
behind in enlistments ; while the townships of 
Pl3'mouth, Sharon, Monroe, Jefferson and Perry 
had furnished their quota, and hence no draft 
was made in any of them. 

An order had been received from the Gov- 
ernor, allowing all drafted men who wished, to 
enlist, a privilege many availed themselves of 
as quickl}' as they found they were drawn. 
Before the draft occurred, many persons daily 
besieged the offices of the examining surgeons, 
in the hope they could find some ill that would 
exempt them from military dut3^ An aston- 
ishing amount of disease suddenly appeared 
among hitherto supposedly sound men. The 
surgeons were, however, men of experience, 
and if a sound man endeavored to obtain from 
them some certificate of unfitness, his imagin- 
ary complaints generall}' vanished under their 
careful scrutiu}', and he was given to under- 
stand that in case he was drafted he could 
prepare to go. Many others, who, when the 
committees were raising money to purchase 
volunteers, scoffed at the attempts and defied 
the draft, found themselves in a very straitened 
condition. The}' were brave in the absence of 
danger ; when it came, the smallest favors were 
thankfully received. Many of this class were 
allowed to procure, alone, their own substitutes, 
pa^'ing sometimes enormous suihs for them. 

As fast as the men were drafted they were 
summoned to Camp Mansfield and drilled for 
war. B}' the end of the first week in October, 
over 2,500 men were in the camp. The Herald 
of October 15 gives the following summarj- of 
drafted men in the camp. It sajs : 

" There are now in Camp Mansfield 3,4(34 draft- 
ed men, who are being formed into companies and 



(F — 



-7 



^ 



360 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 


regiments. They are from among the following 
counties : Richland, 202 ; Crawford, 454 ; Sen- 
eca, 102 ; Van Wert, 138 ; Columbiana, 199 ; 
Mercer, 131 ; Marion, 189 ; Wayne, 340 ; Stark, 
359; Ashland, 289; Hancock, 281; Auglaize, 
125 ; Holmes, 248 ; Putnam, 55 ; Morrow, 200'; 
Carroll, 103 ; Hardin, 25 ; Wyandotte, 3. These 
figures test the loyalty of each county, in a 
manner silent, but beyond argument. 

W. S. Hickox was Quartermaster of the camp, 
and furnished supplies to the men. By the 
25th of October, the number had increased to 
over four thousand in camp. That day, how- 
ever, the One hundred and Twentieth Regiment, 


which had been forming since August, and had 
been armed on the 17th of October, left Camp 
Mansfield for the front. It contained a few of 
the drafted men, however not as such, for all 
those entering the One Hundred and Twentieth, 
had taken advantage of the Governor's order 
allowing them to enlist. Following the same 
plan adopted in the history of this county in 
the war, the history of this regiment will be 
given in this connection, after which the narra- 
tive will revert to the camp at Mansfield, and 
the history of organizations there. The follow- 
ing roster of the regiment shows the officers 
who went from this county: 


Rank. 


Name. 


Date of Bank. 


Commission Issued. 


Kemarks. 


Lieut. Col... 
Major 


John W. Beerman... 
John W. Beerman... 
Rufus M. Brayton... 

Patrick Phelan 

Christopher Au 

William Mcllvaine... 

John K. Smith 

Joseph P. Rummel... 
Harvey Applegate ... 
William ISIcllvaine... 

John K. Smith 

Henry S. Sherman... 
Harvey Applegate... 
William B. Milligen. 
.John Bacy 


Feb. 18, 1863 

Sept 4, 1862 

Aug. 4 1862 

Sept. 12, 1862 

Oct. 14, 1862 -. 

Feb. 17, 1863 

Feb. 18, 1863 

March 14, 1863... 

Aug. 11, 1864 

Oct. 14, 1862 

Oct. 14, 1862 

March 15, 1863... 

July 30, 1863 

July 31, 1863 

March 21, 1864... 

Oct. 12, 1864 

Aug. 4, 1862 

Aug. 13, 1862 

.Jan. 14, 1863 

March 15, 1863... 
March 15. 1863... 
March 15, 1863... 
June 15, 1863 


March 30 1863... 

Nov. 17, 1862 

Nov. 17, 1862 

Nov. 17, 1862 

Nov. 17, 1862 

March 30, 1863... 
March 30, 1863... 
March 30, 1863... 

Aug. 11, 1864 

Nov. 17, 1862 

Nov. 17, 1862 

March 30, 1863... 

Jan. 10, 1864 

Jan. 10, 1864 

March 21, 1864... 

Oct. 12, 1864 

Nov. 17, 1862 

Nov. 17. 1862 

March 25, 1863... 
March 30, 1863... 
March 30, 1863... 
March 30. 1863... 
Aug. 25,1863 


Died Sept. 8, 1863. 

Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 

Resigned Jan. 14. 1863. 

Died Feb. 17, 1863. 

Mustered out. 

Resigned .July 19, 1864. 

Resigned Sept. 29, 1863. 

Transferred to 114th 0. V. I. 

Trans, to 114th 0. V. I. as First Lieut. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Resigned .July 31, 1863. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Transferred to 114th 0. V. I. 

Transferred to 114th 0. V. I. 

Transferred to 114th 0. V. I. 

Promoted to Captain. 

Resigned Feb. 18, 1863. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 

Resigned .Jan. 30, 1864. 

Promoted to First Lieutenant. 


Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

Captain 

First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
First Lieut. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec. Lieut.. 
Sec Lieut.. 


James R. Pollock 

Joseph P. Rummel... 
Alexander Morrow .. 
Henry S. Sherman... 
William B. Milligen. 
Harvey Applegate... 
John A. McMillen... 
John Baer 




Five companies of the One Hundred and 
Twentieth were raised in the counties of Wayne 
and Ashland, and the remainder in Richland, 
Ashland and Holmes Counties. On the 17th 
of October it was armed, equipped and mus- 
tered into the service of the United States, 
with an aggregate of 949 men. On the 25th, 
it left Camp Mansfield with orders to report to 
Gen. Wright, at Cincinnati. On its arrival, it 
was ordered to report to Gen. Ammen, com- 


manding at Covington, K}'., where it remained 
nearly one month. On the 24th of November, 
it embarked on transports, reaching Memphis 
on the 7th of December. Upon the organiza- 
tion of the army for the expedition against 
Vicksburg, the regiment was assigned to Col. 
Sheldon's brigade, of Gen. Morgan's division, 
in the right wing of the Army of the Tennes- 
see, commanded b}^ Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman. 
Embarking at Memphis on the 20th of Decem- 



w 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



361 



ber, it moved down the Mississippi to tlie 
mouth of tlie Yazoo River ; thence up the 
Yazoo to Johnson's Landing, and there de- 
barked preparatory to an attack on the line of 
fortifications defending Vicksburg. The fruit- 
lessness of the attack on Vicksburg from the 
Yazoo being recognized, the National forces 
were withdrawn and taken on transports to 
Milliken's Bend, on the Mississippi River, 
where Maj. Gren. McClernand assumed com- 
mand. The bad water of the Yazoo River, 
exposure to the recent storms, close confine- 
ment on crowded steamboats and poorly pre- 
pared food, here made its mark to such extent 
that more than one-half the number reported 
"present" were unfit for active service. The 
movement against Arkansas Post now began. 
The regiment was in position on the extreme 
left of the line, along the river bank below 
Fort Hindman. At 4 o'clock, P. M., a charge 
was ordered on the left. The brigades of Bur- 
bridge and Landreau charged upon the outer 
fortifications, while the One Hundred and 
Twentieth charged directly upon the fort. The 
enemy, finding further resistance futile, dis- 
played the white flag. The One Hundred and 
Twentieth, it is claimed, was the first regiment 
of the National forces to enter Fort Hindman, 
Sergeant Wallace, of Company C, color-bearer 
of the regiment, having gallantly scaled the 
parapet of the fort and planted the colors of 
his regiment, an act which shortl}^ afterward 
brought him a lieutenant's commission. 

In the month of February, the army was re- 
organized, Gren. Grant assuming command. 
The One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment was 
assigned to the Third Brigade. Ninth Division, 
and Thirteenth Army Corps. About the mid- 
dle of March, the corps moved to Milliken's 
Bend, and, on the 1st of April, marched to 
occupy New Carthage. Having reached there, 
the corps proceeded to Parker's plantation, on 
the west side of the Mississippi, twenty-five 
miles below Vicksburg. On the 29th of April, 



the Thirteenth Corps dropped down to Hard 
Times Landing, about three miles from Grand 
Gulf Bruinsburg was the next point of debark- 
ation. Having landed, the troops marched at 
once in pursuit of the rebels under Gen. Green. 
At midnight of April 20, the National forces 
caught up with the rebels, who occupied a 
strong position on Thompson's Hill, near Port 
Gibson, Miss., where a severe battle followed. 
The loss of the One Hundred and Twentieth in 
this action was one for every eight of the num- 
ber engaged. 

The -regiment joined the main army, in the 
rear of Vicksburg, on the morning of the 1 9th 
of Ma}^, and the same da}' joined in a deter- 
mined assault on the enemy's fortification. It 
also took part in a more determined eflfort on 
the 22d of Ma}-. On the 24th, the division was 
ordered to Black River Bridge, remaining there 
until the fiill of Vicksburg. In the expedition 
against Jackson, Miss., the Thirteenth Corps 
formed the right wing of the army. During 
the investment, the regiment's casualties of 
officers were, Col. Spiegel and Lieut. Spear 
severely, and Lieut. Totten mortally, wounded. 

The regiment returned with the army to 
Black River Bridge, and from there to Vicks- 
burg, where it went into camp. ()n the 8th of 
August, the Thirteenth Army Corps left Vicks- 
burg for New Orleans. On the 5th of Septem- 
ber the corps moved to Berwick City, and 
thence to Opelouse, returning to Berwick City 
on the 9th of September. Soon after, the regi- 
ment, in company with the Forty-second Ohio 
and Twenty-second Kentuck}', was sent to 
Plaquemine, one hundred and ten miles above 
New Orleans, remaining until the 23d of March, 
1864, when it moved up to Baton Rouge. 

On the 1st of May, the regiment embarked 
on the City Belle, with orders to report to 
Gen. McClernand. At Alexandria, at 4 P. M., 
while the transport bearing the regiment was 
turning a bend in Red River, a short distance 
above Snaggy Point, about five thousand of 



!> "V 



^1 



:^ 



362 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



the enem}- suddenly rose, on the south bank 
of the river, and poured a murderous volley 
into the boat. The enemy's batteries also 
opened, and in a moment the boat became 
unmanageable b^' a shell. After a most gal- 
lant resistance for half an hour, the white flag 
was displayed. The boat, now totally unman- 
agealile, floated to the opposite shore from the 
enemy, and a large portion of the regiment 
jumped ashore and escaped over the levee. 
Others remained on the boat, prevented from 
ascending the plank by the rapid firing of the 
enem}^ About one hundred and sixty men 
fell into the hands of the rebels, beside the 
bodies of the killed. 

After a terrible march, the wretched captives 
reached Camp Ford, on the 21st of May. In 
this miserable prison, the}- remained over a 
year, until the final cessation of hostilities. 

Those who escaped formed themselves into 
a battalion of three companies, under Lieut. 
Col. Slocum, coming together for that purpose 
about one mile from the scene of disaster. A 
fatiguing march of twenty-three hours brought 
them to Alexandria. This remnant of the One 
Hundred and Twentieth was assigned to duty 
on the 12th of Ma}-, in a division commanded 
by Gen. Lawler. 

The regiment having shared in the hardships 
and privations of the retreat of Banks' army, 
reached the Mississippi River on the 21st of 
May, and went into camp at JMorganza, La. On 
the 23d of August, it started with its division 
on an expedition into Eastern Louisiana, and, 
after dispersing a rebel force near Clinton, La., 
returned to Morganza. 

On the 13th of September, the regiment left 
Morganza and proceeded up the Mississippi to 
the mouth of White River, thence up that river 
to St. Charles, Ark. On the 21st of October, 
Gen. Slack's brigade, to which the regiment 
now belonged, moved up to Duvall's Blufl*, 
Ark., and on the 27th returned to the mouth of 
White River. A second expedition was made 



to Duvall's BluflT, returning to the mouth of 
White River on the 24th of November. 

On the 25th of November, an order was 
issued from headquarters of Nineteenth Army 
Corps, consolidating the One Hundred and 
Twentieth with the One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Ohio, and carried into eflect the next 
day. This ended the career of the One Hun- 
dred and Twentieth as a regimental organiza- 
tion. The consolidated regiment made several 
other expeditions of considerable importance 
before their muster-out in July, 1865. 

When the One Hundred and Twentieth Regi- 
ment left Camp Mansfield, there still remained 
nearly four thousand men. Commenting on this 
fact, and giving a short resume of the men this 
count}- had already furnished, the Herald gives 
a summary of enlisted men sent from Richland 
County. It says : 

" Mr. James Purdy has just sent the Gov- 
ernor a list of men that have enlisted from 
Richland County. From it we gather that in 
the first call for three months' troops we sent 
247 men ; in the second, for the same service, 
107; in the third, for three-years troops, 2,138, 
and in the fourth, drafted, 227 ; in all, 2,719 
men." 

The same paper, of November 1, says, "A 
hospital has been established in Camp Mans- 
field," and, " that Col. Sherman (Charles T.), 
states that there were rendezvoused in the camp 
3,652 drafted men, 765 of whom have been dis- 
charged for disability; 986 procured substi- 
tutes ; 2,155 are now in camp, " he adds in 
another place. 

Most of these drafted men remained in camp 
till the early part of December. They were 
assigned to dift'erent regiments as fast as they 
could be equipped and sent forward. The last 
of them left the 9th of that month. Portions 
of the Eighty-seventh Infantry and Tenth Cav- 
alry were sent to Cleveland, while the unas- 
signed men and officers were sent to Camp 
Chase at Columbus. 



© 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



363 



The close of the year 1862 presented rather a 
gloomy prospect to the Union cause. The rebel 
forces were larger then than at any time during 
the war. The President had issued his proc- 
lamation in September, warning them to lay 
down their arms, else he would proclaim free- 
dom to all the bondmen in the rebellious terri- 
tory January 1, 1863. The insurgents, disre- 
garding this, warning, the President carried out 
his proclamation, and from that hour slavery 
in America was crushed. The year was a pros- 
perous one to the Union arms. Important vic- 
tories resulted to the Northern armies during 
the campaign of 1863. Early in the summer, 
it was deemed best to call out all the troops to 
the field and enlist 300,000 more men. Draft- 
ing was resorted to in many places to fill out 
the quotas. In New York, a serious riot oc- 
curred, continuing several days and destroying 
a large amount of property- and man}" lives. 
Ben Butler was sent there, and quiet resulted. 
Several places in Ohio, particularly Holmes 
County, made a show of resistance to the enroll- 
ing officers, but no serious outbreak occurred. 
The draft was not necessarj^ in Richland Coun- 
t}', as the large bounties offered secured the 
required number of men. 

The militia in this county were sent to a 
camp at Wooster in September, 1863, where 
the militia from this district were all encamped 
about ten days, drilling and learning the man- 
ual of arms. Over eight thousand were in 
camp before it was abandoned. The militia 
regiment organized principally in this county 
was the Forty-eighth, recruited during the 
spring and summer, which met often for drill 
in Mansfield. 

The call for troops late in the fall of 1863 
demanded another di'aft, but the county averted 
that by enlisting its quota of men. 

In all parts of the Union, particularl}' in the 
large cities, sanitar}^ fairs were organized, and 
gi'eat sums of monej' raised to aid the armies 
in the field. The subject was broached in the 



city papers in Mansfield in the fall of 1863 and 
early part of the winter of 1864, and received 
good encouragement from all quarters. Dona- 
tions of money and articles were solicited in all 
parts of the county, committees appointed to 
take charge, and soon Sturges Hall was an 
active place. A soldiers" wood-pile was 
started, among other things. Farmers brought 
wood to a designated place, which a compe- 
tent person received and distributed among the 
needy families of those whose husbands or 
brothers were in the army. The fair began in 
Miller's Hall, commencing February 8, and 
continuing about ten daj'S. Several thousand 
dollars were raised by the effort, in addition to 
the articles distributed among the soldiers' 
families and wdiat was sent to the field. 

Early in 1864, the President issued another 
call for 500,000 men. The prospect, on the 
part of the North, was encouraging, and it was 
determined to push the rebellion to the wall. 
Ohio's quota of the Tequired number was 
twenty regiments. A strong appeal was issued 
by the Grovernor for the State to raise that 
number and avoid a draft. The Ohio National 
Guard, an organization raised in the State for 
home defense and not destined for foreign 
work, was called b}- the GrOvernor to volunteer 
to go to the front. Though not required bj' 
the terms of their enlistment to do this, yet 
the Gruard responded nobly to the call and 
went out as regular soldiers. This act and the 
enlistments in the State furnished the requisite 
number of men, and thus again the draft was 
avoided. 

Of the Ohio National Guard, but one regi- 
ment, the Forty-eighth, was raised chiefl}' in 
this county. It was attached, with several 
battalions, to the One Hundred and Sixt3'-third 
Regiment Ohio National Guard, which all com- 
posed. Along with all the other regiments of 
this kind, it cheerfully complied with the 
requests of the Governor, and went to the 
front. Its histor}' thei'e is here appended. Its 



3 ^ . , ■ 



^* 



364 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



roster shows the following officers from this 
county : 



Rank. 


Name. 


Mustered In. 




Hiram Miller 


May 13 
May 1? 
May 13 
May 13 
May 13 
May 13 
May 13 
May 13 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 
May 12 


1864. 


Lieut, Colonel... 


John Dempsey 


1864. 


Major 


Aaron S. Campbell 

Alex. Sutherland 

James 0. Carter 


1864. 


Surgeon 


1864. 


Asst. Surgeon... 
Asst. Surgeon... 
Adiutant 


1864. 


David C. McMillen 

Andrew M. Burns 

Samuel L. Nash 


1864. 
1864. 




1864. 


Captain 


Rufus L. Avery 


1864. 


Captain 


Thomas H. Logan 

William 'W. Cockley.... 
Jacob M. Leedy 


1864. 


Captain 

Captain 


1864. 
1864. 


Captain 


William F. Curtis 

John Saltsgaber 

Wells Rogers 


1864. 


Captain 


1864. 


Captain 


1864. 


First Lieut 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 


William B. Niman 

Joseph Craycraft 

Milo E. Stearns 


1864. 
1864. 
1864. 


First Lieut 


Joseph H. Brown 

John Kern 


1864. 


Second Lieut 


1864. 


Second Lieut 


David P. Miller 


1864. 


Second Lieut 


•Fohn Spade 


1864. 


Second Lieut 


H. C. McCIure 


1864. 


Second Lieut 


Peter Starrett 


1864. 


Second Lieut — 
Second Lieut.... 


Frederick Dennis 

James M. Ferst 


1864. 
1864. 



This regiment was composed of the Forty- 
eighth Ohio National Guard, of Richland 
County ; the Seventy-second Battalion, Ohio 
National Guard, of Henry County ; the Ninety- 
sixth Battalion, Ohio National Guard, of 
Ashland Count}^, and the Ninety-ninth Bat- 
talion, Ohio National Guard, of Stark County. 

The Forty-eighth was organized in the spring 
of 18G4, and was composed of Company' A, 
from Mansfield, Capt. Avery (when he died, in 
July, 18G4, William B. Niman was appointed 
Captain) ; Capt. William F. Curtis' company, 
raised in Weller Township ; Capt. Jacob M. 
Leedy's company, raised in Belleville ; Capt. 
William F. Cockley's, in Lucas ; Capt. John 
Saltsgaber's, in Shelby, and Capt. Wells Rog- 
ers', in Plymouth, the five companies corapris- 
prising about four hundred men. 

The One Hvindred and Sixtj^-third Regiment 
was mustered into the United States service at 
Camp Chase, Ohio, on the 12th of May, 1864, 



and, on the 13th, proceeded to Washington 
City, under orders from Gen. Heintzelman, 
commanding the Department of Ohio. Upon 
its arrival at Washington, the regiment was as- 
signed to the First Brigade, First Division, 
Twenty-second Army Corps, with headquarters 
at Fort Reno, District of Columbia. It re- 
mained here on duty until the 8th of June, 
when it was ordered to the front, and pro- 
ceeded in transports to White House, Va., and 
thence to Bermuda Hundred. It reported to 
Gen. Butler, at Point of Rocks, Va., on the 
12th of June, and, on the 14th, took part (with 
Gen. Turner's division) in a reconnaissance on 
the Petersburg & Richmond Railroad. Two 
hundred and fifty of the men were engaged in 
a severe skirmish on the 15th, and were highly 
complimented by the brigade commander, who 
said : "They comported themselves like vet- 
erans." On the 16th, the regiment proceeded 
to Wilson's Landing, and from that point made 
several reconnaissances to the west side of the 
James. It also assisted in building a large 
portion of the works known as Fort Poca- 
hontas. On the 29th of August, the regiment 
was released from duty, and proceeded to Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, where it was mustered out Sep- 
tember 10, 1864. 

The regiment's return home brought them a 
warm welcome and a great dinner. This was 
the common greeting to all, and was beginning 
to be an ever3'-day aflfair, as mau}^ soldiers were 
returning from the war. To those that were in 
the field, supplies were being sent through re- 
lief committees, who were organized and at 
work in nearl}^ ever}^ township in the county. 
This work went on through the summer and 
autumn months of 1864. 

Late in the fall, a final call for 300,000 men 
was made by the President, and an income tax 
of 8 per cent on all incomes exceeding $600 
ordered. It was intended to speedily crush out 
the rebellion, now drawing to a close. More 
men went to the front, while in the spring of 



■^n 



:\ 



l>£. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



365 



1865, in March, a draft was ordered in Frank- 
lin, Blooming Grove, Mifflin, Butler, Worth- 
ington, Jefferson and Cass Townships, to fill 
out their quotas. Seventy-eight men were 
drafted in these townships, but were not 
needed, as, April 9, Lee surrendered, and the 
war practically closed. 

The surrender of Lee's armj^ caused great 
rejoicing in all parts of the Union. Drafting 
and recruiting at once stopped. Friday, April 
14, an immense jollification meeting was held in 
Miller's Hall, and at night, huge bonfires and 
the display of rockets and fireworks illumi- 
nated the city. The rejoicing was, however, 
soon turned to mourning by the assassination 
of the great and good man who had been at 
the helm of the nation through all its strug- 
gles for existence. The nation was cast 
into deep mourning by this dastardly deed, 
emanating from the old slaveholding spirit, 
which had seen its own downfall. 

May 6, Hon. John Sherman delivered a mas- 
terly oration on Mr. Lincoln's life and services 
to the citizens of Mansfield. 

This same summer, the steamer Sultana 
blew up, carrying to a watery grave, in the 
depths of the Mississippi, 172 of Richland 



County's soldiers, members of the One Hun- 
dred and Second, Sixty-fourth, Eighty-second, 
Sixty-fifth and the Fifteenth. This cast a 
gloom over the count}^, as the lost soldiers 
were all residents and were soon expected 
home. 

Returned soldiers began coming home by 
July 4, and oh that day a great concourse of 
people assembled at Mansfield, where a dinner 
was served to all veterans, and a gi-eat celebra- 
tion of the day held. 

Jul}' 9, the One Hundred and Second re- 
turned, and received a welcome similar to its 
predecessors. Along through the summer and 
fall, others returned, and early in the year 
1866, the Sixty-fourth, the regiment that had 
seen so much service, came home, and the war 
was beginning to be one of the things of the 
past. 

Richland Count}', through the whole conflict, 
had done nobly. She had furnished in all 
about three thousand men, who had been an 
ornament to her and the State. Many of them 
lay in Southern burial fields ; others, on South- 
ern battle-fields ; others, in the waters of the 
rivers ; while many were l^rought home and 
buried in the cemeteries in the county. 



^<^ 




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'^ 



366 



HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

A CHAPTER OF TRAGEDIES. 

Murder at Millsborouoh — .John Welch Kills Hls Wife — The Bowlanw-Barker Affair — A Negro Killed — 
Return J. M. Ward — The Murder of Hall and the Peddler — Ward's Confession — ^The Stein- 
grater Murder — Killing of Mock by Pool — Murder of Mrs. Lunsford — A Boy Kills His Brother 
— Murder of William S. Finney — The Killing of Alfred Palm — How Mansfield Treated Her 
Thieves and Blacklegs. 



RICHLAND COUNTY has not been free 
from murders and crimes of every de- 
scription, and though it is an unpleasant task 
to record these and equally unpleasant, perhaps, 
to read them, yet they are matters of record, 
and fall properly within the province of the 
historian. They will be hastily reviewed with- 
out regard to minutiae, and are collected into a 
chapter, that those who care not to read of these 
things may pass on. 

In an early day, the frontier was infested (as 
it is to-day) with a class of " roughs " and crim- 
inals, who had perhaps escaped the clutches of 
the law in the older settlements and come to 
the wilds of the West for greater safety. This 
fact, together with the fact that whisky was in 
general use in those days, rendered the border 
rather unsafe ; fighting was frequent and killing 
occasional. The taking of life in this way was 
not alwaj'S, indeed seldom, considered as mur- 
der. A few only of the most prominent of 
these crimes are here considered. One of the 
earliest murders occurring in the county, caused 
by whisky, was that of Samuel Crispin, who 
killed a man named Lintholm in a drunken 
brawl in Millsborough, in Springfield Township. 
Crispin, who was a powerful man, struck Lin- 
tholm with his fist, killing him almost instantly. 
Crispin was cleared. 

The Bowland-Barker affair occurred about 
1846. People generally were surprised when 
Robert Bowland stepped up to Frank Barker 



on the street, in the broad light of day, and 
stabbed him to death, though, to the immediate 
friends of the parties, it was not, perhaps, unex- 
pected. The trouble grew out of remarks con- 
tinually made by Barker derogator}' to the 
character of Bowland's wife. The two men 
were brothers-in-law, young, and full of the fire 
of life. It was a premeditated murder, for Bow- 
land put a dagger in his pocket before leaving 
home, and started out in quest of his victim, 
while yet his brain was in a whirl of passion, 
and when in this condition the deed was done. 
He found Barker talking to a friend on the 
street, and stepping up to him he touched him 
on the shoulder to call his attention, and, with- 
out a word, plunged the fatal dagger into his 
heart. 

He was found guilty of murder in the first 
degi'ee and sentenced to be hanged, but the sen- 
tence was commuted to imprisonment for life, 
and, after a few years in the penitentiary, he 
was pardoned. He went West and there died. 

In 1848, a murder was committed in front of 
the North American Hotel. The troul)le origin- 
ated with two colored employes of the hotel — 
cause, jealousy. A mulatto, named Broadwell, 
loved the wife of John Brown, not wiselv but 
too well ; and, if the latter did not premeditate 
murder, he at least sought revenge. Broad- 
well was rather a stylish darke}', better look- 
ing, perhaps, than Brown, which fact served to 
increase the admiration of Mrs. Brown and the 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



867 



jealousy of Mr. Brown. Broadwell, in order to 
make his manly form symmetrical, wore a veiy 
tight belt, which proved the cause of his death. 
The two met one day on the pavement, when an 
explosion took place, and Brown struck Broad- 
well with a cane on the tight belt, causing the 
rupture of a blood-vessel, and death followed. 

Brown was tried and sentenced to the peni- 
tentiary, but, after serving out part of his sen- 
tence, was pardoned, and disappeared from this 
vicinit}-. 

In 1851 or 1852, John Welch was convicted of 
killing his wife. It was proved on the trial that 
he threw her into a well ; the jur^' found a ver- 
dict of murder in the first degree and Welch 
was sentenced to be hanged. A motion for a new 
trial, however, prevailed, but the case was put 
off for some reason from year to j'ear, mean- 
while the prisoner lying in jail. Befoi'e the 
case could again be brought to trial, the pris- 
oner died in jail. The murder occurred in 
Jackson Township. 

One of the most terrible of the earl}' mur- 
derers lived in Planktown, a small village, at 
present within the limits of Cass Township. 

The name of one of its citizens, about and 
before the year 1850, was Return J. M. Ward. 
It is a well-remembered name by the older cit- 
izens. This Ward was a tailor by trade, but 
seems to have engaged in keeping a hotel called 
the Eagle House, in Planktown. Just when 
he came or where he came from has not been 
ascertained, and matters little. He was a liv- 
ing personification of the ogi'es of the fairy 
tales — being a large, broad-shouldered man, 
bald, with a little ring of black, wir}- hair 
around his head ; thick neck, broad, high, fore- 
head ; clean shaven, except a large goatee ; and 
a sinister, forbidding countenance. 

Noah Hall was a resident of the town at the 
same time. He came in 1849, Avas a bachelor, 
boarded with Ward, and kept a store ; carried 
a general stock, such as country' stores were 
compelled to carry in those days. Hall went 



East occasionally to buy goods, and was about 
making such a trip in March, 1851, when the 
little village was startled one morning b}' find- 
ing him dead in his storeroom, where he was in 
the habit of sleeping. He had been collecting- 
money for some weeks, which he carried on his 
person ; but just what amount was not known. 
Two men, M^ers and McGravy, brothers-in-law. 
Irishmen by birth, were suspected of being the 
murderers ; the grand jury found an indictment 
against them, and they were put on trial for the 
crime. The evidence was not sufficient and they 
were acquitted. The real murderer might ha^e 
been suspected, but was never publicly charged 
with the crime, and continued to ply his avo- 
cation and live among the neighbors of the 
murdered man as if nothing had happened. 

Some time after this, a peddler who had 
stopped at the Eagle House overnight, then 
kept by R. J. M. Ward and Thomas Griffith, 
disappeared suddenly and was never afterward 
heard from ; but as he had no friends, and as 
Ward had said that he went away early in the 
morning, nothing was thought of the matter ; 
it was not investigated, and if anybody sus- 
pected the peddler had been murdered, they 
kept their own counsel. Among those who 
suspected Ward of murdering the peddler, was 
his (Ward's) wife, who worried over the crime 
so much that she became insane, and was sent 
to the asjdum. Ward became so odious in 
Planktown, that he finally rented the hotel and 
went away. In Februar}', 1857, R. J. M. Ward 
was arrested and tried for the murder of his 
wife (he seems to have married again), at vSyl- 
vania. a little town west of Toledo. He was 
convicted of the murder and sentenced to be 
hanged. His Planktown murders were yet un- 
known to the public, but when he knew he 
must be hanged that there was no longer an}- 
hope of reprieve, he made a confession, of 
which the following is the substance : 

" Of the crime of mui'dering Noah Hall, I 
alone am guilt3\ On the night of the 



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368 



HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



day of March, 1851, I entered his store se- 
cretly, by the door, while he was asleep, unseen 
by anj^ human eye, and committed the deed. 
Knowing he was about starting for New York, 
to purchase goods, and that he had collected a 
considerable sum of money, I laid m}^ plans 
and resolved to take his life, as the only means 
of possessing myself of the coveted treasure. 
Before dark, on the previous day, I went to his 
store, and, in his absence, unfastened the back 
door, and left it in a condition to be opened 
easily. At midnight, I left m}^ house, entered 
by this door and found Hall sleeping soundl3^ 
I was armed with a heavy iron poker, square 
and large at one end, and tapering to a rounded 
point at the other. Having carefully ascer- 
tained his position, I struck the point through 
his skull, on the left side, above the ear, and 
then gave him a violent blow with the heavy 
end of the poker, on top of the head. He then 
began to struggle, and I seized his pillow and 
held it tight over his mouth, to prevent any 
sound from escaping, and, with the other hand, 
grasped his windpipe strongly, and held him 
thus till he ceased to struggle and life was evi- 
dently extinct. It was a fearful struggle, and 
I felt a sad relief when it was over. There 
was no great flow of blood from the wound, 
and no stain on ray clothes. 

" When I was satisfied that he was dead, I 
dragged the body to the back part of the store 
and commenced my search for the expected 
treasure. On going to the money drawer, I 
found only a little change, and began to think 
my crime was to be without reward ; but, on 
searching the hammock where he slept, under 
the bolster, I discovered his pocket-book, which 
I found contained over $800 in bank bills. I 
immediately left the store and buried the 
pocket-book and contents in the back end of 
my lot, and the}' remained there, untouched, 
during the next six months. 

'' When the excitement about the murder 
died away, I dug up the pocket-book, and 



used the money in small quantities, as I 
needed it. 

" Before leaving the store the night of the 
murder; I locked the back door and left by the 
front door, which I locked after me, and buried 
the key, so as to create the impression that 
the business was done by regular burglars. I 
was among the foremost to charge the crime 
on Myers and McGravy. 

" I used an old tin lantern, which I covered 
up with a towel, to prevent the light being 
seen. With the aid of this light, which I 
placed at the head of the sleeping man, I ac- 
complished my purpose." 

At the same time, this monster made another 
confession, as follows : 

" While Thomas Grrifflth and I were keeping 
tavern at Bichland, an event took place which 
is vivid in my recollection, but which I wish I 
■could forget. Griffith was away for the night, 
and was not expected home for several days. 
Toward evening, a peddler — I think his name 
was Lovejoy — arrived, on foot, with two large 
tin trunks full of goods ; said he wanted his 
supper, breakfast and bed for the night, if I 
would take the amount out in trade. I looked 
over his goods, and, finding he had such arti- 
cles as I could use in my family, I made a bar- 
gain with liira, had his boxes taken care of 
and gave him his supper. After supper, he 
walked out for awhile, and when he returned, 
took a seat in the bar-room with me and we 
talked for a couple of hours. He complained 
of being very tired and much in need of sleep, 
as he had been walking all day. When ready 
to retii'e, I went with him to his room, which 
was on the second floor, in the corner of the 
house. At this time, I had no idea of injuring 
him, and went to bed wholly innocent of an}' 
intention of disturbing him. 

I awoke about midnight, and the thought 
struck me that the peddler might have money 
about him, and there was a good opportunity 
of getting possession of it. I knew there was 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUN^TY. 



371 



no lock on the door, and it appeared to me I 
must, at any rate, go and see if he had thought 
to stick his knife over the latch so as to keep 
me out. Accordingly , I sprang from the bed, 
and, on going to the door, found it was not fast- 
ened, and I could open it without noise. So I 
opened it, went softly to the side of the bed, and, 
as I expected, found him fast asleep. The room 
was almost as light as day; the moon was shin- 
ing, and the windows had no curtains. Every- 
thing was so favorable, that the temptation 
seemed irresistible, and, leaving the door open, 
I went down into the bar-room and got an old 
ax that I knew was kept there, and went back 
to the peddler's room. He was still sound 
asleep,, and lying in a favorable position; so I 
took hold of the ax with both hands, and dealt 
him a tremendous blow on the top of the head. 
I struck him only once ; he scarcely struggled, 
and in a few minutes he was dead. The blow 
caused but little flow of blood, which was mostly 
at the nose and mouth, and with a little care 
on my part, the bed was scarcely stained. He 
made no noise whatever, and all I had to do 
was to dispose of the body. This I had not 
sufficiently considered beforehand, and it pre- 
sented serious difficulties, but they were soon 
surmounted. I went down-stairs and got a dr}-- 
goods box, and, as the body could not be stowed 
in it whole, I unjointed the legs at the thighs 
and knees, and, after wrapping the various parts 
that were bloody in sheets and blankets, so as 
to prevent the blood from oozing out, I packed 
it all safel}' in the box, put on the cover, and 
took the box to my bedroom, where it remained 
that night, through the following day and the 
next night. Having disposed of the body, I 
commenced a search for the money, but found 
only about fifty dollars. I took such goods out 
of the trunks as would not be likely to expose 
me, left the rest in, and and put them also 
under my bed, covering them up with an 
old quilt, and left the bedroom, where the 
peddler had slept, but little deranged in conse- 



quence of the dreadful scene that had just 
taken place. 

" The next morning I arose as usual and took 
breakfast with the family. Some inquiries were 
made after the peddler at the table, and I said 
he was up and off by daylight, not choosing to 
wait for his breakfast, because he had a long 
way to travel. During the day I made up my 
mind how I would dispose of the body. I 
gave out that I was in need of some money, 
and that I would go to my father's, at Milan, 
and see if I could not get it of him, and that 
I believed I would take the wagon and start 
early on the following morning. So, before 
daybreak, I got up and harnessed the horse. 
No one was stirring about the house and I had 
ample time and opportunity to load the box 
and other things into the wagon without being- 
observed. I traveled through the whole day, 
directing my course toward the residence of 
my father, and in the night, about 10 o'clock, 
reached the neighborhood of Huron River. 
When within about half a mile of the river, I 
turned off and went through a lot to the river, 
so that I might not be seen while unloading. I 
had previously filled the box with various 
irons in order to secure its sinking, and finall}' 
tumbled it into the river, about a mile and a 
half above Abbott's bridge. It sunk to the 
bottom, and, getting into the wagon, I returned 
homew^ard as rapidly as possible. I never 
heard that the box was found. I should have 
mentioned, that, on the night I killed the ped- 
dler, there were but few persons about my 
house, and no one in that part of the house 
where he slept. The whole proceeding was 
conducted ver}- quietl}-, and there was no 
noise sufficient to awaken those who slept 
in the house, even if they had been much 
nearer to .his room. The blow sank into 
his head with no reverberation of sound, 
and, as I had taken the precaution to shut 
the door, it could scarcely have been heard 
in the next room. Indeed, I was surprised 



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372 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



that a life could be taken with so little disturb- 
ance." 

Ward was hanged at Toledo June 12, 1857. 

July 4, 1851, a most foul murder was com- 
mitted b}' Charles Steingraver, in Ashland 
County. The victim was Clarinda Vantilburg, 
a blind girl, aged ten years, who had been left 
at home while -her parents went to a Sunday- 
school celebration at Perrysburg. Steingraver, 
who had been in the employ of the Vantil- 
burgs, was convicted of murder in the first 
degree and sentenced to be hanged. A motion 
for a new trial was heard but overruled, and 
the sentence ordered to be carried into execu- 
tion January 30, 1852. A large crowd of 
people collected on that day to see the hang- 
ing, it being the first case of hanging in Ash- 
land, which, until 1846, belonged to Richland 
County. Steingi'aver appeared to be a hard- 
ened criminal, and marched to the scaffold with 
a firm step and little apparent regard for his 
fate. When all was ready, and a moment be- 
fore the trap was sprung, the Sheriff asked him 
the question, " Steingraver, are you innocent of 
the crime of mui'der as charged against you?" 
With apparent earnestness he replied, " Sheriff, 
I am innocent." In another moment, his guilty 
or guiltless soul was launched into another 
world. 

The second murder in this (Ashland) county 
occurred December 17, 1853. The tragedy had 
its origin in a matter of 7 cents that had been 
used at a " raffle." The money belonged to 
one Noah Mock, but had been appropriated by 
Thornton Pool, and, in the controversy growing 
out of this trifling affair, Pool stabbed and 
killed Mock. The case was tried at the March 
term. 1854, Pool found guilty of manslaughter 
and sentenced to the Ohio Penitentiary for ten 
years. 

On the morning of March 12, 1870, Mans- 
field was startled and shocked by the news of 
the horrible murder committed the night before 
on Oliver street, in rear of the Atlantic Hotel. 



The victim was Mrs. Mary J. Lunsford, a 
woman about twenty-eight years of age, who 
occupied the west part of a story-and-a-half 
wooden building, the east part of the building 
being occupied by a negro family named Har- 
ris. Each part of this house contained two 
rooms, one above and one below. The murder 
was committed in the west room up-stairs. 
The woman's character was not good, it appear- 
ing that she was the mistress of Ansel L. Rob- 
inson, a foreman in the Blj^myer, Day & Co.'s 
works. 

It appears that Charity Harris, living in one 
part of the house, heard, about 1 o'clock at 
night, smothered screams and groans issuing 
from the apartment of Mrs. Lunsford. Her 
husband went out to ascertain the cause, rapped 
at Mrs. Lunsford's door and called several 
times, but, as all was quiet, he returned to bed. 
The same noise was also heard by the watchman 
at the Aultman & Taylor works, who came over 
to ascertain the cause, but, finding all quiet, 
returned. In the morning, there being no 
signs of life about Mrs. Lunsford's room, an 
entrance was effected, and she was found lying 
diagonally across the bed in her night-clothes, 
with her throat cut, and other cuts and bruises 
on different parts of her body. Her arm was 
also bitten in several places, the prints of the 
teeth being plainly visible. The condition of 
the bed gave evidence of a terrible struggle, 
and there was a pool of blood on the floor 
under her head, which hung down through the 
head of the bed (the slats having given way) 
to within six inches of the floor. 

The murderer had made his escape through 
a window on the lower floor, leading bloody 
marks in different places. 

Naturally the excitement was intense, and 
under this stimulus Ansel L. Robinson was ar- 
rested for the crime, though it does not appear 
that there was at that time, nor at an}- subse- 
quent time, sufficient evidence to cause his 
arrest. Robinson was from Cincinnati, where 



^^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



373 



he was a local politician of some note and had 
been a leader in the workingmen's movement, 
which resulted in the election of Samuel F. 
Gary to Congress. During the Grant campaign, 
he was prominent in Mansfield and commanded 
a company of Grant Guards in the city. He 
had a good deal of influence among a large 
class of workmen here. It appears from letters 
that he became acquainted with Mrs. Lunsford 
in Cincinnati, and, after he secured his position 
here with Blymyer, Day & Co., induced her to 
come and reside in Mansfield. Robinson was 
tried and acquitted, after which he left Mans- 
field and has not since been heard of in this 
vicinity. 

Several other parties were arrested and ac- 
quitted, and to this da}- the motive of the mur- 
der and the whereabouts of the murderer 
remains a mystery. There are opinions con- 
cerning this matter among the Mansfield people, 
which have assumed the importance of well- 
grounded belief This belief has been strength- 
ened since the trial and execution of Webb for 
the murder of Mr. Finney. It is known that 
Webb was a frequent visitor to the. negro family 
living in the same house with Mrs. Lunsford ; 
that he knew of the murdered woman ; and, 
considering the brutality of the murder and the 
well-known brutality of Webb, it is believed 
that he was the murderer, though he refused to 
confess the same before he was hanged for the 
Finney murder. 

In this connection and in the light of to- 
day, it is intei'esting to read the following, 
printed in the Cincinnati CommerciaJ in April, 
1870 — the month following the murder. It is 
from the pen of Don Piatt, then Washington 
correspondent of that paper : " I read the ac- 
count of this mysterious crime to one of the 
most remarkable lawyers in the United States, 
and he said : 

" ' In all cases of circumstantial evidence, the 
conclusion jumped at by the ordinary mind is 
apt to be erroneous, from the fact that the 



stronger links are generally the more delicate, 
and so escape consideration. Thus when Dr. 
Burdell was murdered, the fact of Mrs. Burdell 
being in the house over-rid the other facts, that 
Burdell, a strong man, had made a vigorous 
fight for his life — so vigorous that an ordinary 
woman could not possibly have conquered him 
— and the bloody track of a stranger feeling 
his way out of the house. When a woman 
premeditates killing, poison is her ordinary 
weapon ; if not premeditated, it was simply 
impossible. 

" ' In this case, the struggle indicates some- 
thing more than murder. Had Robinson or any 
other man set about the killing for that purpose 
and none other, we would not have the struggle 
that broke down the bed, nor the bites in the 
arm so much relied on. These indicate some- 
thing more, and more probably that some one, 
perhaps a negro, knowing the woman to be a 
loose character, entered the window b}' which 
he escaped. Infuriated at the resistance, he 
first bit and fought, then, probably fearing de- 
tection, committed the murder. 

"When a man premeditates a killing, the 
caution attending it grows with the intelligence 
of the criminal, and, in nine cases out of ten, 
the crime is tracked by the very means used to 
conceal it. A vicious, stupid brute may strike 
down and cut to pieces his victim in a moment 
of blind frenzy, regardless of consequences 
and not unfrequently with a successful escape. 
This seems to be the case here." 

The above reasoning is so clear that it seems 
like a prophecy ; and there is good reason to 
believe that it is a simple statement of the 
facts of this murder, though uttered years be- 
fore Webb was known. 

In the following September of the same year 
(1870), young Edward McCulloch was killed 
by Charles Hall, son of H. Hall, who owns a 
farm, on which he resides, a short distance 
north of ^lansfield. This was not a cold- 
blooded or brutal murder, like the one just 






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374 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



related, but was caused by liquor. A party, 
among whom were Hall and McCulloch, came 
to Mansfield in the evening to attend a circus, 
leaving their conveyance at a livery stable. 

Before the}^ were ready to go home, Charles 
Hall was partially intoxicated, having sepa- 
rated himself from the remainder of the party. 
When ready to go home, they could not find 
Hall, and drove away without him. Enraged 
at being left behind, he hired a livery team and 
drove after them, passing them on the road. 
At home, he accused Edward Townsend, one 
of the party, of leaving him on purpose. Some 
words passed, when Hall drew a pistol and 
fired at Townsend, the ball passing through 
his wrist. Edward McCulloch, a hired man 
living with the family, now interfered, and, in 
the melee, was shot hj Hall, the ball entering 
the left face and penetrating the brain. 

Hall gave himself up and was sent to jail. 
He was tried and acquitted, with a fine of $150 
and costs. 

August 5, 1870, a sad afl!air occurred near 
Newville, by which a boy lost his life at the 
hands of his brother. Two sons of Mr. Will- 
iam Norris, an old and respected farmer of 
Worthington Township, became engaged in 
an altercation while driving some cows home 
from pasture, and John, the older brother, got 
the better of William, threw him down and 
punished him severely. After he let him up, 
William seized a billet of wood and struck John 
a tremendous blow on the temple, knocking him 
insensible. The boy lived but a day or two. 

The surviving brother was overwhelmed 
with grifef and remorse for the unlucky blow, 
struck while in a passion. He gave himself 
up and was admitted to bail in the sum of 
$5,000, his father going on his bond. He was 
tried at the September term of court, the same 
year, and the jur}- returned a verdict of not 
guilty. 

The murder of William S. Finney, an old 
and respected resident of the county, residing 



on his farm, three miles southwest of Mansfield, 
occurred December 6, 1877, and in brutality 
was similar to that of Mrs. Lunsford. The sup- 
posed motive for this murder was for the pos- 
session of a small sum of money Mr. Finney 
was supposed to have in his house. The mur- 
derer entered the house in the night, when the 
family were sleeping, and commenced his search 
for the money. It does not seem to have been 
his intention to commit murder, but when Mr. 
Finney was aroused b}^ the noise, the stranger, 
probably fearing opposition and detection, com- 
mitted the murder. The weapon used was an 
old musket, known to be the property of Ed- 
ward Webb, a negro, living on Pine street, in 
Mansfield. Mr. Finney was killed with this 
weapon, used as a club, and his aged wife also re- 
•ceived severe injuries. Other members of the 
family were aroused by the noise, and the 
thoroughly aroused negro, who seems to have 
become a devil incarnate, attacked them also, 
seemingly bent upon murdering all who opposed 
him. Several members of the family were in- 
jured by his desperate and terrible blows, be- 
fore they could realize the situation, make 
united resistance, or give the alarm. Before 
he could accomplish his terrible object, the 
house was thoroughly aroused ; some of those 
occupying the upper parts of the house raising 
the window and crying. Murder ! Finding he 
had a larger contract on hand than he could 
cany out, the desperate villain retreated 
through the window, and, strange as it may 
appear, ran across the fields directl}' to his own 
home in Mansfield, leaving a ver^' plain trail 
behind him, in the light snow. On the follow- 
ing morning. Marshal Lemon followed this 
track, without any difficulty, to the house of 
Edward Webb, arrested that individual, who 
was quietly eating his breakfast, and who, as 
clearly proved in the trial, was the murderer. 
Webb bore himself, all through his trial and 
the subsequent period in jail, in a manner that 
showed he did not realize his situation, or the 



— a) 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



375 



enormit}^ of his crime. He would alternately 
sing, pray, swear, and use the most obscene 
language ; was always ready to laugh, talk, 
joke, and seemed to be under an impression he 
had created an immense sensation, and was the 
hero of the hour. He was a great gormandizer 
and grew fat, while waiting to be hanged ; 
seemed on the whole to be much more of a beast 
than a human being. The da}' of execution was 
Friday, May 31, 1878. A great crowd appeared 
at the place of execution, in the old jail-yard, 
on Third street. The execution was to be pri- 
vate, and a high broad fence inclosed the scaf- 
fold. As the time for the execution approached, 
the crowd grew boisterous, and developed into 
a mob, determined to " see the nigger hung." 
The compan}^ of militia, on duty as guard, was 
brushed aside with little ceremony, and the in- 
closure about the scaffold demolished in a few 
moments. A characteristic smile played about 
mouth of the murderer, as he walked toward 
the scaffold, and knew that all this fuss was 
made on his account. He seemed, to the last, 
to have no comprehension of his awful doom, 
and was swung into eternit}^, without seeming 
to realize, know or care, what issues are in- 
volved in life and death. 

In April, 1878, the people of Independence 
were thrown into a state of excitement by a 
murder in their midst. A man named Samuel 
P. Bowersox kept a saloon in the place, to the 
great annoyance of the Independence people, 
who are generally strongly inclined to temper- 
ance. Bowersox was consequently consider- 
ably annoyed one way and another in his 
business. One night, a party of young men 
visited the saloon, and, after drinking more 
than they should, went out and created some 
disturbance on the street near the saloon, by 
hallooing, throwing stones, etc., which so en- 
raged Bowersox that he took down a revolver, 
and, opening the door, thrust his hand out and 
fired into the crowd, instantly killing Alfred 
Palm. He was brought to Mansfield, tried, a 



nolle prosequi entered in the case, and he was 
acquitted on that ground. 

Soon after the war, Mansfield was infested 
with thieves, blacklegs and confidence men. 
For- a 3'ear or two, their presence was borne 
with patience, in the hope the law and 
law officers would deal with them as the}- de- 
served. These men came to be well known to 
the officers of the law and citizens genei'all}-, 
but'^such was the dexterity they exhibited in 
their calling, they could not be caught, or if 
caught, no crime could be proven against them. 
Their outrages were committed almost nightly. 
Private houses and stores were burglarized ; 
citizens were knocked down on the street and 
robbed, sometimes in broad daylight. It be- 
came dangerous to walk the streets alone after 
dark ; and even in daylight, especially in the 
vicinity of the railroad depots, men were not 
safe from robbery and outrage. So great had 
this insecurity become by 1867, that, finding 
the law could not reach these miscreants, the 
citizens determined to take the matter in their 
own hands. A company of regulators was 
formed, and, in March of that 3'ear, the follow- 
ing proclamation appeared : 

To thieve!^, blacklegs, corifidence men, etc.: Our city 
has been infested by, and our citizens suffered as long 
as they will bear, your depredations on person and 
property. You are all known to our Regulators. We 
therefore warn you to leave our city instantly and for- 
ever, for we will not tolerate you longer. You are 
watched and cannot escape. A short shift will be your 
doom if caught at your wicked business hereafter. 

Before issuing the above, the citizens met 
and passed the following : 

Resolved, That the city is in need only of honest 
men. Swindlers and confidence men are notified to 
leave or suffer the consequences. Our Regulators are 
authorized to enforce this resolution. All persons are 
warned against harboring or assisting these pests of 
society. We are determined to rid the community of 
them, and any person standing in the way will do so 
at their peril. 

A squad of Regulators searched the saloons 
and arrested six or eio;ht men who were well 



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JA, 



37G 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



known to belong to the gang, whom they con- 
veyed to jail. 

On the afternoon of March 12, a meeting of 
citizens was held at Miller's Hall to consider 
what was best to be done with these men. The 
hall was packed. The parties who had been 
arrested, and whose photographs had mean- 
while been taken, were brought before this 
meeting, and the sense of the audience taken 
as to the disposition to be made of them. A 



few were for hanging, but, after much discus- 
sion, it was decided to escort them to the depot 
and place them aboard the first train. This 
happened to be a north-bound train on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. They were threat- 
ened with hanging if the}' returned. However 
reprehensible this plan may have been, it was 
eftectual. Quiet and order were restored, and 
Mansfield has been comparatively free from 
them since. 




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® ^ 



""S a> 



'at 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



377 



CHAPTER XXXVIIL 

THE MANSFIELD BAR. 

Thk First Courts of the County — The First Grand Jury — The Early Lawyers of Mansfield — The Vis- 
iting LAWYERS — The President Judges — Gen. McLaughlin — Gen. Robert Bentley — Thomas H. Ford 
MoRDECAi Bartley — JuDGE Brinkerhoff — L. B. Matson — Milton W. Worden — Gen. Brinkebhoff's 
Review of the Mansfield Bar. 



T"TPON the organization of Richland County 
v_J in 1813, the Associate Judges were 
Thomas Coulter, William Cass and Peter Kin- 
ney. They held a special session in June of 
that year, the onlj^ business coming before them 
being the appointment of Jonathan Coulter and 
Rebecca Byrd as administrators of the estate 
of Levi Jones, who had been killed by the 
Indians. Winn Winship, Ceorge Cofflnberry 
and Roliu Weldon were appointed appraisers 
of Jones' property. 

On the 9th of September of the same year, 
these Judges again organized a court, and re- 
inained in session two days. The last will and 
testament of Jacob Newman, deceased, was 
presented, proved and ordered to be recorded. 
Andrew Cofflnberry and James McCluer were 
appointed and qualified executors, giving bond 
in the sum of $10,000. 

Ruth and Abraham Trucks, wife and son of 
Nicholas Trucks, deceased, were appointed ad- 
ministrators. 

The next da}-, September 10, the court or- 
dered the Treasurer to pay Samuel McCluer 
$12.25 for seven days' service as Commissioner 
and Melzar Tannehill $9.25 for five days' ser- 
vice as Commissioner ; also, Samuel Watson, 
$1-4, for eight da3's' work in the same office. 
The court also appointed Winn Winship, Clerk ; 
Andrew Cofflnberry, Recorder, and William 
Riddle, Surveyor. 

The Court of Common Pleas, prior to the 
Constitution of 1851, was composed of one 



President Judge and two Associates. The 
President Judge must needs be a lawyer, but 
the others were not necessarily such, and gener- 
ally were not. The Associates sat on the bench 
with the President, but were not expected to 
know much of law. Thej' discharged the duties 
of the present Probate Judge, and in all other 
respects were ornamental rather than useful. 

The first court of this character, regularly 
organized for business, convened January 14, 
1814 ; President Judge, William Wilson ; As- 
sociates, Peter Kinne}', Thomas Coulter and 
James McCluer. The grand jur^' at this time, 
and the first lone in the count}', was composed 
of Isaac Pearce, foreman ; Ceorge Cofflnberr}-, 
Chusthy Brubaker, Thomas Lofland, Samuel 
Hill, Amariah Watson, George Crawford, Hugh 
Cunningham, Melzar Tannehill, Ebenezer Rice, 
William Slater, William Riddle, Solomon Lee 
and Rolin Weldon. 

The first daj's proceedings of this court in- 
cluded the granting of licenses to Ro^'al N. 
Powers, to retail merchandise ; to James 
McCluer, to keep a house of public entertain- 
ment ; to Asa Murph}-, to keep a tavern at his 
dwelling (site of the Wiler House) ; to Johnson 
McCarty, for four months, to retail merchan- 
dise, and to George Cofflnberry, to keep a pub- 
lic house. 

Rules were adopted for the government of 
the court, and on the 14th it adjourned. 

Thus was put in motion the first legal ma- 
chinery in Richland County, and that machinerj^, 



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878 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



with many repairs and additions, is yet grinding 
out justice ; it is lioped and believed, to ricli 
and poor alike. 

This court met in the upper part of the old 
block-house, on the square, and when it con- 
vened there was no resident lawyer in Mans- 
field. 

The courts were " on wheels " in those days, 
the custom being for the court to travel from 
place to place, the lawyers accompanying it. 
It was not until 1815, that John M. May, the 
first lawyer, took up his residence in Mansfield. 
From that time forward, the place never wanted 
for lawyers, and many of them have been men 
of more than ordinary ability, and have been 
honored with high positions in the State and 
nation. 

The second lawyer was Asa Grimes, father 
of A. L. Grrimes, of Mansfield, who died of 
consumption shortly after his arrival. 

In 1816, Col. William W. Cotgrave and Wil- 
son Elliott came, and these were followed in a 
few years by James Purdy, Jacob Parker and 
James Stewart. Of these first lawyers, James 
Purdy is yet living in Mansfield. Although 
eighty-six, he occasionally appears upon the 
street, and his step is slow and apparently 
painful, on account of a sciatic aflfliction of 
long standing ; yet his eye • is bright, and his 
manner and conversation give evidence that 
his heart is yet young. 

Most people in Mansfield can yet remember 
John M. May — " Father May," as he was famil- 
iarly known among his intimate friends. He 
walked across the Alleghany Mountains, seek- 
ing his fortune in the " Far West," stumbled 
upon this little frontier town in the woods, and 
remained here fifty-four years. He was a good 
citizen and an honest man. What more need 
be said of any man ? How short that sen- 
tence is ; yet what years of struggle must pre- 
cede it, if it be truthfully uttered. 

Judge Parker and Mr. May had been law 
students together in the office of Philemon 



Beecher, at Lancaster, Ohio. Parker was a 
good man, a sound lawyer and a conscientious 
Judge. Judge Brinkerhoflf says of him : " He 
was one of the best ' case lawyers ' I ever 
knew. The reading of adjudged cases was one 
of the luxuries of his life, and his memory of 
cases or points ruled by or discussed in them 
was wonderful. But he was not a reader of 
law reports only. Like James Stewart, who 
succeeded to the Common Pleas bench, under 
the Constitution of 1851, he was an omnivor- 
ous reader. Both of these gentlemen aspired 
to and attained a liberal general scholarship, 
and would have l)een ashamed to be thought 
lawyers simply, and nothing more." 

Parker had graduated at the Ohio Univer- 
sity, at Athens, he and Thomas Ewing being 
the first to receive the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts from an Ohio college. He was not made 
a Judge until 1840, and then brought to his 
duties a mind well matured and stored, not 
only with law but with general literature. As 
a Judge, he was peculiarly successful, and 
would have done honor to the highest judicial 
position. 

James Stewart studied law in the office of 
Judge Parker, and was admitted to the bar 
about the year 1828. Stewart was a Scotch- 
Irish boy, from Western Pennsylvania, and 
carae West to grow up with the country. 
Like many another famous lawyer and man, he 
taught school while getting his legal learning, 
and was among the first and liest teachers in 
Mansfield. 

When Judge Parker's term on the bench 
expired, in 1850, Stewart, by unanimous rec- 
ommendation of his associates, was elevated 
to his place. Physically and mentally, he was 
a very strong man. 

A few words spoken by Judge George W. 
Geddes, who was presiding at the time Mr. 
Stewart's death was announced, deserve preser- 
vation. He says : " In years, he fell far short 
of man's appointed time ; but reckoning time 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



379 



by the better rule, may I not say, he lived out 

the full measure of his years ? For we should 

remember that — 

" ' We live in deeds, not years ; in thoughts, not breaths ; 
In feelings, not in figures on a dial. 
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives, 
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.' " 

The first law student in Mansfield was 
Andrew Cofflnberry, who studied with Mr. 
May. He was quite an important young man 
in the young city, making acquaintances easily 
and rapidly, and becoming rather popular 
among the backwoodsmen of that day. He 
was also one of the first school teachers, and 
generally went 1\y the name of Count Coffin- 
berry. When he became a full-fledged lawyer, 
he was, one day, for some eccentricity, called 
by Judge Osborne, " Count Puffendorf," which 
name afterward clung to him for some years. 

Among the lawyers who traveled with the 
court in those days, and Wsited Mansfield fre- 
quently, were William Stanberry, of Newark, 
who died in January, 1873, at the ripe age of 
eighty-five ; Hosmer Curtis and Samuel Mott, 
of Mount Vernon ; Alexander Harper and 
Elijah Mirwine, of Zanesville, and Charles 
T. Sherman, of Lancaster. Hosmer Curtis 
was the first Prosecuting Attorney, and was 
succeeded by Mr. May in 1816. Mr. May 
was succeeded by William B. Raymond, of 
Wooster. 

The Judges then held their office seven 
years, and the successive President Judges of 
the Court of Common Pleas, up to the formation 
of the constitution in 1851, were William Wil- 
son, of Licking ; fieorge Tod (father of the 
late Gov. Tod), of Trumbull ; Harper, of Mus- 
kingum ; Lane and Higgins, of Huron, and 
Ezra Dean, of Wayne, the last of whom had 
been a lieutenant in the LTnited States army, 
and had fought at Chippewa and Lundy's 
Lane. 

One of the early lawyers in Mansfield was 
Gen. William McLaughlin, a large-hearted 



Irishman, who came about the year 1827, 
from Canton. He is well remembered as a 
soldier and a patriot. He was generous and 
brave to a fault ; a man of great energy and 
activity ; making hosts of friends, laying down 
his life finally for his fiag, in the war of the 
rebellion. 

When McLaughlin first arrived in Mansfield, 
hunting was quite an occupation among many 
of the pioneers, and, having a good deal of con- 
fidence in his powers, in whatever way he 
chose to exercise them, he desired to have it 
generally understood that he was a great 
hunter, though it does not appear that his 
exploits in that direction were marvelous. 
One day, after a tramp in the woods, he walked 
proudly into the village, with what he sup- 
posed was a wild turkej' slung over his shoul- 
der. Thomas B. Andrews was working on the 
roof of the first brick court house at the 
time, and he says McLaughlin swung his hat 
and cheered, holding up to view the trophy of 
his prowess as a hunter. Upon examination, 
however, the turkey turned out to be a turkey 
buzzard. The General was, at first, somewhat 
indignant at this verdict by his friends, pro- 
testing that it was a wild turkey, that his 
friends were blockheads, who did not know a 
turkey from a buzzard, and that he proposed 
having roast turkey for dinner. 

Finally becoming convinced of his error, he 
laughed as heartily as any, and concluded the 
cheapest way out of the scrape was to " set up 
the camphene" for the crowd. 

He raised a company and served honorably 
through the Mexican war ; and when the war 
of the rebellion broke out, he oflered the first 
full company to the Governor of the State 
for three months' service. He afterward went 
into the three-3'ears service, but being some- 
what advanced in years, could not withstand 
the fatigues and exposures of a soldier's life. 
Dying in camp "with the harness on,"' he was 
brouffht home and buried with the honors of 



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II. 



380 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



war. Scott's beautiful verse seems appropriate 
here. 

'• Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, 

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking ! 
Dream of battle-fields no more, 

Days of danger, nights of waking." 

Among tlie early Associate Judges of the 
Court of Common Pleas, no one, perhaps, was 
better loiown or more highly appreciated than 
Gen. Robert Bentle}-. He came to Richland 
County in 1815, from Western Pennsylvania, 
and was appointed Judge in 1821. At the ex- 
piration of his term of office, in 1828, he was 
elected to the State Senate. He was a man of 
military tastes, also ; was in the war of 1812, 
and subsequently filled every position in the 
Ohio militia, from Ensign up to Major General. 
During his whole life, he was a prominent, in- 
fluential and worthy citizen. 

Among all these members of the Mansfield 
bar, who have gone to the " shadow land," what 
figure stands out more prominently in the 
mind's eye than that of the genial, large-hearted, 
large-brained " Tom " Ford ? He, too, was a 
veteran soldier, serving in two wars. Gen. 
Brinkerhoff" thus writes of him : " Gov. 
Ford was a man cast in nature's largest mold; 
a man of imposing personal presence, and pos- 
sessed of great natural gifts as a orator. Some 
of his efforts upon the stump have rarely, if 
ever, been excelled. His speech at the Know- 
Nothing Convention, in Philadelphia, gave him 
a national reputation. As a specimen of crush- 
ing repartee, nothing in the English language 
excels it. Pitt, in his palmiest days, never 
made more brilliant points in the same space 
than did Gov. Ford in that speech. It was an 
occasion that called out, fully, his peculiar pow- 
ers. None knew him intimately who did not 
become attached to him. He had faults, but 
they were faults of the head and not of the 
heai't." 

After the war, he drifted to Washington City, 
where he practiced law until his death, in 18G8. 



For several years before his death, he was an 
earnest worker in the temperance cause, and a 
member of the Methodist Church. 

Mordecai Bartley occupies a prominent place 
in the histor}- of Mansfield, as a citizen, a law- 
3'er, and a man. He was a Captain in the war 
of 1812; was elected to the State Senate in 
1817, and was afterward Register of the Virginia 
military school lands. He was sent to Congress 
in 1823, serving in that body four terms, and 
declining a re-election. In 1844, he engaged 
in mercantile and agricultural pursuits, and 
was elected Governor of the State on the Whig 
ticket. Declining a re-nomination for Gover- 
nor, he spent the evening of his days in the 
labors of his profession and his farm. 

In later years. Judge Jacob Brinkerhofl!' and 
John Sherman, members of the Mansfield bar, 
became prominent in the State and nation. The 
former was, for man}' years, one of Ohio's Su- 
preme Judges. He was elected to Congress 
by the Democratic party, in 1843, and rendered 
himself famous as the author of the Wilmot 
Proviso. The Judge is yet living, though in 
very feeble healtli. 

Later still, L. B. Matson and Milton W. 
Worden came upon the stage of action, per- 
forming well their parts, and passing away, 
while yet in the prime of life. Matson, at the 
time of his death, as a trial lawyer, stood at 
the head of his profession, and had the largest 
practice of any lawyer in the city. Perhaps 
nothing could better indicate the public esti- 
mate of Judge Worden than the following ex- 
tract from the remarks of Henry C. Hedges, in 
his announcement of Judge Wordens death to 
the court, Judge Osborne presiding: " By the 
voice of my brethern at the bar. a sad, solemn 
duty is mine. Since the last adjournment of 
this court, death has been with us, and a mem- 
ber of this bar, one well known, highly re- 
spected and much loved by us all, has been 
summoned from the labors of time to the reali- 
ties of eternitv. Death, during the vears I 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



381 



have been at the bar, has been no infrequent 
visitor. A Mitchell, 3'oung in years, to whom 
the doors of the temple of justice were only 
opened, not having been permitted to cross its 
threshold ; a Parker, far advanced in age, with 
a mind well stored with all the learning of the 
law ; a Stewart, of most majestic face and form, 
while in the perfected fullness of his intellect- 
ual powers ; a McLaughlin, with head all sil- 
vered with age, but with a heart all ablaze with 
patriotic fire, unmindful of ease, giving his last 
days, as he did the earlier years of his life, to 
his country and her flag ; a Johnston, in middle 
life, scholarly, eloquent, with an Irishman's 
keen wit, but an Irishman's warm heart; and a 
Ford, of grand stature, of great phj'sical 
strength, with intellectual endowments, if 
aroused, equal to an}- emergency, but for the 
most time inactive and useless, because not 
used. All these we have known ; we have for 
a time gone in and out with them, and then 
theij icere not; and now, again, has this bar been 
convened to pay the last sad tribute of love 
and respect to one of its members — Milton W. 
Worden." Judge Worden was l)ut twenty-nine 
years of age, but a man of brilliant promise, 
though undeveloped as a lawj^er. He went into 
the army, and lost a leg at Harper's Ferry. 
Returning home, he was elected Probate Judge, 
and was subsequently appointed Internal Rev- 
enue Assessor, which office he held at the time 
of his death. He was followed to the grave by 
the Odd Fellows' societies and Young Men's 
Christian Association, of which he was a mem- 
ber, and a large concourse of citizens. 

As an estimate of the earlier Mansfield 
bar. nothing could be Ijetter, perhaps, than 
the following from the pen of Gen. Brinker- 
hoflf, who knew all these men in their prime : 
"When I was a student at law, in 1850 and 
1851, the giants of the Mansfield bar were 
Jacob Parker, James Stewart, Thomas W. 
Bartley, Jacob Brinkerhotf and Samuel J. 
Kirkwood. Gen. McLaughlin and John M. 



May had passed their zenith. James Purdy 
had become a banker. Charles T. Sherman was 
at his best. He did a collecting business, but 
rarely appeared in the courts as a trial lawyer. 
John Sherman had promise, but no large ful- 
fillment as yet. So, also. Col. Burns and Col. 
Isaac Gass. 

" Thomas H. Ford was at his best, and was a 
man of great natural powers, but was indolent 
and careless and did not make the mark he 
might have made at the bar. Judge Geddes 
was the partner of Judge Brinkerhoff, and was 
a young man of ability, which rapidly devel- 
oped and subsequently made him an able law- 
yer and one of the best-balanced common-pleas 
judges in the State. 

"Henry P. Davis, Manuel Ma}^, Robert C. 
Smith and several others had their shingles 
out, but were not famous as yet. I knew them 
all very well. 

" Parker, Stewart and Bartle}- were specially 
friendl}^ to ine, and I appreciated it. I have 
always retained a warm remembrance of all of 
them. I was a student with BrinkerhoflF & 
Geddes. 

"Judge Stewart was the reverse of Judge 
Parker in his mental make-up. The latter was 
pre-eminently a book lawyer, and could give 
from memor}' volume and page for every decis- 
ion of any special consequence in the Ohio 
Reports, and, probably, could refer oflT-hand to 
more legal precedents than an}- man in the 
State. He read the dryest law reports with all 
the zest of a school-girl with her first novel. 
It was all meat and drink to him. 

" Judge Stewart, on the contrary-, cared but 
little for the Reports, and consulted them to 
fortif}' his own judgnnent rather than to guide 
it. He was a born jurist, and his instincts of 
right and wrong were so keenl}' accurate that 
he rarely went astray. His decisions were ver}' 
rarely questioned, and still more rarel}' set 
aside l)y a superior court ; in short, he was by 
common consent the model Judo-e of his time. 



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382 



HISTOKY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



and, probably, has never had his superior in 
this circuit. 

" Off' the bench, in the practice of the pro- 
fession, Judge Parker and Judge Stewart were 
still more opposite in their characteristics. 
Parker was essentially an office lawyer, and a 
very superior one, but had no special ability 
before a jury. He stammered in his utterance, 
and had none of the gifts of oratory. 

" Judge Stewart, on the other hand, was a 
mighty man before a jury. The sweep and 
power of his eloquence was overwhelming, and 
carried everything before it. His large, portly 
and commanding presence was of itself suffi- 
cient to hold the attention of the jury, but, in 
addition, he had all the best qualities of a great 
jur}' lawyer. 

" His ph3'sical endurance seemed inexhaust- 
ible, and he was apparently as fresh at the end 
of a trial as at the beginning. As a jury law- 
yer. Judge Stewart has never been surpassed at 
the Mansfield bar. 

"Next to Parker and Stewart in age, and 
fully their peers in mental abilit}^, came Thomas 
W. Bartley and Jacob Brinkerhofl". They were 
rivals, and alwtiys pitted against each other. 
Bartley was the most persistent man among 
them. He was not as fine an orator as either 
Stewart or Brinkerhoff, nor as well read as Par- 
ker, but he had the tenacity of a l)ull-dog, and 
an industry that was endless and tireless. 
These qualities made him a very dangerous 
antagonist. He deservedly stood in the front 
rank of Ohio lawyers. 

" Judge Brinkerhoff", Bartley's most frequent 
antagonist, was the most brilliant man of this 
whole legal galaxy, and the most attractive 
speaker. At repartee, he was as quick, sharp, 
and bright as lightning, but he lacked the ten- 
acity of Bartley and the ponderous weight of 
Stewart. Juries were delighted with Brinker- 
hoff" and detested Bartley ; the former was brief, 
brilliant and beautiful ; the latter, dry, tedious 
and harsh. Brinkerhoff" rarely spoke over an 



hour; Bartley rarely spoke less than three 
hours, and sometimes, as in the Welch murder 
trial, he held on three days. The result was 
they were very evenly matched. If either pre- 
dominated in the crucible of success it was 
Bartley's pertinacity. In fact, Bartley could 
never be considered vanquished until the ver- 
dict was returned, judgment entered, execution 
issued and returned satisfied. 

" Brinkerhoff" was a man of more general cult- 
ure, perhaps, than any of his competitors, as he 
read everything and remembered everything. 
Perhaps it does not become me as his kinsman 
to say it, yet I think the general judgment of 
his cotemporaries will bear me out in saying 
that he was, in all respects, a model lawyer and 
a model man. He was brilliant, scholarly and 
thoroughly honest. 

" A little incident I remember is a fair index 
of his whole life. When I was a student in his 
office, he was politically under a cloud. He 
was a Free-Soil Democrat, and for this was 
tabooed by his party and despised bj^ the 
Whigs. I was riding with him one day, and 
suggested the propriety of supporting his party 
in all that was good, leaving the slavery ques- 
tion for a more propitious period in the future. 
His reply was, ' I cannot play Hamlet with Ham- 
let left out. I am a Democrat, but it seems to 
me that opposition to slavery is the heart of 
Democracy. I know I am down politically, 
and probably I shall always remain down, but 
the time will come when my children, or my 
grandchildren, will remember me with more 
honor on that account than for anything else in 
my histor}'.' 

" Samuel J. Kirkwood was just coming into 
prominence, and gave great promise ; but he 
took a notion to go to Iowa in 1855, and did 
not, therefore, rise to his true eminence at the 
Mansfield bar. The fact that he has since been 
twice Governor, and is now in the United 
States Senate, is a sufficient indication of the 
metal he is made of 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



383 



"The decade from 1845 to 1855 was the 
golden age of the Mansfield bar, and a more 
brilliant galaxy of lawyers, probably, was never 
congregated in a single city in Ohio. We of a 
later generation can hardly hope to attain to the 
stature of these giants of our pioneer times. 

" Doubtless we have good lawyers now, and, 
in special departments, better law^-ers ; but as 



general practitioners, our predecessors, who 
grew up in pioneer times, were larger men as a 
whole. 

"Such lawyers as Thomas Ewing, Sr., old 
Peter Hitchcock and Edwin M. Stanton were 
the products of pioneer soil, and such men 
do not seem to grow in this day and genera- 
tion." 




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^k 



384 



HISTOKY OF KICHLAKD COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 

The Old Block Hot;ses as Couet Houses — The First Brick Court House — The Present Court House — 

The Jails, Infirmary, Etc. 



THE court houses of Richland County have 
been four in number, and in improve- 
ment, in every possible way, they have kept 
pace with the improvement of the county. The 
old court houses have been torn down and 
others erected as fast as the increase in popula- 
tion and general improvement demanded, until 
the present magnificent structure was reared, 
which, it is thought, will last several genera- 
tions before the continually advancing ideas 
and progress of civilization will require one of 
greater dimensions and later style of archi- 
tecture. During the war of 1812, two block- 
houses were erected on the public square, as a 
protection against the Indians. One was of 
round logs and the other of hewed logs, the latter 
standing near the center of the north side of 
the park. After the war, or rather before the 
war ended, this hewed-log house was used for 
the first court house in the county. The 
preparation of this block-house for a court 
house is officially warranted and preserved in 
the Commissioners' records. Under date of 
July 10, 1813, it states that "the Commission- 
ers proceeded to examine the block-house in 
Mansfield, and to order the same to be pre- 
pared for the reception of the court, and that 
the lower part of the same be prepared for the 
reception of prisoners as a jail. And do further 
order that the said lot of carpenter work be 
sold to the lowest bidder, on the 24th day of 
Jul}' inst., which sale is advertised accord- 
ingly." 

" Ordered, that the said work be done in the 
following manner, to wit. : Two floors of solid 



hewn timber, of the thickness of at least six 
inches, to be squared and jointed in a workman- 
like manner ; and on the outside, a stairway, 
with a platform at the head thereof of suitable 
size, and a door to enter the upper story there- 
from, with suitable casings and hinges for the 
same ; and a glass window, containing twelve 
lights of glass, cased in like manner as the 
door ; and suitable seats for the court ; and a 
latch for the upper door, and lock and chain 
for the lower door, and iron hinges for the 
same, all of which work and preparations must 
be done in a workmanlike manner." 

On the 4th of August following, the bids 
were opened, and Mr. Luther Coe was the lucky 
man. His bid was $46, with an additional one 
for the construction of a hand-rail for the out- 
side stairway, for which he was to receive $2. 
On the 7th of September following, Mr. Coe 
having completed his contract, received his pa}- 
by an order on Winn Winship, the agent of 
James Hedges, for the amount of the consider- 
ation agreed upon, being $48, which is ordered 
to be paid out of a certain donation, which the 
said Hedges agreed to pa}- for the use of the 
public buildings in the town of Mansfield. 

The first session of the court was held Satur- 
day, August 28, 1813. The Associate Judges 
were Thomas Coulter, William Cass and Peter 
Kenney. The further proceedings of this court 
are l"eferred to in another chapter. 

This block-house seems to have answered the 
purposes of a court house for three years. 

July 8, 1816, "the Commissioners proceeded 
to lay down the particulars of a plan for a new 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



385 



court house and jail to be erected, and filed the 
same for inspection of all such persons as may 
wish to undertake the building of the same." 

On the 9th of July, 1816, " the Commissioners 
proceeded to sell at public auction the building 
of the court house and jail, which was struck off 
to Jacob Snider and Lewis Lyberger at $1,990, 
they being the lowest bidders, who gave bond 
with Peter Snider and Andrew Newman as 
securities, in the sum of $3,980, conditioned for 
the faithful performance of their undertaking, 
agreeable to the which is fully delineated in 
said bond."' 

On the 3d day of December, 1816, by order 
of the Commissioners, "the two block-houses 
standing on the public square were set up at 
public auction, and wex'e bid off as follows : The 
hewn-log house to Alexander Curran, at $56.40 ; 
and the round-log house to Jacob Snider, at 
$20 — who severally obligated themselves to pa}^ 
the said sums into the county treasury." 

Thus was the first seat of justice in Richland 
Count}' — which was erected without cost, and 
with onl}' the labor of a squad of soldiers — dis- 
posed of for a paltr}^ sum, torn down, and prob- 
ably compelled to descend from the proud po- 
sition of a seat of justice of a great count}', to 
do duty as a corn-crib or pig-sty. 

The new court house was built of hewn logs. 
The logs were one foot square, and were laid 
up in double tiers one foot apart, and the space 
filled in with stone up to the second story. The 
first story was used as a jail ; and the second 
story was the court roonj. When the jury went 
out to deliberate, they were accommodated 
with quarters in some private house or barn. 
This court room was also used for a town hall, 
and for religious meetings and Sunday school. 
It was, in fact, the only public building for 
about ten years, while the village was gather- 
ing around it, and was used for public meet- 
ings of any and eveiy kind. This building is 
more fully described in a quotation from a 
letter of Rev. James Rowland, published in the 



chapter containing the pioneer history of Mans- 
field. This may be called the second court 
house, though it was the first one built exclu- 
sively for that purpose. 

As population, wealth and business increased, 
it began to be felt and talked, that a larger and 
more modern structure must be erected, and in 
1827, this culminated in the erection of a brick 
court house at the very moderate cost of $3,000. 
During the time occupied in the erection of 
this building, court was held in an old frame 
warehouse, which stood on the southeast cor- 
ner of Second and Main streets. This brick 
was number three, and stood about the center 
of the north side of the square, near where the 
hewed block-house stood, and its form and 
proportions have not yet faded from the memo- 
ries of the people of the city. It was a very 
plain brick house, square, and, at first, but two 
stories in height. Those who have use for a 
court house were about twenty-four years in 
getting ashamed of this building, or at least suf- 
ficiently ashamed of it to demand a change. It 
answered all the purposes of a court house for 
that length of time, but for some reason it never 
exactly suited, and it was decided in 1851 to 
make it more imposing. That is about all that 
can be said of the addition ; it was of no value 
as a part of a court house, but perhaps it did 
make it more imposing. A third story was 
added, which was never used, and this third 
story was extended beyond the original build- 
ing on the north and south sides, and for the 
support of this extension, heavy brick columns 
were erected. About $15,000 was the cost of 
this addition, no doubt intended to improve the 
architecture of the old building, but if such was 
the object, it cannot be called a brilliant success. 

The following extract is from the Mansfield 
Herald of January 23, 1873, about the time 
the new court house was dedicated and the old 
one was being demolished : 

"On the 7th of February, 1851. the Board 
of Commissioners adopted a plan presented b}' 



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k 



386 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



B. McCarron, to whom we thus trace the honor 
of being the architect of the old court house. 
Be his name embalmed. On the 8th, they or- 
dered advertisements for bids for contract 
thereof This contract was, on the 19th of 
April, awarded to McCarron & Sheffler, who 
agreed, for the sum of $7,000, to put the old 
court house into the traveling condition in 
which it appeared but a few weeks since. But 
they proved to have the happy faculty of pil- 
ing in extras, and were allowed therefor, until 
the remodeling cost from $14,000 to $16,000, 
which exact amount seems never to have come 
to the A'ulgar eye. Like some ships and 
womankind, the rigging cost vastly more than 
the hull. 

" The old court house has never been a fa- 
vorite with our people, not from any intrinsic 
f-ault of its own, perhaps, but because it 
looked bad, which the poor thing could not 
help. The destroyers are now upon it, and it 
will soon be numbered among the things that 
were. Yet its old bricks and mortar have long 
heard the thrilling tones of eloquence, the fiat 
of the law, the shriek of anguish, the appeal 
for justice, the trials for murder and larceny, 
for divorce and seduction, backed by eloquence 
in all its branches. The calf-pen of the Judge, 
the well-seasoned seats where the wearj' jurors 
alternately cursed and slept, the chicken-coop 
above them all — all, all are gone to repair a 
stable or stop the holes where ' looped and 
windowed raggedness' gave passage to the 
winter's snow. The room where the tax-pay- 
ers have annually grumbled ; where the deeds 
of all the soil have been recorded ; where all 
the accounts, pro and con, have been audited, 
and where the bashful swain has so often come 
to get cured of lovesickness, b}^ securing the 
document that authorized him and some one 
else to become one flesh, with two dispositions — 
have been disrupted, as have many of the mar- 
riages therein authorized. The gouty pillars 
of plastered brick, as expressionless as the 



lumber that surmounted all, are being demol- 
ished and borne away, no longer to annoy the 
eye of taste or sadden the memory of those 
who have been actors in its dingy premises." 

Thus, in 1873, passed away the old court 
house, which had withstood the storms of 
nearl}^ half a century, which had come to the 
little hamlet in the wilderness, and left it a 
city. 

The immense cost put upon the reconstruc- 
tion of the old court house, and the outland- 
ish appearance and inconvenience of the struct- 
ure created universal dissatisfaction, if not 
disgust. The Commissioners, under whom the 
work was done, became unpopular in the ex- 
treme, as did the result of their labor, and but 
a few 3^ears elapsed before a vote was called 
upon the question of erecting a new court 
house. It was on three separate occasions 
defeated by the people, and finally the law of 
1869 was passed, authorizing the Commission- 
ers of counties to purchase grounds, erect 
court houses, jails, etc. 

In that year (1869), the Commissioners pur- 
chased of Mrs. Mary E. Reid and S. E. and J. 
W. Jenner the three lots on the southeast cor- 
ner of East Diamond and East Market streets, 
on which the new court house stands, for the 
sum of $16,500. These lots were then much 
higher than the street, but were graded down 
to a level with it. 

January 12, 1870, the Commissioners, David 
Taylor, D. M. Snyder and J. T. Keith, entered 
into a contract with H. E. Myer, architect, of 
Cleveland, to furnish a plan and specifications 
for a new court house, which plan was accepted, 
and the 10th of May set apart for opening bids 
for construction of the same. The entire dimen- 
sions, except the steps, are 104x129 feet ; height 
of basement 12 feet in the clear; first floor 18 
feet ; second floor, 16 feet ; court room, 31 feet. 

The contract was awarded on the 10th of May, 
to William Miller, J. G. Frayer, and Leonard 
Sheets, for $177,000. On Tuesday, the 27th of 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



389 



the following September, the corner-stone was 
laid with Masonic ceremonies. A large assem- 
l)lage was present, a procession marched through 
the streets, and Hon. Jacob Brinkerhoff deliv- 
ered an address, giving a very complete history 
of the bench and bar of the count3^ 

The new building was finished, and dedicated 
with much ceremon}- January 22, 1873, on 



pressed brick, rustic stone quoins filling the 
corners and decorating all the windows and 
doors. The roof is mansard, giving the whole 
the Anglo-Franco expression, combining ancient 
orders with modern improvements. It is beau- 
tiful in design and general appearance, solid 
and substantial in its construction, fire proof 
except the roof, and conforms to the general 




RICHLAND COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 



which occasion a large numlier of citizens gath- 
ered in the new court room. The meeting was 
presided over bj- Hon. Greorge W. Geddes, and 
sliort speeches were made by man}' prominent 
citizens, the regular oration being delivered by 
Gen. Roeliff BrinkerhoflE", in which he gave a 
general history- of much value and interest. 

The new building gave general satisfaction. 
It fronts both on East Diamond and East Mar- 
ket streets. The outside of the buildino; is of 



idea of architectural lieauty of to-day. though 
a hundred j-ears from now it will no doubt be 
thought old fogyish and out of style. A large 
portion of the work on this building was done 
by Mansfield mechanics, and much of the mate- 
rial furnished bj' Mansfield business houses, the 
brick being furnished from the yard of Enoch 
Smith and Henry C. Hedges. 

The cost of the building, etc., was, con- 
tract, $177,000 ; extra work. $10,000 ; ground. 



^ 






390 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



$16,500 ; architect, $5,000 ; gas fixtures, $1,200 ; 
carpet, $1,000; furniture, $7,000; paving, 
$2,500; clock, $2,700 ; iron fence, $1,500 ; bell, 
$1,300; improvement of lot, $1,000; total, 
$226,700. 

The jails of Richland County have been three 
in number. The first two have been referred 
to in the preceding pages on the court houses 
— the first one having been in the old hewed 
block-house, which was used parth' for that pur- 
pose from 1813 to 1816, when the log court 
house was erected, the lower part of which was 
built and used for a jail. This was the coimty 
jail until 1827, when it was taken awa}- for the 
purpose of erecting the first brick court house 
on its site ; and about this time, the present 
jail was erected, on the corner of Third and 
Sugar streets, which has now seen more than 
a half-century of service. It was a good, 
substantial brick building, and has been several 
times repaired and added to. Since the build- 
ing of the new court house, the subject of 
erecting a new jail has been continually agi- 
tated — the old one Ijeing too far away from the 
court house and not up to the requirements of 
the time. The Commissioners have purchased 
ground for the new jail, adjoining the court- 
house lot on the south. During the fall of 
1879, the buildings on this ground were re- 
moved, the gi'ound graded down, and, during 



the year 1880, it is proposed to erect a jail with 
all modern improvements. 

The infirmary of Richland County was 
erected, in 1845-46, on the northwest quarter 
of Section 25, in Weller Township. Before the 
erection of this building, the paupers and 
insane of the county had been " farmed out " — 
that is, the Commissioners had found homes 
for them wherever they could among the farm- 
ers and people of the county, paying a stipu- 
lated sum each 3'ear for their maintenance. 
The Commissioners, at the time of the erection 
of the infirmary', were William Taggart, Will- 
iam B. Hammett and John McCool. They 
purchased a quarter-section of land from Na- 
thaniel Osborn, for which they paid $3,000. 
The building was a substantial brick structure, 
and was finished in the fall of 1846, the Com- 
missioners appointing Samuel Linn, of Frank- 
lin ; John Meredith, of Madison, and Richard 
Condon, of Mifflin, first Directors, who were to 
hold their offices until others could be elected. 
Lowerj' Sibbett, of Mansfield, was the first Su- 
perintendent. In June, 1878, this infirmary 
building was destroyed by fire, and, at the 
October election of the same year, the people 
voted to build a new one, which has been in 
course of erection during the last year, and is 
now completed. 




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:v 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



391 



CHAPTER XL. 



A LIST OF THE COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1813 TO 1880. 



THE following is a complete list of the 
officers of Richland Count}' from the 
organization of the county government in 
1813, down to the present time : 

County Treasurers — Levi Jones. 1813 ; John 
Pugh, 1813 ; Samuel Williams, no record show- 
ing term of service ; William Timberlake, no 
record showing term of service ; Mordecai Bart- 
ley, no record showing term of service ; Syl- 
vanus B. Da}', 1823 ; John Murray, 1836 ; 
Robert Cowan, 1842 ; Andrew Conn, 1846 ; 
Jno. B. Dreunan, 1852; David McCullough, 1856; 
Thomas Willett, 1858; Thomas J. Robinson, 
1860 ; Thomas Willett, 1862 ; John M. Jolley, 
1864; Thomas J. Robinson, 1866; Hugh W. 
Patterson, 1868 ; Henry Rowland, 1872 ; Thos. 
Willett,* 1873 ; John A.Lee, 1874; Merchant 
Carter, 1877. 

County Auditors — James Hedges, 1821 
John Stewart, 1822; Samuel G. Wolf, 1829 
Benjamin Gass, 1833; John S. Marshall, 1837 
John Meredith, 1841 ; John M. Rowland, 1845 
Willard S. Hickox, 1849 ; Jesse Williams, 1853 
John J. Douglass, 1857 : Jonas Smith, 1861 
Samuel Snyder, 1865 ; Mark McDermott, 1869 
L. F. Harrington,! 1873 ; M. D. Ward, 1877. 

Clerks of Common Pleas — Andrew Coffin- 
berry, 1813; Winn Winship, 1815; Ellzey 
Hedges, 1820; Jared Irwin, 1834; Elijah W. 
Lake, 1838 ; William W. Irwin, 1846 ; Calvin 
A. Croninger, 1852 ; William S. Higgins, 1854 
George B. Harmon, 1857 ; Isaac Crum, 1857 
Eckles McCoy, 1861 ; William Ritter, 1861 

* Appointed by CommisBioners to fill the unexpired term of 
Henry Rowland. 

tin the year 1877, the Legislature changed the term of office to 
three years. 



George B. Harmon, 1867; W. S. Bradford, 
1874 ; Thomas T. Dill, 1877. 

Sheriffs of the County— John Wallace, 1813 ; 
James Moore, 1816 ; Henry H. Wilcoxon, 1820 ; 
Samuel G. Wolf 1825 ; Matthew Kelly, 1829 ; 
George Armentrout, 1833 ; John McCullough, 
1837 ; David Bryte, 1841 ; WiUiam Kerr, 1843 ; 
William B. Hammett, 1847 ; Frederick Warf, 
1851 ; David Wise, 1855 ; George Weaver, 
1859; John W. Strong, 1863; Nelson Ozier, 
1864; Isaac Fair. 1865; Robert Moore,* 1869 ; 
J. J. Dixon, 1872 ; James Richie, 1878. 

County Commissioners — Samuel ^IcCluer, 
1813 ; Melzar Tannehill, 1813 ; Samuel Wat- 
son, 1813 ; Michael Beam. 1814 ; Isaac Osbun, 
1818; Robert Bentley, 1820; Barthel William- 
son, 1820 ; Alexander Curran, 1820 ; Samuel 
McCluer, 1821 ; James Hedges, 1821 ; Linus 
Hayes, 1821 ; Thomas Coulter, 1822 ; James 
Heney, 1823 ; Solomon Gladden, 1824 ; Spooner 
Ruggles, 1824 ; James Larimer, 1830 : John 
Okishue, 1831 ; William Taylor, 1832 ; Henry 
Keith, 1835 ; Joshua Canon, 1836 ; Daniel 
Campbell, 1837 ; William Taggart, 1841 ; Will- 
iam B. Hammett, 1842 ; John McCool. 1843 ; 
Thomas B. Andrews, 1845 ; Jesse W. David- 
son, 1847 ; Robert Leech, 1848 ; James W. 
McKee, 1848; Thomas B. Andrews. 1849; 
Jonathan Montgomery, 1850 ; James Lang- 
ham, 1852; Willard S. Hickox, 1854; John 
Ramsey, 1854 ; Charles Anderson, 1856 ; Ben- 
jamin Morris, 1859 ; Leonard Swigart, 1860 ; 
James Thompson, 1861 ; Henry Cline, 1862 ; 
David Tavlor, 1866; John T. Keith. 1867; 



* Died during his second term of office, and J. J. Dixon was 
appointed to fill the unexpired term. 



?■ 






>> 



3U2 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Daniel M. Snyder, 1868 ; W. E. Newlon, 1872 ; 
Peter Snapp, 1874 ; James Boals, 1874 ; John 
F. Gerhart, 1878. 

County Recorders — Andrew Coffinberry, 
1813; Winn Winsliip, 1815; Matthias Day, 
1820 ; John Reed, 1832 ; William W. Irwin, 
1838; James D. Summers, 1844; James E. 
Cox, 1847; Eckels McCoy, 1853; James E. 
Cox, 1859; Elijah Clark, 1805 ; A. J. Littler, 
1871 ; J. S. Boliman, 1877. 



Probate Judges — Joel Myers, 1852; John 
Meredith, 1858; M. W. Worden, 1864; Joel 
Myers, 1867; H.D.Keith, 1873; E. McCoy, 1879. 

County Surve^'ors — The following list em- 
braces the successive County Surveyors, from 
the organization of the count}- : First, William 
Riddle ; second, John Stewart ; third. Christian 
Wise ; fourth, Joseph Hastings ; fifth, T. J. 
North ; sixth, Warren Scranton ; seventh, John 
Newman. 




t 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



393 



CHAPTER XLI. 

BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP. 

Organization — Physical Features — Settlers and Settlements — Pioneer Incidents and Adventures- 
Stoner and Foulks Families — Mills — Schools and Churches — Trucksville — Rome — Shenandoah. 



-The 



BLOOMING GEOVE TOWNSHIP was 
organized March 4, 1816, out of Madi- 
son Township, then eighteen miles square. 
When first erected, it was eigliteen miles long, 
from east to west, and twelve miles wide, and 
included the west half of what is now Butler, 
all of the present Blooming Grove, Cass, Ply- 
mouth, Sharon, Jackson, Franklin, Auburn and 
Vernon (both now in Crawford Count}-), and 
the west half of Weller, and contained two 
hundred and sixteen square miles. It remained 
in that form until June 4, 1816, when a square 
block was taken out of the southeast corner 
and called Franklin, leaving Blooming Grove 
in the shape of an L. In this irregular form it 
remained until Februar}' 2, 1818, when Ply- 
mouth and Sandusky Townships were created, 
leaving Blooming Grove six miles square, con- 
stituting Township 23, Range 18. The forma- 
tion of Ashland County, in 1846, left part of 
Clear Creek Township in Richland County, 
which was at first attached to Blooming Grove ; 
but Butler Township being created Februar}- 
5, 1849, this was attached to it. and Butler also 
took two tiers of sections from the east part of 
Blooming Grove, leaving the latter in its pres- 
ent shape — four b}^ six miles in extent. 

The soil of the northern and central parts is 
clayej', and the surface' gently rolling. The 
southern part was somewhat marsh}- in an 
early day, a large part of it being covered 
with water a portion of the j-ear, with here and 
there a small pond or lake which retained the 
water during the entire year. Since its settle- 



ment, this part has been thoroughly drained, and 
now constitutes some of the finest farming land 
in the county, though, during a freshet, the 
waters of the Black Fork yet overflow and cover 
extensive bottoms, rendering them useless for 
agi'icultural purposes. 

The township was once densely wooded, the 
timber being beech, white oak, hickor}^ black 
walnut, sugar and some other varieties. 

The dividing ridge between the head-waters 
of the Muskingum and those of the Hui'on and 
Vermillion Rivers, which flow into the lake, 
passes diagonally across the township from 
east to west, a little north of its center. The 
Black Fork and its tributaries drain all the 
southern part, the main body of that stream 
entering at the southeast corner, making a bend 
north and passing out near the center of its 
southern boundary line. 

It does not appear that the Indians occupied 
any permanent camp within its limits, but it 
was used extensivel}' by the Wj'andots and 
Delawares for a hunting-ground. The numer- 
ous and beautiful sugar-tree groves (from which 
the name of the township is derived) rendered 
it a delightful camping and hunting ground 
during the spring and summer ; and small 
parties of Indians were often encamped in 
some part of it, either hunting or making 
sugar. 

The first road in the township was cut l\y 
the army of Gen. Beall, in the summer of 1812. 
It entered the township at Shenandoah, pass- 
ing northwest, through the present site of Rome. 



--I ^^ 



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394 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



and continuing on toward Sliiloh, in Cass 
Township. It is now a much-traveled highway. 
It was along this road that the larger part of 
the earl}' settlers entered the township. Many 
of these early settlers accompanied the army 
of Beall, and thus saw for the first time the 
beauties and atl vantages of their future home. 
Among these were George Hackett and Peter 
Maring ; the former in the capacity of scout 
and guide, and the latter as a pioneer, assist- 
ing to cut the road. Some of the first settlers 
entered their land as early as 1813 and 1814, 
but no actual settlement was made, so far as 
known, until 1814. The settlers who came fii'st 
were Jacob and John Stoner, and a Mr. McCart. 
They followed " Beall's trail " in their search 
for homes in the woods ; the Stoners settling on 
Section 22, and McCart on Section 30. The 
widow of John Stoner's son now occupies the 
old place ; and the McCart farm is now owned 
by a Mr. Sowders. 

In 1815, George Hackett, before mentioned, 
came, settling on Section 19 — his grandson, 
William Hackett, now owns the farm. Daniel 
and James Ayers, William Trucks and Richard 
Sloman also came, settling near the present 
site of the village of Ganges. In the spring of 
1816, William Guthrie came from Harrison 
County, Ohio (formerl}' from Pennsjdvania), 
settling on Section 18. This farm is now occu- 
pied b}' his gi-andsons — Ransom F. and Arkin- 
son B. Guthrie. Henry Stoner came at the 
same time, settling on Section 1 5. 

From this time forward, the township settled 
up more rapidly. John Wolph came in April, 
1817 ; Samuel Zeigler in 1817, settling on Sec- 
tion 17 ; William Shurr, Section 32, 1817 ; 
Peter Maring, Section 7, 1817 ; Thomas Dick- 
inson entered his land on Section 7, in January, 
1810, but did not occupy it until 1822. His 
son, Thomas Dickinson, owns and occupies the 
same farm at present. Other early settlers 
were Benjamin Krummel, who settled on the 
farm now occupied by Robert INIeeks, who came 



in 1825 ; John McGaw, John Cleland and 
Thomas Thompson — the last three arriving 
about 1822-23, and settling in the eastern part 
of the township. William Mclntire and Jacob 
Walker were here as earl}- as 1818. Daniel 
Quinn, Charles Saviers, Robert and John Cum- 
mings, Andrew Paul, Jacob Greece, Joseph 
Sonenstine, Henrj' Young and Wilson Lindse}' 
were among the earliest settlers in the vicinity 
of present site of Shenandoah. George Latti- 
mer and Christian Ehret settled near the pres- 
ent site of Rome. 

It is believed that Mr. McCart erected the 
first cabin in the township, though there could 
have been little difference in time between the 
erection of his cabin and that of the Stoners. 

Mr. Guthrie says, that upon his father's farm 
was a beautiful camping-ground, used by the 
Indians upon their hunting excursions. They 
had erected, in a sugar grove which occupied a 
high piece of ground, an open-ended cabin, 
which they used as headquarters. Here they 
sang their songs, danced, and smoked their 
pipes in the evening, and hunted and lounged 
during the da3^ They were happy and peace- 
ful, but their hunting grounds were soon taken 
from them and their game driven away. 

He relates an adventure of his brother John 
with wolves, which is illustrative of pioneer 
times. John had been on a visit to a neigh- 
bor's house, a Mr. Long, who lived in the terri- 
tory now included in Cass Township, and dark- 
ness came upon him before he reached home. 
He was riding a spirited horse, and accompa- 
nied b}^ a half- wolf dog. The path was narrow 
and winding. Just before reaching home, his 
horse and dog scented danger ahead. The former 
snorted and was inclined to stop, and the latter 
whined nervously and kept closely under the 
horse's feet. Guthrie, peering through the 
darkness, observed dark forms flitting across 
the path, and knew he was close upon a gang 
of wolves. They had gathered in the path in 
front of him. 









HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



395 



While urging his horse to advance, a wolf 
that had separated itself from the rest, suddenly 
sprang at the horse or dog from the roadside. 
The frightened animal sprang so quickl}- to one 
side that Guthrie was unhoi'sed, and falling 
upon the ground was immediately attacked b}' 
the wolf Without a doubt, he would have been 
torn in pieces instantly, but his faithful dog, 
which had before shown signs of fear, now came 
to his I'escue, attacking the wolf with great 
ferocity, compelling the latter to release his 
hold of Guthrie and defend himself All this 
occurred in a moment's time, and Mr Guthrie 
had just time to swing himself into a tree when 
the remainder of the pack surrounded his 
faithful dog, which was getting the better of 
wolf number one. Other wolves came up and 
attacked the dog, which was thus compelled to 
release the first one. As soon as released, it 
sprang up and ran away, followed by the dog 
and the entire pack. Mr. Guthrie improved 
this opportunity to descend from the tree and 
make his escape. He reached home in safety, 
and soon after his dog also arrived in good con- 
dition. No wonder that the pioneers consid- 
ered their dogs invaluable, as in hundreds of 
cases they saved their masters' lives, and were 
always ready at any time to risk their own for 
that purpose. 

The wolves were only troublesome and 
somewhat dangerous when the settlements were 
few and far between. They especially loved 
young pigs, and would kill them in prefer- 
ence to the older hogs. At first it was 
almost impossible to keep hogs or sheep. 
The settlers were in the habit of keeping as 
many males as possible among the swine, as 
these, when they grew up, would defend the 
younger and weaker animals. Wolves were 
rarely able to make a successful raid on a farm- 
er's hogs when there were several old males in the 
herd. At one time, when the Guthries were haul- 
ing in ha}', a wolf chased a pig from among the 
drove in the wood, pursuing it into the meadow 



near where they were at work. The wolf in this 
race was closely followed by the drove of hogs, 
including several old males. So closely was 
his wolfship pressed, that he was compelled to 
mount a hay-cock to save himself, and, in this 
position, was surrounded by the infuriated 
hogs. Suddenly one of the larger hogs rushed 
upon the heap of hay, upsetting it, and dislodg- 
ing the wolf, which was seized as soon as it 
touched the ground, and was literally torn in 
pieces. 

The pioneers were in the habit of erecting a 
pen for their sheep near the house. It was 
very high, and into it the sheep were driven 
ever}' night for safet}'. Wolves, however, driven 
by hunger, would sometimes succeed in getting 
into this pen and killing the sheep. On such 
occasions, they always so gorged themselves 
with mutton that they could not get out of the 
pen, and were compelled to remain and settle 
with the proprietor of the yard in the morning. 
The result of this settlement may be imagined. 

One of the earl}' settlers, Thomas Dickei'son, 
was a blacksmith, and. in addition to his labors 
on his land, worked at the trade. He located his 
shop on a trail leading from the head-waters of 
the Black Fork to those of the Huron River. 
He was probably the first blacksmith in the 
township, and much of his work was making 
knives and tomahawks for his Indian friends, 
repairing their guns, etc. 

The Stoner family was somewhat noted 
among the pioneers. Two sisters of Mrs. 
Stoner had been taken prisoners l\v the Indians 
when quite young and grew up among them, 
one of them marrying a half-breed by the name 
of Williams, by whom she had two children, the 
oldest of which subsequently mai-ried an Indian 
who was well known among all the early settlers 
as Johnny Cake. Mrs. Williams was so badly 
treated that she finally made her escape and 
returned to her father. 

The Foulks family, who settled near the site 
of Rome (one of whom became the proprietor 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



397 



of that town), were in some respects a remark- 
able pioneer family. Greorge Foulks was the 
theme of manj' a wild tale of border life. He 
was captured by the Indians when eleyen 3-ears 
of age, and remained with them until he grew 
to manhood. A record of his adventures 
would be a fortune to a novelist, but, like thou- 
sands of pioneers, he passed away without 
leaving an}- written record, and thus there is 
left but the shadow}-, imperfect outlines of a 
daring, reckless, adventurous life ; the vision of 
a mighty hunter and backwoodsman flitting 
through forests of the past. Nothing can be 
told to a certainty, and thus passes out of exist- 
ence what might have been a valuable record 
of pioneer life. 

Upon the organization of the township, an 
election was held about one and half miles 
north of Rome, at the house of Mr. Madden, at 
which twent^'-one votes were polled. 

Thefirst marriage in the township is believed to 
have been that of James Long to Martha Guthrie. 

For milling, the early settlers of this town- 
ship generally went to what was known as the 
" Cole Creek " mill, near Sandusky, or to Beam's, 
on the Rock}- Fork. 

The first mill was erected at Trucksville 
(Ganges) in 1816. by William Trucks and Dan- 
iel Ayers, on the Black Fork in the southwest 
part of the township. It was a poor concern, 
but a good deal better than none. The buhrs 
were manufactured out of •' nigger heads." They 
also erected, at the same time and place, a saw- 
mill and a distiller}-, thus furnishing the three 
great staples of the time — flour, lumber and 
whisk3^ This mill was in operation, perhaps, 
fifteen years. It could only run a small por- 
tion of the year, as it stood on low ground and 
the frequent overflow of the Black Fork kept it 
blocked up a good deal of the time. It finally 
became a place of bad repute, a resort of " bum- 
mers," and as the settlers generalh- lost part of 
their grist and sometimes the entire grist, the}- 
ceased to patronize it. 



The second mill was erected by Jacob Stoner, 
on Snip's Run, near the site of Rome. This, 
like the other, the settlers termed a '• thunder- 
gust " mill. It was erected on such low, marshy 
ground that every freshet blocked it up and 
prevented operations. This section of the 
countr}- is now thoroughly drained, and these 
overflows do not occur. 

The third or fourth mill was Crouses, also 
erected on Snip's Run, a half-mile above Stoner's, 
and Avas no better than the others. None of 
these mills existed a great length of time. 

One of the earliest mills was erected by 
Charles Saviers on Camp Council Run. This 
run, being fed mostly by the marshes, amounted 
to but little after the}- were drained. 

In a very early day, Samuel Rogers erected 
a horse-mill in the northeast part of the town- 
ship, to which the early settlers resorted, and 
where they were compelled to wait from one to 
three days for a grist, passing the time pleas- 
antly pitching quoits, wrestling, jumping, 
shooting at a mark, etc., living meanwhile at 
Mr. Rogers' expense. The only mill in the 
township at present was erected by Walter 
Shupe, in Rome. It is owned by Mr. Bricker, of 
Ganges, and is a steam-mill. 

The first school in this township was opened 
in December, 1824, in the cabin erected l)v 
William Guthrie in 1816. It was a three-months 
school, and was taught by Robert Finney. Mr. 
Guthrie had occupied this cabin about two 
years, when he erected a better one in the same 
yard, and thus the old cabin was honored by 
becoming the first schoolhouse. Those who at- 
tended this school were Nathan S. Guthrie, now 
a resident of Shiloh ; Francis, Eliza and Lydia 
Guthrie ; George, Betsy, Margaret, AVilliam. 
Mary and Drusilla Hackett ; Washington. 
David, Sallie and Mariah Long, and William 
and Thomas Dickinson. It was a subscription 
school, the teacher receiving $8 or .flO per 
month. Mr. Guthrie says that he and his 
brothers and sisters attended that school 



K* 



398 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



during the entire winter in their bare feet. The 
schoolhouse being in their 3'ard, they were aisle 
to get to it, often througli the deep snow, with- 
out frosting their feet. 

About the same time (perhaps tlie same win- 
ter, tliougli no one can certainly say), a school 
was opened in the southern part of the town- 
ship, in the Trucks and Ayers settlement, on 
the site of the present village of Ganges. 

The following winter, 1825-26, the Guthrie 
school was taught in a cabin which had been 
erected by John Guthrie for a dwelling ; it was 
also on the Guthrie farm. John becoming dis- 
satisfied with a life in the forest, returned to 
Harrison County, thus leaving the cabin 
vacant. Robert Finne}" also taught this school, 
and the same scholars attended, with the addi- 
tion of the Zeiglers and Mosses. This school- 
house contained a puncheon floor and paper 
windows ; and the school was continued here 
two winters. The only book used bj' the 
younger students was a paddle with the A B 
Cs on one side, and the a b, abs, on the other. 
llol)ert Finney, the teacher, afterward returned 
to Harrison Count3\ A majorit}- of the chil- 
dren who attended these schools came what 
would now be considered long distances, 
through the woods, with only the "blazed" 
trees to mark the wa}'. A few of these lioys 
and girls are yet living, and wondering where 
the 3'ears have gone, and feeling that the con- 
trast between that day and this is almost be- 
yond human belief 

Among the earliest preachers in the town- 
ship, are the familiar names of Robert Lee, 
James Rowland, Harry 0. Sheldon and others. 
These good men were everywhere in the count}' 
at that early da}', sowing the good seed, organ- 
izing societies and establishing churches. 

The first church societ}- was probably that of 
the Presbyterians, organized by Robert Lee, 
about 1823. The early members of this societ}^ 
were James Hunter and wife, William Guth- 
rie and wife, James Carr and wife, William 



Lattimer, the Cleland family, Daniel Prosser 
and wife, Joseph Guthrie, the McGaw family, 
Jacob Walker and Mrs. William Young. Be- 
sides Mr. Lee, the Rev. Mr. Mathews, James 
Rowland and Rev. Mr. Garrison often preached 
to this society. About 1827 or 1828, this 
society- erected a log church on Snip's Run, 
about half a mile north of Rome. This build- 
ing, which has long since disappeared, was 
about 20x30 feet in size, and was erected by 
the voluntary labor of the people, regardless of 
creed. The first graveyard naturally made its 
appearance in the vicinit}' of this church. The. 
building was occupied about fifteen years, when 
a frame was erected near it, which was used 
until 1860, when the society erected the pres- 
ent building in Rome. For man}- years this 
society was a strong, active one, but at present 
the membership is somewhat limited. A Sab- 
bath school has alwa^'s been connected with 
the church. 

The second church building was erected 
about 1835, by the German Reformed Society', 
in Rome. Rev. Mr. Leiter was instrumental in 
establishing this church, and preached for the 
society a number of years. To this organiza- 
tion belonged the Altorfers, the Butchers, the 
Pifers and Christian Ehret. This church has 
long since disappeared. 

The Methodist Church of Rome was erected 
about 1840. The society was first organized 
some 5'ears earlier in the Stoner settlement, 
and the early meetings held in the old log 
schoolhouse north of Rome. The first members 
were the Stoners, the Clausen famil}', Solomon 
Madden, John Wolph, John Woods and other.s 

The first church was a frame, and was used 
until 1875, when the present neat, substantial 
brick was erected at a cost of $2,800. A Sun- 
day school was organized many years ago, and 
is 3'et continued, the membership being now 
about thirty. 

About the time of the erection of the Meth- 
odist Church of Rome, a frame church was 



? 



f^ 



Hr\'s 



HISTORY OF RICHLA:NtD COUXTY. 



399 



erected in Trucksville, which is yet standing, a 
large, square, squatty-, unpainted, uglj- thing, 
and is, to-da^-, the only church building in that 
somewhat dilapidated and demoralized town. 
It was erected by people of different denomi- 
nations, and has always been free to all denom- 
inations " except the Universalists," but is not 
extensively used for religious purposes ; it is 
allowed to '-rest" most of the time, and its 
appearance is in perfect harmony with its sur- 
roundings. 

About 1859, a German Reformed Society 
was organized in Ganges, and this organization 
is the only one, at present, holding regular 
service in the church. 

Among the first members of this organization 
were the Lybargers, Landers, Beechers, Lasers, 
Kunkelmans and others. 

The Union Church, near Shenandoah, was 
erected about 1849, principally b}- the Pres- 
bj'terians. the German Reformed, Methodists, 
and Church of God. Jacob Cline gave one 
acre of ground for the church and grave- 
yard. The principal movers in the erection of 
the church were Christian LTrick, David Miller, 
Tobias Fox, George Burgoyne, Charles Saviers, 
Peter Secrist, William Foulks, Daniel Quinn, 
and Henry Young. IMinisters of every denom- 
ination are allowed to occup}' the pulpit. It is 
a large, active church, more than one hundred 
members of the different denominations wor- 
shiping here. The Sunday school is also large 
and active, with a membership of an average of 
eighty or more pupils. 

Near it stands the Disciples' Church of Shen- 
andoah, organized in March, 1876. This 
society, for years, worshiped in the Union 
Church, but finally gi'ew strong enough to erect 
a building of its own, in 1879. The principal 
members are Doctor Starr, Frank ^lorris, David 
Miller, John Mercer, Henry Cline, Milo Starr, 
Alanson Martin and I. P. Morris. This is a 
neat frame building, and cost about $3,000. 
Rev. John Lowe was their first and also the 



present minister. The membership is about 
one hundred, and the Sunday school is active, 
with a membership of fifty or more. 

The United Brethern Church, located in the 
northeast part of the township, on Section 3, 
was erected about 1860. It was organized by 
Rev. Hill. The principal memliers were William 
jNIcUmber, Joseph Walker. Samuel Rickard and 
John Kensil. The building is frame, and cost 
about $600 ; the membership is about forty. A 
Sabbath school is supported during the summer. 

Three villages haA'e an- existence within the 
limits of this township, neither of which can 
lay claim to great attractions to the fortune 
seeker, or lover of the beautiful. 

The oldest of these is Ganges, formerly called 
Trucksville. laid out by Wm. Trucks and Daniel 
Ayres, in the spring of 1815. It was laid out 
in a square, with a public square in the center. 

In a very early day, a road had been opened 
from IMount A'ernon north to the lake, for the 
purpose of gaining an outlet for gi-ain and 
other produce. The Truckses and A^'erses fol- 
lowed this then ver}' new road, and located 
their land on the bank of the Black Fork, in 
what afterward proved to be the southwestern 
corner of Blooming Grove Township. Here, 
where this road crossed the Black Fork, they 
conceived to be a good place for a town. Mr. 
Trucks immediately erected a cabin for his own 
use upon the land he had entered, and this be- 
came the first cabin in the new town. He also 
erected a mill, on the low ground along the 
stream, referred to elsewhere. The Ayerses 
also erected cabins on their land, and were men 
of families and influence in that part of the 
township. Daniel Ayers was probably the first 
Justice of the Peace in the township, and held 
court at his cabin several years. His brother 
James erected a hotel on the town site, and im- 
mediately did a thriving business. The little 
town started forward with bright prospects, 
the road upon which it was located becoming 
soon a gi-eat and important highway, over 



'k^ 



400 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



which hundreds of wagons, loaded with grain 
from the older counties south, passed ever}' week. 

The first post office in the township was lo- 
cated here ; and the first orchard planted in 
the township was by Messrs. Trucks and Aj'ers, 
the}' having procured the young trees from the 
famous Johnu}' Appleseed. The village grew 
rapidly, and at one time it aspired to the position 
of county seat, with fair prospects of getting 
it. So great was the hotel business that a sec- 
ond building was erected for that purpose. C. 
R. Hooker, now of Mansfield, was one of the 
early proprietors of this hotel. In addition to 
the hotels, four stores were in operation at one 
time, other business being equally active. 
Trucksville appeared on the high road to pros- 
perit}'. The first of these stores was started 
by Francis Grraham, who enjoyed daily oppor- 
tunities of sending to the lake for his goods, 
and forwarding his produce to that market. 

It was a sad, solemn da}' for Trucksville 
when the iron horse came down through the 
woods, on the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark 
Railroad. The whistle of the locomotive was 
the death-knell of the village, as it was of 
other villages. It began to decline from that 
day. The great wagon trains of produce soon 
disappeared entirely — the cars carried the grain 
so much cheaper and quicker. For many years 
the town has been comparatively dead. There 
may be 100 people there to-day, living in di- 
lapidated houses, many of them unpainted, and 
the general appearance is one of decay. One 
or two small stores constitute about the only 
business of importance. Even the mill erected 
by George Weaver, after the Trucks mill dis- 
appeared, has ceased its labors. 

The next attempt to build a city in the town- 
ship was on the northwest quarter of Section 8. 
Here Alfred Foulks laid out a town which he 
called Rome. It is situated on " Beall's Trail." 
It was platted on both sides of the road and be- 
came the largest of the three villages. Its 
growth was, at first, more healthy than that of 



Trucksville, depending on the surrounding 
country, and was less liable to be injured by a 
passing railroad. It was laid out May 9, 1832. 

George Foulks came here in an early day, 
and having a large family, entered several quar- 
ter-sections of land in the vicinity — one-quarter 
for each of his children. He, and his son-in- 
law, Jessie Davidson, erected the first houses, 
the former bringing on a stock of goods and 
starting the first store, and the latter starting 
the first hotel. At one time, the place con- 
tained three stores, carrying a general stock, 
and a proportionate amount of other business 
was transacted. The place, at present, straggles 
along on either side of the road for a quarter of 
a mile, and has a dilapidated, sleepy look. The 
wonder is, what all its people — ^two or three 
hundred in number — do for a living. Jacob 
Rarick keeps the only store in the place. The 
first schoolhouse was erected about 1840 ; Geo. 
W. Cline being the first teacher. The present 
large frame building was erected about 1855. 

Shenandoah was laid out on " BealFs Trail," 
in the southeast part of the township, by Will- 
iam and George Altorfer, on the southeast 
quarter of Section 34, in June, 1844. The 
Altorfers purchased the land of Robert Cum- 
mings, who entered it. The first building 
erected was of hewed logs, and is yet standing, 
forming a part of the hotel now kept by Stand- 
ard Cline. Jacob Bushey erected the second 
house, and John Valeiitine the third. These 
men were shoemakers. John Ninan started a 
blacksmith-shop and William Hisey, a pottery. 
John Sanker erected a wagon-shop, and still 
continues the business. Edward Hall came 
from Rome, and started the first store and post 
office. The store has changed hands several 
times, and is now conducted by I. P. Morris. 
The Altorfers were from the Shenandoah Val- 
ley, Va., hence the name of the village. At 
present, there are seventeen dwelling-houses 
in the place ; a rake and handle factory, wagon- 
shop, store and two churches. 



1^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



401 



CHAPTER XLII. 

BUTLER TOWNSHIP. 

Organization — Topogbaphy — Early Settlers — Churches — Schools — La Fayette — Mills — The Grange — .\ 

AV'oLF Hunt. 



BUTLER TOWNSHIP was formed March 5, 
1849, by taking the eastern half, which 
had, prior to the erection of AshUmd Count}', 
been a part of Clear Creek Township, and a 
strip two miles in width from the eastern part 
of Blooming Grrove, and uniting them into a 
new township four miles in width and six miles 
in length. It is thus equal in size with all others 
in the north part of the count}-, having twent}'- 
four square miles of territory'. 

The surface of Butler Township is flat. No 
other township in Richland Count}' is so level. 
It is drained by the Whetstone, the head-waters 
of which find their sources in the northwest 
part of the township. In early times, it was 
wet and uninviting to the settlers, if that part 
is excepted on the Whetstone, and, conse- 
quently, it settled slowly. But since the coun- 
try became opened to the sun, and the fallen 
timber all removed, which olistructed the drain- 
age of the surface, it has developed into a fine 
agricultural district, with a rich, productive 
soil, well adapted for grass and stock-raising. 
The timber is chiefl}'' beech, sugar, hickor}-, 
black walnut, cherry and oak, with a few S3-ca- 
mores lifting their long arms in the air. In its 
topographical features, it does not present the 
same variety of hill and dale as some other 
townships. With the exception of the Whet- 
stone, but little running water is found within 
its boundaries ; Ijut good water is obtained at 
a convenient depth by digging. 

Jacol) Foulks settled in Butler Township in 
the year 1815, and entered land on the Whet- 
stone. His son Ransom was Ijorn in 1816, 



being the first white child born in the township. 
The first death, that of his daughter Nancy, 
also took place at his house in 1818. His son, 
Henr}' Foulks, laid out the village of La Faj-ette 
in 1838, and kept the first store. The old 
homestead farm was sold to E. T. Kirk. Some 
of the descendants are yet in the neighborhood. 
James Kirk, son of E. T. Kirk, occupies the 
premises at present. 

The first Justice of the Peace was C3rus 
Evarts, who was Justice here before Ashland 
County was made. He was a resident for 
some time, of the township. 

Robert Houston entered 160 acres of land 
on the Whetstone in 1818. He came from 
Delaware. In the 3'ear 1824, he was married 
to Sarah Owens, being the first marriage in the 
township. Their son, John Houston, is now 
living in La Fayette. He is running a steam 
saw-mill, and doing a large business. The first - 
saw-mill put in operation in the township was 
on the site of this mill, b}' a Mr. Fairchild, in 
the year 1839. 

Abraham Claberg came to Butler in the 
year 1815. His nearest neighbor was Jacob 
Foulks. Only two or three other families were 
in the township at the time. Occasionalh", 
Indians were seen. His house stood on the 
banks of the Whetstone. He had two sons, 
Jacob and Isaac. Jacob still lives two miles 
north of La Fayette, and is one of the Com- 
missioners of this county. 

John Owens was born in Ireland, and emi- 
grated to the United States in the 3'ear 1806, and 
settled in Pennsyh'ania ; moved to Richland 



-i^ 



403 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Count}' in the year 1 814/and settled two miles be- 
low Ashland, and, after living tliere five years, 
came up to Butler Township, and entered a quar- 
ter of land on the Whetstone, two miles north of 
Oliveslnn-g, in 1819, where he planted a large 
orchard, raising the first apples in the neighbor- 
hood. He assisted in building the first Pres- 
b^'terian Church in Olivesburg ; was active in 
organizing the first school in Butler Township. 
He had five sons and five daughters ; Archi- 
bald was the oldest son, and still lives at La 
Faj'ette, and is nearh* eighty years of age. The 
3-oungest daughter married the late Mr. Charles 
Anderson, and is living at La Fa^'ette. Mr. 
Owens died in the 3^ear 1842, aged seventj^-six. 
James Laughlin, one of his nearest neighbors, 
was associated with him in early church and 
school enterprises. The first school organized 
in the township was on Mr. Laughlin s land, 
and was taught by Joseph "Ward. Sr., of Weller 
Township. 

John Wolf settled in the west part of town- 
ship, in 1816. The Starrs were his nearest 
neighbors for some time. Mrs. Starr is still 
living on the old farm, where she has resided 
about sixty-five years. Her son, ^Mitchel 
Starr, is a practicing physician. Mr. Wolf was 
a lifelong member of the ^lethodist Church. 
His house was, for a long time, one of the 
" backwoods chapels," where itinerant preach- 
ers held religious service, long before commo- 
dious churches were built. The Rev. Mr. 
Boardraan was their first preacher. Mr. Wolf 
was an officer in the M. E. Church till the close 
of his useful and self-denj-ing life. One of his 
daughters married the Rev. Jacob Fegtly, of 
the North Ohio Conference. The entire family 
removed to Iowa about the j'ear 1857. 

The first religious society at La Fayette was 
formed in 1842, and was composed of eight 
members, viz.: Joshua Ford, Elizabeth Ford, 
Edward T. Kirk, Mary Kirk, Samuel Robinson 
and wife, Mrs. George Dancer and John Free- 
man. For a time, they held their meetings in 



a log schoolhouse. In 1844, they built their 
first church, a frame building, at a cost of $500. 
The Trustees of this church were Joshua Ford 
and Edward T. Kirk. Edward T. Kirk and 
wife made a deed, and donated, in fee simple, 
one acre of ground for church and graveyard. 
The Rev. John Quigley was the Pastor, and 
dedicated the chui'ch ; John H. Power was the 
Presiding Elder. In 1857, the old church edi- 
fice gave way to a more commodious building, 
of modern style. The contract was given to 
James 0. Hagerman, of Weller Township, for 
the sum of 11,200. The Trustees were Joshua 
Ford, E. T. Kirk, Michael Kirk, Daniel Free- 
man ; the Pastor, Silas Sej-raour. 

A powerful revival followed the building of 
this church, and the society has continued to 
prosper. Only one of the original members is 
yet connected with the societ}' — Mrs. E. T. 
Kirk. A Sunday school was organized when 
the new church was built, and is yet in success- 
ful operation. The present Superintendent is 
John Kirk. 

There are seven common schools and school- 
houses, in the township, and three churches, 
viz., Methodist, Disciple and " Chui'ch of Grod." 

The Disciple Church is situated in the north- 
west part of the township. It was built about 
the 3'ear 1870. Is a commodious structure, 
40x50 feet in size. Its principal members are 
Charles Thompson, Peter Davidson, Thomas 
Tucker, George Garrow, Abram Crabbs, David 
Enzor and John Davidson. The Pastor is Rev. 
Mr. Cline. A successful Sal)bath school is con- 
nected with the church. The Winebrenarians 
have a small societ}' in the southeast part of the 
township. 

There is no grist-mill in the township ; two saw- 
mills are in operation,owned b}' ^lorris & Sechrist 
and John Houston. The country- is well adapted 
to stock-raising. Th| Messrs. Kirk have large 
stock-farms near La Fayette. A farmers' grange 
was organized here in 1874, and holds regular 
meeting's. The citizens seem to take a laudable 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



403 



interest in guarding the morals of the com- 
munity. All liquor-selling is prohibited, and 
other nuisances banished, as far as practicable. 
Not a drunkard is to be seen in the communit3\ 

No railroad at present touches the township. 
A tile factor}', near Shenandoah, worked bj' 
Messrs. Whisler & Starr, is doing a good bus- 
iness. 

Butler Grange was organized in April, 1874. 
Its officers are : Master, John Kirk ; Overseer, 
William Garrow ; Steward, J. Richardson ; As- 
sistant Steward, George Robinson ; Lecturer, 
Henry Yockey ; Chaplain, R. T. Brokaw ; Sec- 
retary, D. V. Tucker ; Treasurer, C^-rus Evarts ; 
Business Agent, G. B. Barnes ; Ceres, Mrs. M. 
Barnes ; Gatekeeper, D. S. Dancer ; Assistant 
Steward, Mrs. J. Brokaw ; Flora, Mar}' Kirk ; 
Pomona, Maggie Anderson ; Gatekeeper, David 
Dancer. 

The Grange owns and occupies a commodious 
hall in the village of La Fayette. It meets 
every two weeks, reads essays, collects statistics, 
discusses agricultural questions of interest, and 
keeps on hand a small stock of groceries. The 
Grange is said to be in a prosperous condition. 

In the year 1828, a grand union wolf- hunt 
was organized by the citizens of this and ad- 
joining townships. There were but few wolves, 
but there wei*e at that time deer, wild turkeys, 
and other wild game. A central point was pre- 
viously marked out in a little " neck of woods," 
the trees blazed conspicuously all round to form 
a "dead line."' Marshals were appointed to 
manage the incoming lines, fill up vacancies, 



and prevent the escape of game through the 
lines. The "center" w^^ near where the village 
of La Fayette now stands. The lines were 
formed about two or three miles back from the 
center, about 10 o'clock in the morning. Hun- 
dreds of people were on the lines in waiting, 
with guns, tin bugles, dogs, pitchforks, butcher- 
knives, etc. At a given signal, the lines ad- 
vanced toward the center, every man and boy 
did his " level best " to make the biggest noise, 
and, as the advancing columns approached each 
other, the affrighted game, with heads aloft, 
would rush from side to side, seeking some 
avenue of escape. A number of wild turkeys 
rose on wing and sailed out over the lines in 
regular turkey triumph. 

When the lines had come within sight of 
each other and the game was seen flying to 
and fro, the excitement in the crowd was in- 
describable. The officers lost control of the 
men, who commenced firing before the proper 
time. While in range of the opposite lines, one 
man had the bark of a tree knocked in his face 
by a passing bullet. In the center was a little 
knoll that protected opposite parties. A num- 
ber of deer and turkeys were killed, but no 
wolves. The writer of these pages partook of 
a turkey killed by Archibald Owens on that 
day. After gathering up the wounded and the 
slain, a grand carnival was held, and, when the 
hunters separated for their homes, it was, no 
doubt, with the impression that it was the 
greatest and the grandest day since the days 
of Nimrod. 






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404 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

CASS TOWNSHIP. 

Its Erection, Boundaries and Physical Features — Settlements — Indians — First Methodist Church — 
Schools and School Teachers — Towns — Old Salem — London — Planktown — Shiloh — Its Early 
Settlers, Buildings, Schools and Churches — The Shiloh Review. 



CASS belongs to the northern tier of town- 
ships, with Pl3anouth on the west. Bloom- 
ing (xi-ove on the east, and Jackson on the 
south. It was named after the Democratic 
candidate for President in 1848. It was erected 
out of the east half of Plymouth Township, 
December 12, 1849, and the name of Cass was 
at that time a prominent one in political his- 
tory. Its length, from north to south, is six 
miles ; width, four miles. 

It is generally level, very fertile, and an ex- 
cellent fruit-growing district. The southern 
part is well watered by the Black Fork and 
tributaries, and the northern part by the tribu- 
taries of the Hur.)n River, the dividing ridge 
running near the village of Shiloh. 

The first settlement of this township was 
made near the head-waters of the Black Fork, 
in 1815, on Sections 13 and 24. John Long, 
from Knox County, formerly from Penns}'!- 
vania, settled on the former, and John McCart 
on the latter. Both families came about the 
same time, but McCart built the first cabin in 
the township, and Long the second. Other set- 
tlements were rapidly made. Among those who 
came in that and the year following, may be 
mentioned John Morris, who settled on Section 
4 ; Daniel Cronsales, Section 9 ; Asa 3Iurphy 
and familj', including a son, Asa, from Vir- 
ginia, Section 1 : Daniel Prosser, Section 21. 
Robert Greene came in 1816, from Hampshire 
County, Va., and [Thomas McBride in 1817, 
settling on Section 3. The following persons 
settled near the present site of the vil- 



lage of Shiloh, from 1816 to 1825: Frank 
Carmichael, Levi Bodle}^, William BodW, 
Theson Richardson, Cornelius Brink, John 
and Aaron Pettit, Ephraim Vail, Richard Thew, 
John and Isaac Murphy, Reason Barnes, 
Thomas James, Benjamin Young, William Cot- 
ton, Peter Hall, John Long, Jr., Thomas Hamil- 
ton and James Long. The settlement of this 
township began after the war of 1812, when there 
was a good deal of excitement about, and quite 
a rush for, Ohio lands ; consequenth', it filled 
up rapidly, a majority of the settlers ]>eing 
from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, a few, 
from New Jersej" and the New England States. 
The earl}- history of the township is meager. 
It does not differ from the general history' of 
other townships in earl}' days, except perhaps 
it was more quiet, no Indians of consequence 
being encamped within the limits of the town- 
ship, except a small band of Wj'andots or Dela- 
wares (probably a part of Armstrong's band of 
Creentown Indians), who had a permanent 
camp on the head-waters of the Black Fork. 
The settlers were never molested b}' them. 
There is the usual supply of bear and deer 
hunting stories, but none of sufficient im- 
portance for preservation. The entire town- 
ship was heavily timbered with l)eech, oak, 
sugar, hickory, ash, and all other varieties of 
hard Avood. It is quite probable that none of 
the earl}^ settlers found sufficient room to build 
their cabins without first cutting away the trees 
and brush. Thus the pioneers hewed out the 
homes for those who now enjoy them. A few 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



407 



of them 3'et remain, grayhaired and bending 
with the weight of years, living monuments of 
days that are fast fading, and can scarcely be 
comprehended by the generations of to-day. 

The Methodists seem to have been the pio- 
neer religious bod}- in this township. About 
1816 or 1817, Bennajah Boardman held the 
first religious services, in the cabin house 
of John Long, on the site of the village of 
Planktown, or Richland. He was a missionar}. 
and continued preaching among the settlers 
several years before any church was erected. 
Money to build churches, or for any other pur- 
pose, was scarce, and the meetings were held 
in private houses, barns, and in the open air. 
In 1828, through the Rev. Boardman's influ- 
ence, a log church — the first one in the town- 
ship — was erected on the southeast quarter of 
Section 1. where a town was laid out which 
they called Salem, and the church received 
the name of Salem Church. The settlers came 
together and built this church b}" their united 
labors. Its first members were John, Cathai*- 
ine, Nancy, Betsy and Sarah Long ; Asa Mur- 
phy, who was considered a leader in the 
congregation ; Peter and Annie Maring, John 
and Hannah Bell. This church was of hewed 
logs, and about fifty feet long by forty wide, 
with rude puncheon benches for seats. Follow- 
ing Bennajah Boardman, the ministers were 
Erastus Felton, the Revs. Chase and Groddard. 
Adam Poe, a nephew of the famous Indian- 
fighter, also preached here occasionall}-. Board- 
man was, finall}', the local preacher ; settled 
here, and died in 1858. The log church was 
used until 1852, when it was torn down and a 
frame erected which cost $1,625. When the 
railroad (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & 
Indianapolis) came through the township in 
1850, and the town of Shiloh began to gi'ow, 
the Methodists proposed building a church in 
that place, and the old one was neglected. It 
was finally sold, in 1874, to Wesley McLaugh- 
lin, for $300, who, in turn, sold it to the Dunk- 



ards, by whom it is now occupied. This is the 
only church in the township outside the towns. 

As in other townships, the first schools were 
" subscription " schools, and were taught in 
private houses, there being no public funds for 
school purposes. The first schoolhouse was 
built in 1819, on Section 9 ; and the first 
teacher was A. D. Bodley. Bennajah Board- 
man, the Methodist preacher, also taught one 
of the first schools, before anj' schoolhouse was 
erected, in a cabin built for a dwelling, across 
the road, south of old Salem Church, on the 
land now owned b}' David Long. This cabin 
had been occupied b}- a famil}- of colored 
people — the first in the township. In this 
same cabin, Boardman also preached for some 
time before the log church was built. John 
Armstrong and an Englishman by the name of 
Simpson, also taught in this cabin. After sev- 
eral years, a hewed-log schoolhouse, which 
must have been the second one in the town- 
ship, was built on the present site of the town 
of Shiloh, and the old cal)in at Salem was de- 
serted, the scholars all gathering at this house. 
Armstrong and Bodley also taught in this 
house. Some of the scholars were Levi Brink, 
Enos, Sophia and Rebecca Dayhuff, Newton 
Osterhaut, Thomas Vail, Thomas, James and 
Alexander Pettit, Caleb Boardman, Eli Murphy, 
and Polly and Mary James. 

The site of this schoolhouse is a little east 
of the present Lutheran Church, and is marked 
by a large s^'camore tree, which stretches its 
gaunt, white arms protectingly over the spot ; 
and, also, by a large white-oak stump, which 
has been a stump more than fift}' j-ears, and 
looks as if it were good for a century more, if 
undisturbed. William Gra3-don was one of 
the early teachers here, and it was during his 
time that the schoolhouse was burnt. Another 
log schoolhouse was built further east, toward 
Old Salem, which was also burnt ; and a third 
one built north of the present site of Shiloh. 
This was abandoned after a time, and a fourth 



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408 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



one built at Salem, which was occupied until 
after the railroad came through ; and one was 
built in the town of Shiloh. 

Several attempts have been made to start 
and build up towns in this township, but every 
attempt failed until after the railroad came 
through, and Shiloh was established. Almost 
as far back as the oldest inhabitant can remem- 
ber, a man by the name of Powers attempted 
to start a town on the southwest quarter of 
Section 1 , which he called Salem. A town was 
actually laid out and platted, but the plat was 
never recorded, and no town came into existence. 
The lots were vacated after a time, and belong 
to the farms that corner at old Salem Church. 
Powers brought a small stock of goods there 
and attempted the mercantile business, but it 
was a failure. The only houses Ijuilt were the 
Methodist Church, a Lutheran Church, a log 
building occupied by Powers for storeroom 
and dwelling, and the log house before men- 
tioned, as being occupied as a schoolhouse. 

The second attempt at building a town was 
in the southern part of the township, on the line 
between Sections 33 and 34. This was laid out 
in 1832, by John Sn3'der, Abraham Fox and 
Michael Conrod, and called London. Sn3-der 
owned the land. Fortj'-seven lots were laid out. 
Peter Keller, Mrs. Conrod and Abraham Fox 
were the first residents, the latter building a 
dwelling and storeroom, partly brick and partly 
frame, on the principal corner, in which he 
opened a small store. John Fireoved afterward 
kept store in the same house. Keller started 
a blacksmith-shop. The place struggled for 
existence several years, and gathered a cluster 
of farmhouses at the cross roads there. At 
present no business is done, but half a dozen 
well-to-do farmers who own the land around, 
occupy its houses. 

The third attempt at town building was on 
Section 13, in 1837. The cabin of John Long, 
the first settler, was located here, upon what 
afterward liecame an important public highway. 



The road was much traveled by teams trans- 
porting grain from Knox County and other 
portions of the interior, to the lake, then the 
great and only outlet for the rapidly increasing 
products of Ohio. Taverns along this road 
were frequent, and a necessit}', and Mr. Long's 
cabin liecame, without any effort on his part, a 
stopping-place for the early teams. Mr. Long 
did not wish to keep a hotel ; he had started a 
tannery, and this in addition to his farm was 
all he could attend to. He sold out his hotel 
to a man by the name of Rumer, and built 
another house for himself near his tan-yard. 
After a time, Rumer sold out to Mr. John 
Plank, who secured sufficient ground, and, in 
1837, laid out a town which he first called 
Pl^^mouth, but which he afterward changed to 
Richland ; however, the town was always better 
known as Planktown. In time, the old cabin 
was pulled down, a larger house built, and 
Planktown became a noted stopping-place for 
the great number of teams that dailj' traveled 
over the road. Mr. David Long says, as many 
as two hundred teams loaded with wheat from 
the rich valleys of the tributaries of the Mus- 
kingum were known to pass Planktown in one 
day, during the season immediately following 
harvest. Rumer had also kept a grocery- in 
connection with his hotel, which was the first 
store in the place. After Planktown was laid 
out, it grew quite rapidly for a town in those 
daj's, and became in time a place of perhaps 
two hundred people, with two stores carrying 
assorted stocks, and two hotels. J. Saviers 
kept one of the stores at an early day. 

The frontier towns of those days — as of to- 
daj' — were cursed with a class of men known 
and recognized as roughs — thieves, gamblers, 
murderers and every species of criminals 
known to the law. These, escaping from jus- 
tice, took up their residence on the frontier, 
where they felt more secure. 

Planktown was more than usuall}' infested 
with this kind of vermin, which continued to 






HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



409 



feed upon its vitals until it sickened and 
died. 

The name of one of its citizens, in 1850, was 
Return J. M. Ward, who proved to be a des- 
perate villain — a murderer — and was hung in 
Toledo June 12, 1857, for the murder of his 
wife. After his arrest there, he confessed to 
the killing of a peddler and of Noah Hall, in 
Planktown. These murders, together with the 
railroad, which ran within a mile of the place, 
killed it. A full account of Ward's crimes will 
be found in another chapter. Planktown went 
down more rapidly than it grew up, man}- of 
its citizens deserting it and going to Shiloh. 

At present, no business is carried on in the 
place ; onl}* seven families are living there, 
mostly farmers. Many of the houses have 
been moved away and some torn down. A wind- 
storm destroyed the old tavern-stand, in which 
the peddler was murdered. 

In 1850, when the Cleveland, Columbus, 
Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad came through 
Cass, a village was laid out on Aaron Pet- 
tit's farm, half a mile north of the present 
town of Shiloh, on the railroad, and called 
Salem Station. The would-l^e town of Salem 
was a mile away, and was henceforth called 
Old Salem, while the station was frequently 
called New Salem, to distinguish it from the 
other. A station-house, a house Ijuilt by Jesse 
]\Iaring and a little shanty, in which whisky 
and cigars were sold, were all the Ijuildings 
that were erected at this Salem Station. After 
the station had been established and a small 
town laid out, it was discovered that it was 
situated in a low, swampy place, between two 
country roads, and it was decided to move it 
south half a mile, to higher ground. This was 
done, accordingly, there being nothing to move 
but the station-house and the aforesaid whisky- 
shop. 

Here, in September, 1852, the permanent 
town was laid out by Charles R. Squires, who 
had purchased four acres of ground from the 



Pettits for that purpose. As early as 1823, 
Thomas Pettit came from Mifflin Township, and 
entered 1,200 acres of land in this vicinity, 
upon part of which his numerous descendants 
are still living. 

Thomas Boorman, still living in the town, built 
the first dwelling. It stood on the site of the 
present brick block, lately erected, called Bren- 
neman's Block, near the depot. It was a one 
and a half story frame, about 27x40. About 
the same time, a Mr. Pease built a storeroom 
on the opposite side of the railroad from the 
Boorman dwelling, and opposite the present 
American House. It is still standing, being 
used as a storeroom and dwelling by Joseph 
Page & Son, who keep groceries and dry goods. 

Shiloh has grown rapidly, and is not through 
yet. It is now the only town in the township, 
and is surrounded by an excellent farming 
country. The business of the place is in a 
healthy condition, and steadily increasing. 
Many additions have l^een made since the first 
four acres were laid off into lots. John and 
Alexander Pettit made an addition March 30, 
1859 ; Catherine Wishart February 6, 18G4. In 
1868, Charles Wakefield, Jacob Korber, Samuel 
Weirick, Thomas B. Pettit and Alexander Pettit 
made additions to the town. Beside these, 
additions have been made from time to time to 
the number of sixteen, the last one being made 
in May, 1879, by John Davis. 

The town went by the name of Salem for 
several years, but, on account of there being 
two or three other Salems in the State, which 
made trouble with mail matters and freight, it 
was decided to change it. The citizens met for 
the purpose in 1862, about the time Grant was 
fighting his battle of Pittsburg Landing, or 
Shiloh, and, in the enthusiasm of the moment, 
the town was named Shiloh. 

Al)ner Tanner was one of the first settlers ; 
he came in 1853, and started a shoe-shop and 
gTOcery on the corner east of the railroad, 
where the American House now stands. He 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



.^-, r^CfiK. 



afterward erected this house. Charles R. 
Squires bought out Pease, kept the store, and 
was the first raih'oad agent. In 1854, he sold 
his store to Humphry & Wright. The grocers 
now in the place are Korber Bros.. Cunning- 
ham & Carmichael, J. C. Ward, E. C. Gregg 
and P. S. Grilmore. There is a drug and hard- 
ware store kept by Turner & Prame ; a notion 
store by S. Hench ; saddlery, by Israel Shutt ; 
a boot and shoe, and hardware store, liy Silas 
Ferrill ; two millinery shops, by Mrs. Grieas 
and 3Irs. Black. The 
doctors are J. E. 
Roseliorough, J. Q. 
Clowes and Dr. Fran- 
cis. John E. Smith 
keeps the warehouse, 
and deals largely in 
grain and seeds. 
Wakefield owns an 
extensive egg-house, 
with a I'efrfgerator, 
and engages largely 
in the business of 
egg-packing for the 
Eastern markets. Mr. 
Shupe keeps the Ex- 
change Bank, and 
deals largely in but- 
ter, lumber, shingles, 
etc. The business of 
the railroad office, 
which is, and has been for many years, in 
charge of Jessie Maring, is about $50,000 a year. 
W. H. Gilmore engages largely in cider-making : 
his presses, running by steam, are capable of 
producing 100 barrels per day. The American 
House is kept by C. E. Pai-sons, who is also 
Mayor of the town. W. A. Ferre keeps a 
bakery. The only grist-mill in the township 
was built here in 1872 ; a saw-mill was added 
in 1878. Taylor & Crawford built the mill, 
which, in 1874, was sold to Opdyke & Smith. 
In a few months, Opdyke bought out Smith, 








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THE BKENNEMAN BLOCK 



and, in 1877, he, in turn, sold out to the first 
owners, who are now running it. They make a 
specialt}' of custom-work, and are doing a safe 
business. 

The Brenneman Block, a solid and beautiful 
structure, was commenced in 1873 and finished 
in the same year. It was erected on the site of 
the first dwelling-house. It is 48x75, three 
stories, all twelve feet in height, and a base- 
ment. The third floor is occupied by the Odd 
Fellows, and for a public hall ; the second floor 

by the Shiloh Revieio 
and public offices. 
On the lower floor 
are two fine store- 
rooms, one of which 
is occupied b}' John 
Brenneman with dry 
goods and clothing. 
The basement is oc- 
cupied as a restau- 
rant and for Shupe's 
butter depot. The 
building cost $16,- 
000, and was de- 
signed by S. S. Hunt- 
er, the work being 
under the supervision 
of Korber Brothers. 
In 1865, an inde- 
pendent district was 
created in Shiloh, and 
a brick schoolhouse erected in the east part of 
town. It was large and comfortable, but the 
town grew so fast that in 1878 it was found 
necessarj- to build an addition. This was done 
at a cost of $7,000, the addition being much 
larger than the original building. It will now 
accommodate several hundred pupils. Mr. 
Kinsel taught the first school in the brick. 

The school is at present in a flourishing 
condition, with 275 pupils, under the charge 
of five teachers and the superintendencj- of 
A. A. Douo;las. The Board of Education are 



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HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



411 



J. C. Fenner, C. L. Opcl^^ke and James Griith- 
rie. 

Three churches are at present located within 
the town limits. 

The Methodist Episcopal, a history of which 
has already been given, as it was first located at 
Old Salem, is a fine new brick edifice. Its Sun- 
day school was organized at Old Salem in 1828. 
James Long was the first Superintendent. Both 
Sunday school and church are in a flourishing 
condition. 

The United Brethren in Christ was first or- 
ganized in Planktown in 1843. A church called 
the Union Church had been erected by the peo- 
ple of Planktown in 1840, which was used by 
all denominations. In this, the Brethren first 
organized. Afterward, in 1849, the}' built a 
church at Old Salem, across the road east of 
the Methodist Church. It was a frame church 
and cost about $1,100. In 1800, it was moved 
to Shiloh, with additional cost of moving and 
repairs, of $700. Michael Long, a missionar}' 
sent out by the Sandusky Conference, was in- 
fiuential in organizing this church. The names 
of some of the first members are N. S. Guthrie 
and wife, Robert Guthrie and wife, Peter Broche 
and wife, Mr. Shupe, wife and two daughters, 
and Artemisse Wolf The Pastors have been, 
Michael Long, Jacob Berger, William Mathers, 
Solomon Lindsej', John Goodwin, Enoch Bell, 
Alexander Biddle, C. L. Barlow, A. H. Leonard, 
V. Pond (Mr. Pond's wife also preached occa- 
sionally), William Newell and George Bender. 
The present minister is Rev. Mr. Spangler, and 
the membership about sixt}'. 

A Sunday school was organized aljout the 
time the church building was moved to Shiloh. 
N. S. Guthrie was first Superintendent. At pres- 
ent, the membership is about twentj'. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church was or- 
ganized in Planktown in 1842, in a school- 
house, by the Rev. P. P. Lane. Samuel Weir- 
ich and Samuel Hendrickson were elected 
Elders, and Alexander McBride and Emanuel 



Biglep, Deacons. Some time after, a frame 
church building was erected, about 30x40 feet, 
which they occupied until 1853. P. P. Lane 
preached until 1844, when he was succeeded by 
Erastus Eastman, who served until 1848. 
Joshua Crouse was the next minister, and re- 
mained until the church was removed to Shiloh. 
In 1853, a new church building was erected in 
Shiloh at a cost of $2,188. The corner-stone 
was laid on the 9th of August of that year, and 
April 16, 1854, the building was dedicated by 
Prof F. W. Conrad, of Wittenberg College, 
assisted by Rev. D. Specher and Rev. S. Fen- 
iler. The building is a neat, white frame struct- 
ure, 38x56, and is called Mount Hope. In the 
summer of 1878, it was remodeled at a cost of 
$1,600. The present minister is G. W. Miller, 
with a membership of about one hundred and 
fifty. 

A union Sunday school for the Methodists 
and Lutherans was organized about the time 
the church was occupied. J. Fenner is present 
Superintendent, with a membership of about 
one hundred and twent}'. 

The Shiloh Reciew was started in 1872, under 
the name of Shiloh Times, by Barkdull & Rob- 
erts. Like most other papers before the}' become 
firmly established, it has had a checkered exist- 
ence, when it had an existence at all, show- 
ing that starting a newspaper is very pre- 
carious, uncertain and difficult. It was issued 
from the Shelby press about a year, when 
Roberts left it and the issue was suspended for 
a few weeks. Some of the citizens of Shiloh, 
wishing the paper continued, formed a stock 
company, purchased a press, and with Bark- 
dull as manager, published the paper another 
year, when they sold out to George T. Mattison, 
who bought it mostly on time, giving a mort- 
gage on press and type. Mattison failed to 
make it pay, left in about a year, and the con- 
cern went back into the hands of the mortga- 
gees. Two of the stockholders, J. C. Fenner 
and John P. Black, published the paper 



rp 



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413 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



about two months, when it was again sold to 
George W. Allen. This gentleman consolidated 
with Doctor Clowes, of the Rome C/ear Grit, 
and for eighteen months more, the paper was 
published under the name of Ch'ar Grit. It 
was not 3'et a success, however, and passed into 
the hands of Foulks & Secrist, who con- 
ducted it six months. At the end of that 
time, the press was taken possession of by iMr. 
Chew, who held a mortgage on it, and the paper 
was again suspended for a few issues, until 
purchased b}' S. S. Bloom, of Shelby, who again 
changed the name to Shiloh Times, and pub- 
lished it in Shelb}', ])ringing it over to Shiloh 
for deliver}'. In Fe])ruary, 1875, Mr. Bloom 
sold out to Mr. Gilmore. The latter brought 
the concern again to Shiloh, and in connection 
with Messrs. Clowes Brothers, started it anew 
in that place, soon changing the name to Shiloh 



Review. In eighteen months, Gilmore pur- 
chased the interest of Clowes Brothers, and 
published the paper alone until April, 1878. 
when he sold a half-interest to John C. Higgins. 
After running under the firm name of Gilmore 
«fe Higgins for eight months, Gilmore again 
came into possession of the entire establish- 
ment, and continued its publication alone until 
Februar}' 27, 1879, when the concern was pur- 
chased by John C. Higgins, the present editor. 
After all its ups and downs, it appears at last 
to have reached a permanent and solid founda- 
tion, and is now a financial success. 

In 1874, Shiloh considered itself far enough 
advanced to have a Mayor and Council. The 
first Ma^'or was William Crawford. He was 
followed by Alfred Free, William Gilmore and 
E. C. Parsons. There are at present from 800 
to 1,000 people in Shiloh. 




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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



^ S) 



413 



^ 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 

Organization and Topography— Agriculture, Etc.— Indian Occupation— Roads— First Settlers and Set- 
tlements—First Hotels— Distillery— The Lead Mine— Bear Hunting— " Shining " for Deer— A 
Snake Story — First Elections — Mills— Schools and Churches. 

though much drainage has rendered the land 
tillable. Agriculturally- considered, it is one of 
the finest townships of land in the county. 
The soil is strong and produces a vigorous 
growth of whatever the farmer is disposed to 
sow or plant. Fine sugar camps still exist. 
and much maple sugar is made. The da}- is 
rapidly approaching, however, when the farm- 
ers will see the necessity of gi'eat care and 
much nursing of their timber land. Even now, 
hedge, board and post and rail fences are tak- 
ing the place of the time-honored rail or worm 
fence. The day is not far distant, when this 
latter fence will be as much of a rarity as are 
now the log cabins of the pioneer. So gradual 
is this change, that it escapes the notice of 
those who daily pass through the country, and 
yet, comparatively, the change is rapid, and the 
farmer will soon find himself the autocrat of 
his little domain, as well as the aristocrat of 
the country. This is essentially an agricultural 
township, there being no towns within its Hm- 
its, and no railroad touches it. except at the 
southeast corner, where the Atlantic & Great 
Western passes across a small portion. 

The people are largely descendants of that 
sturdy race of pioneers who came from West- 
ern Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were 
men and women of rare courage and strength, 
and, religiously, were Lutherans or German Re- 
formed. Their children follow in their foot- 
steps, and make it their highest aim in life to 
become worthy citizens. 



TpRANKLIN TOWNSHIP was erected, June 
-LJ 4, 1816, out of the southeast corner of 
Blooming Grove Township, and was, at that time, 
six miles square, including a portion of what is 
now Weller Township. Thus it remained until 
Ashland County was formed. This formation left 
the eastern townships of Richland in a fragmen- 
tary shape, and necessitated a change in town- 
ship lines. In this change, Franklin lost its 
two eastern tiers of sections, July 5, 1849, leav- 
ing it in its present shape, six miles long, from 
north to south, and four miles wide. Its sur- 
face is generally flat, or gently rolling, and in 
an early day, a large part of it was considered 
swamp land, and all was covered with a dense 
forest of vigorous growth. Oak and beech 
were more abundant on the higher lands, and 
maple and walnut on the wavy slopes in the 
west and central parts. The elm, ash and syc- 
amore skirted the winding Black Fork, which 
passes across the northeastern portion, and the 
second bottom lands w-ere noted for their beau- 
tiful sugar-tree groves. Wild plum-trees and 
black-haw bushes were found in various parts. 
Two clear, sparkling tributaries of the Black 
Fork, Friend's Creek and Brubaker Creek, run 
parallel with each other, from west to east, 
across the township, near its center. Between 
these creeks, and north of Friend's Creek, lie 
some of the higher lands, until the vicinity of 
the Black Fork is reached, when swamps again 
make their appearance. The southern part of 
the township is also quite swampy, even yet, 



=^'>^ 



:1^ 



414 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Prior to white occupation, the Indians used 
this territory, extensivel}-, for hunting and mak- 
ing sugar, but no permanent camp was located 
within its limits, so far as known. Every 3'ear, 
however, they were in the habit of making 
temporary' camps, along the l^eautiful val- 
leys of Friend's and Brubaker Creeks, and 
many specimens of their handiwork have been 
found in various places, though these are not 
nearly so numerous as in some other portions 
of the county. On the bank of Brnbaker's 
Creek, a short distance west of John Kendall's 
barn, several fine specimens of Indian work- 
manship have been found, from time to time, 
indicating the location of an Indian encamp- 
ment, and, perhaps, of a small burying-gi'ound, 
though the place has never received careful ex- 
amination. 

The Black Fork, in an earl}' da}^, was con- 
sidered navigable, for some Doats, as far as 
Ganges, though it was hard work to get boats 
of any size above the vicinity of the Charles 
mill. The earliest settlers of Franklin proba- 
bly came up this stream, a few, however, com- 
ing in by way of Beall's trail, and large num- 
bers, a little later, b}' the old State road, 
the first road in the township, and was 
cut through, in a zigzag course, from Mans- 
field to Brubaker Creek, and thence north- 
westerly, taking a diagonal course across the 
township to Ganges. This road has been 
straightened considerabl}', but its general 
course remains the same. This is the road 
upon which large quantities of grain and other 
produce was wagoned to the lake, in those days 
the only outlet to the Eastern market ; and it 
was along this road that the first settlers gen- 
erally located, and where the}- were not en- 
tirely isolated from the rest of the world. The 
daily passage of immense freight wagons, which 
occurred in the fall of the year, served as a 
diversion for the monotony of life in the woods. 

No exact date can be given for the first set- 
tlement of this township, though it must have 



occurred as earl}' as 1814, as a printed record 
— which is confirmed by the oldest settlers — 
says that Peter Pittenger and George Wolford, 
together with the Rev. John Clingen, organ- 
ized a Methodist societ}', with twelve mem- 
bers, in 1815. This would indicate quite a 
number of settlers here at that earh' date, and 
it is fair to presume that some of them came 
as earl}- as 1814, or even a year earlier, though 
it must also be remembered that settlers came 
from long distances to reHgious meetings, and 
that this early Methodist society might have 
been made up of settlers parti}' from other 
townships. 

It is pretty safe to place Henry and Peter 
Pittenger, who settled on Section 21, and 
George Wolford, among the earliest settlers. 
Among these early settlers, also, were Samuel 
Harvey, Mr. Arbuckle, Samuel Gosage and the 
Armsti'ongs, all of whom settled on Section 
16, which had been reserved by the State for 
school purposes, and all came liefore 1820. 
These were rather wild, harum-scarum fellows, 
who cared more for hunting wild animals and 
bees, fishing and trapping, than for tilling the 
soil. They erected their cabins upon this sec- 
tion iDecause it was not open to settlers nor for 
sale, and they knew they would not be dis- 
turbed. They made no clearings or improve- 
ments, for they did not intend to become farm- 
ers. The State held this land sixteen years, 
when it was sold to the highest bidder, bring- 
ing about 111 per acre. It is worth now about 
.$100 per acre. When it was sold, these 
hunters were compelled to vacate, and prob- 
ably followed the Indian and bear further West. 

Among the earliest settlers in the southern 
and western part, were Mr. Groocross, Section 
29 ; Samuel Linn, Section 28 ; Jacob Keiser, 
John and Jacob Stoner, Robert Hall, Samuel 
Donnan and Israel Long, the latter settling on 
Section 34. Further north and east, were Cal- 
vin Morehead and his four sons, James, John, 
DaAdd and Calvin ; Jacob Cline, Section 17 ; 



^Tv* 



J^l 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



415 



Joseph Floro, Section' 16, and Mr. Inks, Section 
17. The latter erected a " tavern " on the old 
State road, at a point on Friends Creek, where 
several roads now cross. The place is now 
owned by Johnson Boggs, whose father was 
also among the earliest settlers. Inks only 
kept the hotel a short time, when he died. A 
Mr. Gates married the widow, and continued 
the business many years. Israel Long also 
erected a log tavern on this road, for the ac- 
commodation of the teamsters and travelers. 
This building stood on Section 34, near the 
(Terman Reformed and Lutheran brick church, 
directly in front of the present residence of 
Hezekiah Kohler. These two " taverns " were 
noted resorts in early days, public gatherings 
and militia musters being held in the vicinit}' 
of each. 

Some of the later settlers were John Kendall, 
who came from England, in 1825, locating 
where he now resides, on Section 20 ; the Tay- 
lors, Crums, Ralstons. Powells and others. 

Jacob Cline erected a distiller}' near his 
cabin, on a spring. This gave the earliest set- 
tlers a market for their corn and smaller grain, 
which Mr. Cline purchased and made into 
whisk}', sending part of it to the lake, but dis- 
posing of most of it to the settlers at 1 5 or 1 8 
cents per gallon. This was not the poison now 
retailed by saloons and drug stores, but honest 
whisky, which would make a man drunk, but 
would not murder him. 

The forests of Franklin Township were filled 
with wild game of every description, and was a 
paradise for the white as well as the red hunter. 
It is said that the Indians were in the habit of 
going down to what is termed the " Big Hill " 
for their lead for hunting purposes. It is a 
little strange that this lead-mine has never been 
discovered. The old settlers of to-da}' can, 
many of them, remember the little chunks of 
lead, in its crude state, they frequently saw in 
the hands of the Indians. The Indians guarded 
their secret with jealous care, and would never 



revefll the place of this lead deposit ; the set- 
tlers, however, were under the impression that 
it was in the vicinity of the Big Hill. It is 
stated that, whenever white men were taken to 
the vicinity of this mine, they were " blind- 
folded." 

Man}^ black bears lived in the swamps and 
"windfalls" of Franklin. Their cubs were 
fi-equently captured by the settlers and re- 
tained as pets. Many a hunt was made by the 
settlers, with guns and dogs, after the black- 
wooled depredators, who had, the night before, 
disturbed the peace of the pig-pen or tres- 
passed among the tender vines of the garden. 

In the winter of 181 7, a light snow being on 
the ground, Peter Pittenger, James Furgeson 
and his sons came upon the track of a bear 
near the present site of Wolford's Schoolhouse. 
The}' followed it eastward until the trail 
stopped at the foot of a hollow tree by Pal- 
mer's swamp. They began cutting, and, when 
the tree was half cut down, bruin, doubtless 
taking the hint, came suddenly down among 
the dogs and men and ran away along the 
edge of a swamp. The dogs soon overtook him, 
and Tige and Jowler made demonstrations in 
front, while Trip and Penny proceeded to 
attack the enemy's works in the rear. The 
men came up quickly, but in the excitement 
had left their guns behind and found them- 
selves upon the battle-field where bruin was 
standing on the defensive, fighting the dogs, 
with no weapons except an ax and hatchet. 
These they were unable to use lest a blow at 
the bear might be equally disastrous to a 
dog. 

When the men came up, the bear again 
attempted a retreat, when Peter Pittenger 
seized it by the rump and gave it three 
deep cuts in the back with his tomahawk. Ho 
w^as compelled, however, to release his hold, 
and the wounded animal continued the retreat 
two miles further, but was finally overtaken 
on the Pao-e farm near Windsor, and shot. 



'.^ 



416 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



It is related that lute one evening in Novem- 
ber, an Indian liunter, whom the whites called 
"Greasy,"' concluded he would tr}' "shining"' 
on the Black Fork for deer. Placing fire in 
one end of his bark canoe and seating himself 
in the other, gun in hand, he dropped quietly 
down the stream, the fire lighting up either 
bank. After going half a mile, the hunter saw 
in the bushes two bright e^'es gazing at his 
beacon light. When he fired, the e^'es disap- 
peared, but a wounded deer struck the water 
so near the canoe as to upset it, putting out 
the light and leaving " Greasy '' to exercise his 
swimming powers in the darkness to reach the 
bank. He soon came shivering back to camp 
minus canoe, gun. deer and temper. 

Blacksnakes and rattlesnakes were quite 
numerous here as well as elsewhere in earh' 
da^'S. Illustrative of this unpleasant fact in 
pioneer life, Mr. Isaac Charles relates that an 
Indian named Cornstalk came to his calnn one 
evening in the fall of 1816, and, taking a seat 
with a solemn, despondent look, remarked, 
"Injin tired. Injin hunt all day on hill for 
deer." " Did you kill any?" asked Mr. Charles. 
" Me no kill any deer. Too sh}^ ! Me hunt for 
bear. Me no kill bear. Injin hungry ! Injin 
tired. After a short pause he continued : " Injin 
bad scared to-day." " What scared you ? " asked 
Mr. Charles. " Me look in rocks for bear sign. 
Ugh ! Snake, big ! Me turn round, ugh ! 
Snake there too ; me look on this side, on that 
side ; snake here, snake there, snake all 
around. Ugh ! Injin scared. Injin run fast." 
They afterward hunted up this spot, a deep 
ravine called the "snake den," where hun- 
dreds of these reptiles were killed. 

The township settled up quite rapidly after 
the war of 1812 ; many of the soldiers who 
passed through the count}' with the army, after- 
ward returned and settled permanently in these 
northern townships of the county. 

One of the oldest voting-places in the north- 
ern part of the county was in a cabin on the 



fann now owned b}' Samuel Graham. This 
cabin, afterward aliandoned, served many years 
as a voting-place for settlers. William Holister 
and Jacob Cline were the first Justices of the 
Peace. A short time after his election, a hard 
case coming before Mr. Cline, he resigned, and 
Jacob Osbun was elected in his place. The 
people then, as now, were not politicians, and 
for several years, the elections went b}' default. 
They would forget about election day, and the 
consequence was the}' were occasionally' with- 
out either a Justice of the Peace or Constable. 
They did not feel in« particular need of these 
oflficers. 

The early settlers were compelled to go great 
distances to get their milling done, water-power 
being scarce within the limits of the township. 

The Spring Mill, in Springfield Township, 
was patronized by them after its erection, but 
before that they were compelled to go to 
Beam's and to Fredericktown. Beam's mill, 
they said, was so overrun with business in 
these early daj'S, that the}' were often compeDed 
to wait three or four days for a grist, and often 
were not able to get it at all. Nearly all the 
early mills were primitive affairs, and could not 
meet promptly the wants of the settlers. 
Water was not wanting in Franklin, l)ut it was 
stagnant water and could not be made to fur- 
nish power. A few saw-mills were erected, but 
even these could onl}' run occasionally ; a flood 
would fill up the mill-races with earth and de- 
bris, and block the mill. A great deal of labor 
and expense was required to keep them clear. 
The first of these saw-mills was erected bj John 
Ross, on Brubaker Run, on Section 21. Jacob 
Whisler afterward owned and conducted this 
mill several 3-ears. About 1840, John Ralston 
also erected a saw-mill on Brubaker Run, on 
Section 22, which he conducted eight or ten 
years. Several other saw-mills were erected in 
an early day, but all have long since disap- 
peared. As the country was cleared and 
drained, the ruins of these old mills were left 



" »<^ ®" 



:V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



41 ^ 



high and dry. About 1865, David Bushey 
erected a steam saw-mill on the old State road. 
This mill is 3"et in operation, and is owned by 
Theodore Forbes. The onl}- grist-mill within 
the limits of the township was erected on the 
Black Fork, about IS-IO, by Christopher Urick. 
This mill is yet standing at a point on the 
Black Fork where the road, running directly 
north from Mansfield, crosses that stream. It 
does a local business, and is owned by John 
Bell. A saw-mill was connected with it many 
3"ears, but has long since disappeared. 

The people are generall}- a church-going 
people, five churches having, at present, an 
organized existence. Before churches were 
erected, the people held services in their cabins 
and in the log schoolhouses, which, soon after 
the first settlement, made their appearance. 
These first schoolhouses were erected along the 
first road — the " Old State Road " — one being 
on Section 8, in the neighborhood of Inks' 
"tavern," and another in the southern part of 
the township, near the Long " tavern," and near 
the present site of the Lutheran Church. These 
two points were prominent in the early settle- 
ments. The sclioolhouse near Long's tavern 
was the first one erected, and stood on the farm 
then owned b}' Joseph Flora (now b}' H. Koh- 
ler), and was erected in 1821. Thomas Taylor 
was the first teacher, and, afterward, James 
McCluer taught two terms ; and was followed 
b}^ Mr. Plummer, who taught several terms. 
This house burned down one night after a 
spelling-school, and, for some 3'ears after, rooms 
in private dwellings were used for school pur- 
poses in this neighborhood. A second house 
was erected in 1837, on the land now owned b}- 
Mr. Kohler. 

It was in this schoolhouse, near Long's 
tavern, that the first church in the township 
was organized. Here the German Reformed 
and Lutheran societies were organized about 
the year 1825. After several years, these organ- 
izations united for the purpose of erecting a 



church. Land was donated for this purpose 
by John Zeiters, and a log building erected, 
which, from that cla}^ to this, has retained the 
name of " Zeiters' Church." The deed for this 
ground is dated December 30, 1834; "from 
John Zeiters and wife to George Wolford and 
Jacob Cla}-, Trustees of the German Evangelical 
Lutheran and German Reformed congregations 
of Zeiter's Church, and their successors in 
office." This deed is witnessed by Henry Pit- 
tenger and John Zeiters, Jr. One of the first 
graveyards in the township was established 
here, and the first burial was that of Henry 
Wainbranner, who died in 1833, aged sixtj'-two 
3'ears. On the weather-beaten stone above this 
grave, appears the following well-worn legend: 
" Remember friends, as you pass by, 

As you are now, so once was I ; 

As I am now, so you must be ; 

Prepare for death, and follow me." 

Some irreverent wag has written, in pencil, 
under the above : 

" To follow you I can't consent 
Unless I know which way you went." 

The following are the names of some of the 
first members of this church : Jacob Kunkle- 
man, Abraham Harnaker, John Zeiters, Jr., J. 
Henry, Samuel Saltzgaver, John Stoutzenberg, 
Jacob Zeiters, Jacob Clein, J. W. Sturgeon, 
Elias Keller, Jacob Heck, George Throne, 
Michael Throne, Jacob Fisher, John Kendall, 
William AVolf, Daniel Wolf, Peter Goldman, 
John Blecker, George Wolford, John Zeiters, 
Sr., Joel Keller, William Cloud, George Cassel, 
Thomas Russell and Jacob Bringman. 

The old log church answered the purpose 
until 1861, when the present comfortable brick 
was erected. 

The early ministers were George and Samuel 
Leiter and the Rev. Francis J. Ruth, of Gallon, 
who yet preaches ever}' two weeks for the con- 
gregation of Lutherans. 

The German Reformed society has disap- 
peared, and the church is now occupied only 
by the Lutherans. 



Ml 



:j£ 



418 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



About the year 1840, a division occurred in 
this church, a portion of the members, under 
the leadership of Jacob Clay, withdrawing and 
erecting a new church for themselves, a mile or 
more west of the parent church, on Section 
32. Mr. Cla}' gave the ground for this church, 
and it is generally' known as the " Cla}' 
Church." It was also erected by the united 
efforts of the Lutherans and German Reformed 
people. A few of the Lutherans who partici- 
pated in this organization were Peter Miller 
and wife, Jacob Kohler and wife, Jacob Keiser, 
Thomas Rutledge and wife, Robert and Thomas 
Hall and John Bringman and wife. Of the 
Grerman Reformed, there were John Clay and 
wife, John Fisher and wife, John Marks and wife 
and Michael Thorne and wife. Of these people, 
only Peter Miller and John Marks are now living. 

The early Lutheran ministers were George 
Leiter, J. Huffman and F. J. Ruth, the latter 
of whom yet officiates. 

The early (jrerman Reformed ministers were 
Samuel Leiter and Rev. Stump. 

Both of these churches support a Sunday 
school in summer. Math forty or fifty members 
each. Solomon AVeaver organized the first 
Sunday school in the Clay Church, about the 
year 1852. 

It is said that the first religious services ever 
held in this part of the county was at the 
house of Peter Pittenger, in 1815. The serv- 
ices were conducted by Rev. John Clingan, 
who organized a Methodist society, with about 
twelve members. 

In a very early day, a Universalist Church 
was erected in the northern part of the town- 
ship. This church was log, and may have 
antedated the Zeiter Church. The Ayerses 
and Truckses were influential in the erection of 
this church. Adam. John and Lewis Keith 
and the Crums were members of this church, 
and early settlers. 

In 1852, a Baptist Church was erected on 
Section 22. These people had been attending 



the Baptist Church at Windsor. Rev. Taylor 
was instrumental in its organization, and the 
early members were Isaiah Boyce and family, 
John Jackson and daughter, Charles Copeland 
and family, Robert Jump and daughter, William 
Bohler and wife, Roger Moses and John D. Bo^'ce 
and wife. The present Pastor is J. D. Goff, and 
the present membership about seventy-five. 

A Sunday school was organized in 1851, 
Abraham Troup being first Superintendent. 

Between the years 1830 and 18-tO, the Tun- 
kers organized a societj^, and held meetings at 
the houses of Jacob Whisler, Henry Worst and 
others and in the schoolhouse. In 1858, they 
erected the present frame church, on Section 
20. The early members were Henry and 
Jacob Worst, Jacob Whisler, Christian Ritten- 
house, Samuel and Jacob Landes and their 
wives, and Joseph Rittenhouse and wife. The 
early leaders were James Tracy, Elias Dickey, 
H. Showalter and others. 

Michael Keith and John Kendall gave the 
ground upon which the church and cemetery 
were established. The present membership is 
about one hundred. 

The Harmony Baptist Church was organ- 
ized at Ganges September 3, 1865, by Elder A. 
Morthland, the first members being David 
Bushey, Michael Hissel, Joshua Baker, Elder A. 
Morthland, George Wells, Rowland Boyce, Mrs. 
David Bushey, Mrs. Joshua Baker and others. 

The first meetings were held in schoolhouses, 
barns and private residences. In 1866, they 
erected the present church, on Section 20, at a 
cost of $2,000. 

Elder A. Morthland preached for this con- 
gregation until his death, which occurred Janu- 
ary 22, 1876. He was followed by Elder T. 
W. Dye, who died recentl}', and who occupied 
the pulpit until his death. The present mem- 
bership is seventy-seven. 

A Sunday school was organized in 1866, 
and now contains 110 members. David Morth- 
land is Superintendent. 



1^ 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



419 



CHAPTER XLV. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



Organization — Name — Topographical Features — Hunting Grounds — Arch^ological — First Settlements — 
Judge McCluer — First Road — Uriah Matson — First Cabin — White Hunters — Early Settlers 
— Mills — Public Meetings — Town Hall — Schools — Churches. 



JACKSON was among the last townships 
organized in tlie count}", belonging to Sharon 
until March 2, 1847, the date of its organiza- 
tion. Its early histor}- is, therefore, connected 
with that of Sharon. The first election of 
Sharon was held April 7, 1819, within the pres- 
ent limits of Jackson, at the house of Mrs. 
Rockwell. Giles Swan, John Bennett Tay- 
lor and James Rockwell were elected Trustees ; 
Almon Hayes, Clerk, and Giles Swan, Justice 
of the Peace. Upon its erection into a sepa- 
rate township, an election was ordered by the 
Commissioners, April 3, 1847, at which Anthony 
Hershiser, Robert Leach and John Leppo were 
chosen Trustees ; Abraham Bushe}', Treasurer ; 
Alexander Barr, Assessor; Samuel Rockwell, 
Town Clerk, and Delanson Rockwell and David 
McKinney, Constables. May 3, 1847, Abraham 
Bushey and John Ackerman were elected first 
Justices of the Peace. 

Robert Cairns claims the honor of suggesting 
the name, calling it after that much-abused idol 
of the Democracy, Gen. Jackson. 

Topographicall}', it is four by six miles in 
extent, generall}' level or gently rolling ; was once 
•densely covered with timber of a sturdy and vig- 
orous growth, and, before white man set foot on 
the soil, was partially covered with swamps. 
Since its cultivation and drainage, it proves to 
be among the best townships of land in the 
county for agricultural purposes. It is well- 
watered, and yet there are no streams of any 
considerable importance within its limits. The 



head-waters of the Black Fork pass across the 
southwest corner, flowing west, and a tributar}- 
of the Black Fork, Bear's Run, rises in the cen- 
tral part, flowing north, and leaving the town- 
ship near the northwest corner of Section 3. 
These are the- principal streams, but several 
brooks are found in various parts. Three small 
tributaries of the Black Fork — Leatherwood 
Run, Lick Run and Richland Run, water the 
eastern and northeastern part. 

The Mansfield, Coldwater, & Lake Michi- 
gan and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads pass 
across its southwestern part. It is now well- 
settled with a mixture of Connecticut Yankees 
and Pennsylvania Germans. 

In its primitive condition, it contributed its 
full share to the extensive hunting-grounds of 
the Northwestern tribes. No permanent Indian 
villages appear to have l^een located within its 
limits, but their camps, for hunting purposes, 
were frequently located on the higher gi-ounds 
in various places. That it was extensively oc- 
cupied for this purpose is evident, from the 
quantity of Indian relics, such as arrow points, 
stone axes and wedges, and various other imple- 
ments of war and the chase, as well as domes- 
tic implements, known to have been used by 
the Indians for various purposes, found in dif- 
ferent parts. John S. B. Matson, a son of one of 
the first settlers of the county, Uriah Matson, has 
a large and valuable collection of these reUcs. 

The first settlers in Jackson came from two 
directions— those settling in the northern part 






430 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



entering by way of "Beall's trail" and Trucks- 
ville, through Blooming Grove Township, and 
were mostly New Englanders ; those settling 
in the southern part coming from the direction 
of Zanesville, Mount Vernon and Mansfield. 
After leaving Beall's trail, these northern set- 
tlers were compelled to cut their own road 
through to the lands they had entered. No roads 
of any kind then existed in the township. It is 
said that one or two Indian trails crossed it, 
which was probably the case, but their location 
cannot be defined at present. Settlers from the 
south came by way of the McCluer settlement, 
at Bellville, and Judge McCluer, being well 
acquainted with the country, was in the habit 
of acting as guide to these immigrants, and fre- 
quently accompanied them to different parts of 
the county, to show them choice quarters of 
land. It is said that McCluer, during these ex- 
cursions, frequentl}^ selected lands for himself, 
and thus became the proprietor of many valu- 
able quarter-sections of land, in various places. 
It thus happened that McCluer entered, just 
after the war of 1812, several quarter-sections 
of land on the Black Fork, in the southern part 
of Jackson Township, which were ever afterward 
known as " McCluer's mill seat," probably from 
the fact that he expressed his intention of 
erecting a mill there, which, however, he never 
did. It is believed, the first road in the town- 
ship was cut from Mansfield to "McCluer's 
mill seat," and this road was afterward extended 
on, noi'th, to the present site of Shelby, where 
Gamble's mills were located. Two of Jackson 
Townships earliest settlers, Uriah Matson and 
Joseph Curran, assisted in cutting this road, 
and entered their land in the township as earl}^ 
as 1814 or 1815, though they did not return 
for permanent settlement until 1816. 

At a meeting of the pioneers of the count}^, 
in 1858, at which a number of axes were pre- 
sented to the oldest pioneers, Uriah Matson 
saj^s, in a letter to the committee : " I would 
inform you, that I came to this county the 4th 



day of August, 1815, and from that time to 
October, 1822, 1 followed chopping exclusively, 
during which time I chopped about one hun- 
dred and ninety aci'cs of land, and did a large 
amount of other chopping, such as mak- 
ing rails, sawing timber for frames, getting 
bark for tanners, etc. Since 1822, I have 
chopped and cleared upward of eighty acres, 
on the farm I now occupy. I think I have 
done more chopping, assisted in raising more 
cabins and rolling more logs, than anj' other 
man now living in the county. When I came 
to the county, there were about four families 
living in Springfield Township, to wit, Coflen- 
berry, Condon, Edington and Thomas Adams ; 
and but four more families in all the northwest 
part of the county, to wit, Pettijohn, in Au- 
burn, McCluer, Widow Trux and son-in-law, in 
Plymouth Township." 

Mr. Matson was presented an ax, in consid- 
eration of the amount of land cleared by him. 

In the spring of this year (1816), Mathew 
and Joseph Curran came, and erected a 
cabin upon Mathew's land, the southwest 
quarter of Section 36. This is said to have 
been the first cabin in the township, and stood 
upon the farm now owned by Robert Cairns, of 
Mansfield. Joseph Curran had entered the 
southeast quarter of the same section, and soon 
after erected the second cabin. It is related 
that settlers came from several miles south to 
help erect this cabin for Mathew Curran and 
family, among the number being Mr. Calvin 
Clark, 3^et living and a resident of the town- 
ship. The time and circumstances are vividly 
impressed upon Mr. Clark's mind, from the fact 
that an accident happened at the raising. The 
Curran family had encamped near where the}' 
intended erecting the cabin, and were cooking 
dinner for the workmen, by the side of a large 
log, in the open air. One of Mr. Curran's chil- 
dren, a little boy, attempted to walk this log, in 
sport, and, making a misstep, fell into a large 
kettle of boiling coffee, scalding him to such an 



■^ 



A^i 



HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



421 



extent that he died the following day. This was 
the first death of a white person in the town- 
ship so far as known. 

A few white people, it is ascertained, fre- 
quented this territory- before the Currans came, 
but the}' cannot be called settlers ; the}' were 
trappers and hunters — backwoodsmen in the 
full sense of the word — and the}' remained just 
long enough after other white occupation 
to have their names preserved in history, and 
then disappeared, to perish, probably, at their 
perilous calling, alone in the gTeat forest, 

"Unwept, unhonored and unknown." 
Their names were James Champion and a Mr. 
Girard. It is said, also, that a Mr. Brubaker, 
and some other hunters whose names are not 
remembered, frequented this excellent hunting 
and trapping ground at a very early day. Two 

men named Eben Bolt and Brown are 

said to have commenced a settlement by clear- 
ing ofl^ a little patch of ground, but they disap- 
peared, and were not heard of afterward. 

It is a mooted question as to whether the 
Currans were the first actual settlers, as some 
of those who settled in the northern part of 
the township came about the same time. It 
has been stated that the Currans came in 1815. 
If this be true, they were, probably, the first 
settlers ; but the weight of evidence seems to 
bring them here in the spring of 1816, at which 
time their cabin was erected ; and this same 
year, probably in the spring, John Bennett 
Taylor and Robert Henry came, and made a 
settlement in the northern part of the township, 
as before stated. These two were soon after 
(it is believed the same year) followed by 
Adam and Griles Swan, and Joseph Rockwell. 
John B. Taylor settled on Section 14, the 
Swans on Section 10, and Mr. Rockwell on Sec- 
tion 23. These were followed within the next 
two years by Henry Taylor, who settled on 
Section 14; Isaac Marvin, Section 10; Wilson 
Rockwell, Section 14 ; James Smith, Section 
14, and Charles Taylor, Section 15. Walter 



Taylor came in 1819, settling on Section 12, 
and Ahnon Hayes in 1820, settling on Section 
15. The early settlers who came a little later 
were John Drake, Section. 1 5 ; Calvin Clai'k, 
Section 10; Thomas McLaughlin, Section 9; 
Greorge, Hugh and Robert Fulton, Section 16; 
Adam and Peter Miller, Section 16 ; Carson 
Craig, David Funk, John Craiglow and John 
Rice, the latter mentioned in another chapter 
as being with Commodore Perry in the battle 
on Lake Erie. 

The people who settled in the northern part 
of the township were sharp, shrewd, live, go- 
ahead Yankees from Connecticut, and, in addi- 
tion to their enterprise and thrift, were well- 
educated, the two Swans being graduates from 
Yale College. They came here to make money, 
and most of them succeeded. The Taylors 
erected a carding-mill, propelled by horse- 
power. It was of logs, and certainly a primi- 
tive affair, but answered the purpose several 
years. Henry Crum now occupies the farm 
where the mill stood. In addition to this, the 
Taylors brought on a small stock of goods, 
suitable for traffic among the Indians and earlj- 
settlers, consisting mostly of hardware, cutlery, 
groceries, etc. Henry, who was induced to 
come by his brother Bennett, and came in 1817, 
brought this stock with him, and managed this 
branch of the business. He was the first mer- 
chant in this part of the country, and kept his 
goods in his cabin. He did not, however, re- 
plenish his stock, and soon sold out. He was 
also a blacksmith, and erected the first shop of 
that kind in the township, working at his trade 
while closing out his stock, and making for the 
Indians, knives, tomahawks, etc.. and repairing 
their guns. He was an ingenious and skillful 
workman, and was the father of Mrs. W. R. 
Bricker, of Shelby. Hayes was also a black- 
smith, and erected the second shop. He relates 
that while w'orking in his shop one day, he was 
visited by half a dozen Indians, who, upon 
leaving, and after getting a short distance away. 



'-^ 



422 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



turned and leveled their guns at him, as if the}' 
would shoot him. He was somewhat fright- 
ened, but continued his work without exhibit- 
ing any outward signs of fear, and, finding he 
was not visibly frightened, they continued their 
journey. 

The first and only grist-mill erected in Jack- 
son Township was by James Kerr in 1830, on 
Richland Run, in the northern part of the 
township, on Section 1. The first miller was 
Mr. Urie ; the second, William Kerr, son of 
James Kerr. William is j^et living on the old 
place. The third miller was a Mr. Sellers. In 
1853, this old mill was taken down, and some 
of the timbers used in the erection of Mr. Kerr's 
barn. The old mill-race is yet to be seen. A 
few saw-mills have been erected from time to 
time in the township, but this territory is not 
well supplied with water-power, and few mills 
were ever in operation. Most of the settlers 
went to the Spring mill, or to Gramble's mill at 
Shelby. 

The first birth in the township occurred in 
the family of Robert Henrj^ ; the first death 
has been mentioned as ))eing the child of one 
of the Currans, and the second was that of 
Joseph Rockwell, in the spring of 1818. The 
first marriage was that of Giles Swan to Jane 
Rockwell, in September, 1817. The Swans, 
Taylors and Rockwells were influential in all 
the early aflfairs of the township. When it was 
organized, all the residents met at the house of 
Mrs. Rockwell, which stood on the farm now 
owned by M. M. Barber. There were fourteen 
persons present, and after the petition was 
duly signed, they appointed Henry Taylor to 
present the same to the Commissioners at 
Mansfield. The Commissioners granted the 
petition and named the township Sharon, after 
some town in Connecticut. The subsequent 
elections in Jackson were hejd at Taylor's Cor- 
ners. Mr. Henr}' Taylor's house was a noted 
place for public meetings, elections, militia 
musters, etc., in those early daj's. Mr. Taylor 



then kept a tavern, in addition to his black- 
smithing and other business. A town hall is 
now located at this place for the transaction of 
the public business of the township. This is 
a small frame building and answers the pur- 
pose of all public meetings and gatherings of 
the people to discuss their local aflFairs. Gen- 
eral spelling schools and sometimes religious 
meetings are held here. 

No villages have been laid out in this town- 
ship, the people generally going to Shelby or 
Mansfield to trade. 

Schools were first organized about 1820, and 
the first schoolhouse was erected on what is 
now known as the Cutler farm, one and a half 
miles east of Shelby, near the cross roads, then 
not far from the residence of Giles Swan, who 
was very likely a prime mover in the matter, 
being a well-educated man himself The first 
teacher was Miss Amelia Graves. A little 
later, a log schoolhouse was erected in the 
southern part of the township, John Upp being 
the first teacher here. At the present day, 
neat white schoolhouses are placed here and 
there at convenient distances, and the children 
who attend them, instead of following a blazed 
path miles through the woods, barefooted and 
thinty clad, to the log schoolhouses, now trav- 
erse cleared, cultivated fields and well-kept 
highways. 

Only two churches have an organized exist- 
ence within the limits of the township, the 
people, many of them, attending church in 
Shelb}'. 

Quite a number of the first settlers in the 
northern part of the towaiship were Lutherans, 
and did not at first attempt to organize a church 
of their own, being too few in number and too 
poor to emplo}' a minister ; they therefore 
united with the Presbyterian Church of Shelby, 
with the understanding that they should be 
allowed to withdraw whenever they felt able to 
organize a church of their own. Most of these 
withdrew about or before 1830, and effected an 



\3/ 




\r '>^r- 



(^<^<?(//^ 



<zytLi ^^^ 



i^ 



3L?- 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



425 



organization, employing the Hev. Francis J. 
Ruth as Pastor part of the time. This gentle- 
man 3^et lives in Gal ion and is yet preaching, 
though now quite advanced in years. The early 
meetings were held in private houses and the 
schoolhouse, but, in 1832, a log church was 
erected in the northern part of the township, 
(Section 10), which was called the " Loudon 
Church," from the fagt of its proximity to the 
village of Loudon, in Cass Township. The 
original members of this organization were 
Leonard May and wife, John and Anthony 
Hershiser and their wives, a Mr. Gump and wife, 
and Mrs. Samuel Mowery. They worshiped in 
the old log church until 1842 or 1843, when 
they erected their present frame building. The 
church is now fairly attended though not strong. 
Rev. Summers of Shelby is the present minis- 
ter. A Sunday school has been generall}' sus- 
tained since the church was established. 

Mount Bethel Church is located on Section 
23. This is more generally known by the name 
of " Sheriff's Church " from the fact that it oc- 
cupies land which was donated to the church by 
a Mr. Sheriff. In an earl}' day, two religious 
organizations had an existence in this part of 
the township, a German Reformed and a Luth- 



eran. In 1833, they agreed to unite and erect 
a church which should be equally free to 
both denominations. The church was a log 
one, and was erected by united and voluntary 
labor. 

Rev. Mr. Shuh was first preacher for the Ger- 
man Reformed society, and Rev. Francis J. Ruth 
for the Lutherans. Before the church was 
erected, the German Reformed society held their 
meetings at the house of Daniel Stahl, where 
the society was first organized by Mr. Shuh. 
Among the first worshipers in the church were 
William Stine, Daniel Stahl, Adam flyers, Ja- 
cob Shadle, John Hippart, Daniel Livensparger, 
Jacob Freighner, John Stock, John Hall and 
Daniel Huffman. 

After a time, the German Reformed organiza- 
tion disbanded, and the Lutherans only now 
occupy the church. In 1878, they erected a new 
frame church, costing about $1,000. It is 
32x38 feet in size. Mr. Ruth still preaches to 
these people. The church is not strong, having 
a membership of ten or twelve. The Sunday 
school, however, is in a flourishing condition, 
with fortv or fifty pupils enrolled. Its organi- 
zation dates back to the time of the establish- 
ment of the church. 




Ml 



^ 



426 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER XLVL , 

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

Description — Streams — Soil — Timber — Organization — Early Officers — Reduction to its Present Limits — 
List of Voters — First Settlement — Indians' Final Farewell — Pioneer List of 1869 — Belleville 
— Newspapers — Bangor — Early Schools — Religion — Churches — Societies — First Orchards — Dis- 
tillery — Birth — Marriage — Mills — Tornado — Stories— Thk Bushong Murder — The Hermitess — 
Soldiers of 1812. 



JEFFERSON is one of the original sur- 
veyed townships, containing thirty-six sec- 
tions, and is one of the most important in the 
county, in its liistorical, as well as in its other, 
characteristics. Its surface is rough and di- 
versified, to an extent that is onl}' excelled b}- 
one other township in the county — Worthing- 
ton. The Clear Fork, Honey Creek, and a 
branch of the Owl Creek flow through it, from 
west to east, and their numerous tributaries, 
which gather the water from a thousand 
springs, make the township a succession of 
ridges and depressions. The Clear Fork is the 
largest stream, and its valle}" is from one 
hundred to two hundred rods wide, and the 
stream occupies the southern part of the flat. 
In ages past, it flowed along the northern part 
of the valley, and gradually cut away the hills 
toward the south, and now this bank of the 
stream is perpendicular, fifty feet high, and in 
places cliffs hang over the stream, which, in 
midsummer, afford a retreat as pleasant as 
that 

"Beneath the shade of Vecta's cliflFy isle." 

The Honey Creek gathers the water from the 
central part of the township, and the tributary 
of the Owl Creek and one of the Clear Fork, 
from the southern part. The second tier of 
sections, from the southern line, forms the sum- 
mit of the watersheds of the Owl Creek and 
Clear Fork. Almost the entire surface of the 



township is susceptible of cultivation. The 
soil of the chestnut ridges, which comprise no 
small part of the township, is clayey, stony 
and thin, Init with the use of fertilizers, in con- 
nection with proper cultivation, it yields abund- 
antly the ordinary cereals. The soil of the 
Clear Fork and other valleys is loam}', pre-emi- 
nently fertile and exuberantly productive. 
Had the pioneers developed the true power of 
the soil, stories would have returned to the 
East, approaching the emigrant's dream of 
Kansas in point of greatness. The " New 
Purchase " would have abounded in chickens 
that lay two goose eggs, each, per day ; choice 
pigs, full of forks, squealing to be eaten ; pure 
fat, rolling in the plow furrows, and the corn- 
stalks bearing Continental do'ilars at every 
" jint.'' The numerous springs, gushing from the 
hills, supply an abundance of water, and ren- 
der a large acreage of the township valuable 
for stock-raising. 

Originall}' the territory was covered with a 
dense growth of oak, walnut, ash, elm, chestnut, 
hickory, linn, gum, sassafras, sycamore, hard 
and soft maple, and a good variety of the 
smaller growths. A large per cent of the land 
is 5'et covered with forest, although Jefferson is 
one of the most thickl}* settled townships in 
the count}". 

The first election district, named Jefferson, 
was organized August 9, 1814, and was twelve 



^ 



fk^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



421 



miles wide and eigliteen miles long, embracing 
six Congi-essional townships, namely : Jeffer- 
son. Peny, Congress, North Blooming Grove, 
Tro}- and Washington. So rapidl}- this terri- 
tory was settled, that a new election district 
seemed proper, and, September 5. 1814, the ter- 
ritory in qnestion was divided, and the north 
half received the name of Troy. This left to 
Jefferson three townships, the present Jeffer- 
son, Perr}' and Congress ; and while it retained 
this ])Oundary. one election was held. Michael 
Shuey, Benjamin Potts and John Leedy were 
chosen Trustees, and William Spears. Clerk. 
The township was heavil}' in debt, so they re- 
garded it, and the Trustees agreed to serve for 
nothing; and by common consent William 
Spears was allowed $1 for services as Clerk. 
On September 3. 1816. this election district was 
again divided, and the Jefferson Township of 
to-da}- was then organized. The Township 
Trustees made a final settlement with the Trust- 
ees of Verry Township October 12, 1816, and 
the indebtedness of the old district was $54.94, 
which was equall}' divided — Jefferson assuming 
one-half The Trustees of this turned over to 
Perry one-half of a bond of $17 which they 
held against William Spears and John Zent, 
given for a stray horse the former purchased. 
The first election, after the township was re- 
duced to six miles square, was held in April, 
1818, and the following persons were elected to 
office : Justice of the Peace, Michael Shuey ; 
Trustees, Samuel Devo, Barson Sweet and 
Enoch Ogle ; Clerk, Timothy Evarts ; Consta- 
bles, William Casper and Benjamin Thrailkill. 
The names of the voters at this election, and 
the place of their nativity and location in the 
township, are as follows : 

Charles Strong, from Maryland, southeast 
quarter of Section 29 ; Gleorge Strong, from 
Maryland, southeast quarter of Section 33 ; 
John Strong, from ^laryland, southwest quarter 
of Section 27 ; Isaac Armstrong, from Mary- 
land, northwest quarter of Section 24 ; Fred 



Wise, from Pennsylvania, northeast quarter of 
Section 34 ; ^Martin Crow, from Pennsylvania, 
northwest quarter of Section 26 ; Casper Fitting, 
northwest quarter of Section 33 ; Thomas Gris- 
wold. northwest quarter of Section 30 ; William 
Casper, from Kentuck}-, northeast quarter of 
Section 27 ; Benjamin Hennis, northeast quarter 
of Section 19 ; John Robinson, from Pennsyl- 
vania, southwest quarter of Section 11; John 
Gatton, from Maryland, northeast quarter of 
Section 13 ; Jacob Culver, from Pennsylvania, 
northeast quarter of Section 10 ; Barson Sweet, 
from "V^ermont, northwest quarter of Section 16 ; 
Abram Vaughn, from ^Maryland, southwest 
quarter of Section 15 ; James Doughty, from 
New York, southwest quarter of Section 9 ; 
Abineal Dodge, from New York, northeast quar- 
ter of Section 16 ; Michael Shuey, from Penn- 
sylvania, southeast quarter of Section 6 ; Adam 
Shafer, from Pennsylvania, southwest quarter of 
Section 6 ; Christian Aungst, from Virginia, 
northeast quarter of Section 8 ; Benjamin Potts, 
from Vermont, southwest quarter of Section 7 ; 
Chancy D. Wright, wheelwright, in Bellville ; 
John Weaver, from A'irginia. northeast quarter 
of Section 18 ; B. F. Thrailkill. from Maryland, 
northeast quarter of Section 28 ; Caleb Selb}-, 
southeast quarter of Section 19 ; Gideon Corn- 
wall, from Virginia, northwest quarter of Section 
1 5 ; Amos Hartly, from Mar3-land, northwest 
quarter of Section 31 ; Peter Boham, southwest 
quarter of Section 20 ; John McDowel, north- 
east quarter of Section 21 ; William Mahagan, 
from Mar^-land, southwest quarter of Section 
31 ; Peter Strine ; Samuel Bevo, northeast quar- 
ter of Section 31 ; Thomas Durbin, from Vir- 
ginia, southeast quarter of Section 9 ; Scott 
Durbin, from Virginia, southeast quarter of 
Section 9 ; William Price, northeast quarter of 
Section 16 ; John Fordney ; Philip 3Ierring, 
from New York, southwest quarter of Section 
4 ; Phineas ^lerring (wheelwright), from New 
Jersey, southwest quarter of Section 4 ; Timotliy 
Evarts, from A^ennont. southeast quarter of 



l± 



428 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



Section 22 ; Geo. Aimgst, from Virginia, south- 
east quarter of Section 1 5 ; John Fowler, south- 
west quarter of Section 14 ; John Boham, 
northeast quarter of Section 20 ; Robert Bell, 
Sr., and Robert Bell Jr., from New Jersey, 
northeast quarter of Section ; Zephaniah Bell, 
northwest quarter of Section 4 ; John Study, 
from Pennsylvania, southwest quarter of Section 
25 ; John "Watson, southeast quarter of Section 
7 ; Joseph Hix, from Pennsylvania, northeast 
quarter of Section 25 ; Henry Swank, from 
Pennsylvania, northwest quarter of Section 34 ; 
James Selb}', southeast quarter of Section 19 ; 
Jacob Stout, from Pennsylvania, northwest quar- 
ter of Section 7 ; Jonathan Oldfleld, came to 
township in 1808, from New York, northeast 
quarter of Section 22 ; William Oldfield, came 
in 1810, from New York, southeast quarter of 
Section 16 ; Samuel Oldfield, came in 1810, 
from New York, northeast quarter of Section 
16 ; John Weirick, came in 1809, from Mary- 
land, northwest quarter of Section 17 ; Peter 
Weirick, came in 1809, from Mar^dand, south- 
west quarter of Section 8 ; John Zent, Sr., came 
in 1810, from Pennsylvania, northwest quarter 
of Section 9 ; John Zent, Jr., came in 1810, 
from Pennsylvania, southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 7 ; Duncan Spear, came in 1810, from Ver- 
mont, southwest quarter of Section 15 ; William 
Spear, came in 1810, shoemaker in Bellville ; 
Abraham Smith, in 1810, from Vermont, north- 
west quarter of Section 22 ; John Leedy, came 
in 1811, from Pennsylvania, northwest quarter 
of Section 35. 

The male adults residing in the present limits 
of the township previous to the war of 1812, were 
James McCluer, Samuel McCluer and the above 
eleven whose names have dates of settlement. 
Jefferson being on the frontier, with good soil 
and water, and on the principal thoroughfare 
through the county, held a large share of the 
heavy wave of immigration which came imme- 
diately- after the war of 1812; and for many 
j-ears it had a larger population than any other 



township in the count}-. In 1826, there were 
but forty acres of public land, which was en- 
tered by George Nicewanger, whose patent 
bears the date of 1835. 

The first road in the township established l)y 
State aid. is the State road running from Mount 
Vernon to Mansfield, along the central section 
line. It was opened to the boundary line as 
early as 1810, and through the township in 
1812. 

The survey of the " new purchase " was 
completed and the land offered in market in 
January, 1808 ; and soon after, James McCluer, 
a Virginian, and Jonathan Oldfield and 
Thomas McCluer, two young men in his employ, 
came from Pickawa}^ County and opened a road 
from Fredericktown, in Knox County, to the 
present site of Bellville, which he chose as a 
location, and while he picked his way to Can- 
ton to enter it, the northeast quarter of Section 
9, the two young men commenced the improve- 
ment. The entry was made in March, 1808. 
They remained a part of the year, clearing a 
parcel of ground and erecting a cabin, and then 
returned to Pickaway County again. The next 
year, Mr. McCluer moved his famil}-. This 
was the first cabin built in the southern part of 
the county w-ith its present limits, and the sec- 
ond built in the count}-. It stood on what is 
now a part of D. Zent's garden lot, a few feet 
northwest of the scale-house connected with 
Alexander & Zent's grain elevator, in Bellville. 
The block-house stood south of the railroad 
station, a few feet from the railroad, and was 
erected soon after the Greentown massacre in 
1812. The settlers along the Clear Fork gath- 
ered there for defense against hostile Indians, 
but underwent no attack. The Indians had 
camps in various parts of the township, and as- 
sociated freely with the first settlers in a busi- 
ness way ; and in 1818, they bid final farewell 
to their hunting-grounds and generous white 
friends who treated them as human, aifiidst 
many tears and thanks. 



^{ 



w 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



429 



The election list above, and the following 
pioneers residing in the township in 1869, who 
were in the county prior to 1820, will give a 
good knowledge in reference to the first settlers 
of the township : 



Age In 

1869. 



James A. McCluer 

Jessie Mahagan 

Margaret Durbin 

Abraham Stealts* , 

John RoDinson* :.. 

Alexander Robinson... 

William Robinson 

Nancy Robinson* , 

Nicholas Flaharty* 

Eleanor J. Flaharty*.. 

Josephus Flaharty 

Frederick Fitting 

Susan Bell* 

Daniel Mullf 

Benjamin Ridenourf.. 

George Ridenour* 

William Weaver* 

Mary Weaverf 

Isaac Armstrong* 

Mary Armstrong* 

.Josiah W. Armstrongf 

Joshua Armstrong 

Hezekiah Armstrongf . 

John Eckey* 

Samuel Shafer-j- 

Reuben Evarts 

Henry Swank* 

John Weirick* 

Mary Hardestyf 

Nancy Sargent 

Sharah Chronister* 

Joseph Johnston* 

Abi Johnston* 

Philip Lash* 

Elizabeth Lash* 

Liza Lefever 

William Colley* 

Mary Holland* 

Sarah Hamilton* 

Lydia Hines* 

Elizabeth Ball 

Margaret Mastersf .... 

Isaac Gatton 

Rachel Gat ton* 

Sarah Gattonf 

Eliza Hendricksonf.... 

Samuel Leedy* 

Lewis K. Leedy 

Delilah Leedy* 

Charine Lett* 

* Now dead (1879). 
t Born in the county. 



64 
55 

77 
79 
66 
63 
61 
58 
83 
80 
59 
61 
60 
52 
51 
62 
71 
52 
85 
65 
50 
54 
52 
56 
52 
59 
80 
67 
52 
54 
56 
81 
71 
86 
63 
63 
55 
66 
60 
72 
75 
51 
69 
73 
50 
53 
77 
62 
53 
74 



Came to 
County. 



1809 
1815 
1812 
1814 
1814 
1814 
1814 
1814 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1813 
1816 
1817 
1818 
1818 
1815 
1818 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1816 
1818 
1816 
1817 
1812 
1817 
1815 
1815 
1819 
1816 
1819 
181<I 
1812 
1818 
1818 
1818 
1814 
18U 
1818 
1818 
1814 
1819 
1816 
1814 
1811 
1818 
1812 



Native State. 



Virginia. 
Maryland. 
Virginia. 
Maryland, 
i Pennsylvania. 
Pennsylvania. 
Pennsylvania. 
Pennsylvania. 
Maryland. 
Maryland, 
^laryland. 
Ohio. 
Maryland. 



Pennsylvania. 
Virginia. 

Maryland. 
Maryland. 

Maryland. 

Ohio. 

N. Carolina. 

Pennsylvania. 

Ohio. 

Ohio. 

Ohio. 

Maryland. 

Virginia. 

Pennsylvania. 

Ohio. 

Delaware. 

Ohio. 

Ohio. 

Ohio. 

Maryland . 

Maryland. 

Maryland. 
Maryland. 



Pennsylvania. 
Pennsylvania. 
Vfaryland. 
Pennsylvania. 



Name. 



Elizabeth Lee 

Susan Culver* 

Lyda Zolomon 

Hiram E. Gibson 

Catharine Garber*.... 

Abraham Long 

Cyrus Dayf 

Richard Oldfield* .... 

Almina Oldfield 

Christian Aungst*.... 

Samuel Aungst 

John Lett 

James B. Miller* 

Albert Farquhar 

.Tames Holton* 

Eve Garber 

James Cleland* 

George Beal* 

Sarah Flemming 

Rachael Swadener*. 

Matilda Coursenf 

John T. Dean 



Age ill 
1869. 



69 
78 

57 
57 
61 
64 
50 
68 
64 
65 
64 
69 
69 
65 
68 
63 
59 
55 
58 
75 
52 
54 



Came to 
County. 



1815 
1815 
1815 
1818 
1811 
1814 
1819 
1810 
1815 
1816 
1815 
1815 
1811 
1819 
1812 
1813 
1819 
1819 
1818 
1817 
1819 
1819 



Native State. 



Maryland. 

Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania. 

Maryland. 

Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania. 

New York. 

N.Hampshire. 

Virginia. 

Virginia. 

Maryland. 

Pennsylvania. 

Maryland . 

Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania. 

Ohio. 

Virginia. 

New York. 



Bellville is the only town in Jefterson Town- 
ship, and is located on the northeast quai'ter of 
Section 9 and adjoining sections. The first 
building within the present incorporated limits 
was the first in the toAvnship, erected in 1808. 
About 1814, Robert Bell, Sr., came from Bel- 
mont County, Ohio, and purchased the quarter- 
section of James McCluer, and, in 1855, he laid 
out the first plat of the town, which consisted 
of forty-eight lots, embracing the land between 
Main and Huron streets, bounded on the north 
by Ogle street, and on the south by the first 
alley north of Durbin street. Enoch Ogle pur- 
chased Lot No. 1, east of the Clifton House, and 
thereon erected a building and opened a tavern 
— the first in the township. These two — the 
block-house and a dwelling-house at the foot of 
Snake Hill (Bellville Cemeteiy) — were the 011I3' 
buildings in the village for several years. 
Richard Crawford set up a blacksmith-shop on 
Lot No. 5, in an early day. Joseph Carter 
brought the first dry goods to the place from 
Uniontown, now Ashland, and occupied a 
small room in Ogles tavern. Joseph Hildreth 

* Now dead (1879). 
f Born in the county. 






430 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



succeeded him. and he by Wm. Thrift, who built 
a house on the lot where the Globe House now 
stands, to accommodate his business. January 
22, 1824, a post office was established, and Isaac 
Hoy was appointed Postmaster : and the mail 
matter was carried from and to Blount A^ernon 
and Mansfield. l)y John Bell and Samuel Miller, 
until 1826. when a line of stages was put on 
the road that continued to the day of railroads. 
Previous to the 3ear 1824. the citizens of Jef- 
ferson Township received their mail at Mans- 
field, and each letter cost the receiver 25 cents, 
paid on lifting it. Dr. A. I. Beach succeeded 
Mr. Hoy, and under him the spelling of Bell- 
ville was changed to Belleville, using the word 
hdlc instead of the proper name of its founder 
— BeU. The latter form was in use till 1872, 
when, after some discussion in the local paper, 
the Department, by an order, fixed it as Bellville 
— the original name. About the time that the 
post office was received, John Moody, one of the 
best men that Bellville ever contained, opened 
a store, and the usual trades and a^'ocations 
common to a village were well represented. 
In 1835. thei'e were three stores in the place, 
each of which served the purpose of a dry- 
goods, grocery, provision, hardware and hat 
store, saying nothing of clothing, notions, drugs 
and medicines. From this time, Bellville 
was one of the most enterprising towns in Cen- 
tral Ohio, until Mansfield received a railroad 
and the patronage of a large constituency — 
drawn thither to paj' taxes. Even this exer- 
cised no material check to the Clear Fork village, 
and, up to the time the railroad was built to it 
and for years after, it ranked as one of the fore- 
most trading-points in the county. An act in- 
corporating the village was passed by the Leg- 
islature. March 25, 1841. and April 1, following, 
the first municipal election was held, which re- 
sulted in choosing the following persons to office : 
Mayor. James C. Lee ; Clerk, John M. Smith ; 
Trustees or Council, Benjamin Jackson, James 
Walsh, Samuel Cutting. T. \. Park, Otis How- 



ard ; A. I. Beach acted as Treasurer. The first 
schoolhouse was erected on ground which Dr. 
B. llidenours residence now occupies, at the 
southwest corner of the public square. The 
pi'esent school Ijuilding was erected in 1867, on 
ground purchased of Elias Smith in Ma}-, 1856, 
at a cost of $325. The lot contains four acres. 
The Ijuilding is 70x40, has four schoolrooms 
on the first floor and two in the second ; 200 
perch of stone, and 150.000 brick, were used in 
its construction. Levi H. Strong was the con- 
tractor, and received $4,300 for the work. The 
first school commenced in it November 30, 
1857. It was taught by A. Gerhart. The town 
hall was built in 1877-78, and cost about $6,000. 
In the winter of 1877, the Town Council agi- 
tated the question of building a jail. A plan 
of combining a town hall, jail and township 
house was finally conceived, and a petition was 
sent to the Legislature for this authority, sub- 
ject to the vote of the township. A bill passed 
the General Assemlil}-, and at an election, at 
which the rural and town population contended 
fiercely, the affirmative carried. The band stand 
was erected in July and August, and dedicated 
September 11, 1879. The population of the 
village, in 1870, was over seven hundred, and 
in 1879, over eleven hundred. 

In 1843—44, when it became certain that Rich- 
land County would be divided, the leading citi- 
zens of Bellville petitioned largely for the erec- 
tion of a county out of the southern part of 
Richland and the northern part of Knox, 
making Bellville the county seat ; it is needless 
to say without success. The first fair in the 
county was held in Bellville in 1850. The 
next year, it was held in Mansfield, agreeable to 
an understanding between interested parties in 
l)oth places ; and the succeeding one was to 
have been held in Bellville, but it remained in 
Mansfield. In 1860, another agricultural society' 
was organized, and three ver}' successful fairs 
were held, but it went down under the pressure 
of the rebellion. 



■7< 



5 "V^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



431 



The Ralnhoiv and Repository was the first 
newspaper published hi Bellville. Its publi- 
cation was commenced in Fredericktown, and, 
in 1849, was removed to Bellville. It was a 
five-column folio, and was published b}' A. Lau- 
back, at $1 per year. It existed onl^^ a few 
months. 

The first number of the Bellville WeekJi/ was 
issued February 28, 1872, bearing the name of 
Bellville Dollar Weeldy, and was printed on a 
Kamage press, half platen, with a wooden 
frame. In one and a half j^ears from its com- 
mencement, it was enlarged from a six to a 
seven column folio, received its present name, 
and its subscription price was advanced to 
$1.25. J. C. Potts and Thomas Fans were its 
proprietors, which relation, with a few intervals, 
has continued to this time. 

The Richland Star was started by the Garber 
Bros., who purchased a small press in the fall 
of 1875, and commenced to print cards at their 
country home, five miles south of Bellville. 
During 1876, they issued a small monthly-, a 
little larger than two hands. It was continued 
in 1877, and, in September, 1877, moved to 
Bellville ; and Saturda}-, October 6, the first num- 
ber of The Star was published. The work was 
commenced without a single subscriber, and, 
when the matter for the first number was about 
half in type, B. L. Clarlier and Aaron A. Leedy 
voluntaril}' headed the subscription list, and 
soon a large circulation was obtained. It is a 
five-column quarto, and published ever}- Thurs- 
day morning. 

The Exchange Bank was organized June 18, 
1872, with Frederick Fitting, H. Alexander and 
John and David Zent, as stockholders. At the 
end of eleven months, Mr. Fitting retired, and 
a re-organization took place, but no change was 
made in the officers. H. Alexander is Presi- 
dent and David Zent, Cashier. It commenced 
with a capital stock of $12,000, with a deposit 
of from $12,000 to $15,000. The safe weighs 
8,800 pounds, and cost $1,400. 



Bangor is a small cluster of houses, located 
on the southwest quarter of Section 30. Several 
families of Yankees from the vicinity of Ban- 
gor, Me., settled there, from which the place 
derived the name. William ^Nloore built a foun- 
dr}' there in 1847, and for two years did a 
flourishing business in the manufacture of 
thrashing machines, plows, stoves, and in cus- 
tom work and casting mill gearing. It was 
burnt down in 1850 by an incendiarj-, it is be- 
lieved, and this took awaj- the life of the vil- 
lage. In 1850, Abraham Farquhar opened a 
sort of dry-goods store, remaining a short time. 
At this date, the place contains no industr}- 
other than a few ordinary shops. 

The first school in the township was taught 
by Samuel McCluer, in his own cabin, during 
the winter of 1816-17. and in the same build- 
ing by William Spears the following winter. 
The first schoolhouse was built on the south- 
west quarter of Section 15, near where the 
Honey Creek House now stands, in 1818. and 
Timothy Evarts taught the first term of school in 
it, supported by countr}- subscription at the rate 
of $1.50 per pupil for a term of three months, 
paj-able in any kind of provisions, clothing or 
work. This house was of primitive log-cabin 
style, 16x18 feet ; one end contained the fire- 
place, the other the door ; a log was taken out 
of each side for windoAvs, and greased paper 
pasted over the opening to keep out cold and 
admit light ; the floor, seats and writing tables 
were of the inevital:)le •• puncheon." and, although 
the house was romantic, the school was well 
patronized and a success. Young men rode five 
and six miles, bringing the noon feed for their 
horses with them.- to have the young idea taught 
how to shoot. A similar schoolhouse was built 
on the southeast quarter of Section 35 soon 
after, to which children from Knox as well as 
from Eichland Count}' went for learning. 

The propagation of religion commences with 
almost the first settlements of the township. 
The Dutch, who settled west of Bellville, were 



1£ 



433 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



usually communicants of some one of the 
Lutheran societies ; and the first church in Jef- 
ferson Township, before it was reduced to its 
present limits, was built by two branches of 
this church about 1825. As early as 1814-15, 
Charles Waddle and James Smith, Methodists, 
came to Bellville and organized a church. The 
Kevs. Gowell, Ashley and Marvin, of the Dis- 
ciples, came a few years later. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church in Bellville, 
was organized by Rev. Charles Waddle, Will- 
iam Oldfield, father of Jonathan and Richard 
Oldfield, who was the oldest member of the 
first society, and his two sons, Samuel and 
Jonathan, and Robert Bell, were the most effi- 
cient workers of the infant church. The first 
house of worship was liuilt on the site of the 
present one, by Lewis Potts, in 1835 ; its di- 
mensions were 30x40 feet ; and his statement 
of account ran something like this : " To get- 
ting out timber, framing, putting on shingles 
and making frames and ten windows, $90.11." 
The house was furnished in 1836, and used for 
services about eighteen years. This was the 
first church erected in the Jefferson Township 
of 1880. In April, 1854, the building com- 
mittee was authorized to sell the old house, and 
in the same month a resolution was passed to 
build a new house 40x55, IG-feet story, in the 
clear, with a lobby of 9 feet. In Ma}^, Judge 
Jackson proposed to build the house for $1,660, 
and his offer was accepted. The new house 
was completed in October, 1855. Rev. W. T. 
Lewis was Pastor of the church in 1879-80. 
The contributions for all purposes amount to 
$650 a year. It is not known when the first 
Sabbath school was organized, but was prob- 
abl}' about 1845. JM. L. Bonar was Superin- 
tendent in 1879, and the membership was 249 ; 
contributions $67. The church membership, 
March, 1880, was a1)out one hundred and forty. 

The persons mentioned above first pro- 
claimed the tenets of the Disciple denomina- 
tion, and John Moody embraced the doctrine 



and became the effective power of the first organ- 
ization. Mr. IMoody entered the ministry, and 
for some time preached in private houses. In 
1830, he built a mill in Bellville, and, in that 
early day, the demand for breadstuffs kept the 
mills running almost night and day, week-days 
and Sundajs. On the sacred day, he would 
preach in his mill to those hungering for the 
bread of eternal life, while his mill ground 
wheat to sustain the naUiral life. He built a 
church where the gi'ain elevator now stands, in 
Bellville, which remained there till 1850, when 
it was moved some distance south, to accom- 
modate the railroad. In Jul}', 1864, the church 
purchased a half-interest in the church erected 
by the Cumberland Presbyterians in 1855, and 
the remainder in 1871. The, membership, 
March, 1880, was forty-one. A Bible school 
was held in the old church house, and a Sab- 
bath school proper was organized in 1865, with 
T. M. Yearian as Superintendent. J. W. Kelly 
was Superintendent in 1879, and the school 
numbered sixty pupils. 

The first appearance of a society for the dis- 
semination of the Universalists' faith was at 
Lexington, in the house of Amariah Watson, 
September 10, 1822, under the appellation of 
the General Convention of Universalists of the 
State of Ohio. A little later, a society was 
formed under the name of the Richland Associ- 
ation of Universalists, and a meeting was held 
in Fredericktown, Ohio, August 28, 1822. At 
a meeting of the Association held in Mount 
Vernon in September, 1846, Samuel Cutting 
and Richard Oldfield applied for admittance, 
and in 1 847, the societ}' met at Bellville, when 
the church of the place numbered sixteen. It 
was organized by George R. Brown, and Tru- 
man Strong and P. A. Smead, who were the 
first subsequent ministers. Samuel Cutting, 
Silas Cross, Richard Oldfield, Joseph Ford and 
John Merril were the principal members. A 
house of worship was erected in Bellville in 
1850, and dedicated in March, 1851, by Rev. 



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^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



433 



Dolittle. The constitution used by the first 
society" was not recorded as the rules of the 
church required, and, in 1854, a few members 
drafted a new constitution, and had it recorded, 
unknown to the majorit}' of the old members. 
This annulled their right of membership, and 
only a few ever subscribed to the new consti- 
tution, which gi'eath* impaired the prosperity 
of the church. The present membership is 
about eighty. The Sabbath school was organ- 
ized in 1846, by Rev. Smead ; Samuel Cutting 
was its Superintendent. 

At a meeting of the Presbyter}', at Frederick- 
town, Ohio, April 18, 1838, application was 
made li^- citizens of Bellville, to form a Pres- 
byterian Church, and James Rowland was ap- 
pointed to exercise authority, at discretion. A 
church was organized, in the month of May, 
1838. Those known to be among the original 
members were Enoch French, Matthew Gearj-, 
John Lafferty, Andrew Linn, Philip Traxler and 
their companions. Messrs. French and Geary 
were ordained Ruling Elders, and Rev. Robinson 
was their minister. The church flourished several 
years, and from 1842 till 1844, Thomas Smith 
pi'eached regv^larl3^ About this time, several 
of the leading members passed away, and other' 
ones moved away, which weakened the flock so 
much that it passed under a cloud in 1845 ; its 
name disappeared from the roll-book, and a 
blank was made in its history'. In 1851, the 
matter came before the Presbyter}', at IMount 
Vernon, and from that date appeared to have 
new life. In 1853-54, a house of worship was 
built, which has been occupied since. Rev. W. 
W. Anderson assumed the duties of the charge, 
January 7, 1877, and is still the Pastor. The 
membei'ship, February, 1880, was 110 ; contri- 
butions for home purposes, $800 ; missionary, 
$50 ; membership of the Sabbath school, 125 ; 
contributions, $45. 

In 1866, Elders Van Horn and Laurence, of 
the Seventh-Day Adventists, pitched a tent ou 
the public square, in Bellville, and commenced 



to preach the views of this denomination. The 
tent was taken away in August, and further 
meetings were held in the Universalist Church 
and in private houses. An organization was 
effected December 20, 1866. A house of wor- 
ship was built in 1867, and the flrst services 
were held in it January 29, 1868. There were 
fifteen persons in the first society. ^lember- 
ship, February, 1880, was thirty-three. A Sab- 
bath school was organized when the church 
was, and its number of pupils, at this time, is 
forty-five. 

The Salem Lutheran Church is located two 
and a half miles west of Bellville. The fii'st 
preaching in the locality that was fruitful to- 
ward establishing a church was done in private 
houses, by .Solomon Ritz. Adam Sliafer, a 
wealthy farmer of the locality, and earnest in 
spiritual matters, formed a sort of standard, 
around which the nucleus of the present church 
gathered. Rev. Ritz organized the first societ}', 
and in 1838, a house of worship was built, near 
where the present one stands. A few of the 
original members were Adam Shafer, Joseph 
Border, Jacob Beckley, Samuel Hoft', Christian 
Craymer, Jacob Shafer, Christian Russel. James 
Selby and their wives. Revs. Lane and G. 
Liter held the first protracted meeting in the 
new house, which resulted in a large number 
of accessions. The German Reformed Societj^ 
assisted in building the house, and also wor- 
shiped in it. Some trouble developed between 
the two parties, in regard to the use of the 
house, and in 1860 the Lutherans built a brick 
structure, on ground outside of the lot donated 
for church purposes. Rev. G. M. Heindel was 
Pastor, in 1879-80. The membership, March, 
1880, was eighty ; contributions, for all pur- 
poses, $450. The Sabbath school was organized 
in May, 1846. 

The Pleasant Hill United Brethren Church 
is located on the southeast corner of Section 
18. This church was organized by Jacob 
George in 1843 or 1844. James Ninian. a 



^ 



d>^ 



434 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



member and minister of this denomination, 
came from Penns^'lvauia in 1837, and settled 
in the neighborhood of the chureli, and he has 
since been one of the most faithful. The early 
meetings were held in his and other houses for 
a number of years after the first society was 
organized. The house was built, probably, in 
1855 or 1850. The society is weak at this 
date (1 880), and regular services are not held. 

The 3It. Carmel Evangelical Church is lo- 
cated on land donated for the purpose liy John 
F. Kanga. a part of the southwest qitarter of 
Section 26. The first Evangelical meetings 
were held in a schoolhouse. The church was 
erected in 1864, at a cost of $1,200, about half 
of which was paid by Mr. Kanga. The mem- 
bership is thirty-nine, and Mr. Meissee is Pas- 
tor. The Sabliath school was commenced in 
1865, with J. F. Kanaga as Superintendent. 
Joseph Kanaga filled the oflflce in 1879, and the 
school numbered about sixt}'. 

Bellville Lodge, No. 306, I. 0. 0. F., was or- 
ganized b}' Charles B. Stickney. The charter 
was gi-anted June 20, 1856. The charter mem- 
bers were H. Alexander, William AValker, S. 
W. Eels, James Oaks, 3Iiles Moore, George M. 
Simpson, Abraham R. Kanaga, W. P. Crain 
and Charles Crain. 3Iembership, January-, 
1880. sevent3--two. 

October 17, 1866, Thomas Sparrow, Grand 
Master of Masons in Ohio, issued a dispensa- 
tion to Joseph Hildreth, A. I. Beach, William 
H. Elston, Solomon Wagener, A. J. Marke}', 
John McCune, William Lyne, William Menzie 
and Andrew Gerhart, to congregate themselves 
into a lodge of Masons, and appointed the fol- 
lowing officers : Joseph Hildreth, W. Master ; 
William Lyne, S. Warden ; A. I. Beach, J. 
Warden. 

On October 17, 1867, the society- was char- 
tered, and named Bellville Lodge, No. 376, 
Fi'ee and Accepted Masons. 

The Jefferson Grange, No. 251, of the Patrons 
of Husbandry, was organized at the Honey 



Creek Schoolhouse, about one mile south of Bell- 
ville, December 9, 1873, and received its char- 
ter March 24, 1874. The charter members were 
Aaron A. Leedy, John Garber, Samuel Shaffer, 
Benton Garber, Abner Oldfield, Theodore Gar- 
ber, James Lee, John Garber, Amos Fry, Lewis 
Garber, Simon Young, Samuel K. Garber, Lewis 
Young, J. W. Howard, Jehu Durbin and four- 
teen females. Regular meetings were first held 
in a building rented of George Aungst. After 
Jefferson Hall was completed, the}' moved from 
the Odd Fellows' Hall, which the}' occupied 
some months previous, to the room in the third 
story of the new building, designed for the pur- 
pose. The society has wended its wa^- against 
fierce opposition, is prosperous, and numbers 
among its members some of the most success- 
ful farmers and best citizens of the township. 

A. M. Collins organized the Bellville Divis- 
ion of the Sons of Temperance, No. 146. Its 
charter was issued July 22, 1874. There were 
twenty-four charter members. The males were 
J. W. Kelly, Thomas Faus, H. Faus, H. Kinton, 
W. C. Hamilton, W. T. Cole, W. Porter, E. 3Lar- 
shall, H. Howard, A. H. Potts and C. Brown. 
The societ}' held regular meetings in 1879. 

The Patron's Mutual Relief Association may 
be regarded as an outgrowth of the co-opera- 
tive principles studied l)}- the Patrons of Hus- 
bandr}-. The matter of establishing a mutual 
insurance society was agitated in the County 
Council of the order. A constitution was drafted, 
and an election of officers held February 24, 

1876, at Mansfield, resulting as follows : Aaron 
A. Leedy, President; Jehu Garber, Secretary-; 
W. H. Shoup, Treasurer, and Levi Ross, H. S. 
JMosier and Amos Fry, Survej'ors. In March, 

1877, a bill to incorporate associations for the 
mutual protection of its members against loss 
by fire, passed the General xissembl}' of Ohio, 
and, June 16, 1877, the body re-organized, 
adopted a new constitution and was incorpo- 
rated. The business office was fixed at Bell- 
ville, and the new officers were : R. M. Coulter 



^\^ 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



435 



President; Jehu Garber, Secretar}^; Aaron A. 
Leedy, Treasurer, and Thos. Poland, R. W. Has- 
lette and Simon Tucker, Directors. Valuation 
of property insured March, 1880, over $600,000. 

The first orchards in the township were trans- 
planted from Jolinn}' Appleseed's nurseries by 
Jonathan Oldfield, George Aungst and Scott 
Durbin. A few of the trees in these orchards 
are living. 

John Leedy set up the first distillery in 
1812, at his home, near the center of Section 
35. The first year, and for a time thereafter, 
the whisky sold for $1 per gallon. Distilleries 
soon became plenty, and, at one time, there 
were five in the township, and whisky sold for 
20 cents a gallon. The last one suspended 
operations in 1862. 

The first birth in the township was that of 
Mar}' McCluer. Jonathan Oldfield and Eliza- 
beth McCluer were married by Esquire Cofljen- 
bury February 11, 1812, probably the first in 
the count}'. Mr. Coffinl)ury had no form of 
ceremony, and, to meet the emergency, he sent 
to a friend in the region of Wheeling, Va., for 
one. The first deaths were those of Ludwic 
Strong and Stephen Dodge. Mr. Strong died 
in 1815, and was buried at the west side of the 
Frederick road, in a field belonging to Heze- 
kiah Armstrong. He was visiting his brother, 
Charles Strong, at the time. The latter was the 
first person buried in the Bellville cemetery. 
His grave is lost. 

Old settlers say the Clear Fork was three and 
four times as large (so much more water), when 
the}' first knew it, as it is at present. The mills 
on this stream in the Jefferson Township of 
1815, were Shauek's, built in 1830 ; Phillips', 
built in 1833; Ebyo Perry, built in 1837; 
Herron, built in 1812 ; Zent, built in 1813 ; 

Stumps built in ■ ; Mood}', built in 1831 ; 

Johnston, built in 1828 ; and Greenwood, in 
1833. A Mr. Cornell built a mill on Honey 
Creek, a short distance east of the State road, 
in 1821, but it went down in a short time. 



In the summer of 1808, a furious tornado 
swept diagonally across Jefferson Township. 
It entered near the northwest, and passed out 
near the southeast, corner, almost stripping the 
hills of timber. On the land now owned ])y R. 
Evarts (part of Section 16), there is a space of 
about thirty acres, on which there was not a 
tree left standing. Its width was about one- 
fourth of a mile, and its track can yet ])e traced 
through the township. The timber which for- 
merly stood on the ground now covered with a 
beautiful gro\\i;h of young chestnut, owned by 
Jacob Bux'kholder and Casper Swank, was de- 
stroyed by this storm. L. K. Leedy remembers 
when he was taller than this timber. This was, 
undoubtedly, the se^'erest tornado that ever 
visited the county. The only white persons in 
Jeflferson Township at that time were the two 
}-oung men who had just finished the first log 
cabin. 

In the fall of 1812, Jonathan Oldfield and 
his young brother Richard, set a trap at a hol- 
low of a tree, where they deposited the remains 
of a deer, which they presumed a wolf had 
killed the previous night. They did this in the 
evening, and early the next morning Jonathan 
took his gun, and Richard followed after, carry- 
ing the bridles to catch the horses. When they 
arrived at the tree the trap was gone, but the 
hook-like device attached made a trail, which 
they followed. After going a short distance, 
they heard a cry as the cry of a child. They 
walked a short distance further, and, just in 
front of them, in the dim light of the morning, 
the face of a huge l:)ear appeared above the 
brush and' nettles. Jonathan instantly took 
aim and fired ; the ball penetrated the bear's 
nostril, entered the brain, and she fell dead. A 
cub was in the trap, and the gTapnel had fast- 
ened on a root and it could not get away. Two 
more cubs were upon trees and were shot ; the 
captive was taken home alive. The mother 
thought her young one in the trap was sick, and 
she had gathered a great pile of leaves about it. 



k 



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436 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



The pain the trap gave it caused it to make the 
pitiful cries. 

John Robinson came to tlie township at an 
early day, and settled about a mile east of Bell- 
ville. Late one fall, when he and his sons were 
digging potatoes, about the dusk of evening, 
the boys heard a hog squealing in the high 
nettles below his house. No attention was 
given to this, but the hog squealed again. Mr. 
Robinson started for his gun ; it was empty, 
and he had one bullet, which had the neck on. 
This was soon put in the gun, and, as he started, 
a 3'oung boy at the house told his father that 
he saw a man with a black coat canying a hog 
away. Mr. Robinson was soon near the bear, 
and it scented him and raised upright, standing 
on its pre}', when it received the rifle ball. The 
knife was used to dispatch him. The hog 
the bear had belonged to George Yearian, of 
Bellville, and the bear had eaten the flesh from 
along one side of its backbone from its shoulder 
to the hips. Mr. Yearian dressed the wound 
with tar, and it lived and raised a litter of pigs. 
It died the next summer. The bear was seven 
feet long. 

On the fourth of July, 1815, John Leed}^ 
went to Fredericktown to participate in a cele- 
bration. His family remained at home, and 
about noon the old pig announced the usual 
alarm. Mrs. Leedy seized the old rifle, and her 
eldest son Lewis, the ax, and at once marched 
to the field of battle, a few hundred yards from 
the cabin. The dog. Old Sign, accompanied 
them, and when within a few rods of the spot, 
her restraint gave way to her eagerness for 
fight and she bounded at the bear. Bruin left 
without ceremony, with Old Sign at his side. 
^Irs. Leedy brought the old flint-lock in line 
and sent a bullet after him, but she was not 
familiar with sjiooting on the wing, and the race 
went on. A few days after, the pig gave the 
alarm again, and this time Mr. Leedy took down 
the gun, and when he arrived near the fight, the 
bear stood upright on the pig and e^-ed his ene- 



my some time, apparently in a study whether 
to contest the ownership of the property in his 
possession or not. He swung his big fists back 
and forth a few times, but uttered not a word. 
Mr. Leedy knew the enemy ; he had seen him 
before. He was the " old one," a chief among 
bears. The gun was fired : the bear leaped in 
the air, fell on his prey, howled, sprang forward 
toward his assailant, and, after hesitating a mo- 
ment, moved off". It was followed, but darkness 
ended the chase. The bear was wounded near 
the heart and bled freely, yet he lived. The 
next fall or winter he came in contact with 
William Simmons, who then lived where Inde- 
pendence now is, and, after receiving two balls 
from his rifle, he invited Mr. Simmons to a 
rough and tumble fight, which equaled some of 
Davy Crockett's best. Seven — some saj', eleven 
— balls were taken ft'om his carcass, a number 
of which were returned to their owners. Mr. 
Leedy received the ball he shot. 

Rachel Gatton went to Mansfield one time 
with a web of linen, to trade it for kitchen 
iitensils. She went on horseback and alone, 
her steed being a rapid traveler. After doing 
her business, she started home and when about 
half-way she discovered that a pack of wolves 
were pursuing her. She made the best of the 
time, but the ravenous creatures came up with 
her finall3^ The brutes jumped at the horse 
and bit him in the side, which made him kick, 
plunge and stamp, but he kept faithfully on his 
course, and his rider clung to his back for life. 
They finally arrived at the cabin, where all were 
eagerly awaiting her return, and the beasts 
"were driven off. 

L. K. Leedy and two of his brothers went 
on a coon hunt one night, and when a short 
distance from home, the dogs announced that 
game was brought to ba}'. The three hastened 
to where the dogs were, and, in coming near, 
they saw a white object, which, in the extreme 
darkness of the night, they were unable to 
name. The dogs ceased barkino; and snuffed 



rv 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



431 



the air, not daring to venture an attack. The 
object appeared stone still and like a naked 
child to the hunters. Lewis, being full of pio- 
neer braver}-, ventured up to it, and still it ap- 
peared to be a nude child. He grasped the 
object, and, as he felt its long wool, his fright 
can better be imagined than described. The 
ghost proved to be a pet lamb that had wan- 
dered awa}' from home, and when the dogs 
came about, it sat up, as a child. 

Samuel Bushong came from Pennsylvania in 
1837, and purchased land — thirt^'-five acres of 
Section 26. He paid $400 down, and secured 
the remaining $400 by giving a mortgage. He 
failed to meet the obligation, and, in the sum- 
mer of 1840, a judgment was obtained against 
him and the Sheriff advertised the homestead 
for sale. Mr. Bushong had made diligent 
efforts among his friends to procure mone}' and 
have the property saved, but without success. 
On the 3d of October, 1840, he attended the 
election at Bellville, and no one noticed any 
peculiarity of conduct on his part. 

Very early the next morning, the news 
spread thi'ough the neighborhood that Bushong 
had murdered his family, consisting of his 
wife and four children, the oldest, Marj-, aged 
twenty-two years, the youngest, Susan, aged 
fifteen, and two sons. The neighbors soon 
gathered, and found Mrs Bushong lying on the 
hearth, before the fire, where she had been sit- 
ting in a chair, browning coffee in a skillet, with 
her head literally mashed by an ax, and a por- 
tion of her blood and brains were mingled with 
the coffee. The two girls were found in a room 
up-stairs. Mary had received a heavy blow 
with the poll of the ax on the front of her 
head, which glanced and left the skull un- 
broken. Susan was struck with the edge of 
the ax, making a deep wound the full length of 
the bit, one end of which was above the left 
eye and the other end below the right eye. 
Both were alive and in great agony. The sons 
were sleeping in a room adjoining that in which 



the girls were, and were partially awakened b}- 
the disturbance. The moon was shining 
through the window, and they soon observed 
the deadly ax descending toward the head of 
the younger brother, who lay next the wall. 

He dodged, and both brothers caught the 
ax-handle and held to it, and were dragged out 
of bed on the floor, where a life-and-death 
struggle ensued between the sons and the 
father. They pi'oved his superior in the fight, 
and finally wrenched the ax from his murder- 
ous hands. The oldest boy was severely 
wounded in the arm, and the younger was hit 
with the poll on the head. The murderer then 
seized his razor and renewed the attack ; but 
the weapon was taken from him and cast away. 
Thereupon he started for the woods near by, 
and was soon after captured by the neighbors. 
The scene in the house was most ghastly, and 
the murderer was carried through the house 
and compelled to view his horrible doings. 
His wife was lying in a pool of blood, mingled 
with her brains, and the daughters la}' upon 
their bed, in the greatest agony. 

Excitement ran high. Some said, " Kill him, 
and throw his bod}- on the pile." Others said, 
" Hang him," and for a time it seemed that the 
man would be Ij-nched ; but a few negative 
words by Dr. Eels and a few other dispassion- 
ate persons calmed their vengeance. He was 
roughly handled and uncomfortably tied on 
his horse and escorted toward Bellville by 
twenty or more men. The}' were met about 
one mile from town by the Constable, R. 
Evarts, who unbound him and walked with him 
to town. 

The preliminary trial was held before Esquire 
Heath, which ended by noon, and preparations 
were made to send him to jail. Bushong re- 
monstrated against being tied, and pledged his 
honor and life that he would go quietly and 
civill}' to jail, which was accepted, and the two 
started on their wa}', arm in arm, in a single 
buggy, and Horace Baker and Hugh Oldfield 



*:^- 



ik^ 



438 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



followed behind, as a precaution against his 
escape. 

On the way to Mansfield, in answer to ques- 
tions, he said he had been so troubled about 
his affairs that he did not sleep much for sev- 
eral weeks, and not any the last three nights. 
He said last night he and his wife talked about 
matters until after midnight — he could sell out 
and pay the debt, but his wife would not sign 
the deed, and said she would never leave the 
place. ^lar}- had caused him some trouble 
also. 

He further said he had invested all his money 
in that place and now could not make the pay- 
ments, and in a few daj^s their home would be 
sold and they would be turned out as beggars 
— " we had better nU he dead,' he exclaimed. 
The day of the murder he intended to go to 
Mansfield, and he and his wife got up early, to 
make ready. The Constable inquired whether 
he remembered all the transaction, to which he 
answered, " It seems like a dream — something 
I did while asleep." 

About one mile south of Mansfield there is a 
deep depression near the road, which contained 
a dense thicket at that time. Here the pris- 
oner made an effort to extricate his arm from 
the arm of the Constable and escape. The 
officer said to him, " It is your honor or your 
life. If you attempt to leave this buggy, I will 
kill you." He remained quiet, but moaned, as 
if in gi-eat distress. 

His trial opened in the Common Pleas Court 
July 10, 1841, and lasted six days, Judge Par- 
ker presiding. Brinkerhoff and Stewart were 
Prosecuting Attorneys, and Bartley and Delano 
conducted the defense. The jurj-men were 
Jonas Stought. James Drennan, Pascal Whit- 
ing, John McCool, George Bull, Uriah John- 
ston, John Harman, William Cadwell, Jacol) 
Stinneman, Jonas Gerhart, David Robinson 
and William Boggs. The witnesses were nu- 
merous. There were several old acquaintances 
and relatives of his from Pennsylvania, and 



physicians who had made insanit}' a study, 
present. The physicians testified that they had 
before them a well-defined case of monomania. 
Insanity being the only issue, the pleas and the 
charge to the jviry were short, and inside of 
twelve hours a verdict was returned of " Not 
guilty." 

Amos Hartl}' entered the southwest quar- 
ter of Section 31 in an early day. He was 
of rather an impatient turn of mind. One sum- 
mer, the weather was very showery, and to cure 
hay was next to impossible. He emploj'ed 
labor to mow several acres of grass for him, 
which he turned several times and had it about 
ready to draw to the barn or stack, when a rain- 
storm would soak it again. The next day, the 
turning was repeated, the wagon was brought 
to the field, a thunder-shower was on hand, and 
Mr. Hartly, seeing that he would again be 
caught, lifted the wagon-hammer from the 
tongue, threw it heavenward, and ran to the 
house, got fire and burned the haj'. Mr. 
Hartl^^'s mother and first wife committed 
suicide on the farm he owned. 

The Ebersoles came to Knox County at a 
very early day, and settled near Fredericktown. 
There were six or eight children in the family, 
and were possessed of peculiar ways. The 
father was very wealthy. Catharine, the her- 
mitess, received, as a part of her inheritance, 
over two hundred acres of land in Jefferson 
Township, the greater part of the south half of 
Section 32. She caused a house to be built on 
it, and, about 1840, she moved to it. For a 
number of years she lived somewhat after the 
manner of people in general ; but as she grew 
older, the more abject she rendered her own 
condition, until her hovel became an object of 
curiosity and her doings the gossip of the com- 
munity. The frame house she had built was 
located near the road, which made it too pul)lic 
for her love of seclusion ; and while she yet 
occupied it, pigs out on the commons occasion- 
ally passed along the road, and she told her 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



439 



friends that the brutes would partly climb the 
fence and squeal for the food she was cooking 
for herself Finall}-, she decided to be further 
from the road, and went to work to gather stone 
for a foundation of the house she proposed to 
build. She put up the walls with her own 
hands, and when they were finished, a carpen- 
ter was employed to erect an ancient log cabin. 
The chimney she put in herself She owned no 
furniture except an old chest, in which she kept 
a few bedclothes, which her mother, probably, 
assisted her to make. The cooking w^as done 
in a fireplace of her own build, and the bread 
she ate was baked in an oven of her own make. 
During the early part of her hermitical life, she 
subsisted on food prepared in ordinary ways, 
and when she agreed to board persons wiiom 
she employed, her table was as well furnished 
as that of her neighbors ; but, in the decline of 
life, she gave waj- to the most barbarous 
methods of providing food. The grain which 
tenants raised on her farm was usually sold, and 
she would go over the field after the crop was 
gathered and pick up what was needed to sat- 
isfy her wants. One of her neighbors visited 
her once, early in the spring, and she was found 
gathering " greens," the onl}' article of diet in 
her possession, and she allowed " it didn't make 
bad eatin' either." Mr. Gr. went to her house 
one time, when the weather was inclement. She 
was busy mashing wheat between two stones. 
Corn was ground in a similar way. A large 
hearth was connected with the fire-place, and 
when she wished to sleep, one corner was swept 
clean, and she would lie down upon the floor, 
with her feet toward the fire ; a stone served 
the purpose of a pillow, and boards were used 
as comfortables and quilts, not for the ostensi- 
ble purpose of keeping the cold away, but as a 
shield against wind and rain. She had no bed, 
and her few bedclothes were devoted to the 
better purpose of keeping the hay drj- in the 
barn and in the curing piles in the field. In the 
summer, she usually went to mill herself, carry- 



ing half a bushel of grain on her shoulder. In 
the winter, when the gi'ound was covered with 
snow, a hand-sled was brought into requisition. 
Her cabin finally fell into decay ; she occupied 
it many years after the roof was so wretched 
that there was only one spot under it that she 
could keep dry when it rained. 

It would be doing injustice to the memory of 
tMs peculiar woman not to add that she was 
not of the mean, miserh' nature which gi-asps 
for possessions, without any respect to the 
rights of propert}', justice and moralit}- ; but, 
on the contrar}-, she exercised the most delicate 
discernment of justice as she understood it ; 
was conscientious to the last, and scrupulously 
honorable in all her business I'elations. As an 
example of her nice regard of equity, this will 
answer : Her fire went out in the old chimney, 
and the house was destitute of matches ; she 
went to a neighbor to get fire ; she carried an 
armful of wood to pay for it from her own 
place. It is not known that she loved more 
than one person, and her father spurned his 
presence on account of an expression that he 
carelessly made when his associates were jest- 
ing him about '-his girl." He brought an apple 
from the orchard, and the lioys accused him of 
getting the apple on purpose to see '• Kat}-." 
He replied that he did not care so much for 
" Kat}" " as for her property. In speaking of 
herself, she always used the plural pronoun, 
"We are well ; we have plenty to eat," and like 
expressions. She was robbed, in 1865, of over 
$200. A person was arrested and tried, but he 
was discharged. Xo clew was ever obtained of 
the" guilt}- part}-. She died at the residence of 
a brother, near Fredericktown, a few years ago. 
Several years previous, she went blind, which 
necessitated her being taken from the home in 
the woods before her departure to the final 
rest. 

George William Kincaid, a soldier of 1812, 
resides with his son-in-law, on a lot of the 
northwest corner of Section 29. He is the 



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A. 



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--* 2) 



k. 



440 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



only soldier of the war of 1812 living in 
the township, at this time, (March, 1880). His 
fathers name was John Kincaid ; he was a 
soldier of Lee's legion, in the Revolutionary 
war. George William was born, in Philadel- 
phia, June 23, 1790, and was twent3'-one years 
old when he enlisted. His regiment was sent 
to Canada, where he took part in several of the 
most noted battles, and remembers man}- inci- 
dents connected with the campaign. At the 
battle of Fort George, a Scotch Colonel, named 
McDonald, was taken prisoner, who had been 
shot in the knee. He pleaded piteously for his 
life, saying : '' Don't kill me until I have time 
to save ray soul ! " The prisoner also said that 
his mother's predictions came true^ — that he 
would be brought home a cripple or dead. In 
the Ijombardment of Fort McHenr}^, the wife of 
a Sergeant in Mr. Kincaid's regiment came to 
her husband, with a small bucket in her hand. 
He accosted her in this language : " What in 
the name of God are you doing here ? " She 
answered : "If you die, I want to die with 
you." He took the bucket, which she had set 
down, and gave it to her, and told her to leave. 
She set it down, and in a few moments stooped 
to pick it up, when a shell struck her, severed 
her body above the hips, and cut off two limbs. 
Mr. Kiucaid was one of the soldiers sent to re- 
enforce the array engaged in the battle of 
Tharaes, in Upper Canada, and arrived on the 
field as Tecuinseh was killed. He declares that 
a ball, shot by Col. Johnston's Sergeant, ended 



the career of the desperate chief, instead of Col. 
Johnston killing him. Mr. Kincaid remerabers 
sitting on the knee of Gen. Washington, and of 
seeing Lady Washington get in and out her 
carriage. He came to Richland County in 
1837. He was married to Anna Bond, and is 
the father of fourteen children. He was 
wounded in the hand, while in the service, and 
is a pensioner. 

William Galispie, interred in the Bellville 
cemetery, was a Major throughout the Revolu- 
tionary war. He was blind during the last 
thirteen ^ears of his life, and died, February 
17, 1841, aged one hundred and four years. 

Samuel Poppelton, Sr., was one of the Green 
Mountain Boys, who fought with Col. Ethan 
Allen. He clairaed the honor of having placed the 
Araerican flag on the walls of Fort Ticonder- 
oga, at its surrender, with his own hands, and 
heard the historic words : " B3' the authority of 
Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," 
uttered at that time, he being Color Sergeant. 
He died about 1842, in the ninety-ninth year of 
his age. He is buried south of Bellville. 
Frosts and storms have robbed his old sand- 
stone of its inscription. 

This history is particularly indebted to Mr. 
Reuben Evarts for this chapter. The official 
records of the township are all destroyed, of 
proceedings previous to 1850 ; what is inserted 
regarding early elections and officers, was ob- 
tained from other sources. 



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JOHN LEEDY. 



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'.I. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



443 



CHAPTER XLYII. 

EARLY HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP AND MANSFIELD. 

Madison Township — Its Formation, Physical Features and Population — Survey — Early- Settlers — Mans- 
field — Its Location and Survey — Established on Rocky Fork — Name — First Settlers — First 
Cabin — First White Child — Pioneer Matters — A Number of First Things — Gen. Crooks — The 
Block Houses — John M. May^ — The Sturges Firm — Indians — What Rev. James Rowland and Other 
Pioneers Say — Early Hotels, Etc. 



IN 1807, Madison Township included the 
territory at present embraced in Richland 
County. It was named after President Madi- 
son, and was then under the jurisdiction of 
Knox County. In 1812, it was divided, Greene 
being created from its o^stern part. A third 
division occurred August 9, 1814. leaving Mad- 
ison the northwestern township in the county, 
with a territor}- eighteen miles square. Thus 
it remained until 181G, when it was reduced to 
its present dimensions — six miles square in the 
center of the count}'. It is generally rolling, 
and in places even hill}', but there are no 
prominent landmarks. North of the city of 
^lansfield, there is a ridge whose general course 
is northwest and southeast, over which the At- 
lantic & Great Western Railway passes, suffi- 
ciently elevated to divide the waters of Black 
Fork and Rocky Fork ; the grade along the 
road being about fift}' feet to the mile over 
this ridge. The tributaries of these two streams 
carry off the water ; and in addition to these, 
numerous and beautiful springs burst from the 
gi'ound in different parts of the township. One 
of these, on Fourth street, probabh' had an in- 
fluence in determining the location of Mans- 
field. Two others, the Laird and John's 
Springs which will receive more particular 
mention in the history of the w^ater-works, 
now furnish the city with pure spring water. 
Another of importance is located in the south- 
eastern part of the township, on Rocky Fork, 



where the first settlement was made, and others 
of more or less importance in various places. 
It was once denselj' covered with every species 
of hard-wood, and its agricultural resources 
are fully equal to those of an}' other in the 
county. 

The substratum of its population was of the 
best material. It was largely Pennsylvania 
German — either Lutheran or Reformed — and 
Pennsylvania Cah'inistic Scotch-Irish. The 
former was the better judge of the qualities of 
the soil, and the more careful and skillful culti- 
vator of it. But in public spirit, and in ap- 
preciation of the importance of private and 
public education, the Scotch-Irish Avere supe- 
rior. In the intermingling of the two elements, 
enterprise and conservatism, materialism and 
idealism were happily balanced and l)lended ; 
and it would be hard to find a more desirable 
population than this combination furnished. 
To these have been added, in minor propor- 
tions, the more cosmopolitan elements of the 
Marylander, the Jersej'^man and New-Yorker, 
with now and then a Yankee, with his natiye 
acuteness. smartness, pushing enterprise and 
passion for progress and improvement ; and 
notwithstanding his ever-present assumption, 
that whatever there is good in America came 
over in the Mayflower, has made himself a val- 
uable and valued ingi-edient in the population 
of the township. The presence of the German 
element was influential in bringing in large 



vT 



fk^ 



444 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



numbers of European Germans, with their in- 
defatigable industry and marvelous economy 
and thrift ; their passionate desire for the own- 
ership of real estate enough to absolve them 
from the payment of rent ; their skill in me- 
chanics, agriculture and horticulture ; their 
universal instruction in the primary depart- 
ments of letters and science. They have 
proved themselves the best of citizens, the 
friends of common schools, of the Republic, of 
civilization, of law and order. Such a founda- 
tion readily explains the marvelous beauty and 
solidity of the superstructure that in so few 
years has attained such vast proportions. 

The history of the city and township is 
so interwoven that it cannot be written sep- 
arately. They have run together in the race 
of progi-ess, and whatever has been the measure 
of success, it belongs equally to both. It may, 
or may not be new to a majority of its citizens, 
to hear tliat Mansfield was not born on its pres- 
ent location. It first saw the light on the south- 
west quarter of Section 25, about three miles 
southeast of its present location, on Rocky Fork, 
at what was Beam's, afterward Campbell's 
and now Goudy's mill. As this location and 
its first settlers are fully described in another 
chapter, it will not be dwelt upon here. 

Gen. James Hedges was the pioneer of the 
township. He was here as a Government Sur- 
veyor in 1806, a year before the first settlement 
was macte. The name is a well-known and 
honored one, is interwoven in the warp and 
woof of Mansfield history, and still stands high 
in the roll of its honored citizens. Hedges 
was accompanied by Maxfield Ludlow and Jon- 
athan Cox. These, and their attendants, whose 
names are not given, drew their lines tlu-ough 
the woods, and rolled themselves in their l)lank- 
ets by their camp-fires, before any white man 
built his cabin within the limits of the town- 
ship. 

In looking for the first settlers of any town- 
ship or county, it is natural to turn to their 



eastern boundaries, and to the banks of any 
stream that may cross them ; for the Indian 
trails were generally along the streams, except 
where they diverged to some prominent spring, 
or to cross from one stream to another. These 
trails were the highwaj^s of the wilderness, and 
were generally followed liy the advancing pio- 
neers. True to this principle, the first settle- 
ment is found on Rocky Fork as above de- 
scribed. Here Jacob Newman was induced by 
his friend and kinsman. James Hedges, to build 
the first cabin, the first, not only in the town- 
ship, but in the county also. It came very 
near being the first in the future city, for 
it was built near the boundary line of the 
town that was then staked out. These pioneers 
knew that a new county would soon lie created 
here, and determined to profit l\y it. They 
thought if they laid out a town on the Rocky 
Fork, near that beautiful spring, and induced 
settlers to come in, it would grow up into a city 
and become the county seat. They laid out the 
future city, but it never went any farther at 
that place. It was not platted or recorded, and 
no settlements made within its limits. For 
some reason it was abandoned, and the present 
site determined upon. What their reasons were 
is a matter of uncertainty, but it is conjectured 
that the "big spring" on Fourth street had 
some influence ; that Gen. Hedges had, pi'oba- 
ably, some intimations as to the future liounda- 
ries of the new county, and thought this would 
be a central location ; and Doctor Bushnell 
says a very potent reason was in the fixct that 
Mr. Hedges had entered for himself the section 
upon which the city now stands, and wanted 
the new city located upon it. and that he 
actually paid these early settlers $1,500 in silver 
as an inducement. However this may be, their 
city on Rocky Fork was aliandoned ; thej' came 
up that stream and laid out the present city on 
the 11th day of June, 1808. The men who 
thus established the foundation of this monu- 
ment to their memories, were Joseph Larwill, 






=iTv 



^1 



'-.I- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COl^NTY, 



445 



of Wooster. James Hedges and Jacob Newman. 
The}' agreed to name the new town Mansfield, 
after the then Surve^'or General of the Ignited 
States, Col. Jared Mansfield, under whose in- 
structions Hedges and his companions were 
working. Col. Jared Mansfield was born in 
New Haven, Conn., in the 3'ear 1759. and 
during his lifetime occupied various prominent 
and responsil)le positions under the United 
States Grovernment. He was a graduate of 
Yale College in 1777, and taught school, first in 
New Haven and afterward in Philadelphia. 
Becoming known to Mr. Jefferson, he recei^-ed 
the appointment of Professor of Natural Philos- 
ophy at the Militarv Academ}- at West Point. 
The publication of his mathematical and physi- 
cal essays, about this time, enhanced his repu- 
tation, and he took a high stand among the 
scientific men of the nation. He was appointed 
Surveyor General about the year 1803, an office 
before held b}- Gen. Rufus Putnam. Col. Mans- 
field subsequently resumed the Professorship of 
Natural Philosophy- at the Militaiy Academy, 
where he continued until a few years before his 
death, when he retired to Cincinnati, and sul)- 
sequently died while on a visit to his native 
city, February 8, 1830, aged seventj'-one years. 
He was a near relative of the now venerable 
author and scholar, E. D. Mansfield, who resides 
near Cincinnati. 

The original plat of the city was a square, of 
which the public square was the center. It 
extended north one block beyond Fourth street ; 
south across Ritter's Run, one block beyond 
First street ; east one block beyond Water 
street, and west one block beyond Mullierr}'. It 
was mainl}' on the southeast quai-ter of Section 
21, the south side, however, extending a little 
more than a square into the southwest quarter 
of Section 22. Since that time, it has extended 
over the entire section (21), and into all the ad- 
joining sections, its growth having been mainly 
west and north. James Hedges entered the two 
quarter-sections upon which the town was plat- 



ted ; also two other quarter-sections, lying east 
and north of the town. 

New towns, in those days, did not spring into 
life as rapidly as in these days of steam and 
electricity. It is a common thing now to build 
a new town in a few days or weeks, make and 
lose fortunes on it, abandon it, and start another 
at some distant point on a new railroad, with, 
perhaps, the same result. But, in those days 
of stage-coaches and Pennsylvania " schooners," 
with their four yoke of cattle, things moved 
correspondingly slow. People were not whirled 
through the world on " lightning expresses," or 
crammed with telegraphic news from " all parts 
of the world." The future city was not an ex- 
ception in this particular. So far as can be 
ascertained, but one actual settler was obtained 
in 1808. This was Samuel Martin, who came 
from New Lisbon. This is about all that is 
known of him. He built the first cabin ; such, 
at least, is the testimony of many of the oldest 
settlers, though, like every other matter depend- 
ing on the memory of the '• oldest inhabitant," 
it is contradicted, yet the weight of testimony 
is in his favor. The question as to where that 
first cabin was built, is one more difficult of 
solution. It is one upon which, one would think, 
those who were here first could hardly be mis- 
taken ; but it must be considered that their 
attention was not called to this matter for years 
afterward, and being considered (if considered 
at all) a small matter, it passed from their 
minds entirely. Looking back afterward, 
through the mist of half a century, with its 
changes, the exact spot might not be so readily 
determined. It remains to give the evidence, 
pro and con, and form a judgment accordingly. 

^Ir. C. S. Coffinberr}-, writing from Constan- 
tine. Mich., under date of February 17, 1873, 
says : '• The first house built in the town of Mans- 
field was built by George Coffinberry, in 1 809, 
in the month of August in that year, on the site 
now occupied l^y the North American Hotel, at 
the southwest corner of the public square. The 



j<' 



TV 



446 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



building was a small log cabin." The above is 
an extract. The writer must be mistaken, for 
there is much evidence that the first cabin was 
not built in 1809, but 1808, and not on the 
North American corner, and, as before stated, 
not by George Cofflnbeny. Mansfield H. Gil- 
kison, who is now living in Mansfield, and who 
was born in this cabin (the one referred to in 
the above extract), says it was built in 1810, 
and was the second cabin in the town. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Baughman, who is still liv- 
ing, and Avho is the daughter of Capt. James 
Cunningham, one of the earliest pioneers in the 
county, in a letter to the Shidd and Banner, in 
1873, says : " A log cabin was afterward erected 
on the present site of Mansfield. It stood, I 
think, near where Mr. Keating now lives, at the 
northeast corner of the park, and a man (whose 
name I have forgotten) moved into it ; Init, for 
selling whisky to the Indians, in violation of 
law — a Congressional act, I suppose — he had 
to leave the country. * * * One of the 
proprietors of the then contemplated town of 
Mansfield, got father to consent to move into 
the calkin to board the coming surveying party, 
and entertain persons who might come to buy 
town lots, etc. * * * The day following, 
they removed to the cabin spoken of, which was, 
as father always claimed, the first house built in 
Mansfield, and the only one here at that time." 

Accoi'ding, then, to Mrs. Baughman's recol- 
lection, the first cabin was built on the north- 
east corner of the public square, where stands 
the old brick dwelling-house belonging to the 
Hedges family. Mrs. Baughman, however, did 
not live with her father at the time he occupied 
this dwelling, for she says in the same letter : 
" My father was married to Margarett Myers, 
his present widow, in 1808, and came to this 
country soon afterward ; but I remained with 
my grandfather, Michael Stateler, until 1819, 
then came to this count}', where I have since 
had my home." It must be considered that 
James Cunningham, her father, moved into that 



house in October, 1809, and moved out during 
the next year ; so that he onh' occupied it a 
short time ; and if his information was given to 
his daughter years afterward, he might have 
been mistaken, or she might have misunder- 
stood him. 

That she was mistaken seems evident from 
the following, taken from the lips of James 
Cunningham himself, and written down at 
the time by Bev. James McGaw : " In Octo- 
ber of the same year (1809), he (James Cun- 
ningham), moved into the only log cabin then 
standing in Mansfield, which had been built 
some months previously b}' one Samuel Martin. 
This cabin stood on the corner lot of E. P. 
Sturges — Lot No. 97." It would seem- as if the 
statement of Mr. Cunningham, which was writ- 
ten down in his presence, and must, therefore, 
have been carefully given, ought to be conclu- 
sive. He was a very earh' settler, was well 
known to all the pioneers, and a ver}^ intel- 
ligent man. He was afterwai'd a Captain in 
the army. 

The following is an extract from a letter of 
Margarett Cunningham, wife of James Cunning- 
ham, dated January 31, 1873 : "August 23, 
1809, we had a daughter born to us in the town 
of Mansfield, when there was but one log cabin 
in the place, built by a Mr. Martin for a board- 
ing-house. Mr. Martin lived in this cabin but 
a short time, and left abruptl}', having sold 
whisky to the Indians, contrar}' to law. Some 
one threatened to prosecute him for the oflTense, 
and he left." 

From this extract is ascertained what became 
of the first actual settler in the town, and the 
builder of the first cabin. He was evidently a 
trader ; whether he kept an3'thing more than 
whisky is not told ; but he might be called the 
first merchant in Mansfield ; and this first cabin 
was also the first boarding-house, the fii'st 
store and the first dwelling. 

The following extract is from a letter of 
Nancy Shively, written March 3, 1873. She 



»T 



ft^ 



HISTOEY OF EICHLAND COUN^TY. 



Ai", 



was also a daughter of James Cunningham : 
" M}' sister, Matilda Cunningham, was born in 
the town of 3Iausfield, in a house built hj a 
Mr. Martin, near the corner of the square near- 
est the big spring." This was what she heai'd 
her parents say, and corresponds with the evi- 
dence of her sister, Elizabeth Baughman ; but 
contradicts that of her father. The following 
testimony on this point is from Jacob Brubaker. 
who was a man of high character, and of good 
memory when his evidence was given, in 1858 : 
•' When I was eighteen years old, I was em- 
ployed, with others, in survej'ing and cutting out 
a road between Canton and AVooster. I was em- 
ployed by Joseph Larwill, of Wooster, when the 
town of Mansfield was run off into lots ; I was 
engaged in cutting the logs for the first cabin 
that was built in Mansfield, it being built for 
one ]\Iartin, who had removed from New Lisbon 
to this place. This cabin was erected on the 
lot now owned by E. P. Sturges." This testi- 
mony of one who cut the logs and assisted in 
l)uilding the house, agrees with that of Capt. 
James Cunningham, who lived in it after its 
first tenant, Martin, moved out. There is much 
other conflicting testimony regarding this mat- 
ter, which, could space be allowed for its admis- 
sion, would not present the matter in any 
clearer light. The weight of evidence seems 
to place the first cabin on the northwest corner 
of the square, where the Sturges Block now 
stands, or very near that spot ; some evidence 
being given to show that it was a little north of 
the lot upon which that block Avas erected. 

The first sale of lots occurred in October, 
1808, Joseph Larwill having pitched his tent 
above the " big spring '' and opened the sale on 
that day. It is not stated whether any lots 
were sold, but probably a few were, as it is 
found that purchasers came from '• Knox, Col- 
umbiana, Stark, and other partiall}* settled 
counties." Among the first settlers in the 
new town were George Coffinberry, Winn Win- 
ship, Rolin Weldon, J. C. Gilkison, John Wal- 



lace, Joseph 3Iiddleton, James Cunningham 
and Andrew Pierce. These arrived, some with 
their families, mostly in the year 1809, and all 
came to stay. George Coflfinberry built the sec- 
ond cabin, on the North American corner. Gen. 
Harrison stopped at this tavern, on his wa^' to 
the siege of Fort Meigs, in which siege Gen. 
James Hedges was engaged. Winn Winship. 
who was a single man, built the first frame house 
in the town, across the street from the cabin of 
George Coffinberrj^, on the corner where the 
Farmer's Bank was, for some time, located. He 
was one of the most important of these early 
settlers, being Postmaster at that time, and not 
only the first Postmaster in Mansfield, but the 
first Postmaster in Richland County ; and was 
also Register and Receiver of A'irginia Military 
School lands, having been appointed to that of- 
fice by the Legislature of Virginia, some two 
years before. He is thus described, in a letter 
written by Mrs. Margarett Cunningham, in 
1873 : ■• This Winn Winship was a singular 
little man, short, round face, dark complexion, 
very talkative, wore a cue, quite a fop, was not 
very particular what he ate so that he got milk, 
and after we discharged him. he went to ^Ir. 
Coflfinberrj-'s to board. He used to send little 
George Coffinberry down to our house, every 
day, with a great tin quart cup. for milk, with 
a silver sixpence always in the cup." He seems 
to have been a little out of place in this wild 
region, and had a repugnance to boarding or 
living with other people, and in a log house : 
so he Iniilt a neat two-stor}' frame, and lived 
by himself The lumber for this house was 
hewed and split out. saw-mills being rather 
scarce. He was afterward appointed Clerk of 
the court, by the first Judges in the county, 
Thomas Coulter, Peter Kenm- and Hugh 3Ic- 
Cluer. 

Rolin Weldon came from Delaware, built a 
cabin, and started the first blacksmith-shop in 
the town, on the 3IcFall corner, the northwest 
corner of Third and ]Main streets. This is. 



^" 



^^- 



[^ 



448 



HISTORY OF lllCIILAND COUNTY. 



however, disputed by M. H. Gilkison, who says 
the fii'st bhieksinitli was John Fogelsong, who 
built a shop in the alley connecting" Main and 
Walnut, below the Wiler House. Mr. Win- 
ship and Levi Jones boarded with Weldon for 
a time. Jones was afterward killed by the In- 
dians, a full account of this being given in 
another chapter. 

John Wallace remained in town liut a short 
time. He bought and cleared up a farm two 
miles east, which has since been known as the 
Wallace farm. J. C. Gilkison was a printer, 
and started the first printing office. He was 
also an officer of the militia. He married a 
daughter of George Coffinberry, and lived for 
some time in the Cofflnberr}' house on the North 
American corner, where his son, Mansfield H. 
Gilkison, who is still living, was born. This 
son was the first white male child born in the 
town or county. 

Much controA'ersy has arisen in regard to the 
first child born in Mansfield. The friends of 
Matilda Cunningham, of whom many are 3'et 
living, claim that honor for her ; while Mans- 
field H. Gilkison and his friends are equally 
persistent and positive that he was the '• very 
first." That he was the first iiki/c child does 
not admit of question ; whether he was the 
first child, each one must judge for himself 
after reading the testimony. The statements 
are so conflicting, and the time so far back, that 
the truth is hard to find. For nearly sixty 
3ears this honor was borne l)y Mr. Gilkison, 
with no one to dispute his title ; Init in an un- 
fortunate moment, at a pioneer meeting, a new 
claimant suddenly appeared, and created some 
feeling among the pioneers and those inter- 
ested. The following extracts from letters, and 
such other testimony as is at hand, may be of 
some assistance in forming a correct conclu- 
sion : 

Gen. H. Brinkei'hoff, in his centennial ad- 
dress to the pioneers of Richland County, July 
4, 187G, sa3-s : '• The first white child born in 



Mansfield was Mansfield H. Gilkison, who is 
still living and with us to-day. He was born 
February 2, 1811. in the building on the North 
American corner. His father was John C. Gil- 
kison, and his mother a daughter of George Cof- 
finberry.' 

The controvers}' began in 1869. It seems, 
therefore, that, seventeen years afterward. Gen. 
Brinkerhoff had not been convinced that he 
was in error regarding this matter. Mansfield 
H. Gilkison gives his understanding of this 
in the following words, an extract from 
his letter to the Shield and Banner in 1873: 
"They did so (speaking of Hedges and New- 
man) and entered three, if not more, quar- 
ter-sections of land from the Government, one 
of which Gen. James Hedges selected as his 
own farm, Jacob Newman taking a quarter-sec- 
tion for his farm, and upon the third quar- 
ter-section the}' laid off' the present town of 
3Iansfield. A short time after this, a portion 
of Mr. Newmans lamily came out, and occu- 
pied the cabin on this farm of 3Ir. Jacob New- 
man's, immediately south of 3Iansfield.* 
Shortly after this, the Cunningham family came 
out and found their way to the Newman cabin ; 
as yet, upon the site of Mansfield, no cabin had 
been erected. In this cabin, it is claimed, Ma- 
tilda Cunningham was born. If this be true, 
then it is not possible for her to have been 
born in Mansfield at all. I think, in the fall of 
1810, a cabin was erected where the North 
American now stands, by George Coffinberry, 
m}^ mother's father, and in this cal)in I was 
born, the 2d day of Februar}-, 1811, being the 
first white child born within the limits of the 
present town of Mansfield. (Jen. James 
Hedges requested of my parents the privilege 
of naming the child, saying he would deed to 
me a town lot, to which request they acceded, 
and he named me for the town and himself, 
Mansfield Hedges Gilkison. and deeded to me 

•-This was one of the first cabins built. It was on tlie east side 
of Noith Main stri"et, across the bri(ig(? over Ritters Run, in what 
is now S lutli Aiidiliuu, jwst outside of the original town plat. 



\ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



449 



the lot, according to his promise ; and I have 
recently been informed by H. C. Hedges, Esq., 
his nephew, that it was Gen. Hedges" intention 
to have it made a matter of record. Bnt it 
seemed he had forgotten to do so. At that 
time, Gen. Hedges was a single man — in fact, I 
believe he never was married — and boarded at 
the Newman cabin, and it would seem strange 
that my parents and Gen. Hedges could be so 
much mistaken, considering the sparsity of the 
population and the fact that such an event was 
not of such frequent occurrence as to escape 
their memories." 

The following extract is from a letter of C. S. 
Cottinberrv. of Constantine, Mich., a sou of 
George Coffinberry. and is dated February 17, 
1873: •• I notice in the Shield and Banner Si 
note of Thomas B. Andrews addressed to you 
(R. Brinkerhoff ). giving the date of the Ijirtli of 
the three daughters of 3Irs. Cunningham, 
with the further statement of Mrs. Cunningham 
that Matild was born in the town of Mansfield, 
in the first hnise built in the town, there being- 
no other house in the town when the}' moved 
into it. ^Ir. Andrews further states, that Mrs. 
Cunningham informed him that she was at the 
house of Jacob Newman, which was the only 
house in Mansfield at the time. * * * The 
first house built in the town of Mansfield was 
built by George Coftinberry in 1809, in the 
month of August of that year, on the site now 
occupied by the North American Hotel, at the 
southwest corner of the public square. The 
building was a small log cabin, and was never 
occupied by an}^ other famih'. It was occupied 
h\ Mr. Coffinberry until he pulled it down to 
make place for a frame building. On the 23d 
of August, 1809, the date of the birth of Ma- 
tilda Cunningham, this house was the only one 
in the town of ^lansfield, and had not been 
erected over six days. The house of Jacob 
Newman, erected and occupied by him, was not 
within the original plat of the town of Mans- 
field, and was not erected for some consider- 



able time after that of Mr. Coffinberry's, I think 
during the winter of 1809. Mansfield Hedges 
Gilkison was the first white child born in the 
town of Mansfield. This fact was well known 
to all the first settlers in the town — the Wel- 
dons, the Hedges, the Laflands, the Newmans, 
and others. If Hemy Newman and John New- 
man still survive, they will bear me out in this 
statement. If Matilda Cunningham was born 
August 23, 1809, she was not born in Mans- 
field, for the house of George Coffinberry, my 
father, was then the only house in IMansfield, 
which was a thick and heavy foi'est." 

Evidence he has already been given to show 
that Mr. Coffinberry must have been mistaken 
regarding the first cabin, and, if so mistaken, it 
impairs his evidence in this letter. 

The following is from Robert Cairns, who is 
still living in ^Mansfield : •• ]My father and mother 
moved to the- town of Mansfield in the fall of 
1813, and I have frequently seen them point out 
M. H. Gilkison, and say that he was the first 
child ])orn in Mansfield. I further state, that I 
was long and intimately acquainted with Gen. 
James Hedges, one of the proprietors of the 
town, and frequently have had conversation 
with him, in which he stated to me, in speaking 
of the early settlers of the town of jNIansfield, 
that JMansfield Hedges Gilkison was the first 
white child born in the town. He also stated 
to me that he had the privilege of naming said 
M. H. Gilkison, and for the privilege of doing so, 
agi'eed to give him a deed for a town lot, which 
he has done. * * * Mr. Andrews, in his 
statement, says that Matilda Cunningham stated 
to him, that she was born in the cabin-house of 
Jacob Newman, and the only house in the 
town. Now, if her statement be correct, in 
whose house she was born, I boldly assert, with- 
out fear of contradiction, that Matilda Cunning- 
ham was not born in Mansfield at all. I now 
assert that this cabin-house of Jacob Newman 
was not built in the town of Mansfield at all. 
* * * It was located directly south of 



-^^ 



^ 



450 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



Mansfield, upon a farm, and for many years 
Gen. James Hedges boarded in the same cabin- 
house with Jacob Newman." 

The following is from James Cunningham, 
father of Matilda Cunningham. It was taken 
down in writing by the Rev. James McGaw, in 
a conversation with Mr. Cunningham. " Capt. 
James Cunningham was born in the State of 
Maryland, and, in 177(5, emigi-ated with his 
father to Westmoreland County, Penn., and 
afterward to Monongalia County, Va., where 
the father died. In 1804, James emigi'ated to 
Licking County, Ohio, and from there to Rich- 
land in 1 809, in the month of May, and landed 
on the Black Fork of the Mohican, where he 
found Samuel Lewis, Henry McCart, Mr. Shaeffer 
and Andrew Craig, who had landed there onl}' a 
few weeks before him. After landing, he put 
out a crop of corn, then went back, brought out 
his wife, and put her down in the woods along- 
side of a camp fire, and commenced Ijuilding a 
shanty over her head. This he completed in 
about three days, having in his employ three 
hands. In the following August, his wife gave 
birth to a daughter, being the first white child 
born in Richland County. In October of the 
same year, he moved into the only log cabin 
then standing In Mansfield, which had been 
built some months previousl}- by one Samuel 
Martin. This cabin stood on the corner lot of 
E. P. Sturges." 

The above very direct testimony- of the father 
of the claimant goes to show that she was born 
on the Black Fork of the Mohican. 

The following two letters are given as much 
for their historical interest, as for their bearing 
on this case. The first, written by Henry New- 
man, a son of Jacol) Newman, is dated March, 
1873 : " I think it to be an unmixed truth, that 
Mansfield Hedges Cxilkison was the first child, 
as the truth and veracity of the very early 
pioneers of Mansfield and vicinity cannot be 
questioned or denied. They were Gen. James 
Hedges, my father. Jacob Newman, John Wal- 



lace, George Coflfinberry, Rolin Weldon, Michael 
Newman, James McCluer (one of the first Asso- 
ciate Judges), Capt. David Newal and John 
Chapman, the last better known as Johnnj^ 
Appleseed, and others I could mention — all re- 
spectable first-class pioneers, settlers in Mans- 
field and vicinity. They could not have been 
mistaken with regard to the fact, that ]Mansfield 
H. Gilkison was the first white child born in the 
town of Mansfield. I pronounce all the above- 
named gentlemen (now deceased), in their day, 
men of truth and veracit}*, and that judgment 
will be aflflrmed by many yet living in Mans- 
field and vicinit}'. I have heard most, if not all 
of them, speak of the fact that ^lansfield H. 
Gilkison was the first white child Ijorn in Mans- 
field. How is it possible those first pioneers 
could be mistaken ? How is it that I never 
heard the first intimation to the contrary' until 
latel3^ and yet lived in Mansfield and the 
county of Richland over fort}' years ? * * * 
The venerable old lady, and others who advo- 
cate as a fact that Matilda Cunningham was 
born in Mansfield, in the cabin built by Jacob 
Newman, or built by a Mr. ]Martin, are most 
certainly mistaken. * * * j never knew 
but one Mr. iNIartin in Mansfield, and he was a 
contractor under Gen. Crooks, in the war of 
1812-13, and had his headquarters during the 
winter in Mansfield. The cabin spoken of, 
which they claim ^Martin Ijuilt, was close to and 
north of where the Sturges Block now stands. 
When I first came to Mansfield, Joseph Middle- 
ton and wife lived in that cabin ; after they 
left it, the cabin became a trading-shop for 
Lewis Jones, who kept groceries and whisky, 
and dealt out the same to whites and Indians. 
* * * C)ur family was frequentl}' annoyed 
by drunken Indians, from the effects of the 
whisky sold them by Jones. This was yet 
while we lived on the farm, sold to Beam in 
1810 or 1811." 

The following is from Harriet Hedges : " I 
have read the communication of m}' lirother, 



^ 



±.1 



^ >^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



451 



Henry Newman, and fully agi'ee with him in all 
the statements made by him. I came to Mans- 
field in 1814; made the acquaintance of Gen. 
James Hedges ; afterward was married to his 
brother, my late husband. Ellzey Hedges, and, 
during all their subsequent lives, alwa3-s under- 
stood from them that you (^I. H. Grilkison) 
' was the first white child born in ^lansfield." "' 

With this the case for the defense will close. 
Much other testimony- is given, but none that 
would add any material weight to the foregoing. 

The following extract from the report of a 
"Pioneer Committee"' is signed by R. Brinker- 
hoflJ", Henry Hedges and R. C. Smith. '• Said 
committee further find that Margaret Cunning- 
ham, of Worthington Township, is entitled to 
the chair, she having settled in 3Iansfield, in 
said county of Richland, May 1, 1808." They 
must have meant 1809, as the town was not laid 
out May. 1808. The following letter is from 
Thomas B. Andrews, dated February 3. 1873: 
'■ On the 31st day of January, 1873, I visited 
jMrs. Margaret Cunningham for the purpose of 
ascertaining from the famil}- record, the true 
age of Matilda Cunningham, said to be the first 
white child born in the county of Richland, and 
in the town of Mansfield. 

" I found the record well WTitten, in a plain, 
legible hand, in a large famil}' Bible. The first 
entry is the birth of Elizabeth Cunningham in 
1805. The second is Matilda Cunningham, 
born August 23, 1809. The third is Mary Cun- 
ningham, born November 16. 1810. 

'• Mrs. Cunningham says that Matilda Cun- 
ningham was born in the town of Mansfield, in 
the first house built in the town, there being no 
other house in the town when they moved into 
it. and where the first child was born." 

This evidence, coming from the mother, her- 
self, would seem to be conclusive, though it 
must be remembered this testimony was taken 
about sixtj'-four years after the event happened: 
however, much of the testimony on l)oth sides 
is open to the same criticism. This testimonj'. 



it will l)e seen, contradicts that of her husband 
before given. AVho, therefore, is able to decide 
where Matilda Cunningham was born, when 
the testimonj' of the father and mother is con- 
tradictory ? 3Irs. J^lizabeth Baughman. who 
has l)een quoted in regard to the first cabin, 
saj-s in the same letter regarding the first child: 
'• And in that same cabin, on the 23d day of 
August. 1809, my half-sister. Matilda, was born. 
M}' father remained there onl}- aliout a j'ear, 
then removed to the Greentown settlement on 
the Black Fork." As Mrs. Baughman is be- 
believed to be in error in regard to the location 
of the first cabin, so she may be in error in re- 
gard to Matilda being born in that cabin. She 
was not, as before stated, living with her father 
at the time. Mrs. Baughman in the same letter 
further says : "I have often heard father say 
that ^lansfield H. Gilkison was the first white 
mah' child born in 3Iansfield. In fact it is of 
the male child /rn that mention is generall}' 
made. For instance, we read that ' George "W. 
Cass was the first white male child born in the 
city of Allegheny." Had father remained per- 
manently in town, or had the child been a boy. 
the fact, no doubt, would have been better re- 
membered. The first settlers have nearly all 
been called to their heavenl}^ homes, and it 
seems very reasonable to me that their de- 
scendants — whose honest}' I do not question — 
in speaking of the matter have learned to say 
the ' first child ' instead of the • first male child." " 
The following extract is from a letter to Mr. 
Andrews in 1873. signed by nine old citizens of 
Worthington Township. " We have been neigh- 
bors, and have known James Cunningham and 
^largaret Cunningham, of Worthington Town- 
ship. Richland Count}-, for the thirtj-five or 
forty years last past, and we have heard them 
both tell at difl[erent times, that their daughter 
Matilda was the first white child born in the 
county of Richland, and in the town of 3Ians- 
field. We never heard this disputed until 18G9 
at the coimtv fair at Mansfield, when and where 



'k^ 



452 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



a certain chair was awarded to Mrs. Cunning- 
liaiii as the oldest pioneer present at the picnic 
at their fair." 

The following interesting extract, regarding 
this and other matters, is from the pen of Mrs. 
Margaret Cunningham, the mother of Matilda, 
Avritten in 1873 : 

" My husband and myself came to 3Iansfield 
in May, 1809.* August 23, 1809, we had a 
daughter born to us in the town of Mansfield, 
when there was Init one log cabin in the place, 
built by a Mr. Martin for a boarding-house. 
3Ir. 3Iartin lived in this calkin ])ut a short time, 
and left al)ruptly, having sold whisky to the 
Indians contrary to law. * * * ^g soon as 
lie left, Mr. Jacob Newman, living near, or at 
what was more recently called Beam's or Camp- 
bell's ^lill, came with his team and moved us 
from where we lived on a piece of land about 
one or two miles below said mill, lielonging to 
my uncle. Henry Mj'ers, to the aforesaid house, 
for the purpose of boarding those that might 
attend the sale of the school lands and town 
lots. Winn Winship, Mr. Wallace and a Mr. 
Pierce boarded with us. Pierce was the crier 
of the sale. Winn Winship boarded with us 
until Mr. Cofflnberry came out and built a 
house, I think, on the angling corner of the 
square from our house. We used water from 
the big spring (our house was up the hill from 
the spring, on or near the corner of the square 
nearest the spring. * * * Mr. Coflfinberry 
and a Mr. Bryson built their houses about the 
same time. These are the three houses said to 
l>e here at the time the father and mother of 
IM. H. Gilkison came (as claimed by Mrs. 
Ciilkison in an interview I had with her at the 
county fair in 1869) to Mansfield." 

That portion of Nancy Shively's letter relat- 
ing to this matter was quoted in the evidence 
regarding the first cabin. The venerable Mar- 
garet Cunningham, above quoted, died on the 

*It will be rpmpmbered that the husliand testifies to coming 
liere in October, 18U0. 



13th of December, 1875. at her home in 
Worthington Township. 

In a letter printed in the OJn'o Liberal in 
July, 1873, M. H. (xilkison says : "I was born 
on the lot on which now stands the Ijuilding 
known as the American Hotel, in the year 1811, 
on the 2d day of February, being the first 
male child born in the county, so far as known." 

It will be seen by the above extract that Mr. 
Gilkison, in the last letter written b}" him re- 
garding this matter, does not claim to be the 
first child, but the first male child, born in the 
county. There is no dispute as to his being 
the first male child. 

The lot which Mr. Hedges promised him was 
deeded to him when he was married in 1831. 

It is hardly necessary to continue this evi- 
dence further, the most essential parts on each 
side having been given. It may not lead the 
searcher after the truth any nearer to it. and is 
not likely, in the least, to change the opinions 
of the friends of the " first child.'' 

The following extracts regarding the early 
history of Mansfield were collected and pub- 
lished many years ago by Gren. E. Brinkcrhoft'. 
Any history of the town would be incomplete 
without them. They are believed to be authen- 
tic, as much of the information was gathered 
more than twenty j^ears ago, when ver}' many 
more of the early settlers were living than at 
the present time. Pioneer life in Mansfield did 
not differ from the same in other places. It 
was a rough, hard life, but had its bright and 
shady sides, the same as that of to-day. 

The first marriage in the township was that 
of John Pugh and Fanu}' Murphy, daughter of 
Asa ^lurphy, one of the earliest of the pioneers 
of Richland County, and, proljably, the first 
hotel-keeper in Mansfield, as he built the first 
log house, on the site of the Wiler House, and 
started a '' tavern." 

The first school in the townsliip. it is sup- 
posed, was taught b}' Andrew Cofflnberry, com- 
monly known as Count Cofflnberry. Schools 



;v 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



453 



in those days were sustained by voluntary con- 
tributions. The teacher drew up an article, and 
stated the conditions upon which he would 
teach by the quarter, per scholar. At the end 
of the term, he would present the article to each 
subscriber and receive his paj*. 

The first Justice of the Peace was Andrew 
Coffinberr}', and the first i)rocess issued by him 
was against his brother George, for chopping 
on the Sabbath. This was the first introduc- 
tion of Sabbath-keeping in Mansfield. Prior to 
that, the day had l)een set apart for hunting, 
fishing, shooting at a mark and pitching quoits. 
A iNIethodist societ}^ was organized about this 
time, which will be noticed hereafter. Much 
drhiking was indulged in by the early settlers, 
or some of them. In those days, they had not 
learned to adulterate their liquors, and, although 
their whisky caused drunkenness, it did not 
poison, as is the case at present. The settlers 
on a certain occasion assembled together, and 
enacted a law, that any man who should get 
drunk should dig up a stump on the street or 
public square. The result was that, in a short 
time, the town was clear of stumps. One morn- 
ing after the passage of the law, a man by 
the name of Henry T. Bell was observed work- 
ing at a stump on the square, and was asked if 
he was drunk. He replied that he was not 
drunk, but expected to be before night, and 
wanted to pa}' in advance. 

For grain and grinding the settlers all went 
to Fredericktown and Mount Vernon, and horses 
and oxen were the only means of transporta- 
tion.* It took two days or more to make the 
trip, the only stopping-place being at James 
McCluer's on the Clear Fork, near Bellville. 
This James McCluer was one of the first Asso- 
ciate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of 
the county. 

The first tailor was John J. Foos, who after- 
ward went crazy because one of the first school- 
teachers. Miss Eliza Wolf, would not marry 

♦Beam's mill was then in operation, but ground only coin. 



him. The first shoemaker was Robert Ekey. 
The first tan-3'ard was started by John Pugh ; 
the first tinner was Samuel Bukias. 

The first death in the township was that of 
Eli Murphy ; he died in a log tavern kept by 
his father, on the present site of the Wiler House. 
This differs from the recollection of Henry 
Newman, who thinks the first deaths were John 
Coflfinberry, son of Greorge Coffinberry, aged 
seven or eight years, and an infant child of 
John C. Gilkison. They died in 1810 or 1811. 

The first saw-mill was built by Clement and 
Robert Pollock ; it was a tramp- wheel mill, pro- 
pelled b}' three yoke of oxen, and was located 
a short distance south of the Presbyterian 
church ; the first carding-mill was built by 
Robert Pollock, and was propelled b}' horse- 
power. If Samuel Martin may be considered 
the first merchant, Levi Jones was the second ; 
he succeeded Martin in the little cabin on the 
northwest corner of the square — the first cabin. 
Jones brought his goods from Canton. Stark 
Count_y, in wagons, and dealt principally in 
whisky, tobacco and groceries. The currency 
was silver ; gold or paper being seldom seen. 
Coflfee was worth 50 cents a pound, and corn 
12^ cents a bushel. 

At the first election, there were not enough 
electors to fill the otfiees — some held two. The 
first road was opened from Mansfield to Woos- 
ter ; the next, to Mount Vernon. In 1812, a 
mail route was established between Mount Ver- 
non and the Huron River, passing through 
Mansfield. The mail was carried by one Lewis 
Facer, on horseback. He made the round trip 
in four days, Mansfield being the stopping- 
place for two nights. 

The first post office was estaltlished on a 
large white-oak log that lay between the two 
block-houses, on the public square. Here the 
pioneers gathered to meet the mail-carrier, get 
their letters and hear the news. If one of 
them was so fortunate as to get a news- 
paper, he immediately read it aloud to all his 



♦iji 



•Hl 



454 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



neighbors, generally from the top of the log 
or a stump. 

When Samuel Hill and Rolin Weldon came, 
in 1810, they cut a road from the Indian vil- 
lage of (jireentown to Mansfield. 

The first doctor was Royal V. Powers. He 
came in 1815, tore down that immortal first 
cabin and erected a frame building, about 
18x26 feet and one story high. Here he 
swung his shingle, kept a few drugs and prac- 
ticed medicine. Powers afterward settled in the 
vicinity of New Haven, Huron County, and he 
and his brother David laid out that place. His 
sister was the wife of Millard Fillmore. 

During the autumn of 1812, Gen. Crooks, 
with 2,000 men, encamped within the city 
limits, and assisted the new settlement very 
materially by clearing oflT about fifty acres of 
land. They remained until January, and were 
encamped first on the east side of the square ; 
but the gi-ound becoming too muddy, they re- 
moved to the west side, where they cleared oft' 
a new camp. 

During this winter, a windstorm blew dowii 
a tree near where the old court house stood, 
killing two men belonging to the army. It has 
been erroneously stated that Maj. Wilson was 
one of the men thus killed. Henry NcAvman 
says that Maj. Wilson died of disease in his 
father's cabin, and was buried with the honors 
of war. Mr. Newman describes the funeral, 
and says Maj. Wilson's father afterward sent 
money to his mother (his father, Jacob, being 
then dead), to pay the expenses of his sickness. 

Mr. Weldon, who was one of the earliest set- 
tlers, says, regarding these early times : " John 
Wallace and I went out one day to hunt bees, 
about a mile north of Mansfield. On the hill, 
near the Piatt farm, we came on a den of yel- 
low rattlesnakes. We commenced shooting 
them, and continued to do so until our ammuni- 
tion failed. The balance of the snakes crawled 
into a hollow log, and we then went to work 
and pried it open, killing the balance with 



clubs. When we had finished our work, we 
piled up and counted the dead reptiles^ which 
were 121, all told. One of them had two heads 
and three eyes. This one we brought to Mans- 
field and gave to Dr. Bradle3\ * * * He 
put it in alcohol and kept it several j^ears." 

Rattlesnakes were numerous and among the 
most disagreeable enemies of the pioneers. 
They were frequently' found in their cabins and 
even in their beds. 

Not more than eight or ten families arrived 
in Mansfield before the war of 1812, and dur- 
ing that war, few, if anj^, came. Some time 
during the war, or shortly after, the Coffinberry 
cabin, on the North American corner, was taken 
down and a frame building erected, which was 
occupied by Samuel Williams as a tavern. He 
kept a good house for those da^s and did a 
lively business. People were coming con- 
stantly, to look at and locate lands. This hotel 
was afterward moved to the southwest cor- 
ner of Mulberry and West Market streets, and 
thence, some years ago, to the southeast 
corner of Mulberry and Second streets, where 
it still remains, and is occupied by Dr. Mera as 
a dwelling. Henry Roop was the next land- 
lord after Williams on that corner, and laid the 
foundation of the jjresent building. 

When the war of 1812 was declared, the set- 
tlers, fearing a general Indian massacre, began 
the erection of block-houses for their protec- 
tion. The first was erected at Beam's mill, on 
the Rock}^ Fork, where the first settlement was 
made. Two others were erected on the public 
square in Mansfield. The first was erected by 
a company of soldiers, under a Capt. ShaefFer, 
from Fairfield Count}'. It stood nearly in the 
center of the west side of the square. The 
second was built b}^ a company commanded by 
Col. Charles Williams, of Coshocton. Its loca- 
tion was a little south of and near the site of 
the old court house. 

These block-houses were garrisoned until 
after the battle of the Thames. The one on 



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j) fy 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



455 



the west side was of round logs ; the other was 
of hewed logs, and was afterward used as a 
court house and jail. 

Tn 1815, John M. May, the first lawj-er, set- 
tled in the new town. He was born in Conway-, 
Hampshire Co., Mass.; moved to Washington 
County. N. Y., and came to Marietta in 1811 ; 
thence to Lancaster, Ohio, where he studied 
law. When admitted to the bar, he came 
directly to Mansfield, where he continued to 
reside until his death, in 1869. His son, Man- 
uel, is his successor in his practice. There 
were about a dozen families in town when 
he came. On the east side of the square, a lit- 
tle north of the present Methodist Church, was 
a little dwelling-house, owned and occupied by 
James Moore, then Deputy . Sheriff of the 
count}'. James McCluer, one of the Judges, 
lived on the northwest corner of Main and 
Fourth streets. There was a hewed-log house 
on the present site of the Wiler House, occu- 
pied as a dwelling. Andrew Coffinberr}' lived 
on the southeast corner of East Diamond and 
Fourth streets ; Samuel Carrothers* and famil}', 
on the northwest corner, and a little below, on 
East Diamond, lived David Stevens. John C. 
Gilkisont lived on Main street, a little north of 
the Wiler House. Rolin Weldon lived on Fourth 
street, west of Main. John Gamson lived on 
the present site of the opera building, and, a 
few years afterward, opened a store. Joseph 
Cairns had a rough-log house on the McFall 
corner, and, soon after, went into the mercantile 
business. The block-house, on the west side of 
the square, was used, in 1816, for a school, 
taught by Miss P]liza Wolf Many of the 
original forest trees were standing in the square 
at that time. 

The first lawyer who came after Mr. Ma}' was 
Asa Grimes, father of A. L. Grimes. He only 
lived a few months after his arrival. The next 
lawvers were Col. William Cotgi-ave and Wilson 



* Samuel Carrothers died Jnnp 20, 1865, aged eighty-five, 
t John C. Gilkison died June 22, 1856. 



Elliott, who came in 1816. A few years after, 
James Purdy, Jacob Parker and James Stewart 
came. The first law student admitted to the 
bar was Andrew Coffinljerry, who studied with 
Mr. ^lay. In those da^-s, lawyers traveled with 
the court from count}- to county. Among those 
from abroad who attended the courts at Mans- 
field were William Stansberry,* of Newark ; 
Hosmer Curtis and Samuel ]Mott, of Mount 
Vernon, and Charles T. Sherman, of Lancaster. 
Curtis was the first Prosecuting Attorney, and 
was followed by Mr. May in 1816. 

In 1815, E. P. Sturges came from Fairfield, 
Conn., and opened a little store in a log cabin, 
directly opposite the present site of the 
Wiler House. Soon after, he bought out Dr. 
Powers, and that corner, where the first cabin 
was erected, has ever since been known as the 
"Sturges corner." A Mr. Buckingham Sher- 
wood came with him. They soon did a thriving 
business. The next year (1816), they enlarged 
their storeroom, and continued doing business 
together until 1823, when E. P. Sturges' 
brother, Edward Sturges, Sr., came, bought out 
Mr. Sherwood, and the firm became E. P. & E. 
Sturges. Mr. Sherwood went to Xewark. The 
Sturges firm continued to do a profitable busi- 
ness, made money rapidly, and became wealthy. 
In 1862, E. P. Sturges died, the firm was dis- 
solved, H. H. Sturges stepping in and continu- 
ing the business. It soon became the wholesale 
dry-goods house of Sturges, Wood & Witter. 
E. Sturges, Sr., engaged in banking and vari- 
ous financial enterprises, and in 1869 engaged 
in the wholesale grocery business with his son, 
E. P. Sturges, with whom he continued until 
his death, in September, 1878. 

Indians were quite numerous around Mans- 
field, in its early life, but not hostile until the 
war of 1812. They frequently came into the 
village for traffic, bringing game, furs, berries, 
etc. Huckleberries and cranberries were very 

*This gentleman died in Newark, Ohio, January 23, 1873, aged 
eighty-five. 



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456 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



plenty in Ashland County, and the New Haven 
marshes, as they still continue to be. The In- 
dians usually came in companies, and when in 
liquor, as was usually the case before leaving, 
were very noisy and troublesome. Their cus- 
tom, however, was to appoint two or three of 
their number to keep sober while the others 
were drunk. The squaws, too, would take 
away and secrete the knives and tomahawks of 
those who appeared to be getting dangerous. 
In these drunken frolics their yells could be 
heard for miles. The yell of an Indian is pe- 
culiar to itself, and cannot be exactly imitated 
by a white man. It has a shrill and metallic 
ring aV)0ut it, that is wholly unlike any other 
sound, and could be recognized anywhere, and 
at any time. The amusements common among 
the settlers were feats of strength, running, 
jumping, wrestling, pitching quoits, pla^'ing 
l)all, and fist fighting. The crowning daj^ was 
muster day, as '' fun " would be plenty. A great 
deal of whisk}' would be drank, and the " more 
fights the more fun." Different sections of the 
county seemed to be arrayed against each other, 
as is the case in all early settlements. The 
Black Forkers were alwaj's boasting their su- 
periority- over the Clear Forkers, and whenever 
these two factions met there was sure to be a 
fight, especially when whisk}- was plenty. The 
Clear Forkers were happy whenever they were 
fortunate enough to " clean out ' the Black 
Forkers, and clcr versa. 

On one occasion, when Joseph Cairns kept a 
small store on the McFall corner, an old Indian 
chief by the name of Mooney, threw his toma- 
hawk, from Miller's corner, at Cairns. It stuck 
fast in the door frame, within a few inches of 
Cairns' head. 

The first brick house in Mansfield was built 
on the site of the Opera House Block. It was 
first occupied by Clem. Pollock, a wheelwright by 
trade, and a son-in-law of Judge McCluer. 

Rev. James Rowland writes thus of Mans 
field when he came in 1820 : " Mansfield, in 



1820, numbered about two or three hundred 
inhabitants. The houses were few and far 
between. There were a few tolerably good 
frame buildings, and one brick house on the lot 
where H. R. Smith's store yet remains. - H. R. 
Smith's Opera Block now occupies the site of 
that brick house, or nearl}- so. It did not stand 
on the street, but back some distance. The 
second brick house was the Hedges dwelling, 
on the northeast corner of the square, still 
standing, and the third Avas down on East 
Market street — it is also standing. There was no 
building bordering on the east side of the public 
square, except a round-log cabin used as a 
butcher's shop, and standing where now stands 
the brick building of E. Hedges, Esq. The 
greatest number of houses and shanties were on 
West Diamond street, and the next greatest 
number on I]ast Diamond street. There was a 
log house on part of the present site of the 
Wiler House, kept by the jovial and enterpris- 
ing John Wiler, for his own benefit and that 
of the emigrants, to this county and further 
west. There were two dry-goods stores ; one 
on the northeast corner of the square, kept by 
Sturges & Sherwood, and one a little further 
north, by Robert McComb. In 1821, there was 
but one physician. A. O. Miller, until, I think, 
about the close of that year, when his brother, 
G. B. Miller, came to this place. They were 
associated in practice, and were highly es- 
teemed as citizens and physicians." 

He thus descriljes the old court house : " In 
1820, about the center of the public square, a little 
south from where the present court house stands, 
there was an edifice about 30x20 feet, and two 
stories in height. The lower story was constructed 
of hewed logs, that had been originally used in 
another part of the town for a block-house. The 
second, or upper stor}-, was frame work, and the 
house was weather-boarded on all sides, both 
above and l^elow. The stairway leading to the 
entrance of the second stoiy, was outside the 
buildino-. on the north side, and the building 



rv 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



457 



was not painted eitlier inside or out. This 
edifice served for various purposes, and was a 
kind of an omnium gatliprum (this last word is 
not to be lound in any ancient Latin diction- 
ar}'). People of all denominations, except the 
Methodists, who had a small frame church in 
the northeast part of the village as early as 
1 820, worshiped in the upper story. There, too, 
the county courts were held, and public meet- 
ings generally. On the east and west sides of 
this room were fireplaces, and a stove right in 
the center, and often in the coldest weather, by 
reason of the flues drawing downwai'd instead 
of upward, the fuel had to be carried out or the 
fire quenched, or the inmates suffered by smoke. 
In that room, I preached every alternate Sabbath 
for two or three years. The Judge's bench was 
on a slight elevation above the floor, and the 
fixtures in front of it, and the appearance 
around the bar, were in perfect harmon}' with 
the appearance of the room and house. The 
lower story was divided into three apartments ; 
the west half being used as a jailer's residence. 
and the south apartment of the east half as a 
cell — a close, tight place — wliere criminals were 
confined, and were said to sufler considerably 
sometimes by the rats ; the north part of the 
east half was a place of confinement for perse- 
cuted debtors. ' Mr. Henry Newman, still liv- 
ing at Br3-an, Ohio, adds the following regard- 
ing this : •• The hewed-log block-house was built 
in the fall of 1813, about three rods east of the 
main street, in the direction of the old court 
house. The logs that formed the under story 
were dovetailed ; the under and upper floor 
laid with hewed logs. The under story, after 
the war, composed the first jail ; the upper story 
projected eight inches on every side, and was 
large enough for a court house for the county. It 
had one twelve-light window, 8x10 glass, on the 
gable end (north end), and port-holes above and 
below. " It ma}' be added that the lower part 
of this edifice was of double logs, with a space 
between filled with stones ; at least such is the 



evidence of several old settlers, though Judge 
David 3IcCullouh, still living on East ^Market 
sti-eet, and who came in 1822, thinks this a 
mistake. He says the logs were nicely hewn, 
and laid very closely together, but the wall was 
not double. Mr. Rowland says maple sugar 
was from 4 to 6 cents per pound ; land from $2 
to $6 per acre ; wheat 37^ cents per bushel, 
and wood from 75 cents to $1 per cord. 

Mrs. Mariah H. Smith, still living in a log 
house (weatherboarded over), on South Main 
street, came to town in 1823, and moved shortly 
afterward into that same house. She says the 
old original Wiler House was moved up on 
South East-Diamond street, where it still remains. 
There was a small block-house at that time on 
South Main street, on the south side of the 
run, where Roop's, and afterward Ritter's, tan- 
yard was located. Jacob Newman's cabin was 
further up the hillside, where Mrs. Ritter now 
lives. Andrew S. Newman, son of Jacob New- 
man, the first settler in Richland County, died 
January 31, 1872. He was born in Richland 
County in 1811, and always resided in ^lans- 
field. She remembers attending the Methodist 
Church on Water street, near the big spring, and 
that she went through the hazel brush to get to 
it. There was a carding-mill where the water- 
works are now located, which carded the wool 
that was spun and woven into cloth by the 
settlers for their clothing. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Grant, formerly Carothers, 
who still lives on Fourth street, came in 1815. 
Her statement is interesting, but as it is a repe- 
tition of what has alread}- been written, it is 
not given fully. She says that on the south- 
west corner of West Market and Mulberry streets 
was a pottery, where crocks, etc., were made, 
kept by a man named Locke, an uncle of '' Pe- 
troleum V. Nasby." She has now in her pos- 
session some of his pottery ; she has also a small 
tub made by the first cooper — a Mr. Maxwell, 
who kept a shop near the big spring. This 
Carothers family was- one of the earliest in 



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,u 



458 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



town, and, in some respects, a remarkable one. 
They are all now living except Rebecca, who 
died in November, 1879, and with this excep- 
tion, and that of the father and mother, no 
death has occurred in the famih' for seventj'- 
four years. These children were born very near 
each other, the youngest being now sixty, and 
the oldest seventy-one. 

Mr. James Purd}-, still living on West Mar- 
ket street in the eight3'-seventh 3'ear of his age, 
and in full possession of his mental faculties, 
came to Mansfield in 1823. He was born in 
Hopewell, York Co., Penn.. July 24, 1793. The 
following are a few of his personal recollections. 
He has always lieen prominent in the town and 
city, and, in the active period of his life, identi- 
fied with its material growth and prosperity' : 
•'When Gren. Hedges laid out the town, he 
donated a square of ground on each corner of 
his plat for public purposes. This square was 
equal to three lots. The one on the southwest 
corner (where the First Ward Schoolhouse is 
now located) was donated to the Presl:)yterians 
for a grave^^ard. This grave^'ard was aban- 
doned man}' years ago, most of those Ijuried 
having been removed to, and reburied in, the 
present cemetery. The square on the southeast 
corner was donated to the town for a grave- 
3'ard ; and those on the northeast and north- 
west corners, for school purposes. One of the 
first schoolhouses was erected on one of these 
— the one on the northeast corner, where the 
soap works now stand. At that time, Robert 
McCombs* kept a store on the southwest corner 
of Third and Main ; Hugh McFall opposite, on 
the northwest corner ; a Mr. Ewing, opposite 
the North American, and Sturges and Sherwood 
on the Sturges corner. There were three hotels 
— the Wiler House, the Williams House (on 
the site of the North American) and a small 



♦Robert McOonibs was born February 17, 1797, in Washington 
Co., Penn., and came to Mansfield in 1817, engaging in the mercan- 
tile business. Retiring from this business in 1842, he became in- 
terested in railroads, and was a Director of the Sandusky, Mansfield 
& Newarlc Railroad until his death, April 20, 1865. 



house kept b}' a widow ladj- one door south of 
McComb's store. 

"In 1816, a bank was started opposite the 
North American on Main street. It was called 
a bank, but never had a charter, and closed up 
in a few months, but lasted long enough to 
ruin most of its stockholders. The next bank 
was started in 1846, by Messrs. Patterson & 
Co., on the west side of the square, on the spot 
where the Farmer's Bank is now located. It 
did Inisiness a good many years, Ijut was 
not permanent. The first permanent Imnk was 
started by Mr. Purdy himself, in 1847. The 
lawyers were Ma}', CoflSnljerry, Purdy and 
Burr. Ma}' had a little 8x10 frame office on 
the southwest corner of Market street and the 
public square. There was quite a frog pond in 
front of his office. It was called Lake ]May. 
It was occupied extensively by frogs in sum- 
mer, and used by the boys in the winter for a 
skating-rink. 

"James Moore was Sheriff, and also a Cap- 
tain of militia. Harry Wilcox was Sherifl[' 
after Moore. The doctors were Bradley, R. V. 
Powers, two brothers by the name of Miller, 
and Dr. Sweney, before the arrival of Dr. 
William Bushnell in 1828. Ellzey Hedges was 
Justice of the Peace. 

" There were two tanneries, one kept by John 
Pugh, on Main street just below the site of the 
City Mill, and the other liy Edward Grant, on 
the run, west side of South Main street. Three 
hatters were here — John Mann, the first one, on 
Main below the Wiler House ; Nattie Bryan, in 
the hollow on South Main, and Henry Bell, 
near the southwest corner of the square. The 
cabinet-makers were James Smart, a little be- 
low the Wiler House ; Jacob Lindley, on the 
northwest corner of West Market and Walnut, 
where the Baptist Church now stands ; and 
Samuel Wolf, on the southeast corner of West 
Market and ^luD^erry, where Mr. John Woods 
dwelling stands. Lindley afterward, about 1830, 
built a brick tavern on his lot and called 



\3/ 

V ( 






>^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



461 



it the Mansion Honse, kept by liimself. In 
the winter of 1827-28, there were 270 people, 
men, women and cliildren, in the town, by act- 
ual enumeration. 

" The early settlers were without transporta- 
tion for their grain, part of which was worked 
up into whisky b}' a few small distilleries, and 
sent by way of Sandusky to Detroit, and sold 
to the Indians to assist in their civilization. 
Furs, pelts, gentian, smoked venison hams and 
rags were taken in trade by Mansfield mer- 
chants and sent to Pittsburgh in four-horse 
wagons. Jen-y Jaques, Jim Downs. Tom 
Cantwell, Sam and John Creigh were the 
teamsters in those days." IMr. Purdy gives 
much other valuable history, which will he 
found elsewhere in its appropriate place. 

Mansfield H. Grilkison is responsible for a few 
items following : Stephen Curran went out one 
day, near the spring, to make clapboards, and, 
while he was at work, left his dinner on a 
stump. Happening to look in the direction of 
the stump during his labor, he saw a large 
black bear helping himself to his dinner. 
Curran, finding he could not scare bruin away 
by yelling at him, attacked him with his ax. 
The bear showed fight, but Curran was also 
plucky, and finally the bear beat a retreat ; but 
ran directly toward the public square, where he 
was overtaken by Curran, who seized him by 
the tail. The Irishman had, in the mean time, 
been making considerable noise, and quite a 
crowd had collected. The bear whirled rapidly 
about, Curran holding to the tail for some time, 
until, his hold slipping, he was thrown several 
feet away, and, notwithstanding the crowd, or. 
very likely, because of it, the bear ran awa}^ 
down the ravine behind the North American, 
and escaped. 

He says the first show in town was that of a 
lion, exhibited in a barn on the alley in rear of 
the former location of the Farmer's Bank, oppo- 
site the North American. He thinks the first 
sermon was preached by the Rev. Van Eman, a 



Presb3'terian. on South Main street, where the 
Lexington road forks. He spoke in the open 
air, and stood on a platform made entirelj' 
of round logs. Other logs were lying about 
for the use of the audience. Jacob Lindley was 
first Mayor, and John Gr. Peterson first ^larshal 
of the town. 

At a Methodist Episcopal Conference, held 
in ^Mansfield in 1872, the famous old Methodist 
*^ircuit rider, Mr. Harry 0. Sheldon, was present, 
and made the statement that he assisted in 
organizing the first temperance society in Ohio. 
It was organized in the old log court house on 
the square, and himself and Rev. James Row- 
land, then living, were the only surviving mem- 
bers of that society. He also stated that he 
organized the first Salibath school ever held in 
Mansfield. He was at that time (1872), editor 
of the Oberlin Xeic Era. He must have fol- 
lowed very closely the Rev. William James (not 
Jones), who was the first Methodist preacher, 
and, very likely, the first preacher of any de- 
nomination in Mansfield. It cannot be cer- 
tainly ascertained whether it was James or 
Yan Eman, the Presbyterian preacher. James 
was gored by a bull belonging to himself and 
killed. 

Hotel-keeping seems to have been the prin- 
cipal business in those earh- days. About 
every other cabin was used at one time or 
another for a " tavern." A great many people 
were coming and going, looking at and 
entering lands, surveying, etc., and nearly 
all the earliest settlers became tavern-keep- 
ers. Mr. John Wiler, who is still living, 
was among the first of these. He came to 
Mansfield in 1819, a single man. He under- 
stood baking and brewing, and rented of a Mr. 
Styers, who lived in the country, near town, the 
log building then standing on the site of the 
Wiler House, probabl}' the same building 
erected by Murphy. Here he started a bake- 
shop, and after a time started a brewery, or a 
small establishment down on the flat, which he 



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k* 



463 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



called the " Devil's Teapot," where he manufact- 
ured ale or Iteer. and perhaps spirits, and kept a 
saloon in addition to his bakery. He soon did 
a good business and made money. He was a 
hearty, go-ahead, jovial fellow, and those who 
indulged in the •' ardent " (and there were few 
who did not in those days) liked to patronize 
Wiler, partly on account of his genial disposi- 
tion and partly because he always laid a nicely 
sugared cake on top of each glass as he handed 
it out. He was thrifty and paid Mr. Styers 
the rent promptly. After a time, he concluded 
he could make more money by keeping a hotel 
in addition to his 




other business ; 
but he was a single 
man, a seriovis ob- 
stacle to his plans. 
He was not a man, 
howev er. to let 
difficulties so small 
as that stand in 
his wa}'. Mr. Sty- 
ers, his landlord. 
had several girls, ' 
and one day, when j 
Wiler went to pay 
his rent, he asked 
Styers for one of 

them for a wife. That gentleman brought out 
his oldest daughter, arrangements were soon 
made, and in a short time the Wiler House 
came into existence. This lady proved to be 
one of the best of wives. The marriage took 
place in 1819. Mr. Steers assisted the young 
couple b}' presenting them with the property, 
and in a short time the enterprising and indus- 
trious Wiler added to it, and in 1831 built a 
two-story brick, which is yet a part of the 
Wiler House. Additions have appeared from 
time to time until the building reached its 
present grand proportions. It has been well 
managed, alwaj's considered a first-class house, 
and so remains at present. 



ST. .JAMES HOTEL. 



The very excellent hotel, now known as the St. 
James, also has something of a history. Sam- 
uel Bukias, before mentioned as the first tin- 
ner, had his shop on that corner. He owned 
two small frame houses then, standing together, 
in one of which he lived. These caught fire 
and burned down. During this fire, Mrs. 
Bukias escaped from the burning buildings 
and ran through the crowd to the Wiler House ; 
then, remembering her baby, ran back, caught 
it up, wrapping it in her apron, and again 
pushed her wa}' through the crowd to the Wiler. 
Being greatly excited, she had dropped the 

liabe in the street, 
and did not miss 
it until she came 
into the house. 
Almost frantic, 
she ran back again 
and found it in the 
street, unhurt, 
among the tramp- 
ing, rush and con- 
fusion of the 
excited crowd. 
Bukias afterward 
died, and his 
widow married a 
man named Felix 
Leiter, who started the first hotel there in 1830 or 
1831. The building was frame, and was also 
destroyed by fire. Tn 184:4, a Mr. Teegarden built 
a small brick hotel there, which he called the 
Teegarden House, the beginning of the pres- 
ent structure. It has changed hands and 
names man^- times, lieing called for a long time 
the Weldoii House, Mr. James Weldon, son of 
Rolin Weldon, being its owner and proprietor. 
He died Fel)ruary 20, 1872. He came to Mans- 
field in 1810, when be was six years of age, 
remaining here until his death. He learned 
the l^lacksmith's trade with his father, and 
afterward dealt largely in stock with John U. 
Tanner. In early daj^s, he made sugar every 






4' 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



463 



spring just east of town, his camp being located j 
where the Mennonite Churcli now stands. From ! 
the public square to the creek on the east, was, 
at that time, one of the finest sugar-tree groves 
in all this region. Old settlers remember the 
wooden bowl which he always kept well filled 
with sugar, free to all comers. After the return 
of Gov. Bartley from Coii^ress, he and AVeldon 
engaged in the drj'-goods business together. He 
was in the mercantile business nearly fort}^ 
years. The St. James has been remodeled and 
added to from time to time. Al)out 18G0. it 
was purchased b}' its present owner and i)ro- 
prietor. Mr. Lewis Yonhoff. and some time after 
its name changed to St. James. It is first class 
in every particular. 

The Phwnix Hotel, which occupied the corner 
of North Park and East Diamond streets, was 
one of the oldest in the city. It was destroyed 
by fire on the night of November 23, 1866. 
some of its inmates barely escaping with their 
lives. It had not been used as a hotel for some 
years before it was destro3'ed, but had, just he- | 
fore the fire, been repaired hy its owner, H. C. 
Hedges, and generally been made over into 
storerooms and offices. After its destruction, 
Mr. Hedges built a brick block on its site, which 
was also destroyed by fire soon after its com- 
pletion, and in 1872 he erected the present sub- 
stantial and roomy structure. 

The old ^Mansion House was among the earli- 
est hotels. >t occupied the corner of West 
Market and Walnut streets — was erected and 
kept l)y JacoV) Lindley, the first Mavor of the 
town. The Baptists purchased it. pulled it down, 
and erected the present substantial church. 



Among the later buildings, for hotel purposes, 
is the Atlantic House, foot of Main street, 
erected in 1864. by the Atlantic and Great 
Western Railroad Company, and was opened 
for l)usiness in January, 1865, by C. C. Town- 
ley, its first proprietor. Four years after, in 
1860. Barnard Wolf erected a fine brick hotel, 
on the corner of East Diamond and Fourth, 
which he called the Barnard House. It is brick, 
four stories, and will accommodate about 150 
guests. It now bears the name of the Sherman 
House. In addition to these, there are the 
Euro"i3ean. Tremont. North American, and sev- 
eral other hotels, of more or less importance. 
Next to the Wiler, the North American stands 
without a rival in age. It is a question which 
is the older of these two. but the probability 
is. the first " tavern " stood on the site of the 
North American. This building has been 
added to. fi'om time to time, until it is quite 
spacious. Aliout 1873. it was purchased by 
Mr. Jabez Cook (since deceased) and Mr. Rit- 
ter. These gentlemen remodeled and rebuilt 
it in its present shape. It is still an excellent 
hotel, kept, at present, by Homer Wright. 
Mr. Ritter. one of the owners of it, and his 
brother, came to this countr}- in 1818, landing 
at Baltimore. William died. Novemlier 8. 1873, 
aged sixty-one ; Joseph lived nearly a j'car 
longer, dying October 2<». 1874, aged seventy- 
nine. They came from Brakerl. Westphalia, 
Germany. Joseph worked at his trade (tanner), 
in Baltimore, until 1822. when he removed to 
Canton. Ohio, and from there to ^Mansfield, in 
1833. 



-TT 



(a «^ 



:ki^ 



464 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUXTY. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 

THE CITY CHURCHES. 

■» 

The First Presbyteeian — The Congregationalist — The Associate, Associate Reformed and United Pres- 
byterian — The Methodist Episcopal Church — The First Baptist and Central BAPiist Churches — 
English Lutherans — Chi'kch of Christ — St. John's — Reformed Presby'tekian — St. Paul German 
Lutheran — St. Peter's Catholic — Grace Episcopal — African Methodist Episcopal — Church of God 
— Believers in Christ. 



MANSFIELD ought to l)e, and probably is, 
■ proud of its churches, and of the interest 
taken in religious matters. There are sixteen 
churches in the city ; they are generall}^ plain 
and su))stantial, but some of them are spacious 
and beautiful. The Congregational Church, on 
West Market street, is justly celebrated for its 
beauty and finish. If churches are an indica- 
tion of civilization, this city can justly feel that 
she stands in the front rank. 

In 1815, the village of Mansfield consisted 
of twentj^-two houses and two block-houses. 
That year the Rev. George Van Eman, 
the first Presbyterian minister here, began 
his labors. The services were held in the upper 
room of the block-house, on the square, which 
was then used as a court house. The following 
extract is from an address of Rev. S. W. Miller, 
published in 1876. He says, referring to Rev. 
Van Eman : " He was certainly the first Pres- 
byterian minister, and, in all probability, the 
first minister of an}- denomination who preached 
in Mansfield." Mr. John Weldon says : " I 
think Dr. James (evidentl}- referring to William 
James, the well-known pioneer Methodist), was 
the first preacher that settled in Mansfield. He 
was a Methodist, and built a log house on the 
corner of Third and Water streets." On the 
other hand, the following positive statement is 
preserved, made in 1838, by Henry Newman, 
who is still at Brj-an, Ohio, in full possession of 



mind and memory : " The first man who held 
religious meetings in Madison Township was 
Rev. Bowman, a pioneer missionary. The 
neighbors met at my father's cabin, three miles 
down the Rocky Fork from Mansfield ; in all 
there wei'e about eight or ten hearers, including 
work-hands. The place is now better known as 
Beam's Mill. The second preacher in Madison 
Township was Rev. Ceorge Van Eman, a Pres- 
byterian. He collected a congregation in 1814 
or 1815, in Mansfield, and served the people 
until Rev. James Rowland came ; and, about 
the same time, Rev. William James came. The 
Rev. Charles Waddle, and the Rev. Somerville, 
of the Methodist Church, came to Mansfield in 
1816. About the same time, or soon after, the 
first Methodist Church was built, a little south- 
east of the Big Spring, and, shortly after, the 
Presbyterians built a church on tiie hill on East 
Diamond street, where the new church now 
stands." It will be observed that the above 
statement is clear on two points : first, that the 
Rev. Bowman was the first minister who 
preached in the township ; and, second, that 
the Rev. George Van Eman was the first min- 
ister who preached in the town of Mansfield. 
There is abundant testimony that Mr. Van 
Eman was preaching here in the fall of 1815. 
The First Presbyterian Church of Mansfield 
was organized some time in the year 1816, by 
James Scott and George Van Eman, who were 



■71 



:v 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



465 



directed to do so by the old Presbytery of Lan- 
caster. At the organization, there were six 
male members and seven female. Two Elders 
were elected— George Coffinberry and Richard 
Hoy, the former of whom had been an Elder 
before coming to Mansfield ; the latter had 
been a member of the Associate Presbyterian 
Chnrch. In 1820, when the Associate Presby- 
terian Church was organized in Mansfield, he 
transferred his membership thereto, and was at 
once intrusted with the. same important office. 
In 1817, G. BerryJiill, Mathias Day, and Noah B. 
Cook, were elected and ordained Ruling Elders. 

Mathias Day, Sr., was born in Chatham, N. 
J., in 1791, and came to Mansfield in 1816. He 
was a master carpenter, and superintended the 
erection of nearly all the early buildings in 
Mansfield. In 1817, he married Sophia Grimes, 
who then held the office of County Recorder. 
After their marriage, the office was transferred ' 
to ^Ir. Dsiy, who held it foui'teen years. He 
was long a member of the Presley terian Church, 
and a strong antislavery man. He died JMarch 
21, 1866. 

Mr. Van Eman was installed by the Presliy- 
tery of Lancaster. The exact date is unknown, 
but it was prior to October, 1817, the date of 
the erection of the Presbyter}' of Richland b}' 
the Synod of Ohio. Mr. Van Eman applied 
for a dissolution of the pastoral relation in May, 
1820, but was not dismissed until August the 
same year. There was no church edifice in his 
time, the services lacing sometimes held in 
.private houses, but generally in the court house. 
In his report to the Presbytery in April, 1818, 
he says : " Mansfield Church consisted of fort}'- 
five members, April 1, 1817. Since added, on 
examination, fifteen ; on certificate, ten ; total 
now in communion, sevent}"." In 1867. he 
writes to Mr. Davis : " When I came to Mans- 
field, there were about ten communicants ; when 
I left, about forty." 

In August, 1820, Rev. James Rowland first 
visited Mansfield. The following April, at the 



request of the church, then consisting of about 
twent3'-five members, the Presbytery appointed 
him stated supply for one-half of his time for 
one year, the church promising him $200 on 
subscription, at the same time allowing him one- 
half his time for suppl^-ing other churches con- 
tiguous to Mansfield. He was ordained June 
26, 1821, and installed April 8, 1823. During 
his pastorate, which continued over seventeen 
years, being from April, 1821, until November 
25, 1838, one-half his time for seven years, and 
the whole of his time afterward, he preached 
within the bounds of this church thirteen hun- 
dred and seventy sermons ; baptized fort3'-eight 
adults, and three hundred and thirty-two infants ; 
solemnized two hundred and fiftj-seveji mar- 
riages, and received into the communion of the 
church, on examination and profession of faith, 
two hundred and twenty-two. and on certificate 
one hundred and fifty-seven. After the dissolu- 
tion of the pastoral relation, in 1838, Mr. Row- 
land continued as stated supply until April fol- 
lowing ; and also supplied the pulpit at subse- 
quent times, as occasion I'equired, living among 
them i;ntil his death in 1 872. as a prudent and 
loving father and friend. Sometime during the 
earl}^ part of his ministry, a frame church was 
erected on the spot where the present edifice 
stands. 

Mr. Rowland was succeeded in April, 1839. 
by Alexander M. Cowan. His was a stormy 
pastorate, and was terminated in August, 1842. 
In the autumn of 1840, a second Presl\yterian 
Church was organized, as the result of a long 
and bitter controversy between two factions. 
The church was al>out equallv divided, and the 
fire only burned higher and waxed hotter by 
virtue of the oil that the Presbytery poured 
upon it. until, for the sake of peace, a second 
organization was granted. This organization 
erected and occupied the building on Mulberry 
street, now used by the Roman Catholics as a 
school. Of that church, Mr. Rowland was 
stated supply for a time. and. after him. the Rev. 



liL^ 



466 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



F. A. Shearer, who was installed in November. 
1843, and continued to hold that relation until 
the two churches were re-united by act of the 
Presbytery, in 1846. After Mr. Cowan, the 
pulpit was supplied for a longer or shorter time 
in succession, b}' S. M. Templeton, in 1842 ; 
Evan Evans, in 1843 ; W. C. Kniffln, in 1844 ; 
T. F. McGill, in 1845; James W. Dickey, in 
1847 ; J. E. Marquis, in 1854 ; J. W. McGre- 
gor, in 1857. The latter resigned in October 
of the same year, and was succeeded by J. R. 
Burgett. His labors, though brief, were greatly 
blest to the church, lifting them to new life 
and vigor ; and the months of January and 
Feliruruary of the following year were made 
memorable by the addition of seventy -five new 
members. The people said, '-Let us arise and 
build." 

The corner-stone of the present church edi- 
fice was laid on the 17th of Septemlier, 1858, 
and the first service held in the basement Feb- 
ruary 25, 1859, Rev. John Loyd preaching on 
the occasion. Mr. Burgett was followed, in No- 
vember, 1859, by Hemy R. Wilson, D. D., who 
continued until September, 1860, when Mr. 
Rowland again officiated until March, 1861. 
At this time. Rev. Greorge Morris received a 
unanimous call, and occupied the pulpit until 
November, 1863. During Mr. Morris" time, the 
audience chamber of the new church was occu- 
pied for the first time, dedicatory services being 
held August 20, 1862, the congregation having 
worshiped several years in the basement. Fol- 
lowing Mr. Morris, came Thomas K. Davis, who 
was installed Septemlier 21.1865. He remained 
until January 1, 1867, when he resigned, and, 
in the following May, David Hall, of Brady's 
Bend, Penn., became Pastor. During his pas- 
torate of six years and eight months, much 
good was accomplished, and 181 members 
added to the church. He was a man of great 
ability and energy, and much beloved by his 
people. On the retirement of Mr. Hall, the 
Rev. S. W. JNIiller, was chosen Pastor. 



Mr. Miller was elected Pastor March 30, 
1874 ; preached his first sermon May 8, 1874, 
and was installed June 9, 1874. The growth of 
the church has, under kind Providence, been 
rapid and encouraging, and now numbers about 
three hundred members. 

During the five years ending April 30, 1879, 
175 persons were added to the church, 95 on 
examination and profession of faith, and 80 b}' 
certificate from other churches ; $19,388 has 
been contril)uted, being an average of $3,879 
annually, distributed as follo^'s, viz., $2,179 to 
the missionary work of the church at large, and 
$17,219 to the work of the church at home. 
During the past year, the ladies have refit- 
ted the interior of the church, the expense being 
about $1,600, making it in beauty and comfort 
second to none in the city. Rev. Miller resigned 
the pastorate in April, 1880. and the pulpit is 
now vacant. 

The officers of the church are : Ruling Elders, 
Joseph Smart, Thomas McBride, J. J. King, 
John Simpson, Ph. D., L. J. Bonar and William 
McCoy ; Trustees — Thomas McBride, J. J. 
King, E. J. Forne}', Joseph Hedges and A. C. 
Patterson. 

The Presbyterian Salibath School was the 
first organized in Mansfield, and is therefore the 
pioneer. The exact date of its organization 
cannot be ascertained, but it was between the 
years 1816 and 1819. It was organized where 
the finst meetings of the Presbyterian Church 
were held, in the block-house on the square. 
The Presbyterians claim to have organized this 
school, but it was attended for some years by 
Christians of other denominations. Scholars 
were then too few to divide up, and all worked 
together for the general good. Mathias Day 
came to Mansfield in 1817, and it is supposed he 
was the first Superintendent. When Mr. James 
Purdy came in 1823. he was elected Superintend- 
ent. At that time, there were no Sunday-school 
books, the Bible and hj-mn-book onl}- being 
used. It was the onl}' school of this kind until 



TV 






niSTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



467 



1826, when the Methodists felt strong enough 
to have one of their own. The Presbyter- 
ian school was continued without interrup- 
tion in tlie old frame church, on the corner 
where the present church stands, until 1857. 
when the frame building was taken awa^' to 
make room for building the new church, 
and the Sabbath school was held for awhile in 
the P]piscopal Church and in the old Baptist 
Church, on East Third street. About this time, 
there being some division in the church, the 
school was discontinued for a short time. In 
October, 1857, it was again organized, and a 
Mr. Furgeson elected Superintendent, followed 
shortly l)y a Mr. King. It was held in Melo- 
deon Hall, ])ut soon removed to Sturges Hall. 
Here it continued until the lecture-room of the 
pres6nt church was completed. In 1861. Hon. 
William Johnson was Superintendent. He was 
followed by Mr. Vance ; the Pastor. Thomas K. 
Davis, and Mr. Crawford Spear. Mr. Vance 
was re-elected in 1865. and served until some 
time in 1866, when L. J. Bonar. the present 
Superintendent, was elected. Mr. Bonar has 
filled the important position long and laithfully, 
and the school has greatly prospered and grown 
under his judicious management. He entered 
upon the work with great zeal, which has not 
flagged for a moment. Not only has the school 
been kept in a prosperous condition. Init other 
schools have grown out. and are considered 
part, of it. In 1869, a school was started at 
Canton, China, through Miss Hattie Noyes. ^ 
The collections of this school were sent out to 
Canton, and were used in sustaining the branch 
Sunday' school, with a membership of twenty- 
five girls. In the summer of 1865. the Union 
Colored Sunclaj' School, of Mansfield, was 
organized, mainly through Mr. Bonars efforts. 
Its meetings were held on Sabliath afternoons, 
and Mr. Bonar was for some time its Superin- 
tendent. This was an undertaking of much 
difficult}', as many of the members, having 
been recently freed from slavery, were unable 



to read. A night school was established, in 
which these people were first taught the rudi- 
ments of the English language. ^Ir. Isaac 
Pleasants, a colored man, was afterward elected 
Superintendent, and the school was continued 
some years under his charge, when it was 
placed under the care of the Young Men's 
Christian Association. In the fall of 1869, a 
Sunda}' school was organized in John's Addi- 
tion, under the auspices of the Presbj'terian 
Sunday School. Its first meeting wai^ at the 
house of Mr. A. W. Lobach, there being no 
church in that part of the city. By permission 
of the Board of Education, it was held for some 
time at the schoolhouse. Mr. Bonar was Super- 
intendent of this Sunday school until 1870, 
when Mr. Hamsher was elected. 

The organization of the Congregational 
Church of Mansfield was first agitated in 
1833. In the autumn of that year, James 
B. Walker, then a layman, happened in 3Ians- 
field on business, and was requested, by Ma- 
thias Day, Sr., and others, to draft a paper, 
containing the reasons for and articles to the 
organization of a new ecclesiastical societj^. 
This paper contained, in part, the following : 
'•ResoJced, That we will form ourselves into a 
new ecclesiastical societ}', whose oliject shall be 
to employ an evangelical minister, of the Pres- 
byterian or Congregational denomination, and 
to use all other means to promote the influence 
of the Grospel in the town and county of which 
we are residents." 

To the articles of association were appended 
the following names : Thomas Smith, Thomas 
Taylor, Daniel Cook, Williamson Carothers, 
Samuel Smith. William Maxwell, Thomas Smith, 
A. Sutherland, Luther Cook. Robert Bowland, 
Robert 3IcComb, E. P. Sturges, Jedediah Smith, 
Edward Sturges. J. ^I. May, Jacob Parker, M. 
Douglas, Jr., Edwin Grant, Davitl AVise. John 
Walker and Robert Lowry. 

This association procured, temporarily, for a 
place of worship, the upper room of the 



^ 

" 






468 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COimTY. 



warehouse of E. P. and E. Sturges, in which 
they for a time assembled. 

In 1835, this association resolved to have a 
church building, and formed a meeting-house 
association, of which Thomas Smith was Presi- 
dent ; P]. P. Sturges, Treasurer ; Williamson 
Carothers, William Maxwell, C. L. Avery, C. T. 
Sherman and Robert McComb, Directors. The}' 
proceeded to purchase four acres of ground, on 
West Market street, upon which they erected a 
substantial brick l;)uilding, with basement for 
lecture and Sabl)ath-school purposes. April 8, 
of the same year, the Congregational Church of 
Mansfield was organized, by the Rev. P]. Judson 
and Rev. Enoch Conger, memljers of the Pres- 
bytery of Huron, Ohio. The}' made the follow- 
ing minute of the organization : " We, the un- 
dersigned, being present at Mansfield, Richland 
Co., Ohio, on the 3d day of April, A. D. 1835, 
as missionaries of the American Home Mis- 
sionary Society, proceeded, in compliance with 
their request, to organize the persons whose 
names follow, into a Congregational Church of 
the Lord Jesus Christ : George L. Hovey, 
Elizabeth Hovey, Sarah G. Nelson, Belinda 
Curtis, Jerusha M. Sturges, James Loughridge, 
John E. Palmer, Edwin Grrant, Mariah B. Suth- 
erland, John Walker. Sarah Hoy and Nancy 
Smith." 

Thus, in brief, was founded the church, which 
has made for itself a history, has become an 
ornament and honor to the city, and whose 
channel of usefulness is broadening and deep- 
ening with each succeeding year. 

Shortly after l)uilding the church, a comfort- 
able frame parsonage was erected on the same 
lot. During the first year, more than forty 
members were added to the church, most of 
whom had counseled its organization, and part 
of whom joined by letter from other churches. 
Thomas Smith, Daniel Cook, William Maxwell, 
John E. Palmer and 3Iathias Day were chosen 
Deacons. The following are the names of the 
Pastors: Seth Waldo, from August, 1835, to 



August, 1836 ; Theodore Keep, from October, 
1836, to May, 1837 ; Leonard Parker, from No- 
vember, 1837, to September, 1840. Rev. Parker 
was succeeded by John Keep, who labored dur- 
ing a portion of the year 1842, and was suc- 
ceeded by James B. Walker, who remained 
four years. Greorge M. Maxwell was in charge 
from 1846 to 1850, when Mr. Walker was re- 
called, and remained several years. During his 
absence in Europe, in 1854, Rev. Mr. Ely, of 
Rochester, N. Y., occupied the pulpit. Follow- 
ing Mr. Walker, were W. W. Woodworth, Starr 
H. Nichols, J. G. W. Cowles. J. E. Twitchell, 
E. B. Fairfield and S. B. Bell. The latter was 
not installed, but supplied the pulpit for 
eighteen months. 

During Mr* Fairfield's pastorate, occurred 
some of the most important events in the his- 
tory of the church, by which it gained a national 
reputation. The Pastor's stand regarding the 
troubles of Plymouth pulpit is well known to 
the reading world. On the 18th of August, 
1870, the old church, around which clustered 
many tender memories, was destroyed by fire. 
This fire seemed almost to have been a provi- 
dential occurrence. The old church was some- 
what dilapidated ; seemed, as it were, to have 
outlived its usefulness ; was not up to the re- 
quirements of the time, or the needs of the con- 
gregation, and }'et was too good to abandon. 
Some of the members were in favor of building 
new, but many yet clung to the old ; the fire 
.came to end this controversy. Subscription 
papers were immediately circulated, money 
pledged both inside and outside the organiza- 
tion, and, in the course of time, the present 
magnificent edifice .was an accomplished tact. 
Mr. Fairfield was an incessant worker in the 
building of this church. It was dedicated June 
8, 1873, and is a building of which the entire 
city is jvistly provid. One thing only remained 
to mar the pleasure and dampen the hopes 
which the building of this church brought with 
it ; a debt of $40,000 hung like a pall over it ; 



(5 i^ 



^ 2) 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



469 



and, when the panic of 1873 burst suddenly 
upon the countiy, no midnight storm-elond, 
hanging continually above its graceful steeple, 
could have been more depressing in its influ- 
ence. Five years passed under this cloud — 
years of alternate hope and despair ; and, mean- 
while, Mr. Fairfield and Mr. Bell had retired, 
and the Rev. Frank Russell, the })resent Pastor, 
was installed May 15, 1878. The church liad 
been somewhat divided li}- internal dissensions, 
which seriously impaired its progress and use- 
fulness. Earnest efforts were at once inaugu- 
rated to remove the one great cause of trouble. 
A correspondence was opened with Mr. Kim- 
ball, of Chicago, the celebrated church-debt Ex- 
tinguisher ; Jiis services secured, and, on the 
29th of September, 1878, he made his appear- 
ance in the pulpit of the church, in his favorite 
role. In one week from that day the entire 
amount had been pledged ; the pall was lifted, 
and the church stood in the sunlight of free- 
dom. Mr. Kimliall started the ball rolling, and it 
was kept rolling through the heroic efforts of a 
few influential members, until the end was 
reached. 

At this date, these subscriptions are being 
rapidly and promptly paid (good times having 
returned), and the future outlook for the church 
is as bright as its friends could wish. 

The church has shown its enterprise by 
bringing the telephone into practical use within 
the last few months. To enable invalid mem- 
bers to enjo}^ divine service at their homes, a 
Blake transmitter is neatl}- attached near the 
platform occupied by the minister. Invisible 
wires reach out to the residences of those desir- 
ing telephonic connection, where, by appl3ing a 
Bell receiver, every word uttered by the Pastor. 
as well as the vocal and instrumental music, is 
distinctly heard. It is believed this church 
enjoys the distinction of being the first to suc- 
cessfully appl}- electrical science ia this manner. 

Several manuals for this church have ap- 
peared from time to time. It is not known 



when ' the first was issued, but the second one 
made its appearance in 1851, when the Rev. J. 
B. Walker was Pastor. There were 95 mem- 
bers at that time. A third manual appeared in 
1856, while it was still in charge of Mr. Walker. 
The membership had increased to 289. In 
1869, a fourth manual was brought out by the 
Pastor, Rev. J. E. Twitchell. The membership 
was 38-1:. A fifth is now in course of prepara- 
tion b}' Rev. Frank Russell, and promises to be 
more complete than any yet issued. It will con- 
tain a complete digest of all matters pertaining 
to the church, and will make a valuable book 
for study and reference. The present meml>er- 
ship of the church is 557. 

In 1852, the Congregational Church of Mari- 
etta issued a call for a general conference of 
the Congregational churches of the State. This 
Conference was held here on the 23d of June of 
that year, during the pastorate of 3Ir. Walker. 
He was Moderator of the conference. Forty- 
three churches were represented by 73 dele- 
gates. It was ascertained that there were 33 
English and 12 AYelsh churches in the State, 
with a meml)ership of 2.515. Since that first 
conference, it has continued to meet regularl}- 
on the first Tuesday, Wednesdaj^ and Thursday 
in Ma}' of each ^ear. At present, it is com- 
posed of 14: local conferences, representing 229 
churches in the State, with 170 ministers and a 
membership of 23,392. These churches report 
26,690 pupils in their Salibath schools. The 
Centi-al North (local) Conference, with which it 
is connected, was also organized in this church. 

One of the most actiA'^ and eflficient organi- 
izations in this church is the Ladies" Aid Soci- 
ety. During all the struggle for the building 
and payment of the debt, it has distinguished 
itself for zeal, carefulness of management and 
wisdom of expedients. They have raised over 
$19,000 during ten years, and. at the meetings 
for raising funds for the payment of the debt, 
courageously assumed 14.5(10 more. Avhich, l)y 
continued effort, they are surel}' canceling. 



'F 



±1 



470 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



A Sabbath school has been connected with 
the church since its organization, and is now 
strong in numbers, with an efficient and active 
corps of teachers. H. L. Reed is Superin- 
tendent. 

The Associate Churcli was called the Associ- 
ate Congregation of Mansfield, and was organized 
in 1826 by the Rev. John Walker, of Harrison 
County, Ohio. The Finneys were prominent 
and influential in the organization. Before 
the erection of the church, meetings were held 
in the upper story of the old court house, as 
was the case with other early religious socie- 
ties. Rev. Samuel Hindman was installed 
Pastor at the organization, and continued 
until 1841. when he resigned. During his 
pastorate, a pleasant lot was purchased on 
West jNIarket street and the frame church 
erected, which is yet standing. It was built 
in about 1834. The early members were John, 
James and William Finney. Samuel Craig and 
Mathew Morrow — the latter doing the carpen- 
ter-work. 

In 1843. Rev. J. L. McLean was settled Pas- 
tor, and continued until 1853. In 1854, Rev. 
D. W. Collins was installed, and continued 
until the union of this church with the Asso- 
ciate Reformed, in 1858, at which date the num- 
l»er of memliers was fifty-two. 

The union left a few members in this church, 
who would not go into the union. The}- re- 
mained as a church, but have not been al)le to 
support a regular Pastor. Services are still 
held, however, about once a month. There is 
no Sabbath school connected with the church. 

The Associate Reformed Church is almost 
as old as the city, a few persons having 
met to consult about its organization as early 
as February 2. 1818. At this preliminary meet- 
ing, Andrew Ritchie was Cliairman : John 
Stewart, Secretary, and Richard Hoy. Corre- 
sponding Secretary. The latter was instructed 
t(^ write to the Associate Reformed Presbytery 
of Kentucky regarding the organization. A 



committee was also appointed to ascertain the 
number of persons willing to enter the organ- 
ization. The petition for an organization was 
granted b}' the Associate Reformed Presl\ytery 
of Monongahela. and the Rev. William Taggart 
appointed to officiate. This was in June, 1820. 
Twenty-seven persons connected themselves 
with the organization ; of these, Richard Hoy, 
Robert Finney and James Larimer were chosen 
Ruling Elders. Mrs. Margaret Stewart only 
remains of this original congregation. Like 
other earh- religious societies, their first meet- 
ings were held in the old court house, and 
aftenvard in the old Methodist Church on 
Water street, between Third and Fourth ; also, 
part of the time in a building on South Main 
street. Their first minister was Rev. James 
Johnson, who entered upon his duties in Novem- 
ber, 1821. He was called by this congregation 
and the one on Clear Fork, afterward Troy, and 
divided his time between these and a church at 
Utica, Ohio. In the same year (1821), measures 
were taken to erect a building. Money was 
scarce, and the congregation generally helped 
b}- giving materials, time and labor. The 
brick for this church was made on the east 
part of the lot on which it stands, b}^ a Mr. 
Ridgeway, who came from Pennsylvania for 
that purpose. Services were held as soon as 
the outside walls, floor and roof were in place, 
the building being warmed by iron kettles, filled 
with charcoal ; the windows, being open, per- 
mitted the escape of gas. 

When this church was finished, it was the 
finest and most substantial building in the town. 
It is yet standing on West Third street, plain, 
solid and comfortable. The church seems to 
have prospered under Mr. Johnson's preaching, 
and many members were added from time to 
time. His pastorate extended over a period of 
moi*e than thirt}' 3-ears. He retired in 1850, 
but his pastoral relation was not dissolved 
until 1852. He was rather a remarkable man, 
being of fine presence, address, and very 






Tv 



fk 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



471 



eloquent. He was a graduate of Washing- 
ton College, in 1814. At the time of his retire- 
ment, about sixty -five or seventy families were 
connected with the church. He received the 
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1850. 
He died in 1858. 

Rev. William Dalzell was called in 1853. and 
remained about three years, when he resigned 
to connect himself with the Old School Pres-. 
l)yterian Church, and the pulpit was vacant 
until April 2-i, 1858, when the Rev. David Paul 
was called. 

In 1838, negotiations were commenced for the 
the purpose of uniting the Associate and 
Associate Reformed denominations into one 
organic bod}'. By various steps, and espec- 
ially by mutual consideration of a variety 
of propositions and terms of union, the two 
churches became gradually more harmoni- 
ous in their views, until 1856, when a gen- 
eral basis of union was proposed for the con- 
sideration of both churches. In May, 1857, 
this basis of union was adopted hj both bodies 
as the terms on'which they were agreed to unite. 
May 26. 1858. the union thus agreed upon was 
formally consummated in Pittsburgh, Penn.. 
the united body assuming the name of '■ The 
United Presbyterian Church of North America." 

After this consummation, the Rev. David 
Paul and the Rev. David Collins, of the Asso- 
ciate Church of Ontario, labored as copartners 
in these two churches. This relation continued 
aliout a year, when the congregation at jNIans- 
field gave a call to Dr. Paul for all his time, and 
the church at Ontario called Dr. Collins. Mr. 
Paul filled the pulpit very acceptably until 1864, 
when he resigned to accept the presidenc}' of 
the Muskingum College. Rev. Joseph McKee 
followed Mr. Paul, and was Pastor until 1866. 

In June. 1867. the congregation, in connec- 
tion with that of Monroe, made out a call 
for the Rev. D. H. French, the former tak- 
ing two-thirds, the latter one-third of his 
time. In 1870, the congregation petitioned 



the Presbytery for the whole of their Pastors 
time, w^hich was granted. Mr. French lalv 
ored faithfully, eft'ectively and acceptably for 
twelve years. When he entered upon the pas- 
toral charge, there were sixty -three members 
on the roll. In the Sabbath school were three 
classes, three teachers, and seventeen scholars. 
The membership is aljout one hundred and 
^ixty, and the number of pupils in the Sunday- 
school 133. , 

The Ruling Elders are James Clark, Sam- 
uel Hill, Robert B. Maxwell. Dr. D. R. 
Johnston, R. G. Wallace and David Sturgeon. 
Trustees — John Neel. William Johnson, John 
P. Ferguson, William Rusk and R. N. Stew- 
art. Mr. French resigned November 3, 1870. 
having accepted a call in Dayton, Ohio. 
His last sermon was preached December 7. 
He was much beloved by his people, and, in 
his retirement, was followed by their prayers 
and benedictions. 

A Sabbath school has been connected with 
the church since its organization, and is now in 
a flourishing condition. 

It is to be regi-etted that the larger part 
of the history of the ISIethodist Episcopal 
Church is involved in obscurity, and that 
those immediately interested in it have foiled 
to keep a record, especially one tliat would 
throw light on its early history. The history of 
no other church in the city would, perhaps, be 
so full of interest as this ; yet, while the history 
of the others is comparatively complete, no 
official record has l)een kept. or. if kept, either 
lost or neglected ; and all that is left for the 
historian is to collect the few scattered items 
in old publications, which occasionally crop 
out in the history of other churches, and 
which still live in the memory of its older 
members. These extracts are very meager 
indeed. 

Of one thing, however, there is no doubt : 
that is, that the first church erected in the town of 
Mansfield was a Methodist, and the organization 



^ 



473 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY, 



was one of the earliest, if not tlie earliest, 
in the town. Dr. William James, a Meth- 
odist missionary, settled in Mansfield soon after 
the town was laid out, probabh' between the 
years 1810 and 1814. It is a question whether 
he or Rev. Mr. Van Eman. of the I'resbyterian 
Church, was the first to preach in the town, Init 
the fact that the Methodists erected the first 
church building and that their missionaries, 
generally", were in advance of the early settle- 
ments everywhere, may be taken as evidence 
that Dr. James was the first preacher of any 
denomination in the town. John Weldon, a 
well -remembered pioneer, says that William 
James was the first preacher that settled in 
Mansfield ; and the historian of the Presbyterian 
Chui'ch, while conceding this, still claims that 
Rev. Yan Eman preached the first sermon in 
the town. This, howe^-er, is not known ; there 
is no proof of it, and it is reasonable to sup- 
pose that, as Mr. James came here for the pur- 
pose of preaching, and was here before the 
others, he preached the first sermon. 

Mr. Weldon says that Rev. James was followed 
by Charles Waddle and Rev. Mr. Somerville. and 
that all three were here before 1816. Rev. James 
built a log house on the corner of Third and 
Water streets, which would indicate his inten- 
tion of settling here permanently. He did not 
live long, being horned 1)y his bull, from the 
effects of which he died. Henry Newman says 
the first Methodist church was built about, or 
before, 1816. It stood on Water street, between 
Third and Fourth. At that time, other build- 
ings had been erected around the big spring, 
and this was one of the most important parts 
of the new town. This church was frequently 
used by other denominations during those early 
3'ears. Mrs. Smith, who, in 1823, was living 
on North Main street, where she now resides, 
remembers picking her way through the hazel- 
brush to this church. The well-known circuit- 
rider, Harry 0. Sheldon, was one of the earliest 
preachers in this church ; it is certain that he 



pi'eached in it as early as 1818, and that, ten 
years later, he was stationed here. He claims 
to have formed the first Sal)l)ath school ever 
held in Mansfield, and while he does not say 
that it was formed in this church, the probal)il- 
ities are that such was the case, as it would be 
natural for a ]Methodist preacher to select a 
a Methodist church in which to organize a Sal>- 
bath school, if such a church existed at the 
time. This is about all the earh^ history that 
could be gathered of this church. 

After using this old church many years, they 
sold it, in 1837, to the Lutheran and German 
Reformed organizations, Avho occupied it until 
1852, when it was abandoned. 

The Methodists built a new frame church, yet 
standing, on the corner of East ^Market and 
Water sti-eets. This church must have been 
erected about the year 1836 or 1837, when the 
old one was sold. This building they occupied 
more than thirt}' j-ears, commencing the erec- 
tion of the present fine, substantial brick edi- 
fice, on the east side of the square, in 1867. 
which, however, was not finished until 1870. 
Dedication services were held on the 3d of July 
in that year, by Bishop Clark and Rev. Dr. 
Pershing. The cost of the building Avas $35,- 
000. On the day of the dedication, $8,000 of 
this remained unpaid, but the amount was 
raised the same day, and the new church started 
on its career of usefulness free from debt. ReA'. 
J. A. Mudge, since deceased, was a hard worker 
in the building of this church. 

A large and flourishing Sunda}' school has 
alwa3^s been connected with the church. 

The histor}' of the First Baptist Church of 
Mansfield dates back to 1818. In Novem- 
ber of that year, Elder French, a mission- 
ary, visited jMansfield and held meetings in 
private houses. Some of these meetings were 
held in the house of ^lordecai Bartle^', two miles 
northwest of Mansfield. Mr. Bartley was received 
for baptism by Revs. French and Matthew 
Cunen and his mother, who had l)een members 



•f 



rV 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



473 



of the Baptist Church before they came to this 
country. Afterward, they received WilHam 
Van Horn and wife. Charles Stewart and Eliza- 
beth Bartley. These formed a conference for 
divine worship, and constituted the first organ- 
ization of the Baptists in this part of the coun- 
try. The first minutes of their meetings appear 
April 17, 1819. Mr. Bartlej' was Moderator 
and Mr. Cunen, Clerk, and, on the 15th of Ma}' 
following, they agreed to be constituted into a 
church, to be called the Mansfield Church. The 
number of names at that time enrolled in the 
organization was fifty -three, among the most 
prominent of which were Mordecai Bartley, D. 
I. Swinne}', Nehemiah Storj*. Matthew Cunen, 
Eliphalet Flint. John Palmer. John C. Gilkison, 
John Rigdon, Robert Bentley, Baldwin Bent- 
le}-, Charles Spoouer, Richard Woodhouse, Pe- 
ter Ogden. James M. Gilkison and their wives. 
This membership was scattered through all the 
townships adjoining Madison, and meetings 
were held in different places in the county to 
accommodate the membership. This organiza- 
tion continued many j'ears, but, as the county 
grew and increased in population, organizations 
began to be formed and churches Iniilt in the 
diflferent townships, and this organization was 
thus divided, the memliers withdrawing and 
joining the organizations in their respective 
townships. 

It was not until 1838 that an organization 
was formed in Mansfield, called the First Regu- 
lar Baptist Church of Mansfield, but which was 
constituted the Second Regular Baptist Church 
of Mansfield. p]lder Isaac Bloomer was first 
Pastor of this church. He came as a mission- 
ary from the Home Missionary Society in the 
fall of 1838, and held services in schoolhouses 
and in the court house during the winter. The 
council, which was called to recognize this or- 
ganization as a chui'ch, met Mai'ch 16, 1839, 
and consisted of Elders Jones, Going, Sage, 
Cosner, Converse and Cox. Nineteen persons 
united with the church, either b}' letter or 



otherwise. Rev. Bloomer served until 1846, 
and was followed in their order liy the following 
ministers : 

Benjamin Thomas, Luther L. Hill, S. B. WelD- 
ster, Lewis L. Still, J. M. Winn, George Wil- 
son, R. Newton. David E. Thomas and John 
Fulton. The latter occupied the pulpit in 1859, 
and, in December of that year, the church was 
divided, thirty-nine members withdrawing and 
forming the Central Baptist Church of Mans- 
field. 

This church was organized Jan. 7, 1860. at the 
residence of George Armentrout, by George Ar- 
mentrout, Mary Armentrout, B. Dunn, Fanu}' 
Dunn, Isaac Hedrick and wife, W. S. Hickox 
and wife, and othei'S. The fine, substantial 
brick church, now standing on the northwest 
corner of West Market and Walnut streets, was 
erected in 1862, at a cost of about $25,000. It 
was dedicated January 17, 1863. J. W. Os- 
born was first Pastor, and continued preaching 
for the congregation eight years. He was fol- 
lowed by S. A. Collins, J. Barstow, E. D. Hunt, 
John E. Chessore, T. J. Seigfried and J. W. 
Davis. The present membership is 125. The 
organization of the Sundaj' school was coeval 
with that of the church, and now numbers 
about 100 pupils. H. Colby was first Super- 
intendent. 

The S^mod of ^laryland and A'irginia sent the 
Rev. F. J. Ruth, the founder of the English 
Lutheran Church of Mansfield, to this city, 
where he preached the first sermon in the 
Presbyterian . Church, October 1, 1831. He 
found but six persons in the town at that time 
who were Lutherans ; but, in the summer of 
1832, he organized the church with fifteen 
members. Some of these were Jacob Hammer 
and wife, George Coher, George Peterman and 
wife, JMr. Flory, wife and daughter, Samuel 
Startzman and wife, Mr. Shroeder and wife, and 
a few others whose names are not now known. 
Their first meetings were generally held in the 
old coui-t house. Having seen the church fairl}- 



_^< 



474 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



on the road to prosperity and permanence, Mr. 
Ruth left it in 1835, and was followed, in 183G, 
l)y George Leiter. He preached for both the 
Knglish and Cxerman Lutherans, at that time 
united in one congregation, under the title of 
the English and German Lutheran Congi'ega- 
tion of Mansfield. For some time, the congre- 
gation worshiped in a schoolhouse situated on 
the southwest corner of the lot upon which the 
market-house is l)uilt. In 1837, the}' united 
with the German Reformed congregation in 
purchasing the old Methodist Church on Water 
street — the first church erected in the town. 
This they jointly occupied until the fall of 
1852, when, l)y mutual consent, the property 
was sold, the building having become unfit for 
use. In 1849, the English and German Luther- 
ans separated, and the societ}- was incorporated 
under its present title. The Pastors were : 
George Leiter, six years ; H. K. Henick, one 
year ; George Leiter, recalled, two years ; J. H. 
Huflfman, four years. In 1849, the Rev. S. 
Fenner was installed, and remained seventeen 
years. During Mr. Fenner's pasto;i'ate (1851), 
the lot was purchased, on which a substantial 
brick church was erected, which was dedicated 
October 16, 1853. Rev. :M. J. Firey followed 
3Ir. Fenner. and, during his pastorate of six 
years, the church was enlarged to its present 
dimensions. The present Pastor, Rev. D. 
^\. Smith, followed Mr. Firey. and has filled 
the pulpit very acceptably nearly eight years. 
During the year 1879, a society was organ- 
ized within the chui'ch, -for church work." 
It is divided into the following committees : 
(1) on visitation. (2) on sick, (3) on poor, (4) 
on missions, (5) on Sabbath school, (6) aid soci- 
ety. It promises to be very efficient. 

The present membership of the church is 
350 ; the Deacons are A. J. Bortz, Elias Trout- 
man, 31. D. Harter and Samuel G. Eyerly. 
Elders are B. Bair. Daniel Gerberich, Abraham 
Small and S. S. Balliet. Trustees— David Bell, 
Lewis Bowei's and Leonard Sheets. 



A Sabbath school was organized in 1849. 
The Superintendent is James Livingston, and 
present membership, 355. The contributions 
of this school, for the last 3'ear. for missionary 
purposes were $177.82. 

The Church of Christ, in 3Iansfield, was 
organized about the year 1834. James McYay 
was doing the work of an evangelist in the 
West at that time, and was influential in the 
organization. He arrived in Mansfield in 1833. 
At the organization, James and John Gilkison, 
and. soon after, Benjamin Gass and William B. 
Hammett, were chosen Bishops. Their first 
meetings were held in the old court house, and 
in the ballroom of the old Wiler House. This 
church was founded by Alexander Campbell, 
and has been known as the Campbellite and 
Disciple Church. In 1836. they occupied the 
building belonging to the Disciples, at the foot 
of Walnut street, on the present site of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight depot. In 
addition to the Bishops, abovt named, John 
Read, John Rigdon and James Porter took part 
in the dedicatory exercises, and John Read 
preached part of the time for the three years 
immediately following the ministry of James 
McYay. 

In 1837, William Gass Avas chosen Bishop, 
and preached irregularly for a number of years. 
In 1850, he was induced to move to Mansfield, 
preach three-fourths of the time and take pas- 
toral charge of the church. This relation con- 
tinued one year. In addition to the alwve- 
named ministers, the following gentlemen 
preached at various times for a number of 
years : William Dowling, James Porter, John 
Rigdon, William B. Hammett. John Moody, C. 
E. Yanvoorhis, Daniel Swinney. J. H. Jones, 
Isaiah Jones, George Lac}', Jonas Hartzel, 
William Moody and Henry Dixon. 

In 1840, a church was erected on the corner 
of Mulberry and Bloom streets, and was occu- 
pied until 1870, ,when the present comfort- 
able brick building, on East Third street, was 



«' 

^ 






±.1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



475 



purchased at a cost of $2,100. This church 
had been built by the Regular Baptists, and 
occupied by them about twenty years. 

From ISGO to 1862, W. H. Maitin was Pas- 
tor. He was followed by N. A. Walker, 1865 ; 
Robert D. Gardner, 1866, and John Darnell. 
In April, 1867, Rev. A. Moore commenced 
preaching in the church, and continued irregu- 
larly until February, 1879, when he resigned. 
In 1867, the membership w-as 107. Protracted 
meetings were held at various times — one in 
1866, by J. W. Lowe ; one in 1869, by N. A. 
"Walker ; one in 1870, by A. B. Green and J. 
H. Jones, and others later, by which many 
members were added to the church. Hiram 
Woods was called by the church in 1870, and 
continued preaching two j'cars. He was fol- 
lowed by A. C. Read and Henry Cogswell. 
The present membership of the church is 125. 
and the present Pastor, Rev. G. W. Kemp. A 
Sunday school was organized in 1854, by John 
Neal, who was an active and efficient Superin- 
tendent for several years. It is still continued 
under the Superintendency of ^I. W. ^Mason, 
with a membership of sixt^'-five. 

St. John's Church, located on the southeast cor- 
ner of First and ^lullierry streets, was erected in 
1865, and cost about $16,000. This organiza- 
tion was effected January 1, 1845, Rev. Mr. 
Hundsch being the first minister. April 3 of 
the same 3'ear, the corner-stone of the old 
frame church was laid. This church cost al)out 
$2,000. and occupied the same ground upon 
which the present substantial brick building 
was erected. The old building is still doing 
duty at the soap-works on Fourth street. At 
the first organization, George Bauer and Theo- 
bold Allvater were Elders, and Simon Kauffer 
and Phillip Piester, Trustees. Some of the 
original members were Frederick Volkert, Hein- 
rich El)ler, Peter Sauch, Christian Brimkman, 
Leonard Balliet, Jacob Heldman and Peter 
Ptemy. The following were the ministers, in 
the order named : Rev. ^Messrs. Weiscotten, 



Herr. Theodore Tressel. Albert Schory, Durr. 
Ferdinand Lenschan, A. Klein, and the pres- 
ent Pastor. J. B. Judd. 

Lenschan occupied the pulpit more than 
ten years. It was during his pastorate that 
the present building was erected. 

The congregation now numbers 103 fami- 
lies, and is a member of the Evangelical Synod 
of North America. The Sunday school was 
organized aliout the time the old church was 
erected, and has been in an active and healthy 
condition since ; it now numbei'S 125 children. 
Tlie Supei'intendents have lieen L. Wolfart. P. 
Rissler. William Durr and A. Kallmerton. 
The library numbers about one hundred and 
twenty volumes. 

The meetings of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church are at present held in Philharmonic Hall. 
northwest corner public square. The church was 
organized October 10. 1878, by H. P. McClurken. 
D. D., and Elders J. Ptobinson and R. Johns- 
ton,- a commission sent for this purpose by 
the Ohio Presbytery. The names of the orig- 
inal members are William P. and p]lizabetli 
Clarke, James Raitt, William Gregg, John 
Anderson, Sr., Elizabeth Anderson, Johnston 
McKee. Mrs. Mary McKee, John Anderson. 
Jr.. W. J. Anderson, Rol)ert B. Adams. Will- 
iam H. Garrett, James Reynolds, Mrs. Snod- 
grass, ^liss Walker, Mrs. ^IcKibbon, ^Irs. E. 
O'Neil, ^Irs. ^lary Thomas. Renwick Thomas 
and Miss E. Bowden. The first meetings of this 
organization were held in the Young Men's 
Christian Association rooms. Sturgis Hall build- 
ing, corner of ^lain and Thirtl streets. It is 
the expectation that a church building will be 
erected during the coming- year (1881). 

Rev. S. A. George is Pastor (ordained No- 
vember 20, 1878), and the present membership 
is fifty-one. 

A Sabbath school was organized January 1. 
1878, which has prospered, and noAv numbers 
forty members. W. P. Clarke is Superintend- 
ent. 



\ 



_® 



k. 



476 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



The St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran 
Church is on West Third street. The Grerman 
Reformed and Grerman Lutherans were united in 
the first organization of this church, which 
occurred on the 5th of March, 1852. The 
principal members of this society were Chris- 
tian Bruckman. Henry Balliet, John Krause, 
Sr., Phillip Beck and a few others. The minis- 
ter was Rev. Mr. Hess. The present comfort- 
able brick church was erected in 1860, at a cost 
of about $2,000, and the present organization 
effected in 1863. The principal members of 
this original oi*ganization were John Krause, Sr., 
Coonrod Berg, Adam Risch, Henry Schmunk, 
Phillip Beck, Balthaser Ahlheim, John Mathias, 
Peter Ackerman. Adam Beck and John Steiner. 
The first minister was Herman A. Schmidt, 
who was also the founder of the church. He 
was followed b^- Conrad Kuchn, Gottfried H. 
Trebel, Ludwig Krebs, the present Pastor. The 
membership includes 108 families. 

The organization of the Sunday school was 
coeval with that of the church. Phillip Beck 
was first Superintendent, Peter Ackerman is 
now Superintendent, with a membership of about 
one hundred. 

St. Peter's Catholic Church is located on the 
corner of First and Mulberry streets. It was 
organized in 1855, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rappe, 
of Cleveland, Ohio. The first Pastor waa Rev. 
P. Krensh. Some of the first members were 
Jacob Sholl, Barnard Yeager and Matthew 
Shambs. The first church, a wooden structure, 
was purchased from the Presbyterians in 1853, 
and used until 1872. when it was taken away 
and the present beautiful brick building erected. 
The first Pastor was Rev. J. Maloney, followed 
by F. Gallagher, F. Kuhn and others, each of 
of whom remained two or three years. The 
present Pastor, Rev. A. Magenhann, took charge 
September 7, 1869. Two hundred families are 
included in the congregation. The Pastor is 
supported by a pew rent and ^'oluntary con- 
tribution. The church has been honored dur- 



ing the present pastorate by many noted Catho- 
lic visitors, among whom were the Archbishops 
of Milwaukee, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Den- 
ver City, Colorado. 

Connected with this church are three schools, 
with a regular attendance of 200 children. 

Grace Episcopal Church, situated on AVest 
Third street,was organized by Rev. J. W. Cracraft 
in 1846. Benjamin Johns was the principal 
founder and was mainly instrumental in organ- 
izing the parish and erecting the church. The 
principal original members were Benjamin 
Johns, Philip Bartley, Uzziel Stevens, H. B. 
Horton, John Harvey, Mr. and Mrs. Bar- 
rett, Mr. Beach and Mrs. Sherman. Two 
years after the organization, the present neat, 
comfortable brick church was erected. J. W. 
Cracraft served from 1846 to 1850 ; Rev. Aus- 
tin, 1851 ; H. Blackaller, 1851 to 1856 ; P. H. 
Jefl'ries, 1856 ; R. L. Gauler, 1859 ; T. G. Wells, 
1862 ; James Trimble, 1864 to 1869. In 1870, 
the present able Pastor, S. A. Bronson, D. D., 
was installed. The Sunday school was organ- 
ized soon after the church was erected, and now 
numbers about fifty pupils ; C. S. Doolittell is 
Superintendent. 

The African Methodist Episcopal Church is 
located on East Diamond street. It is not at 
present owned by the congregation, which is 
small, numbering only about twenty members. 
It was organized at that place in 1875, the 
principal members being George Conley, Philip 
Harris, Judge Sheffield, William Steward and 
Mrs. Rachel Steward and Mrs. Isaac Pleasants. 
The ministers have been Rev. Armhouse, 
Neely Jackson, William Mackedew, N. L. Bray 
and J. W. Jackson. The Sunday school con- 
nected with this church was organized by Mr. 
L. J. Bonar, in 1865, in the basement of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bonar was Super- 
intendent for several years. After him Mr. 
Isaac Pleasants has occupied that position 
acceptably. The membership is about thirty- 
one. 






:e^ 




V^^^t-i^ 



I 



'A 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



479 



The Church of (lod. located in Jolms' Addi- 
tion, corner of Orchard street and Maude avenue, 
was organized in 1870, In' Rev. J.AV. Senseuney or 
Sencsenny. of Upper Sanduslcy . Some of the first 
members were John F. Miles. J. W. Myers and 
John Foreman. The church (a frame) was erected 
in 1871. at a cost of $G,600 ; before this, the 
meetings were held in the schoolhouse. 8ome of 
the Pastors are (). H. Betts. G. W. Wilson. M. 
Coates and J. S. 3IcKee. The present Pastor 
is Solomon Cline. The membership is fifteen. 
The Sunday school was organized in the fall of 
18(j9. by L. J. Bouar. Superintendent of the 
Presbyterian Sunday School. It first met at 
the dwelling of Mr. A. W. Lobach. and after- 
ward in the schoolhouse until the church was 



erected. ]Mr. James Hamsher became Super- 
intendent on the retirement of Mr. Bonar in 
November. 1870. 

A society calling themselves Believers in 
Christ worship in a small church located on 
East Market street, erected about 18G3. at 
a cost of $1,500. It was first organized in 
1850. and the early meetings were mostly held 
at the private dwellings of Mr. Frederick Lautz 
and .Mrs. ]Minn. These, with Mrs. Case, Mrs. 
Brehm and a few others, formed the first society. 
Their first minister was Joseph Bella. The 
present membership is about sixty ; and the 
present minister, S. Sorg. A Sunday school was 
organized in 1868. and is still in a healthy, con- 
dition, with a memliership of alwut twenty-five. 




:\ 



(« k^ 



480 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

SCHOOLS, PRESS AND POST OFFICE. 

The Pioneer Schools and Teachers of the City — The First Schoolhouses — Division into Districts — 
The Present System of Teaching — The Female College — The Superintendents of the Schools 

The Board of Education — The Erection of Schoolhouses — Progress and Statistics — The City 

Press — The Olive — Mansfield Gazette — Western Hfrald — Ohio Spectator — Richland Whig — Ohio 
Shield — Shield and Banner — Richland Jeffersonian — Mansfield Herald — Morning Pennant — 
Richland Bugle and Independent Press — Mansfield Courier — Ohio Liberal — Richland Democrat 
—Sunday Morning Call— The First Post Office— The Early Mail Routes— Stages— Postmasters- 
Location OF Post Offices — The Business of the Office. 



'■There in his quiet mansion skilled to rule, 

The village master taught his little school. 

******* 

I knew him well, and every truant knew ; 

******* 

Ypt he was kind ; or, if severe in aught, 
The love he bore to learning was his fault. 
The village all declared how much he knew, 
'Twas certain he could write and cipher too." 

— Goldsmith. 

THE present system of public schools in the 
citj^ has been in operation more than twenty 
years, during which period great advancement 
is supposed to have been made over the old sys- 
tem of public teaching ; manj- of the best citi- 
zens of Mansfield having put their shoulders to 
the wheel and kept them there until the schools 
of this city have been pushed to the front rank 
of the public schools of the State. A complete 
history of these schools and their progress 
would be interesting, but of the early schools 
veiy little is known, and that little is unwritten, 
existing only in the memory of " the oldest 
inhabitant." 

In gathering the general history it is found 
that wherever half a dozen families settled near 
each other (and from one to five miles was called 
near in early days), they first established a 
school and a place of worship. So deeply 
rooted and firmly established in the American 
heart is the fundamental idea that the common 



school is the hope of the Republic, that every 
opportunity for establishing a school was im- 
proved. Hence the early schools were taught 
years before the settlers were able to construct 
schoolhouses, and before any puljlic money 
could be obtained for that purpose. These 
were " subscription " schools. The teacher, or 
'• schoolmaster," as he was more frequently 
called, carried around his subscription paper ; 
parents of children agreeing to give so much 
per scholar for a certain time, or a certain num- 
ber of weeks or months, and the teacher recei^-ed 
his pay when the work was done ; teaching the 
future statesmen wherever he could find an 
empty room or cabin. Thus it was with the 
early schools of Mansfield. Among these first 
schools was one taught by Eliza Wolf in one of 
the block-houses on the square. This lady was 
the sister of John M. May's wife and the mother 
of W. W. Drennan, of Plymouth. Her school 
was probabl}' the first in the town, and it may 
be proper to say here that she was also the cus- 
todian of the military stores which occupied 
one of the block-houses during the war of 1812, 
and \)j reason of her connection with this 
position, became intimately acquainted with a 
number of the leading officers of the army. 
She seems to liave-l)een a lady of rare tact and 
ability. 



*7; 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



481 



These block-houses were for several 3ears 
used for schoolhouses, churches aud public halls. 
Among the first calling built in the town was 
one on the east side of the square where Hedges" 
new block now stands. John 3Iull taught 
school in this cabin in 1817. Mull taught sev- 
eral years in the town. In 1821, he is found on 
West Third street teaching in a one-story dwell- 
ing house, directl}' opposite the United Presby- 
terian Church — the building standing between 
the McFall dwelling and J. H. Cook's dwelling. 
A few of his pupils were John Stewart" s two 
])oys. Mansfield, Hiram, G-eorge and Eliza Gil- 
kison. John Loge, Perry Walker and Jane Lind- 
ley. Mull was a cripple, but a verj' good teacher 
for that day. He used to sit on a stool in the 
center of the schoolroom with a whip in his 
hand sufficientl}- long to reach every scholar. 
In this wa}', he managed to keep order without 
leaving his seat. The younger scholars of those 
days were taught their letters and their multi- 
plication table in a rather novel manner — the 
letters being pasted on one side of a little board 
made in the shape of a paddle, and the multi- 
plication table upon the other side. This pad- 
dle had a small hole bored through one end. 
and was hung up when not in use. It may 
fairly be presumed that it was occasionally used 
for other purposes than those mentioned. 

John Lowery taught one of the earliest 
schools in a two-stor^' frame building, which 
occupied the site of Dougherty's tailor-shop on 
South Main street. This building had been 
put up by Elijah Lake for a warehouse. Lake 
kept a store in it for some time ; and was after- 
ward Clerk of the Court, the same building 
being used for a court house while the late 
structure was in course of erection on the 
square. 

A ver}' earl}' school was taught in a one- 
story log cabin, which had been erected and 
used for a dwelling, immediately south of the 
log house occupied by John Wiler for a tavern, 
on Main street. James Russell taught one 



term here, and, during this term, an incident 
occurred illustrative of the customs of those 
times. It was customary to bar the teacher 
out on Christmas, and require him to treat 
before he could again take possession. It may 
be remarked that this custom is still in vogue 
in ueai'ly all the more Western States to-day. 
When 3Ir. Russell found the door barred, he 
attempted to capture the place by assault, but, 
failing, climbed to the roof with the intention 
(probably not serious), of entering by the 
chimney. A hot fire in the huge fireplace 
beneath, however, drove him l)ack ; he was 
compelled to retreat, and, it may he inferred, in 
some confusion. The most surprising part of 
the business was the demand of the future sov- 
ereigns, which was fico (/ii/h)us of irJn'xki/. some 
cakes, apples, etc. 

AVhen Judge McCluer kept a kind of tavera 
on the old Lamberton corner — site of the sav- 
ings bank — being, probably, unable to keep up 
the supply of pork and cornbread his numerous 
guests demanded, without some outside assist- 
ance, he concluded to rent part of his building 
for a schoolroom, and placed a board partition 
across one room for that purpose. Alexander 
Kearn taught here one winter. ^Irs. Or ant re- 
members going to school to him. and that she 
could look through the cracks of the board 
partition and study anatomy on the numerous 
hogs the Judge had slaughtered and stored in 
the next room. Kearn taught a select school 
of about a dozen scholai's. 

Judge Stewart, in his younger days, was 
among the" earh' teachers in 3Iansfield. He 
taught a select school in a dwelling-house on 
the corner of Second and Wahuit streets. The 
lot is now owned by Dr. W. H. Race. The 
Judge also taught a select school on Market, 
between Walnut and 3Iulberry, in a two-story 
log house, owned and occupied by John C. 
Gilkison. Stewaits school was in the upper 
part of the house ; a stairway being erected on 
the outside of the buildino-. The house stood 






l± 



482 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



on the east half of the lot now occupied by 
Dr. Craig. He only taught here one winter, as 
the children made so much racket over Mrs. 
Gilkison's head, that she concluded to dispense 
with the school. During the next season, how- 
ever, the Judge succeeded in having a small 
frame schoolhouse erected on the next lot east 
of Mr. Gilkisons, where he continued his 
school. This is believed to have been the 
second schoolhouse erected in the town, and 
was built mainly by the efforts of the Associ- 
ate Reformed Church, of which Rev. James 
Johnson was Pastor. One of Stewart's pupils 
was a young lady, very prett}', it is said, b}- 
the name of Loughridge. She lived somewhere 
in the woods, a mile or two from town. The 
Judge fell in love with, and married, her. 
Their onh* child is now the wife of Secretary 
Sherman. 

One of the earliest schools was also taught 
in a cabin, wdiich stood in the alley, back of 
Niman's furniture store. 

M. H. Gilkison says the first schoolhouse of 
which he has any recollection, and, he believes, 
the first in Mansfield, was located on East Dia- 
mond street, west side, lietween Third and 
Fourth, on the northwest corner of East Dia- 
mond and the alley which connects East and 
West Diamond. It was a frame, about fifteen 
feet square. He thinks John O'Brien was the 
first teacher. O'Brien, in common with several 
other early teachers, drank too much, but was 
a very good teacher for the times. A man by 
the name of Timberlick, a lady named Emil}^ 
Ann Teny, and James Russell also taught in 
this house — the latter several years. Some of 
the pupils were George Carothers, Hannibal 
Pugh, Alexander Mann and sister, Mr. Neal, 
Alexander Curran, Ralph Hedge, Mansfield H. 
and George Gilkison, Joseph Cairns, Orin Terr^', 
and Joseph and Andrew Newman. 

A small frame schoolhouse was afterward 
erected on the corner of Second and Walnut 
streets, on the lot now occupied by the Lutheran 



Church. David Bright, afterward Sheriff of the 
count}', taught there at one time. James Brice 
also taught there in the winter of 1830-31. 
A school was taught at an early day on 
South Main street, near where Dr. Race now 
resides. 

When Gen. James Hedges laid out the town, 
he donated two lots on the northeast and north- 
west corners of the plat for school purposes. 
JNIan}- of the old settlers are under the impres- 
sion that the first schoolhouse was built on one 
of these lots — the one on the northeast corner. 
This would seem probable from the fact that 
the lot was donated and intended for that pur- 
pose. The house was called the '' Big Spring '' 
Schoolhouse, and was built in 1818, and stood 
where the soap factory now stands on Fourth 
street. There was a block-house on that same 
lot before the schoolhouse was built. Alexan- 
der Barr was one of the first, if not the first, 
teacher who occupied this house. He was the 
son of a Baptist minister, a ver}- efficient 
teacher, and taught here fifteen years. The 
house was a frame, al)out 20x35 feet. Mordecai 
Bartley writes thus concerning this schoolhouse: 
" As the town increased in population, public 
spirit and enterprise, the policy of erecting a 
schoolhouse was discussed, and for the purpose 
of having a decision, an individual visited each 
family in the village, and to each presented a 
subscription paper, thereby obtaining a promise 
of the payment of $200 to aid in the building 
of a schoolhouse. On the evening of the same 
dsij, a meeting of the citizens was held, and 
after organizing by appointing a chairman and 
secretary, a motion to proceed immediately in 
erecting a schoolhouse was carried without de- 
bate. It was then proposed b}- one that it be 
built of logs, by another that it be frame, by 
another, brick, and another, stone. Each plan 
had its advocates, but finally the meeting dis- 
solved in confusion without coming to any con- 
clusion, save that a schoolhouse be built. The 
subscription of $200 was placed in the hands of 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



483 



mechanics, who speedily erected a comfortable 
frame schoolhouse in the northeast part of the 
town, which was occupied for school purposes 
more than twenty years."' Some of Barrs pu- 
pils were Joseph, Robert and Harriet Cairns, 
John and Hugh McCluer. Rebecca, (loorge and 
James Coffinberr}' — the latter is now a promi- 
nent Judge in the city of Cleveland — and p]liza- 
beth. Susan, Jane W,, Rel^ecca D.. George ^Y.. 
Mar}' and Sarah L. Carothers. 

Some years after the Big Spring Schoolhouse 
was built, another was erected on the other lot 
donated b}- Gen. Hedges. It was called the 
" Red " Schoolhouse, and occupied the lot on 
the corner of Fourth and Mull^erry. where F, E. 
Tracy now lives. This house was standing in 
1840. as Mr, J, H, Cook was a teacher at that 
time. One of the later schoolhouses was also 
erected on the south end of the market-house 
lot, and the school there was at one time taught 
b}' Moses Dickey. 

It was not until March. 1846. that a petition 
was received by the Council, asking that the 
town be divided into school districts. Up to 
this time, but one district existed. In April 
following, the Council ordained. •• that said cor- 
porate limits be divided into three separate dis- 
tricts, to be known and called Nos. 1. 2. and 3."' 
District No. 1 to include all that part of the 
town east of Walnut street and north of the 
public square ; Xo, 2 to embrace all south of 
the north line of the public square, and east of 
Walnut, except that the line running north 
and south between Second and Third streets 
should follow Main street instead of Walnut ; 
No. 3 embraced all that part of town not in- 
cluded in the other two, 

Fi^'e Wardens were appointed by the Coinicil 
for each of these districts, and. as the town in- 
creased in population, other districts were added 
from time to time, as the necessities of the case 
demanded, until they numbered six. In these 
three original districts, the schoolhouses were. 
No. 1 . the Big Spring, on Fourth, where the first 



brick schoolhouse was afterward erected ; No, 2, 
the new brick on Southeast Diamond, now occu- 
pied as a normal school ; No. 3. the Red School- 
house, corner Fourth and Mulberr}-. 

There is a gap in the history of Mansfield 
schools it will be hard to bridge over, in conse- 
quence of the total destruction of all the 
records of the Board of Education b}' fii'e, 
when H, C, Hedges' block was burned, about 
1870 ; however, there is little valuable history 
of the schools before about 1855, when the 
present system, then, of course, in a rude state, 
came into existence. The following is copied 
from the Mansfield ffcraJJ, of January, 1857 : 
■'Our schools were organized under the law of 
1852, immediately after its passage, A Board 
of Education, consisting of J. H, Cook, A. L, 
Grimes and I. Gass, was elected in the spring 
of 1855. As contracts already existed for 
teaching one term in the several school dis- 
tricts into which our city was then divided, 
this Board did not enter fully upon its duties 
until the fall of that year, at which time prop- 
erly commences the graded system among us. 
The usual embarrassment attending the appli- 
cation of any new law as important as this, 
was felt by the Board in their early labors, 
which demanded the utmost discretion and 
skill in overcoming. We have had no access 
to the statistics of these schools previous to 
their organization under the new law. Such 
as we have are furnished l)y Dr, Catlin, the 
present Superintendent, Alexander Bartlett 
was appointed Principal of the High School 
and Superintendent ^of Instruction for the first 
year. He was succeeded by H. Merrel, who 
held the position seven months, George W, 
Waring succeeded I, Gass, and B, Burns suc- 
ceeded A. L, Grimes, on the expiration of their 
terms of office. The Board, as now constituted, 
consists of J. H. Cook. President ; G. W. War- 
ing and B, Burns ; the City Clerk, Alexander 
]McIlvaine. acting, by virtue of his office, as 
Clerk of the Board. 



Liu 



484 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



•' Dr. Catlin has had charge of the schools as 
Superintendent of Instruction, since Septem- 
ber, 1855, at whicli time the Board of Educa- 
tion foiuid it necessary to adopt, and publisli 
in pamphlet form, a system of general rules 
and regulations, to the wise and wholesome ad- 
ministration of which, the present flourishing 
condition of our schools is, in a great measure, 
attributable. Our school ^-ear, commencing on 
September 1. consists of forty weeks, divided 
into three terms, one of sixteen weeks, and the 
other two of twelve each. We have at present 
eleven schools, employing, with Superintendent, 
thirteen teachers. There are five primary-, four 
secondary, a grammar and a high school. The 
annual enumeration of youth, at the last census, 
was over one thousand five hundred, an in- 
crease of about two hundred since the present 
s^'stem was adopted. 

'' The enrollment of pupils in our schools for 
the past school year was 808, and at the pres- 
ent time 925. We are satisfied that the course 
of study adopted by our Board is a most 
judicious one, and well calculated to discipline 
the mental faculties as they mature, impart a 
valuable fund of knowledge, and prepare our 
youth for the highest usefulness and happiness. 
We are happy to notice that moral instruction 
has a high position in the minds of our teachers 
and all our school officers. The Bible, without 
note or comment, but as Gods revealed will, is 
used in all our schools." 

As the Mansfield Female College came into 
existence about this time, it ma}- be proper to 
give a brief history of tljat institution, which 
created expectations and hopes that have not 
been realized. It was projected in the spring of 
1 853, and completed for the reception of pupils 
November 7, 1855.. It occupies a pleasant sit- 
uation on West Market street ; is a suljstantial 
and beautiful brick edifice. 54x76 feet, and four 
stories high. The entire cost of the building, 
apparatus, library, etc.. was $22,447. It started 
out with a competent corps of professors, and 



an attendance of 113 students the first year. It 
struggled along for a number of years, but failed 
for want of pecuniary support ; being heavily 
burdened with a debt it was unable to liquidate. 
The Odd Fellows were about purchasing it in 
1857, for the purpose of establishing a school 
for the orphans of deceased members of that 
society, but for soi*ne reason that project failed, 
and it finally passed into other hands. For 
many years, it has Ijeen occupied as a boarding- 
house. 

Following Bartlett and Merril as Superintend- 
ents, came William C. Catlin, who continued to 
occupy that position until 1859, when he was 
succeeded by J. H. Beed, who, after his retire- 
ment from this office, engaged in the retail, and 
afterwai'd the wholesale, book and paper trade. 
Henry M. Parker succeeded Mr. Beed, and con- 
tinued in the office of Superintendent until 1873, 
when he resigned, and was succeeded by John 
Simpson, the present efficient officer. 

As has been stated, the first Board of Edu- 
cation, under the present sj'stem. was elected 
in 1853, and consisted of A. L. Grimes, J. H. 
Cook and Isaac Gass. In 1854, George W. 
Waring succeeded Gass ; in 1856, Barnabus 
Burns succeeded Grimes ; in 1857, Uzziel 
Stevens succeeded Waring ; in 1858, Henry C. 
Hedges succeeded Cook ; in 1860, Joel Myers 
succeeded Stevens, and in 1868, A. L. Grimes 
succeeded Burns. The Board then consisted 
of H. C. Hedges, Joel Myers and A. L. Grimes, 
who remained in office until 1872,^ and during 
whose administration the four beautiful brick 
schoolhouses were built, one in each ward of 
the city. Before the erection of these build- 
ings, there was a controversy among the citi- 
zens regarding the organization of the schools ; 
one party wishing to build one grand institution 
of learning, in a central portion of the cit}', 
which should accommodate all the children in 
the corporation ; the other desiring to erect a 
building in each ward. The latter finally pre- 
vailed. The former desired to purchase the 






'A 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



485 



female college building, for the purpose, but 
since the erection of the ward schoolhouses, 
all parties seem well satisfied. The first of 
these buildings was erected on Bloom street, in 
the Second Ward, in 1868, and was ready for 
the reception of pupils in Januar}-, 1869. The 
same year, the frame schoolhouse in Johns 
Addition was erected, and also the Third Ward 
Schoolhouse. which occupies a square, extend- 
ing from Third to Fourth streets, in the easteni 
part of the city. These houses, together with 



houses in the First and Fourth Wards was agi- 
tated ; and resulted in the erection of the First 
Ward School building, or high school, in 1870. 
This beautiful edifice was opened, with appro- 
priate ceremonies, January- 2, 1871. It occu- 
pies the lot on First street, which is on the 
southwest corner of the original plat of the city, 
and was donated by Gen. Hedges, to the Pres- 
])yterians, for a graveyai'd. The total cost of 
this I)uilding, furniture, etc.. was $.31,297, and 
with few exceptions, the labor was performed 




the old brick on Southeast Diamond, and the 
brick on the corner of Mulberry and First, now 
owned and occupied b^- the Catholic School. 
constituted the schoolhouses of the city for 
several years — the house on the corner of ^lul- 
berry and First being used for high-school pur- 
poses, while the primary school of the First 
Ward occupied the upper rooms of the market 
house. At this time, the number of teachers, 
including superintendent, was seventeen. Tt 
was soon found that the existing buildings were 
not adequate to the increasing demands upon 
them, and in 1 867-68 the question of new school- 



and materials furnished b}' mechanics and bus- 
iness men of the city ; the stone, with the ex- 
ception of the window sills, being taken from 
quarries near the city. It is of brick, two 
stories, besides baSement and attic ; mansard 
roof; conveniently planned and nicely furn- 
ished, and is occupied by primary, intermedi- 
ate, several grammar and a high school. 

In the following year, 1871, the Fourth Ward 
building was erected. It was built on the same 
plan and of the same size as the First Ward 
building, costing about $100 less. Its location, 
in the eastern part of the city, is commanding 



«^ c 



r^ 



486 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



and beautiful, seven acres of land having been 
purchased l)y the Board, upon which the build- 
ing is located. A statement made by Henry C. 
Hedges, at the dedication of this building, which 
occurred January 15. 1872. furnishes the infor- 
mation that the cost of the school l)uildiugs in 
the four wards and that in John's Addition, was 
$93,450, with twenty-eight rooms. capalJe of 
seating 1,850 pupils at one time. The Avard 
buildings were all erected under the supervision 
of Mr. S. G. Brinley, since deceased, and have 
given general satisfaction. 

After the completion of these buildings, 
changes were again made in the Board of Edu- 
cation, Isaac (lass succeeding Joel Myers in 
1872 ; Martin B. Finfrock succeeding A. L. 
Grimes in 1873. In 1874, Mr. Gass was suc- 
ceeded by John W. Jenner, who still retains the 
office. In March, 1879, the number of the 
members of the Boai-d was changed from three 
to six by a vote of the people. In April follow- 
ing, Abraham Small, B. Sens, M. B. Bushnell 
and L. F. Harrington were added to the Board. 
Mr. Hedges retiring, after having faithfully 
served the city in this capacity for twenty -one 
consecutive years. 

The Board, as now (January. 1880) consti- 
tuted, consists of M. B. Bushnell. M. Y. B. Fin- 
frock. L. F. Harrington. J. AY. Jenner. B. Sens 
and A. Small. 

The steady growth of the city is indicated in 
the progress of the schools, in the additional 
number of pupils and teachers each year, and 
the occasional building of a new schoolhouse. 
During the year 1879, a fine brick schoolhouse 
was erected in Newmans Addition, in the 
eastern part of the city, and additions have 
been made from time to time to some of the old 
houses. These houses now number six in the 
city, and will seat (at one time) 2,234 pupils. 
The actual cost of these buildings is $103,450, 
and the total value of school property in the 
city, $150,000. Number of pupils enrolled in 
1878-79, was 1.777; the per cent of average 



dail}- attendance is. of the average monthh' en- 
rollment. 95 ; the per cent of average daily at- 
tendance is. of the whole number enrolled. 76. 
Thirty-six teachers are employed — two males 
(including the Superintendent), and thirty-four 
females ; averages salaries of grade teachers 
is $40 per month : of high - school teachers. 
$78.33. Under the management of the present 
very efficient Superintendent, Mr. John Simpson, 
these schools have attained a high degree of 
excellence, and are not surpassed l)y any others 
in the State. 

The Mansfield Normal College was organized 
September 10, 1878, by Prof. J. Fraise Bichard. 
at the suggestion of a few leading citizens of 
^Mansfield, of whom Henry C. Hedges may be 
mentioned as the most active. The building, 
on the corner of East Diamond and Flint streets, 
formerl}- the Fourth Ward School building, was 
secured for the purpose, and exteriorly fitted up 
by the Board of Education. It had l)een un- 
occupied since the erection of the new Fourth 
Ward Imilding, and its windows aftbrded iuA'it- 
ing targets for the boys of the neighborhood. 

From the first circular issued, the following- 
facts are gleaned : -The first year contained 
three terms of twelve, sixteen, and twelve weeks 
respectively. The tuition was placed at 75 cents 
per week, which covered all branches studied. 

The ol;)jects of the institution are : 

1. To afford teachers of all gi'ades the most 
rational methods of instruction and manage- 
ment. 

2. To give the most thorough, recent and sys- 
tematic instruction, in the various subjects em- 
braced in the courses of stud}'. 

3. To inspire the power of thorough, original 
investigation ; to develop earnest, consecutive 
and effective thinking ; in short, to cultivate 
that sort of mind-power which makes itself felt 
under ever}' circumstance in life. 

4. To realize as fully as possible what is com- 
prehended in the expression — a modern school, 
dealing with practical subjects in a practical way. 



^- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



487 



5. To put within reach of all a thorough, 
practical education, '' good enough for the best, 
and cheap enough for the poorest." 

The courses of stud}' are : 

Preparatory — emljracing a searching study 
or review of all the common branches, including 
also elementary algebra, rhetoric, elocution and 
debating. 

Teachers — same as preparatory, with thorough 
training in methods of teaching, philosophy of 
education, school organization and management. 

Business — a full course in book-keeping, com- 
mercial computations, penmanship, business 
correspondence and commercial law. 

Musical — vocal and instrumental in all its 
departments. 

Scientific — a full line of mathematics, natural 
science, Latin language, history (both ancient 
and modern), English literature, evidences of 
Christianity, and government. 

Classical — This adds to the scientific course a 
training in (xreek, metaphysics and logic. 

To these it is proposed to add, in the » early 
future, a preparatory course in law and medi- 
cine, so that young ladies and gentlemen may 
be prepared, in classes, to attend the regular 
lectures in legal and medical schools. 

At this date (January, 1880), although the 
normal college has been in existence but little 
over a year, it has grown from thirty-two students 
at the opening, to one hundred and ten. repre- 
senting nearly every part of the State. 

Classes have lieen organized in arithmetic, 
algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, geog- 
raphy, natural philosophy, chemistry, physi- 
ology, botany, geology and zoology, English 
grammar, rhetoric, elocution, literature and his- 
tor}', Latin grammar and Greek, penmanship, 
vocal and instrumental music. 

lender its present efficient management the 
normal college, it is hoped and believed, will 
be a permanent success. All it needs is encour- 
agement and fostering care to make it one of 
the best of its kind in the State. 



In 1818, the first paper made its appearance 
in Mansfield. It was called the OUn . The 
following extract is from a letter of 3Ir. John 
C. Gilkison. its editor and proprietor : • The 
first newspaper printed in Kichland County was 
established in April, 1818. * * ^ It was what 
is termed a mediiim sheet, and was printed on 
what we Avould call, at this day, worn-out type, 
and an old Ramage press ; the entire establish- 
ment cost about $150. * * * It was car- 
ried on al>out a year, with three hundred and 
fifty or four hundred subscribers. * * * At 
the time the Ollce was first established. Rich- 
land County contained about one thousand 
voters, and the number of dwelling-houses in 
^lansfield was al)out seventy-five or eighty.* 
chiefly log cabins and small frame buildings. 
A considerable proportion of the support of 
the establishment was from Huron County, 
there being at that time no printing office in 
that count}'.' In politics, the Olive advocated 
Whig principles. Shortly after it started. John 
Fleming became a partner of Mr. Gilkison. and 
the publication was continued about one year, 
when Mr. Gilkison sold his interest to Roliert 
Crosthwaite. who, in a few weeks, also purchased 
Flemings interest, and carried on the paper 
ver}- irregidarly eight or ten months, when 
he failed : and. for a time. iMansfield was with- 
out a paper. In 1823, James Purdy arrived in 
the town, purchased the establishment and 
commenced the publication of a Whig and 
Masonic paper called the ^lansfield Gazette. He 
purchased the establishment on credit, giving 
his personal notes therefor, took possession 
and employed John C. Gilkison as printer. He 
soon discovered that the type was too much 
worn to print a readable paper, and. mounting 
his horse, rode to Cincinnati, purchased a new 
font on credit and returned with it in his sad 
die-bags. Thus the first really permanent 



*Mr. Gilkison must have been mistaken about the number of 
houses. Mr. James Purdy, Mrs. Smith, Dr. Bushnell and other old 
residents place the number of dwellings at that time from eighteen 
to thirty. 



rv 



k 



488 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



newspaper establishment was started entirely 
on credit. Mr. Purdy's difficulties were not 
yet at an end. The first three years the con- 
cern did not pay expenses : the press was too 
small and it was found necessary to purchase 
a new press and renew the entire establishment. 
The income from his professional practice, how- 
ever, enabled him to meet his notes at matur- 
ity, suslain and improve the establishment un- 
til it became self-supporting and eventually 
prosperous. His practice requiring his whole 
attention, he sold the establishment in 1832. In 
1830, Josiah L. Reed established another press 
in Mansfield, and printed a Democratic paper, 
called the Wcstcni IlcraJd. which he conducted 
about a year or two. In 1832, T. W. Bartley, 
Dr. Rentzel and J. C. Clilkison formed a part- 
nership, bought out both the Purdy and Reed 
offices, consolidated them and commenced the 
publication of the Ohio Spectator, with the 
understanding that it should be an impartial 
journal ; but, in a short time, it proved 
one-sided, and Mr. Gilkison withdrew from 
the establishment. It was soon sold to H. 
Leyman, and, not long after, Leyman sold to 
J. H. Hoffman, who, with Rentzel, conducted 
it to the end of the first volume (still Demo- 
cratic), when they failed, and this office re- 
mained closed until 1836. Meanwhile, in 
1832, John and Charles Boreland commenced 
the publication of the RlchJand Whig, which 
advocated the principles its title denotes, and 
was conducted by them about two years, when 
it failed for want of patronage. 

In 1836. John Meredith and John Warnock 
purchased the Spectator office of Hoffman & 
Rentzel. and continued its publication as a 
Democratic journal, of super-royal size, for 
some two j'ears, under the title of the Ohio 
/Shield, when Meredith purchased \yarnock's 
interest, enlarged the paper to doul)le-medium 
size, and changed its title to that of the Shield 
and Banner. The publication of the paper was 
continued bv Meredith, and Meredith & Max- 



well, until May, 1841, when it was purchased 
by its present editor, John Y. Glessner. Thus 
it will be seen that the Shield and Banner is the 
pioneer paper. It had a hard struggle for ex- 
istence in the start, but has been published 
under different names sixty -two 3ears, with 
only an occasional break-down for the first few 
years. It has been published under its pres- 
ent name more than forty years, and by its 
present editor nearly forty years. In 1838, 
Mai'ain & Devine established a Whig paper 
called the Richland Jefferson icon, which they 
conducted one year, when they failed for want 
of patronage, and the establishment w^as pur- 
chased .by J. C. Grilkison & Sons. It was con- 
ducted by these gentlemen nine j^ears, with a sub- 
scription list of about eight hundred. They 
then sold out to M. Day, Jr.. and E. W. Smith. 
Messrs. Da}- & Smith changed the name of the 
paper to the Mansfield Herald. In 1852, Mr. 
Day purchased Mr. Smiths interest, and con- 
tinued the publication of the 7/^'rt//(7until 1855, 
when it was purchased by R. Brinkerhoff. D. 
R. Locke (Nasby) and James G. Robinson. In 
1856, Mr. Locke retired, and became proprietor 
of the Bucyrus Journal ; Messrs. Brinkerhoff & 
Robinson continuing the Hercdd, and in the fall 
of 1857 received M. Day. Jr.. into the firm. In 
the spring of 1858. Messrs. Day and Rol)inson 
retired, and the paper was conducted by R. 
Brinkerhoff alone until May. 1859, when he sold 
out to Dr. Myers and his brother. Lorenzo D. 
Myers. When Dr. Myers died, his interest 
passed into the hands of his Itrother. Wesley 
Myers. The Messrs. Myers continued its pub- 
lication until October 13. 1875, when it was 
purchased by its present proprietors, Messrs. 
George U. Harn & Company. 

In 1844, a Democratic campaign paper was 
started by Wiley & Tidball, called the Mominy 
Pennant; and about the same time a Whig cam- 
paign paper, called the Richland Bugle and In- 
dependent Press, was established l)v William 
Johnson, both of which were discontinued at 



-TT 



:!^ 



^- 



HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COU:N^Ty. 



489 



the end of the first volume. In 1850. an inde- 
pendent Democratic paper was established l)v 
Joel Myers and Jacob Reisenger, which was con- 
tinued through one volume, then sold to John 
Y. Glessner. and discontinued. 

From time to time, as occasion demanded. 
extras have been issued from the Hfrahl and 
Shield offices. 

Owing to a large German element in the 
population of the city, which has been steadily 
increasing in numbers and influence, it A\as 
thought a paper printed in the German lan- 
guage would receive support, and. accordingly, 
October 5. 1872, the first issue of the Mansfield 
Courier appeared, conducted by August Selbach. 
It started with a subscription list of four or 
five hundred. In al)out a year, the firm changed 
to Selliach & Pfisterer. Soon aftei\ it was pur- 
chased 1)V John B. Netscher, who conducted it 
until January 1. 1874, when it was purchased 
by Messrs. Kilian & Kuebler. In six months. 
Mr. Kuebler withdrew, and Mr. Kilian con- 
ducted it until his death in October 1. 1875, 
after which it was continued by the adminis- 
trator of the estate until Januar}', 1876. when 
it was purchased by Messrs. Kuebler & Wolf 
its present proprietors. It is quarto, 30x44. 

In April, 1873, a paper was started called 
the Ohio Liberal. It was intended to represent 
the views of Lil)eral Republicans, in the county 
and State, as at that time they felt themselves 
subject to attack from both the old political 
parties, and desired some means of self-defense. 
A few citizens of Mansfield, therefore, sub- 
scribed the means necessary to start a weekly 
journal, and a company was organized and in- 
corporated, with a capital stock of $1,000. It 
was under the editorial supervision of Gen. R. 
Bi'inkerhofT, who, during the Presidential cam- 
paign, had been Chairman of the Lil)eral Re- 
publican ExecutiAC Committee of the State. 
The local department was under the charge of 
W. S. McMillen. It had not been expected that 
it would be a financial success, l)ut, to the sur- 



prise. of its originators, it was self-supporting 
from the Ijeginning. and has prospered and 
steadily grown in circulation. Subsequently, a 
jobbing department was added, and the paper 
became one of the permanent institutions of 
the city. 

It maintained an independent position in pol- 
itics, until the Presidential election of 187G, 
when it supported the Democratic nominee for 
the Presidency, and has since Ijeen in accord 
with the Democratic party. In April. 1877, it 
was transferred to its present proprietors, Henry 
and Charles Foulk. who have sole control of its 
editorial and business management. 

In 1859, a paper was started, called the Rich- 
hind Democrat, by L. C. Kelly and Jacob Reis- 
inger. The latter died during the first 3ear of 
its existence, after which it was continued b}' 
Mr. Kelly until |862. when the settlement of 
Reisingers estate and the war, combined, caused 
it to suspend. 

The first issue of the Snttdaij Morning Call 
appeared July 23. 1876. It has not changed 
hands since that time, and is still issued, from 
the southeast corner of Fourth and ]NIain 
streets, by A. J. Baughraan and his sister. Miss 
Sadie Baughman. both practical printers. Its 
success does not depend upon regular subscrib- 
ers, but being of an aggressive and sensational 
nature, its weekly sales are quite large. It 
soon came to lie well known, and is sold liy 
news-dealers and news-boys, in ^lansfield and 
other towns within a radius of fifty miles, mak- 
ing it a financial success. 

The Herald, under its present management. 
is healthy and prosperous, and is unqualifiedly 
Republican : indeed, all the county papers are 
well sustained, which speaks volumes for the 
intelligence of the people of the count}-. Mr. 
Glessner is the oldest editor in the State, in 
continuous service. 

In December, 1871. the Shield and Bamiti- 
office was totally destroyed by fire. The loss 
was ^ery severe, but such was the energy 



> 



490 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



displayed, that the paper never missed an issue. 
Thi'ough the courtesy of the Messrs. Myers, of 
the Herald, Mr. Glessner was enabled to issue 
a half-sheet the same week of the fire, and to 
continue its publication without interruption. 
During the thirty -nine years of his connection 
with this paper, it has never missed an issue. 
It is the organ of the Democratic party of 
Richland, and the official paper of the county. 
80 far as can be ascertained, the first post 
office was established (as has been mentioned in 
the general history of Mansfield) on a very 
large white-oak log that lay between the two 
block-houses on the square. Two men b}- the 
name of Facer and Hatfield were the earliest 
mail-carriers. They carried the mail from 
Cleveland and Sandusky City, to Mansfield, 
Mount Vernon and Columbus ; sometimes on 
horseback, but. during the war of 1812, gener- 
ally on foot for greater safety : packing the 
mail-liags through the woods, hiding in swamps 
and skulking in the bushes to save their scalps 
and the mail from a savage foe. Henry New- 
man says : • We few inhabitants of Mansfield, 
on the day Hatfield was expected, would as- 
seml)le together on and against a ver}- large 
white-oak log, that lay between the block-houses, 
and there await the arrival of the mail. Some 
one was always ready to read the news, for 
the mail was then and there opened on the big 
log." It was generally Andrew Coffinbeny, or, 
as he was usually called, '■ Count Coffinberry," 
or sometimes •• Count Puffindorf " who would 
read the news from the top of the log. The 
settlers were anxious to hear from the war, and 
a newspaper, though it might be a week or two 
old. was quickly seized, no matter to whom it 
belonged, and the news read aloud to all the 
citizens of Mansfield. A'local post office became 
a necessity after a time : some place where the 
letters, which of course soon liegan to accumu- 
late, could be kept in safety until called for, and 
where the weary and mud-spattered mail-carrier 
could rest and warm, before starting; asain 



on his lonely journe3^ That well-dressed, 
wigged and powdered, foppish luit smart little 
Winn Winship was selected as Postmaster. A 
description of this gentleman, and also of his 
house, is given in the general history of Mans- 
field and need not be repeated here. It is suffi- 
cient to say that he lived by himself in the only 
frame house in town, which he built just oppo- 
site the present site of the North American, 
where Purdy's Bank was for many years located. 
In this house, therefore, was established the first 
post office in Mansfield and the first in Richland 
County. The exact date when this post office 
was estal)lished and also the names and dates 
of appointment of all subsequent Postmasters 
have been obtained from the Post Office Depart- 
ment, through the kindness of vSecretary Sher- 
man, and from this report it is found that Mr. \(\\\- 
ship received his appointment 3\\\y 1. 1811, and 
held the office nine years. He was succeeded. 
May 30, 1820, by R. McCombs, who kept a store 
on the southwest corner of Main and Third streets, 
where the Mansfield Banking Company now is. 

To show the postal routes of that da}', the fol- 
lowing card was exhibited on the post-office door : 
" Arrival and Departure of Mails. 

"To Columbus, via Bellville, &c., every Mondaj', 
Wednesday and Friday, at 6 P. M. To Sandusky City, 
via Truxville, Plymouth, &c., Tuesday, Thursday and 
Saturday, at 6 A. M. To Millersburg, via Perrysville 
and Loudonville, Wednesday, at 6 A. M. To Bucyrus, 
via Gallon, Wednesday, at 6 A. M. To Pittsburgh, via 
Hays' Cross Roads, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 
at 6 A. M. To Delaware, via Lexington, &c., Wednes- 
day, at 6 A. M." 

Mr. McCombs held the office until January 
25, 1830, when Hugh McFall was appointed, 
and the office removed to the McFall corner — 
northwest corner of Main and Third. Mr. Mc- 
Fall was appointed by Gen. Jackson, then Pres- 
ident, and held the office eleven 3'ears and six 
months. Those were the days of stages. In 
the transportation of mails, one step forward 
had been made — instead of going afoot, or 
horseback, the never-to-be-foi'gotten stage-coach 



-V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



491 



was in operation. Even yet, old settlers look 
back to the stage-eoaeh days with a sigh of re- 
gret that the}' are gone, never to return. The 
stage routes then were from Cleveland and 
Sandusky to Mansfield, Mount Vernon and Col- 
uml)us. From the east, the stage came from 
Pittsburgh, and for a long time the western 
terminus was at Mansfield, but after a time, the 
route was extended to Bucyrus. Hiram K. 
Smith, still living, was a post-office clerk under 
Mr. McFall. He was only a lad at that time, 
and relates that the Postmaster at one time sent 
him to Columl^us. on horseback, with a pair of 
saddle-bags full of silver, to be deposited in 
the old Franklin Bank there, to the credit of 
the Post Office Department, at Washington. He 
was a little over two days in making the jour- 
ney, as the roads were very bad, and it was all 
the way through the woods, with only here and 
there a cabin. Following McFali, came Uriah 
Jamison, as Postmaster, July 26, 1838, and the 
location of the office was changed to a frame 
house, which occupied the present site of 
Johnston's drug store — first door north of the 
Wiler House. Jamison was succeeded by Jacob 
Hammer, in 1841, moving the office to a small 
building on the present site of H. R. Smith's 
Opera House. Barney McCarron was the next 
Postmaster after Hammer ; was appointed No- 
vember 11, 1845, and removed the office to the 
North American corner, where he kept it a short 
time and then transferred it to the building where 
Rigbe3''s shoe store is now located. From there, 
it went across the street, into one of those old 
buildings that was recently pulled down to 
make room for the Iniilding of the Swigart. 
Jenner & Scattergood Block, and Jacob Ham- 
mer kept it. Hammer received his second ap- 
pointment April 27, 1849. Jacob Reisinger 
followed Hammer, June 16, 1853, and kept the 
office in Dickson's Block. Samuel Snyder suc- 
ceeded Reisinger, November 18, 1859, and kept 
the office in the same place. Greorge H. Kling 
was the next Postmaster, receiving his appoint- 



ment March 28, 1861, and it was during his ad- 
ministration that the office was removed to its 
present location. This block was erected in 
1863, and the office has not been moved since 
that time. Henry P. Davis was Kling's suc- 
cessor, and was appointed Postmaster by Aljra- 
ham Lincoln Sept. 28, 1864, and held the office 
nine 3ears. He was followed Ijy the present 
efficient officer, Thos.P:.Douglas,March 12. 1873. 
The business of the post office, at the pres- 
ent time, largeh' exceeds the popujar idea of 
it. It has grown to be a kind of banking insti- 
tution of no inconsideral:)le proportions, and 
will, no doubt, increase in popularity from year 
to year, as a medium through which the Gov- 
ernment may reach the people. It was tlu'ough 
the post office that Secretar}' Sherman was en- 
abled to place a large portion of the 4 per cent 
loans, with little expense to the Government 
and great convenience to the people ; $15,000 
of these bonds were sold here. Postmaster 
Douglas furnishes the following, relating to the 
business of the office during the year 1879 : 
Gross receipts, $20,625.70 — this being for 
stamps and box rent ; total number of money- 
orders issued from this office. 41,965 ; the 
numljer issued during the 3'ear 1879 were 4,618. 
for which $51,253.62 was paid by the people : 
and during the same time the post office has 
paid out $62,352.67, on monev-orders : num1>er 
of letters registered during the year, 835 ; an 
average of 2,000 letters (exclusive of drops) are 
daily mailed at the office, and. during the year 
over two hundred thousand circulars were mailed 
at the office ; number of postal cards sold dur- 
ing the 3'ear, 147.837, and about the same num- 
ber mailed at the office for the same time. In 
addition to this, the sale of stamped envelopes 
is large and continually increasing, the numlier 
sold in 1879 being 91.000. The business of the 
post office is looked upon as an index of the devel- 
opment, civilization and intelligence of a com- 
munit}'. This is certainly an encouraging ex- 
hibit. 






® ii>_ 



,>?^ 



492 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER L. 

BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, MILLS AND MANUFACTURERS. 

FiBST Bank — Application for a Chaktek — Patterson & Co. — Mr. Purdy's Bank — The Sturges Bank — 
Richland National — First National — Mansfield Banking Company — Mansfield Savings Bank — The 
Richland Mutual Insurance Company — The Mansfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company — The 
Merchants' and Manufacturers' Insurance Company — The American Mutual Accident Associa- 
tion — The Early Mills of Madison Township — Gilbert, Wauqh & Co. — Hicks, Brown & Co — The 
Aultman & Taylor Company— The Mansfield Machine Works — Cracker Bakery — Box Factory — 
The Western and Buckeye Suspender Companies — Trunk Factory — Mansfield Woolen Mills 
— Mansfield Lumber and Building Company — Paper Manufactory — Patterson, Creigh & Co. — 
G. W. Forney & Co. — Other Industries. 



THE banking business of the city, like 
every other Ijusiness at the present date 
(January. 1880), has settled down on a solid 
basis, the city now containing three Ijanking 
institutions, all doing a safe and profitable bus- 
iness. The first establishment of this kind 
was started as early as 1816, on Main street, at 
the southwest corner of the square, where the 
old Farmers" Bank was afterward, for many 
3"ears, located. John Garrison was President, 
and a Mr. Elliott. Cashier. A charter was 
applied for and a member elected to the Legis- 
lature, purposely to see that the bill for that 
purpose passed. The bill had passed to a 
third reading, when a member moved its indef- 
inite postponement. The Richland member 
thinking it was on its final passage, voted aj^e, 
and defeated his own measure by his own vote. 
It was indefinitely postponed b}' a majority of 
one, and the bank never obtained a charter. 
So far as can be ascertained, this was the end 
of the ])anking business until 1846, when 
Messrs. James Patterson & Co. started on the 
west side of the square, about where the Farm- 
ers' Bank is now located. This was not a 
bank of issue, but simply a bank of deposit, 
and the daily accumulation of cash was 
taken everv evening to the vault in the store of 



E. P. Sturges for safe keeping. Mr. Patterson 
conducted the bank several years, when he 
died, and it passed into the control of Conn, 
Sherman & Co., Messrs. Andrew Conn and C. 
T. Sherman having been for some years inter- 
ested in it. It did business for a time on the 
west side of the square, and then moved to the 
first room south of the Wiler House, where it 
continued until about 1854, when Conn having 
moved away, it closed up its afl^airs. The first 
really permanent institution of this kind was 
started by Mr. James Purdy, in 1847. In 
1846, a law creating the State Bank of Ohio 
was passed. Mr. Purdy was active in procur- 
ing the passage of this law, and immediately 
determined to take advantage of its benefits 
and establish a branch in Mansfield. As this 
was the first Imnk, a little history- of it may be 
interesting. 

Mone}^ to establish banks could not be gath- 
ered up on the streets in those* days, l)ut Mr. 
Purdy succeeded in finding thirt}- men in the 
county who were able to pay in $30,000 in 
specie, Mr. Purdy agreeing to take their stock 
off their hands, if at aii}^ future time they 
should desire it. He was aided in the estab- 
lishment of this bank by C Armentrout, Will- 
iam Granger, David Anderson and others. 



^ 



:^i 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



493 



Soon after he commenced operations, C. T. 
Sherman made an attempt hi the same direc- 
tion, and also obtained the requisite amount of 
stock. According to law, but one branch could 
be established in a county. Both parties pre- 
sented their claims to the Board of Control. 
For some reason, the Farmers' was the one 
accepted. 

The bank was organized August 4, 1847, by 
the election of J. Purd}', William Granger, Da- 
vid Anderson. John Shauck and Messer Barker, 
Directors. James Purdy was elected President, 
and John Rhodes, cashier. The latter continued 
as cashier until May 6, 1850, when he resigned, 
and J. M. Rhodes was appointed. He resigned in 
1851, and H. Coll)}' was appointed and contin- 
ued until the expiration of the charter, and the 
bank was merged into a national bank. They 
obtained a circulation of $(50,000. which was 
more than the business of Richland Count}' then 
required. When gold was discovered in Cali- 
fornia, they established a bank in Sacramento, 
from which they obtained coin. It was shipped 
to New York and placed to their credit. In 
the general smash-up in New York in 1857, 
they sustained a heavy loss of deposits. In 
1865, the shareholders of the old bank trans- 
ferred their stock to the Farmers' National 
Bank, and Mr. Purdy was elected President, a 
position he yet retains, making him, probably, 
the oldest bank president in continual service 
in the State. The bank passed safely through 
the panic of 1873, though hard pressed and 
losing heavily In' the dishonest}' of its cashier. 
Mr. Purdy has been extensively engaged in 
other l;)anking" operations outside the city. 

In 1852, the Ijanking-house of E. Sturges, 
Sr.. & Co. started in a little frame, 10x20 office 
on the corner of Main and Third, where Bige- 
low's drug store is now located. They after- 
ward moved into the McFall corner. The part- 
ners were E. Sturges, Sr., S. B. Sturges and A. 
L. Grrimes ; S. B. Sturges withdrew in 1859. In 
1857-58. Mr. Benjamin Blymyer, C. L. Avery 



and E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. erected the brick block, 
where Bl3'myer's stove and tin store, and Scatter- 
good's dry-goods store is, and to which the bank 
was moved from the McFall corner. Here the}- 
continued business until 1867, when they con- 
solidated with the Richland National Bank. 
This latter bank was organized in 1865, with a 
cash capital of $100,000, which was increased 
to $150,000 when consolidated with E. Sturges, 
Sr., & Co. The officers of the institution were : 
A. L. Grimes, President ; D. Sturges, Vice 
President ; J. M. JoUy, Cashier ; R. H. Rowland, 
Teller. It first started in the old frame building, 
which was pulled down in the summer of 1879 to 
make room for the new block of Scattergood, 
Jenner & Swigart; and, in 1867, was moved 
into the room occupied by E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. 
The Richland National closed up its aflfairs, or 
sold out to the Farmers' National Bank. Janu- 
ary 1, 1876. 

The Mansfield Herald of May 25, 1864, an- 
nounces the fact of the organization of the 
First National Bank of ^lansfield, with a cash 
capital of $100,000, with the privilege of in- 
creasing to $300,000. A meeting of the stock- 
holders was held on the 16th of the month, and 
T. T. Woodruff, W. S. Hickox, B. Burns, H. C. 
Hedges and L. J. Tracy were elected Directors. 
T. T. Woodruff was made President ; L. J. 
Trac}', Vice President; and AY. S. Hickox. 
Cashier. 

The history of this liank is written indelib}' in 
the memor}' of the majorit}' of Mansfield people. 
It ran along very smoothh' for nearl}' a decade ; 
its officers changed occasionally, but its cashier, 
W. S. Hickox, was always at his post, and was 
looked upon as a man of high character and 
business capacit}'. He was a leader in the Sunday 
school, chm'ch and society ; was trusted and 
respected b}' the community, and pointed out 
to 3'oung men as a model, and a shining ex- 
ample of a self-made man. Older and wiser 
heads may haA^e been shaken at times, at the 
displa}- of wealth by the cashier, yet the man 



,>^ 



494 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



continued to grow in popularity and power 
until the crash came on the 26th of Septenilier, 
1878. Tt was the old, old story of misplaced 
confidence. If Mr. Hickox was not dishonest, 
his weakness bordered so closely upon it as to 
justity the community in calling him a ••thief" 
which Avas done with considerable unanimity 
and earnestness. 

The excitement and indignation of Mansfield 
people, and especially of those immediately in- 
terested in the bank, knew no bounds, and after 
withstanding the storm for a time the cashier 
fied to parts unknown, and is yet a fugitive 
from justice. The failure of this bank dis- 
closed to the astonished gaze of the public, the 
incapacity, dishonesty and knavery of other 
men in the cit^-, who had Ijefore occupied high 
positions of trust and responsil)ility. This was 
the beginning of the financial panic of 1873, 
and although Mr. Hickox must ])e held to great 
responsibility in this matter, he was but the 
representative of an unnatural and diseased 
condition of society, and came to be the door. 
as it were, through which the public gazed upon 
the rottenness and corruption that for years 
had been gathering, and wliicli Avas no more 
than skin-deep. It Avas like a carl)uncle on the 
human Ijody. Avhich must burst and discharge 
its corruption, before the healing process can 
take place, and this I)ursting and discharge in 
the case of Mansfield came through the First 
Xati(jnal Bank, as Avas natural. It took several 
years for this great carbuncle to gather, burst 
and heal, and the process Avas very painful ; but it 
has l)een accomplished, leaving only a few scars. 

The panic and its consequences have been 
briefly referred to elscAvhere. The Directors 
and stockholders took possession of the l)ank, 
appointed a receiver, and wound up its affairs 
as rapidly as possible. 3Iany good, honest and 
trustworthy- citizens Avere dragged down to ruin 
by the failure. 

The other tAvo l)anks. the Farmers' and Rich- 
land National, fearing a run, and consequent 



ruin, determined, if possible, to save themselves, 
and the next day the officers and Directors of 
these banks met and passed the following reso- 
lution : 

Resolved, That in view of the monetary crisis, and 
suspension of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cin- 
cinnati, Chicago, Toledo, and banks of other cities ; and 
also in view of the welfare of our various friends and 
depositors, it is hereby agreed by the undersigned na- 
tional banks of this city, that we temporarily suspend 
currency payments, exceeding $50 on all balances." 

This was signed by the cashiers of these banks, 
and checked a run Avhich would probably ha\'e 
caused them to close their doors. 

October 28. the first official report of the con- 
dition of the First National Bank Avas published 
by the receiver, in which it appears that the as- 
sets were $246,767.91 ; liabilities, $398,559.48. 
which would indicate a loss of more than $150.- 
000. The expenses of settlement and of the 
litigation that folloAved. probably increased this 
amount somcAvhat. 

The ^Mansfield Banking Company opened for 
regular business. July 12, 1873. on the corner 
of Main and Third streets, where it is still in 
operation. The first officers were : James Dick- 
son. President ; John S. Neal. Vice President : 
J. :\I. v^harp. Cashier ; E. R. Rockwell. Teller. 
Some changes have since l^een made in these 
officers. 

In February. 1873. the Mansfield Savings' 
Bank was opened in an elegant ncAV block on 
the corner of 3Iain and Fourth streets, where it 
yet remains. Its officers were : Barnabas Burns. 
President ; M. D. Harter, X'm^q President ; R. 
Brinkerhoff. Cashier ; and 8. A. Jennings. Teller. 
The only change made in these officers has been 
the retirement of Mr. Harter, and the election 
of William Stevens as Vice President. 

In addition to a regular banking business, 
this bank added a saA'ings department, and thus 
supplied a long-felt, but never before enjoyed 
want, to the people of Mansfield. The bank 
was organized under a general law of Ohio, 
passed February 26. 1873, and its stockholders 



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1 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



497 



comprise a large number of names well known in 
Richland County. Deposits are received from $ 1 
up to an}' sum, not exceeding $500, and the de- 
positor receives 5 per cent interest, payable semi- 
annually. The high character of its officers and 
Directors, the ability and skill displayed in the 
conduct of its aftairs, ha\-e won the confidence 
of its patrons, and are a sufficient guarantee of 
the future solidity and permanenc}- of the insti- 
tution. It has won its way fairly to a solid, 
paying, and it is believed, 
enduring, business. The 
following names comprise 
its Directors : John B. 
Netscher, Fred. M. Fitting, 
Ezra Osbun, R. C. Brown, 
M. D. Harter, E. W. Smith, 
C. Welty, Nelson Ozier. 
Wm. Stevens, Wash. Mc- 
Bride, Isaiah Bo^ce, John 
Hamilton, James Meeds, 
W. M. Hahn, W. P. Clarke, 
B. Burns, J. M. Condon, 
Peter Snapp and James 
Hughes. 

The Richland Mutual 
Insurance Company- was 
chartered in 1851 and is 
the oldest of the three com- 
panies established here. Its 
incorporators- were Judge 
Parker, Charles T. Sher- 
man, Robert Bentley, Thos. 
W. Bartley, James Weldon, Andrew Conn, E. 
P. Sturges and J. H. Cook. Its first President 
was Andrew Conn. The office is now in the 
Opera Building, and its business is confined to 
the State of Ohio. Its management has l^een 
ver}' judicious and careful, and its losses 
promptly paid. Its capital having accumulated 
to the amount of $1,200,000, it is one of the 
safest and most reliable companies in the State. 
The President is J. H. Cook ; Secretary, R. 
Smith, and General Agent, N. S. Reed. 




MANSFIELD SAA'INliS BANK 



The Mansfield Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany was incorporated Aug. 5, 1873, with acapital 
of $50,000, and commenced business Jan. 1, 
187 Jr. The incorporators were, H. R. Smith. 
John Wood. F. E. Tracy, M. D. Harter, E. P. 
Sturges, J. B. Netscher and M. Black. It does 
business onl}' on the mutual plan and not out- 
side of the State. Its capital has increased to 
$220,000. Its President is John Wood ; Treas- 
urer, M. D. Harter ; Secretary, J. H. Emminger. 
The Merchants' and jNIan- 
ufacturers' Insurance Com- 
pany was organized Oct. 
12, 1876, through the per- 
sonal efibrts of Mr. M. E. 
Douglas, former Secretary 
of the Richland Mutual. 
Its Board of Directors were 
L. J. Tracy, H. C. Hedges, 
M. R. Dickey, H. M. Wea- 
ver, H. H. Sturges, W. B. 
Mercer, S. R. Harris, Hemy 
L. Curtis, H. B. Curtis and 
M. E. Douglas. The Presi- 
dent is L. J. Tracy ; M. E. 
Douglas is Secretary and 
Treasurer, and J. W. Hahn, 
General Agent. Messrs. H. 
L. Curtis and W. B. Mer- 
cer have retired from the 
directorship and ' their 
places have been filled b}' 
B. F. Crawford and W. 31. 
Hahn. Its capital has increased from $50,000 
to $360,000, which speaks well for the energ}' 
of its managers. It is in careful hands and is 
one of the permanent institutions of the cit3\ 
The American Mutual Accident Association 
of Mansfield filed its certificate of incorpora- 
tion with the Secretar}' of State Februar}' 12, 
1880, and has, therefore, but just entered upon 
its business career. R. Brinkerhoff is President, 
and J. H. Emminger, Secretary.- Its officers 
have given bonds for the faithful performance 



^i= 



498 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



of their duties according to the laws of the- 
State, and from the well-known business char- 
acter and integrity of these officers, the success 
of the institution is assured. 



To get giinding done was one of the most 
difficult problems for the early settlers to solve. 
It required capital and skilled workmen to build 
a mill, and as both were scarce, mills were cor- 
respondingl}- scarce. All sorts of expedients 
were resorted to, corn being frequently grated 
and ground by hand between two stones. A 
mill was considered a public blessing, and was 
resorted to by the early settlers from great dis- 
tances. The earliest settlers in Madison Town- 
shij) were compelled to go first to Mount Ver- 
non for this purpose, carrying their grists upon 
their horses or mules, if so fortunate as to own 
one of these animals, otherwise being compelled 
to pack the grist themselves on foot. 

The first mill in the township was built by 
Jacob Newman, on Eocky Fork, about three 
miles southeast of Mansfield, where Goudy's 
mill is now located, and where the first settle- 
ment of the county occurred. It was a saw- 
mill, but he shortly afterward erected the first 
grist-mill in the township. For some time, 
however, this mill ground only corn, and the 
settlers were compelled to go to Mount Vernon, 
and afterward to Fredericktown, for flour. 

Among the first settlers in Mansfield, was 
Clement Pollock, a wheelwright, who erected 
the first mill in Mansfield. It was located near 
where the new jail is to be erected, and was a 
tramp-wheel mill, propelled by three yoke of 
oxen. He sawed lumber and ground corn. 
This Pollock, or his brother Robert, also erected 
a carding-mill, in those days, on Fourth street, 
on the lot now occupied by T. J. Robinson. It 
was propelled by horse power, and simply pre- 
pared the wool for the spinning wheel. 

The first saw-mill propelled by water power 
was erected by an Irishman b}' the name of 



John Wright, near the planing-mill of McVay 
& Allison, on the opposite side of the stream 
from that establishment. This was about 1820. 
Afterward, Henr}' Le^^man built a gi'ist-mill 
near it. This was the first grist-mill in Mans- 
field, propelled b}' water. Later, John R. Rob- 
ison owned this mill, improved it, and for many 
years it did the custom-work for Mansfield and 
vicinity. Sometime about 1S6G or 1867, it 
came into the possession of John Damp, who 
added steam to the power, putting in a thirty- 
five horse-power engine, and called it the Rich- 
land City Mill. It was, while in his possession, 
destroyed by fire, about 1868. 

Not long after Wright erected his mill, Mr. 
Robert Bentlj', Sr., built a saw-mill and after- 
ward a grist-mill, on his farm, about two miles 
south of Mansfield, obtaining water from a fine 
spring on his farm. This Bently mill was in 
use a great man}^ 3'ears, but has gone into de- 
cay. After that came what has been known 
as the Tom Clark mill, a little west of town, 
on Toby's Run. The present City Mill, of Gil- 
bert, Waugh & Co., was built in 1847, for a 
warehouse.. This was about the time the San- 
dusky & Mansfield Railroad was completed, 
and the track was laid up to this warehouse. 
The old Sturges & Tracj' warehouse, and the 
old building where Niman's furniture shop is, 
once a warehouse, were built about the same 
time. What is now the City Mill was purchased 
by Burger & Brubaker, who put in mill ma- 
chinery, and converted it into a flouring-mill. 
Dr. Joseph Hildreth once had an interest in it. 
In 1865, it was purchased b}^ Gilbert Brothers, 
who conducted the business for three or four 
years, and sold an interest in it to Mr. J. M. 
Waugh, and the firm became Gilbert, Waugh & 
Co. They have greatly improved it, and do a 
large business, having kept the mill in opei-a- 
tion, night and da}-, for the last three years. 

The fine brick four-stor^' mill of Hicks 
Brown & Co., located near the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad depot, was built in 1876, and is 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



499 



52x72 feet. It manufactures what is called 
" the new-process flour " — simply the flour sep- 
arated from the outside of the wheat kernel, 
without being ground, crushed or powdered, as 
it is claimed mills have been doing ever since 
mills were made. The machiner^^ of this mill 
was purchased- and placed in the mill with the 
view of carrying out this principle to perfec- 
tion. It commenced operations in February, 
1877, under the management of John Staub 
and Hicks Brown. In September of the same 
year, this partnership was dissolved, and the 
mill passed into possession of the present pro- 
prietors, Messrs. Hicks Brown and M. D. Har- 
ter, under the firm name of Hicks Brown & 
Co., who have since increased its capacity 50 
per cent, and established a trade which requires 
the running of the mill da}^ and night, and the 
employment of about twenty persons. 

Some idea of the amount of this business 
may be gleaned from the fact that they are 
paying out yearl}^ to the farmers of Richland 
County about $200,000 in cash for wheat, 
beside the wheat they get in exchange for flour. 
Of this flour, a very small part, coniparatively, 
is marketed at home, as the entire population 
of the county could not consume the product 
of this mill. It is shipped to the seaboard 
cities, Boston alone taking nearly half of what 
is made ; Philadelphia, also, taking a large 
share. The mill is conceded to be one of the 
most complete in the country, yet the wide- 
awake proprietors are continuall}" on the look- 
out for improvements, both in machinery and 
method, being determined that their fl^ur shall 
stand in the front rank as to quality. Several 
improved machines have been added, and other 
additions are contemplated. The magnificent 
Harris-Corless engine, which operates the ma- 
chinery, is of the renowned Centennial pattern, 
and is capable of turning out 300 barrels of 
flour daily. Their brands of flour are "Brown's 
Best," "Belle of Richland," "Brown's May- 
flower" and "Brown's Charter Oak," which 



they intend shall become justly celebrated, and 
kept up to a high standard of excellence. 

The largest manufactory in the city, if not 
in this part of Ohio, is the iVultraan & Ta^dor 
Company, manufacturers of threshers, steam 
engines and their component machinery. The 
Company has been established about thirteen 
years. In 1867, Mr. C. Aultman, of Canton, 
Ohio, President of C. Aultman & Co., of that 
place, and Mr. Henry H. Taylor, of Chicago, 
Grcneral Westeiy^i Agent of C. Aultman & Co., 
conceived the idea of building a better style of 
threshing machine, in many respects, than had 
ever been seen in the market. Few men in 
America, perhaps, knew as much about thresh- 
ing machines, in 1SG7, as they, and their very 
knowledge of the great room for impi'ovement 
led them to consider the propriety- of getting 
out something better. Having built up the 
reputation of an endless-apron thresher, until 
it stood at the forefront of the endless-apron or 
Pitts style of machines, they could not liut 
finally discover and acknowledge the essen- 
tially fault}', and therefore wasteful, principle 
of separation in that class of machines. Mr. 
Taylor, who had for years been interested in 
building a vibrator style of thresher, knew 
what wonderful merit thei'e was in it if per- 
fected, and that it could be rendered the lead- 
ing machine in the market. With this view, 
Messrs. Aultman & Taylor formed a copart- 
nei'ship and began to look for a location for 
their factory. After carefull}' weighing the ad- 
vantages of a large number of localities, they 
selected Mansfield, Ohio. The grounds for the 
selection of ^Mansfield were : 1. It was the 
geographical center of the best hardwood dis- 
trict of the country, and the}- had determined 
from the start to locate where an abundant 
supply of the very best material could be had, 
as it was their aim to have their thresher win 
the reputation of being built from the best 
material oljtainable. In this matter, time has 
demonstrated their wisdom, as to-day, if any 



'TT? 



ca k^ 



ik 



500 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 




(S r- 



^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



501 



one thing in the way of material can be singled 
out as going to make up the world-wide reputa- 
tion of The Aultman-Taylor Thresher, it 
is the unapproachable quality of the lumber 
used in it. 2. Its central location and rail- 
road facilities. A glance at the map of the 
United States will sei've to show how well 
located the factory of The Aultman & Taylor 
Company is with regard to the shipping facili- 
ties its now immense business requires, for, to- 
day, comparatively little business between the 
East and the ^Yest, or between the great prairie 
regions of the Northwest and Europe, but 
passes through Mansfield, where the three great 
American S3Stems of railway (the Baltimore & 
Ohio, the Pennsylvania and the Erie) greet 
each other, while the only two other routes of 
importance pass at short distances to the north 
and south. Having decided to build the factory 
at Mansfield, it only remained to get conven- 
iently located lands, which were secured near 
all the depots, where the shops were built and 
so arranged that machinery can be loaded upon 
ever}' railroad entering Mansfield without leav- 
the grounds of The Aultman & Taylor Cora- 
pan}'. The next thing was to see to the pat- 
ents. This was the special business of Mr. 
Aultman, whose familiarit}' with patents 
marked him as the proper person to attend to 
this delicate branch of manufacturing. He 
soon discovered that the patents owned by 
some friends, and which the firm expected to 
use, were really of no importance, if, indeed, 
of any actual value. So, setting himself to it, 
he bought, consolidated, re-issued and com- 
pleted the entire vibrator patent system, grant- 
ing to several shops in Michigan and in Miss- 
ouri, and one in Southern Illinois, the privilege 
of using the line of patents which are known 
as the vibrator patents. Of course, all this 
was attended with great expense, and, some 
years afterward, a ^lichigan compau}^ paid The 
Aultman & Taylor 3Ianufacturing Company 
for, and became half owner in, the patents as 



they existed at that date. They are particular 
in giving this scrap of historj' because others 
have, without proper regard for the truth, or 
carelessly perhaps, and overlooking the conse- 
quences of their misstatements, somewhat fool- 
ishly claimed to be the original inventors of 
the vibrator style of machines. The truth is 
that no one now engaged in the business can 
be so considered ; but the public can very 
easily see to whom the honor of secur- 
ing, consolidating, re-issuing, adding to and 
completing the vibrator patents belongs, if it 
can be said to belong to any one. While all 
this has been true, they call the attention of 
the buying public to the fact that, while the}' 
have occasionally felt it their duty to briefly 




THE VIBRATOR STYLE OF THRESHING M.VCHINE BEFORE IT BEGAN TO 
BE BUILT BY THE AULTMAN & TAYLOR COMPANY. 

speak of the risks run l)y farmers in Ijuying 
any vibrator stjde of thresher not authorized 
to be built under the consolidated patents, they 
have always depended upon the merits of their 
goods to sell them, and never had a customer 
who bought because they frightened, forced 
or blackmailed him into purchasing. 

After getting the patents fairly under way, 
the next thing was to improve what was then 
known as the vibrator style of machine, and 
which was Iniilt b}" several concerns of consid- 
erable prominence. This required so many 
changes in general and in detail before it Ije- 
came " The Aultman-Taylor," that the}' are not 
named for fear of wearying the reader. Suffice 
it to say that those who remember what this 
style of machine was l^efore they commenced 



"RT 



^ 



^ 



502 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



building it, will ])e inclined, when they look at 
it now, to regard the Company as the creators 
and inventors of the vibrator style of thresher 
— a claim they are not entitled to any more than 
any other builder, for, as they have often stated, 
no person, firm nor corporation now in exist- 
ence can truthfully claim to be either the in- 
ventors of or the original Ijuilders of, vibrator 




THE STANDARD MACHINE OF THE VIBRATOR CLASS, THE 
AULTMAN-TAYLOE TDBESHEK FOE 1879. 

st3'le of machines ; but that they deserve the 
reputation the}' have, as the perfecters of the 
entii-e race of this (vibrator) style of machine, 
none will be disposed to dispute. 

Before Messrs. Aultman & Taylor were long 
in the business, they became convinced that the 
stjde'of horse-power then in use was behind 
the wants of the times, and bought the only 
valid patents in existence upon mounted horse- 
powers, and, in 1869, began building them 
upon a large scale, being the first concern in 
America to build largely and introduce widely 
what has now become the universally popular 
'' mounted " horse-power. 

In 1869, they built about four hundred 
threshers and horse-powers ; not a very large 
number, it is true, but enough to revolutionize 
the thresher trade of America, and from that 
day to this, by constant improvement, steady 
advancement and honorable business manage- 
ment, they have held the practically undis- 
puted position of being the builders of the 
leading threshing machines in America, and 
to-day ambitious manufacturers everywhere 
measure their advances in excellence l)y com- 



paring them with the universal American stand- 
ard of excellence in threshing machines. 

The first horse-powers built by them were 
the Triple-Gear, and so long as they built them 
they managed by great care in their construc- 
tion, and b}' using a great deal of machinery 
invented by them expressly for building them, 
to keep them in the forefront ; but while cer- 
tain of their good qualities, when properly and 
carefully managed, they finally' became con- 
vinced that there was room for improvement, 
especially in the direction of securing a power 
which would not require quite so much good 
management and care as the Triple-Gear 
Power. For years they had liked the Double- 
Gear (or Woodbury) Power, but it seemed like 
an impossible thing to mount it properly on 
four truck-wheels. After expending much 
time, labor, experimenting, and invention upon 
it, and making many changes, they w^ere finally 
rewarded b}' finding themselves in posses- 
sion of what threshermen eveiywhere told 
them was the best horse-power in the mar- 
ket, and a better one than they had ever hoped 
to see. This power, now called the Aultman- 
Taylor Double-Gear Horse-Power, and b}- many 
'' the Horse-power of the Century," in recogni- 
tion of its surpassing excellence, they have 
built ever since, and it at present stands with- 




out a successful rival among horse-powers. It 
probably will alwa^'s continue to be the favor- 
ite horse-power in this country-, as, in the three 
necessary qualities of strength, light draft and 
durabilit}', it is unequaled by anj' other horse- 
power in use. 

Earl}' recognizing the fact that in many sec- 
tions engines would be preferred to horse-pow- 



■^ 



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^< 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



503 



ers, the Company watched with anxiet}- the 
progress of perfecting the farm engines built 
throughout the countr}-, and often expected to 
find the next season's production of this or 
that engine-builder just tlie thing needed by 
the trade ; but their hopes were never fully 
realized, so that, in 1876, the}' determined to 
take a hand in the matter themselves. Select- 
ing the portable engine in market nearest per- 
fection, the}' made such changes in it as to 
render it just what was wanted for threshing, 
wood-sawing and general farm purposes, and 
called it "The Aultman-Taylor Farm-Engine." 
The demand for it has shown that the great 
farming public have felt as they did, and, find- 
ing an engine so fully meeting its wants, has 




THE AULTJIAN-TAVLOE FARM-ENGINE. 

never 3'et allowed the Compan}^ to meet the 
demand. The call for them has been so large 
as to finall}' compel the Company to build ad- 
ditional shops for the exclusive building of "The 
Aultman-Ta3lor Farm-Engines," and the ad- 
dition of a traction or self-propelling engine to 
their list of goods will probably crowd even 
their new facilities to the uttermost. 

For a great many years, the subject of clover- 
hulling has been one of great importance to the 
American people ; invention has lagged far be- 
hind the wants of the public in this particular, 
and, up to 1878, the nearest approach to filling 
the demand of the puljlic for a clover-huller 
has been what will, from 1878 on, be called the 
old-style, double-cylinder clover-huller. This 
machine, while an improvement on earlier de- 



vices, was essentially faulty, and never suc- 
ceeded in doing proper c-leaning, so that to fit 
the seed for obtaining a good price in market, 
it was necessary, after threshing it, to run it 
through a fanning-mill. As a result, a thresher- 
man, to fit himself out to do the woi'k of his 
customers properly, was obliged to have a grain- 
thresher, a clover-huller and a fanning-mill, 
making the entire outfit very costly and ^•ery 
inconvenient. The Aultman & Taylor Com- 
pany have seen for 3'ears that an}' one who 
could suppl}^ an attachment for a threshing 
machine which would do awa}' with the costly, 
awkward and inconvenient clover-huller, and its 
parasite, the fanning-mill, would confer a favor 
on his race. This has finally been accomplished 
in the " Allonas Clover-Hulling Attachment," 
patented by Joseph Allonas, the Superintendent 
of The Aultman & Taylor Company. 

At no time since the Company commenced 
business in 1868, with the exception of one 
year, have they been able to suppl}' the demand 
for an}' article made by them, thus attesting, in 
a remarkable degree, the popular appreciation 
of The Aultman-Taylor goods. 

In 1878, The Aultman & Taylor Company was 
among the largest producers of threshing ma- 
chinery in the world, and sold all the goods it 
built, with the exception of less than $9,000 
worth of odd-sized machinery, and during the 
season was compelled to add to and increase 
its production several times. Even then, by 
working early and late with an increased force 
on extra time, it was unable to fill its orders. 
The Aultman & Taylor Company is the only 
large thresher concern in America which can 
truthfully make the above statement ; and it is 
only proper to say that nearly every other large 
thresher builder in the country has been each 
year building more machines than he has sold, 
and has been enabled to keep up the reputation 
of being a large builder, by having scores of 
unsold machines at his place of manufacture and 
scattered around among his agents, oftentimes 



-T 



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'.I. 



504' 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



in nearl}' every State in the Union, Avhile 
dozens stand at railroad stations exposed to the 
weather. This is overproduction, and intending 
buyers can draw their own conclusions, as to 
whether it will pay them to buy machines for 
which the demand is steadily and surely falling 
off. But it was not only in 1878 that The Ault- 
man & Taylor Company could not fill its orders 
for Aultman-Taylor goods — in onl}^ one j-ear of 
its entire histor}- has this Company been able to 
fully supply the demand for its goods, and 
though each year straining every effort to turn 
out goods enough, and though it has, by new 
buildings and new machinery and increased 
mechanical force, enlarged its production, yet 
the supply of Aultman-Tajdor goods has ever 
been below the demand. In other words, while 
other builders have failed to sell what the}' 
built, this Company has not been able to build 
enough. Comment is hardly necessary, such 
facts are eloquent, the}' speak louder than words, 
and in a language which all can understand ; 
and while the Company have, by the erection of 
new works, and by ever}' other means in their 
power, arranged to build heavier than ever be- 
fore for the season of 1880, they must warn all 
parties intending to buy either threshers, horse- 
powers, clover-hullers or engines, that the only 
way to make sure of getting the best is to order 
early, for while the stock of Aultman-Taylor 
threshing machinery may last until the season's 
demand is o^-er, yet it is quite likely that the}' 
will be unable to fill late orders. 

Although, in 1868, they started out with 
large works and occupying over seven acres of 
land, the increasing volume of the business of 
The Aultman & Taylor Company has compelled 
extension after extension, here a little, there a 
little, until they now occupy, with their shops, 
warehouses, offices, lural)er-yards, etc., between 
thirty and forty acres of land ; and while they 
employed, in 1868, only $150,000, they have 
been compelled to put in fresh capital and add 
to and increase their means from time to time. 



in order to accommodate the demand for their 
goods, until, in 1878, they employed over 
$1,400,000 ; and as a little index of what such 
a business as theirs is, they would say that from 
using less than $200 worth of postage stamps 
in 1868, their expenses for postage alone, in 
1880, will be over $5,000. 

The warehouse was built in 1869, and is 
probably the largest frame building having 
three or more floors in America. It is 252 feet 
long, 90 feet broad and 4 stories high, and con- 
tains 90,720 square feet of storage capacity — 
but this enormous warehouse is insufficient to 
accommodate their business, and it bursts out 
into sheds and other improvised storage, in 
every direction. Travelers will probably re- 
member this huge warehouse, with its '' starved 
rooster " painted on each end, but will hardly 
be prepared to suppose that a line drawn from 
the head of said rooster to his farthest extrem- 
ity would not be far from one hundred feet in 
length. It will repay a visit to Mansfield to. 
look through this warehouse and see its giant 
elevator, which hoists a threshing machine from 
the gi-ound to the top floor as easily as a man 
would lift a baby. 

From what insurance men, other manufactur- 
ers, and reporters for the great city papei-s 
write, the Company must have an unusual lum- 
ber-yard, as its size and what every one calls 
their stupendous stock of lumber, seems to ex- 
cite wonder among all who visit it. Undoul^t- 
edly they do carry an unusually large stock of 
lumber, and it has always been known that their 
qualities are very much better and more costly 
than most manufacturers think it worth while 
to work up into threshing machines ; but the Com- 
pany l^elieve they have made money by their 
course in this I'espect, as to-day their reputation 
as the builders of the moSt durable threshing 
machines on the continent is largely due to their 
using such grades of lumber as are usually only 
found in furniture and other fine work. By 
carrying the enormous stock they secure the 



■71 



:\ 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



505 



driest lumber which open-air drying can fur- 
nish, and, besides this, they have their own pat- 
ented steam-drying apparatus, by which they 
can take out even the Uttle dampness which at- 
taches to all lumber dried exclusively in the 
open air. The coming season, a large propor- 
tion of the ash and pine they use in the most 
important parts of their goods will be over four 
and a part of it over five years old, and there- 
fore about as dry as a bone. They are now in- 
creasing their stock of lumber constantly and 
very largel}', and, before man}' months are past 
will have a supply of lumber, such as has 
never before been dreamed of by thresher build- 
ers. They are often asked, " Does it pay ? Do 
not interest, insurance and taxes make it very 
costly lumber b}' the time you use it ? ' They 
answer that it does pay, and they believe other 
manufacturers besides themselves would find it 
pays. It paj's in increased reputation for their 
goods, in an enlarged demand, and only this 
last summer the}' have found a new profit in it. 
As is well known, the climate in some parts of 
the Far West Territories is so ver}' dr}' and 
trying, that lumber in machinery which will 
stand the climate east of the Rocky ^lountains 
will not withstand the atmosphere there. They 
sold a number of machines there last year, and 
the unusual way in which the lumber in their 
goods withstood exposure there seems to have 
excited almost as much wonder as satisfaction. 
The}' repeat, '■ It does pay." It always pays to 
have the best thing in the market. They would 
say to all, they are always in market for choice 
lumber, and when any particularly nice ash, 
hickory, poplar, rock-elm, oak, or pine is for sale, 
write them, giving lowest cash price, delivered 
free on board cars at Mansfield. But it must be 
strictly first-class in every way, free of knots, 
heart, sap and checks, or if not free, will have 
to be measured free, as they cannot pay for or 
use any lumber not strictly up to standard. 

As the business grew, it became evident that 
new and more and enlai'ged engine-shops would 



be needed. They were immediately erected. 
Until some one builds better ones, which, in 
such an enterprising land as America, will not, 
perhaps, be many years, The Aultman-Taylor 
Engine Shops Avill be not only the most com- 
plete, but really the model engine-shops of the 
country. Every process connected with turn- 
ing an engine out, from the bending of the 
boiler-plates to the painting of the finished en- 
gine, is here done under one roof, and Ijy a sys- 
tem of division of labor, aided by the newest 
and latest machinery, and the whole facilitated 
by small railroad tracks and cars, all carried on 
under one roof Visitors engaged in various 
lines of manufacture go away saying they never 




THE HOME OFFICE OF THE AULTMAN .t TAYLOR 
COMPANY FROM 1868 TO 1879. 

saw so complete a shop, even on paper, before. 
It will be surprising if, with these new shops 
and their wonderful machinery and many con- 
veniences, the Company will not be able to in- 
crease their present reputation as the builders of 
the leading farm engines in the American market. 

Those who have visited Mansfield have often 
spoken about the Company's old office — of its 
inconvenience, crowded condition — and won- 
dered how they ever carried on so large a busi- 
ness in such cramped and hampered-up quar- 
ters ; and, indeed, they have often wondered at 
it themselves, and now, when they have left it 
for new (piarters, their wonder is increased. 

In 1 my ing the land for the new engine-shops, the 
Company also bought the large brick residence 



V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



507 



on the hill opposite their old office, across 
Main street and main track and switches of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This house will be 
remembered b}' many old Ohio people as the 
McCombs place, having been built many years 
ago b}^ Mr. McCombs, a brother-in-law of Sec- 
retary Sherman. Others who Avere at Mansfield 
during and since the war, will remember it as 
the Hickox place, having been the property of 
Mr. Hickox during the years that lie was Presi- 
dent of the First National Bank of Mansfield. 
This old place, built su1)stantially in the old- 
style ante-war days, of brick and stone, they 
have changed and fitted up in a suitable man- 
ner for the' general offices of the Aultman & 
Taylor Company, and the}* will be glad to show 
their visiting friends through them. They are 
now able to have their different departments 
separated from each other, in roomy offices 
conveniently adjoining each other ; while they 
have built such fire-proof vaults and provided 
such safes as give them a security against fire 
and theft such as the}', of course, never had 
before. 

They are, from their size and arrangement 
(being divided into four distinct departments, 
upon two separate floors), an object of interest. 
Their size is also something worth recording, 
as in tills respect the}' are not, it is believed, 
equaled by those of the Bank of Montreal, or 
those of the National Bank of Commerce, in 
New York. 

Commencing, as the Compaii}' did in 1868, 
on so modest a scale of manufacture, and pos- 
sessing no remarkalile or unusual business 
ability in these particulars, onl}- aiming to hold 
their own among the general average of Imsi- 
ness men, their business has, nevertheless, 
grown to its jiresent enormous proportions l^y 
a steady increase from season to season, and 
from a small concern in 1868, using but a mod- 
erate quantity of materials, their cash pur- 
chases now each year probably' exceed those of 
an}' other threshing-machine factory in the land. 



To give an idea of how many goods The 
Aultman & Taylor Company buy, and the 
amount pf material they use a 3'ear in building 
"Aultman-Taylor " Threshing Machines, a men- 
tion of the quantities of a few leading articles 
which they buy for one 3'ear, in addition to the 
more or less large amounts of each of the same 
kind of goods which they have on hand as a 
surplus stock of material, will not be out of 
place. It is here appended in the form of a 
table : 

Molding-sand, fire-clay, etc 50 cars. 

Coal 300 cars. 

Oil and varnish 8 cars. 

Sail and wire cloth 7 cars. 

Lumber, belting, etc 507 cars. 

Hardware 9 cars. 

Iron 326 cars. 

making a total of 1,207 cars, which would 
make a train fifteen miles in length, fai'ther 
than from Mansfield to Crestline. . 

The Aultman-Taylor Threshers are well sup- 
plied with the various attachments, for thresh- 
ing clover, timoth}' and flaxseed, cleaning it 
thoroughly, and saving all expenses in the line 
of extra mills, making the grain ready for the 
buA'er as soon as it leaves the maclime. 

A very valuable adjunct to their thresher is 
the self-propelling 'engine, which they have 
lately perfected. It is known as The Aultman- 
Taylor TractionBngine, and was first made after 
they had been making and using regular farm- 
engines. 

The traction engine is distinguished by the 
same excellence of material and flnish, and b}- 
the same nice attention to details, which has 
given their standard farm engine such a reputa- 
tion and distinction, as the. safest, best, most 
economical in the use of fuel and water, as well 
as the most durable ; but the feature which will, 
of course, attract the most attention, is the 
tractionor propelling arrangement. This seems 
to he perfect, as far as experts can tell, and at 
any rate is so much in advance of other engines 



■i* 



^ 



508 



IIISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



of the same class, as to insure for the traction- 
engine a large sale and great popularity. Bo- 
using a traction engine, four horses, or two 
teams, are dispensed with, as it needs but one 
team, which does not pull the engine, but 
merely guides it while the engine itself draws 
along the water-tank, thresher, etc., up and 
down hill as well as on the level, and with the 
greatest ease. 

These engines prove very taking when ex- 
amined by all, as they are very attractive in ap- 
pearance, and the locomotive or traction prin- 
ciple cannot help but please. 

Another point which takes is the great saving 
of expense by the use of them. Though the 
charge is $150 more for them than a standard 
farm engine ; the doing-away of four horses 
saves the buyer at least |200, and generally 
fully $300, which resvilts in making the trac- 
tion engine actually cheaper by from $50 to 
$150 than the standard. 

When to this is added the saving of feed for 
the four horses dispensed with, the saving of 
the care of them, and that the thresherman has 
four sets of harness less to buy, it really makes 
the traction engine far cheaper than the stand- 
ard, the real difference in price l^eing not much, 
if any, less than $300 in favor of the traction 
engine. 

After finishing the first traction engine and 
satisfying themselves that it was superior to 
any other in market, the Company invited the 
following gentlemen to come and see it : S. 
Gottshall, of Fayette, Ohio ; E. S. Downey, of 
Aurora, Ind.; Edward Smith, of La Gro, Ind.; 
Oscar Adams, of Parkman, Ohio ; Daniel Har- 
mon, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; C. F. Adams, of Park- 
man, Ohio, and R. R. Blair, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Those familiar with the traction engine trade 
will recognize these gentlemen as being the best 
authorit}' upon traction engines in this country ; 
at an}^ rate, seven men knowing as much about 
traction engines could hardly he got together in 
America. 



Before this committee the Company gave an 
engine a severe test in every way, and then 
asked them to record their opinion. As this is 
the opinion of men peculiarly fitted to judge of 
the merits of traction engines, it is likely to 
have more weight with the buying public than 
anything which could he written, and it is 
therefore presented herewith in full : 

The undersigned have each had a very wide and at 
the same time intimate acquaintance vyith traction or self- 
propelling engines in market ; have each of us sold them 
and operated them and are practically familiar with them 
and can, without claiming any unreasonable amount of 
shrewdness, say we are competent to give an intelli- 
gent opinion on the subject, and think it will be safe for 
all parties who intend buying traction or self-propelling 
engines, or who intend to sell traction engines to others, 
to accept our judgment in the matter. While we wish 
cordially to admit the merits of other traction engines, 
and while we do not criticise any other make, neverthe- 
less it is our unanimous opinion the Aultman-Taylor 
Traction Engine is to-day the most perfect and desirable 
in the American market. In every point and feature, 
the Aultman-Taylor is at least abreast of the best, 
while in general workmanship, neatness in detail and 
perfection in finish, we have never seen its equal, and 
in some very important points it is absolutely without 
a rival : 

1. The two propelling- wheels are mechanically the 
most perfect we have ever seen, and their height is such 
as to recommend them over any in market, and their 
location for sustaining the weight of the engine and 
securing freedom of motion in bad roads has never, to 
our knowledge, been equaled. 

2. The lugs rolled into the tire of these wheels by a 
process secured to The Aultman & Taylor Company by 
letters patent, is far in advance of the pins usually used, 
and will be found a great daily convenience in moving 
from place to place, especially over bridges, where the 
objection to pins is so apparent. 

3. In The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine the pro- 
pelling power is communicated directly from the main 
shaft to the rear axle, thus entirely doing away with 
the supplemental shaft and complicated gearing of the 
same, in use on all the traction engines we are ac- 
quainted with. How great this advantage is will at 
once be understood by all who know anything practi- 
cally about traction engines ; to others we would say, in 
this respect The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine has 



TT 



4f- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COI^NTY. 



509 



several distinct advantages : (a) in simplicity ; (b) 
economy in power ; (c) economy in fuel ; (d) increased 
durability; (e) decreased weight; (/) ease of manage- 
ment ; [ff) decreased liability to delays from breakage. 
We should think these advantages would add at least 
$100 to the value of The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine. 

4. The Aultman-Taylor Traction Engine has what all 
others lack, and what every traction engine should 
have, and that is a simple, easily managed arrange- 
ment for reversing the motion and propelling the en- 
gine backward as well as forward. In bad roads, and 
especially when the roads are full of mud-holes, this 
really is a prime necessity, and it is a feature we cannot 
praise too highly, as many men will now feel free to 
buy traction engines who have always refused to buy 
them because they feared in heavy roads they might 
get " stuck in the mud," and, being unable to get any 
purchase by backing, would be greatly annoyed and 
delayed. 

The points named by us, taken in connection with 
the general excellence of The Aultman-Taylor Traction 
Engine, are so important as to lead us to say that, un- 
questionably, in our opin'ion, this engine is worth to 
any purchaser more than any traction engine in the 
market; and as it meets and overcomes all the objec- 
tions ever made to traction engines, it must find a very 
general and, we cannot help but feel, an enormous de- 
mand. 




THE AULTMANMAYLOR COMPANY. 
MANSFIELD OHIO. 



THE AILTMAN -TAYLOR SELF - PROPELLINU ENGINE. 



This view of the traction engine shows its 
motion on the road. The team is used onl}- 
to guide the engine — it runs itself. 

Other views of various attachments are also 
annexed, showing the modes of saving labor in 
the nineteenth century — a contrast with pioneer 
daj's, vivid indeed, and one that cannot fail to 
teach a lesson regarding the path of progress 
in little more than half a centur}'. 

The best evidence of any machine's useful- 
ness is a practical test. In order to show the 
solid construction of The Aultman & Ta3'lor 
Thresher the annexed letter fully explains itself 
It is from Mr. N. R. Darling, of Fredricktown, 
Knox Co., Ohio, and is dated June 20, 1876. 

The Aultman Sj" Taylor Company, Mansfield, Ohio : 

Gentlemen — In answer to your wish to know how 
I like my machine, and what I think of its durability, 
I am happy to say, I bought the first Aultman & Taylor 
Thresher ever built; I bought it in 1868, and this will 
be the ninth season ; I have run it each season, doing 
a very large business in wheat, oats, barley, flax and 
timothy, and while worn a good deal, I believe it will 
last a number of years yet. I can't answer you how 
long it will last, but I believe it will be running when 
all the endless-apron or Pitts' Threshers sold this year 
will have broken down, worn out and played out. Not 
a single endless-apron machine sold in my section the 
year I got my Aultman & Taylor, or the year after 
(1869), is now of any account, all of them being worn 
out altogether, or so much racked that they can't do 
any fair amount of work. Your machine saves the 
farmers' grain so well, and cleans it so nice, that I have 
every season had from one-third to one-half more, and 
sometimes double the work, for my old machine that 
any endless-apron thresher could get. So, you see, 
an Aultman & Taylor Thresher, if you count the num- 
ber of bushels threshed, will outlast three or four end- 
less-apron or Pitts' Threshers. I am well acquainted 

with the R , S , P , and C 

Threshers, and do not hesitate to say that I think my 
old Aultman & Taylor has more life in it yet than a new 
machine of either of these makes. 

I don't think that any of the machines just named, 
or any other endless-apron machine, will be sold here 
this season, for all our best farmers say they waste such 
a terrible amount of grain that they will not have any 
of them do a bushel's threshing, if they can help it ; 



^1 



^1 



510 



HISTOEY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



and I don' t think anybody down this way is fool enough 
now to buy one, for so many of the farmers get mad 
now when a man says endless-apron thresher to them, 
that they get only a small amount of work, and that the 
poorest pay, generally ; and, besides this, the repairs 
for their machines is an awful big item. When I first 
got my machine from you, the farmers wouldn't believe 
how much I could save them ; but now, if I want to 
make any of them swear, I can do it by saying I intend 
threshing with an endless-apron machine next year. 
If you want any more information about my thresher, 
let me know. Considering the time I have run my ma^ 
chine, and the amount of grain I have threshed, I don't 
think it has cost me more than one-half as much for 
repairs as other kinds, perhaps not over one-third as 
much. 

Three years later, Mr. Darling reiterates his 
sentiments. He also states he has purchased 
an Allona's Clover-hulling Attachment, an 
engine, and other improvements, with all of 
which he is equally well pleased, and all of 
which, he says, ■•' add hundreds of value to 
the thi'esher, and to the profits yearly made by 
its work." 

Letters like his could be continued indefi- 
nitel}", but space forbids their insertion. 

The JMansfleld Machine Works is one of the 
oldest manufacturing establishments in the 
cit}', having been established about 1840 by 
Hall & Allen, afterward Hall & Simmons. 
These gentlemen conducted the business about 
tAvent3'-five years in the old building on North 
Main street, manufacturing engines, mill ma- 
chinery, etc.; in later years, their principal 
business was the manufacture of the famous 
Buckeye Reaper and Mower. The quality of 
their goods gave the works a good reputation, 
whicli has not only been maintained but largely 
added to. The old Buckeye was, in its da}^, 
considered one of the best, if not the best, ma- 
chine of its- kind in the country. It had an 
extensive reputation and sale, the Mansfield 
Machine Works turning out, at one time, about 
1,000 or more annually. 3Iore improved and 
probably better machiner}- has since taken its 
place. 



In the latter part of July, 1865, Messrs. H. 
Colby, A. L. Grimes, E. H. Rees, M. Day, Jr., 
and E. Sturges, Sr., organized a stock company, 
with a cash capital of $50,000, purchased the 
works, at that time owned by Hall & Simmons, 
and gave them the name of " Mansfield IMa- 
chine Works," and engaged in the manufac- 
ture of foundry castings, steam engines, circu- 
lar and muley saw-mills, plows, turbine water- 
wheels, etc.; also continued the manufacture of 
reapers and mowers. E. H. Reece was Super- 
intendent. This company did an extensive 
business, and purchased the Bl3"myer, Day & 
Co. Works, on East Diamond street. 

At a meeting of the stockholders, January 
5, 1874, A. B. Beverstock, Z. S. Stocking, D. 
Struble, E. P. Sturges, A. L. Grimes, N. Abbott 
and J. H. Cook were elected Directors. Z. S. 
Stocking was made President, and A. L. Grimes 
Secretary. Soon afterward, Mr. Abbott was 
chosen Superintendent, and under his eflflcient 
and energetic management the works were 
pushed to their utmost capacity, and soon ne- 
cessitated removing from the old works on 
Main street to the more commodious Ijuilding 
which they now occup}- on East Diamond. 
This change occurred in 1877. These works 
had been erected by Blj-myer, Day & Co., and 
were for some 3'ears used for the manufacture 
of Cook's Evaporator and other machinery. 
The building is imposing in appearaaice, and 
the works and grounds quite extensive. They 
are nearer to the railroad, and therefore more 
convenient for shipping purposes than the other 
works. 

At their last election, the old Directors 
were re-elected, with the exception of Mr. 
Stocking, and the former officers re-elected, 
Avith the exception that Willis M. Sturges was 
made Treasurer, and A. A. Peck Secretar}-. 

From reports submitted, it is apparent that 
the business, especially during the last two 
3'ears, has been highly prosperous and remu- 
nerative. The compau}' has had an extensive 



:v 






^ ® 



>> 




^■ 



IV 



k. 



512 



HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY. 



experience in tlie manufacture of portaWe en- 
gines, wliich is their specialty ; also stationary 
engines and mill machinery ; and, even were 
there no other testimom* to that effect, the fact 
that their business has been continuall}' grow- 
ing and extending is sufficient evidence of the 
quality of their work. 

The orders for their machinery accumu- 
lated so rapidly during the latter part of 
1879, that they have been unable, even with 
their great facilities and large force of work- 
men, to fill them as promptly as the}' could 
wish. There is little doubt that their engines 
are unsurpassed in the country for durability, 
strength, efficiency and style of workmanship. 

In 1872, an estalilishment for the manufact- 
ure of crackers was established by H. H. 
Colb}', on Bloom street. Colby failed in about 
a 3'ear, and the concern was purchased b}' 
Messrs. Ci'awford & Zellers, of Richmond, Ind., 
in September, 1874. Not long afterward, it 
was destroyed by fire, and the firm immediately 
erected the present substantial brick, which is 
56x100 feet. An engine of thirty-horse power 
was put in by the Mansfield Machine Works, 
and the works are capable of turning out 700 
barrels of crackers every twent^'-four hours. 
Their goods are not excelled in qualitj- b}' any 
in the State. It is largelj' due to this fact 
that the firm have been enabled to build up a 
trade of $150,000 per annum, and become per- 
manent in the city. 

A box factory was established in 1877, b}' 
W. J. Richart, on North Main street. He em- 
plo3'S about fifteen hands, and manufactures 
cigar, paper, and all other boxes the trade de- 
mands. 

The Western Suspender Company was estab- 
lished in 1871, by B. 0. Foster and J. R. Pol- 
lock. In a short time, Mr. Pollock purchased 
the interest of Foster, and, in January, 1873, 
took in J. P. Rummel as partner. This firm con- 
ducted the business successfull}^ until August 
5, 1879, when Mr. Rummel purchased the entire 



establishment, and is now conducting it on 
Fourth street. Twenty-eight hands are em- 
ployed, beside three regular traveling sales- 
men, and the business has been extended into 
the adjoining States. 

The Buckeye Suspender Company was estab- 
lished in 1873, by J. Detwiler & Sons, under 
whose management it still continues. This firm 
employ's twenty hands, beside three traveling 
salesmen, and have extended their business 
into several States. It is located on Main 
street. 

A trunk factory was established in 1876, by 
F. S. Lahm & Co., wholesale and retail dealers 
in hats, caps, etc. 

Wine-making receives the attention of Mr. E. 
Clapp, who owns a vineyard on Kelle3''s Island. 
He keeps the purest and best of wines in his 
30x60 cellar on Fourth street. 

The^Iansfield Steam Soap Works are located 
on Fourth street, near the spring, and are ope- 
rated bj' T. C. Carey & Co. This business orig- 
inated with Gregory, Bliss & Co. in 1870. Four 
or five men are employed, and the factory 
has a capacity of about 50,000 pounds of soap 
per month. 

The vinegar establishment of J. B. Netscher 
has been in operation several years, and is a 
permanent institution. He employs twenty- 
five or thirty men, and does a large local and 
shipping business. Peter Ott is also conduct- 
ing a similar business. 

The Mansfield AVoolen Mill is located at the 
the foot of Mulbeny street. The original 
building was erected man}' years ago for a tan- 
nery. In 1870, a Mr. Griadhill purchased the 
building, enlarged it and converted it into a 
woolen-mill. It has since been greatly en- 
larged and is now 130x40 feet, and four stories 
in height. In 1873, it was sold to an incor- 
porated company, of which J. H. Reed was 
President, and James J. Hedges, Superintend- 
ent and Treasurer. New and improved ma- 
chinery was added, but it failed to pay during 



^^< 



^ 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



515 



the hard times following the panic of 1873, and 
its doors were closed for several years. In 
1876, John "Wood, who had previously a large 
interest in the mill, purchased the entire con- 
cern, and, in 1879, in company- with Mr. John 
Gilliland, again started the spindles. Since 
that, the mill has been in successful operation. 
Twenty to thirty hands are emploj^ed ; the en- 
gine is fiftj'-horse power, and machinery first- 
class. The}' manufacture cashmeres, flannels 
and yarn. The management is careful, and 
there is every prospect of permanent success. 

The Mansfield Lumber and Building Com- 
pany was for many years located on Main 
street, near the City Mill. In 1872, they 
erected a fine brick building on two acres of 
gi'ound, on Elm street, near the gas-works. 
The building is 50x90 feet, and three stories in 
height. The engine is a " Corliss," sixty-five- 
horse power. William Sherman was connected 
with this institution for many years before his 
death. John Wood is now President and S. N. 
Ford, Secretary'. It does a large business in 
the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, and 
is a reliable and permanent concern. 

The Mansfield Paper Company was organ- 
ized in 1873. The incorporators were H. Colb}', 
J. H. Reed, E. Hade, H. L. Reed and J. Hade ; 
capital, $60,000. The}^ took possession of the 
old paper-mill, east of town, near the Pitts- 
burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, which 
had been purchased by Mr. Hade, in 1871, for 
$20,000. It did not, however, survive the 
panic of 1873, and since that time has been in 
possession of Mr. Hade. Attempts have occa- 
sionally been made to revive the business, and 
it is now running with fair prospects of success. 



In addition to the manufacturing business 
mentioned in the preceding pages, many 
smaller establishments are in operation, work- 
ing from half a dozen to a hundred hands each ; 
probably the latter figure is reached or ex- 
ceeded in the cigar ibusiness. 

There are several old and substantial furni- 
ture manufacturing establishments, a broom 
factory or two, and, in John's Addition, a 
churn factory, C. Blust & Co.'s, that has been 
in operation many years. Benskin & Zellner 
and E. M. Wolff & Co. are engaged in the man- 
ufacture of gravestones, the latter establish- 
ment employing steam power and twentj^-two 
workmen. An old citizen, John Rickets, still 
continues the manufacture of shooting imple- 
ments on Main street, and there are half a 
dozen harness-makers, employing several hands 
each. 

On Walnut street is located the carriage 
manufacturing establishment of Messrs. Pat- 
terson & Creigh. They emplo}- more than 
twenty-four men, and turn out l^etween 300 
and 400 carriages per annum. Their trade is 
mostly local, their work substantial and beau- 
tiful in st^de and finish, and their reputation 
for quality of work excellent. 

Mr. Gr. W. Forne}', of Cincinnati, established 
a carriage manufactory in the old buildings on 
Main street, during the winter of 1879-80. 
The works proved a profitable investment, but 
owing to the lack of capital on the part of the 
proprietor, were obliged to suspend earh' in 
April, 1880. Mr. Sharp Bird was appointed 
assignee, who controlled the works until about 
the 1st of May, when the}' were sold to Mr. J. 
C. Kintner, who now owns and operates them. 



:£ 



516 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER LI. 

HISTORY OF MANSFIELD, CONCLUDED. 

Fire Department and Water Works — The Mayors of the City — First Council— First Railroad — Pop- 
ulation AND Business in 1857 — Gas Works — Railroads — Market House — Mansfield Made a City 
— Erection of Buildings — The "Flush Times" Following the War — The Wholesale Trade — The 
Business of the Manufacturing Establishments — Incomes — Business of the City According to the 
Directory for 1869 — Library Association — Young Men's Christian Association — The Cemetery 
Association — Building and Loan Association — The Coldwater Railroad — The "Collapse" of '73 
— Prosperity in 1879 — General Review of Business. 



ABOUT 1829, the village of Mansfield had 
made such headway that a fire depart- 
ment was thought of. There was no way of rais- 
ing funds for such a purpose at that time, but b}^ 
subscription, and accordingly Dr. William Bush- 
nell carried around a paper, and obtained a sub- 
scription of 1150, with which a small hand- 
engine was purchased. It was a queer machine, 
the water being forced through a hose by turn- 
ing two cranks, one on each side of the engine. 
This was the first fire engine, and Dr. Bushnell, 
Dr. Miller, Jacob Lindley (at that time Mayor), 
Hugh McFall, James Smart, Nathaniel Bryan, 
Henry Hufiman, a Mr. Canfidd and some others, 
constituted the first fire company. Jacob Lind- 
ley was foreman. On the occasion of a fire, 
they would range themselves in a row extend- 
ing from the engine to some convenient well or 
cistern, or to the big spring, and pass buckets of 
water along the line to keep the engine supplied. 
Dr. Bushnell sa3's it was a veiy good engine, 
and was in use about fifteen j-ears or more, be- 
fore the village felt able to invest in a better one. 
It was kept in Lindley's cabinet-shop on the 
site of the present Baptist Church. In 1846, a 
new engine was thought of — one with more 
power and eflfectiveness. The subject was pre- 
sented in the Council on the 10th of April, 1840, 
and S. J. Kirkwood appointed by that body to 
obtain information with a view of purchasing. 



In July of the same 3'ear, as a result of this in- 
quir}', Isaac J. Allen was directed to conti-act 
with Messrs. Borden & Craw, of Newark, N. J., 
for a fire engine, to cost not over $600. This 
was done. At the same time the Council took 
the precaution of stipulating that the engine 
should be forwarded to Mansfield, free of expense 
to the town, where it would first receive a fair 
trial, and, if found satisfactory, it was to Ije 
purchased at a stipulated price ; otherwise, to be 
returned to the makers. It was not until May, 
1847, that this engine made its appearance. It 
was duly weighed in the balance, found want- 
ing, and the Ma3-or directed Mr. Allen to return 
it to the manufacturers. It was accordingly- 
returned in June. Meanwhile, in the foil of 
1846, while the new engine was in process of 
construction, it was thought best to devise some 
means for a water supply, and, for this purpose, 
it was decided to make a number of cis- 
terns, which should hold from three to five hun- 
dred barrels, to be built in diflferent parts of the 
village, most convenient in case of fire. For 
the construction of these cisterns, the Council 
advertised for bids, and Jacob Scholl, being the 
lowest bidder, received the contract. Three cis- 
terns were to be built, to be walled with stone, 
to hold five hundred barrels each, and to cost 
$92 each. These cisterns seem to have been 
sufficient for the fire department until 1853, 



*7-< 



■V 



id: 



' x^ 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



517 



when the Council advertised for bids for the 
building of eight more. The contract was 
awarded to H. D. Sheffler, at $52 each. These 
cisterns were not completed until 1854, and the 
village was compelled to borrow monej' to pay 
for them, and to meet the increased wants of 
the department. The number of these cisterns 
increased, from time to time, as the growth of 
the cit_y demanded until (at the time of the erec- 
tion of the water works) there were seventeen 
of them in different parts of the city. They 
were kept full of water by various means, some- 
times by conductors from the adjoining houses, 
but generally by laying hose and pumping the 
water from the creek, or the spring on Fourth 
street. This was ver}' laborious work for the 
fire department until the arrival of the steam 
engine. Since the construction of the water 
works, these cisterns are being neglected ; they 
are no longer of any particular benefit to the city, 
and will never be again used unless some acci- 
dent should happen to the works during a con- 
flagration. 

In 1847, the Recorder was authorized to 
correspond with parties in Mount Vernon, who, 
it seems, had procured an engine that did sat- 
isfactory work, and were directed to L. Button 
& Co., of Waterford, N. Y. This, however, 
came to naught, and late in the fall a corre- 
spondence was opened with a manufacturer of 
engines and hose in Cincninati. It was not 
until February, 1848, however, that the Coun- 
cil authorized P. P. Hull to purchase an engine 
and six hundred feet of hose. Thus the town 
was nearly two 3'ears negotiating for its first 
acceptable hand-engine of importance. This 
engine, which seems to have been a good one, 
cost $1,000 ; hose and coupling, $441 ; trans- 
portation, $69.58; total, $1,510.58. These 
were purchased of D. L. Farman & Co., Cincin- 
nati. At the same time, the Council authorized 
the following persons, and such others as they 
chose to associate with them, to organize a fire 
company, viz.: Levi Zimmerman, A. L. Grimes, 



R. C. Smith, S. J. Kirkwood, H. L. Baker, Peter 
Arbaugh, Samuel Au, Michael Linder, Thomas 

C. McEwen, John Rickets, Adam Heldman, 
Abraham Emminger, P. P. Hull, Alexander 
Mcllvain, David Bushey and James A. Cook. 
They were to have the use of this new engine 
" Ohio," hose, etc. The same date, a commit- 
tee was appointed to procure a hose cart, and 
a proper place to keep the engine, and P. P. 
Hull was appointed the First Engineer by the 
Council. A shelter for the engine, etc., was 
rented of C. L. Avery. 

After getting the engine, the Council recog- 
nized the importance of having a place to put 
it ; the}^ therefore negotiated with Gen. James 
Hedges for the purchase of Lot No. 184, being 
the one which the English Lutheran Church 
now .occupies. This lot cost $600, which was 
to l)e paid for in yearly installments of $100. 
This was in December, 1849, and in the same 
month a plan was reported for the new engine- 
house. It was to cost $1,500, and the contract 
was taken hy B. McCaren and Henry D. 
Sheflfler in March, 1850. In the following Jan- 
uary it was so far finished that the keys were 
delivered to the Council. The lower part of 
this building was used for the engine-room, and 
the upper part for a council-room and a town 
hall. 

In July, 1852, a second fire compau}- was 
organized. It was called " Torrent No. 2." Its 
engine was purchased by subscription, the 
Council authorizing the same, and agreeing to 
refund to each subscriber, the amount of his 
subscription ; taking it gradually from his 
amount of tax for corporation purposes. The 
following names comprise the charter members 
of the company : George F. Carpenter, Eckles 
McCo}', Barnabas Burns, M. L. Miller, Ephraim 
McFail, T. B. Dodd, J. H. Cook, H. R. Smith, 
G. McFall, John H. Wiler, I. C. Fair, J. Christofel, 
James Dickson. John Y. Glessner, John C. Ritter, 

D. C. Council, James Ho3'and Stephen B. Sturges. 
The engine was purchased at Seneca Falls, N. Y. 



■:?T^ 



~?) V 






•k* 



518 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



Subsequently, other companies were organ- 
ized, from time to time, much machinery 
and apparatus purchased, and the fire depart- 
ment became an institution of much interest 
and importance. In 1854, an Assistant En- 
gineer was appointed by the Council for each 
organization ; the old engine and apparatus of 
No. 1 was turned over to the Young America 
Fire Company, No. 3, and Mr. Mcllvain went 
to Boston and purchased a new engine for No, 
1. It was called the " Deluge " and cost about 
$1,500. 

Isaac Grass was appointed Chief Engineer ; 
E. McCoy, First Assistant ; M. Day, Jr., Second 
Assistant ; William Mcllvain, Third Assistant, 
and David Bruck, Fourth Assistant. Mr. Glass 
continued to be Chief Engineer, two years, 
when J. H. Cook was appointed, with H. C. 
Hedges as First Assistant, and Samuel Caroth- 
ers, Second. The third and fourth seems to 
have been dispensed with. 

In 1857, John A. Lee was Chief, and David 
McCulloch and P. Bigelow, First and Second 
Assistants, Mr. Lee continued as Chief En- 
gineer several years. He was followed by B. 
S. Runyon, E. McCoy, Henry Lemon, James 
Emminger, Robert McCrory and George Knof- 
flock. In 1867, a steam engine was purchased 
for the department, at a cost to the city of 
$5,500. It was a valuable addition, and greatly 
reduced the labor of the fireman. It is still in 
possession of the city, together with two hand- 
engines, all of which are kept ready for instant 
use, in case the water-works should fail, dur- 
ing a fire. 

The subject of building water-works for the 
citj' was first discussed in the City Council, in 
1848. The first official action in the matter 
was taken by the Council June 5 of that year, 
when a committee was appointed to examine 
the springs northeast of the city and report as 
to the advisability of bringing in the water. 

Again in July, 1848, a Mr. Bartle petitioned 
for certain privileges, for the purpose of furn- 



ishing the city with water from these springs. 
The matter was referred to a committee 
to report at an adjourned meeting. Mr. A. 
L. Grrimes made a favorable report, and the 
matter was again referred to a committee to 
make a contract. For some reason, however, 
the project failed. In December of the same 
year, a Mr. Maize petitioned for aid to erect 
water- works. The matter was favorably consid- 
ered b}^ the Council, but with no practical results. 
For twenty years, there was only an occasional 
spasmodic eflTort in the direction of water- works, 
but in 1870, it began to be talked up in earnest, 
and the first decisive action was had at the 
April election of 1871, when the people decided 
by a large majorit}', that a long-felt want should 
be supplied. The matter having been decided, 
the Council in May, 1871, ordered an election 
for Water Works Trustees, which resulted in 
the selection of Messrs. H. R. Smith, A. C. Cum- 
mings and S. B. Sturges. These gentlemen 
were given great discretionary powers, and ex- 
ecuted the trusts confided to them with fidelity 
and ability-. They first visited various places 
to study the workings of different systems of 
water-works, and came " to the unanimous con- 
clusion that the Holly S3'stem of pumping direct 
through the mains, was the best and cheapest." 
Whatever the merits of other systems, the Holly 
was considered best for Mansfield on account 
of the high elevation of the city above the 
water to be used — some 220 feet, at the high- 
est point. The works consist simply of appara- 
tus of sufficient strength, and sufficient steam 
power, to force the necessary quantit}' of water 
through iron pipes to this height, and as much 
higher as might be necessary in case of fire. 

Ground was first broken May 15, 1871, and 
the work carried rapidly forward ; the city ad- 
vancing $500 to meet immediate expenses, 
the City Council voting the issue of bonds to 
the amount of $175,000. E. McCoy was em- 
ployed by the trustees, as foreman in the pre- 
liminary work. The water was taken out of 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



519 



Rocky Fork, 450 feet above the works. As 
this creek is formed entirel}' of spring-water — 
the spring at Spring Mill contributing largely — 
it was thought sufficient for all purposes of the 
water-works. The first issue of bonds ($100,- 
000) was dated October 1, 1871, and the con- 
tract for the building, October 6 ; the contract 
for laying the pipes to the woi'ks having been 
made the previous August. Six acres of ground 
were purchased, where the works were erected, 
at a cost of $3,000, and an engine purchased of 
the Holly Manufacturing Company, of Lock- 
port, N. Y., at a cost of $32,000. The entire 
cost of construction and material amounted to 
$154,420.70. 

The work was pushed with such energy that, 
on the 20th of August, 1872, they were ready 
for operation, the machiner}- put in motion, 
and since that time have been working with 
entire satisfaction. After a few years' experi- 
ence, much complaint being made regarding 
the quality of the water, which, although 
answering every requisite of the Fire Depart- 
ment, was not good enough for domestic pur- 
poses, it was determined, in 1879, to take the 
water from two very fine springs, within easy 
reach of the works. Accordingly, the Johns' 
Spring, half a mile up the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railroad track, and the 
Laird Spring, a half-mile beyond, were pur- 
chased at a cost of $5,250. The right of way 
having been secured, pipes were laid from these 
springs directly to the works. A reservoir was 
formed around the Johns Spring, with a capaci- 
ty of about 1,000,000 gallons, the Laird Spring 
emptying its waters into this reservoir, and the 
Johns Spring welling up at its bottom. The 
pump draws the water directl}' from the reser- 
voir, and, on the 1st of November, 1879, the 
city was supplied with pure spring water. The 
additional cost to the city, including the pur- 
chase of the springs, the right of waj', laying 
of pipes, etc., was about $17,000. More than 
fifteen miles of pipe have been laid through the 



city. All the material used in construction 
was thoroughly tested before being placed in 
position, all the pipes being required to with- 
stand a pressure of 300 pounds to the square 
inch, a pressure about three times more than 
they will ordinarily be called upon to bear in 
actual service. It is thought these springs will 
furnish water for a citj^ of 20,000 people. The 
engine is of sufficient power to furnish 2,000,000 
gallons in twenty-four hours, and to throw 
water over the highest liuilding in the most 
elevated and distant part of the city. The 
construction of these works was commenced 
when times were good and money plenty ; since 
that, the city has passed through a panic, and 
the debt has been felt to 'be somewhat burden- 
some. The yearly cost to the cit}', including 
interest on the bonds and running expenses, is 
about $13,000, but this will continually de- 
crease as the bonds are paid off and the sale of 
water increases, and it is felt that, even with 
this expense, a large saving is yearly made in 
the decreased rates of insurance and the secu- 
rity of property from the ravages of fire. Since 
the construction of the works, no fire of conse- 
quence has occurred. 



Mansfield toiled along through the woods, the 
war of 1812, the mud and slush, the stumps 
and logs of a backwoods hamlet, the ups and 
downs incident to every new settlement, for 
twenty years before any notice was taken of it 
by the outside world, and then the Legislature 
came to the rescue and made it a town. It 
was made an incorporated village, by an act of 
the General Assembl}-, in February, 1828. It 
had passed through a long period of incuba- 
tion, but was finally '• borned," and started on 
its career of future usefulness, greatness and 
glory under the guidance of its first Maj^or, a 
Mr. Jacob Lindley. Unfortunately, the early 
town records have become misplaced or lost. 



,^ 



520 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



and a complete list of the Mayors who followed 
Lindley. with their terms of service, cannot be 
found ; such as can be found are given below. 
The list commences with 1846 ; from 1828 up 
to that time the records are lost, but some of 
the distinguished gentlemen who were called 
to the helm during those years were, besides 
Lindley, Joseph Hildreth, Henr}^ Huffman and 
Simeon Bowman. 

Joseph Lindley 1846 

T. H. Ford 1846 

Frederick Cook 1847 

S. J. Kirkwood 1848 

P. P. Hull 1849 

Hubbard Colby 1850 

N. D. McMillen 1851 

Perkins Bigelow 1852 

Perkins Bigelow 1853 

Andrew Poe 1854 

Isaac Gass 1 855 

George F. Carpenter 1856 

Stephen B. Sturges 1857 

Wilson M. Patterson 1857 

Isaac W. Littler 1858 

William A. Moore 1860 

B. S. Runyon 1861 

James Cobean 1862 

Darius Dirlam 1864 

Abner Slutz* 1866 

A. C. Cummings 1870 

John B. Netscher* 1872 

Isaac Gassf 1875 

J. R. Richardson* 1875 

James G. Craighead 1879 

Dr. Bushnell and Charles T. Sherman were 
members of the first Council, and almost the 
first act of that body was the passing of a 
resolution, introduced by Dr. Bushnell, that the 
members of the Council should accept no pay 
for their services. Mansfield did not exhibit 
an}' marked signs of future greatness until the 
Mansfield & Sandusky Railroad came, in 1846. 
This gave a start to the development of its al- 
most limitless resources. It began to be a 
grain market, a wood market and a market for 

*Two terms. 

fDied while in office. 



everything that the soil could produce. Stur- 
ges & Tracy built the warehouse at the foot of 
Walnut street, about this time. 

The Mansfield Ilerahl sa3'S, of the city ten 
years later (1857): "The population is nearl}- 
6,000 ; the annual exports exceed $1,000,000. 
There are twenty merchants in the cit}' ; three 
hardware establishment selling an aggregate 
of $80,000 per annum ; six manufactories ; 
three fire companies ; twenty-seven lawj^ers ; 
ten doctors ; two banks ; seven hotels ; eleven 
churches, ancl gas works aliout completed." 
The Herald is mistaken about the 6,000, but 
there was something over 5,000, for this year 
an enumeration was taken, and Mansfield made 
a city of the second class. 

At a called meeting of the Council, June, 
1855, H. P. Piatt, of Cleveland, asked, for 
himself and associates, the right of wa}', for 
twenty j-ears, to la}- gas pipes. The Coun- 
cil granted the right, upon certain speci- 
fied terms ; this was the first positive action 
regarding gas. Two j^ears were given the con- 
tractors in which to finish the woyk, but the 
company was slow, and finally failed to com- 
plete their work within the specified time. Mr. 
James Purdy says that he, with others, " ad- 
vanced the money to establish gas works, and 
when the contractors failed, he, with seven oth- 
ers, paid the debts due, organized a gas-light 
company, laid main pipes, put up lamp posts, 
aud lighted the streets." This was in 1857, 
and the price of gas was $3 per thousand feet. 
About 1849, the town received another "boost" 
toward her present greatness, by the arrival of 
cars on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago 
Railway. These railways receive full attention 
in another chapter. In 1856, ground was bro- 
ken for the Atlantic & Great Western Railway. 
Mansfield subscribed $100,000. Ground was 
first broken liy John Wiler, followed b}' Jabez 
Cook and Robert Carter. Judge Bartley de- 
livered the address. This road was fianlly 
declared finished, at 3:15 P. M., December 27, 



'Hv 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



531 



1863 — the finishing point being eight miles 
east of Ashland. 

In 1853, the town had attained to the dignity- 
of a street commissioner, and Alexander Mc- 
Ilvain was the first to hold that office, and was 
appointed by the Council. 

In 1855, the Council began talking about a 
public hall and market-house, and a committee 
was appointed to select a site. This committee 
was finally ordered to purchase part of the 
Bowland Block, that part on the corner of West 
Mai'ket and Walnut streets, at a price not to 
exceed $1,500. They borrowed $1 ,000 of Hugh 
McFall to make the first payment. Jacob 
BrinkerhoflT was a member of the Council at 
that time, and resigned his position, alleging as 
a reason that the duties of council men were in- 
compatible with those of Supreme Judge of 
Ohio, which office he then held. He was paid 
$33.33 for the good he had done, and let off. 
Roeliff Brinkerhoff was appointed in his place. 
The corner-stone of the market-house was laid 
with much ceremon}' June 24, 1858. In the 
stone were deposited a gold ke^^stone (a Masonic 
emblem), a programme of the proceedings, a 
copy of each of the cit}' papers of latest date, 
containing a brief history of the city, together 
with several other articles, such as current coins, 
etc. All were put in a glass jar, which was 
placed in a cavity made for the purpose in a 
solid stone, in the northeast corner of the build- 
ing, immediatel}' beneath the corner-stone. , Thi s 
building went rapidly forward to completion. 
October 3, 1856, Alexander Mellvain was 
directed by the Council to take an enumeration 
of the inhabitants of the village, and, Januar}' 
5, 1857, Mr. Mellvain stated, over his signa- 
ture, that the number was 5,121 ; thereupon a 
resolution was passed asking the Grovernor of 
the State to declare Mansfield a city. Accord- 
ingly, February 4, 1857, Gov. Salmon P. Chase 
issued a proclamation to that effect, and the 
city of Mansfield sprang into existence. The 
city was immediately divided by the Council 



into four wards, the line east and west follow- 
ing the center of Third street, and the line 
north and south following the center of Main 
street. The first election in the new city was 
held April 6, 1857, and resulted in the choice 
of Stephen B. Sturges for Mayor ; Hubbard 
Colby and R. C. Smith, Councilmen from First 
Ward ; J. L. Simmons and J. H. Cook from the 
Second Ward ; William Mellvain and B. Burns 
from the Fourth Ward, and F. H. Wise and W. 
L. Higgins from the Third Ward. Hubbard 
Colby was elected President of the Council, 
and Henry P. Davis, Clerk. The office of City 
Solicitor came into existence with the city, and 
L. B. Matson (deceased) was the first to hold 
that office. 

The three railroads centering in Mansfield 
from different points of the compass, stimulated 
business and building, and caused the city to 
take a long step forward. Miller's Hall was 
erected in 1858 ; the brick block on the corner 
of West Market and the square, where Black's 
store is, in 1863, and the same year, H. H. Stur- 
ges erected the brick building on the corner 
where the first cabin was located. Opera House 
Block was erected by H. K.. Smith in 1869. Many 
other buildings of more or less importance were 
erected during these years of prosperity. The 
war came in '61 with its all absorbing issues, 
which, however, only checked for a 3"ear or two 
the growth and development of the city ; and 
with the flush times immediately succeeding 
the war, Mansfield sprang forward with renewed 
energy and life. No period in her history can 
compare in interest (and the same may, perhaps, 
be said of almost every other city in the coun- 
try), to that embraced between the years 1865 
and 1 873. Mansfield went wild with success, and 
ran up that ladder, so to speak, to such a height 
that she, in common with the rest of the coun- 
tr3^ grew dizzy and fell. The history' of the 
" flush times " immediatel}'' preceding the panic 
of '73 need not be written here ; it is written 
on the memory of most people ; everybod}^ 



^: 



522 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



understands it, and its causes and effects ; and, if 
they do not forget it, will profit by it. It affected 
Mansfield in common with the rest of the world; 
in common with the rest of the world, she has 
passed that period, experienced her " ups and 
downs," and remembers that the " ups " were 
ver3' high, and the '• downs " very low. Busi- 
ness was wonderfully stimulated ; wholesale 
houses, factories and machine-shops sprang 
into existence ; more retail houses started than 
could live ; many of her citizens waded into 
the stream of debt over their heads ; built fine 
houses ; found the current 
of that stream too rapid 
for them ; were swept into 
the whirlpool, and — have 
generally repented in "sack- 
cloth and ashes." There 
ma}' be consolation, how- 
ever, in knowing that they 
had plent}' of company. 
Mansfield went on a " bum," 
to use an expressive word, 
over the good things the 
great victor}' brought ; she 
has since "sobered off;" 
seen the folly of so doing, 
and is now walking care- 
fully and cautiously on 
solid gi'ound, after the 
manner of a man who 
has been in a scrape and learned by experi- 
ence. 

The wholesale grocers were the pioneers of 
the wholesale trade of Mansfield. Fortunately 
for the cit}', three great trunk lines of railroad, 
connecting the largest cities in the country East 
and West, converge and diverge at this point. 
Men were not slow to perceive the excellent 
shipping facilities thus presented ; the advan- 
tage of competition in freights from the East, 
and the opportunity for easy distribution of 
goods. Until 1865, no exclusively wholesale 
house existed in Mansfield. Several houses 




OPERA HOUSE, MANSFIELD 



were doing a wholesale and retail business to- 
gether, but none had the nerve to branch out 
into wholesaling exclusively. A Mr. Davis had 
for some 3^ears been wholesaling groceries in 
a small way, and Mr. E. Clapp (now living on 
Fourth street, having retired from active busi- 
ness) kept quite a large retail grocery and 
candy manufacturing establishment on the cor- 
ner of Fourth and Main, and did some whole- 
saling. No effort, however, was made to whole- 
sale ; if purchasers came from the country and 
wanted to buy in quantities, they were waited 
upon, but no traveling men 
were out drumming up the 
trade as in later times. Col. 
Hiram Miller was among 
the first who attempted to 
sell goods on the road from 
Mansfield. He traveled a 
short time for Mr. Davis, 
before he engaged with 
Tracy & Avery, with whom 
he remained many years. 
When he first went on the 
road, he would take orders 
from the country merchants, 
carry them about in his 
pocket until his return, be- 
fore filling them. He only 
traveled a day or two out 
of a week, or a week or two 
out of a month. In 1864, he was employed by 
Tracy & Avery, who kept a wholesale and re- 
tail establishment on the northwest corner of 
the public square (where it still remains), and 
who were probably the first to keep a traveling 
man continually on the road. About the 1st 
of December, 1865, Messrs. Peter Remy, James 
A. Hedges and A. C. Cummins formed a part- 
nership, purchased the establishment of E. 
Clapp and began an exclusive wholesale busi- 
ness. The next year, 1866, Tracy & Avery 
closed up their retail business, and began 
wholesaling exclusively, and have continued 



^' 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND C0U:N'TY. 



533 



in that business to the present time. Stiir- 
ges, Wood & Witter began jobbing dry goods 
in this year (1866) in connection with their 
retail business. In a year, their wholesale 
business liad increased to such an extent that 
they also closed up their retail business. The 
stock and business of this fimi continually in- 
creased until the latter reached about $800,000 
per annum. They were then occupying the 
block on the Sturges corner, but upon the com- 
pletion of the Hedges Block, corner of East 
Diamond and the Public Square, in 1873, the}' 
transferred their stock to that block. This firm 
was also engaged in the wholesale crockery and 
queensware business until 1870, when they sold 
out to Markward & Harroun. In 1869, the 
wholesale gi'ocery firm of E. P. Sturges & Co. 
came into existence, and soon established a 
large business. Reed, Jones i& Co. (now H. M. 
Weaver & Co.) also came in 1869, and started a 
wholesale boot and shoe store in the Opera 
Building. This firm also moved into Hedges' 
Block in 1873. This was the second establish- 
ment of this kind then in the eit}-, John G. 
Spencer having been engaged in wholesaling 
boot, shoes, hats and caps for several years. In 
addition to these were J. H. Reed & Brother, 
doing a large wholesale book, paper and notion 
business ; F. S. Lahm & Co., wholesale hats, 
caps, trunks, etc.; Custer & Brother, wholesale 
hardware, and various other establishments 
were wholesaling and retailing. 

The amount of sales by wholesale houses in 
Mansfield for the year ending April 30, 1869, 
is thus stated by the Herald. The list com- 
prises only those whose sales are over $50,000 
per annum : 

Sturgis, Wood & Witter, $582,523 ; Tracy, 
Avery & Sturges, $440,370 ; Remy, Hedges & 
Walter, $195,921 ; Strong, Son & Co. (produce), 
$120,559; J. H. Reed & Bra, $92,724.64; 
John Gr. Spencer, $90,441 ; Sturges, McVay & 
Allison (lumber), $89,234 ; M. & J. H. Black 
(dry goods), $79,761 ; L. J. Tracy & Co. (pro- 



duce), 79,390 ; T. B. Orr (hardware), $71,817 ; 
Blymyer & Bro. (stoves and tinware), $59,383 ; 
Reed, Jones & Co. (three months' sales), $24, 
735.40. The writer adds : " Five years ago, we 
could boast of no wholesale trade of conse- 
quence ; there was no exclusively wholesale 
house in Mansfield. Now we have twelve 
houses whose sales are above $50,000 per 
annum." 

In the height of its prosperity, the wholesale 
trade of Mansfield must have exceeded $2,500,- 
000 per annum, exclusive of The Aultman and 
Taylor Manufacturing Company, and other 
machine works and factories. To give a fair 
idea of the business of the factories, the Mans- 
field Herald of February 22, 1872, is responsi- 
ble for the following statement : 

„ Capital Men 

■"^^'"^ Employed. Employed. 

The Aultman & Taylor Co $353,000 125 

Mansfield Machine Works 750,000 200 

Crackers and Bread 43,000 18 

Lumber 234,000 54 

Furniture 46,000 27 

Flour and Feed 60,000 6 

Paper Mill 74,000 10 

Tin and Sheet Iron 49,000 25 

Carriages and Wagons 17,000 12 

Breweries 60,000 22 

Millinery Goods 45,000 50 

Boiler Works 18,000 7 

Foundry and Machinery 38,000 22 

Tanning 20,000 6 

Boots and Shoes 65,000 85 

Flax Mill 45,000 7 

Soaps 82,000 9 

Clothing 133,000 100 

Brick 40,000 42 

Woolen Mill 150,000 30 

Sundries 40,000 42 

Total $2,312,000 899 

As another indication of the immensity of 
the tidal wave of prosperity' in those days, it is 
found that the total amount of incomes re- 
turned for taxation in 1868 was over $300,000. 
A few of the largest were : C. Aultman, $102.- 
230 ; H. H. Sturges, $10,969 ; H. Colby, $9,379 ; 



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524 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



S. B. Sturges, $8,504 ; S. B. Witter, $7,921 ;, 
Dr. J. A. Jones, $7,350 ; John Wood, $7,343 ; 
A. L. Grimes, $6,427 ; E. Sturges, Sr., $6,126 ; 
E. H. Reese, $5,469 ; John S. Blymyer, $4,908 ; 
D. Sturges, $4,555, and many others from $1,000 
to $4,000. 

The following summary is taken from the 
Mansfield Business Directory for 1869, and 
gives a correct idea of the business of the cit}^ 
at that date : There were fourteen churches ; 
three banks ; four Masonic and three Odd Fel- 
lows" lodges ; a Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation ; a Philharmonic Society ; a gas com- 
pany ; a cemetery association ; six public 
buildings and halls ; three manufacturers of 
agricultural implements ; twenty attorneys at 
law ; five bakers ; five barbers ; three billiard 
saloons ; six blacksmiths ; nineteen boarding- 
houses ; three dealers in books and stationery, 
one wholesale ; one book-bindery ; two whole- 
sale boot and shoe houses ; twelve boot and 
shoe manufacturers and dealers ; three brew- 
eries ; eight brickmakers ; one candy manu- 
facturer ; twelve carpenters and builders ; one 
carpet store ; four carriage manufacturers ; one 
importer of china, glass and queensware ; two 
cigar-makers ; four dealers in clothing ; three 
dealers in coal and wood ; four confectioneries ; 
five coopers ; five dentists ; five dressmakers ; 
five druggists ; one wholesale dry goods and 
notions ; eight dry goods, wholesale and retail ; 
two dry goods, groceries and general merchan- 
dise ; one dyer and renovator ; one eating sa- 
loon ; one egg-packer ; one manufacturer of en- 
gines and boilers ; two dealers in fancy goods ; 
one flouring-mill ; one dealer in flour and feed ; 
one dealer in furnishing goods ; two foundries ; 
four furniture dealers ; one furrier ; three whole- 
sale groceries ; twenty-five retail groceries ; one 
gunmaker ; two hardware stores, wholesale 
and retail ; two wholesale hats, caps and furs, 
four retail ; eight hotels ; one hoop-skirt fac- 
tor}- ; four insurance agents ; one dealer in 
leather and findings ; six livery-stables ; two 



dealers in lumber ; one machine-shop ; two 
marble-works ; seven butchers ; five merchant 
tailors ; three dealers in millinery goods, two 
wholesale ; five milliners ; two dealers in musi- 
cal instruments ; two news-depots ; two news- 
papers and printing offices ; thirteen notaries 
public ; one wholesale notion house ; two nurse- 
ries ; one manufacturer of blacking ; four paint- 
ers ; one wholesale paper house ; one paper- 
mill ; three photographers ; twenty-one physi- 
cians ; two planing-mills ; two plow manufact- 
urers ; two produce and commission dealers ; 
five restaurants ; three dealers in saddles and 
harness ; one dealer in saddlery and coach- 
trimmings ; twenty-two saloons ; two saw-mills ; 
one sash, blind and door manufacturer ; five 
dealers in sewing machines ; one silver-plater ; 
one spring-bed maker ; one stencil-cutter ; four 
dealers in stoves and tinware ; three tanners 
and curriers ; one dealer in tobacco and cigars ; 
one trunk-maker ; one umbrella-maker ; four 
wagon-makers ; four dealers in watches and 
jewelr}^ ; two dealers in wall-paper ; one dealer 
in wines, liquors and cigars ; one wood-turner ; 
three dealers in wool ; one dealer in worsted 
goods. 

The directory also names fift}- streets. 

Among other public enterprises during these 
prosperous years, was the organization of a 
library association, which occurred November 
3, 1865. Hon. John Sherman forwarded a 
large collection of books and public documents 
for that purpose. The first meeting was held 
in Vance & Daily's office, and the temporary 
officers were Rev. J. W. Osborn, Chairman, and 
L. D. M3'ers, Secretary. The committee to 
obtain lecturers were L. B. Matson, ]M. Wordon 
and 0. H. Booth. The Committee on Perma- 
nent Organization were L. B. Matson, J. H. 
Reed, W. S. Hickox, J. P. Vance and J. M. 
Jolly. The permanent officers elected were : 
H. Colby, President ; Rev. T. K. Davis, Vice 
President ; L. D. M3'ers, Recording Secretary, 
0. H. Booth, Corresponding Secretary ; J. H. 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



525 



Reed, Treasurer ; W. S. Hickox, L. B. Matson 
and J. M. Joll}', Executive Committee. The 
powers of the association are vested in its offi- 
cers, acting as a Board of Directors, who are 
elected annually. For a few ^^ears, while the 
library was under the care and management of 
Mr. J. E. Wharton, it grew and prospered ; a 
room was procured in the court house, which 
was soon filled with books, relics, etc. After 
Mr. Wharton left the city, it was neglected, and 
and is still neglected. There is in it, at present, 
about one thousand eight hundred volumes, 
besides magazines and other matter, a nu- 
cleus around which Mansfield people may, 
in the future, build up a much-needed library. 
A lyceum has been connected with it since 
August 15, 1871. It still exists, but is not 
well sustained at present. 

A Young Men's Christian Association was 
organized December 30, 1867, the first meetings 
being held in the Baptist Church. Its first 
officers were : R. Brinkerhoff", President ; L. J. 
Bonar and E. J. Davis, Vice President ; Mr. 
Allison, Recording Secretary ; Mr. Hilliar, Cor- 
responding Secretary, and J. H. Reed, Treas- 
urer. During the first year of its existence, 
nearly $800 were collected and expended in 
books, periodicals, furnishing room, etc. It 
continued many 3'ears with much interest, but 
is no longer in existence. Its books are pre- 
served in the public library. 

The Mansfield Cemetery Association was 
formed in 1865, and added to the old cemetery, 
southeast of the city (about a mile from the 
public square), thirty-eight acres. The Board 
of Managers are J. H. Cook, P. Bigelow, Abner 
Wright, N. S. Reed and E. McCoy. The 
grounds have been laid out in lots, walks and 
drives ; it is well kept, and one of the most 
beautiful cemeteries in the State ; the gi'ounds, 
for the most part, being high and dr}' ; the soil 
generallj^ sand}*. Improvements are continu- 
ally made, and the location and lay of the 
ground is unsurpassed for the purposes of 



a cemetery. William Hyde is Superintend- 
ent. 

A building and loan association was formed 
in 1807, which has been well managed, has 
grown and prospered, and to-day is one of the 
permanent institutions of the city. Reed Car- 
penter is President ; S. A. Jennings, Secretary, 
and John Wood, Treasurer. 

June 8, 1871, ground was broken for the 
Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Rail- 
road ; the work was pushed so rapidly that the 
last rail was laid December 16, 1872, and the 
next da}' a party of railway officials passed 
over the road on the first train over the entire 
route. 

Having briefly glanced at the history of 
Mansfield, during her most prosperous 3^ears, 
it onl}' remains to speak briefly of the col- 
lapse and consequent depression. The city 
might be compared to a huge balloon, taking 
in gas for its aerial flight. It grew large 
rapidly, a thing of beauty, but, alas ! not a joy 
forever. It became too highl}- inflated. Its 
collapse ma}' be compared, in suddenness, to 
that of a punctured balloon in mid air, and al- 
most as fatal in its consequences. If the peo- 
ple were not killed outright, their feelings may 
be compared to those of the man who, after be- 
ing kicked down four pair of stairs, said he 
felt " shuck up like." Whatever headwa}' the 
city had made during these years, seemed to 
have been suddenly lost. The breaking of the 
First National Bank was the first clap of thun- 
der, that seemed to come from a clear sky, but, 
in realit}', came from the blackest cloud that 
ever hung over Mansfield. Following this in 
quick succession, came crash after crash, and 
the terrible financial storm swept over the 
cit}', leaving it in ruins, in more ways than one. 
This storm came from the east, and like other 
eastern storms, was ver}- hard and long-con- 
tinued, and during its continuance, nearly all 
the smaller craft, and many of the larger, went 
under. A few of the larger ships — whose 



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526 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



masters always keep one eye on tbe financial 
barometer, their sails trimmed, and plenty sea- 
room— weathered the storm in safety. 

It is not pretended that Mansfield has been 
followed closely, in her journey from her birth 
in the forest to her present proud position 
among the cities of the State. It was a long, 
weary journey, and full of quagmires and 
winding ways, that would be wearisome to fol- 
low ; but it is hoped enough 
has been given to stamp the 
picture of her gi-owth and 
development on the mind of 
the reader. For five years she 
floundered among the ruins of 
financial disaster and hard 
times, but in 1878, began again 
to see daylight, and travel the 
solid, open, macadamized road 
to prosperity. Resumption and 
good times have given her a 
new lease of life, and during 
the year 1879, she has been 
again taking iimnense strides 
in growth and prosperity-, and 
it may be safe to say that hun- 
dreds of new dwellings and 
business houses, many of them 
elegant and costly, have been 
erected. The old frame build- 
ings, on the east side of Main, 
between the park and Third 
street, have been torn down, 
during the last summer, and an elegant brick 
and stone block erected by Messrs. Swigart, 
Jenner & Scattergood ; and jNIain street now, 
for the first time, presents an unbroken front of 
brick and stone, on both sides, from Fourth 
street to the North American. 

The new directory, for 1880, just issued, gives 
a good idea of the present condition of the busi- 
ness of the citj'. The director}' for 1 867 contained 
1,715 names; that of 1876, about 2,700, and 
that of 1880, 3,500. There are forty-one at- 




SWIGART BLOCK, MAIN STKKET 



torneys at law ; ten barber-shops ; nine drug 
stores (of which that of P. Bigelow is the old- 
est, and it is safe to place this gentleman 
among the oldest, if not the oldest man in con- 
tinuous business in the city, without failure) ; 
nine dry-goods houses, six bakers ; three banks, 
of which the Farmers' is the oldest ; five bill- 
iard rooms ; eleven blacksmith-shops ; sixteen 
advertised boarding-houses ; one boiler works ; 
one book-bindery ; three book- 
stores, all retail — the wholesale 
house of J. H. Reed & Bro. 
having failed and gone out of 
existence ; one wholesale boot 
and shoe house, that of H. M. 
Weaver & Co., John G. Spencer 
having gone into the retail 
business ; six retail boot and 
shoe stores ; fourteen boot and 
shoe manufactories ; one box- 
maker; one brass foundry ; two 
breweries; two brick^'ards ; 
one broom-shop ; one butter 
and egg packer ; nine cabinet 
and furniture stores ; two candy 
factories ; ten carpenters and 
builders ; five carpet weavers ; 
nine carriage and wagon works ; 
ten cigar manufactories and 
tobacconists; nine clothiers 
and merchant tailors, none ex- 
clusively wholesale ; six coal 

' dealers ; four coopers ; one 

cracker bakery, which receives notice in another 
chapter ; two crockery stores, one retail and one 
(Harroun & Hammond) wholesale and retail. 
This firm came into existence in 1873, purchas- 
ing the stock of Markward & Harroun. The 
business had been established by Sturges, 
Wood & Witter, in connection with their dry- 
goods business. Harroun & Hammond trans- 
ferred the stock to Hedges Block, corner of 
East Diamond street and the Public Square, in 
1873, where they yet remain. They employ 



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mj^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



527 



two traveling salesmen, and sell about $100,000 
per annum. There are five dentists ; two engine- 
manufacturing establishments, which receive 
notice in another chapter ; four express agen- 
cies ; three founders and machinists ; two mar- 
ble works ; two wholesale grocers, and one 
wholesale dealer in liquors and tobacco. This 
business has found a profitable level. Tracy 
& Aver}' emplo}' three traveling salesmen, and 
do a large and safe business. Bissman, Sealts 
& Miller opened a wholesale grocery in Janu- 
ary', 1878, making, at that time, four regular 
wholesale groceries in the city. E. Sturges, Sr., 
dying in September, 1878, that firm closed up 
its business affairs and went out of business ; 
shortly afterward, Mr. Hedges dying, Remy, 
Hedges & Walters also closed up their busi- 
ness. This left but two wholesale groceries. 
Col. Hiram Miller dying in 1878, the business 
was continued b}' Bissman & Sealts. Mr. 
Frederick Walters, of the old firm of Rem}-, 
Hedges & Walters, continued the liquor busi- 
ness, which had been established by the old 
firm. There are twentj'-five retail gi'oceries; four 
hardware stores, all retail ; six harness-shops ; 
two hat and cap stores, one of which, F. Lahm 
& Co., wholesale, in addition to their retail bus- 
iness ; eight hotels, which are elsewhere men- 
tioned ; six insurance agents ; one iron-roof 
factory ; two leather stores ; six livery stables; 
eight meat markets ; two mills, which are men- 
tioned in another chapter ; one wholesale, and 



four retail millinery stores ; five newspapers, 
elsewhere mentioned ; one normal college, also 
mentioned in the chapter on schools ; two 
wholesale notion stores, that of J. E,. Brown & 
Sons, and Reed, Ink & Lewis — the former do- 
ing business in Hedges' new block, on the east 
side of the square, carrying a large stock, and 
running two wagons with their goods. Reed, 
Ink & Lewis are on the " Sturges Corner," and 
have latel}' added a retail store in the same 
block. 

There are three photograph galleries ; nine- 
teen physicians ; two planing-mills — McVay 
& Allison and the Mansfield Lumber and 
Building Company ; ten restaurants ; thirty-six 
saloons ; one shirt factory, which is kept by J. 
H. Knisely, in the Krause Block. This busi- 
ness was established in 1876, by its present 
owner and proprietor, and has become firmly 
and permanently established. There are also 
two soap, and two suspender factories, else- 
where noticed ; six stove stores ; five tailor- 
shops ; one tanj'ard ; one toy store ; one 
trunk factory ; six jewelry stores ; one woolen- 
mill, elsewhere noticed ; one wire-works, and a 
host of lesser industries, employing from one 
to twenty hands each. The directory also 
gives the names of ninety-one streets. 

Much valuable and interesting history, mostly 
relating to the citizens of Mansfield and vicin- 
it}-, will be found elsewhere, in the biographical 
department. 



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iLi. 



528 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER LII. 

MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 

Location, Organization and Boindary — Physical Features — Crawford's March — Home of the Red Men 
Indian Relics, etc. — Settlers and Settlements — Daniel Hoover and his Bear Stories — James 
McDermott — Robert Bentley — Surveyed — Schools and Churches — Bridges on the Black Fork — 
Mills — Villages — Population. 



SEPTEMBER 5, 1814, Vermillion Township, 
Ijeing then eighteen miles long from north 
to south, and twelve miles wide, was cut in 
two parts by a line drawn through the center 
north and south. The western half received 
the name of Mifflin, and was six bj' eighteen 
miles in extent. Two years later (1816), this 
territory' was again divided, and the portion 
six miles square, l3'ing directly east of ^Madison, 
was called Mifflin. It is very probable the 
name came from Pennsylvania with the settlers 
— from Mifflin Township, Allegheny County. 
When Ashland County was created in 1846^ 
the township was again divided, the east line 
following the general course of the Black 
Fork, crossing and recrossing it ; but as the 
history includes all of Richland Countj^ as 
originally created, so in this sketch of Mifflin, 
it will be treated as if the latter division had 
not taken place, the divisions, both in Ashland 
and Richland, being still called Mifflin. It is 
bounded on the north hj Weller and Milton, 
on the east by Vermillion, south by Monroe 
and west by Madison. 

The surface is broken and hilly, especially 
along the Black Fork, where there are deep, 
dark ravines and high, rocky bluffs which are 
for the most part still heavily timbered. For 
beauty and picturesqueness, the scenery can 
hardly be excelled in the State. Be^^ond these 
hills, the township is gently roUing, and is cov- 
ered with fine farms and formliouses. The 
farmers are generall}- well and comfortably set- 



tled, prosperous and healthy. Occasionally, 
along the Black Fork, a level bottom pushes 
back the hills, and some of the finest farms in 
Richland County are here situated. It is well 
watered. The Black Fork runs across it from 
northwest to southeast, and the Rocky Fork 
passes across the southwest corner. Empt3ing 
into these are various smaller streams flowing 
from every part of the township. In addition 
to these, numerous springs, many of which are 
large, beautiful and valuable, burst from the 
grovmd at various points ; some of them near 
Petersburg, forming a ver}'^ pretty lake aljout 
a half mile in diameter, and forty feet in depth 
at its deepest point. It is the focus of many 
pleasure excursions, furnishing good fishing, 
boating and beautiful scenery. It is on the 
farm of Mr. John P. Culler. 

In 1782, Col. William Crawford's command 
passed through this township, marching across 
from the site of the Indian village of Green- 
town to the Rock}- Fork of the Mohican, up 
which the}- traveled to Mansfield. This was 
twenty-seven years before a permanent settle- 
ment was made, and, so far as history informs 
us, these were the first white men to press the 
soil of Mifflin. Long before this, however, 
there is abundant proof that this was the 
favorite hunting-ground of the red men. Any 
one who understands the Indian character, his 
fondness for roaming and hunting, and his love 
of nature, can readil}' understand what a para- 
dise this must have been for him. These open 






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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



529 



woods of gi-and old oaks, sugar, hickory, beech 
and all varieties of hard wood ; these towering 
hills, quiet ^'alleys and dark ravines ; these 
sparkling streams, springs of pure water, and 
little lakes ; the great variety of game and 
fish, altogether made this region a perfect 
Indian home. 

From the time of the first settlement to the 
present, the farmers have plowed up great num- 
bers of Indian relics — flint arrow-points, stone 
axes, stone wedges and many other varieties of 
stone implements. Hundreds of these are now 
in possession of the people, but too often they 
are passed by and plowed under again without 
a thought of their value. On the farm of Ben- 
jamin Staman (the same upon which Martin 
Ruflfnor, who was killed by the Indians, built 
his cabin) is an old Indian burA'ing-ground. It 
is about one-fourth of a mile west of Staman's 
Mill. A number of graves were found and, be- 
ing quite shallow, were readily exposed. The 
most sti'iking peculiarit}- about them is the fact 
that the bodies were buried in a sort of stone 
coflfln. After digging the gi'ave, it appears the 
bottom was covered with small bowlders, the 
body placed upon them and a sort of wall of 
the same materials placed around it. Over it 
were placed flat stones, thus forming a stone 
coffin, upon which the dirt was thrown. Many 
of these skeletons were in a good state of pres- 
ervation when discovered. It is also stated 
that near the cemetery have been found many 
trinkets, used as ornaments for the nose and ears. 
Mr. Staman has a small collection of relics, 
gathered from different parts of his farm ; among 
others, a musket barrel, partly rusted away, 
which was found about eighteen inches under- 
ground, near the bank of the Black Fork. One 
of Johnny Appleseed's nurseries was located on 
this same farm, about half a mile from Petersburg. 

On the bottom northwest of Petersburg (Mif- 
flin), is a large mound, evidently an artificial 
structure. It is composed of drift-rounded 
bowlders, gravel and light loam. 



In the year 1809, the red men of Black Fork 
heard "the first low wash of waves," coming 
up that stream from the direction of the 
Muskingum, and the "human sea," destined 
soon to overwhelm and destroy them. In that 
year, James Copus, from Greene County, Penn., 
became the first actual settler in the township. 
He was afterward murdered by the Indians, to- 
gether with Martin Ruffner and the Zimmer 
family, all these names being familiar in the 
history of this State. As this tragedy receives 
particular attention in a separate chapter, no 
detailed account of it will be given in the his- 
tory of the township. 

In the same 3'ear, several white men came 
up as far as Greentown, where about one hun- 
dred Indians were living in comfortable cabins, 
under an old chief named Armstrong. Among 
them were Samuel Lewis, Henry McCart, Mr. 
ShaeflTer and Andrew Craig. The latter was in 
this vicinity before James Copus, but so far as 
is known, did not settle within the limits of 
Miiflin. These men and others were hunting 
homes in the wilderness, and maj^ have squatted 
for a short time, and some permanently, in the 
township about the same time with Mr. Copus. 
The nextA-ear (1810), Archibald Gardner, Samuel 
Hill, David Hill and some others came. It is not 
certainly known whether they came in the fall 
of 1809, or the spring of 1810, more likely the 
latter. It is a question whether Samuel Hill or 
Archibald Gardner was the first settler in Mifflin 
on the Richland County side of the line, but the 
preponderance of evidence seems to be in favor 
of the former. Samuel Hill settled on the north- 
east quarter of Section 33, now occupied by 
Solomon Balliett. If he settled there when he 
first came — and there is no evidence he did not 
— he was the first, or among the first settlers in 
Mifflin in Richland County. Where Archibald 
Gardner was during the j-ear 1810 has not 
been ascertained, but in the following year, he 
traveled up the Black Fork, and built his cabin 
three-fourths of a mile north of the present 



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530 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



village of Windsor, on the northwest quarter of 
Section 5. He was the first settler in this part 
of the township. It has been before stated that 
Gardner built his cabin on the site of the vil- 
lage, but Dr. William Bushnell, who is good 
authority on matters of that kind, places it as 
stated above. Frederick Zimmer, Sr., Fred- 
erick Zimmer, Jr., Phillip Zimmer and John 
Lambright also came in 1810, settling in the 
neighborhood of Mr. Copus. Following these 
in 1812, were Martin EuflTiier, Michael Kuffner 
and Richard Hughes, who settled in the same 
neighborhood, on the east side of Black Fork. 
The same 3^ear, Samuel Lewis and Christian 
Hoover settled on Section 8, and John Peter- 
son who came from Coshocton County, Ohio, 
settled on the east side of Black Fork. He 
was originall}' from New Jersey. The larger 
part of these early pioneers were from Western 
Pennsylvania. As the Indians now became 
hostile on account of the breaking-out of the 
war between the United States and Great Brit- 
ain, the tide of immigration was checked, and few 
if any, further settlements were made between 
the years 1812 and 1815. At the latter date, 
however, the tide rolled westward again with 
such volume and power that it swept over the 
State. The well-remembered Robert Bently 
came in that year and settled on Section 9 ; 
Francis Andrews, on Section 3 ; Leonard Cron- 
inger, Section 2 ; William Gardner, Section 27: 
William Mathews, Section 16 ; Hugh Hale, 
Section 7 ; Robert Andrews, Section 5 ; David 
Ritt, Section 6 ; also about this time, James 
McDermott, Samuel Simpson, David Newell, 
John Bell and Thomas Wilson. In 1816, 
George Rummell, John Vantilburg and John 
Pettet settled on Section 8 ; and no doubt 
many others whose names cannot now be 
ascertained. The hardy pioneers, after fight- 
ing their way to and through the wilderness, 
subduing its ragged and rugged places, mold- 
ing them into beautiful homes ; found them- 
selves, when ready to live, at the end of life. 



Few are now living. Mrs. Sarah Vail, who was 
little Sally Copus when her father was mur- 
dered by the Indians,-is yet among the living. 
Mr. Daniel Hoover died last winter, a little over 
eighty-four years old, after a life full of history, 
much of which had faded from his memory. He 
was born in Rockingham County, Ya., in 1796. 
His children are Joseph, John, Mar^-, Harry, 
Aaron, Christian, Alfred, Elizabeth and Daniel. 
He often told of meeting a bear one day, when he 
was hunting his pigs, which he thought was 
almost as large as a cow. Being unarmed, he 
did not seek a close acquaintance. At another 
time, when passing through the woods, he came 
suddenly upon a bear, which his dog attacked. 
Mr. Hoover, fearing his dog would get worsted 
in the fight, seized a club and went to his assist- 
ance. He succeeded in grasping one of the 
hind legs of bruin, and, being a powerful man. 
placed it across his knee and broke it. The 
struggle was long and desperate, but Mr. Hoo- 
ver and his dog triumphed in the end. At 
anotl^er time, being out coon-hunting, his dogs 
treed something he supposed was a coon ; but 
on climbing the tree, Mr. Hoover found himself 
face to face with a huge black bear, which came 
toward him with savage growls. He concluded 
that was not the coon he was hunting, and came 
down much more rapidly than he went up. 
Hundreds of similar stories linger in the mem- 
or}' of the old settlers, and are handed down to 
their children. Thej^ show the condition of the 
countr}' in early times. 

Another pioneer who was prominent in the 
township and county, and much respected by 
the early pioneers, was James McDermott, who 
was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 
August, 1758 or 1759. He came to Mifflin in 
1815, where he continued to reside until his 
death, June 25, 1859. 

His father, Archibald McDermott, was born 
in Lancaster, Penn. His grandfather, Daniel 
McDermott, came from the Highlands of Scot- 
land. He was a private soldier in the war of 



^^ 



W 




^a^r^y^ '<y€Aja^;^^^ 



id; 



M:. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



533 



the Revolution, serving the first two 3'ears at 
Fort Du Quesne (Pittsburgh) ; then marching 
over the Allegheny' Mountains, joining the army 
of Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, where he 
suffered through that terrible winter. He was 
in the battle of Princeton, and all other opera- 
tions of the army at that period. He was a 
member of the Methodist Church from 1816. 
AVhen he died his children numbered eleven, his 
grandchildren seventy-nine, and great-grand- 
children one hundred and thirteen. 

Another gentleman, who honored Mifflin with 
his presence in 1815, was Robert Bentley, whose 
reputation extended beyond the boundaries of 
townships, counties, and even States. With his 
famil}', he camped about a week upon the south- 
west quarter of Section 10. while he was build- 
ing his cabin. He brought with him two yoke 
of oxen, two horses ahead of them, two cows, 
two calves, and a fine mare, upon which Mrs. 
Bentlev rode with her child Mary, who subse- 
quently became the wife of Dr. William Bush- 
nell. The only road in the township was the 
State road from Wooster through Mansfield to 
BucTrus — a mere trail sufficient for the passage 
of a wagon. 

Mr. Bentley was appointed Associate Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas in 1821. and 
served seven 3-ears. In 1828, he was elected to 
the State Senate, and was re-elected in 1830, 
serving in that capacity four years. In 1839. 
he removed to Mansfield, where he resided at 
the time of his death in 1862. He was for 
some time connected with the military service, 
was a Major General of militia, and a promi- 
nent military man in his day. 

This township was surveyed by James Hedges, 
Deputy United States Surveyor, in 1807. The 
first schoolhouse was built on Section 16, by 
Andrew Newman, Christian Hoover and Robert 
Bentley. It was near the present site of Koogle's 
Schoolhouse. The first teacher was Margai'et 
Halston, who taught during the summer. She 
lived in the Weller settlement. Previous to this. 



however, schools were kept in the log huts of the 
settlers, and meetings of all kinds were held in 
houses, barns, sheds and out of doors, as seems 
to have been the practice everywhere in the new 
settle ments before schoolhouses or public build- 
ings of am' kind had an existence. 

The first church in the township, so far as 
can be ascertained, was built on the southeast 
quarter of Section 17, in 1825. It was of logs, 
and never acquired the dignit}- and respecta- 
bility attaching to doors and windows. James 
Rowland, of Mansfield, was the first minister. 
After its abandonment, the congregation came 
to ^lansfield. x\bout the same time, a log 
church was erected near Petersburg by the 
German Reformed people. This was used by 
people of all denominations for many years, 
and when it was abandoned, another log church 
was erected near the same place. It was on 
the northeast quarter of Section 14, and was 
erected through the influence of the Messrs. 
Cullers, who were its principal supporters. The 
first Pastor was George Lighter, followed b}' 
Mr. Huffman. The date of its erection was 
about 1840. When better churches were 
erected in Petersburg, this church was aban- 
doned. But two chui'ches now remain in the 
township, outside the villages of Windsor and 
Petersburg, having an organized existence. 
One of these is the German Reformed, erected 
in 1851, on the southwest quarter of Section 
30. It cost about $500. For many years pre- 
vious to its erection, services were held in the 
log schoolhouse, and afterward in a stone 
schoolhouse, on the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 32. These two schoolhouses have gone 
down with the lapse of time, a neat ft-ame now 
serves the purpose, as is the case over other 
parts of the township. The principal founders 
of this church were the Ballietts, who are quite 
numerous and influential in that neighborhood. 
The first ministers in this organization were 
Samuel and George Lighter and Solomon Ritz. 
After several years, the attendance failed, and 



^; 



'-^ 



534 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



the Lutherans organized at the same place with 
about twenty-five members. The Rev. A. L. 
Wiles, D. D., now of Wooster, was their first 
minister. The principal members were Henry 
Balliet and wife, Rachel Bell, Jacob Bru- 
baker and wife, and Betsy Ross. Mr. Wiles 
was followed by James Emerson, P. F. Dorn- 
blazer and A. Brown. The present minister 
(November, 1879), is Cyrus Ernsberger, and 
present membership, about seventy'. 

At the time of the organization of the Luth- 
eran Church, their Sunday school first came 
into existence, and has continued in a healthy 
condition until the present time. J. P. Gates 
was the first Superintendent. S. S. Balliett is 
the present Superintendent. The membership 
is about sixty. The first teachers in the old 
log schoolhouse, where the church originated, 
were Joseph Dix, Alanson Reeves and Rebecca 
McDei-mott. The latter, now JNIrs. (rates, is 
still living in that neighborhood. She is about 
seventy years old, but enjo3's excellent health, 
and her memory is clear and strong. She says 
when her father, James McDermott, came to 
the country, he was stopped on the east side of 
Black Fork, with one or two others, by the swol- 
len condition of the stream. Two of their 
3'oung men, being strong swimmers, plunged 
in and reached the opposite shore in safety, car- 
rying lines with them, by which the}^ drew axes 
across, and, having discovered where two large 
trees grew on the opposite bank, on a line 
drawn at right angles with the stream, they 
felled these trees toward each other ; a bridge 
was thus formed, upon which, piece by piece, 
all their earthly possessions were conveyed to 
the opposite l)ank. This was the first bridge 
across Black Fork. In the following year, ]Mr. 
McDermott built the first bridge across that 
stream for the general public. It was made 
of logs and slabs. Now that beautiful stream 
is spanned in many places b}' elegant iron 
bridges, and substantial wooden covered bridges. 
In early times, small flatboats were known to 



come up as far as the present site of Charles' 
mill in the Copus settlement. 

In 1875, the Dunkards built a frame church 
on Section 17, on land donated by Christian 
Coffman, who, with Henry Hoover and son, 
were the principal founders. Rev. Benjamin 
preaches there at present. The membership is 
about thirt3^ 

In the same year, a Sunday school was or- 
ganized at the Lewis Schoolhouse in District 
No. 3. Washington McBride was the first, and 
is the present, Superintendent. The member- 
ship is about twenty-five. 

MiflBin exhibited such excellent facilities for 
water-power, that the settlers early began the 
erection of mills. The first grist-mill was erected 
on Section 8, on a tributary of the Black Fork. 
It was called Flemming's mill, and was de- 
stroyed by a flood. In 1819, a grist-mill and a 
saw-mill were erected near each other on Black 
Fork, about one mile above Petersburg on Sec- 
tion 10. The grist-mill was the second built in 
the township, and is still in operation. Several 
dwelling-houses have gathered around it, and a 
tanyard is in operation, owned by Mr. Augus- 
tine, of Mansfield, but the place is yet name- 
less. The mill has changed hands many times. 
It was built by Andrew Newman, and run by 
him until 1825, when it was sold to Jacob Sta- 
man, who, in 1828, transferred it to Benjamin 
Hershey. This gentleman tore down the log 
structure, and built the mill in its present form, 
and afterward sold it to Jacob Staman & Bro- 
thers. It was at different times transferred 
successivel}' to Benjamin Staman, John Staman, 
Joseph Gougwer, and in 1871, to John Zehner, 
its present owner. It has long been known as 
the Staman Mill. 

In 1831, Benjamin Staman built a saw-mill 
near his I'esidence, on Section 14, which is still 
under his supervision. A grist-mill was also 
built on Section 35, three miles below Peters- 
burg, on the Black Fork, in the Copus settle- 
ment. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



535 



The first was a log structure, built b}' John 
Hershey, and by him transferred to Charles 
Lewis, who owned it when destroyed by fire. 
In 1854, the pi'esent mill was built by Daniel 
Coffman. It contains two run of stone, and 
gi'inds about two thousand bushels of wheat in 
a year. In 1859, it was purchased by its pres- 
ent owner, John Charles, and is known as the 
Charles Mill. 

"A fourth mill is on Zimmer's run, a branch 
of the Black Fork, on the southwest quarter of 
Section 24. It was built b}' James Neely, and 
is at present owned by James jMathews. A 
fifth mill is on Section 22. It was built in 1835 
by John Staman, and is called the Twin Spring 
Mill, from the fact that it is built near two 
beautiful springs, which produce a large volume 
of clear water, which flows into the Black Fork. 
Nearly, or quite all, the mills have a saw-mill 
in connection, owned and run by the same per- 
son. 

Mifflin is the oldest of the two towns in the 
township. It is located on the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 1 6, and was laid out on the 28th 
of June, 1816, b}^ William B. James, Peter 
Deardoff and Samuel Lewis. It was named 
Petersburg, from the given name of one of its 
founders, but, by an act of the Legislature, was 
changed to Mifflin, though it is still generally 
known b}- its first name. It is on the east 
side of Black Fork, half a mile from that stream. 
Its location was determined by two very large 
springs, which furnish the purest and best of 
water for all its people. The water is convej^ed 
to places convenient for general use. Early 
travelers across the State claimed for the Pe- 
tersburg springs the best water in the State. 

The first store was kept by a ]\Ir. 3IcFadden 
in a log hut. In 1833, John Scott, William 
Lemon and John McCroy started the second 
store. The census returns of 1830 showed a 
population in the town of thirty-five. This 
was the only instance in which the census of 
the town was taken separately from the town- 



ship. It never had a corporate existence. In 
1839, William Lemon died, and his brotlier 
John took his place in the store, buying out 
Scott. In 1844, John bought out McCro}', and 
has continued the business, with his sons, ever 
since. He was originally from Paisley-, Scot- 
land, and came to Haysville in 1818. His son 
James now runs the store. They carry a gen- 
eral stock of about $6,000 value. 

The first hotel was kept b^- a jMr. Thomas in 
a log house ; the second by Jacob Will, on the 
corner where Lemon's store building now 
stands. These two being discontinued, the 
present building was erected in 1840 by James 
Hartman. The first blacksmith-shop was erected 
by a Mr. McKinsey. 

The town has grown steadily, until the pop- 
ulation numbers about 250. At present. theiK 
are two groceries, kept by Charles Engle and 
James Budd ; a hotel, b}' Cyrus Keffer ; three 
blacksmith-shops, by John Baker, Nicholas 
Mathews and Isaac Mathews ; one saddlers 
shop, by Paul Keightley ; three shoe-shops, by 
William Batchelor, Jacob Black and John Pitts ; 
two wagon-shops, by Hiram Sweet and Nathan- 
iel Keightley ; a butcher-shop, b}' Frederick 
Dale and Frank Hershey. There are tw'o doc- 
tors, I. F. Markel and C. D. Sackett. The lat- 
ter has in his possession an interesting relic of 
olden times. It is a wooden clock, which was 
found secreted in the woods after the Zimmer 
and Copus massacre. The people at that time 
fled to the forts for safety, secreting their most 
valuable possessions in the woods. 

The Evangelical Lutherans are the most nu- 
merous religious denomination in the vicinity 
of Petersburg. LTntil 1851, they worshiped in 
the log churches before mentioned. That year, 
the}' built a church in Petersburg. It was de- 
stroyed by fire in 1863, and afterward rebuilt. 
The several families of Cullers, residing in the 
vicinity, have always been influential in matters 
connected with this church, and have contribut- 
ed freely of their ineans to its support. A 



536 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



Presbyterian church was organized, under the 
name of '• Mifflin," in 1851. Eev. W. T. Adams 
was the first Pastor. James Rowland, of Mans- 
field, also preached in this church. They wor- 
shiped in what is called the Union Church, 
built in 1851, through the influence of John 
Lemon, Luke Silby and Jonas Balliett, who 
were appointed trustees. This church is free 
to all denominations, and has lieen used by the 
Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and Al- 
brights. The latter occupied it for a Sunday 
school several years, but finally consolidated with 
the Lutheran Sunday school, organized in 1853, 
and is still in a flourishing condition. The first 
Superintendent was Elias Troutman. of Mans- 
field. The present Superintendent is C. C. Sta- 
man, and the membership al)out three hundred. 
The present minister of this church is Rev. J. 
A. Hall. The Union Church is at present un- 
occupied. 

The town of West Windsor was laid out 
March 21, 1837, by Joseph, Henry and A. T. 
Page, and Roger Moses. It is six miles from 
Mansfield, on the road to Ashland and Olives- 
burg. The Pages came from Windsor County, 
Vt., hence the name of the village. Joseph 
Page purchased the land on which Windsor is 
situated, of Archibald Gardner, who settled here, 
as before stated, in 1811. He (Page) had five 
children — Thomas, Henry, Alanson T., Mary 
and Febe. Alanson T., in company with John 
Conn (who afterward went to Yun Wert, Ohio), 
started the first store in 1839. It was in a 
frame building, which is yet standing on the 



Windsor Run, a tributar}' of the Black Fork. 
The place never grew up the expectations of its 
founders, and when the Atlantic & Grreat Wes- 
tern Railroad passed within three-fourths of a 
mile of it in 1864, part of the business went 
over to the station, and the little village took a 
Rip Van Winkle sleep. At present, there is a 
grocery, kept by John Baker, two shoe-shops 
by Phillip Heiserman and Peter Broach, a 
blacksmith-shop by Charles Barr, and a wagon- 
shop by Jacob Marti. There are about seventy 
inhabitants. 

A Baptist church was built here in 1840. 
Mr. Page gave the lot on which it stands. The 
original members were Mrs. Kagey, Mrs. Irvin, 
Jonas Balliett and wife, Joseph Page, wife and 
son, and John Woodhouse. The latter is still 
living in one of the oldest, if not the oldest, 
brick house in the township. 

The first minister was Re^'. Mr. Thorp, fol- 
lowed by Justus Taylor and Henry Brown. The 
Baptist attendance having failed, the Methodists 
organized a church in 1869. The present min- 
ister is the Rev. Mr. Hoydon ; the membership 
is about twenty. Thi'ee years ago, a Sunday 
school was started, with Allen Haverfield as 
Superintendent. The present membership is 
aljout twenty -five. 

In 1820, the population of the township was 
467 ; in 1830, 1,118 ; in 1840, 1,800 ; in 1850, 
1,997 ; in 1860, 1,790, and in 1870, 1,679. It 
remains for the census of 1880 to show whether 
there is an increase or decrease. 








*# 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



537 



CHAPTER LIII. 

MONROE TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries and Physical Features — Pipe's Cliff — Capt. Pipe — Early Settlers and Settlements — 
Schools and School Teachers — Pioneers and their Reminiscences — Bears, Wild Cats and Wild 
Turkeys — Names of Settlers in 1819 — Election — Churches — Mills — Pinhook — Luca.s — Population. 



THIS township was organized February 11, 
1817, out of the north half of Worthington. 
It contains thirty-six square miles, and corners 
with the southeast corner of ^ladison, having 
Washington on the west, Worthington on the 
south, and Mifflin on the north. Part of the north 
and all of the east line joins Ashland County. 
Its general surface is broken, and in places 
even hilly, but the land is generally fer- 
tile, producing large crops of everything 
raised from the soil of Ohio. It is well wa- 
tered with numerous springs and running 
streams. The beautiful Clear Fork crosses the 
southeast corner ; it only gives Monroe a short 
call. Switzer's Run, a tributary of the Clear 
Fork, crosses the southwestern portion of the 
township, and Rocky Fork and its tributaries 
and a portion of the Black Fork water all the 
northern part. The Rocky and Black Forks of 
the Mohican unite in the eastern part of the 
township. The Pennsjlvania Central Railroad 
enters the township on its eastern line with the 
Black Fork, follows that stream to its junction 
with the Rocky Fork and continues up the lat- 
ter stream to Lucas ; thence it turns north, 
leaving the township near its northwest corner. 
There is much beautiful natural scenery in- 
this township, although in that respect it may 
not quite equal Mifflin, but the country along 
Switzer's Run, and the valleys of the Clear and 
Black Foi-ks, are lovely to look upon, and were 
thoroughly occupied and appreciated by the 
Indians, as they now are by a more cultivated 
race. Among the landmarks worth mention- 



ing, is Pipe's Cliff. This romantic ledge of 
rocks is situated in the southern part of the 
township, near the center of Section 28, about 
two hundred 3'ards northeast of the residence 
of J. J. Douglas. The Lexington & Perry- 
ville road curves around the base of the rocks, 
but a fair view of them cannot be had from 
the road ; to appreciate the beauty and pictur- 
esqueness of the spot, one must climb up 
among them. They derive their name from old 
Capt. Pike, the noted Indian chieftain, who 
figured prominently in the early Indian wars, 
and was"for many years an inveterate enem}'' 
of the white race, until finding further resist- 
ance useless, he buried the hatchet, signed the 
treaty of Grreenville, and was ever after a firm 
friend of the whites. In the war of 1812, 
when the British attempted to secure the serv- 
ices of this chieftain, he nobly replied: 
"When I signed the treaty of Greenville, it 
was understood that I was not again to take 
up the hatchet while the trees grow and the 
water runs ; " and he kept his word. Mrs. 
Swigart, still living in Lucas at the age of 
eighty-three, remembers Capt. Pipe ver}' well, 
and says, the last time she saw him, he told 
her he was about one hundred j'ears old. It is 
said that a scouting party under Capt. Broad- 
head, or belonging to his expedition, while 
passing through this section, discovered a party 
of Indians seated upon some portions of the 
rocks belonging to Pipes Cliff, and unobserved 
by them, approached within shooting distance 
and fired upon the party, killing a sister of 



JL 



538 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Capt. Pipe, who happened to be among them ; 
and that tliis traged}^ gaA^e the place its name, 
but there is a doubt as to the correctness of 
this story. Aside from any Indian traditions, 
however, these rocks are well worth a visit. 
At the eastern extremity- of Pipe's Cliff a pro- 
jecting rock rises full one hundred feet above 
the valley below, and affords a magnificent view 
of tlie surrounding country. The summit of 
this rock is about forty feet in diameter, is con- 
nected with the main cliff on the north, and 
can be reached from either side. From the 
west, a narrow patliway winds up along the 
brow of the main cliffs until it reaches a height 
of some fifty feet, when it enters a narrow 
gorge in the rocks, turns abruptly to the north 
and pushes boldly to the summit. To the east, 
the ground slopes gradually to the plain. To 
the south lies the lovely valley of Switzer's 
Run. The summit itself is a bare rock, with 
the exception of here and there a bush. Near 
the center of the summit is a singular rock, 
some six feet in diameter and two feet high, 
resembling in many respects, a rude altar. 
Tradition points out this as the place where 
Capt. Pipe came annuall}- to offer up a sacrifice 
in behalf of his murdered sister. Near the 
western extremity of the clifts, is a cavernous 
opening called the Dragon's Mouth. The upper 
jaw is formed b}- a ledge of rocks, which pro- 
ject into the air some fifteen or twent}- feet, 
and at an angle of about thirty-five degi'ees, 
the lower jaw being formed by the sloping 
earth. Viewed from the west, this cavern 
bears a striking resemblance to a huge mouth. 
To the right of the Dragon's Mouth is a per- 
pendicular rock some thirty or forty feet in 
height, and entirely detached from the main 
cliff. Its sides are indented and furrowed b}- 
the beating storms of past ages ; its summit is 
crowned with shrubs and clambering vines. 
The solitary- rock, thus standing in monumental 
loneliness, has been appropriately named, in 
commemoration of the murdered sister of Capt. 



Pike, " Onalaska's Tower." There are several 
other points along these cliffs worthy of notice, 
such, for instance, as the " Hanging Rock," 
" The Porch," the " Frowning Cliff," etc. 

This township, like most others in the county, 
was heavily timbered with hard wood, and, in 
making their homes, the settlers were compelled 
to encounter this forest, as well as the bears, 
wolves, wildcats, and other animals that 
abounded. Indians were plenty, but it does 
not appear that the}^ committed any depreda- 
tions in this township, though generally keep- 
ing the settlers in continual dread. 

The first settlers followed up the Black Fork 
in 1809. When they came to the junction of 
the Black Fork and Rocky Fork, some of them 
continued up the former and settled in Mifflin. 
Among the latter were the Copuses, the Zim- 
mers, some of the Hills, Andrew Craig and 
others mentioned in the history of Mifflin. 
Others continued up the Rocky Fork, and set- 
tled first in the neighborhood of the present 
village of Lucas. Among these early settlers, 
David Hill has the honor of being the first, and 
of building the first cabin in Monroe Town- 
ship. It was erected on the farm for many 
years occupied b}' John Swigart, adjoining 
the village of Lucas. The place is now 

> owned by Ursula Kerr. It stood on the north 
side of and near the railroad, on the bank of a 
little spring Ijrook. The following is a list of 
the earliest settlers of the township, so far as 
known : David Hill, Section ; Frederick Bo- 
nenberg, Section 10 ; John G. Peterson, Sec- 
tion 1 ; John Lambright, Section 2 ; Mordecai 
Williams, Section 9 ; William Slater, Section 

'35; Adam Wolfe, Section 19 ; Robert and Will- 
iam Stewart. Those who settled on Section 8. 
were William IMcLauglin, William Ra}', Will- 
iam Ferguson, Thomas Rigdon and Thomas 
McBride. Jeremiah Smart, Section 4 ; An- 
drew Richey ; Michael Huffman and Eben- 
ezer Smith settled on Section 6 ; Thomas 
Pope and David Balliett, Section 9 : John Her 



<i^ (s 






^^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COL XT Y. 



539 



aud Melzer Coulter, Section 19 ; David and 
Charles Sclirack, Section 34 ; David Ellis, Sec- 
tion 17 ; Fredei'ick Cromer and David Craw- 
ford, Section 26 ; iVbraliam Baughman, who 
came in 1812 or 1814, Section 25 ; Christian 
Grood, Section 3 ; John Douglas, Section 28 ; 
Frederick Switzer, Section 13 ; and Solomon 
Gladden, who came in 1817. Mr. Switzer came in 
1817, and Mr. Douglas in 1818. 

Of the settlers above named, a few came in 
1809, with David Hill ; others followed in 181U 
and 1811, and all of them were here by 1818. 
Adam Wolfe came in 1816, and William Mc- 
Danel in 1819. both settling on Section 26. 
The majorit}' settled along the Rocky Fork and 
Switzer's Run. These, aud perhaps others 
whose names are not recorded, w^ere the men 
who laid the foundation upon which rests the 
prosperity and happiness of the people of 
^lonroe. They came mostlj' from Western 
Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. A few were 
from Virginia. They were a hard}' people, 
inured to hardships and dangers before they 
came here, and were men of sterling integrity 
and worth, and of strong convictions. In re- 
ligious belief, they were generally Lutherans. 
It is somewhat remarkable that, of the five 
churches in the township, four are Lutheran. 
As in other parts of the country, wherever a 
few settled near each other, the}' organized a 
school and a religious society in their cabins. 

The first schoolhouse was located on the 
farm afterward owned by R. Oldfield, near 
Lucas ; now owned by Josiah Rummel. One 
of the earliest schoolhouses was located on 
Section 26. It was of hewed logs, covered with 
a clapboard roof, etc., as was usual in that 
day. Some of the teachers in this house were 
John Clark, John Tucker, William Wigton and 
Joseph Wolfe. This district embraced a large 
part of the township, children coming several 
miles through the woods to school. The same 
house was frequentl}' used for religious meet- 
ings, singing schools, etc. One of the first 



schools was also opened in the northern part 
of the township, near the Mount Zion Church. 
The school was first kept in private houses, 
and afterward in the log church. 

One of the earliest schools was located on 
Michael Shinnebarger's land, and one also near 
what is now called the Hastings Post OflSce. 
This post office was established in 1829, being 
the first one established in the township. John 
Tucker was one of the early school teachers. 
He was a New Hampshire Yankee, and was one 
of Johmi}' Appleseed's converts, and also a 
doctor. 

The Rev. Michael Schuh, one of the founders 
of the Mount Zion Church, was a very learned 
man — a German scholar, and for a long time 
kept a select school in the old log church, which 
he was instrumental in erecting, on the site of 
Mount Zion Church. It was a high school or 
seminary, and was started about 1820. Many 
of the influential men of the township were 
partially educated there. Mrs. John Swigart, 
before mentioned, came from Washington 
County, Penn., and settled near New Lisbon in 
1804 ; and in what was then called the Twenty- 
second Township, now Orange Township, Ash- 
land County, in 1814. She removed from there 
to Monroe in 1821. Solomon Gladden, John 
Lambright and Adam Wininger were her neigh- 
bors then. Mr. Gladden came to the township 
in 1816, but did not settle permanently until 
1817. He was a ver}' excellent, well-informed 
and prominent man ; serving man}' years as 
Justice of the Peace, and one term in the Legis- 
lature. He was also something of a military 
man, commanding the Perryville rifle regiment, 
and serving with credit in the war of 1812. 

Mrs. Swigart says that thirteen soldiers were 
buried on the bank of the Rocky Fork, near 
where the first settlement in the county was 
made, at Beam's Mill. These soldiers died while 
they were in camp near the spring there, and 
before the block-house was erected. They 
were buried on the point of the hill, above the 



^ 



540 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



present mill. There is nothing to mark their 
grave, and the spot could now be pointed 
out with ditficulty. These soldiers cleared off 
a little field there. John Swigart was for many 
years a Trustee of the township, and Jacob 
Mason was one of the first Justices of the Peace. 
At one time, a 3'oung couple came to him to 
have the marriage ceremony performed. Money 
was a scarce article in those da^'S, and the would- 
be husband had not the wherewith to pay for 
getting the knot tied. A happj' thought, how- 
ever, came to his relief, and he offered the 
Justice a pup, which, under the circumstances, 
was kindly accepted and the ceremony per- 
formed. This would not seem, in the light of 
to-day, a sufficient compensation for a marriage 
ceremony, but in those days of wild animals, a 
good pup represented a money value not to be 
overlooked. Mr. Swigart served in the war of 
1812, in the same compan}' with Grladden. They 
were in the battle of Mackinaw. Gen. Brooks cut 
the first road through the township, when he 
advanced to the seat of war in 1812. He passed 
the present site of Lucas, encamped there for a 
short time, and cleared off a little gi'ound about 
where the village stands. Mrs. Swigart says 
Brooks had about one hundred wagons, each of 
which were drawn b}^ six horses. One wagon 
was loaded with specie, with which to pay the 
army about Fort Meigs. The money was put 
up in little iron-hooped kegs. Mrs. Swigart 
was married in what is now Orange Township, 
Ashland Count}', her husband being the first 
school teacher in that township. The advent- 
ures of the early settlers of Monroe with the 
wild animals "were numerous and interesting, 
but space forbids more than a glance at them. 
The Williams family were among the earliest 
settlers, Mordecai Williams arriving in the 
county in 1810, and settling on the Rocky Fork 
of the ]\Iohican, west of the present site of 
Lucas, in 1815. Mr. Williams and his wife lived 
more than eighty j'ears, and raised a large fam- 
ily of children. One of his sons, Joseph, re- 



lates being chased by wolves, and barely escaped 
into the cabin. The following bear story was re- 
lated to Gen. Brinkerhoff, by Solomon Gladden : 
Washington Chew, a son of William Chew, when a 
boy often years, went out to hunt the cows. In 
passing along the creek bottom, on the McBride 
farm, he came suddenly upon a black bear. As 
the bear refused to run, he turned and beat a 
hast}' retreat, the bear following. Finding he 
could not escape, the boy climbed a small dog- 
wood tree. The bear came up and, after con- 
sidering the matter, commenced gnawing at the 
roots of the tree. He continued to gnaw until 
the tree began to tremble and the boy gave 
himself up for lost, when, fortunately, a hog 
came grunting along, and the bear ran away 
after that, leaving young Chew to escape. A 
few days after this, Mrs. Isaac Applegate dis- 
covered a bear among their hogs, and went for 
assistance to her neighbor, David Crawford. 
Mr. Crawford took his gun and dog, went over 
to the cabin of Solomon Gladden, who also 
took his gun and dog, and the two men went on a 
bear hunt. They struck the trail, and after a 
long chase treed the bear. As it was now night, 
they camped at the foot of the tree, having been 
joined by Joseph Applegate, Hugh and Samuel 
Reed. Bruin was kept up the tree during the 
night, and in the morning Mr. Crawford fired at 
him. The bear fell, but did not appear to be hurt, 
and ran away, notwithstanding the efforts of 
the dogs and hunters. The chase was now a 
very exciting one, and the bear was soon 
brought to bay by the dogs. Mr. Gladden, be- 
ing fleet on foot, was rather ahead of the 
others, and attempted to get a shot at the bear, 
a difficult matter, surrounded as it was by 
the dogs. In his haste and excitement, he fell 
over a log, his gun discharging itself into the 
ground. The bear retreated again, with the 
dogs hanging to, and snapping at it. As his 
gun was useless, Mr. Gladden caught up a club, 
and followed up beating the bear over the head 
as it turned at bay. This continued a long dis- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



541 



tance, until dogs, man and bear were nearly ex- 
hausted. At length, Mr. Applegate came up 
with a gun, but was too tired and worried to 
shoot, and handed the gun to Gladden, who 
placed the muzzle against the bear and fired, 
killing it and putting an end to the chase. 

Mr. Gladden brought a pack of hounds from 
Jefferson County at one time for the purpose 
of hunting wild-cats, and killed about thirty of 
these animals altogether. During the time 
these wild-cats were so plenty, Mr. David Craw- 
ford, who was troubled a great deal with them, 
secured a 3'oung dog, which he was anxious 
should be trained to hunt them, and desired to 
try him on a live cat, which he was unable to 
do. But Solomon Gladden thought he could 
secure one. Taking his hounds one bright 
September morning, he entered the woods, and 
had not proceeded far before the hounds struck 
a trail and soon treed a cat. The tree was a 
small one, and Gladden determined, if possible, 
to take it alive. He succeeded in clubbing the 
cat from the tree, and, after the dogs had wor- 
ried it sufficiently, he seized it b}- the hind 
legs, drove off the dogs, placed his foot on its 
neck and attempted to manage it alone, but 
found he had caught a tartar. He could 
neither let go nor hold on with safety. After 
much maneuvering, he succeeded in getting off 
his suspenders, with which he tied the " var- 
mint," and in this way carried it to Crawford's 
house. Mr. Gladden was full of stories like 
these, that picture these woods as the paradise 
of hunters. 

^Y\\d turkeys were also ver}- plenty, and 
were ti'apped as well as shot. A pen for this 
purpose was made in different shapes, according 
to the fanc}' of the builder. It was generally 
made in the woods, of small logs, about eight 
or ten feet square, and covered over with bark 
or brush. The logs were far enough apart to 
admit light to the pen, but not allow the escape 
of a turke}-. In two or more places under the 
sides of the pen, the earth was removed suf- 



ficiently to allow the turkey to creep under 
into the pen. Considerable corn was scattered 
about these places of ingress, and the turkey 
in picking up the corn kept his head down 
until inside the pen. It was then caught, for it 
did not have sense enough to creep out the 
way it came. It alwaj-s looks up, instead of 
down, for a place of exit. 

William Chew, the father of the boy who was 
treed by the bear, came to Monroe in 1821, 
and settled on Rocky Fork. He was the father 
of seventeen children, man}- of whom are now 
citizens of the township. The Mr. Applegate 
mentioned settled on Rocky Fork in 1822, and 
cleared a farm, which is now one of the finest 
in the township. 

In 1819, the following names appear on the 
tax duplicate of Monroe Township, which aflfords 
positive evidence regarding its early settlements. 
It is presumed the list comprises nearly all the 
heads of the families in the township at that 
date. 

"James and George Archer, Abraham Baugh- 
man, Stephen Brady, Jacob Baughman, George 
Baughman, Frederick Boneberger, James 
Church, Frederick Cramer, John Douglas, David 
Ellis, William Furgeson, Benjamin Forbey, 
Benjamin Gatton, Christian Good, Solomon 
Gladden, Henry Huffman, Rebecca Hensel. 
James Irwin, John Her, Peter Kinne}'. Lawrence 
King, John Lambright, William McLaughlin, 
Amerine Marshall, Thomas and Alexander 
McBride, Alexander McBride, Jr., Jacob Oler, 
John G. Peterson, Vv^illiam Ray, Andrew Richey, 
Jacob Sweitzer, Frederick Sweitzer, William 
Slater, Thomas Summerman, Samuel Stewart 
David Shrack, Ebenezer Smith. M. Shinnebarger. 
Jeremiah Smart, Jacob and Mordecai Williams, 
William Wilson, Adams Wininger, Samuel 
White, Adam and Robert Wolfe, and Peter 
Zerby." 

The total number of horses in the township 
was seventy-eight, total number of cattle one 
hundred and fourteen ; the total tax on these 



V 



jH!: 



542 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



animals was $34.20, or less than 18 cents per 
head. 

In the. spring of 1817, the first election was 
held, and John Gr. Peterson, William McLaugh- 
lin and David Ellis were elected Trustees ; 
David Crawford, Treasurer. 

• At the election held the succeeding fall, 
Thomas Pope and Andrew Richey were elected 
Justices of the Peace. The clerks of this elec- 
tion were Solomon Gladden and David Ellis. 
The election was held in a ca1)in on the farm 
afterward owned b}- Daniel Beasor, and which 
is yet in possession of a member of that 
family. Solomon Gladden was the third Justice 
of the Peace, and held the office fifteen years. 
At this first election, the candidates found much 
diflBculty in getting together enough voters to 
hold a legal election, ten being the required 
number. Up to 12 o'clock only nine had voted, 
and matters began to look serious ; the candi- 
dates were alarmed ; the fate of two Justices 
of the Peace was held in dreadful suspense. 
Nothing was impossible to a politician, however, 
even at that early day, and, after a solemn coun- 
cil, it was suggested by a brilliant wire-puller 
that the woods be searched for another sove- 
reign. Frederick Sweitzer was the man who was 
dispatched on this mission, and soon re-appeared 
with Mordecai Williams, who cast the tenth 
vote and thus saved the country. It is \&cy 
evident that thej' had not then learned the art 
of stuflfing ballot-boxes, else they would not 
have taken the trouble to send for another 
voter. 

The religious sentiment of the township is 
better developed than in most other townships 
of the county ; one of the earliest churches in 
Richland Count}' having been established here — 
Mount Zion. That friend of humanit}', Johnny 
Appleseed, was probably instrumental in or- 
ganizing one of the first, if not the first relig- 
ious societ}-. AVhile scattering apple-seeds, he 
also scattered religious tracts, and these, like 
his seeds, took root in the soil of this township 



and gi'ew. Mr. John Tucker, one of the oldest 
of Monroe's pioneers, concluded that Johnnys 
tracts contained as much religion as any man 
needed, and succeeded in organizing a society, 
of which David Crawford, Joseph Applegate, 
Henry Wyrick, John Ej'ler, George Shambaugh, 
their wives, and some of their children, were 
members. This society did not flourish, how- 
ever, and after a time, ceased to exist. 

The Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 
was the first established in the township, and 
among the first in the county, having been or- 
ganized by a man named Ridenour soon after 
the war of 1 81 2. Ridenour was the first preacher, 
and held meetings in private houses, barns, and 
in the open air. It is believed the first organi- 
zation was effected, and first meetings, held in 
the house of Michael Shinnebarger. Some of 
the first meml^ers were Michael Shinnebarger 
and wife, Michael Culler, Jacob Koogle, Adam 
Wininger and wife, Gerhart Sheets, a carpenter, 
John Ernsberger, Henry Smith, the Messrs. 
Keifers, Mrs. Bonenberg, John Swigart and 
wife. The Cullers, of which there are many 
families now living, both in Mifflin and Monroe, 
were influential in this church, as well as in the 
organization and building up of other Lutheran 
churches in this part of the county. They have 
been ready, it appears, with their money and 
influence to assist in this work. Adam Win- 
inger, above mentioned, was the first blacksmith 
in the township, and located his shop on the 
Rocky Fork, a short distance east of Lucas. 
After Ridenour's time. Michael Schuh arrived, 
took charge of this organization, and assisted 
materiall}' in strengthening it. It was during 
his pastorate that the first church in the town- 
ship was erected near the spot where Mount 
Zion Church now stands. It was a log church, 
and was erected in 1818, on a fine elevation 
overlooking the valley of the Black Fork. This 
elevation probably suggested the name of Mount 
Zion. This organization has always been a 
live, active and numerovis one. The old church 



*% 



1^ 



^1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUXTY. 



543 



was occupied until 1832, when a fraine was 
erected. This building was about 30x50 feet, 
and was erected near the old log building. Mr. 
Castetter and George Culler did the carpenter 
work, and the meinliers generally furnished the 
material. This Iniilding served the purpose until 
1866, when the present fine frame building was 
erected at a cost of about $5,000. In January. 
1880, thej^ finished the steeple and placed in it 
a good bell. 

The ministers in this church, after Mr. 
Pchuh. were : Rev. Mr. Mohler. who preached 
in both English and German ; J. F. Ruth, who 
came from Frederick County, Md.; George 
Leiter, from Mansfield ; Rev. Hanich, William 
Emerson, Jesse Helsel, J. F. Ruth (a second 
term), Harmon L. Wiles, Isaiah J. Delo, G. H. 
Slaybaugh and John A. Hall. The present 
membership is about two hundred, and the 
contributions to charitable purposes very lib- 
eral. 

The Sunday school has always been a strong- 
one, and now numbers about one hundred 
members. It was organized in 1844 by 
William B. Miller, though spasmodic efforts 
had been made before that for a Sunday school. 
The school has always been well sustained, and 
is an influential institution. From Mount Zion 
Church have sprung five other churches, within 
a radius of a few miles, viz. : The Pleasant Yal- 
le}^ Church, of Monroe ; the Petersburg Church ; 
the Emanuel Church, of Madison Township, 
near Goud3-'s Mill ; the St. John's and Lucas 
Churches, both of Monroe. 

The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran is 
located near the southeast corner of the town- 
ship. It was organized in 1838, hj the Rev. 
George Leiter, at the residence of M. Stouffer, 
near the present location of the church. The 
first meetings were held in private houses and 
other places until a church could be built. 
The original members were as follows, the list 
being copied from the first record-book, now in 
possession of the Pastor, Rev. C. S. Ernsber- 



ger : John Smith. ^lathias Stoufter. George 
Rummel, Samuel Hess. John Graber and wife, 
Elizabeth Stouffer, Mary Rummel. Nancy 
Smith, Peter Rummel. Samuel and Elizabeth 
Dome, Catharine Crouse, Mary Shellenl)erger, 
Louisa Zoda, Margaret Parr, and John and 
Ellen Rummel. The ministers, after Rev. 
Leiter, w'ere ReA'S. Shaffer. Hoffman. Eastman, 
Smith, Emerson, Ruth, Wiles, Domblazer, Ear- 
hart and Ernsberger. 

The first church building was a frame, erected 
in 1842, at an expense of about $200 ; this 
was occupied until 1870. when the present 
comfortable and substantial brick was erected. 
at a cost of about $4,600. The Pastor of this 
church serves three other Lutheran churches, 
the four churches emplo3"ing the minister at 
about $800 per annum ; dividing the expenses 
among them.' The present membership is 120. 
A Sunda;y school was organized in 1843, and 
is healthy and well sustained, with a member- 
ship of about sixty. L. Ernsberger is present 
Superintendent. 

The Pleasant Valley English Lutheran 
Church w'as organized in 1863, and a church 
erected about the same time on Section 28, 
near the residence of John J. Douglas. Charles 
Schrack donated the ground for this church, 
with the understanding that it should be free 
to all denominations when not occupied l)y the 
Lutherans. The principal original members 
were John J. Douglas, Aurelius Tucker. Lem- 
uel Craig. George Swigart. John Swigart, Ben- 
jamin and Adam Beny, Joseph Hastings and 
others. The church is a neat, substantial brick, 
and cost about $3,000. It was erected during 
the war, when political matters divided the 
people of that, as well as other townships, and 
under the excitement and feeling engendered 
by that struggle, the regular Pastors of the 
other Lutheran churches in the township did 
not occupy its pulpit, but the feeling has now 
subsided, and the '• brethren dwell together in 
unitv." 



-■ — ►- 



544 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



D. I. Foust was the first minister ; D. A. 
Coon was also one of the earl}' ministers, after 
which came T. F. Dornblazer, and other regular 
ministers of the Lutheran Church in the cir- 
cuit. Rev. C. S. Ernsberger preaches for them at 
the present time. The membership is about 
one hundred and twent^'-five. 

Many years before this church was erected, 
a Sunday school was organized in the Hastings 
Schoolhouse, called the Hopewell Sunday 
School. It was well sustained, and when the 
new church was erected, moved into it. H. J. 
McDanel is present Superintendent, with a 
membership of about seventy. 

The United Presbyterian Church of Monroe is 
a comfortable brick edifice, located on Section 30. 
It originated a few miles south of its present loca- 
tion in Worthington Township. On the records 
in Mansfield appears a deed, dated November 
24, 1827, from William Robinson, "to Frances 
Johnson. John Douglas and Robert Kenton, as 
Trustees of the Worthington Associate Reformed 
Church and their successors in oflfice.'' It con- 
veys two acres of ground in the northeast quar- 
ter of Section 18, for the purposes of this church. 
The organization of this church occurred some 
years before this, and the first church was built of 
logs. The original members were John Douglas, 
Frances Johnson, Adam Johnson, John Rob- 
inson, Robert and William Stewart, Robert 
Kenton, Peter Alexander, David Filloon and 
others. 

Rev. James Johnson, of Mansfield, was one 
of its earliest ministers, preaching there once a 
month ; afterward, Rev. William Loughridge 
and the Rev. George Wilson, officiated ; and 
later. Rev. Richard Gaile}'. In 1858, it became 
the United Presbyterian b}" the union of the 
Associate and Associate Reformed, and the new 
church was erected in Monroe, which location 
was considered more central. Rev. D. H. 
French followed Mr. Galley in 1867. Mr. Gal- 
ley was the first preacher in the new church, 
and opened a select school in the sameljuilding. 



at which young men were prepared for college. 
He afterward built a small frame building near 
the church to which he transferred his school, 
and which came to be called the Monroe Semi- 
nary. Mr. Gailey afterward transferred his 
school to Lexington, where he died, but his 
daughter still continued the school. The old 
seminary in Monroe is occupied as a dwelling 
by James McCulloch, a brother of the venerable 
Judge McCulloch, of Mansfield. 

Rev. G. M. Reed preaches in this church 
every three weeks. The membership is about 
forty-eight. For the last eight years, no Sun- 
day school has been connected with the church. 

The Rocky Fork and Black Fork furnished 
the settlers of Monroe with that which is so 
necessar}- ever3'where, but which was of great 
importance in a new country, and especially 
before steam power was understood — water- 
power for milling purposes. A thing most 
essential to the well-being and prosperity of 
every community is a mill — one that will saw 
the lumber for dwellings, and manufacture 
corn and wheat into meal and flour. To-day 
mills can be located at any point where water 
can be procured from a spring or well, but in 
those days, before steam was used, mills were 
located on the banks of a stream, flowing 
with suflScient volume and force to turn the 
machiner}'. These streams were of incalcula- 
ble benefit to the earliest settlers, not only to 
furnish water power but means of transporta- 
tion to and from civilization. The Black Fork 
was navigable for small row-boats and scows 
up through Monroe into Mifflin Township, and 
the hunters, trappers and farmers of those 
daj's would load their canoes with furs, pelts 
and produce of diflferent kinds and travel dowm 
the stream to the nearest trading-place, and 
return with such materials as they needed, and 
for which the}' had exchanged their cargoes. 
The rapid advance of civilization, the building 
of mills and cutting of roads soon put an end 
to this, and for many years the streams have 



:Rr 



v^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



545 



been so obstructed by mill-dams that any kind 
of navigation is impossible. 

The earliest settlers in IVIonroe went to Fred- 
ericktown and IMount Vernon for their grind- 
ing, and afterward to Herring's mill at New- 
ville, in Worthington Township. Peter Zubj' 
has the honor of erecting the first mill in 
Monroe, about a mile east of the present vil- 
lage of Lucas, on Rocky Fork, in 1820. It 
was a "little choppin' mill," as the old settlers 
express it, by which it is meant to convey 
the idea that it was a small affair and did not 
do fine work. It is fair to presume that a 
little improvement has been made in milling 
since that time. Mr. Zuby erected both a saw 
and grist mill, both of which are yet in opera- 
tion, and are now known as the Doran Mills. 
Mills were erected from time to time, until they 
numbered twelve or fifteen, including saw-mills. 
The second saw-mill was built b^' a Mr. Ailer, half 
a mile from, and a little south of west of, Lucas, 
about 1822. This mill is still in operation, being 
now owned by Mr. Williams. The second grist- 
mill was built on the Rocky Fork, half a mile 
east of the present village of Lucas, in 1830, 
by Reinhart Oldfield. Later, it was owned by 
Abraham Marks, and is now owned and opera- 
ted by Silas Rummel. A splendid saw-mill, 
one of the ])est in the township, is also at- 
tached to the mill. One of the earliest saw- 
mills was erected by the McBrides, within the 
present corporation of the village of Lucas, 
about 1820. It is still running, having been 
repaired and rebuilt several times. One of the 
earl}- saw and grist mills was that of Charles 
Schrack, on that pretty little tributary of 
the Clear Fork called Switzer's Run, in the 
southern part of the township. It is a 
water mill. The third mill in the township 
was built in 1830, by Mr. LaRue, on Rocky 
Fork, about one mile west of Lucas. It is now 
owned and operated b}' Mr. Mathews. In 
1835, John Swigart liuilt a saM^-mill on Thomp- 
son's Run, below and near the Hastings Post 



Office. Jacob Culler also built a saw-mill in 
1832, on the Rocky Fork, below the old Zuby 
mill, and still further down the stream is a saw- 
mill built by the Beasores about 1855, now 
known as the Mower's Mill. About 1846, 
John Culler built a woolen-mill one and a half 
miles east of Lucas, near Jacob Culler's saw- 
mill. It has never done a large business, but 
is yet, occasionally, in operation. 

Monroe can boast of only one village at 
present — Lucas — though an attempt was made 
man}' years ago to start a town at what is 
known as the Six Corners, near the center of 
the township, where a number of roads cross. 
Mr. William Wigton owned the land where a 
village was blocked out, which was first called 
Mechanicsburg, and afterward Pinhook. Mr. 
Wigton came to the township in 1826, and was 
Justice of the Peace sixteen 3'ears. Chris- 
tian Welty bought an acre of gi'ound of JMr. 
Wigton, laid out the town, the plat of which 
was, however, never placed on record. Mr. 
Welt}' built the first house, and worked as car- 
penter in the neighborhood. Soon after, 
James Greer built a two-story blacksmith- 
shop, and the town gi-ew until it contained 
five or six dwellings, a grocery, a few shops. 
a post office, called Six Corners ; and a 
hotel, kept for some time by William B. 
Miller. At present, no liusiness is done there, 
and only about three occupied dwellings and 
the blacksmith-shop, remain of the town. The 
post office has disappeared. Soon after it Avas 
started, an eccentric character by the name of 
Nicholas Swarenger, came along and gave it 
the name of "Pinhook," which name the place 
will probabl}' retain as long as time shall last. 

Lucas was laid out in 1836, by John Tucker, 
before mentioned, who acted as agent for his 
brother David, the proprietor of the town. 
It is pleasantly situated, about seven miles 
southeast of Mansfield, on the Pennsylvania 
Central Railroad, and on the Rock}' Fork of the 
Mohican. It is on the west half of the 






"V 



546 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



southeast quarter of Section 8. The first lots 
were sold at auction, and the first house, built by 
James King, is yet standing near the lower 
end of the village, on the east side of Main 
street, a few doors below the Monroe House — 
Lot No. 2. The fii'st store in the place was 
opened by Mr. King in this building. Gen. 
Brooks encamped on this spot on his way to 
the seat of war in 1812, cleared off a little 
patch of ground here and cut the first road. 
The place was named in honor of Gov. Lucas, 
of Ohio. The frame hotel called the Monroe 
House is probably the second house in the 
village, and has been used for hotel purposes 
ever since it was built, having been several 
times repaired and enlarged. It stands at the 
intersection of the two roads that cross in the 
village, and has never yet had a competitor in 
the business. A majoritj- of the first settlers 
in Monroe located their lands along the Rocky 
Fork, near the site of Lucas, and two of the 
earliest schoolhouses were built in this neigh- 
borhood, not far apart, one called the McBride, 
and the other the Williams Schoolhouse. These 
served the purpose until the village was incor- 
corporated, when a two-story frame schoolhouse 
was erected by the corporation. In 1877,, this 
was moved up on Main street and is occupied 
by 3Ir. Swigart as a wagon-shop, and a fine 
brick was erected for school purposes. This 
building is three stories in height and cost about 
$6,000. The two lower stories are used for the 
schools, and the upper occupied by the Odd 
Fellows. Three teachers are employed, ^larian 
Douglas, son of J. J. Douglas, being Principal. 
The buiding was erected by John Charles. Lu- 
cas can only boast of one church at present. 
The first church organized in the place was a 
Baptist, about 1830, by Rev. James Johnson. 
The first organization occurred in a schoolhouse, 
and for several years meetings were held in 
this house ; but they succeeded, in 1838, in 
erecting a frame church. The original mem- 
bers of this society were Alexander Lakin, 



James Hewlit, Cornelius Bartelow, Thomas 
MofRtt, Peter Sweitzer, and others. After a 
time, the older meml)ers moving awa}', the 
organization was broken up and the church sold. 

Rev. S. B. Leiter also organized a German 
Reformed Church here at an earl}' day ; they 
worshiped in the Baptist Church, and, after- 
ward, when that church was sold, joined with 
the Lutherans in building the old frame church 
that stood on the hill where the new brick now 
stands. This was called a union church, was 
built in 1846, and occupied by both denomina- 
tions. The German Reformed organization did 
not last, however, and the church finally came 
into possession of the Lutherans, who, in 1872, 
built the only church now in the village. It is 
a substantial brick, and is not yet entirely fin- 
ished. This church was organized about 1850, 
and originated, as before mentioned, from the 
Mount Zion Church. The original members 
were David Balliet, Samuel Henry, Samuel 
Barr, David Henry, David Leiter, John Cronie 
and others. The first Pastor was Rev. W. A. G. 
Emerson, followed by Revs. Jesse Helsell, 
F. J. Ruth, H, L. Wiles, and others before 
named in connection with the other Luth- 
eran churches in the township. Rev. C. S. 
Ernsberger is present Pastor. The member- 
ship is about one hundred and thirty. x\s is 
the case with the other Lutheran churches 
in this vicinity, a large and healthy Sunday 
school is maintained. It is a union school, 
the children of all religious denominations 
attending ; the present eni'ollment of pupils 
being 164. Jacob Leiter is Superintendent. 

Lucas is about half a mile long, but without 
much width, being built principall}- on either 
side of a single street. It contains three black- 
smith-shops, one hotel, one wagon-shop, four doc- 
tors — Bowles, Mecklen, Conway and Skeggs ; 
and three stores, kept by I. C. Charles, Myers & 
Son, and W. W. Lemon. Charles keeps groceries 
and notions in the brick block on the corner, at 
the intersection of the two streets. Mj'ei'S & 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY 



547 



Son carry a stock of dry goods, groceries and 
general merchandise, keeping what is called 
a "country' store," a general assortment of 
of everything country people want ; W. W. 
Lemon carries a large stock of the same class 
of goods. These stores are well sustained, and 
business does not appear to be overdone. 

In 1850, the population of the township was 
1,719, all white; ten years later, it numbered 



1,765. In 1870, it is found to have decreased 
in numbers for some reason, the census show- 
ing a population of 1,572. Probably the war 
of the rebellion had something to do with this 
decrease. Considering the extent of available 
territory' in this country, and the cheap lands 
of the West, anj^ great changes in the popula- 
tion cannot be expected. 



CHAPTER LIV. 

PERRY TOWNSHIP. 

Description — Streams — Organization — Early Officers — Subsequent Territorial Changes — Early Settlers 

— Mills — Villages — Churches — Lost Run. 



PERRY is one of the original surveyed or 
Congressional townships, and contains (in 
both counties) thirty-six sections. Its surface 
is less diversified than that of either of the 
other two townships bordering on Knox County, 
and more so than its western neighbor, Congress, 
which at one time belonged to Richland County. 
This township may be regarded as the table 
land and end of the broken country that char- 
acterizes Eastern Ohio, and furnishes some of 
the head -waters of the Clear Fork of the Mohican 
River, and the Owl Creek, which makes it the 
dividing ridge between these two streams ; 
and it also forms a part of the dividing ridge 
between the Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. 
The Owl Creek cuts diagonally across the 
southwest corner of the township, and has 
several tributaries from it. The Clear Fork 
flows almost east, through the second tier 
of sections from the north, after the union of 
the branches into which it is divided. The de- 
clivity toward the Owl Creek is rapid, and ver}^ 
broken, while toward the Clear Fork it is com- 
parativel}' gentle, with a surface more smooth. 
The most fertile soil in the township is along 
the streams in the northern pai't. Originally a 



large part of the township was covered with 
forest, principally beechwood, while the ground 
was covered with a dense growth of nettles, 
and the decayed accumulation of man}' yeaxs 
formed a surface soil, which could be easih* 
plowed with a boot-heel, and which disguised 
the true nature of the soil to the inexperienced. 
This variety of land was very inviting to the 
pioneers who knew nothing of the nature of 
beech soil, and man}' were in this manner 
caused to pass over the most valuable tracts 
and enter inferior land. The soil is generally 
argillaceous or clayey, and all the ordinaiy 
crops are successfully grown, where care is ex- 
ercised in maintaining its fertility, in connection 
with proper cultivation, and its entire surface is 
available for cultivation. There is more cleared 
land in this township than in Jefterson, although 
it was settled later. 

In the organization of the county, Perrj- 
Township was embraced in the election district 
known as Jefferson, the boundaries of which 
contained six Congi'essional townships. Bj' an 
act, September 5, 1814, it was reduced to three 
of the original townships, and the citizens of 
Peny participated with Jefferson in one election. 



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548 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



September 3, 1816, Perry Township was organ- 
ized and named Leipsic, and embraced the 
territory of the present Perr}- and a part of 
Congress Township, now in Morrow County 
— two townships six miles square. The first 
officers of the new township were sworn in 
September 28, 1816, tlieir names and offices 
being as follows : Trustees — John Cook, 
James Huntsman and John Coon ; Clerk, 
Jonathan Huntsman ; Supervisors. Benjamin 
Hart and Philip Stealts ; Overseers of the Poor, 
Greorge Goss and Lawrence Lamb ; Fence 
Viewers, Caleb Selby and Henry Sams. For 
some reason, now unknown, the name of the 
township was changed from Leipsic to Perry, 
October 11, 1816. and the next day, the Trustees 
of Jefferson and Perry held a meeting for the 
•purpose of making a final settlement ; the 
Trustees of the latter township to make prep- 
arations to collect their share of the taxes 
levied by the Trustees of Jefferson August 24, 
1816. Perry assumed one-half of the indebted- 
ness of Jefferson, which amounted to $27.47, 
the whole being $54.94 ; .and received one- 
half of a bond given by William Spears and 
John Zent for a stray horse, the former pur- 
chased of Philip Stealts June 29, 1816. The 
bond called for $17. Philip Stealts was Super- 
visor of the part of the township now in Eich- 
land County, and presented a bill of $4.50 for 
services. Mr. Hart operated in the Morrow 
Count}' half, and his l)ill was 75 cents. 

Perry retained the boundary given it in 1816 
until June 6, 1825, when it was reduced to six 
miles square, or to the original survey, and 
the western thirty-six sections received the 
name of Congress. 

February 24, 1848, the G-eneral Assembl}- of 
the State created Morrow County, and Perr}' 
Township was divided, and since then, the east- 
ern eighteen sections have exercised all the 
privileges of an independent township, and to 
the western half, a tier of half-sections were 
added from Congress Township, which has exer- 



cised the same privileges. Four sections of 
land, of the eastern twent3--four sections, form 
a school subdistrict, and when the town was di- 
vided, one-half of the three districts was thrown 
into Morrow Count}-. The schoolhouses are 
located at the count}' line, and in them children 
of two counties are instructed. 

The first election, after the division, was held 
April 3, 1848 ; and. after the new officers were 
installed, those of each township, whose pres- 
ence was necessary, met at Groodbury and 
effected the settlement the division necessitated. 
The officers of Perry, in Richland, kept the old 
furniture and books at a cost of $5.67, and the 
funds in the hands of the old Treasurer were 
divided according to the amount of taxable 
property in the respective townships, and the 
clerks were ordered to examine the tax dupli- 
cates. Perry, in Morrow, received $56.09. 
After the division, the half in Richland County 
spontaneously received the name of East Perry, 
and the other half. West Perry. The more 
important officers of the two townships after 
the creation of Morrow County were as follows : 
East Perry — Trustees, John G. Amos. John 
Haniwalt and Josiah Moore ; Clerk, T. J. Da- 
vis ; Treasurer, Jacob Grarver. West Perry — 
Trustees, Levi Hart, Abraham Hetrick and 
George Tringer ; Clerk, John Bruce ; Treas- 
urer, John Walker. The persons elected to 
office in East Perry in 1879, were, for Trustees, 
Jacob Shively, John Steel, J. S. Graham ; Clerk, 
W. C. Black ; Treasurer, John Zimmerla. 

Tlie first actual settlement in Perry Town- 
ship was made by John Frederick Herron, near 
the site of the Haniwalt mill, in 1809. In 1811. 
Peter Weirick located a short distance east on 
Section 12, and John Cook opened a homestead 
in the southwest corner of the township, in the 
Lavering settlement. The next year, John 
Coon came from Belmont County, and pitched 
his tent on the southwest quarter of Section 
12, and the Same year George Ruhl, a native of 
York County, Penn., came to Bellville, and 



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I 



A' 



!£: 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY 



551 



from there cut his road to Section 13 and es- 
tablished a home. His familiar neighbors were 
the Indians. The}- made frequent visits to his 
cabin, and borrowed cooking-pots and dishes, 
which thej' returned promptly. Soon after the 
war of 1812, Philip Stealts settled on Section 
11, John Painter on Section 36, and, in 1815, 
1816 and 1817, a general break-out was niade. 
Along the creek, west of Haniwalt's mill, 
Abraham Hetrick, Lawrence Lamb, John 
Shauck and John Edwards settled. Those who 
settled in the other parts of the township were 
David Carr, Moses Packer, the Laverings, Caleb 
Selby, Bracket Dyer, John Cook, the Harts, 
Peter Poorman, the Singreys, Culps, Benjamin 
Kirk and a few others. So rapidl}- was it set- 
tled, that in 1835 — twent3--five years after the 
first settlement was made — there were almost 
as man}' children in the township as there are 
at present. Since 1845, the enumeration of the 
subdistricts has decreased. The following is 
the enumeration in 1838 and 1845, of each of 
the ten subdistricts : 







1838. 


1845. 






1838. 


1845. 


No. 


1... 


79.... 


.... 74 


• No. 


6.. 


... 72.... 


....107 


No. 


2... 


76.... 


91 


No. 


7 .. 


...102.... 


....10-5 


No. 


3... 


73.... 


118 


No. 


8.. 


... 67.... 


....102 


No. 


4... 


93.... 


117 


No. 


9.. 


... 79.... 


.... 81 


No. 


5... 


96.... 


118 


No. 


10.. 


... 39.... 


.... 51 



John Frederick Herron built the first mill in 
the township, on the present site of Haniwalt's 
mill, on the northeast quarter of Section 11, in 
1811-12. Peter Weirick was emploj'ed to do 
the carpenter work, and while he was erecting 
the structure, IMr. Herron went to Baltimore 
with a six-horse team, to procure the mill- 
stones. The house was put up in log-cabin 
style. The machineiy consisted of a water- 
wheel, shaft and master-wheel, which articulated 
with the trundle-head that ran the stone. The 
gearing Avas made of wood. This invincible 
concern didn't reduce grain to incomprehensi- 
ble fineness, but it answered very well for the 
days of broad teeth and pioneer jaws. The 



millers ready retort of those da^'S, on com- 
plaint of customers that the meal would not go 
through the sieve, was, " It '11 go through 3'our 
ladder." In 1814, Francis Baughman purchased 
it, and ran it till 1833, when it passed into the 
liands of John Haniwalt. The second enter- 
prise of the kind was undertaken by John 
Shauck, and a steam mill is now in operation 
where he built, near the center of Section 5. 
Other mills were erected in the township, that 
did a flourishing business for many 3-ears, ]jut 
the failure of the streams to supph" the re- 
quired power made them unprofitaljle, and they 
were abandoned. The first building on the 
site of Corbett's Woolen Mills, northeast quar- 
ter of Section 10, was a saw-mill erected by 
Thomas Philips, in 1830 ; in 1835, a grist-mill 
was added ; in 1848, Mr. Frairie purchased it. 
and put in a carding machine, and in 1849, the 
general woolen machinery. It came into Cor- 
bett's possession in 1876. The Peny or Eb}' 
Mill was built in 1837, and operated thirt}'- 
seven 3'ears. It was located a short distance 
west of the Haniwalt mill. 

Hagerstown is the only tillage in East Perrj- 
Township. It derived this name from Christo- 
pher Hager. who first settled on the village site, 
the southwest corner of the northwest quarter 
of Section 22, and the quarter-sections that 
corner with it. The first store was opened in 
the village as a branch of a Johnsville store, 
and was under the management of J. Cannon 
and a Mr. Algire. "William James was the first 
blacksmith. Through the influence of John 
Sherman, a post office was secured in 1860-61, 
l)earing the name of Hagersville. Much of the 
mail matter designed for this office went to 
Haysville, and, on suggestion of the Postmaster 
at the latter place, it was changed to Darling- 
ton, by which name the town is also known. 
p]. Ruhl was the first Postmaster. J. Zimmerla 
is proprietor of a grocery and notion store at 
this date, and M. Paxton has a dry-goods store, 
and is Postmaster. 



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553 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



North Woodbury is a small village, located 
on the southwest corner of Section 18, and the 
cornering sections. The town was laid out by 
Joseph Terry, on land that he entered in 1820. 
An addition was made to it by A. Van Bus- 
kirk and John Markey, of Bellville. John 
Ruhl and Morgan Layering opened the first 
store, and 3Ir. Layering did the clerking. A. 
Van Buskirk purchased Mi*. Markey's interest 
about five j-ears after the store was opened. In 
1874, A. Ruhl became the sole proprietor. 
About the time Morrow County was created, 
considerable business was done in the village, 
and it possessed all the enterprises necessary 
for a first-class country town. But as the 
country improved, trade was directed in other 
channels, and it is now destitute of any con- 
siderable business. A. Van Buskirk was the 
first Postmaster. A. Ruhl held the office in 
1879. 

Johnsville, the largest and most enterprising 
town in the township, is located on the north- 
west corner of Section 8 and adjoining sections. 
It was laid out in 1836, by William Shauck and 
John Eby. Boj'd & Ackley started the first 
store in 1837. They were succeeded by Creigh 
& Shauck. The post office was obtained by 
Mr. Shauck, and received his name with the 
addition of an s. The office was kept several 
3'ears at his residence near the mill, before it 
was removed to the village. 

Ministers of the Gospel followed the first 
settlers to the township, and the propagation 
of Christianity commenced with the commence- 
ment of the township. The second church in 
the southern part of the county was built in 
Perry Township. The first was called a union 
church, and was built • in Worthington Town- 
ship, not far from where the Evangelical Church, 
known as the Four Corners Church, now stands. 

Center Church is located on Section 15. The 
first church in this locality was organized in 
1820, b}^ Silas Ensign, a Swedenborgian, and a 
house of worship was erected in 1822. This 



structure was burned after standing about five 
years, when Mr. Ensign and his followers ac- 
cepted the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and a new house was built in 1828. 
This society continued several years, but it 
gradually declined, and in 184:0 the place was 
abandoned. The Pi;otestant Methodists fol- 
lowed in order, and Rev. Messrs. Bigelow and 
Bell organized a church, and the house was 
built designated by the above name. The 
membership is small at present and unable to 
provide regular preaching services. 

Pleasant Grove Church is the propert}- of the 
Evangelical Association, and is located on the 
southwest corner of Section 12. The first 
labor in the Gospel field, instrumental in estab- 
lishing a church at this place, was performed by 
Michael Shuey. The first house was built 
jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed, about 
the year 1825. In 1838, the Salem Lutheran 
Church was erected in Jefferson Township, 
and the societies were divided. The two 
branches remaining fell into bitter contentions, 
and the house was not well cared for. In 
1846, an Evangelical society was organized, 
and the house sold to them the following year. 
Evangelical meetings were held in private 
houses as early as 1830. The present house 
was erected in 1863, at a cost of $1,500. The 
leading original members were C. Baker. S. 
Strome and James Steel. The Sabbath school 
was organized in 1855, with John Steel as 
Superintendent. The school numbered about 
fifty in 1879. 

The Perry Church (Christian, or Disciples) 
is located in the center of Section 23. The 
organization was probably effected in 1844 or 
1845. The principal members were William 
Dowland, Steven Cook, Peter W^eirick, Levi 
Ruhl, George Coon, George Algire and Henry 
McFerren. The first two were ministers. 
Rev. S. M. Cook is now Pastor. The present 
membership is about sixt}^ The Sabbath school 
was organized in 1853, with Anthon}' Hard- 



y\: 



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HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



553 



man, Superintendent. The school has been 
kept up through the summer seasons ever since 
it was organized. It numbers sixt^' pupils. 

The Clear Fork Church — United Brethren — 
is located on the northwest corner of the south- 
west quarter of Section 2. The church was 
commenced in 1852 or 1853, and the meeting- 
house built about the same time. The leading 
members were George Hiskey, Jacob Thuma, 
Peter Thuma, Jacob George, Daniel Cover and 
Jehu Fr}' . There are between thirty and fort}' 
members ; and Rev. Orr was Pastor in 1879. 
The Sabbath school was organized soon after 
the church. It has not been largely attended 
the past few summers. Mrs. Sarah Thuma was 
Superintendent in 1879. 

In the winter of 1871-72, Rev. C. C. Ball 
held a protracted meeting at the Center Church, 
about forty accessions resulting therefrom. A 
Methodist Episcopal society was formed. The 
Trustees of Center Church refused them the 
use of the house longer, and, April 20, 1872, 
a meeting was held and preparations made for 
the erection of a church. Darlington was se- 
lected as a location, and the house — 34x46 — 
was built at a cash outlay of $1,600. Count- 
ing the lumber and timber donated, it would 
swell the cost to over .$2,000. C. C. Ball was the 
first minister. Rev. E. Buxton filled the charge 
in 1879 and 1880. The membership is nine- 
teen. The Sabbath school was commenced in 
1873, and A. C. Huntsman was Superintendent. 

The Lutheran Church is located at the cross- 
roads, half a mile north of the village of Wood- 
bury. The commencement of the two societies 
which built the first church dates back to 1838, 
and, in 1841, the Lutherans and German Re- 
formed jointly completed a Inulding. George 
Leiter, a Lutheran minister, and his brother, 
Samuel Leiter. a Reformed, supplied the preach- 
ing for the two societies. The first protracted 
effort by the Lutherans was conducted by 
Barne}' Huffman, a missionary sent from Penn- 
sylvania. The leading original members were 



Henry Sowers, George Ruhl, George Hosier, 
Peter Baker, Martin Buckner, John Broad- 
beck, John Snyder, Adam Bechtel and their 
wives. The Reformed Society is extinct. The 
number of members in 1879 was 145. The 
house now occupied is brick, and was erected 
in 1861, at a cost of $4,000. Rev. G. M. 
Heindel is now Pastor. The Sabbath school 
was commenced about 1850, with George Ruhl 
acting as Superintendent. William Huntsman 
filled the position in 1879. The average attend- 
ance was about fift3'-five. 

A short time before the first protracted meet- 
ing bj' the Lutherans in the new church, a num- 
ber of the people of the locality attended an 
Evangelical meeting. Among the number who 
embraced religion was Adam Bechtel. He was 
not. however, fully persuaded, and, after the 
meeting was ended, he prayed for a sign to con- 
firm him. One night while in bed, soon after, 
he heard a noise, and, arising to ascertain the 
cause, he discovered his family Bible was moved 
from its accustomed place on the shelf by an 
unseen power, and fallen to the floor. He 
picked it up, and, on opening it, the first pas- 
sage of Scripture on Avhich his eyes rested, read 
like this : " He brought me up also out of a 
horrible pit." He was convinced. The revela- 
tion was noised abroad, and, in a shoi't time 
a meeting was commenced which continued till 
the following noon. In the afternoon, an effort 
was made to secure a place to hold a meeting, 
but without success. The next morning, sub- 
scription papers were started to get funds to 
build two new churches. They were completed 
in 1842. One is the property of the Evangel- 
ical Association, and the other of the United 
Brethren. The latter society continued to exist 
till 1862, when sectional strife regarding the 
reljelliou became so strong as to disband it. and, 
in 1866, their house of worship was sold to the 
Evangelical Church. 

The LTnited Brethren of Johusville was or- 
ganized in 1850. The leading members were 



>> 



554 



HrSTOBY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



D. Cover. G. G. Hiskey, H. Purely, W. Shauck, 
D. Riddle and Peter Thuma. The house used 
for worship was completed in November, 1849, 
is liuilt of brick, and cost $1,237- The present 
membership is thirty, and the annual contrilm- 
tions, for all purposes, $300. The Sabbath 
school was organized in 1845 ; membership 
fifty, in 1879. 

The Baptist Church of Johnsville was or- 
ganized by Elder Wolfin, in Woodbury, in 1858. 
The leading members were W. H. Shank, A. 
and J. Kelly, and J. Fringer. A meeting-house 
was erected in Johnsville, in 1859. It is a neat 
frame, and cost $900. The membership, in 
March, 1880, is forty ; yearly contributions, for 
all puqjoses. $275. The Sabbath school was 
commenced in 1873, and has an attendance of 
fifty. 

The Salem Baptist Church is located near the 
center of Section 5. Meetings were held in the 
locality of this church in the fall of 1846. and 



in January, 1847, the members met in the 
Lamb Schoolhouse, and organized under the 
leadership of Elder Benjamin Green. The 
principal members were Peter "Weirick, Abra- 
ham Hetrick and John Weirick. The meeting- 
house was finished in 1848. It was a brick, 
and stood till 1877, when it was torn down and 
a frame building was erected on the site, at a 
cost of $2,100. Elder Green was Pastor of the 
church until 1856, when superannuation ren- 
dered him incapable of further labor. Elder 
Milton Smith was the latest Pastor ; he died in 
February, 1880. The membership is twenty- 
eight. 

A tributary- of the Owl Creek, called " Lost 
Run," rises in the central part of the township, 
and flows diagonallj' to the Knox County line. 
It received this name from a man taking a 
prospecting tour through the township, and 
getting lost, followed the stream to the settle- 
ments. 



CHAPTER LV. 

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 

Organization — Survey and Physical Features — The Wyandot Trail — First Settlers and Settlements — 
First Marriages and Death.s — Yearian and the Bear — The Martial Band — Charles and Williaji 
BoDLEY- — "Entertainment" — First Post Office — First Frame and Brick Houses — First Preach- 
ers AND Churches — Plymouth Village — Its Location and Growth — The Settlements Around 
Plymouth — A Number of First Things — Mills and Distilleries — Churches — Change of Name — 
FiR.ST Mayors— Schools — Railroad — Wheat Market — The Call for Volunteers — The Cemeteries 
— Banics — Newspapers — Population — General Business, Etc. 



THIS township was originall}' part of Bloom- 
ing Grove, and was detached from it and 
organized into a separate township February- 
12, 1818, being then twelve miles long from 
east to west, and six miles wide. This terri- 
tory was divided April 3, 1820, the east half 
retaining the name of Plymouth. December 6, 
1849, Cass Township was erected out of the 
east two-thirds of Plymouth, and the latter ex- 
tended so as to take in two tiers of sections 



from Auburn. This reduced Plymouth to four 
by six miles in extent, in the northwest corner 
of Richland. This territor}- was surveyed l)y 
Maxfield Ludlow in 1807, several j'ears before 
an}' white man settled within its limits. The 
land is generalh* fertile, slighth- rolling, and 
across the center of the township, east and west, 
is a ridge which forms the dividing line between 
the waters of the Huron River and those of the 
Black Fork. In the notes of the survey, swamps 



V 



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HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



555 



and prairie lands are occasionally noticed, but 
the township was generally heavily timbered 
with all the varieties of hard wood, and is at 
present, all under a high state of cultivation. 
The old Wj'andot trail from the mouth of the 
Sandusky River to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) passes 
across the northeast corner, through the pres- 
ent village of Plymouth, and the march of Gen. 
Beall's army was along this trail in 1812. Gen. 
Beall widened this trail from a narrow path to 
a road of sufficient width for the passage of his 
wagons, and although it has been straightened 
in some places and abandoned in others, it is 
yet traceable on the map. Beall was guided 
through this country Ijy a Seneca chief named 
Capt. John, who was a great friend of the whites, 
and evinced great sagacity as a scout, and in 
guiding scouting parties of Beall's army. 

Ii was along this military road that the first 
settlers advanced in search of homes in the 
^Yest, and naturally enough, upon this road 
that the first settler in Plymouth Township is 
found, upon the present site of the village of 
Pl3'mouth. Here, on the headwaters of the 
Huron River, Abraham Trux erected his cabin, 
on the northwest quarter of Section 5, in the 
spring of 1815, and became the first settler. 
This cabin stood on the bank of an insignificant 
branch of the river, which passes through the 
village, and was a double cabin, of round logs. 
The lot is now owned by Aaron Kappenberg, 
and his butcher-shop occupies the exact spot 
upon which this first caljin was erected. Other 
settlers came in during this year (1815), some of 
them probably about the same time with 3Ir. 
Trux. Among these were John Concklin, who 
settled on the northeast quarter of Section 6 ; 
Daniel Kirkpatrick, northeast quarter of Section 
8 ; Robert Green, southeast quarter of Section 4 ; 
and John Long, northwest quarter of Section 
13. William and Daniel Prosser also came in 
this year or eai-ly in 181(3, the former settling 
on Section 19, and the latter on Section 
13. In 1816, came John Morris, who set- 



tled on Section 15 ; Thomas McCluer, Sec- 
tion 14 ; James Gardner and Michael Gipson, 
Section 1 ; James Douglas, Section 35. Set- 
tlers continued to arrive rapidly until in 
1818, when there was a suflflcient number to 
organize a township. The first election was 
held in the spring of 1818, in which Abraham 
Trux was made Justice of the Peace, Stephen 
Weliber, Constable ; John Concklin, John Long, 
and Thomas McClure, Trustees. Thomas Mc- 
Cluer was made Clerk, and Asa Murphy, Treas- 
urer. 

The daughters of two of these first settlers. 
Catharine Trux and Susan Concklin, were mar- 
ried in 1817, being the first marriages cele- 
brated in the township ; the first to Hugh Long 
and the last to Oliver Granger. No death oc- 
curred among them for four years, the first 
being that of Mrs. 3Iary, wife of John Conck- 
lin, in 1819. The prominence of her husband 
in the aflfairs of the township and church had 
given her an extended acquaintance, and she 
was gi'catly beloved. 

]Man3' of the settlers had served in the war 
of 1812, and nearly all of them were good 
hunters. Among the latter were Michael Trux. 
Charles Bodley, Jacob Wolf, Jedadiah ]Moor- 
head, 3Iichael Gipson, Robert Yearian and 
some others. Yearian made his own powder 
and guns, was a remarkable shot, as was also 
his son Frederick, who used a light rifle his 
father had made for him. It is related of this 
bo}', when he was about twelve j-ears old, he 
was one day separated from his father while 
hunting, and came suddenly upon a mother 
bear and her two cubs, upon whom he at once 
made war. The ball from his rifle was, how- 
ever, too small to do much execution, and the 
bear turned upon him, pressing him so closely 
that he had neither time to reload or climb a 
tree, and so ran in the dii-ection of his father. 
The latter, seeing him coming and the bear at 
his heels, called to him to run past him. which 
Fred did ; and as the bear passed, Yearian 



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556 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



planted one of his ounce balls in some vital 
part of the animal with such certainty and 
precision as to bring her down. The}- then 
carried the cubs home for pets. 

The settlers had their full share of patriotism. 
What the}' did the Fourth of July, and at their 
military musters, is well worth recording, and 
will appear in another chapter. This township 
was especially blessed with a martial band for 
such occasions, the members of which were 
Charles and Jesse Bodle}', tenor drummers ; 
William Dean, bass drummer, and Theason 
Richardson and Robert Bigler, fifers. The}' 
had an excellent reputation, and were often in- 
vited to consideral)le distances on Fourth of 
July and general training occasions, lured by 
the promise of dinner and drinks free. The 
Bodleys were quite prominent among the early 
settlers. Of these " Uncle William " may be 
specially noted. He was in his younger days 
a splendid specimen of a Low-Dutch xVmerican, 
standing six feet two inches in his stockings, 
broad-shouldered, bony and muscular, weigh- 
ing about two hundred pounds, cool and delib- 
erate, yet quick and active ; and to the day of 
his death never lost faith in George Washing- 
ton, his long-barreled gun, buttermilk pop, 
boiled dinners, knee breeches with silver buckles, 
plaited cue, his wife Dinah, or the ultimate 
glory of the American Republic. Neither did 
Mr. Bodley enjoy alone these good things ; he 
had many neighl)ors fully his equals in manly 
proportions and patriotic zeal and fire. Will- 
iam Bodley, Sr., was at this time an elderly 
man, but in his younger days had been an In- 
dian hunter in the 3Iohawk A^alley, New York, 
and had brought wdth him his long gun, which 
carried an ounce ])all, and made a louder report, 
he thought, than any gun in the West, of its 
size. He was always fond of talking al)out his 
gun and its w^onderful capacity. He hunted 
with it in the forests of New York, and it was 
his boast that it could bring down an Indian at 
a gi"eater distance than anv rifle, and when he 



sighted a deer or an elk, however great the 
distance, he was sure of meat for his family. 

There were prol)a])ly not more than five 
hewed-log houses in the township prior to 1820. 
These were owned by Alexander 3IcBride, Mr. 
Grrifflth, John Long, Benjamin Wooley and 
Jacob Vanhouten. Long and Vanhouten had 
boards, supported by poles, in front of their 
cabins, upon which was inscribed " Entertain- 
ment," wdiich meant, in those days, "hog, hom- 
iny and whisky," which were enjoyed by the 
weary traveler at a moderate compensation. 
Whisky was 15 cents per gallon — the pure 
stuff — and was therefore used about as freely 
as w^ater. Until 1822, the mails were carried 
on horseback and on foot, but about this date 
stages made their appearance, a route having 
been established from Columbus to Portland 
(now Sandusky City). These stages followed 
"Beall's trail " through this part of the country. 
What a wealth of fact and romance must have 
been crowded into the lives of those stage- 
drivers ! The first post office established in 
that part of the country was about the year 
1817, a few miles east of Plymouth Village, on 
the military road, on Section 4 of what is now 
Cass Township. It was kept by a jolly old 
Hollander by the name of Jacol) "V^anhouten, 
and called "Plymouth." The regular six- 
horse teams began also to make their appear- 
ance along the trail, loaded with produce for the 
lakes. Arriving at the lakfe, they would dis- 
charge their cargoes and load up with salt, fish, 
etc., for the return trip. 

The first frame house was erected in 1822, on 
the northwest quarter of Section 18, by Flem- 
ing Wilson ; and the first brick house in 1823, 
by James Douglas, on the southwest quarter of 
Section 35. Mr. Douglas made the lirick him- 
self, on his own land ; and it is stated that one 
morning, when the workmen went out on the 
brickyard to work, the tracks of a panther 
were plainly impressed on the soft bricks that 
had been left on the yard the evening before. 



:v 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



557 



The early settlers of Plymouth Township 
were, perhaps, more than other townships, at a 
loss about getting their grinding done. There 
were many brooks and beautiful springs in dif- 
ferent parts of the township, but none of suffi- 
cient strength for an}' consideral)le period of 
the year, to furnish especially excellent water 
power. The}' were compelled, therefore, to travel 
great distances for this purpose. This state of 
things could not last where Yankee ingenuity 
and wit were not lacking. Mr. John Webber 
had been a miller l)y trade, and concluded he 
could work out a set of buhrs, or millstones, 
from the native granite bowlders, or " nigger- 
head " stone, which abounded in the country of 
almost an}- size. Selecting two large specimens, 
he succeeded by great labor in shaping them to 
suit him. These buhrs, instead of being two 
flat surfaces working against each other like the 
French buhr, were made, the nether one in the 
shape of a cone, and the upper bowl shaped to 
fit over it. The lower one was made stationary 
and the upper revolved around it. This mill 
was run by a little spring stream on Mr. Web- 
ber's land, and was a success. It was a curios- 
ity even in that day, and would be much 
more so to-day. Part of this mill is still 
in existence — the bowl part being used as 
as a water trough, at the house of a man named 
Cline, a short distance south of Shelby Junc- 
tion. A wheelwi'ight and carpenter named Rouse 
Bly assisted Mr. Webber in the erection of this 
mill. 

Many horse-mills were erected in different 
parts of the township. In 1825, Mr. Trux 
erected a water-mill upon the little stream near 
his cabin. Steam power was unknown in those 
days, and this mill could only be used a portion 
of the year, but it has l^een in operation from 
that day to this, having been rebuilt and hav- 
ing changed hands many times ; steam power 
being added in the course of time. It is now 
operated by Snyder & Wolf Further down 
this stream, near Plymouth Village, is another 



mill owned and operated liy Ross Cuykendall. 
It also uses steam and water power, and has 
Ijeen in operation many years. 

The sul)jectof education and religion received 
the early attention of the settlers here as else- 
where. The early missionary preachers through 
here were Rev. Mr. Wolf, a Presbyterian, Mr. 
Arbuthnot, a Covenanter, Mr. Mclntire, a jNIeth- 
odist, and John Chapman, a Swedenborgian. 
Rev. Benjamin Wooley, a Methodist, settled on 
the northwest quarter of Section 4, in 1817, and 
became a local preacher. Nearly all the early 
ministers found in other parts of the county 
were also well known here. Among them, the 
well-known names of Bigelow, Benajah Board- 
man, Harry 0. Sheldon, Enoch Congor and 
others appear. These were excellent men, with 
clear heads and stout hearts, preaching wherever 
they could find shelter, and often when they 
could not. They established church organiza- 
tions, and assisted in the erection of churches 
all over the county and adjoining counties, 
They spent their lives in the wilderness sowing 
good seed, and unconsciously, perhaps, building 
their own monuments. 

Perhaps as early as 1816 or 1817, a Metho- 
dist class was formed at the house of John 
Long. John Murphy was its leader. These 
were earnest people, and this class continued in 
existence long after Methodist churches were 
erected in different parts of the county. The 
United Presbyterians, the General Assembly 
Presbyterians and the German Reformed people 
held meetings generally at the house of John 
Concklin until 1819, when they organized a 
church under the care of the Richland Pres- 
bytery, called the " First Presbyterian Church 
of Plymouth," with forty-two members ; and 
the same year erected a large log meeting- 
house on the corner of Peter Ruckman's land. 
Section 7. The first Elders of this church were 
John Concklin, Abraham Yanhouten, Levi 
Bodley and Daniel Gunsaulus. This society was 
organized at the house of Abraham A'anhouten. 






•<< K 



^ 



558 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



Rev. Mathews was present and aided in the 
work. 

In 1822 or 1823, there was a division in this 
church, not on account of any difficulty among 
the members, but the church had grown rapidly, 
and a number of memliers desired to Avithdraw, 
feeling themselves sufficiently strong in num- 
bers, and organize a United Presbyterian 
Church. This they did, and afterward Ixiilt a 
house of worship, about two miles southwest of 
the old log church. Rev. Arbuthnot and Rev. 
Johnson were among the first meml^ers of this 
church, and the principal movers were Daniel 
Gunsaulus, William Bodley, Daniel Kirkpat- 
rick and others. The house was a small frame, 
located on Section 13, and is not now in use, 
the organization having gone out of existence. 

The first two or three years after the first set- 
tlement here, schools were taught in private 
houses, and were " select," that is, no puljlic 
funds were used in their maintenance, there be- 
ing none to use. The first schoolhouse was 
erected in 1818, in time for the winter school 
of 1818-19. It was of logs, and stood upon 
the land of Daniel Kirkpatrick, Section 8. 
Robert ^McKelvey taught here the first winter, 
and John Webber the second. 

This township came very near not having a 
town within its present limits, the present vil- 
lage of Plymouth being about equally divided 
by the northern line of the township and county, 
the northern part lying in New Haven Town- 
ship, Huron Count}-. 

There is this somewhat remarkable fact about 
the early history of the place — it was a town 
before any one thought of laying out or plat- 
ting it. It seemed to be the natural place for 
a town, these things being governed by a law 
which is secret and subtle in its operations, 
and not generally understood, yet an}- violation 
of it brings sure and certain punishment, as 
has again and again been demonstrated by the 
defunct villages all over the country. Generally, 
towns are planted, as it were, nourished and 



made to grow ; but Plymouth, or Paris, as it 
was first called, sprang up, grew and developed, 
like a mushroom in the wilderness. It is lo- 
cated on Beall's military road. Beall moved 
very slowly in those da^-s : first, he must cut 
his way through a dense forest, and, sec- 
ondly, he desired to keep between the settle- 
ments and the Indians of the Northwest. His 
movement was made immediately after Hull's 
surrender, when it was feared that a British 
and Indian army would make a raid across the 
State of Ohio. He took the route that seemed 
to him best calculated for his purpose, and this 
happened to be the old Wj-andot trail, before 
mentioned. Gen. Beall moved slowly and 
camped frequentl}', and it is not unlikely that 
after leaving Camp Council (referred to in an- 
other chapter), he went into camp again upon 
reaching the headwaters of the Huron River, at 
this point, and remained in camp here several 
days. A year after the war, when Abraham 
Trux and his companions came along this trail, 
hunting new homes, the}' came upon this spot, 
where Beall had camped, and cleared off a few 
acres of ground, as he would naturally do, and 
did do at every camping place. They thought 
this would be a good place to stop and build 
their cabins. The}- were hunters and back- 
woodsmen ; game was plenty and the country 
beautiful. They were likely soon to have 
neighbors, for this open military road would 
soon become a highway for the incoming emi- 
grants. They were not mistaken ; neighbors 
came to them rapidly, and, within the next ten 
years, sixteen log-houses sprang up where the 
village of Plymouth now stands, and as yet, no 
town was laid out. Besides, the country was 
being rapidly settled. The emigrants dropped 
into the little town one by one as the years 
went by, and, thinking the country delightful, 
went into the neighborhood and located lands. 
Many of these were Connecticut Yankees, with 
land warrants in their pockets, which called for 
a certain amount of land on the Connecticut 



"71 



V 



±t±H 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



559 



Reservation. These people followed the old 
militaiy road to Paris, and then went north 
" blazing " their way to their farms. Thus it 
was, before Paris was laid out, there were set- 
tlements in every direction, and " blazed trails " 
leading from the village to these diffex'ent set- 
tlements. It is a remarkable fact, that no less 
than fourteen or fifteen " blazed trails " led 
through the woods to as man}- different settle- 
ments, all these trails centering in Paris. They 
were not roads ; they were hardly paths, the 
blazed trees alone directing the traveler to the 
''Morris, Green and Van Osdell Settlement," 
the " White Settlement," the " G^-pson and Gard- 
ner Settlement," the " Bodley Settlement," the 
" Broomback and Swearengen Settlement," the 
'• Bevier Settlement," and " Swan and Smith 
Settlement," etc. 

It seems a little strange that it took ten years 
of time, and all these settlers and thus cluster 
of houses, to impress upon the minds of some 
of the earl}' settlers the necessity of lajing out 
a town ; but such seems to lie the case, for the 
village of Paris was not laid out until the 
17th da}' of May, 1825, at which time, as before 
stated, there were sixteen log houses on its site, 
occupied by the following settlers : Abraham 
Trux, Patrick Lynch, Benjamin Wooley, James 
Young, Enos Rose, Abner Harkness, A. D. "VV. 
Bodley, Haslo, John and Henry Barney, 
Christian Gulp, B. F. Taylor, William C. 
Enos and Lemuel Powers. These men were 
generally mechanics, and picked up what 
work came to the place, by reason of the 
travel on its gi-eat thoroughfare, passing the 
remainder of their time hunting, trapping and 
farming. 

The town was laid out by Abraham Trux, 
Lemuel Powers and John Barney, on a high, 
sandy rolling piece of ground, and consisted, at 
first, of forty-seven in-lots, all of which were 
sold in less than two years, and additions made 
which found a ready sale, and Plymouth prom- 
ised to be a citv. 



The first blacksmith was Patrick Lynch ; the 
first lawyer, William C. Enos ; the first doctor, 
Lemuel Powers ; the first tailor, Mr. Curtis ; 
the first shoemakers, John Skinner and W. Y. 
B. Moore ; the first tanner, Hugh Long ; the 
first bricklayer and plasterer, Robert Morfoot 
(yet living) ; the first wheelwright, A. D. W. 
Bodley ; the first cooper, Anthony McLaughlin; 
the first cabinet-maker, James Drennan ; the 
first carpenters, William Crall, James Dickson 
and Mr. Gilcrease ; the first merchants, Wilson 
Brothers, ]\Iathew McKelvey and G. G. Graham. 

Very soon after the town was laid out, Abra- 
ham Trux erected the gi'ist-mill before men- 
tioned, and also a saw-mill near his house, on 
a branch of the Huron River. Two distilleries 
were also erected, one by Lemuel Powers and 
the other by William McKelvey. These distil- 
leries purchased the corn, which they made into 
whisky, and therefore created a market for 
corn, about the only article of produce the 
farmer could sell. The whisky was hauled 
to the lake — except what was consumed at 
home, which was no small quantity — where 
it found a ready market. 

These distilleries were, however, soon discon- 
tinued, Mr. McKelvey receiving an injury which 
disabled him, and Dr. Powers having been 
converted to the cause of temperance. The 
latter turned his distillery into a hat factory, 
which was conducted by him with success until 
his death, when it passed into the hands of his 
son, A^olney, who continued it several years. 

The travel on the military road brought many 
strangers to the place, and made- ''taverns" a 
necessity. Before the place was two years old, 
three of these institutions existed, kept by 
James Drennan, Jacob Heller and Mr. Linsay, 
where the '• hog, hominy and whisky," wild 
meats and " corn pone." were plentifully spread 
before the mud-bespattered stage-drivers and 
their weary passengers. 

The same year in which the village was 
laid out, the people erected, by subscription 



A 



>^, 



560 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



and volunteer labor, a comfortable schoolhouse, 
22x30 feet square, which was used for a school 
during week dajs and a church on Sunda}-, in 
which religious people of all denominations 
gathered for worship. As the Methodists were 
the most numerous, it was agi'eed that they 
should control and take care of the building, 
but should give wa}' to a reasonable extent to 
people of other denominations by having two 
weeks' notice of the wish on the part of others 
to use it. This singular arrangement was har- 
moniously and pleasantly carried out, as long 
as the building lasted, or was needed for that 
purpose. The Methodists worshiped in this 
house Ave or six years, when the}' erected a 
frame church on Light street, and, about 1835, 
they made an addition to this building of twenty 
feet, and added a Ijelfry, in which was hung the 
first church bell in this part of the country. 
In later years, they erected the fine brick 
building now occupied by them on Sandusky 
street. 

When the town was laid out, the Presbyteri- 
ans had a large log church (before mentioned), 
about one and a half miles from town, which 
they occupied during the summer months, and 
in the winter shared, with other denominations, 
the schoolhouse in town, until the Methodist 
erected their church, when they occasionally used 
the ^lethodist Church, until they grew strong 
enough to build one of their own, which was 
about the ^-ear 1838. They erected a good 
substantial frame, with stone basement, in a 
beautiful and commanding spot on Bucyrus 
street, which, with some alterations and im- 
provements, they still occupy. This church is 
strong and well sustained, and for many years 
has had a large and active Sunday school con- 
nected with it. Rev. Mr. Barnes has charge at 
present. The Methodists are, however, the most 
numerous religious body in this vicinit}-. Their 
organization is large and active, and their Sun- 
day school large and well sustained. Rev. Mr. 
Ball is the present minister. 



About the yeav 1838 or 1839, the Lutherans 
erected a substantial church, on Lots 22 and 23, 
to which some additions have since been made. 
This church is also active and well sustained. 
Rev. Miller being Pastor. A large Sunday' 
school is connected with it. 

A Congregational church was erected many 
3'ears ago, on Lots 12 and 13. The societ}', 
however, is not numerous, and no services are 
held in the church at present, neither is there 
an}' Sunday school connected with it. 

A Catholic society was organized and church 
erected, in 1873, on Lot 3, in Deringer's Addi- 
tion. The society is not strong. 

The name of the village being Paris, and the 
name of the post office Pl^-mouth, man}' mis- 
takes were made in the mail and freight busi- 
ness, and to avoid trouble of this kind, a char- 
ter was procured for the town, with the name 
of Plymouth, in 1838, and the town has been 
governed by officers elected under that charter 
to the present time. The first JNIayor was Dan- 
iel Colckglazer ; the second, Ensign Benscho- 
ter, and the third, Robert "Wilson. 

The subject of education has received atten- 
tion, since the settlement began, and alwa}'s 
just and energetic treatment. 

The first schoolhouse has been referred to, 
and was called the " Old Red," the first teacher 
being Mr. Howe, a gentleman of the " old 
school," who understood and instructed his pu- 
pils in that old-fashioned branch of education 
(now, perhaps unfortunately, gone out of use), 
called " manners." The second teacher here 
was Elisha Brown. About the year 1831, Mr. 
McKelvey, a prosperous merchant, who had a 
large family of daughters, erected a frame 
house with two rooms, which he called a female 
seminary. The school was taught by a lady of 
good education, and was well patronized. 

In 1834, the town was divided into two dis- 
tricts, and a brick house erected, which, with 
the old red, served until 1849, when the two 
districts were re-united and organized under 



»? ®" 



:^ 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUXTY. 



561 



whfit was known as the "Akron" law, and a 
fine house, for the times, ■v^as erected. It was a 
comfortable frame, contained five rooms, and 
in this, the school was graded. This building 
served the purpose until 1875, when the pres- 
ent beautiful and substantial structure was 
erected, and cost about $25,000. It is of stone 
and brick, and contains nine recitation-rooms 
and a hall. 

The Sandusk}', Mansfield & Newark Railroad 
was finished to this place in May, 1846. Before 
it was fairl}' finished to Mansfield, a large 

number of Pl^'m- 

outh citizens went ] 
down on open cars 
attached to the con- 
struction-train, to 
attend a meeting 
called for the pur- 
pose of obtaining 
volunteers for the 
Mexican war. The 
same year, a large 
grain warehouse 
was erected at 
Plymouth, capable 
of storing 300,000 
liushels of wheat, 
and Plj'mouth im- 
mediately became 

a great wheat market. As much as 8,000 
bushels of wheat were received per day at 
this warehouse, for several days in succession. 
From the east, west, and for awhile, from the 
south, people came great distances to the wheat- 
market. Other railroads, after a time, destro^'ed 
this trade. 

When the call for troops in 1861 flashed 
over the wires, the five church-bells of Pl3-m- 
outh rang for an hour. The citizens came to- 
gether, and men within the hearing of the bells 
came in from the countr}-. In less than three 
hoiu's, a full compan}- of volunteers was organ- 
ized and tendered to the Grovernor by telegi-am. 



PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 



and were, in two hours, accepted by him. 
Plymouth Village and Township furnished their 
full quota of troops to put down the great 
rebellion. 

Plymouth's first burying-gi'ound was at New 
Haven, and the first person buried in this 
ground was Mr. Beymer, gi'andfather of ]Mrs. 
Thomas Kinney. The first graveyard in the 
village was Lot 23, donated by Abraham Trux. 
It soon became apparent that the town would 
improve around this lot, and it was vacated ; a 
lot being purchased near the Presljj-terian 

Church. In 1874, 

a number of citi- 
zens f o r m e d a n 
association called 
"The Green Lawn 
Cemeter}' Associa- 
tion," and pur- 
chased twenty- 
three acres of land 
hing near the vil- 
lage, which was laid 
out into nine hun- 
dred and forty lots, 
with drives and 
walks. These 
gi'ounds have been 
cultivated and 
beautified, and will, 
in time, be among the most beautiful in the 
State, 

The first bank was started in 1839, b}- Messer 
Barker, Avho did a banking business in connec- 
tion with his mercantile business, and continued 
to do so until his death in 1859 ; after which 
Robert McDonough and S. M. Robinson did the 
banking business for Plymouth until 1870, 
when the former opened a regular bank of 
discount and deposit, and continued until 
hisdeath in May, 1873. Soon after, the First 
National Bank was organized by John Devin- 
ne}', Henry C. Breckenridge, H. P. Steutz, E. 
Sturges, Sr., of Mansfield, T. B. Tucker, and 




562 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



others. This bank is yet doing a flonrishing 
business. 

In 1851, E. H. Sanford started a paper in 
Plymouth Village, called the Plymouth Journal^ 
in the old "Peninsular" building, which has 
been for many years occupied as a photograph 
gallery. In 1853, he 
sold out to H. M. Woos- 
ter, who conducted it a 
short time, and sold out 
to Robinson & Locke 
(the latter generally 
known as Petroleum V. 
Nasby ) , who changed 
the name of the paper to 
Plymouth Advertiser. In 
1859, the concern was pur- 
chased by A. H. Balsley, 
now publisher of a paper 
in Fremont, Ohio. Balsley 
conducted it until Janu- 
arj^, 1864, when he sold 
out to J. M. Beelman, 
who afterward took his 
brother, J. Frank Beel- 
man, into partnership, and together they con- 
ducted the paper until 1876, when J. M. Beelman 
retired, and the paper has since been conducted 
by J. Frank Beelman. 

The population of the village is, at present, 
something more than a thousand. The manu- 




FIRST NATIONAL BANK, PLYMOUTH 



facturing power consists of eleven steam en- 
gines and one water-wheel. The secret socie- 
ties are the Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Tem- 
plars, Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum. 
There are two hotels, five dry-goods stores, two 
clothing and five grocery stores, four millinery 
establishments, two hard- 
ware, two stove and tin, 
three drug, two shoe, and 
two furniture stores, and 
the usual number of me- 
chanics and small trades- 
men. 

General^ considered, 
Plymouth is a pretty, 
clean, healthy village. 
The intelligence of its 
citizens is of a high order, 
and the society excellent. 
There are an unusual 
number of old people 
living in and near the 
village, which speaks 
well for the healthiness 
of the locality. It be- 
longs properly- to the \Yestern Reserve, of 
which the lamented Ba3-ard Taylor, the greatest 
of American travelers, once said that no other 
place on the globe of equal extent could equal 
it in intelliarence. 




^ 



■■f^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



563 



CHAPTER LVI. 

SANDUSKY TOWNSHIP. 

Its Primitive Condition — Crawford's March — Hunting Ground — Early Settlers and Settlements — The 
" RiBLET House" — Mrs. Hibner and the Bear — Organization of the Township — First Election — 
Schools — Churches — Origin of the Name. 



THE territoiT now included in Sandusky 
Township maintained its primitive con- 
dition until about 1817, before any permanent 
white settler made his appearance. The first 
white men to press the soil of the township, 
so far as is definitely and positively known, 
were the armed, belted and buckskinned knights 
under Col. William Crawford, in 1782, as the}' 
went silentl}', swiftly and with grim determina- 
tion to battle, death and disaster on the San- 
dusky plains. They halted at Spring ^lills 
over night, and in the morning took a prett}' 
direct course west, crossing the township very 
near the site of Crestline, but probabl}' a little 
north of that place, striking the Sandusky River 
near Leesville. This was a good hunting ground 
for the AYyandots and Delawares ; a chief of 
the latter tribe, Wingenund, having his camp 
for man}- ^ears on the river near Leesville. 
Col. Crawford was captured near the latter 
place. This was a beautiful home for these 
red men ; the beautiful sparkling little streams, 
the plains stretching away for man}- miles, sur- 
rounded b}' deep, dark forests, full of game of 
every kind, and dotted over b}- little clumps 
of trees ; all made a paradise which the}' were 
loathe to relinquish, and only relinquished after 
years of hard fighting and much l)loodshed and 
suflering. The remorseless white man, how- 
ever, was determined to possess this beautiful 
country, and. being superior in numerical and 
intellectual strength, succeeded. 

When the first settlers entered Sandusky 
Township, it was one of the best hunting- 



grounds in the State. All kinds of wild game 
was so plenty that the hunter could supply his 
table with meat almost without stepping out- 
side his cabin door ; had it not been for this, 
they would have suffered greatly for provisions 
the first two years, as but little could be planted 
the first year, on account of the difficulty of 
making an opening in the gi'eat woods, and, be- 
fore the first crop of corn grew to maturity, 
says Mr. Snyder, one of the earliest settlers, 
" the squirrels came by hundreds and thousands 
and took it all." 

It is a difficult matter to get the names and 
locations of the earliest settlers in the town- 
ship, as nearly all have gone to their long 
homes or moved away ; but the following per- 
sons were among the earliest settlers, and, it is 
believed, were the earliest in the township. 
Some of these settled in what is now Crawford 
County, ])ut some are known to have settled 
within the present limits of Sandusky Town- 
ship, as at present constituted. The first were 
Christian Snyder and Jacob Fisher, who came 
in 1817, and settled about two miles southwest of 
the present town of Crestline. Following these 
were John Doyle, 1818 ; Joseph Russell, 1818 ; 
Louis Lyberger, 1819 ; Daniel 3Iiller, 1818 ; 
Henry Hersner, 1819, and John Reed, 1818. 
Of these, Louis Lyberger and Hemy Hersner are 
known to have settled within the present limits 
of Sandusky Township, probably on Section 
23. The first settlement, therefore, occurred 
near the center of the township. The others 
settled in what is now Crawford County ; and 



:xi 



r 



liL 



564 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY 



Mr. Snyder saj-s there was not a white settler in 
the territory now embraced in that county when 
he came. The first settlement east of them 
was the Douglas settlement in Springfield Town- 
ship, and, when they started west from this set- 
tlement, on their arrival, they were compelled 
to cut a road for their teams to the land they 
had entered. This was the second road cut 
through the township, the soldiers on their 
march in 1812 having cut the first through the 
northern part. This was the only road for 
many years, but was finally abandoned. A few 
of these settlers came from Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and the remainder from near Steubenville, 
Ohio. 

The early settlers who arrived after those 
named were Mordecai Harding, Section 36 ; 
Daniel Riblet,came in 1831 and settled on Sec- 
tion 25 ; John Brookwalter, Section 26 ; Chris- 
topher Fletcher, Section 25 ; Jacob Haflich, 
1828, Section 24; George Johnson, Section 13, 
1820 ; Carson, Section 13 ; Andrew Tay- 
lor, Section 1 ; Rev. Culler, Section 13 ; George 
Walters, Section 12. The Hardings and Sny- 
ders were among the first settlers in the south- 
ern part of the township. Daniel Riblet was a 
prominent man in the township and count}- ; 
was Justice of the Peace eighteen years and 
sei-ved two terms in the Legislature — from 
1840 to 1844. He was from Union County, 
Penn., and died November 6, 1865. For many 
years, he kept what was well known as the Riblet 
House, at a point on the Mansfield & Bucyrus 
road, about half-way between Ontario and 
Gallon. This was a stopping-place for the 
stages. The house was first built of logs, after- 
ward a frame was added. It is yet standing 
and is occupied as a dwelling. A post office 
was established here while the stages were run- 
ning — one of the first, if not the first, in the town- 
ship; and the militia musters frequently occurred 
here, making it altogether an important point. 

The Snyder family were somewhat remarka- 
ble for longevit}-. Christian dj-ing at ninety- 



eight, and his wife, Mary M., at one hundred 
and seven. An Indian trail ran across the 
township, east and west, very close to their 
house. Mr. Snyder says it was about the 
width of a sheep-path, and many times he has 
seen parties of Wyandots on this trail, pass- 
ing along in single file, and while thus on the 
march, he never knew them to speak a word to 
each other, or make the slightest noise. They 
never disturbed the new settlers, but often di- 
vided their venison with them. The Indians 
and white settlers Ijoth made large quantities 
of maple sugar every year. 

Among the early settlers, also, was a family 
by the name of Hibner, and the bear story, 
handed down l^y this family, is illustrative of 
the condition of the township in those early 
daj^s. They lived, as did everybod}- in those 
times, in a log house, with an immense chim- 
ney occupying most of one end. One day, 
while JNIr. Hibner was away from home and 
Mrs. H. was busy about her work, she heard a 
noise near the chimney, and, looking around, 
was horrified to see the great black paw of a 
bear, reaching through an opening beside the 
chimne}'. The opening was caused b}' one of 
the chimney stones having become loosened 
and rolled to one side. She had placed her 
babe upon the floor, on a blanket, near the fire, 
and the bear was endeavoring to reach it. For- 
tunately it was be3'ond its reach, and the mother 
was very quick to remove it still further away. 
Finding his chances for a dinner had disap- 
peared, liruin moved away. iMany such stories 
are remembered by these earl}' pioneers, but 
space forbids the mention of them. It is not 
the paws of a bear that troubles the mother of 
to-day,- but croup and kindred diseases, that 
must have come with civilization, for they 
were not known in those early days. 

The township was organized February 12, 
1818, and at that time was twelve miles long 
from north to south, and six miles wide, and 
included Vernon, Jackson, Polk (the two last in 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



565 



Crawford County), and what is now left of it. 
It remained in that shape until March 9, 1845, 
when it was divided, and the north half called 
Vernon, leaving Sandusky six miles square, in 
which shape it should have been allowed to re- 
main ; but when the rage for county seats grew 
to an uncontrollable extent, and Crawford County 
was formed, February 3, 1845, four tiers of sec- 
tions from the west side of this township were 
cut off and handed over to Crawford, leaving a 
strip two miles wide remaining of Sandusky'. 
In their cutting and slashing to get the new 
count}', two sections immediately south of San- 
dusky were left unprovided for, and these were 
consequently attached to the southern end of it, 
making the township seven miles long from 
north to south, and two miles wide, in which 
condition it has ever since remained. The only 
town in it is East Crestline. It has three rail- 
roads, the Atlantic & Great Western passing 
through near its center, and the Pittsburgh, 
Fort Wayne & Chicago, and Cleveland, Colum- 
bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, through the 
northern part. The land is generally gently 
rolling, all tillable, and very fertile. It was 
once densely wooded with all species of hard 
Avood, but now contains beautiful and well cul- 
tivated farms. There are no streams of size 
within its limits, though Clear Fork near its 
sources passes through the southern portion, 
and the headwaters of the Sandusky River, 
through the northern part. There is not suffi- 
cient water-power in these for milling purposes, 
consequently there were no water-mills in the 
township in an early day; the settlers going to 
Bellville for their gi'inding. Later, two horse- 
mills were erected, one by ]McQuade, in the 
southern part, and one by Snyder further north. 
Hominy lilocks were in general use before this. 

The first election was held in Mr. IMozier's 
house, twelve votes being cast, and John Will- 
iams elected Justice of the Peace. 

Several years elapsed before any school or 
schoolhouse was established. Jacob Dome was 



said to have been the first teacher. He taught 
a " subscription " school of about a dozen 
scholars. He was an ignorant German, and did 
little good. Russell's schoolhouse, south of 
the present village of Crestline, was one of the 
earliest, if not the earliest, in the township. 

JMr. Snyder sa^'s the third year of their resi- 
dence in the woods, a terrific windstorm blew 
down their house and barn, and destroyed their 
growing crops, besides making gi'eat havoc in 
the timber. 

Two churches have at present an organized 
existence within the limits of the township. 
The first one of these was erected by the 
Free-Will Baptists, about 1850, on Section 
36, in the Harding settlement. It is a small 
frame church. Harvey Day, Samuel Nestle- 
rode, Mr. Reese and some others were among 
the first organizers and influential members. 
This organization went to pieces for some rea- 
son, and the church remained unoccupied for 
some years. In 1877, it was taken possession 
of bj' the "Albrights," who organized a church 
of which Jacob Lohr, Phillip Corman, John 
iMorton and others were the organizers. Rev. 
Hawks was their first minister. A Sabbath 
school is connected with the church, which is 
kept up the entire year. 

The other church, called Riblet's Chapel, was 
erected near the old Riblet Tavern, about or 
before 1800. It is a Methodist Episcopal, and 
cost about 1800. 

It was erected by the Lutherans, and during 
the first years of its existence was used b}- all 
denominations. In later years, however, it be- 
came exclusivel}' the property of the jMethod- 
ists. Rev. Coon was one of its first Pastors, 
and a few of its early influential members were 
Daniel Riblet, Jacob Haflich and John Wein. 
The Methodists organized about Januarj', 1876. 
The present Pastor is J. H. Johnson ; member- 
ship, about thirty. A Sunday school was or- 
ganized in 1 876. John Riblet is Superintendent, 
with a membership of fift3'. 



:tx: 



-S> 



>> 



566 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



It looks as if Sandusk}' should follow the 
lead of townships north of her and take a slice 
from Springfield on the east, to compensate her 
for loss of territory- and make her equal in ex- 
tent to the others. The name Sandusky comes 
from the Wjandots — their Sah-un-dus-kee mean- 
ing " clear water ;" or their San-doos-tee^ "at 
the cold water ;" and their Sa-undustee, "water 



within water pools." The latter signification is 
peculiarly applicable to Sandusky Bay and the 
extensive marshes on its borders, which are 
intersected in mam' directions b}' pools and 
channels of open water. The French traders, 
who were on the banks of the Sandusky River 
years before any other white men, called it 
Sandusquet. 



CHAPTER LYII. 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



Organization, Water, Soil and Timber — Indian Occupation — Roads — First Settlers — An Indian Dance, 
AND Other Reminiscences — First Election — Indian Trails — Mills — Shelby, its Establishment and 
Early History — Schools and School Buildings — Churches — The Press of Shelby — Insurance 
Companies — Business of Shelby — Vernon Station. 



SHARON TOWNSHIP was created out of 
Blooming Grove, February 9, 1819, and in- 
cluded one-half the territory now within the 
boundaries of Jackson Township. In the rage 
for county seats, which reduced Richland 
County to its present limits, Sharon was reduced 
to its present size, four by six miles, in the 
western and northern part of the county. 

Next to Madison, it contains the largest town 
in the county, Shelby. The land is all tillable 
and of fine quality. The eastern portion is well 
watered b}' the Black Fork and its tributaries, 
which traverse its entire length, from south to 
north ; and Paramour Run, which passes from 
east to west across the southwest corner. 

Near its center, running north and south, the 
land is elevated, forming the dividing ridge 
between the head- waters of the Muskingum 
and those of the Sandusky River. The larger 
part of the township slopes gently to the north. 

The surface is generall}' leA'el or gently roll- 
ing, and in its primitive state, was covered 
with a dense growth of hard wood. 

Two railroads, the Cleveland. Columlnis, Cin- 
cinnati & Indianapolis, and the Mansfield. Cold- 



water & Lake Michigan pass diagonally across 
it ; crossing each other near its center. 

A well-worn Indian trail passed across the 
township, its general direction being northeast, 
in the direction of Lower Sandusky (Fremont). 
The Delaware, Wyandot and Seneca Indians 
generally used this territory as a hunting- 
ground ; and a portion of one of these tril^es 
had a permanent camp on a branch of the Black 
Fork, about two miles, a little west of south of 
the present town of Shelby. This camp, con- 
sisting of ten or a dozen Indians, under the 
lead of Johnnj-cake, remained here until about 
the year 1828, when the}- left, never to return. 
A trail passed through this encampment, from 
Mansfield to a DelaAvare camp (probabl}' Wing- 
enund's) on the head-waters of the Sandusky 
River, near Leesville. So far as known, this 
was the only permanent Indian camp within 
the limits of the township, though evidence 
exists, here and there, of temporary camps for 
hunting purposes. The great wave of the sea 
of civilization has long since l)lotted out all 
external evidences of Indian occupation, except 
here and there the plow yet turns up some 



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1>_ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



569 



curiously shaped stone implement, which speaks, 
in its silent wa}^, of " that exiled race." 

Probably the first road opened by white men 
into the wilderness of Sharon, followed this 
Indian trail from Mansfield, and was cut hj 
Uriah Matson and the Currans, who were among 
the first settlers in what is now Jackson Town- 
ship. However, about the same time, or soon 
after, a road was cut from Beall's trail to Gan- 
ges, and from there into the northern part of 
Sharon, where Shelb}' was afterward established. 
It was hj these two roads that the first settlers 
entered the township, about the year 1818. 

It appears that the first settlement occurred 
on the present site of the town of Shelby. 

The following, regarding the early settlement, 
appeared some years ago in the Shelby News, 
written, it is understood, b}' Mr. Rockwell, of 
that place : 

'' Tbe first settlers within the present limits of 
Sharon Township were Eli Wilson, Henry 
Whitney and Stephen Marvin, who came in the 
fall of 1818. Mr. Wilson's cabin was erected 
on the east side of South Gamble street, on the 
second lot south from the west side of the pub- 
lic square. It is perhaps the highest point of 
land in Shelby, with a gentle slope toward the 
Black Fork, that immediatel}' south sweeps 
around to the east, before turning on its north- 
ward course through Shelbj*. 

" Mr. Marvin erected his cabin on the same 
day, near the present Marvin mansion, a;t the 
crossing of the Cleveland, Columbus & Indiana 
Central Railroad, at Gamble street. Between 
the two, on the west side of Gamble street, and 
near the northwest corner of Gamble and Mill 
streets, Mr. Whitne}' erected his cabin. 

" These three pioneers came from the vicinitj' 
of Norwalk, Conn., and had a long and tedious 
journe}' hither. 

" The country was then a wilderness — heavily 
timbered, with thick underbrush, beneath which, 
in springtime, magnificent wild flowers bloomed, 
giving the forest a delightful appearance. 



" At this time — 1818 — there were no settle- 
ments west of Shelby, and beyond lay the 
Wyandot Reservation, on which the Indians 
roamed at will. The Wyandots, Delawares, 
Senecas, Mohicans, and other Indian tribes, in- 
habited the region to the west of these hardy 
settlers, and paid them frequent friendly 
visits. 

" At one time, while these families were en- 
joying the hospitalities of Giles Swan, a still ear- 
lier pioneer, I'esiding within the bounds of what 
is now Jackson Township, before the}* had Ijeen 
enalDled to clear away enough of the forest on 
which to erect their respective cabins, a band of 
ten or twelve Indians came to the residence of Mr. 
Swan, several of whom were well known to him. 
One was named '• Jacob," and another of them 
" Williams," the latter being quite intelligent, 
speaking English quite well. 

" The Indians had been well supplied with 
' fire-water,' as were also all those eark settlers. 
After the usual greetings were exchanged, and 
the bottle passed, both whites and Indians 
drinking therefrom, and getting a little warmed 
up, it was proposed that the Indians give an 
exhibition of the war dance. At first, the}- ob- 
jected, alleging a want of preparation, paint, 
feathers, etc., but finally- consented. A fire was 
kindled in the open space before the cabin. One 
old Indian took a seat on a log. and being 
furnished with a clapboard, which he placed on 
his knees, he commenced a song in the Indian 
language, keeping time on the clap)joard with 
his knife and hatchet, while the others ranged 
themselves around the fire, commenced the war 
dance, yelling like demons, gesticulating furi- 
ously-, and leaping around in the most grotesque 
and violent manner. 

" The subject of the Indian song, as he in- 
formed the settlers, was the ancient exploits of 
his tribe in war, and their triumphs over their 
enemies. It was, in fact, an epic poem in the 
Indian ^-ernacular, and, although no doubt far 
below our standard in point of merit, yet it is 



^\^ 



a) 



:>: 



570 



HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



said this rude song had some striking and beau- 
tiful passages. 

" After the Indians had conchided their dance, 
they proposed that the whites should dance in 
their fashion, and they would join. Accord- 
ingly the whites formed ' on the floor,' to dance 
the ' French four.' Two Indians danced, one 
with ^Miss ]Moyer, the mother of the late Mrs. 
Stephen Marvin, and the other with jMrs. Swan. 
The Indians unexpectedly proved to be very 
graceful dancers. After each dance, the bottle 
was freely passed around, and the dance was 
kept up until the wee sma' hours of morning. 
The music was furnished bj- the white women, 
who sang the tunes. 

" This incident occurred at a cabin near the 
cross-roads, two xniles east of Shelby, and is 
here given as an illustration of early times in 
the history of our pioneers, and was vouched 
for as entirely correct, by some of those who 
were witnesses to it. 

" The forest abounded in game of all kinds, 
especially deer and turkeys. The Indians were 
constantly passing and repassing, on the 'trail' 
leading from an Indian town on the lower Black 
Fork to Lower Sandusky, and on smaller trails 
from the cabins of settlers, to the road leading 
from rianges to Mansfield. They traded with 
the early settlers for venison and furs, taking 
blacksmith work and ' necessaries ' in exchange 
therefor. 

" The Indians also engaged in other amuse- 
ments with the whites, such as running foot- 
races with them, locking fingers and pulling to 
see which could hold out the longest. The 
whites could usually outrun the Indians for a 
short distance, but the latter could hold out the 
longest, while the whites invariably proved the 
strongest in their fingers. No murders were 
committed by the Indians in this vicinity. 

"When John Graml)le came, he erected a 
horse-mill on the corner where the Kerr & 
Marvin Block now stands. Levi Bargaheiser, 
the late Jay Smile}' and otHers soon followed." 



Though the early settlers of Sharon, as well 
as the larger part of Richland County, came 
mostly from Western Pennsylvania, yet a small 
" sprinkling " were New England people. The 
" Reserve " in Northern Ohio, at that time owned 
by the State of Connecticut, was the means of 
bringing large numbers of Connecticut " Yan- 
kees," with their peculiar ways and indomitable 
push and energy, passion for money-getting 
and enterprise, to Ohio. These people did not 
all settle on Connecticut lands, but pushed on 
into the northern townships of Richland County, 
and the northern part of Sharon received a 
small portion of them. The Whitneys, Mar- 
vins, Swans, Wilsons, Smileys, and proljably 
the Rockwells, Hunters and others, were all 
from New England, and were among the earliest 
settlers. These people were intelligent, gen- 
erally well educated, and formed a valuable in- 
gredient in the first settlement of the township. 

Among the early settlers were Christopher 
Wetz, John Rice, Joseph Cox and John Kerr, 
the latter of whom erected the first blacksmith- 
shop in the township in 1826, and later erected 
two of the first mills. 

When the township was organized, in 1819. 
all the residents met at the house of Mrs. 
Rockwell, which stood on the farm now owned 
by ]M. M. Barber. Fourteen persons were pres- 
ent, and after the petition was duly signed they 
appointed jMr. Henry Taylor to present it to 
the Commissioners at Mansfield. The petition 
was granted and the new township named Sha- 
ron, after some town in Connecticut. At the 
election held in April, 1823, fourteen voters were 
present, viz.: Giles H. Swan, John B. Taylor. 
Joseph Curran, Eli Wilson, Almon Hayes. Har- 
vey Camp, Henry Whitney, IMathew Curran, 
James Smith, Adam Swan, James Kerr, James 
Rockwell, Levi Bargaheiser and De Lanson 
Rockwell, most of whom resided within the 
present limits of Jackson Township. From 
these fourteen persons, seventeen officers were 
chosen. Two Democratic, or, as then called. 



-^I'y 



^ 



I£ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



571 



Republican, votes Avere polled, and twelve Fed- 
eralist. 

The elections were originalh' held for Sharon 
as the}' are now for Jackson, at Taylor" s Cor- 
ners. Henry Taylor's house was the place of 
public meetings, elections and militia trainings. 
In an early day, long l.iefore the town of Shell\v 
was thought of, the trail before mentioned was 
cut from Mansfield along the Indian trail, 
which followed up the Rock}- Fork, and diverging 
near Spring Mill, crossed to the head-waters of 
the Black Fork, up which it followed to where 
Shelby is now located, and continuing on north, 
connected with Beall's trail at PhTnouth. 
About 1815 or a little later, a road was also 
cut by the early settlers, diverging from Beall's 
trail near Shenandoah, passing through Trucks- 
ville, to the present site of Shelby. This road 
probably followed an Indian trail part of the 
wa}-. This Indian trail was a branch of the 
main trail (the "trunk line," ), which followed 
the general course of the Black Fork for a short 
distance, and was the great highway of the In- 
dians between their villages on the Sandusky 
River and Plains to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). 
This branch trail left the main trail near the 
northern line of Franklin Township, and 
taking a course a little south of west, passed 
through the present site of Shelby, and on to 
the Delaware town on the head-waters of the 
Sandusky River, near Leesville. The crossing 
of these two roads at Shelby probalily had an 
influence in determining its location. Along 
this trail came the early settlers of the north- 
ern part of Jackson and Franklin Townships, 
and also the ^Marvins, Wilsons and Whitnej'S, 
who settled in the northern part of Sharon. 
Other settlers from AVestern Pennsylvania came 
along the road from Mansfield, hence at the 
point on the Black Fork where Shelby now 
stands, these Western emigrants met. and here 
a settlement sprang up. 

John Gamble came from New York State, 
and erected the fii'st mill in the township, on 



the corner now occupied b}' Kerr & 3Iarvin's 
drug store. Dr. Bushnell, of ^lansfield, says 
he was often called to attend the pioneers in 
the vicinit}' of Shelby, in their sickness, and 
long before an}' town was laid out the place 
was known as " Gamble's Mill."" The mill was 
built of logs and run by horse-power. Those 
who brought grists to this mill usually ground 
it themselves. They would hitch their horses 
or oxen to the sweep, grind their gi'ist, and Ijolt 
it by hand. Gamble purchased the land upon 
which he erected his mill and cabin, of Eli 
Wilson, who had entered it. The Gamliles were 
intelligent people and good citizens. Hugh Gam- 
ble, a brother of John, is yet living near Shelby, 
at an advanced age. He was a member of the 
Legislature, and a man of strength and influ- 
ence. Among the earliest settlers gathered 
about Gamble's ]Mill, were Mr. Raymond, 
Leonard May, Rev. Hubbard Du Bois, and a 
family by the name of Gump. 

Gen. Wilson erected the first saw-mill on the 
Black Fork, about the time Gamble erected his 
gi"ist-mill. This saw-mill was in operation 
many years. 

John Kerr came to Sharon in 1826, settling 
on Section 29, where, in 1829, he erected a 
gi'ist-mill, and afterward, in 1833, a saw-mill. 
David Kerr was the fii'st miller in the grist- 
mill. It was destroyed by fire in 1875. 

Joseph Coltman, who settled in Sharon at an 
early day, and came froiji Martinsburg. Ya.. 
was something of a mill builder. 

He first erected a horse-mill in the south- 
eastern part of the township, and afterward 
two water-mills, one of which was located on 
what is now the Post farm. These mills were 
in operation a numlier of years. 

In 1839, John A. Duncan erected a grist-mill 
on the Black Fork, at Shelby. It was pro- 
pelled liy water at first, but steam was after- 
ward added. It ran only about ten or twelve 
years. The same building is now used as a 
carriage factorv bv Sheffler & Barkdall. 



y%. 



^1 



'.^ 



572 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



Heath Brothers' mill, yet running, was erected 
about 1844, by McMillen & Lowery. It is pro- 
pelled by steam, and always did a large business 
and excellent work. Its capacity is two to 
three hundred bushels of wheat per day. 

The " Junction Mill," one of the largest in 
Northern Ohio, was erected about 1870, and is 
located at the junction of the two raili-oads, 
about one-half mile north of the town. The 
mill was erected by Morse, Anderson & Co. It 
is now conducted by Messrs. Fish & Storer, and 
has a capacity of more than one thousand bush- 
els of wheat per day. The quality of flour pro- 
duced by this mill, is not, probably, excelled by 
any in the country, and the mill is continually 
run to its fullest capacity. 

Hon. S. S. Bloom thus writes regarding the 
early history of Shelby, and of the public schools: 
" The town of Shelby was laid out by John 
Gamble, in June, 1834, as appears from the 
original plat on file. The lots laid out b}' him 
were all south of Main street — numl^er one 
being that on which the Mickey Block now 
stands. Afterward, Henry Whitney laid out 
that part of the town north of Main and south 
of Mill streets. Aliout twenty years later, Mr. 
Eli Wilson laid out " East Shelby " in part, to 
which additions were made until it reached its 
present proportions. 

'• Mr. Whitne}', who was a ])lacksmith. had 
his shop in front of his residence or cabin, on 
the lot now occupied bj- the residence of Dr. 
William E. Bricker. 

"A post office was established in 1828, and 
John Gamble was the first Postmaster. It was 
called at first Gamble's Mills. At what partic- 
ular time the name was changed to Slielln', the 
writer does not know. Imt not far from the year 
1840. The town was called Shelby in honor of 
Gov. Shelby, of Kentuck}-, who had rendered 
valuable services in the Indian wars preceding 
the first settlement of the whites. It was sug- 
gested b}' Mr. Charles C. Post, who then resided 
within the villaoe. 



" The first building in Shelby, after it was 
laid out, was erected by a Dr. Byers, on Lot 
No. 1, where the Mickey Block now stands. It 
was a hewed-log cabin, about 16x24 feet, and 
was used b}- him as a doctor's office. The next 
was a schoolhouse, mentioned elsewhere, on the 
opposite side of the street, north ; while the 
next was on the east side of Gamble street, 
where the ' Union Block,' now stands, erected 
hj John A. Duncan, and was occupied as a 
' tavern.' Thus were the west side ' Four Cor- 
ners ' first occupied. ' Four Corners,' was the 
name b}^ which the embr^'o village was known 
for miles around. 

" A part of this old building is still stand- 
ing just east of the Union Block. 

" During the three years succeeding the first 
settlement, the influx of new settlers continued, 
so that a school was needed. The schoolhouse 
was accordingly erected in 1821, over the run, 
as it was then called, and somewhere near the 
present residence of Mr. F. Dennis, in ' Texas.' 
It was a log-cabin schoolhouse, as were all the 
buildings then erected. Miss Debby Moyer, 
the grandmother of Hiram Marvin, now resid- 
ing in Shelby, was the teacher. The terms fixed 
were ' 9 shillings per week and board herself 
During the second term of the school, the cal)in 
was burned, and a new site was selected, on the 
northwest corner of Main and Gamble streets, 
opposite the Mickey Block. The Imilding 
erected here, like its predecessor, was a log 
calnn, and not a pretentious one either, liut it 
served the purpose until 1831, when it, too, 
became the victim of fire. The third and last 
one of the log-cabin series was on the spot 
Avhere now stands the barn of Mrs. Benjamin 
Arten. During those years, the Black Fork 
Settlement had taken the name of ' Gaml)le's 
Mills," after the name of the post office estab- 
lished in the mean time. 

" Soon after Shelby was laid out, in 1834, it 
l)ecame appai'ent that a more commodious 
schoolhouse was necessary than that located 



^1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



573 



upon the 'west road.' Accordingl}-, in 1835, 
Jay Smiley, Esq., granted a free lease of ground 
on the corner of North and Gamble streets, on 
the spot where the residence of J. J. Smiley 
now stands, for a schoolhouse, and a frame 
building' was erected thereon. The building 
is still standing, having been sold within the 
past few j-ears to ]Mr. John Schmidt, who now 
resides in it, on the east side of West street. 
Into this building, when completed, were moved 
the desks and five-legged benches formerly in 
the old one. 

" The desks were arranged around the walls on 
the inside in true primitive style. In this ' new ' 
schoolhouse first appeared a tin-plate stove, in- 
stead of the more primitive fire-place. That 
particular stove was cast at the ' jMary Ann 
Furnace,' wherever that was. 

" Time in this, as in many other things, 
made constant warfare on things of the past, 
and soon the old-fashioned slab seats and desks 
gave way to the more modern desks and seats 
combined. Finally, a blackboard, a ten-days 
wonder in its time, came into vogue, and for a 
long time it was thought a wonderful feat to 
walk up to that, work a ' sum ' and demon- 
strate the same upon it. 

" Fi'om that still comparative!}' earl}' date to 
the year 1850, but little improvement was no- 
ticeable in the schools. About that time, the 
question of taxation of property in support of 
public schools was agitated. The Legislature, 
during the years 1851-52-53, passed the Ohio 
free-school law, considered by many eminent 
educators the best in the Union, dating from 
May 3, 1853. 

" After the building of the Mansfield, Sandus- 
ky & Newark railroad through Shelby in 1846, 
East Shelb}' began to ccAitest for supremacy 
over the west side, a new schoolhouse became 
necessary, and was accordingly erected in 1849 
on the site now occupied by the Christian 
Church, near the corner of Broadway and Depot 
streets. 



" In 1855, the town had grown to such an 
extent that two new schoolhouses were made 
necessary, and the buildings now used for pri- 
mary and secondary school purposes were 
erected at a cost of about $1,400 each, and the 
older schoolhouses were disposed of for other 
purposes. 

"Another ten years rolled around, and in 
1864, a central or high-school building became 
a necessit}'. Gen. Eli AVilson offered to sell the 
site for that purpose, on which, since that date, 
has been erected the new brick edifice. 

" Following the erection of this, came grading of 
the schools. Excelsior having been early written 
upon the banner of Shelby educators. Though 
imperfect at first, this finall}' culminated in the 
present admirable system adopted in 1869, the 
Board being then composed of Hiram JMarvin, 
S. S. Bloom and George W. Billow, who passed 
the following resolution : 

" ' Any scholar completing the course of study 
prescribed shall be entitled to a certificate of 
graduation,' since which time, a number of 
Shelby pupils have secured the honor of gi'ad- 
uates of the Shelby High School. 

" The enumeration of 3'outh in Shelby be- 
tween the ages of five and twenty-one years, 
rose from 304 in 1857, to 523 in 1864. In 1874, 
it had increased to 615. 

" At present, there are ten teachers and one 
superintendent, and about five huntked pupils 
in daily attendance in the schools of Shelby. 
At an election held March 22, 1880, the Board 
of Education was increased in number from 
three to six members. 

" The final improvement in the system of 
Shelby schools was the erection of the large 
brick edifice which now stands out in liold re- 
lief among the man}' handsome buildings which 
gi-ace the streets of Shelby. 

'• On June 26, 1872, while Messrs. E. S. Close, 
Hiram Marvin and N. H. Loose composed the 
Board of Education, a proposition was sub- 
mitted a second time, after having ouce before 



s — 



w 



-i* S) 



1^ 



574 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



tailed of adoption, to erect a union school 
Ijuilding, at a cost not to exceed $25,000. 

"Preparations were immediatel}' made, and 
the work on the building commenced al)out 
Oetol)er 1, 1874, and it was finally completed 
about January 1, 1876. 

•• The building is 82 feet 8 inches long, G7 
feet deep, and the walls are 42 feet 8 inches 
high, above the ground. A recess at each side, 
the same width as the hall in the center, per- 
mits light and ventilation at three sides of every 
room. It has two gable ends to the front, and 
one at each side, giving it quite an imposing 
appearance, its size being considered. 

" The roof is of "N^ermont 
slate, surmounted b}- a fine 
belfry. 

•'The building has four 
large schoolrooms below, 
15 feet in height, and on 
the second floor, west side, 
is the grand assembly-room, 
17 feet high in the clear, 
occupying the whole west 
side of the building, capable 
of seating about GOO per- 
sons. 

" On the east side of the 
high-school room, superior 
to many college rooms, also 
occupying nearly the whole east side, a recita- 
tion-room, and Superintendent's room, only, 
taken from it. 

" The building is plainly but substantially 
built. The base, 8 feet in the clear, is built of 
cut stone, on which rests the substantial brick 
wall, nearly 35 feet high. It is warmed by two 
furnaces, placed in the basement, where are 
also several nicely paved play-rooms. Each 
schoolroom is Avell ventilated, and heated by 
several registers in each, while abundant light 
flows in at three sides of each room from 
numerous windows. Each also has a wash and 
cloak room attached. The rooms are seated 




SHELBY HIGH SCHOOL 



with improved seats, blackboards all around 
each room, of the most substantial kind. 

" The contract was originally let to Messrs. 
AYoodward & Son for $22,999. but a few ex- 
tras run it up to $24,1 73.69. The furnaces, seats, 
bell, etc., brought up the cost to $26,082.16. 

'' It was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, 
January 17, 1876, and was occupied the next 
day. One of the speakers upon that occasion 
said, that now the foundation had been laid 
for substantial progress in schools for the next 
quarter of a century, and splendid results 
might be expected. The buildings, he claimed, 
exemplified the character of the community — 

plain, practical, substantial, 

built more for use than or- 
nament — honestl}' erected, 
no rings tolerated, the 
people getting just what 
the}' had contracted for. 

" Mr. H. M. Dick volun- 
teered to act as architect 
and superintendent of con- 
struction free of charge, 
and to him is the village 
no little indebted for the 
s u 1) s t a n t i a 1 manner in 
which it was erected, as 
well as to Messrs. Hiram 
Marvin, Thomas Marvin 
and Rev. N. H. Loose, who then composed the 
Board." 

The first "meeting-house" in Shelb}- and 
Sharon Townships was the old log Methodist, 
located on Jay Smiley's land within the present 
limits of Shelb}' ; and the first preacher was 
the well-known Harry 0. Sheldon. Russell 
Bigelow was also one of the earliest preachers 
here. These two men Avent about all over this 
section of the State establishing churches and 
preaching to the pioneers whenever and wher- 
ever thev could get two, three or more together. 
A few of the original members of this class 
Avere A. \. Courtright, James Courtright, Mr. 



TZ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



575 



Tabor, Tobias DuBoyce, Treat Orton, Charles 
Post, Jay Smiley, Isaac Hanley, M. Chapin, 
Joseph Curran and some others. 

Mr. Smiley donated ground and was influ- 
ential in erecting the church. This building 
was erected about 1820, and answered the pur- 
pose until 1842, when the present frame building 
was erected, on the corner of Gaml^le and North 
streets. The present Pastor is Dr. A. Nelson, 
and the membership about two hundi-ed. 

A Sunday school was organized about 1834, 
l:)y Charles Post, who was the first Superintend- 
ent. This school has been continued ever since, 
and at present the attendance is about one hun- 
dred and fifty. Dr. J. M. Ballard is Superin- 
tendent. 

Up to 1854, this class belonged to what was 
known as the " Plymouth Circuit ;" after that, 
it became part of " Shelbj- Circuit," consisting 
of Shelb}', Pleasant Glrove and Mount Pleasant. 
In 1863, it became a station. 

The Presb3'terian Church of Shelby is located 
on South Brcfadway. It had its origin at Tay- 
lor's Corners in Jackson Township, and was 
among the first organizations in that part of 
the count}'. The first meetings of this societj- 
were held about the 3-ear 1822 or 1823, at the 
cabin of Mr. Smith. Five persons beside jMr. 
Smith attended this meeting ; these were Mr. 
Camp, John Kerr, John 31. McClintock, Mr. 
Cummins and Aaron Rambo. These petitioned 
the Presljytery for an organization, which was 
gTanted. This little society heard preaching 
oecasionalty at the cabins of its members, but 
was not regularly organized until 1831. At 
that date, they met in the JMethodist log church 
at Shelby, and were organized by Rev. G. WolflT. 
About this time, or a little later, they erected a 
log church on John Kerr's farm, but for some 
reason did not occupy it, and in 1834 erected a 
frame church near the site of the present build- 
ing. Thej' were unal)le to finish this church 
immediately, and held their meetings and or- 
ganized their Sunday school some time before 



the building was inclosed. In 1835, Moses 
Louthan, Calvin Clark (yet living), and Jesse 
Kerr (who died about a 3'ear ago), were added 
to the church. 

Their ministers, after Wolff", were Rev. Will- 
am Mathews, in 1834 ; Nathaniel Cobb, 1836 ; 
Robert Lee, 1837. From 1838 to 1841, they 
were only occasionally supplied. Luther Dodd 
came to them in 1841, dividing his time for six 
years between this and the church at Rome, 
and giving his entire time to this church for 
three years more. Mr. Dodd went away in 
1851, after which the pulpit was supplied occa- 
sionall}' by John M. Ferris, Luke Dorland and 
William McMillen, a licentiate, until 1856, when 
the Rev. J. A. Marquis was regulai'l}- called, 
remaining two years. Following Mr. Marquis, 
came R. R. Moore, in 1858, remaining until 
1864. In 1865, Rev. J. K. Kost took charge, 
and was followed in 1859 by W. W. Anderson. 
Mr. Anderson was followed in 1877 b}' the 
present minister. Rev. J. W. Thompson. 

The Sunday school was organized in 1834. 
Calvin Clark was the first Superintendent. This 
school has been continued until the present 
time, and now has a membership of one hun- 
dred and twenty, while the church memljership 
is about one hundred and ten. 

The third religious societ}- in Sharon Town- 
ship, and the first outside of the town of Shelb}-, 
was the Evangelical Lutheran, at present lo- 
cated on Section 11, two and a half miles west 
of Shelby. 

The earliest meetings of this society were 
held in the cabin of Mr. Hocksmith, aliout the 
year 1830. In May, 1832, the church was or- 
ganized by Rev. F. J. Ruth, who is yet living 
and preaching. During the same year, the 
society erected a log church, which stood until 
1856, when the present frame building was 
erected at a cost of $2,000. 

]Mr. Ruth continued to preach for this con- 
gregation nineteen years, and was followed by 
Revs. D. Sprecher, D. Summers, A. R. Brown, 



"7' 



i ry 



^1 



576 



HISTORY OF RICHLAN^D COUNTY. 



J. F. Shearer, I). I. Foust, and D. Summers, the 
present Pastor, in the order named. 

The principal original members were Mr. 
Hocksmith. John Snyder, Jonas Rex, .John 
Dull, Daniel Garnhart and Daniel Bloom. 

The present membership is about one hun- 
dred and twenty -five. 

A Sunday- school was organized about 1845, 
which is still continued, and is healthy and 
active. S. F. Eekes is the present Superin- 
tendent. 

The first Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
Shelby was established nearly thirty 3'ears after 
the Myer's church, and both are, at present, 
under the pastoral care of Eev. D. Summers. 

This church is located on the east side of 
North Broadway, and was organized January 
31, 1860, by Rev. A. R. Brown. The first 
members of this organization were S. S. Bloom, 
John Hershiser, Sr., Abraham Bushey, Cor- 
nelius Fox, John Souder. Jacob Fletcher, Sam- 
uel Hershiser, Henry Bistline, John Hershiser, 
Jr., Elizabeth Bistline, Sarah Hershiser, Susan 
B. Martin, and Christina Bombaugh. 

These members were mostly withdrawn from 
the society at Loudon. They organized and 
held services in the Glerman Reformed Church, 
at Shelby, until 1867, when they erected the 
present building at a cost of $6,000. 

The Pastors have been A. R. Brown, D. 
Summers, J. F. Shearer, D. I. Foust, and D. 
Summers for a second time. The present mem- 
bership of this church is 112. 

The Sunday school was organized about 1863, 
and now has an average attendance of seventy- 
five or eighty members. S. S. Bloom has gen- 
erally been Superintendent. 

A Universalist Church was erected in Shelby 
in 1847. The principal members were Lemuel 
M- Raymond, Edwin Raymond, H. B. Gailord, 
Stephen Marvin, Levi Bargaheiser and A. B. 
Minnerly. The ministers were Rev. George R. 
Brown and Rev. Smead. This organization 
was kept up about twenty years. 



The present United Bretlu'en Church of Shel- 
b}", located on Washington street, was erected 
about 1857, and organized some 3'ears before 
by the Revs. Berry and Barlow. 

The first members were Chas. Longe, Samuel 
Light, Geo. Longnecker, Amos Crall, David Crall 
and wife, Isaac Urich, Elijah Jones and others. 

The ministers who followed those above men- 
tioned were Gideon Hoover^ D. W. Downey. 
William Mathews, Rev. Long, Rev. Bender, 0. 
H. Ramsey, Thomas Downej^ and Rev. 0. H. 
Brake, the present minister. 

The membership of this church is, at present, 
about one hundi-ed. 

The organization of the Sunday school was 
coeval with that of the church, and now con- 
tains about ninety members. 

The Church of Christ (Disciple) of Shelby, is 
located on Broadway, and was organized in 
September, 1858, by Elder Benjamin Lockhart. 
Before this, however, meetings had been held 
in the house of -'Father Alleman." 

The present church building was erected 
about the time the organization was effected, at 
a cost of about $1,600. 

The first members of this societj^ were Dr. C. 
McMillen and wife, and Jacob Cline and wife. 
These four individuals soon succeeded in get- 
ting thirty -one names, with which the organiza- 
tion was effected. 

The ministers after Lockhart were Elder 
Stannard, Israel Belton, Henry Reeves, J. S. 
Hughes, C. W. Loose, E. A. Bosworth, John W. 
Lowe, J. S. Lowe, S. E. Spencer, L. R. Gault 
and the present minister, A. Burns. The present 
membership is 105. 

The 3'ear following the erection of the church, 
a Sunday school was organized. Dr. C. Mc- 
Millen was the first Superintendent. It 3'et con- 
tinues in a prosperous and healthy condition, 
with a meml^ership of al)out seventy-five. Will- 
iam Paul is present Superintendent. 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Church, 
located on Section 20, about two miles west of 



i 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



577 



Vernon Station, is one of tlie oldest in the 
count}'. It was organized as early as 1823 by 
Father Henni, at present Archbishop of Mil- 
waukee, Wis. 

The first members of this organization were 
Matthias Ulmcheider, Joseph Kurtzman, Joseph 
Wensinger, Heinrich Dollinger, John Ritshlin, 
Theobald Singer, Carl Sutter, Mr. Heitsman, 
Mr. Richerd, Sebastian Scheibley, Gottleib 
Schuble, John Brodmann, Joseph Miller, Morris 
Keller, Mr. Ebner, Mr. Hinsky, Frederick 
Christen, Nicholas Bieglin and John Bom- 
gardner. 

Forty acres of land, where the church stands, 
was entered, and the three first above named 
selected as Trustees, to whom this land was 
deeded. 

A log church was erected in 1836 ; before its 
erection, meetings were occasionally held at the 
log cabins of the members. 

In 1852, the present substantial and com- 
modious brick church was erected, costing about 
$2,600. This building would have cost much 
more than this, had not much of the material 
and labor been gratiutously furnished. It is 
about 45x75 feet in size. 

A beautiful cemetery is attached, and also a 
fine brick parsonage, costing about $2,000. The 
inside of the church is nicely finished ; the four 
altars costing about $1,200, and the organ 
$1,200. The church was erected during the 
ministry of the Rev. Peter Creusch. The min- 
isters have been too numerous to receive men- 
tion here. Father Henni was followed by. Father 
Tchenhens, C. S. R., a celebrated missionar3^ 
The present Pastor is Rev. D. Zinsmayer, who 
entered upon his duties in 1877. The church 
is very strong numericalh' and financially, be- 
ing located in what is known as the " German 
Settlement," a settlement of thrifty, well-to-do 
farmers, living many of them in substantial 
brick houses, with well-cultivated and very rich 
farms. The land is generally level and soil 
deep. 



About one hundred families are at present 
connected with the church, seven of whom are 
Irish, three French and the remainder Germans. 

In 1838, a school was established by Father 
Tchenhens, the first teacher being Jacob Alex. 
At present the school is conducted b}' three 
Sisters as teachers, from the Franciscan Con- 
vent of Tiffin, Ohio, with an attendance of 
eighty pupils. 

The Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 
of Shelb}', was organized in 1864, by Rev. H. 

D. Best. The preliminary meetings of this so- 
ciety were held in the dwelling of W. E. Klees. 
The church was erected by Father Kuhn, and 
cost about $800. Father Kuhn was succeeded 
by Fathers Abel, Pitts, Gerardin, Euler, Zinz- 
mayer, Schmitz and IMurphy. The present 
Pastor is F. J. Oberly. Fifty-six families con- 
stitute the present membership. The school 
was organized in 1877 by the present Pastor. 
There is now an average attendance of forty- 
three children. 

The Reform'ed Church of Shelby is located 
on Church street. In 1851, Rev. Joseph B. 
Thompson was Pastor of the Reformed congre- 
gations in the vicinity of Shelby. He held 
evening ser\dces once in four weeks in the M. 

E. Church. January 19, 1852, the first meeting 
to take measures for the erection of a church 
was held in the Exchange Hotel, William Hawk 
being chosen President, and Jacob Kuhn Secre- 
tary. William Hawk and John Strock were 
chosen Trustees, and they, with J. H. Hershiser 
and John Bauchman, were constituted the Build- 
ing Committee. 

The organization was eflfected with thirty- 
seven members ; Moses Crum and Samuel 
Nazor being elected Elders, and Jacob Kuhn 
Deacon. The day after the corner-stone 
was laid. Rev. J. B. Thompson resigned, and 
Rev. J. C. Klar supplied the congi-egation from 
June to the end of the year 1852. Rev. Adam 
Stump occasionally preached during the va- 
canc}'. 



_=£- 



k- 



578 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



The church was dedicated in 1853, Rev. E. 
V. G-erhart and M. Stern officiating. 

The following were subsequent Pastors of 
the church : Rev. H. Willard, from April 1, 
1854, to April 1, 1857 ; Rev. H. Hess, until 
1859 ; Rev. F. C. Edmonds, nine months. A 
vacanc}' of one j-ear aud three months occurred. 
Rev. D. W. Kelly tecame Pastor iVpril 1, 1861, 
continuing two years. During this time the 
bell was procured. A vacancy of four months 
followed. Rev. N. H. Loose took charge August 
1, 1863, and continued fourteen years, ending- 
August 1, 1877. During his ministry, about 
$1,500 were expended in improving the build- 
ing. The interior was frescoed and painted, a 
new pulpit erected, organ procured, etc., and 
151 members added to the church. Mr. Loose 
also served at the same time the Reformed con- 
gregations at London and Granges, to which 
there were added, respectiA^ely, fifty and forty- 
three members. He also officiated at 174 
funerals, solemnized 188 marriages, and preached 
2,000 sermons. 

Rev. C.W. Good followed Mr. Loose, begin- 
ning August 19, 1877, and continuing two years 
and one month. Mr. G-eorge Bowman has Ijeen 
chorister of the choir for sixteen years. At 
present, April, 1880, the congregation num- 
bers about one hundred and twenty-five, and 
has a hopeful future. Rev. 0. E. Lake is 
Pastor. 

The Sunday school numbers al)out ninety 
members, with F. Dennis as Superintendent. 



A history of the press of Shell)y is, so far 
as success is concerned, Init a repetition of that 
of jNIansfield and other places in the county, 
and fully estaljlishes the fact that establishing 
a newspaper is a most precarious business. 
Success comes only through numerous failures, 
and those who finally succeed must fully earn 
and deserve their success. 



The successful editor must certainly be qual- 
ified to appreciate the following sentiment of 
John Marston : 
"Through danger, safety comes — through trouble, rest." 

So far as can he ascertained, the first paper 
in Shelby was issued by C. R. Brown, in 1858, 
and was called the Pioneer. It circulated freely 
and successfully at first, but soon adjourned sine 
die. The next paper was the Enterprise, issued 
in 1862 by Mr. Kenton, who was, in 1875, con- 
nected with the Marysville Democrat. This 
paper had a circulation of 300, and was in 
existence about a year. The Enterprise was 
purchased, in 1863, by Mr. S. S. Bloom, who in 
connection with Mr. Baltzley, of the Plymouth 
Advertiser, contemplated publishing the Express, 
but political diflferences arising, owing to the 
excitement engendered by the war, a dissolu- 
tion of partnership occurred before the first 
number was issued. The Express was contin- 
ued aliout one 3-ear. 

During the next three years, Mr. Glover and 
Mr. Bloom issued " occasionally " a paper called 
the Gazette, which was continued until 1867, 
when the Shelby Chronicle made its appearance, 
published by Messrs. Young & Hill. This 
paper continued until October 12, 1868, when it 
was purchased by S. S. Bloom, and merged into 
the Shelby Independent JVeics. The 'first year, 
the circulation of this paper reached nearly six 
hundred, and it seemed fairly on the road to 
permanent success. It was edited b}' Mr. 
Bloom and published b}' J. G. Hill for a period 
of six years. 

In the meantime, in 1868, Mr. T. H. Barkdull 
began the publication of the Gazette, and 
continued it about four 3'ears, Shelby hav- 
ing the benefit of two papers during these 
years. 

The Independent News was continued until 
1876, when the Shelby Times, a Republican 
paper, made its appearance, under the editorial 
management of Mr. J. Gr. Hill. Mr. Bloom 
thereupon hauled down the •■ Independent " 



■^ 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



579 



part of his paper and issued the present Dem- 
ocratic sheet, called the N'eirs. 

The News still continues in a prosperous and 
healthy condition, under the editorial manage- 
ment of Mr. Bloom, with his son, AV. P. Bloom, 
as publisher. 

The Times came into existence Decemlier 2, 
1876, and 3'et continues under the editorial and 
business management of Mr. J. G. Hill. Its 
subscription list has continued to increase, and 
it is hoped and believed that it is on the road 
to permanent success. 



oJOio 



The Mutual Fire Underwriters' Association, 
of Shelby, was incorporated February 2, 1880, 
and is therefore at the threshold of its career. 

The Board of Trustees are Dr. W. K. Bricker, 
President ; Erastus S. Close, Vice President ; 
Henr}' Wentz, Jr., Secretary' ; W. A. Shaw, 
Treasurer ; D. I. Foust, Greneral Agent ; T. H. 
Wiggins, Abraham Bushe}', F. A. Du Bois and 
D. L. Cockley. 

The Executive Committee is D. I. Foust, 
Henry Wentz, Jr., and D. S. Close. 

From the well-known ability, as business 
men, of the above-named gentlemen, and their 
financial and social standing, it is fair to pre- 
sume that success will attend this enterprise. 
Dr. Bricker is an old resident and President of 
the First National Bank of Shelby. He was 
for some years connected with the Buckeye 
^lutual Fire Insurance Company, of Shelb}', as 
Director and Treasurer. Mr. Close has been, 
for several 3'ears, connected with the railroads 
passing through Shelb}-, as agent ; and JMr. 
Wentz has hitherto been engaged in the insur- 
ance business. 

W. A. Shaw and D. L. Cockle}- are successful 
business men and merchants, engaged respect- 
ively in the jewelry and hardware trade. 

Mr. Foust is a minister of the Lutheran 
Church, Init for a few years previous to the 



establishment of this Compan}-, was in the em- 
plo}' of the Buckeye Mutual. 

Mr. Wiggins is an old resident and successful 
attorney, and Dr. Du Bois a Director in the 
First National Bank, and a lumlier dealer. 

The distinctive features of this Association 
are : 

1. A guarantee fund of $10,000 is secured, 
am* or all of which is pa3-alile in thirty days 
from date of notice to pay losses. 

2. The National Board rate, as adopted after 
the Chicago fire, is the basis of rates for this 
Company. 

3. Premium notes, amounting to three-fifths 
of such rate, are taken from members. Seventy 
per cent of said notes is collected in five an- 
nual installments, each five years in advance. If 
a member has paid more than the actual cost of 
insurance, in an}* five j-ears, the excess is 
placed to his credit as part of the surplus of 
the Association. The interest, at 6 per cent 
per annum, on such surplus will, in a few years, 
pay the losses and expenses of the Association, 
when the members will cease to pay an}- assess- 
ment. 

4. Each meml)er pays cash in advance, for 
himself and not for another. 

5. The law under which the Association is 
incorporated authorizes it to insure its members 
against loss b}- fire and other casualties. Hence 
they include losses bj' fire, lightning, and acci- 
dent to plate-glass windows and doors. 

6. Every memlier knows how much and when 
to paj- each year ; hence dissatisfaction on 
account of unexpected, heav}- assessments, is 
eutirel}- avoided. 

7. No policies are issued on risks, nor to per- 
sons not personall}' known to the management. 

8. All policies are issued, and indorsements 
made thereon, at the home office in Shelby. 

The Buckeye jNIutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany was organized September 23, 1873. The 
Board of Directors consists of vS. S. Bloom, 
President ; H. E. Mc3Iillen, Vice President ; 



^ g- 



^1 



580 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



^iP!!Brw ^^». i . ■ ■' HW 'L^ - v 



S. Wheeler, Treasurer ; F. Stambaugh, Secre- 
tary ; M. M. Barber, R. D. Stober, J. L. Barga- 
lieiser, D. W. Stover, F. Brucker, A. J. Mack, 
Leroy Parsons, W. H. Gilmore. The Company 
issued its first policy January 17, 1874. It 
had considerable difficulty in obtaining the 
requisite number of notes, as the law required 
that they should have $50,000 of premium 
notes, and $10,000 in cash before the Insurance 
Department would 
issue a certificate. 
S. F. Stambaugh and 
R. J. Butter were 
authorized to canvass 
for notes and appli- 
cations for insurance. 
At a meeting of the 
Company, December 
25, 1873, they re- 
ported that sufficient 
means were received 
to comply with the 
laws, and the Com- 
pany c o m m e n c e d 
business. It has had 
a steady, healthy 
growth until it has 
over $400,000 capital 
in notes, and a grow- 
ing business. It 
would not be doing 
the Company justice 
to omit mentioning its 
management. Hon. 

S. S. Bloom, President, and author to a great ex- 
tent of the Ohio Insurance Laws, is a man of large 
experience in the insurance business. He is a 
careful, conservative man, and is well known in 
insurance circles. H. E. McMillen, Vice Pres- 
ident, is a business man, and is Avell qualified 
for the position he holds. I. S. Wheeler, Treas- 
urer, is a farmer. He has been a member of 
the Company since its organization. He is a 
man of means, and keeps a vigilant eye over 




THE 1IK8T NATIONAL BANK, SHELBY. 



the financial affairs of the Compan3^ S. F. 
Stambaugh, Secretary, is one of the original 
organizers of the Company. He solicited a 
large share of the notes. He has an extensive 
knowledge of insurance, and is an active busi- 
ness man. The other members of the Board 
are all well and favorably known as business 
men. The Company is well officered, and is a 
credit to the enterprise of Shelby. 

Shelby did not 
amount to much until 
the Mansfield & San- 
dusky Railroad came 
through in 1846. 
when it became an 
excellent grain and 
produce market. 
Rolit. Mickey erected 
the first warehouse 
in 1846, which isj'et 
standing and is used 
in part for a depot. 
The next warehouse 
was erected by Henry 
Ley man in 1847, op- 
posite Mr. Mickey's 
warehouse. Mr. 
IMicke}' afterward, in 
1850, erected a ware- 
house on the west 
side of town, on the 
Cleveland, Columbus. 
Cincinnati & Indian- 
apolis Railroad, at 
present occupied by Messrs. H. Davis & Co.. 
who yearly ship from this warehouse alone 
about one hundred thousand bushels of wheat, 
fifty thousand bushels of oats, and large quan- 
tities of other produce. 

From three to four hundred thousand bushels 
of grain are marketed at Shelby 3'early. The 
market for many years was much larger than 
at the present time, the building of new rail- 
roads serving to create other markets in various 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



581 



places around Shelby, thus drawing awaj' the 
business of that place. 

The town was incorporated aliout 1853, and 
its gi'owth has been stead}', the population lieing 
now about two thousand. Regarding the busi- 
ness, there are at present three drug stores, four 
dry-goods, seven gi'ocer}', two hardware, four 
clothing, three boot and shoe, two jewelr}', two 
furniture and three stove and tin stores ; one 
bank, (The First National), two newspapers, one 
woolen-mill, one sash and blind factory, two 
hotels, two carriage factories, one wholesale 
liquor store, nine milliners and dressmakers, one 
furniture factory, one foundry and one tannery, 
beside a host of lesser industries. 

Shelby has the reputation of lieing a good 
business town, and much wealth has been ac- 



cumulated there. The society is excellent, 
and it is generally enjoying the advantages 
of a high state of what is called " civiliza- 
tion." 

The only town in the township besides Shelbj* 
is Yernon, a small station at the junction of 
the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan, and 
the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianap- 
olis Railways. It can hardl}' be called a town, 
as no plat of it appears on record. It was started 
soon after the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake 
Michigan road was completed, Mr. Sager, of 
Shelby, erecting a very good hotel there. In 
addition to this, there are two small stores, 
four or five dwellings and the depot building. 
A post office is established and is kept in the 
hotel. 



CHAPTER LVIII. 



SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



Location — Obganization — Name — Springs — Limits — 

tlees and settlements tlie flnney and roe 

AND Sabbath Schools — Schools — Saw-mills a 

THIS was originally' part of ^Madison Town- 
ship, and now lies directl}' west of and 
joins it. It was organized in 1816, at which 
time it was twelve miles long from east to west, 
and six miles wide, and included what is now 
Sandusk}' Township, and part of Polk and Jack- 
son Townships in Crawford County. In Febru- 
ary, 1818, it was cut in two in the center, leaving 
it in its present shape — six miles square. Its 
name was suggested b}' INIrs. Coflrtnl)erry. one of 
earliest settlers, on account of the numerous the 
springs within its limits, some of which are 
very beautiful and valuable. Perhaps the most 
noted of these is the Palmer Spring, one and a 
half miles north of the village of Ontario. It 
produces a large volume of pure water, and 
supplies the little cit}' of Crestline, being con- 
veyed to that place in pipes. The spring is 



Physical Features — Agriculture and Timber — Set- 
Families AND THE Underground Railway — Churches 
ND Grist-mills — Villages — Population. 

al)out one hundred and twenty-three feet higher 
than Crestline. The Sandusky River has its 
source here. One mile east of the Palmer 
Spring is the Preston Spring, near which one 
of the first grist-mills in the township was built. 
It was known as the Purdy Mill, and was built 
1 )y the filther of 31r. James Purdy, of Mansfield. 
This spring furnished the water for this mill 
many years. Further east is the Condon Spring, 
which, in connection with another at Spring 
Mills, has for more than sixty years furnished 
water for a mill at that place. 

Originally the entire township was covered 
with a dense growth of timber, and the hardy 
])i<)neers who first came to it followed up the 
Indian traces, located their farms, and literalh' 
hewed their homes out of the woods. No 
prominent landmarks exist in the township- 



^- 



583 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



It is generally level, or rolling, with a ridge of 
sufficient elevation, running northeast and south- 
west, a little north of the center of the town- 
ship, to divide its waters ; those south of the 
ridge finding their way through the Clear Fork, 
Mohican, Walhonding and ^luskingum to the 
Ohio, and those north, through the Sandusky 
River to Sandusky Bay. 

Agriculturally considered, the land is gener- 
ally excellent, the timber presenting the usual 
variety in Ohio — beach, hard (sugar) and soft 
maple, many varieties of ash and oak, and 
nearly all varieties of hard wood. Such timber 
speaks well for the quality of the land. The 
black walnut is already rapidly disappearing 
here, as well as all over the State, under the 
pressure of continual demand. The land pro- 
duces the usual variety of cereals produced in 
the Northern States. 

The people of the township are made up 
largely of New Englanders and Pennsylvanians 
— perhaps the latter predominate. There are 
ver}' few foreigners, and no colored person seems 
to have obtained a permanent residence here 
until after the war of the rebellion. The first 
settlers struck the northeast corner of the town- 
ship, for the reason, most likely, that in those 
days Indian trails were the only highways, and 
settlements gi'ew up along these first. One of 
these trails passed ]Mill Springs on its way from 
the headwaters of Rocky Fork to those of the 
Sandusky River. It was much used by the 
Wyandots, Delawares and Shawanees in their 
trading and scalping expeditions to the Ohio. 
This trace was followed b^- Col. William Craw- 
ford and his command in 1782, and, so far as is 
certainly known, these were the first white men 
tliat set foot on the soil of Springfield Township, 
though there is little doubt that white hunters 
or prisoners among the Indians, or white ren- 
agades, like Simon Girty, had passed through 
before this period. 

Among those who followed up this Indian 
trace, and became the first settlers of the town- 



ship, was George Cofflnberry, who, in ISl-I, set- 
tled on the southeast quarter of Section 1 . He 
was a soldier of the Revolutionar}' war, and 
came from Virginia. He had five sons — George, 
Jacob, Wright L., Salathiel and Abram B., 
all of them men of more than ordinar}- aliility. 
The next year, 1815, Richard Condon, from New 
Jersey, built his cabin on the northeast quarter 
of Section 2. He came to Mansfield in 1814. 
from Warren County, Ohio. He had six chil- 
dren — Richard, Elizabeth, John, Nancy, ^lar- 
garet and Elisha. About this time, the Welches 
also settled on Section 1. Joseph Welch came 
from Lancaster County, Penn. He had a family 
of five children — John, James, Jane, A. C. and 
Joseph. He built the third cabin in the town- 
ship on the northwest quarter of Section 1. He 
also, in 1818, built the first brick house in the 
township. Jesse Edgerton (Section 17) and 
Uriah ]Matson came in this year. In 1816, came 
Alexander Welch, John and Nathan Casel)ar 
(Section 12), Thomas Williams, Edward Barren 
and Charles Stewai't. The township was now 
organized, and an election held the 15th of 
April, 1816, at which about twenty-five votes 
were polled. Richard Condon, the first Justice 
of the Peace, was chosen at this election. For 
several years, township officers were not in de- 
mand ; there was little for them to do. From 
this time forward settlers came in rapidh'. set- 
tling first in the neighborhood of the springs, 
and along the valley of the Clear Fork. On the 
10th of April, 1820, Robert [Finney came from 
Harrison County, Ohio, and Imilt his cabin on 
the southeast quarter of Section 11. He was 
oiiginally from Fayette County, Penn., and his 
descendants are now numerous and infiuential. 
He had six children — John, James, William. 
Martha, Mary and Jane, of which only John 
and James are now living ; the former on tlie 
old homestead, and well known to all the coun- 
try as " Uncle John Finney.'' He is now in his 
eightieth year, and, having l)een always act- 
ive and strong mentally and physically, his mind 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUiN^TY. 



583 



is well stored with interesting reminiscences. A 
man of strong convictions, he has alwaj^s been, as 
was his father before him, a strong advocate of 
the Christian religion, and especiall}- energetic 
in carrying out his ideas of Christian duty. He 
early espoused the cause of temperance, and 
made speeches upon that subject at the public 
meetings then held in the log houses and barns 
of his neighbors, and was one of that small 
band of heroes who earl}' proclaimed their 
hatred of slavery, and were branded " Aboli- 
tionists," a term by no means popular in those 
days ; but, having lived to see his ideas triumph- 
ant, considers himself well paid for his suffer- 
ings and persecutions. He considered it a re- 
ligious duty to assist in the escape of fugitive 
slaves, and was for many years, with his neigh- 
bor Joseph Roe, prominently connected with 
the " underground railway," his house being al- 
ways open, and his services freely given to this 
cause. During the twenty-five 3-ears he was en- 
gaged in this, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of 
fugitive slaves were assisted on their way to 
Canada. They came from different points of 
the compass to his house, which seemed to l)e a 
crossing-place and [rendezvous. iMan}' came 
from the Gass settlement and McCluer's in Troy 
Township, others from the Quaker settlement in 
^lorrow County, and man}' from Iberia, and 
were often carried in wagons from one point to 
another ; at first, generally at night, but later, 
in daylight, unless danger of recapture was 
apprehended. When the noted Randolph, of 
Virginia, freed his slaves, which he did from 
conscientious motives, he established them in 
Mercer County, Ohio, and this soon became a 
famous resort for the fugitives, and from this 
settlement large numbers were brought to Mr. 
Finney. It is asserted by Mr. Finney, that 
thousands of slaves escaped the bloodhounds 
by rubbing the juice of an onion on the soles 
of their shoes ; that the hounds would never 
follow a slave after getting a scent of the onion ; 
and he relates an instance in which the nem-o 



himself watched the hounds upon his track, and 
saw them turn back when the}' came to the 
spot where he had applied the onion juice. 

Mr. Finney usually kept the fugitives at his 
house over night, and often for several days, 
then taking them in his wagon to Savannah. 
Ashland County, or to Olierlin, Ohio. He usu- 
ally left his home early in the morning, passing 
Mansfield (which did not look with favor upon 
his business) before daylight, arriving in Ober- 
lin by sundown. Olierlin was then, as it has 
ever remained, a great friend to the colored 
man. Having reached this point, they were 
generally safe, as public opinion was such that 
the odious fugitive-slave law could not be en- 
forced. He relates the case of a 3Ir. Greene 
who stopped at his house several days. Greene's 
father, who lived in Tennessee, made a will re- 
leasing all his slaves. After his death, the two 
boys could not agree in carrying out the terms 
of the will, one wishing to detain the blacks as 
slaves. The other, however, determined they 
should be free. and. although compelled to hide 
for his life, he remained in the neighborhood 
until he saw his father's former slaves all safely 
off to Canada, and then came to Ohio with his 
wife and six children in destitute circumstan- 
ces. In Ohio, Greene and his family were 
hunted and driven from place to place, living 
sometimes in deserted cabins and swamps, and 
finally sought safety in Canada, assisted on their 
way by 3Ir. Finney. As an instance of the 
honesty of tlie colored people, and the hard- 
ships they endured for freedom. ]Mr. Finney re- 
lates that two men with their wives once came 
to him in midwinter, nearly frozen. They had 
taken their master's horses, crossed the Ohio 
on the ice, after which they returned the horses 
to their owner and came on afoot. The}- were 
kept several days, clothed, fed and taken on 
their way to a colder region. Mr. Robbins and 
^Ir. Joseph Roe, his neighl)ors, living five and 
seven miles away, were Mr. Finney's right-hand 
men in this business. Mr. Roe is still living a 



^ 



J^ 



584 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



short distance west of Ontario, an aged and re- 
spected citizen. The penalty for assisting in the 
escape of fugitive slaves was very severe, and 
these men were, therefore, continually on the 
"ragged edge," and several times came ver}' 
near having serious trouble. At one time, Ben- 
jamin Gass brought to Mr. Finne}- five colored 
men with five or six women and children. He 
lodged the females in the upper part of his 
dwelling-house and the men in his granary- in 
the barn. Six men, armed with revolvers, who 
had been in pursuit, came up with them here. 
Learning they were secreted about the prem- 
ises, they made a demand of Mr. Finney for 
their restitution. He was clearly caught, but 
determined not to give up the fugitives without 
a struggle. He demanded their warrant. The^* 
could not produce this, but sent three of their 
number to Mansfield to procure the warrant, 
while the other three remained to watch. Mr. 
Finne}' had dispatched word to some of his 
particular friends in Mansfield, and his object 
now was to gain time ; meanwhile he armed 
the darkies in the barn with pitchforks. Rep- 
resenting to the three men that the fugitives 
were locked in his granary (which was true) 
and would not probabl}' escape, he invited 
them into his house, gave them Ijreakfast, and 
consumed as much time as possible in various 
waj'S. While this was passing, the fugitives 
found an opening in the liarn and escaped to 
the woods. When the warrant arrived, no 
darkies were to be found — the presence of those 
up-stairs in his house not Ijeing suspected by 
the pursuers. It is hardly possible, however, 
that these slaves could have been recaptured 
without a fight, as Mr. Finney's friends liegan 
to arrive from Mansfield, all armed and expect- 
ing trouble. Among those who first came to 
his assistance were Dr. Miller, Thomas Thaker 
and Mathias Day. The pursuers, finding the 
fugitives had escaped, began a search of the 
neighborhood, and, as soon as he could with 
safety, Mr. Finney transferred the females to 



the house of his friend Joseph Roe. Mr. Roe, 
being notorious in this cause, and well knowing 
his house would soon be searched, contrived to 
get them away to his neighbor, James Wood, 
which he had no sooner done, than the pursu- 
ers appeared to search his premises. Mr. Roe 
pleaded ignorance, and, fearing they would go 
on to Mr. Woods house, contrived to throw them 
oft' the scent b}' oftering to assist in the recapt- 
ure of the fugitives, and leading them ofl[" in 
the opposite direction, back to Mr. Finney's, 
and then to Mansfield ; meanwhile, Mrs. Roe 
sent word to Mr. Wood, and the fugitives 
were conveyed to the Smith settlement, in what 
is now Washington Township, and from there 
to other points, and escaped. The men were 
gathered up here and there in the woods, and 
all got safely' awa}-. 

Mr. Joseph Roe, before mentioned, gives an 
excellent historical and political review of mat- 
ters in Springfield, from which the following 
notes are taken : 

When he came to the township in 1835, it 
was largely Democratic and controlled b}' preju- 
dice and superstition. It was supposed that a 
negro had no soul, and no rights a white man 
was bound to respect. An Abolitionist was 
considered much beneath a horse-thief and coun- 
terfeiter. The Democratic idea was, that Ab- 
olitionists carried negroes to Canada, and re- 
ceived a compensation from the Canadian Go^- 
ernment, and that, should a war arise between 
the two countries, these negroes would improA^e 
the occasion to murder the people of Ohio and 
other States ; and further, if slaver}' should be 
abolished, our country would be completely 
ruined and society much demoralized, if not 
destroyed. Hence the intense feeling against 
the Aliolitionists. The matter was carried into 
the pulpit, and many churches divided. Mr. 
Roe resohed not to support any minister who 
sanctioned slavery. He was thoroughly Anti- 
slaver}', and entered heartily into the under- 
ground railway business. In the spring of 



'y 



Ji 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



587 



1841, three colored persons came to his house 
on their wa}' to freedom — a woman and her two 
daughters. His brother-in-law, William Woods, 
and himself took them to Mansfield, and left 
them with ]\Ir. Elmminger a few hours, while they 
attempted to get other friends of the cause to help 
them along. In this they were not successful, 
and not willing to leave them where their ene- 
mies might discover them, they resorted to the 
device of buying a load of flour of a Mr. Ba- 
sore, who lived near Lucas, stipulating that the 
tlour was to be delivered in Oberlin. They 
paid Mr. Basore $3 to carry their " chattels " to 
Oberlin on his load. He would not take them 
from the Wiler House, being Democratic in his 
views, but received them at the covered l^ridge 
outside of town, and delivered both flour and 
negroes at 01)erlin in due time. The flour was 
sold at a net profit of $5, and after paying Mr. 
Basoi'e, the Abolitionists pocketed !|2 clear 
profit. 

As the Antislavery movement continued, men 
began to read, think and hear lectures on the 
subject. In 1842, Leicester King was candi- 
date for Governor of Ohio. He received four 
votes in Springfield Township. These were cast 
by Andrew Wood, Sr., Mathew Mitchell, Henry 
Crabbs and Joseph Roe. 

In 1844, James (Jr. Burney received several 
votes in the township for President. In the 
spring of 1845, a minister came into the neigh- 
borhood and preached in a schoolhouse, taking 
, for his text the remark made by Joseph when 
ill prison to the butler and baker, requesting 
them to remember him when they should be 
restored : '' For indeed I was stolen away out 
of the land of the Hebrews, and here also have 
I done nothing that the}^ should put me into a 
dungeon." As was the custom of those da3'S, 
church members were anxious to put down 
heresies, and this sermon lieing considered of 
that character, certain persons were inclined to 
mob the preacher and his audience. They made 
• a gi'eat noise about the church, and used their 



knives freely on the saddles and bridles of the 
worshipers. A young man b}' the name of 
Basset — a tinner in Ontario — went to Mansfield 
and procured a warrant of Squire Wise, for the 
arrest of one of' the deacons of the Presbyter- 
ian Church of J*leasant Hill ; also a member 
and his son, belonging to the same church. 
Before the case was called, Mr. Roe visited, 
and stated the facts to, Squire Wise, and soon 
after, the deacon also called on the Squire and 
asked if he was an Abolitionist. 

" No," sa3'S the Squire. 

'• Well, then," said the deacon, '^ all I am 
sorry for is, that we did not egg them well." 

The trial lasted two days ; I. J. Allen ])eing 
counsel for the State, and Hon. Columbus 
Delano, of Mount Vernon, for the defense, 
It was hotly contested. Delano said he hoped 
God would permit such preachers to preach on 
until all the North became convinced of the 
gi-eat evil, and put it out of existence — that it 
was a low, mean act of his clients, but not a viola- 
tion of the statute, and they could not be fined. 

A minister was present at the trial, and such 
was the feeling, that whenever an}- slur was 
cast on the Abolitionists, he cheered with the 
majorit}'. After two daj's' hard fighting, the 
three were fined. Mr. Allen charged nothing 
for his services in this case, but a purse was 
raised for him. Mr. Delano's course elevated 
him very much in the estimation of Mr. Roe 
and others holding the same views. 

Many slaves availed themselves of the very 
low fare on the undergTOund railway. They 
were furnished transportation free, and clothing 
also, if needed. Uncle John Finney is a large 
man ; and when he was thoroughly aroused 
and left the Whig party, it lost a host in him- 
self His account of the enemy's attempt to 
storm his battery in Jul}-, 1848, and of the 
assistance he received from ft-iends of the cause, 
is trul}- graphic. 

In January, 1858. a colored man came from 
New Orleans. The weather was extremelv cold. 



v> 



588 



HLSTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



especially for one coming from a warm climate. 
Mr. Roe urged him to remain until warmer 
weather. He did so, and told his story. He 
was raised in Kentucky ; had been sold eleven 
times — several times l)ecause he could read. It 
was thought, for this reason, he would not make 
a safe and reliable servant. Mr. Roe became 
interested in him, and determined to have him 
make a public statement of his connection with 
slavery. The meeting was held at the United 
Presbyterian Church in Ontario, and before a 
good audience, the darke}- was introduced and 
told his story. It made a good impression, a 
purse was raised for him, and he went on 
toward the north star rejoicing. Thus rapidly 
were the people being educated to the great 
work that began in earnest in 1861. 

In 1860, three colored boys came to Iberia 
for the purpose of getting an education. They 
had been there a year or two, and had pro- 
gressed very well, but the liloodhounds were 
upon their track. As the train neared Iberia 
one evening, the bell-rope was pulled, the train 
slackened, and a party of slave-hunters with a 
Deputy jMarshal at their head, sprang off. The 
boys were at different places, and one or two 
of them were captured. This caused intense 
excitement, as a great many more people than 
formerly were opposed to the execution of the 
fugitive-slave law. They collected rapidly, 
caught the Marshal and his slave-hunters, and 
after a consultation, allowed the darkies to " cut 
their hair and use l)eech sprouts on them," to 
such an extent as was deemed necessary. The 
citizens engaged in this affair expected trouble, 
and sent two of their number after Mr. Roe to 
go to Cleveland for an eminent lawyer to en- 
gage in their defense. He secured the services 
of Mr. Parsons, a man who had the year before 
been elected to Congress. \Yhen told that he 
would be expected to manage the case for a 
small compensation, he promised to do all in 
his power, and, if necessary, would employ an 
attorne}' in Northern Ohio to assist him. He 



not only agreed to do the work gi'atuitously. 
but said if they were fined, he would help pay 
it. Rev. George Gordon, President of the col- 
lege at Iberia, was the man the slave-power de- 
termined to humble. He was indicted, tried, 
convicted and sentenced to pa}^ a fine of $300, 
and to suffer imprisonment for six months. His 
name will go down as one of the martjTS in the 
cause of human freedom. Mr. Roe mentions as 
a coincidence, that while Mr. Gordon was in 
jail, a man of the same name was hung in Bos- 
ton, Mass. for being engaged in the slaA'e trade. 
As to Mr. Roe's politics, he says he threw up 
his hat, when a boy of fourteen, at the election 
of Andrew Jackson as President. In 1836, 
when Van Buren and Harrison ran, he was 
entitled to vote, but, owing to the former casting 
a vote to prcs^ent the circulation of antislavery 
documents, he could not support him. and 
believing Harrison to be incompetent, he did 
not vote at all. In 1840, being better posted, 
as he thought, he concluded to support Tyler, 
but afterward discovered that he was a slave- 
holder. Slavery, in his mind, became of more 
importance than all other matters of legisla- 
tion ; 200.000 slaveholders in the South ruled 
the nation, and he, for' one, would not partici- 
pate in such wickedness. In 1852, he voted for 
John P. Hale, the candidate of the " Liberty 
party ;" in 1856, for John C. Fremont ; in 1860 
and 1864, for A. Lincoln ; in 1868 and 1872, 
for IT. S. Grant ; after which he became dissatis- 
fied with the Republican part}', for the reasons, 
among others, that Jeff Davis and the other 
arch traitors were not hung, that treason might 
be " made odious," and as a warning to other 
evil-doers ; and because the right of suffrage 
was extended to rebel colonels and other higher 
officers, by which they have gained control of 
Congress, and are making laws for the nation 
they tried to destroy. He, therefore, withdrew 
from the party, and joined the new Reform 
party headed by James P. Walker for President 
in 1876. It is opposed to all secret societies. 



:nv" 



K 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



589 



Mr. Roe is a farmer and stock-raiser ; has 
been a member of the United Presbyterian 
Chnrch ever since its organization in 1858, and 
before that was a member of the Associate 
Presbyterian. It will be seen from the fore- 
going, that he is a man of strong convictions of 
duty, and is presented as a type of the men 
who formed the substratum of the popuUition 
of Springfield Township. 

The first Sabbath school was started in 1820, 
by Robert Finnev. It was held for several 
3'ears in the private dwelling of John Chambers. 
Some of its first members were John and Susan 
Chambers. John and James Finney, Mathew 
Curran and James Larimer. Of these, John 
and James Finne}' and Susan Chambers are 
still living. They were Presbyterians and Asso- 
ciates. Their first meetings and public gather- 
ings of all kinds were held at private houses, 
but, in 1 822, a log church was built, one mile 
north of Ontario, at what is called the Five 
Corners, by the Presbyterians. Jesse Edger- 
ton was the active spirit in founding this 
church. He came from Harrison County, Ohio, 
and had five sons — John, Jessie, Levi, Thomas 
and Isaac. The first man who preached in this 
church was Rev. Mr. Lee, father of an honored 
citizen of Mansfield, John A. Lee. About the 
same time, the Methodists built a log church, 
three-fourths of a mile south of Millsborough, 
which was called Taylor's Meeting House. » 

In 1837, the Bigelow Chapel was built, two 
and a qiuxrter miles north of Ontario, on the 
farm of Mr. David Jaques. This gentleman is 
now living, at the age of seventy-eight. He 
furnished the land and money for the Bigelow 
Chapel. It was a frame Iniilding, and was estab- 
lished mainly through the influence of Bigelow, 
who was a missionary among the W3'andot 
Indians. It was Methodist. Across the road 
from the Bigelow Chapel was built, in 1844, a 
Baptist church. It was established principally 
through the influence of John Palmer and Ely- 
flet Flint. These earlv churches were used for 



many years, but they have long since rotted 
down, or been removed, their congregations 
dead and scattered, and many of the members 
now worship at the church in Ontario. Some of the 
early preachers in these churches were : Revs. 
Ruark, John Quigley, and Adam Poe, a nephew 
of the famous Adam Poe of history ; not to men- 
tion Johnny Appleseed, who visited the township 
frequently, scattering his seeds and pfeculiar 
religious opinions at the same time. Outside 
of the village of Ontario, but two churches re- 
main, within the limits of the townsliip, having 
at present an organized existence. Of these, 
the first was organized in 1848. The church 
was erected the year before, on the southwest 
quarter of Section 1. It is used b}^ the Lu- 
theran and German Reformed people. 

The Lutherans were first organized by Rev. 
J. W. Huftman, D. D.: the German Reformed 
by Rev. J. W. Thompson. The principal origi- 
nal members were John Wise, Joseph Welch, 
Samuel Starchman, Louis Hill and Joseph 
Kennel of the Lutheran ; and John Leppo and 
family, James Leppo and George Shafer and 
family, of the German Reformed. Before the 
erection of the church, meetings were held at the 
private residences of Christopher Flory and 
John Leppo, Sr. The cost of building the 
church was small, as the members furnished 
most of the material and did a large portion 
of the work. The membership is light at 
present, not exceeding twelve or fifteen. The 
Pastors who have occupied the pulpit at difter- 
ent times were Revs. S. Fenner. — Brown, Isaac 
Culler, — Sincebaugh, — Hersheiser. Francis 
Ruth, — Westervelt and J. H. Williard. The 
Sunday school is in a flourishing condition at 
present. It was organized when the church 
was erected, and called the " Spring Mills Union 
Sunday School." A. Barr was the first Super- 
intendent ; Joseph Cairns is now Superintend- 
ent, witli a membership of sixty -five. 

The second church mentioned is called the 
Springfield Methodist Church, erected in 



^ 



J^i 



590 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUXTY. 



1858, at a cost of about $500, on the southeast 
quarter of Section 26. The organization dates 
back to 1851-52, and was established througli 
the influence of Rev. A. E. Brown, in a school- 
house, a few rods south of the present location 
of the church. The principal original members 
were John Scott and wife, Thomas Scott, Sr., 
William Plancy and famil}-, Kobert Patterson 
and wife, and J. Bartholomew and wife. Fol- 
lowing the Rev. A. K. Brown were N. T. 
Brown, George Hiskey, "William Simpson and 
others. A union Sunday school is now in 
working condition, with a membership of about 
sixt^-. 

The first school in the township was taught 
by John C. Gilkison, on the southeast quarter 
of Section 1. His pupils were Jacob CofRnberry, 
George Cofflnlierry, A. B. Cofflnberry, John 
Bartlej^, Susan Bartley, Nancy Condon, Joseph 
CuiTcn, Elizabeth Curren, John, James and Jane 
C. Welch. For several years, there were no 
schoolhouses, schools being kept in private 
houses and barns. It is believed, the first school- 
house was on the Rallston farm, two miles 
north of Ontario, It was a primitive aflTair, 
made of logs, with a puncheon floor, a fireplace 
of ample proportions, and logs hewn flat on 
one side for seats. Hundreds of such buildings 
dotted the country in those days. 

The first saw-mill was built in 1817, by Con- 
don & Welch, on the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 1, and the first grist-mill by Ex-Governor 
Mordecai Bartley, on the same section, where 
Spring Mill now is. This mill has l)eeu burned 
down, and destroyed or removed, and rebuilt 
several times. About the same time, the Purdy 
mill, before mentioned, was built, and also one 
on the head-waters of Clear Fork. Xear this 
last was also built a saw-mill and several stills 
for the manufacture of spirits. These mflls 
gave to the place the name of Millsl)orougli. 
It is pictui-esquely situated among the hills, and 
started with fair promise for a future tovyn. It 
has the honor attached to age, being the first 



town in the township. It was laid out on part 
of the northeast and northwest quarters of Sec- 
tion 28, by John S. Marshall, Deputy County 
Surveyor, October 29, 1831. The mills wore 
built in 1818, b}' John Garretson, who came 
from New York. Before the establishment of 
these mills, settlers went as far as Mount Ver- 
non, in Knox Count}', to do their milling. 
Uncle Jesse Edgerton, as he was called, occa- 
sionally hitched four horses to his large Penn- 
S3-lvania wagon — "schooner" — and taking his 
own and his neighbors' grists, hauled them to 
Mount Yernon. In addition to his mills, Gar- 
retson also built a house in which he kept hotel 
for some time. This stand was afterward kept 
by John Martin. The place at one time — 
about 1830-35 — boasted of two dry-goods 
stores, kept by John Evans and John Williams. 
The earl}' settlers in this part of the township 
were James Woods, John Garretson, Samuel 
and David Mitchell. Joseph and Lewis Day, 
John Milligan and Samuel Estel. Estel was a 
veteran of the war of 1812, and established a 
tanyard in 1818 on Section 23. John Stewart 
did most of the surve3'ing in this township. 
The railroads assisted in the death of Millsbor- 
ough. It has been dead many 3'ears ; even the 
sound of the mills has ceased. 

The next attempt to build a town in the town- 
ship was in the woods, on the trail leading from 
Mansfield to Bucyrus, about eight miles from the 
former. It was called Newcastle ; however, Onta- 
rio and Newcastle were both laid out in the same 
month, Decemljer. 1834. and on the same section, 
21. Newcastle was laid out by Frederick Cassell 
and Adam Webl)er, the name of the former sug- 
gesting the name of the place. It was surveyed 
by John Stewart. Adam Weliber kept tavern 
there for some time, but the place never grew 
up to their expectations. No business is done, 
and the place has fallen into decay. Its pres- 
ent population is about forty. Even the Atlan- 
tic & Great Western Railroad, which ivan its 
first passenger cars through it in 1864, failed to 



^; 



:^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



591 



bring it renewed life. A church was built 
there in 1838, b}^ the Lutherans. Its founders 
and first members were Frederick Cassell, John 
Stough, John Sheffler, Adam Webber and Will- 
iam T. Daniels. This church, partaking of the 
general character of the place, has fallen into 
decay. It has not been occupied for many 
years. The whole village seems to have gone 
to sleep, its people living quietly, dreaming 
away their lives, apparentl}' unconscious of the 
great moving world around them. 

Hiram Cook came to this township in 1820, 
from a place called Ontario, in Orange County, 
N. Y. He bought a farm a few miles south of 
the present village of Ontario, where he lived 
several 3-ears, and having purchased the land 
on which Ontario now stands, laid out that place 
in a dense woods. It was on the trail leading 
from Mansfield to Bucyrus, by way of Gallon. 
This trail was then only wide enough for the 
passage of horses and footmen. It is on the 
southwest quarter of Section 21. He had it 
surveyed by John Stewart, and induced George 
Hoover to build the first cabin beside the trail. 
Hoover started a blacksmith-shop, and also 
kept a few groceries for sale in his cabin. 
When the timber was cleared awaj^ a little. 
Cook built two frame houses — one south of the 
Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, to be used 
as a dwelling, the other on the north side of the 
railroad, on the trail, for a hotel. He kept this 
hotel some years himself until it burned down, 
when it was rebuilt and occupied b}- other par- 
ties at difierent times, for the same purpose. 
As the town gTcw, the church organizations in 
the country began to abandon their deca^-ed 
churches and build others in town. The first 
erected was the Methodist Episcopal, in 1839. 
This organization originated at the Bigelow 
Chapel, and afterward worshiped at the Taylor 
meeting-house, both before mentioned in this 
chapter. The present minister is James H. 
Johnson, and the membership aliout eighty. 
The Sunday school is in a flourishing condition. 



with a membership of about one hundred. 
Christopher Au is Superintendent. 

In 1850, the United Presbyterians erected a 
frame church, which has cost, with repairs, 
about $3,000. This organization was originally 
the Associate, of which the Finneys, and o^ther 
old residents in the township, were the founders. 
The}' were too few in numbers to build a church!, 
and for thirty years worshiped in private houses, 
liarns, and wherever they could find shelter. 
The original members of the first organization 
at Ontario were Samuel G. Craig, wife and 
daughter, John Finney, Dr. Samuel G. ^liller 
and wife, James C. Robinson and wife, and 
Mrs. Joseph Roe. The first minister was J. L. 
McLain, who occupied the pulpit three or four 
years, after which came Revs. D. W. Collins, J. 
M. Hutchison and William Wishart. The pres- 
ent membership is 118. 

The Sunda}- school was organized in 1858, 
with David Barrett as Superintendent. It has 
been maintained in a healthy condition, and 
now has a membership of about one hundred 
and thirt}-. Erskine Chambers is Superin- 
tendent. 

In the following year, 1851, the Presbyterians 
erected a church at Ontario. This organiza- 
tion originated at the Five Corners, before men- 
tioned, and afterward removed to Pleasant Hill, 
removing thence to Ontario. It w'as organized 
there about 1853 ; some of the earlj' mem- 
bers being Hugh 3IcConnell, William Kerr,- 
John S. ]Marshall, David Hackedoru, William 
Wiley and J. W. Horner. The first minister here 
was Rev. Luke Dorland, who served about two 
years. Following him were Revs. Marquis, — 
Atkinson and J. 31. Blane}'. At present, they 
have no Sunday school and no regular Pastor. 
The church has been somewhat neglected of 
late, the members having died and moved away. 
The present meml)ership is onh" about tweut}'- 
five. 

Ontario has grown to be a place of about 
two hundred inhabitants. John Evans and A. 



l^ 



592 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



Atwood kept the first store, in 1838. The two 
stores tliere at present carry a general stock, 
and are kept by Christopher Au and Eli 
Ringer. In 1850, a large brick building was 
erected for high-school purposes, and was kept 
up until 1874, receiving students from a dis- 
tance. It is now occupied by the Masonic 
Fraternity. A new brick schoolhouse on the 
east side of the town is now used to educate 
the future sovereigns. There is an undertaking 
establishment kept by Cline & Wolf, and a 
blacksmith and wagon shop. The township 
does not lack railroad facilities, all those (four) 
centering in Mansfield passing through it. Like 
all other parts of Ohio, it has increased greatly 
in wealth and population. In 1850, the popu- 



lation was 2,100. From some cause it decreased, 
and, in 18G0, was only 1,756, but between 1860 
and 1870, it recovered again, showing at the 
latter date a population of 2,046, of which 
eight3'-four were foreign and twenty-six colored. 
The census of 1880 will ver}- soon determine 
whether any progress has been made in this 
direction during the last decade. 

Good substantial houses, brick and frame, 
and well-cleared farms have taken the place of 
the cabins and the woods ; and the earl}' set- 
tlers, like their cabins, are rapidly sinking into 
mother earth, and will soon have passed awa}^ 
as their former acquaintances, the wolf, bear, 
deer and Indian, have long since done. 



CHAPTER LIX. 

TROV TOWNSHIP. 

Okiginal Bou.NDARiKs — Eakly Entries — Eauly Settlkrs — Indians — Political Records — Lexington — 
Churches — Schuols — Lexington Seminary — Ce.metery — Division of the Township — Village of 
Steam Corners. 



PREVIOUS to 1814, this territory was in- 
cluded in Jefferson Township, but, Sep- 
tember 5, wa,s erected into a separate township, 
and named Troy. Its area at this time was six 
miles wide (north and south) b}- eighteen in 
length (east and west). It then also included 
all of Washington and North Bloomfield Town- 
ships. In March, 1816, it was divided, Wash- 
ington l^eing erected, leaving the dimensions six 
by twelve miles in extent. March 4, 1823, the 
township was further reduced by striking ofli* 
North Bloomfield on the west, leaving Troy six 
miles square. In 1848, Morrow was created, 
taking thirteen sections from the southwestern 
portion of this towniship, leaving it irregular in 
form, the northwest corner Iseing known by the 
citizens as "Pan Handle.'' 

The first whites who remained permanently 
came to Troy in the winter of 1811-12. Will- 



iam Gass entered the first piece of land in Tro}' 
in the fall of 1811, being the west half of Sec- 
tion 12. He also entered the southwest quarter 
of Section 11 in the name of Francis Mitchell. 
The Government lands then sold at $2 per ac^re. 
Mr. Watson went to the land oflrtce at Canton 
and paid $160, which secured the land for a 
term of five years. During the following winter, 
Amariah Watson, of Knox County, entered the 
north half of Section 24. with several other 
pieces in that vicinity. 

In the spring of 1812, Amariah Watson and 
Elisha Robins brought their families to their 
new home and occupied their rude log cabins. 
Soon thereafter, William Gass, with his two 
eldest sons and a hired man, arrived on the 
scene, driving a three-horse team and bringing 
tools, provisions and other necessaries. In a 
week, a humble cabin was erected and ready for 



-?' 



(S~- 






A' 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



593 



the family. He then returned to Knox County 
for his famil}', and located them in their new 
home on the 23d of April. During the succeed- 
ing summer, Calvin Culver, Wesley Spratt and 
Francis Mitchell each erected a small cabin, and 
brought his family. These were probably the 
only families in Troy previous to the spring of 
1814. A brief sketch of these hardy pioneers 
may be of interest to the survivors. Amariah 
Watson was formerly of Luzerne County, Penn.; 
he had owned and sold a farm near Frederick- 
town, Knox Count}', before coming to Troy. 
The family consisted of two sons and one daugh- 
ter at the time of their arrival, and subsequently 
one daughter and three sons were added to the 
circle. Mr. Watson was a millwright by voca- 
tion, energetic, industrious and possessed of con- 
siderable ingenuity. He was the original pro- 
prietor of the town site of Lexington ; was 
active and prominent in building up the ma- 
terial interests of the village. Having lost his 
wife, he removed some years afterward to 
Illinois, where he died. His brothers, Noah and 
Samuel, were partners with him in his building- 
enterprises, and also removed to the West. 

Elisha Robins was from the same count}*, and 
had married Mr. Watson's sister. Mr. Robins 
and wife were already elderly people ; Ijoth had 
been previously married and reared families, 
and the fruit of this union was two sons and two 
daughters. The children removed to Illinois, 
and the parents, after surviving some 3'ears, 
died in Troy. 

William Gass was a native of Franklin 
County, Penn. ; he emigrated from Western ^^ir- 
ginia to the Northwest Territory in 1800 ; set- 
tled in Fairfield County, and thence removed to 
Knox County in 1806, and finally to Richland 
County in 1812. His family consisted of his 
wife and four sons — Renjamin, James R., John 
and William— and a bound girl named Charlotte 
Hedrick. In the spring of 1817, Mrs. Gassdied, 
and the following year Mr. Gass was married to 
Mrs. Rebecca Merideth. 



In the spring of 1814, quite a tide of immi- 
gration set in to the shores of Tro}*. Among 
these was a sturd}', pious man, who became 
prominent in the community, Noah Cook, 
afterward known as " Uncle Noah," on account 
of his numerous progeny. He settled in the 
woods, on the farm now occupied Ijy his onl}- 
surviving son. Mr. Cook was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and was zealous for the 
success of moralit}- and godliness in the new 
settlement. He organized the first pra3'er- 
meeting in the township, and secured its success 
under peculiar circumstances : At the ap- 
pointed hour and place, '' Uncle Noah " was 
present, but no other soul of the settlement. 
He hesitated onl}* a few minutes, then wor- 
shiped alone, b}- singing, prayer, and reading a 
sermon. Some curious passers-by peeped in 
the window, and went their way. The follow- 
ing appointment, a few days after, witnessed a 
large compau}- gathered for worship. From 
this humble beginning, the religious interests 
of the settlement advanced, until it has become 
noted for morality and good order. 

Mr. Cook reared a famil}* of thirteen chil- 
dren, of whom Jabez Cook, of Mansfield, was 
the third son, and Thomas Cook, of Lexington, 
is now the onl}' surviving member. 

Calvin Culver was from Luzerne Count}-, 
Penn. His family consisted of three chil- 
dren — Sterling. Caleli and Julia. They re 
moved to Washington Township in earh- times. 

Wesle}- Spratt was from Knox Count}-. His 
wife was a sister of Mr. Watson. They were 
young people, and the location proving sickly 
for them, after a sojourn of four years, they 
returned to Knox County. 

William and Daniel Cook came from Wash- 
ington County, Penn., in 1815. William settled 
one mile west of Lexington, on the farm after- 
ward owned by Mr. Chamliers. Daniel settled 
two and a half miles west of Mansfield. They 
put in their crops, and in the fall returned to 
bring their families. A large wagon, drawn bv 



^ 



594 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



five horses. In-ought their iamilies and that of 
Jabez Cook. William removed to Lexington 
in 1817, where he was much annoyed by wild 
beasts, and in consequence devoted his leisure 
to hunting. In 1831, Mr. Cook removed to a 
farm three miles southwest of Mansfield, and in 
1855 moved to the cit}'. 

Samuel McCluer, who died but a few months 
since, and was one of the earliest pioneers, 
was born in Rockbridge County, Va. He 
removed to Ohio in 1808, and located near Cir- 
cleville; afterward moved to Bellville, and 
finally to Troy about 1815. Here he lived 
until his death. He was a valuable member of 
society, an earnest and active Christian, a mem- 
ber of the Congi-egational Church, and an active 
worker in the Sunday school. 

Ezekial Boggs, another prominent settler of 
Troy, was born in Ohio County, Va., in 1795, 
near Wheeling. He participated in a battle 
with the Indians in Belmont County, known as 
the battle of "Captina." About one mile 
below the mouth of Captina Creek was a small 
fort, where a party of three or four scouts 
were sent to reconnoiter. They were, however, 
surprised, attacked, and two of them slain, one 
taken prisoner, and the other escaped. This 
roused the revenge of those in the fort, and in 
consequence a party of twelve or fourteen sol- 
diers were sent up the creek, marching in single 
file, and as they neared the enemy, the savages 
fired at them from the hilltops. They took 
warning, treed, and began skirmishing ; three 
or foiir whites, and eight or ten of the enemy, 
were slain. Mr. Boggs joined the army in 
1812, under Gen. Hull and Col. Lewis Cass. 
The army marched from St. Clairsville to Cin- 
cinnati, and were joined by a body of soldiers 
bound for Detroit. He went with the army to 
the vicinity of Detroit, and was in the disgi-ace- 
ful surrender which occurred there. After the 
parole, Mr. Boggs returned home, and soon 
thereafter was married to Miss Jane Neal. 
They moved to Troy about 1833, and located in 



Lexington, where they remained until their 
deaths occurred. In their early pioneer life, 
Mrs. Boggs supplied the family with the neces- 
saries of life by digging gentian root. 

Among the later settlers are various names 
more or less familiar. Alexander Abernath}-, 
an aged and retired physician, was born in 
1810, in Pennsylvania ; graduated in 1831 ; 
practiced in Perry County, Penn.; removed to 
Ohio in 1836, and finall}- located at Lexing- 
ton in 1837. He married Miss Catherine 
Fulton in 1843, who bore him four children. 
Mr. A. was a member of the Legislature in 
1845 and also a subsequent term; he was a 
stanch Democrat. 

A. J. and Henry Winterstien came to Ohio 
in 1821, and located near Lexington. They 
are prominent members of the Presb3'terian 
Church and active, successful farmers. Thomas 
Cook, youngest son of " ITncle Noah," has been 
identified wuth the interests of Troy from his 
early childhood, first in the capacity of pupil 
in the pulilic school, afterward, for many years, 
as the village schoolmaster, then as a farmer, 
and in various other pursuits. James McCluer, 
Moses Sowers, Mr. Beverstock and others, are 
among the later but active and enterprising 
settlers in this vicinity. 

When the first settlers came to Troy, the In- 
dians had undisputed possession of this region. 
A numl)er of lodges or camps were located 
along the Clear Fork. They were of the 
Wyandot and Mohawk tribes. Six or eight 
camps were in sight of Noah Cook's residence ; 
while on the southeast quarter of Section 13 
were about the same numl)er. On the banks 
of Isaacs Run there was an Indian village. 
Thej' were quite peaceable and friendly ; they 
seldom or never offered the settlers any vio- 
lence ; they did not cultivate the soil here — it 
was merely a hunting-ground headquarters ; 
they at times vacated here and repaired to 
Greentown, their permanent home. This en- 
campment was on their trail from Sandusky, 



4V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAN^D COUNTY. 



595 



southward. Their chief articles of commerce 
were venison, cranberries and wooden wares. 
They were finally removed from here aljout 1826. 
The early political history of Troy is derived 
from its public documents, several of which are 
preserved. The first meeting of the citizens of 
Troy Township, after its organization, took 
place on the 4th daj- of October, 1814, when 
the following oflflcers were elected : Amariah 
Watson, Clerk ; C. Culver, Constable ; John 
Young, Jacob Mitchell and Solomon Culver, 
Township Trustees. The second election was 
held April 3, 1815, when the following 
officers were elected : Daniel Mitchell, Clerk ; 
Solomon Culver, John Young and Jacob 
Mitchell, Trustees ; John Yandorn, Constable ; 
Ichabod Clark and Andrew Perkins, Fence 
Viewers ; Samuel Watson, Appraiser ; Jacob 
Cook, Lister ; Amariah Watson and Samuel 
IMcCluer, Overseers of the Poor ; Aaron Young, 
William Gass, Alexander Mann and xlmariah 
Watson; Supervisors. The following bond, on 
account of its brevity, is worthy of notice : 

We, or eitliei' of us. do hold ourselves bound, in the 
sum of S400, for the good and faithful performance of 
the office of Township Trustees of Troy. Given under 
our hand at New Lexington, this third day of April, 
1815. 

Wesley Spuatt, Treasurer. 

Amarivh Watson, Security. 

Attest, Daniel McINIiohaei,. 

From this humble beginning, Troy has se- 
cured a very respectable place in the body politic. 
Her citizens numbered in 1820 a mere handful, 
but a tide of emigration soon set in from the 
older communities, and in 1850, the popula- 
tion of Troy was 1,543. Of this number, 777 
were males, and 766 were females. Then en- 
sued a period of comparative rest, for, at the 
next census in 1860, the population was 1,547 
persons. From that period to the present, there 
has been considerable decrease, amounting to 
several hundred. A marked feature of the pop- 
ulation was, that only two colored persons and 



but forty foreign born were enrolled in the 
the township. 

Lexington is beautifully situated upon the 
northern slope of a gentle hill. The Clear Fork 
flows along its eastern border. It is a neat and 
ordinary Aillage of some five or six hundred 
souls. The town site is located on the north- 
west quarter of Section 24, owned originally by 
Amariah Watson. The town was laid out in 
1812, and named in honor of the Revolutionary 
Lexington of Massachusetts. Mr. Watson l)uilt 
the first house, a log caliin, a few rods a])Ove 
the site of the mill on the creek bank, in the 
spring of 1812, He soon vacated this humble 
dwelling for a more commodious frame house, 
which he built in the immediate vicinity of the 
Inglehart propert}', near the railroad. This 
house was provided with port-holes for defense 
in case of Indian invasion. The second house 
was a frame tavern, built by Mr. Jacob Cook, 
and is still standing and occupied as a hotel. 
A tannery was soon after erected by Mr. Cole- 
man, near the spot now occupied by the depot. 
A shoe store was kept in connection with the 
tanner}", where boots and shoes were made to 
order and exchanged for hides. The building 
has long since been demolished ; but the vats 
may still be seen. About this time, a very impor- 
tant event took place ; the log schoolhouse was 
built. It was built of unhewed logs, and cov- 
ered with boards or shakes ; the seats were of 
the ancient make — a slab with pegs for legs con- 
stituted the seats — counters ranged along the 
walls were the desks whereon to write and 
cipher. In those da^'S, the schoolmaster was 
king ; when his ire was stirred, he grasped his 
ten-foot rod and planting himself in the arena, 
swayed his trust}' weapon with such skill that 
the boys began to climb — science hill. 

The gi'ist and saw mills were erected in 1812, 
and contril)uted largeh' to the prosperity of the 
new settlement. The grist-mill run one buhr for 
wheat, and one for corn, and began running to 
its full capacity in 1814. A dry-goods store 



596 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



was established the same year by William Dar- 
nell and J. F. Adams, which gave a new im- 
petus to trade and settlement. In a few 3'ears, 
Lexington had attracted a population of several 
hundred souls. While the newly born city was 
growing in material wealth, her religious wel- 
fare was also sought after. Rev. Henry George, a 
Baptist minister of Scotch blood, was the first 
itinerant who traveled in this region. He was 
a stonemason by trade, and possessed of con- 
siderable talent. There was no stated preach- 
ing until 181G, when Rev. George Van Eman, 
a Presbyterian minister, labored at Lexing- 
ton a portion of his time. In 1817-18, Rev. 
George and Rev. Summerville occupied the 
field, alternating every two weeks. Services 
were held at dwellings, the schoolhouse, in 
barns and other such structures for several years. 
From these humble beginnings, the religious 
and educational interests of Lexington have 
developed to a degree that would do honor to a 
city of greater magnitude. Five diflferent denomi- 
nations have houses of worship, and maintain 
sei'vices at stated times. It is ditficult to ascer- 
tain which denomination was the first to occupy 
the field. The Old School Presbyterians held 
services in the schoolhouse and elsewhere very 
eai'ly, yet the United Presbyterians, Methodists 
and Universalists held services in an early da}'. 
The first meeting-house, however, was doubtless 
built by the Presbyterians as early as 1831 or 
18.32. It was a small frame, and built upon 
the lot now used and owned by the United 
Brethren. The lot was donated by Amariah 
Watson ; the neighbors united to clear it oft' and 
•• Uncle Noah " Cook contracted with a Mr. 
Bell, who furnished the materials, Iniilt the 
house, and received as compensation from Mr. 
Cook seventy acres of new land. The Presljy- 
terian society was organized Ijy a committee of 
Presljytery March 20, 1832. The first Pastor 
was Rev. Adam Torrence, and some of the orig- 
inal members were Noah Cook, Ezekiel Boggs, 
William Kelso, John Herron, Marv Mitchell 



William McMillan and Hester Cleland. By 
order of the session, the house was sold in Ma}', 
1836, to the United Brethren for $422. It was 
replaced by a brick building the following year. 
Revs. Brown, Rowland, Robinson, Shearer and 
Smith succeeded as supplies or Pastors till 1844, 
when Rev. Evan Evans became the Pastor. 
During this year, slavery and other causes rent 
the church, and Rev. Evans with a number of 
his flock seceded and organized as a new-school 
congregation. In 1848, Rev. Luke Doreland 
became Pastor. The brick house having proven 
defective, it was replaced b}' a substantial frame 
which is still in use and in good repair. Some 
of the later Pastors were Revs. James Anderson, 
Mr. Hillman, J. 0. Proctor, T. B. Atkins, Mr. Mc- 
Millan and A. Duncan. The present incum- 
bent, Rev. G. G. Copland, was installed in the 
summer of 1879. This denomination is at pres- 
ent much the strongest, both numericallj' and 
financialh', of any in the village. 

The Congregational Church was formerl}' a 
New School Presbyterian, organized as such in 
1844, by Rev. J. B. Walker. The records dur- 
ing the interval from the secession to the final 
organization are very meager. The Pastors of 
the church during this period were Rev. E. 
Evans, Rev. Shedd, Rev. Buslmell and others. 
Some of the original members were Mr. Chap- 
man, L. Barnum, William Kelso, John Rusk, 
William Lyon and Mr. Brown. In March, 
1862, Rev. Kelso organized this bod}' into a 
Congregational society. Thomas Brown, Carter 
Cook, Samuel Douglas, Samuel McCluer, Will- 
iam Kelso, John Barnum and Phineas Barnum 
were some of the original members. The first 
meeting-house was liuilt in 1846, at a cost of 
$835, not including painting. In 1873, the 
church was repaired and remodeled at a cost of 
$1,600, making a very comfortable and attract- 
ive edifice. The first Pastor under the new 
organization was Rev. Samuel Kelso. From 
1864 to 1872, Rev. George Fry, who died quite 
recently, served the society as Pastor. He was 



:^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



597 



succeeded l\y Rev. J. M. Bowers and Rev. J. 
G. Aikman. In January, 1876, Rev. L. R. 
Royce became Pastor, and still serves in that 
capacity. The membership of the church in 
1879, was eighty-two, and the contributions for 
the current year .$812.22. 

The United Presbyterians were among the 
earliest in this field. Soon after the organization 
of the township, they held services in dwell- 
ings, schoolhouses and other rude buildings. 
The first sermon was preached in the shed of 
a still-house, by Rev. John Graham, at Troy, 
a mile and a half northwest of Lexington. The 
first house of worship — a log cabin — was erected 
at Troy, which served them for many years. 
In 1851, preparations were made to l^uild a 
frame house ; the lumber was secured and stored 
in the log house, but, before the foundation was 
complete, the log house caught fire and was 
consumed with all its contents. The frame was 
subsequently erected and long used as a sanc- 
tuary ; part of it is still in use as a barn. This 
house was frequently used b}- other denomina- 
tions also for divine services. The church va- 
cated this point and bought the seminary build- 
ing in Lexington, in 1867, of Rev. Galley, who 
continued his school in the lower stor}', while 
the upper story was finished and furnished for 
a church, and is still used as a place of wor- 
ship. Rev. James Johnson was the first Pastor 
and served until 1844, when Rev. Samuel Fin- 
ley succeeded to the office. Some of the mem- 
bers at the time of organization were Isaac 
Miller, John McClung, James Larimer, N. 
Cook, John Gass and William Nelson. In 
1849, Rev. R. Galley began his ministrations as 
Pastor, and continued in this relation until his 
death, which occurred in April, 1875. Until 
lately. Rev. T. P. D^'sart has been Pastor of the 
church. The present membership is fort3'-five, 
and the annual contri1)utions about $500. 

The United Brethren organized quite early, 
and bought the house sold Ij}' the Presliyterians 
in 1836. It was torn down, enlarged, remodeled 



and furnished, affording a neat and pleasant 
house. Their earl}' ministers were Rev. Jacob 
George, John Dorcas, (jreorge Hiskey, John Fry 
and others. The later ones were Samuel Long, 
Rev. Creighton, Rev. Kese}' and Rev. Barlow. 
The numerical strength of this church varied 
much at ditt'erent periods, now advancing, then 
^receding. It has exceeded one hundred in the 
past, but is now quite small. 

The Universalists were also pioneers in this 
vicinity. They built a church in an earl}- day 
on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Spaulding's 
residence, and it has l^een only a few years 
since it disappeared. This denomination was 
at one time quite strong, and threatened the 
extinction of the other denominations, but a 
long, protracted debate or controversy took 
place between one of their prominent ministers. 
Rev. Biddlecome, and a Methodist minister, 
Rev. Powers, lasting more than a week, which 
seemed to check their progress, and they soon 
began to abate their ardor, so that in a few 
3'ears no services were maintained. At the 
present, the}' have neither house, society, nor 
name. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church is not the 
least, although last, to receive attention. It 
was organized in the early history of the village 
and well sustained for many years. It w^as at 
one period the leading church, having a large 
and influential membership, and some very able 
and talented ministers ; some of whom have 
risen to the highest position in the church. 
The names of Russell Bigelow, Adam Poe, 
Harris, Leonard Gurley, John Powers and 
many younger men are familiar among Metho- 
dists and many others in this section. The 
house of worship is a plain, modest frame, 
about thirty-six feet wide by fifty feet long. It 
has l)een built some forty years and, excepting 
some repairs, remains in its original form. This 
society has been gradually declining in num- 
bers and influence for several years, so that a 
mere handful compose its membership at 



d^ 



598 



HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY. 



present. An appointment was long maintained 
at Fairview, a point about two and a half miles 
northwest of the village, where there was a neat 
frame chapel. This house was destroyed by 
fire a few years since, and the place abandoned. 
A neat, frame schoolhouse now stands upon the 
same foundation. 

After the log schoolhouse, previously men- 
tioned, had served its purpose, it was replaced 
with a substantial brick building, about the 
j-ear 18.31. It was an octagon in form, and one 
story high. Several of the teachers who served 
in the old log house have since become eminent 
in the nation. Mr. Delano, who has since been 
a member of the national cabinet, taught in 
this primitive seat of learning ; also Mr. Ken- 
non, who has since been honored with the offices 
of Judge and Congressman from Belmont 
County, Ohio. The first term of school in the 
new brick house was taught by Thomas Cook, 
who continued in the same position for a num- 
ber of terms. Mr. Colby, subsequently a prom- 
inent citizen of Mansfield and of Imnk notoriety, 
served also in the brick house, as teacher one 
or more terms. In 1851, the brick house was 
abandoned, as it was no longer considered 
safe, and a commodious frame, two stories high, 
and containing four schoolrooms, was erected. 
These were all filled with pupils at different 
periods, but for a few years past there has been 
a great decrease in the enrollment. The schools 
now contain about one hundred and twenty-five 
pupils in the several departments. Mr. Wilson, 
Mr. Andrews, and others, have held the position 
of Principal in later years. Mr. Bechtel is the 
present teacher. The school has never attained 
any higher grade than a village or district 
school. 

Tlie Lexington Seminary was a continuation 
of Monroe Seminary, situated in Monroe Town- 
ship, and was opened in 1851 by Rev. R. Galley. 
The recitations were, for a time, conducted in a 
church, yet the school drew to itself a large 
share of patronage. Mansfield and Wooster 



sent many pupils to the school. In 1860, the 
school was removed to Lexington. A substan- 
tial brick liuilding was erected by a stock com- 
pany, and devoted to school purposes. Some 
trouble arose in 1866, between the seminary and 
the public. The Trustees ofiered the ' house for 
sale at 50 per cent of the nominal value. Rev. 
Galley purchased the house and furnished it, 
also making some improvements. Rev. Galley 
sold the house the following 3'ear to the United 
Presbyterian Church. They paid off all claims 
against the property and furnished it comfort- 
ably. They occupy the upper room for a house 
of worship, and gave the lower room to Miss 
Galley, the last Principal, for a schoolroom. 
The school was a private enterprise in no sense 
denominational. The enrollment in the fall of 
1865, was 80 : in 1866, 109 ; in 1867, 126. The 
school declined in menibers for several j^ears, so 
that only 94 were enrolled in 1878. Rev 
Galley, after spending twenty-four years in the 
interests of the school, died in 1875, and was 
succeeded by his daughter. Miss Jane Galley, 
who continued the school until the close of the 
spring term of 1880, when she was married to 
the Rev. Mr. Dysart. This event closed the 
Lexington Seminar}-. 

There are several other features of the town 
which add much to its success and complete- 
ness. A fine new liridge spans the river at the 
approach on the east of the village. It is of 
iron, built by a Toledo company, costing in 
the aggregate about $2,000. The town has one 
first-class dry-goods store, two gi'oceries, one 
hotel, butcher-shop, hardware store, one drug 
store, etc. 

The cemetery lies northeast of the village, on 
the opposite side of the river on a gentle eleva- 
tion. It is laid out properly, fenced with a good 
board fence, well cared for and affords a desir- 
able resting-place. It originally embraced one 
acre ; now nine. As early as 1816, Mrs. Searles 
and Mrs. Gass were laid to rest here, and pre- 
viously a few red men had chosen a bed in this 



:i^ 



^|v> 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



599 



quiet retreat. Man}- white marble slabs and 
monuments now dot it over, ever reminding the 
survivors that " man born of woman is of few 
days." The cemetery is bounded on two sides 
by a swamp, on the third by the river, but on 
the south is approached by a gently sloping 
ridge from the town. The surrounding countr}- 
is undulating, and affords a beautiful scene as 
viewed from this " city of the dead." 

Steam Corners is a small village, situated in 
the southwestern part of Troy Township, and 
consists of sixteen dwellings, besides a saw-mill, 
store, schoolhouse and several shops. It has 
never been incorporated, but is merely a four 
corners — the crossing of two section lines. It 
occupies the adjacent corners of Sections 17, 
18, 19 and 20, which are owned respective!}- by 
Mrs. Bender, Frederick Stall, Lewis Miller and 
David Stull. The most prominent feature of 
the Corners is the steam saw-mill, located a few 
rods south of the cross-roads. It was erected 
about 1849, by Hall, Allen & Devise, who ran 
a sash saw for a number of years, but the mill 
is now supplied with a modern circular saw. 
There is connected with it a planing-mill on a 
small scale. This mill is the chief enterprise 
in the community, and is now owned by Fred- 
erick Stull. The town has derived its name 
from it. 

A dr^'-goods store was estaljlished at the 
Corners in 1864, by William Baughman, who 
operated it about a year. From 1866 to 1874, 
the store was owned by C. W. Rowalt, who carried 
on an extensive trade. It sulisequently passed 
into various hands. The firm of Staater & 
Halderman carried on the business for a term 
of four years. Slianck & Ma-^cwell are the 
present owners and are doing a good business. 

The post office is an important element of the 
Corners. It was established about fifteen years 
ago, and, until 1878^ the post "oute was from 



Gallon to the Corners, but since has been 
extended to Fredericktown. The}' have a tri- 
weekly mail from Gallon to Fredericktown and 
vice versa. Two blacksmith-shops are located 
here, the one owned by Jack Corwin, the other 
b}' William Treisch. 

The village also affords a shoe-shop and 
several wood or carpenter shops. 

The schoolhouse is a neat, substantial brick 
edifice on the west side of the town. There is 
l)ut one room, hence but one department, 
although there are some sixty-five or seventy' 
pupils in attendance. 

• Most of the early settlers, who cleared up the 
land and rescued it from the Avilderness, are 
gone to their long rest. Among the survivors 
is William Moore, living about a mile south of 
the Corners. He is about seventy-five 3'ears 
old, and, perhaps, the oldest surviving pioneer 
of that vicinity. He is a natiA'e of Ireland, 
emigrated in his youth, and, after sojourning a 
time in Pennsylvania, he removed to Ohio, and 
located at Steam Corners previous to 1830. 
His family consisted of five sons and two 
daughters. 

George Norwood, an early pioneer, aged 
eight}^, lives near by. His family consisted of 
three sons and three daughters. He was a 
native of German^', whence he removed in early 
life; 

David Thompson who has been dead some 
six years, was a prominent man of those early 
times. He was a native American, and reared 
a family of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters. 

The country about the Corners is less hilly 
than other portions of the township, yet it is 
gent!}' undulating. The soil is rich and pro- 
ductive, and the farm liuildings generall}- indi- 
cate a goodl}' degree of prosperity. 



"^; 



-vK 



600 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER LX. 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

Obganization — Spbings and Water Courses — First Election — Early Settlers and their Adventitbes — 
First Road — First Public House — Early Schoolhouses and Teachers — The "Black Cane Com- 
pany" — The First Temperance Organization — First Brick House — The Churche-* — ^Mills — Wash- 
ington Village. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP was organ- 
ized March 4, 1 816, out of the east third 
of Troy, being the eleventh township organized in 
the county. It lies directly south of and joins 
Madison, and contains thirty-six square miles. 
The surface is somewhat broken, but the ascents 
and descents are gentle, and the soil generally 
very fertile. It abounds in many valuable 
springs of pure cold water, and is otherwise well 
watered by small running brooks, supplied from 
these springs. The Clear Fork of the Mohican 
crosses the southwest corner, along the valley 
through which the Baltimore & Ohio Railway 
passes. Possum Run rises in the center of the 
township, and passes out of it at the southeast 
corner. A tributary of the Rocky Fork passes 
out near the northeast corner of the township, 
running north into Rocky P'ork. Near this 
stream, and near the residence of Mr. Bentley, 
is one of the finest springs in the township, a 
large volume of the clearest water bursting 
from the bank and falling into a reservoir in 
Mr. Bentley's yard. This spring, with the as- 
sistance of the brook, some years ago furnished 
the power for Bentley's mill. The township 
was named after Ceorge Washington. Its or- 
ganization was consummated at the house of 
Solomon Lee, at the center of the township. 
Immediately' after the organization had been 
completed, the election was held at the same 
place. Forty votes were cast. The election 
resulted in the choice of John Stewart for Just- 



ice of the Peace, and Solomon Culver, Sr., Will- 
iam Riddle and Daniel Dimmick for TrusteefS. 

The names of the early settlers, as far as can 
be ascertained, are as follows : William Stew- 
art, Section 10 ; John Stewart, Section 10, 
April. 1815 ; Solomon Culver, Section 3 ; James 
Sirpliss, Section 11, April, 1815; William Ay- 
ers. Section 4 ; Solomon Lee, Section 10, set- 
tled here before 181 G ; Mrs. Cunningham, Sec- 
tion 1 ; Daniel McMitchell, Section 30 ; Will- 
iam Riddle, Section 30 ; Daniel Cook, Section 

6 ; Gavin and Joseph iMitchell, Section 6 ; 

Vandorn, Section 31 ; Andrew Thompson, Sec- 
tion 27 ; John Lindsley, Section 28 ; John J. 
and Wesley Barnes, Section 14 ; Isaac Slater, 
Section 36 ; Alexander McClain, Section 25 ; 
Robert Crosky, Section 3 ; Thomas Shanks, 
Section 2 ; Noah Watson, Section 7, February, 
1812; Jedediah Smith, Section 1, 1816; Cal- 
vin Culver settled here before 1816 ; Andrew 
Pollock, Section 13, 1817; Martin Ridenour, 
1818 ; Jacob Ridenour, Section 25, 1818 ; Thos. 
Smith, April, 1816, and Melzer Coulter, 1826. 

Among the pioneers living in January, 1880, 
were John S. Smith. Solomon Culver, Mrs. Mar- 
garet Stewart (at the age of ninety-three), 
William Stewart, Thomas Pollock, Mrs. Eleanor 
Smith and Stephen Shaw. 

Tliese were the persons who penetrated the 
heavily wooded hills and valleys of Washing- 
ton, and laid the foundation of its present pros- 
perity and wealth. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



601 



It will be seen that one of the earliest, if not 
the earliest, family in the township, was the Wat- 
son family. Noah Watson was one of the claim- 
ants at the ax presentation in Mansfield, Febrn- 
ary 10, 1858. The following letter was written 
by Mr. Watson on that occasion : 

Washington Township, Richland Co., ^ 
January 8, 1858. \ 

To Jabez Cook, Umpire : I, Noah Watson, certify 
that I helped to build the first two cabins in the vicinity 
of Lexington, and also did a job of clearing on Amariah 
Watson's first field, commencing about the 8th of March, 
1812. I also entered the southeast quarter of Section 
7, Range 18, Township 20, in which I now live, and 
commenced clearing in 1818. 

]Mr. Watson was elected one of the first Con- 
stables in the township. At the close of his 
term, he concluded to make an estimate of the 
amount of business transacted and the pecu- 
niary emoluments arising therefrom. After a 
cai'eful examination of the docket and other 
records, he found he had served two summons 
and two warrants, for which he had received no 
fees. He was not, therefore, under the neces- 
sity of employing an accountant to get his bus- 
iness in shape for final settlement. 

He volunteered, in 1813, in Capt. Ichabod 
Nye's compau}', and started for the relief of 
Harrison at Fort Meigs. The siege was raised 
before their arrival, and their services were not 
needed. 

John Stewart also became prominent in the 
township and county, being the first Justice of 
the Peace, and continuing in that office six con- 
secutive years. In 1820 or 1821, he was 
appointed Auditor of the county by the Legisla- 
ture, and, in the fall of 1 822, was elected to the 
same oflfice by the people, serving eight consecu- 
tive'years. In the fall of 1810, after the organiza- 
tion of the township, he was appointed County 
Surveyor by the Court, and held this office 
about eighteen 3-ears. In all, he serA'ed as a 
Justice of the Peace twent3'-two years. 

Although Jedediah Smith did not settle per- 
manenth^ in the township until 1810, he was 



here as early as 1812, when he came to enter 
land. He was a great hunter, and man}- deer, 
wild turkeys, bears and other animals fell before 
his unerring rifle. He remembers, on his first 
visit, talking to Chief Armstrong of the Green- 
town Indians. The chief told him he believed 
Wayne was a spirit, " For,'" said he, " I had three 
shots at him with a dead rest, and could not 
bring him down ; I could have killed a buck at 
twice the distance." He directed Mr. Smith to 
the Zimmer cabin for a night's lodging. This 
family then consisted of father, mother and a 
son and daughter, and the romance of this visit 
is that Mr. Smith fell in love with the beautiful 
daughter, Kate, and they were engaged to be 
married, when the Zimmer family was mur- 
dered — all except the son, Phillip, who hap- 
pened to be absent. Mr. Smith had entered the 
land he afterward occupied, and returned to his 
home in Washington County, Penn., where he 
was when the tragedy occurred. He remained 
single until the family- came out here four or 
five years later. 

Calvin Culver was also a great hunter, as was 
nearly all the early pioneers. On one occasion, 
he was pursued by wohes in the evening, and 
ran for the two cabins, then standing on the site 
of Lexington. He was unable to reach them, 
however, and was compelled to climb a tree, 
where he remained until morning. 

Some weeks after Mr. James Sirpliss settled 
in the township, he, in company with one of 
his brothers, happening in the woods one day, 
half a mile from their cabin, came suddenly 
upon a black bear. Jowler, the dog, immedi- 
ately gave chase, and the bear, being pushed, 
ascended a large poplar-tree. Being unarmed, 
the brother returned to the cabin for his rifle, 
while James and Jowler remained to watch. 
Before the l)rother returned with the gun. 
bruin, as if comprehending the situation, com- 
menced descending. James and the dog imme- 
diately prepared to give him battle. I^pon 
aligliting, the bear elevated himself upon* his 



3?r 



\ 



H 



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603 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



hind legs, and received tlie dog witli a blow 
that injured, for the time being, his fighting 
qualities. Mr. Sirpliss, having an ax, was 
about making an attack, when the bear 
l)ounded away and escaped, just before the ar- 
rival of the l)rother with his gun. 

The first road through the township was the 
•'State road" from Mount Vernon to Bellville 
and Mansfield. This wais for a long time but a 
mere trail, and the only stopping-place on this 
trail, between Mansfield and Mount Vernon, 
was at McCluer's, near the site of Bellville. 
This was one of the first settlements in the 
county ; and this trail was established some 
time before the township was settled. Soon 
after the first settlement, a second road was cut 
from the vicinity of Lexington toward Bellville. 

The first public-house in the township was 
opened at a very early day, hy Thomas Laugh- 
lin, on the State road, about six miles south of 
Mansfield, near the center of the township, and 
near the present Oberlin place. The majority 
of the earliest settlers entered the township b^' 
this road, and settled in the vicinity of and to 
the east of it, near where Washington Village 
was afterward laid out. 

The township does not appear to have con- 
tained an}' permanent Indian encampment, but 
was not excelled as a hunting-ground. 

The first schoolhouse was Imilt on the State 
road, near the "tavern," about the center of the 
township, on Section 16. It was one of those 
Avell-remembered, primitive schoolhouses, de- 
scribed in another chapter, which have disap- 
peared from this country with the Indian and 
deer, and will 3'et be occasionally found with 
the Indian and deer, in the Far \Yest. The first 
teacher was John Barnett, who came from 
(luernsey County. He taught six months, and 
received as wages $2 per scholar, for a term of 
three months. Sally Braden also taught school 
about 1818. She probabh' taught the summer 
school in the same building, following Barnett. 
One evenina;, while the school was engaged in 



prayer, just before the time for dismissal, a 
large yellow rattlesnake raised its head through 
a crack in the puncheon floor, and took a survey 
of the scene. No one dared to move, however, 
until the prayer ended, when the lioys dispatched 
his snakeship. 

As early as 1820-21, this township was 
troubled with a compan}- of horse-thieves, coun- 
terfeiters, etc. Their operations extended into 
the adjoining townships and counties. Several 
of the gang; were well-known residents of this 
township, others lived in the direction of Per- 
r3-sville, and others near Fredericktown and 
Mount "N^'ernon. Two men, named Gardner and 
Black, and two sons of the former were sus- 
pected. This band was quite numerous, and, 
for a time, had things their own way. It seemed 
impossible to convict them, although generally 
known. After losing several horses and much 
other property, and the insecurity continually 
increasing, the settlers finall}- organized, for the 
purpose of self-defense, what the}' called the 
" Black Cane Company." The company was 
composed of the most prominent settlers of the 
different neighborhoods molested by these ruf- 
fians. Each member carried a black cane, 
made out of the wood of a crali-apple or lilack- 
haw ; the liark being peeled off, and the canes 
burned lilack, after which they were oiled to 
give them a glossy appearance. A few of the 
names composing this company were Capt. 
Thomas Coulter, William Irwin, A. Rice, Isaac 
Martin, Thomas Martin, David Coulter, C. H. 
Rice, David Ayres, Charles Tannehill, Lewis 
Oliver. T. W. Coulter, John Capel, Solomon 
Grladden, ]Melzer Tannehill, Jonathan Coulter, 
James Irwin. Nathan Stearns, Harry Hill, David 
Hill, Reuben Hill, John Latty, Levi Taylor, 
John Coulter, and some others, whose names 
are not recollected. 

By vigorous exertions, this company suc- 
ceeded in clearing the neighborhood of the 
villains ; and peace and security reigned until 
about 1833, Avhen their services were again 



T^ 





n-^^L'O^ijz^ 




Q 



i 



±1 



il: 



HISTORY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



605 



called into requisition, as the countiy was once 
more alarmed by the cr^' of horse-thieves and 
counterfeiters. This gang was also composed 
of some of the actual settlers (whose descend- 
ants are living there to-day), and others at a 
distance. They l^egan by stealing a horse of 
3Ir. Taylor, on Hone}' Creek ; next a Eocking- 
ham colt, a valuable animal, from Alexander 
Rice : and then robljing IMr. Hart's store on 
Honey Creek, three miles south of Ha3'esville. 
This alarmed the country, and the Black Cane 
Company were soon marshaling their forces. It 
seemed to be the only way of ridding the coun- 
try of this band, who could easily elude, or suc- 
cessfully resist, the officers of the law. 

In retaliation for their pursuit, the A'illains 
burned the barns of Jonathan Coulter and 
William Irviu, and, about the same time, cut 
loose from its moorings a large flat-boat, 
loaded with three or four hundred barrels of 
pork, flour and whisk}', and allowed it to drift 
at random down the Black Fork. The boat 
and cargo were, however, saved. During the 
3'ear the gang operated, almost ever}' house in 
the neighborhood was plundered of something. 
By the vigilance and exertions of the Black 
Cane Company and the citizens generally, this 
gang of rascals was finall}' driven from the 
township and country. Some of them were 
sent to the Penitentiary. 

The first temperance society in Richland 
County, and indeed in this part of the country, 
was organized in this township. It was en- 
tirely indigenous to the soil of this township, 
none of its members having had any previous 
knowledge of such an organization. They 
early witnessed the baleful effects of strong- 
drink, and saw with a good deal of concern 
that its use among the settlers was increasing. 
A great number of distilleries were erected all 
over the township. Nearly all the corn mar- 
keted was at tliese distilleries, and whisky was 
consequently plenty and cheap. It was found 
by the barrel in almost everv cabin, and was in 



daily use. A few of these early settlers saw that 
this must be stopped ; that if they would escape 
the lilight of intemperance, some organized 
effort must be made. x\ meeting was therefore 
called on the 29th of March, 1827, at the house 
of Samuel Smith, in Monroe Township, near 
the east line of Washington, and organized by 
calling Thomas Smith to the chair and appoint- 
ing Samuel Richey Secretary. Thomas and 
Samuel Smith and Alexander ^IcBride were 
appointed a committee to present a Ijasis of 
action, and soon presented the following : 

Whereas, The common use of intoxicating liquors as 
a beverage is injurious to the liealth of the consumer, 
and ruinous to the morals of the community, 

Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society to be 
known by the name of the Washington and Monroe 
Temperance Society, and that we adopt the followino- 
pledge for our guide : 

We, whose names are hereunto attached, do pledge 
ourselves to dispense with the common use of ardent 
spirits in our families, and at our gatherings and frol- 
ics and, as far as our influence extends, use all lau'l- 
able means to discourage the use of it in otliers. 

To this were attached the names of the 
Smiths, including Samuel, A'ernon T.. Thomas. 
Sr., and Jedediah ; Henry Mosar, Lambright 
Larnee, Joseph Coe, Robert McDermott. Levi 
Tarr, David Newlon, John and Lancelot Con- 
well. Joseph Reed, Alexander McBride, Henry 
Hull. George, David and John McFarland, An- 
drew Schosser, James, Richard and Roliert 
Sirpliss. Elias Hyser, and Wesley. Benjamin. 
John J. and John K. Barnes. 

At first, the matter of getting along without 
whisky at log-rollings, raisings, etc.. was earn- 
estly discussed, but it was finally tletermiued 
to adopt the above pledge for one }ear, at the 
end of which time they were to meet and re- 
port progress. 

To counteract this, an anti-temperance society 
was organized, Init it did not last long ; they, 
however, outnumbered the other in names, ten 
to one. This temperance society had an organ- 
ized existence for more than thirty years, meet- 
ing once a year, on the first night in every 



y: 



^^ 



-^ 



606 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



January, and selecting officers and executive 
committees. There was nothing secret about 
it, as in the more fashionable tempei'ance socie- 
ties of later days, but it was kept up for this 
extraordinary^ length of time by citizens who 
were public-spirited enough to work for the 
public good. It kept up its organization as 
long as there was anything to fight. There is 
not at present, and has not been for many years, 
a place in the township where whisky can be 
purchased. Their book finally contained the 
names of about six hundred members. It is 
impossible to calculate the amount of good 
accomplished by this first temperance society, 
not only during the period of its organized 
existence, but since that time, as the seed then 
sown is still exerting a powerful influence for 
good. No names are more worth}- to live in 
history than those of its projectors. 

The first brick house was erected by Jede- 
diah Smith. Amos Day was the builder, and 
while working with brick and mortar, he was 
working upon the affections of the eldest 
daughter, Martha Smith, whom he married. 

The religious sentiment of the township is 
well developed, seven churches belonging to dif- 
ferent denominations having been erected within 
its limits, six of which now have an organ- 
ized and healthy existence. The first church 
orgaization, so far as known, was that of the 
Methodist Episcopal, about 1823 or 1824 ; their 
first meeting for organization being at the 
house of John Conwell. The first members of 
this Society were Wesley Barnes and wife, Da- 
vid Newlon and wife, John Conwell and wife, 
James Sirpliss, Henry Hull, Hemy Moser and 
wife, Richard Sirpliss. Jacob Reed, George, 
Robert and John McFarland and their wives, 
Benjamin and John J. Barnes and their wives, 
and Mar^^ Pollock. Their first meetings for 
several years were held at the cabins of Conwell 
and the Messrs. Barnes, l)ut, in 1828, they 
erected a log church on the site of Washing- 
ton Villag-e, about 25x35 feet. Their first min- 



isters were Abner Grough, Shadrick Rewark, 
Zepheniah Bell, Joseph Reed, John Powers and 
Andrew Poe. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. 
Lewis. The log church was used until about 
1850, when the present frame was erected, cost- 
ing about $1,000. The present membership is 
about twenty-five (ir thirty. They generally 
have a Sunday school during the summer. 

During the slavery agitation, between 1830 
and 1840, this church was divided, political 
matters being carried into the pulpit. The oc- 
casion of the division was the sermon by Elder 
Powers, in which he took strong ground in favor 
of slavery. A strong abolition sentiment had 
taken root among the members, and had been 
for some time growing and increasing. (Iradu- 
ally a feeling grew up among the church mem- 
bers which culminated in the before-mentioned 
sermon and a division of the church. Four- 
teen members withdrew and organized what that 
called the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The 
McFarlands were influential in this movement. 
They were strong Antislavery men, as were 
also the Smiths and many others of the pioneers 
in that vicinity. They were prominenth* con- 
nected with the •' underground railway." and as- 
sisted hundreds of slaves in making their way to 
Canada. This settlement is the one referred to 
in the history of Springfield Township, as a 
safe place to which to bring fugitive slaves. 

The members who thus withdrew and or- 
ganized this church were George, Robert and 
David McFarland, Henr}' and Joseph Moser, 
William Scott. John Boden and the wives of all 
these gentlemen. For several years, they wor- 
shiped in the old Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and then erected a church of their own. It was 
a frame, and cost about $1,000. This church 
was kept up about twenty years, during which 
they had regular preaching, and during which 
time, also, the cause of their troubles had dis- 
appeared in the smoke, din and blood of a great 
conflict. Their church building was finally 
sold, and is now used in Washington Village 



w 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



607 



for a town hall. The church has not had an or- 
ganized existence for mai^y years. 

About 1869, the former members of the Wes- 
le^^an Methodist, or those that were left, and 
some other citizens organized a Congregational 
Church, tlie original members of which were 
John, George and Andrew McFarland, Ezra 
Davis, James Ritchie, William Boden, Charles 
Stone, Sr., and the wives of these gentlemen ; 
Joseph Flemming, Ezra and Thomas Smith and 
Mary and Ida Boden. Their meetings, for a 
year, were held in the other churches ; they 
then erected a frame church, yet standing, at a 
cost of $4,000, of which amount $2,200 were 
paid by (xeorge and Andrew McFarland. This 
church was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Fairfield, of 
the Congregational Church of Mansfield. Their 
ministers have been the Revs. Fry, Moon, 
Webster, Achman and Rojce. The present 
membership is about, thirty -five. The organiza- 
tion of the Sunday school was coeval with that 
of the church, the first Superintendent being R. 
B. Smith. Joseph Flemming is present Super- 
intendent, with a membership of about one hun- 
dred. It is a union school, and is in a veiy 
prosperous condition, being continued during 
the entire year. 

Two churches have been organized, and two 
church buildings erected in the southeast part 
of the township. In an early day, the few 
Albrights and United Brethren in that part of 
the township formed two separate organizations, 
and had preaching occasionally in the log school- 
house. This continued for some years, when 
the two organizations united their financial re- 
sources and erected a brick church, which cost 
about $1,300, and which was to be used equally 
by the two organizations, and was, also, to be 
free to other denominations^ as the citizens gen- 
erally assisted in the erection of the liuilding. 
Thus matteri=- continued until al)out ISGO, when 
they separated — the Albrights l)uilding another 
church further south, on Section 36. The old 
church is now occujjied by the United Brethren. 



and is called Mount Tabler after a very enthus- 
iastic minister of that name, who held a never- 
to-be-forgotten revival in the church, during 
which many members were added. A few of 
the first members in this organization were 
Ephraim Bull, William Xorris, John Smith and 
Jacob Magglott. The church is not at present 
in a flourishing condition, having only about 
fifteen members. There is no Sunday school 
connected with it. 

The Albrights, in 1860. erected a frame 
church, which cost about $1,800. The first 
members of this organization were John 
Coates, Henry, Samuel and George Secrist. and 
the Clever family-. John StuU was founder 
and first Pastor. Their first organization was 
at Stull's house, now known as the Taylor 
place. They call their church Ehfuczer ; it is a 
live, active organization. A large union Sun- 
day-school is connected with it. 

A mile or more west of Washington Village 
stands the Church of Christ, better known as 
Campbellite or Disciple. It was organized 
about the year 1835, b}' John Reed. William 
Moody and William B. Hammett were the first 
Elders. The members of the first organization 
were Jacob Deems, William B. Hammett. Rich- 
ard Braden and Jolm Boyd, and their wives : 
Betsey Braden and Samuel Braden. 

Their first meetings were held at the houses 
of William B. Hammett and Richard Braden. 
and their organization effected in the old log 
schoolhouse of the district. Their first church 
was a small frame, and was built by the joint 
labor of the people of the neighborhood. The 
present building was erected in 1874, and cost 
aliout $2,000. Mr. Hammett, yet living, but 
aged and infirm, has been very active in this 
organization and in the erection of the churches. 
He contributed liberally of his means, working 
as a farmer, and preaching, almost without 
compensation, sixteen or eighteen years. 

Jolm Reed was the first Pastor, and a few of 
those who followed him were William Gass. 



-^ K 



:\>£ 



608 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Wm. Moody and ^V m. B. Hummett. The present 
ministers are AVm. Neal und M. F. (Tiillagher. 

Tlie Sunday-school was organized about 
18G4 ; is hirge and active for a country school, 
having about fifty pupils. James Black is pres- 
ent Superintendent. 

In addition to the foregoing churches is the 
German Reformed, located on Section 22, near 
the center of the township, on the State road. 
This building was erected about 1847, of logs, 
and is still standing, though it has been 
weatherboarded over. This organization was 
effected al>out two years before the church was 
erected. Tiiey worshiped during tliese two 
years in an old log church, built in an earl}- 
day, by the Dunkards. about a half mile south 
of the present German Reformed Church. 
This Dunkard Church has long since disap- 
peared, and the organization disbanded. 

Quite a settlement of Germans are found in 
this section of the township ; the larger part of 
the original stock being from Western Pennsyl- 
vania, which, however, had the eftect to bring- 
in a number of p]uropean Germans, who are 
excellent and thrifty farmers. Those who 
organized this church were Martin Toby, Peter 
Strader, Peter Shire, Conrad Englehart, John 
Strader, Christian Mull. J. W. Strader and the 
Kohisers. 

The eai'ly preachers were Revs, llandchy, 
Tressel, Weiscotten, Lenshaw and Krause ; 
the latter continuing the ministerial relation 
about nine years. The present Pastor is Henry 
Walcer. and the present membership about 
sixty. A Sunday-school is maintained during 
the summer, with a membership of al^out fifty. 
At present, preparations are Ijci ng made to 
erect a new church. 

The numerous and beautiful springs and run- 
ning streams furnished water-power for a num- 
ber of mills. In an early day, when the town- 
ship was heavily wooded, and lumber was taken 
from the vicinity for building purposes, quite a 
numlier of saw-mills were erected in different 



parts of the township. Latterly, stationary saw- 
mills do not pay ; but little lumber is now 
made from timber grown within the limits of 
the township, and this little is made by porta- 
ble saw-mills, using steam power. The old 
water saw-mills have therefore disappeared for- 
ever. The houses of to-day are generally Imilt 
of brick, or else of pine lumber, purchased at 
the yard or lumlier depots. 

The first saw-mill was erected about 181(i. 
and it is a question whether it was the one 
erected by Solomon Culver, three miles south 
of Mansfield on the State road, or the one erected 
by Robert Crosky. John Stewart also erected 
one of the early saw-mills, which was destroyed 
by fire. No stationary saw-mill, at present, 
exists in the township. The first grist-mill was 
erected in 1818, and it is also a question 
whether Mr. Phelps built the first one in the 
southwest corner. Section 31. or George Mar- 
shall on the southeast corner ; both are claim- 
ants for this honor. The second grist-mill was 
built in 1823, by John Stewart, and the third 
by Robert Bentley. The latter was erected 
very near the township line, and is mentioned 
in the history- of Madison Township. All the 
early mills, except the Stewart mill. Inne dis- 
appeared, and only their ruins mark the spot 
where the early pioneers waited hours, and 
sometimes even days, for their grinding. The 
Stewart mill has lieeu rebuilt and improAcd, but 
yet occupies the spot where it was first erected, 
and is doing good service, lioing now known as 
the •• Wickert mill." It is in the northern part 
of the township. About twelve or fifteen years 
since, a small grist-mill was erected by John 
Strasbach (who yet owns it), on Section 31, in 
the southwest corner of the township, on Clear 
Run. A saw-mill had been in operation here 
for many years before. 

There is no town of consequence in tliis 
township. Washington A^illage was laid out 
where the road crosses, by John Conwell. Wes- 
ley Barnes and James Sirpliss. These gentle- 



■^ 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND C0U:NTY 



609 



men own the land divided by these roads. A 
round log schoolhonse was the first building 
erected in the place. It stood on the site of the 
present Congregational Church. 

David Coulter was the first teacher in this 
house, and his pupils were the Smiths, the 
Barneses, Conwells, Sirphsses, Armstrongs 
and Pollocks. Mark Finnicum started the first 
store, soon after the town was laid out ; and 
Emilus Day the first blacksmith-shop. Rev. 



James F. McGrraw, who, in addition to his min- 
isterial labors, obtained something of a literary 
reputation, kept store here after Finnicum. 
There is no business at present in the village, 
except what is transacted at the blacksmith- 
shop of Elias Hiser. Thirteen families yet re- 
side in the town. It is hardly likely, judging 
from present appearances, that it will ever equal 
its namesake of the District of Columbia, either 
'in proportions or importance. 



CHAPTER LXL 

W E.L L E R TOWNSHIP. 

Ofganization — ToroGBAPHY — Impeovemknts — Eably Settlees — Incidents and Reminiscences of Pioneer 
Life — The Englishman's "Castle" — Soldiers in the Late War — The County Infirmary — Schools 
AND Churches — The Railboad — Olivesbubg — Superstitions. 



WE L L E R TOWNSHIP was organized 
in the year 1846, from the original town- 
ships of Milton and Franklin, after Ashland 
County had Ijeen organized. That part of Milton 
Township lying east of the Black Fork remain- 
ing in Ashland County, and retained its original 
name as possessing the largest amount of terri- 
tory. Two miles was then taken from the east 
side of Franklin and added to what was left of 
Milton, and erected into a new township and 
called Weller, and was subsequently' divided 
into six school districts. 

The township contains within its limits a 
very fine l)ody of land, embracing ever}^ variety 
of soil, and well adapted for the production of 
grass or gTain, as well as every variety of fruit 
and vegetables. The Black Fork is the princi- 
pal stream of water and traverses the township 
from west to east, entering at the northwest cor- 
ner, near Urick's mill, and continuing an east- 
ward course to Linn's mill, then turns south to 
the bridge, on the Wells farm, in the southeast 
corner of the township. The Whetstone, com- 
ing in from the north, and the Brubaker Run 
from the south, are important l)ranches. The 



land on these streams is extremely fertile, pro- 
ducing fine crops of corn and other cereals. 
The " Big Hill," as it is called, forms a prom- 
inent feature in this department. It rises about 
one hundred and fifty feet high, and is four 
miles in circumferance, more or less abrupt on 
its several sides, to a uniform altitude, and then 
drops to a level surface on the top, forming a 
table-land of great beauty and value for agri- 
cultural and horticultural purposes. There are 
about one hiuidred and fifty springs emitting 
pure, soft water which flows from its sides ; the 
geological formation being sandstone. A num- 
ber of valuable quarries are in operation on 
different sides. There are also heavy deposits 
of potter's or fire cla}-. Specimens on the farm 
of John Ward were sent to Akron, Ohio, and to 
Lansing, Mich., for testing purposes, and pro- 
nounced at both factories to be first-class ma- 
terial for stoneware. Some indications of coal 
have been found cropping out at several points, 
but not sufficient to justify- a heav}" venture. 
About ten years ago, Thomas Clingau, living 
on the north side of the hill, employed men to 
bore for coal. They went down about one 



J^! 



610 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



hundred and ten feet, and then abandoned the 
enterprise. 

Tlie wooded portions of the lull are eovered 
with a dense growth of chestnut, hickory 
and oak tinil)er. There ai'e men living on the 
hill now who can rememlter when the tall 
chestnut trees — now 100 feet high — were no 
thicker than a man's thumb. When the abo- 
rigines held possession, they burned the forests 
o\^er annually to prevent the undergrowth 
from obstructing the distant view of game. 
Heavy timber would not be affected by the 
lire, but the land was no doubt impover- 
ished by consuming the decaying vegetable 
matter. 

In early times, there was a saline spring- 
about half a mile west of AVindsor Station, 
which spread out over a low, flat bottom-ground, 
forming an extended marsh, which the early 
settlers called '-The Deer Lick." This was a 
place of great resort, both of the Indians and 
also of the earl}^ hunters, to kill deer. It was 
once owned In' Jacoli Gardiner, a son of Archi- 
bald Gardiner, the first settler in those parts. 
(Tardiner was one of the best riflemen in the 
country. He made a small pen of poles, at a 
convenient angle, covered it with bark and 
brush, in which he would secrete himself and 
await the approach of the deer, which resorted 
here generally by moonlight, in the autumn of 
the year, to lick at the saline fountain. ^lany 
were the splendid specimens that were dragged 
out of that marsh. 

On the east side of the hill there is a pic- 
turesque-looking cavern, that was called " The 
Snake Den," under whose massive rocks the 
rattlesnakes took refuge and propagated their 
fearfully hated race. John Dickson once im- 
provised a party of snake-hunters and made a 
raid on the den, killing seventj'-five and wound- 
ing others. 

In the first stages of its settlement, i)rogress 
was necessarily very slow. Things did not go 
by steam in those days. The early settler 



la])ored under immense disadvantages and 
crushing embarrassments. When the scanty 
supply of flour or meal ran out, he must drop 
his ax or plow, and travel perhaps ten or twenty 
miles to a mill, or five to a blacksmith-shop. 
When his salt ran out, he must go or send sev- 
ent}- miles, and pay $10 a liarrel for it. Instead 
of the shapely plank to lay his cabin-floor, he 
must split up huge trees and hew puncheons 
for a floor. Then rushing waters must be 
bridged, swamps must be corduroyed, before 
travel was possible. Under such difficulties, it 
would be wonderful if education was not neg- 
lected — schoolhouses dispensed with for some 
time. Yet, considering these disadvantages, 
our fathers exhibited a praiseworthy energy in 
that direction, and schools were inaugurated in 
rude log cabins, and the most erudite of the 
settlers chosen as a teacher. 

Among the first enterprises was the manu- 
facture of whisky ; corn, being very low in price, 
could be made into whisky and sold at 25 cents 
a gallon. It constituted the chief article of 
commerce in those days, considerable being 
sent to Michigan, and was considered "legal 
tender " in any kind of trade. A few yards 
from where Windsor Station now stands, a dis- 
tillery was run ])y a Deacon Williamson, who 
came from Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1817. 
The good Deacon, who was indeed a worthy 
man, would, after putting his buzzing, seething 
enginery in operation, take his seat at the place 
where the precious fluid made its exit, and, rub- 
bing his hands together, would begin to sing — 
" Come, Thou fount of every blessing." 

There was one or two more in the township, 
one of which was run b}' Jacob Osbun, near 
the infirmary, but was soon abandoned. The 
state of public sentiment changing on that mat- 
ter, as soon as the temperance agitation com- 
menced, yet how harmless, comparatively speak- 
ing, was the liquor manufactured then to the 
poisonous " rot-gut " sent out In* the millions of 
gallons at the present day. 



:t 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



611 



Among the first settlers of Weller Township 
may be named the following : Benjamin Mont- 
gomer}', Elijah Charles, Jacob Osbun, 1814 ; 
A. A. Webster, Levi Stevenson, George Hall, 
James Mahon, James Havei-field, William Hol- 
son. Peter Pittenger. Francis Porter, Hemy 
Wikoff, John Dixon, John and James Feguson, 
1815 ; from 1816 to 1819, came Moses Modie, 
James Grimes, Charles Stewart, John and 
Charles Palmer, Joseph Ward and Simon Mor- 
gan. 

The first grist-mill built in the township was 
on the Whetstone, at Olivesburg, l:)j Benjamin 
Montgomer}-, in 1817. The first saw-mill was 
built by Elijah Charles, on the Black Fork, in 
1818, and it is worthy of note here, that it is, 
perhaps, the onl}- saw-mill built in that early 
day that is in operation at this date over 
sixty years, and is now owned by David Lind. 
In the year 1816, Benjamin Montgomery was 
elected Justice of the Peace, and the same j-ear 
a small log schoolhouse was built on the west 
side of the Big Hill, and a small school im- 
provised with James Mahon as teacher. The 
schoolhouse was on Levi Stevenson's land. Mr. 
Stevenson taught one term in the same house. 

From 1814 to 1822. wild beasts made occa- 
sional depredations on the stock of citizens. 

In 1820, Mr. Hall had some sheep killed by 
wolves, and as late as 1822, Joseph Ward, Sr., 
had fourteen sheep killed in one night in the 
woods, a mile from the house ; some others were 
killed in other parts of the township, but the 
names of the parties are forgotten. 

In 1819, John E. Palmer settled on the south 
side of the hill, where there were three or four 
fine springs of water bursting out of the side of 
the hill. In the fall of 1820. Mrs. Palmer 
stepped out of the house into the wood-yard 
for some fuel. She had placed some chips in 
her apron, and was turning to go into the house 
when she discovered a huge black bear just a 
few yards from her. Uttering a scream, she 
sprang for the door, when a very fine, large New- 



foundland dog, that Mr. Palmer had brought 
from London with him, whom he called Lord 
Nelson, sprang out of his kennel and made for 
the bear, which immediately broke for the chap- 
paral on the hill-side, and " Lord Nelson " very 
discreetly contented himself with making a 
A^er}' vigorous demonstration in his rear. 

Some excitement was produced in the sum- 
mer of 1825, by the story of a Mrs. Church, that 
she had been pursued by a panther. She lived 
on the east bank of the Black Fork. On the 
south was an extensive swamp, stretching toward 
the Webster farm. She was returning home 
from a neighbor's in the dusk of the evening, 
and heard, or thought she heard, a panther 
scream behind her. She started to run and 
scream herself, the panther answering. She 
soon reached the Black Fork, which she crossed 
on a fallen tree, and there the chase ended. The 
story was not generall}- credited ; many thought 
the screams alluded to proceeded from a huge 
night-owl that was in the habit of making noc- 
turnal visits in the neighborhood. At all events, 
people who had boys to send to the woods to 
hunt cows were anxious to have them take that 
view of the matter. Black and gi'ay squirrels 
were the most numerous and abundant of all 
other wild animals, and, while they were a little 
annojing to the fanners, 3'et the}' furnished them 
with thousands of meals of the most deli- 
cious meat. 

During the war of 1812, Jacob Osbun was a 
soldier, and with a compan}- of men from Jef- 
ferson Count}' was sent out to fight the Indians 
on the Sandusky Plains and the Maumee. On 
their way out, he passed over Section 35, and 
being inipi'essed with the beauty of the location, 
timber, etc.. took occasion to mark with a 
hatchet a number of trees, with a view to future 
operations. On his return, he made the^entrj- 
sometime in December. His son. William, owns 
and lives on the same farm now. 

In February, 1815, Samuel Osbun. JacoV)s 
father, came out and built a cabin on the same 



_^< 



'^ 

"~-*' 



012 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



land. He was born in New York, was of En- 
glish descent, and lived some time in Washing- 
ton County, Penn. ; moved to the Pan-Handle, Va. 
thence to -Jefferson County, Ohio, and came to 
Richland in 1814. He was ninety years old 
when he died. Religious services were frequently 
held in his house in early times. His son, Judge 
Osljun, settled in Mansfield in 1815, was 
elected Justice of the Peace, and was for several 
years Associate Judge. He moved to his farm 
in this township in 1824. 

P]lijah Charles came from Beaver County, 
Penn., to this township, in 1814, and built a 
saw-mill on the Black Pork, in 1818, which was 
of great service to the people. He went to 
Pittsburgh with a wagon, for the irons. He 
died shortly after the mill was set in operation, 
leaving a large family, who carried on the mill- 
ing and farming business with great success, 
the oldest son, Isaac, adding a valuable gi-ist- 
mill to the property in 1835. He was soon 
after elected Justice of the Peace, serving two 
terms. In 1868. he moved to Bluffton, Allen 
County, Ohio, where he is supposed to have 
been murdered by his youngest son, Isaac, who 
is now in the State prison for life — a truly tragic 
ending of a useful life. All the male members 
of the the original family are now dead. Eli- 
jah, the fourth son of old Elijah Charles, died 
at the same age, and singularl}" enough, of the 
same disease, as his father. William Taggart 
married the third daughter. He was Commis- 
sioner of the county two terms, and subse- 
quently made two trips to California, in the 
gold-digging enterprise. 

Indians were lingering around some time 
after the introduction of the white settlers. 
Sometimes they were troublesome, even after 
the close of the war, often intruding themselves 
into the cabins, with their characteristic " Ugh ! 
me heap hungry ; Indian want some bread, 
some homiu}', some powder." The Charles 
family were annoyed two or three years by 
them, as they were a great terror to children. 



They seldom, however, did any serious harm, 
ancl were soon after confined to their reserve, in 
what is now Wj^andot Count3\ 

In 1820, the Rev. Mr. Lee came from West- 
moreland County, Penn., and bought a quarter- 
section of land east of the Charles mill. He 
had a large family, of which John A. Lee, late 
of Mansfield, was the youngest boy. In a short 
time, the entire family was prostrated with fever 
and ague, and his oldest daughter, a very 
amiable young lady of seventeen summers, 
died of bilious fever. The rest of the family 
all recovered, only to be stricken down again 
the next autumn. 

Between Mr. Lee's farm and the Charles mill 
was an extensive marsh, over which the waters 
of the Black Fork flowed at every succeeding 
freshet. Of course the miasma arising there- 
from in autumn was fearful. Mr. Lee attril^uted 
much of the trouble to the mill-dam obstruct- 
ing the channel, and thus throwing the water 
over the banks into the marsh, and proceeded 
to inaugurate a suit for damages, or effect a 
removal of the nuisance. A long, bitter and 
expensive litigation followed, the courts finally 
deciding against Mr. Lee, but compelling the 
mill-owners to cut a foot off their dam, which 
at that time backed the water three miles. Mr. 
Lee, disheartened and disgusted, sold his farm 
at a great sacrifice, and moved to Crawford 
County, Ohio. 

In 1821, a local preacher, Joseph Curtis, 
came from England, and settled on the south 
side of the Big Hill. He was a good carpenter 
and farmer, and also filled the place of an un- 
dertaker, thus making himself doubly useful, 
for while he attended to the duties of an under- 
taker, he could, at the same time and place, 
preach an acceptable funeral sermon. 

Mr. Curtis married Mary Woodhouse near 
Windsor, and raised a large family, one of 
whom (Beun^O enlisted in the army, and was 
killed at the battle of Chickamauga. A marble 
monument at Milton graveyard bears his image, 



tt; 



w 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



613 



taken from a photograph, but his body was 
never recovered — it sleeps on tlie blood-stained 
field of Chickamauga. William Curtis, the sec- 
ond son, was elected Captain of Company C, 
Oiie Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and was sent to Virginia, Fort Reno, 
in the lUO-days service. Quite a numl)er of his 
company was made up of recruits from this 
township — Joseph H. Brown, Second Lieu- 
tenant ; Peter Sterritt, First Lieutenant ; Jacob 
Rohrer, First Orderly Sergeant ; James Hughes, 
Orderly ; David Berry, Levi Nelson, Allen 
Haverfleld, Ben Fgner, Chief Artificer ; Isaac 
Connelly, Third Sergeant ; William Houston, 
Winfield Houston, Benjamin Crabbs. Thomas 
Hughes. Joe Balderson, Amos Jump. M. Ozier, 
Marvin Seaton. J. W. Tucker, privates. 

After his return from the service, he married 
the youngest daughter of John E. Palmer, and 
on the death of his father, which took place in 
1864, he inherited the old homestead, which he 
sold, and moved to Illinois. He was not con- 
sidered a very efficient officer, and was very un- 
popular with his men. 

In addition to the company raised for the 
100-days service above mentioned, most of 
which were from this township, quite a numl)er 
of volunteers went into other companies. Jacob 
Ward went in the Fifteenth, and was killed at 
the battle of Chickamauga ; Joseph W. Palmer, 
John Fickes, Bent Martin, Joseph Haverfield, 
Steven Clifl^brd and J. Miller were in the cavalry 
service — the former three in McLaughlin's 
squadron. Clifford re-enlisted, and went into 
the Ohio Battery. H. O. Pittenger, Milton 
Charles, Newton Charles went into the One 
Hundred and Second ; Martin Taggart. in the 
One Hundred and Twentieth ; was taken pris- 
oner, and confined nineteen months ; Elmer Nel- 
son was in the Fifteenth ; was taken prisoner 
and confined in Lil)by Prison and Anderson- 
ville ; Franklin Osbun, Lemuel Pittenger, I. 
Pittenger, Freeman Osl)un, Melvin Osl)un. James 
Weagl}' , James Mason were in the One Hun- 



dred and Sixty-third. Gaylord Ozier and his 
brother, Kemp Ozier, were taken prisoners, and 
kept in Andersonville ten months. 

Henry Newman settled on the quarter section 
on which the Franklin M. E. Church stands in 
1822, and donated the church one acre of 
ground, when that edifice was built. He was 
the oldest son of Jacob Newman, of Mansfield, 
one of the proprietors of that town ; came with 
his father before the war, when a boy, to where 
Mansfield now stands, and, with others at that 
day, encountered many difficulties and dangers 
from Indians and other sources. He taught 
school several terms when young. In the 
spring of 1822, he commenced opening up his 
farm, and soon after married Miss Jane Ward. 
He had three sons and four daughters ; all his 
boys went into the service. Capt. Jacob New- 
man (the oldest) was shot through the body at 
the battle of Shiloh ; the surgeon, considering 
his case hopeless, refused to di-ess his wound for 
twenty-four hours after the battle. He was sent 
to Pittsburgh on the lioat. where his mother 
met him, and nursed him into life, and he re- 
turned to sendee. Joseph, the second son, was 
mortally wounded at the battle of Mission 
Ridge, and died soon after. He was for some 
time attached to the staff of Gen. Williams. 

Capt. Andrew Newman, the third son, went 
through the entire service ; at the battle of 
Jonesboro, behind Atlanta, half his regi- 
ment fell. After the close of the war, he en- 
tered college and studied law, but his constitu- 
tion was shattered, and he broke down, and 
slowly sank to rest. 

William Houston, of 01ivesl)urg, came from 
the State of Delaware in 1815. and entered a 
half-section of land adjoining what is now the 
village of Olivesburg. He had five sons — 
JomUhan, Richard. Joseph. William and Robert. 
He was chiefl}' instrumental in the building of 
the first Presbyterian Church, and also the first 
schoolhouse. He furnished all the siding for 
the church, and hauled it with his team from 



^: 



614 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



John Stewart's mill, south of Mansfield. He 
died on the same farm in 1842. Robert inherits 
the old homestead. 

James Mahon came from Harrison County, 
Ohio, in 1815, and entered half a section of 
land on the " Big Hill." He taught the first 
school in the township in the log schoolhouse 
on Levi Stevenson's farm in 1816. He died in 
1820 or 1821. 

One of the most prominent and useful fam- 
ilies of early times were the Halls. They came 
from Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1815. 
Mr. Hall had five sons and three daughters, all 
members of the Presbyterian Church. He 
entered three quarter-sections of land on the 
Black Fork, in the southeast corner of the 
township, in 1815, and, having a strong force of 
muscular and industrious young men, soon 
opened up a fine farm. The oldest son married 
a INIiss Ralston, of Plymouth. Mr. Maxwell, 
late of Mansfield, married the oldest daughter, 
though rumor has it that it was a runaway 
match, but proved to be a most felicitous one. 
Judge Lee, of Bucyrus, married the youngest- 
daughter. The entire family have all passed 
away — the last member died more than ten 
years ago. The first sermon preached by a 
Presbyterian minister in this neighborhood was 
in Mr. Halls house, by Rev. James Rowland. 
Mr. Hall was fond of a good horse, and was re- 
mark able for keeping the finest lot of fat 
horses in the township. 

In connection with Mr. Halls history, it 
would be proper to make mention of a terrific 
whirlwind that swept over his farm in the year 
1824, and the only one of that character that 
has visited this township in sixty years. It 
threw down every fence on the farm, carrying 
fence-rails through the air. 

The best barn in the township, at that time, 
was on this farm. It lifted the heavy, new 
shingled roof off as if it had been a cobweb, 
and, what was most remarkable, a hewed log, 
lying in the lane, half buried in mud, was taken 



up out of its bed and thrown eight or ten 
rods. 

The next day, fifty men collected on the 
farm to gather up the debris, and collect what 
materials were available for further use, and 
bring order out of chaos. 

The year 1859 was memorable on account of 
the unprecedented heavy frost of that year. 
The preceding winter had been favorable for 
the protection of winter wheat, and, when spring 
opened, the wheat was unusually fine, and the 
prospect for an abundant harvest was never 
more cheering in the entire history of this 
township. Some fields of corn on favorable 
ground was nearl}- knee-high by the 5th of 
June. Although slight frosts had occurred 
during the months of April and Ma}', no ma- 
terial damage had been done ; all kinds of fruit 
were doing well ; apples were as large as hick- 
ory-nuts, and wheat was all out in head and in 
much of it the grain was partly formed. About 
the 1st of June a light rain fell, after which it 
turned colder. The weather continued cloudy 
and cold for two or three daj's, and on the 
4th it snowed a little during the day. 

At 10 o'clock A. M. of the 4th, the ther- 
mometer stood just at the freezing point, a 
strong breeze blowing from the north. 

At sunset, the wind dropped ; the sun setting- 
clear. By o'clock P. M., the mercury was 
falling very fast ; the stars were unusually brill- 
iant ; not a sound was heard in the air ; no 
whip-poor-will raised his night-song ; no chirp- 
ing cricket lifted its unmusical voice ; all was 
silent as the house of death — and the house of 
death indeed it was, for the '• destroying angel "" 
was abroad in the land, sweeping down tens of 
thousands of aci-es of the finest grain-fields that 
ever waved before the breeze, or delighted the 
eye of the huslnxndman. 

The morning' sun rose on a scene of inde- 
scribable grandeur and desolation. The mead- 
ows, the wheat-fields, corn-fields and gardens 
were thicklv covered over with frost-crvstals 



^ 






±1 



-4* 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



615 



glistening and dancing in the morning sun- 
light. The work of destruction was complete ; 
everything was frozen stiff. Under the power- 
ful re-action from the rays of the morning sun, 
the corn wilted and soon fell to the earth, the 
ground being frozen down to the roots of the 
corn. On a farm on the Black Fork, a large 
ii'on kettle, half filled with water, was so frozen 
over, that a heavy man got on it with both feet 
and tried in vain to break it. It is worthy of 
note here, that there was a fi'ost in every month 
in the 3'ear of 1850. 

There was great sympathy manifested in those 
days for each other, and when one neighbor 
became distressed, the others would rush to his 
assistance with a perfect fervor. ^Ir. Hall died 
about the year 1832, regretted and respected 
by all his neighbors. His son Roliert inherited 
the farm, and married a very amiable lady by 
the name of Walker, but died in four years 
after, of consumption, leaving one child. 

Abel A. Webster came from the State of 
Connecticut in the fall of 1814, and settled on 
the Black Fork, one mile north of the Hall 
farm. He was the only man from the State of 
Connecticut in the township. He was a man 
of means, and was soon able to clear out a 
fine farm, so that when later settlers came in, 
about 1819-20, he had produce to sell them at 
his own figures. He was skeptical in his ^iews, 
and although the wealthiest man in the neigh- 
borhood, he never could be induced to con- 
tribute a dollar to build a church, college, rail- 
road or any other enterprise of the day. He 
sold his farm in 1859 to Mr. Minster, who mar- 
ried his daughter and now resides on the farm. 
He soon after removed to Cleveland, where he 
died at the advanced age of eighty-eight ^ears. 

John Dickson came to this township in 1815. 
He entered the quarter of land joining Elijah 
Charles on the south, and married the oldest 
daughter of Mr. Charles in 181S. In 1830, he 
formed a partnership with William Taggart, 
and built a grist-mill on a spring rising out of 



the Big Hill side, and, two years after, built 
another grist-mill about forty rods below the 
other, on the same stream. He was a man of 
great physical strength and endurance, an ex- 
cellent workman and hunter ; had very black 
hair and black eyes. His entire face and bosom 
were so thickly covered with hair as to hide 
the skin. He was generous in his impulses, 
honest in his dealings, and an accommodating 
neighbor. In the days of '' corn-huskings," he 
was first choice in a race ; he would become so 
excited sometimes in an exciting race as to 
leave marks of blood on the corn-husks from 
his lacerated fingers. These simple facts are 
given simply to exhibit faithfully the spirit of 
the times half a century ago, and the habits of 
our fathers. The last days of this good citizen 
were shrouded in melancholy and gloom. A 
dark shadow had fallen over the threshold of 
his domestic relations, and the cloud never 
lifted from his brow, or the load from his heart. 
He became a wreck, mentally and physically', 
and never did the weary heart look forward 
with deeper longings for the grave that should 
cover it. or the spirit with earnest yearnings for 
the Ijrighter and lietter land, than did his. 

Samuel Pittenger came to this township with 
his father, Peter, in the year 1815, landing on 
the 17th day of Febi'uary of that year. The 
family made the entire journey from Harrison 
County on sleds. Samuel was the oldest son, 
and became the "Nimrod" of the famity. sup- 
pl34ng them with venison for several years, 
until stock could be raised. He killed his first 
deer on the 'Big Hill," soon after landing, and 
has killed as high as twenty-eight deer in four- 
teen consecutive days. He was married in 
1819 to Elizabeth Kent, and settled on the 
northwest corner of his father's farm, where he 
lived seven years, and removed to Greene Town- 
ship, where he resided six years, and then 
returned to his present location, where he cele- 
brated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding, 
a few months ago. He is now in his eighty-fifth 



n 



v^ ®- 



:^ 



>^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



617 



year, and Mrs. Pittenger in her eightieth. 
There is a cabin that he assisted in building, 
in the year 1817, still standing on the farm 
now owned by H. G. Palmer. It is the oldest 
cabin known in the township. It was built and 
owned hj a man by the name of Ensign, who 
was at that time a Swedenborg preacher, but 
subsequently became a Methodist, as his name 
appears on the minutes as an exhorterin 1829, 
in the official records of the M. E. Church, 
Mansfield Circuit. 

Levi Ste^-enson came from Beaver Count}', 
Penn., in the year 1815, and settled on the sec- 
tion northwest of the Big Hill. He was a good 
mathematician, and was employed in the year 
1818 to teach school in a little log cabin, built 
on the southeast corner of his land. It was in 
the days of " barring out," and a number of the 
young moai attached to the school gathered be- 
fore da3dight on Christmas morning and barred 
" the master" out to make him " treat." Uncle 
Levi C00II3' surveyed the premises, and think- 
ing no doubt that it was a long lane that had 
nO' turn in it, proceeded to climb the corner of 
the domicile, and without further ceremony 
jumped down the chimney, although there was 
a roaring fire of hickory- logs, ten feet long, to 
receive him. The insurgents " took in the sit- 
uation," and surrendered at discretion. Uncle 
Levi could not say that he came out without 
the smell of fire on him, but no serious damage 
resulted ; but never was a pair of liuckskin 
Ijreeches in more serviceable demand than on 
that memorable occasion. He had four sons, 
William S., John, Andrew and Samuel. The 
last named still lives on the old homestead. 

John E. Palmer came from the cit}' of Lon- 
don, England, to this township in the year 1819. 
He bought half a section of land of William 
Holson, and commenced making improvements 
in the fall of the same 3'ear. His brother, Charles 
Palmer, and himself, brought a small stock of 
dr\'-goods, chiefly calicoes, with them, which 
sold for high prices at that da}-. The}' brought 



these goods in a light wagon from Philadelphia, 
crossing the mountains l)y way of Pittsljurgh. 

The following year, the two brothers married 
the two eldest daughters of Joseph Ward, who 
accompanied them from England. 

Mr. Palmer engaged actively in all the moral 
enterprises of the day, such as tlie temperance 
movement, the antislavery question, etc. He 
assisted in the organization of the first Congre- 
gational Church in 3Iansfield, of which he was 
one of the first Deacons. For many years, he 
was connected with the underground railroad, 
and never was liappier than when rolling away 
a wagon load of quivering fugitives by the pale 
light of the stars toward the Canada shore. 

John Crabbs settled half a mile west of 
Olivesburg in 1817. He came from Jeflferson 
County. He married Polly Montgomery in 
1818, and is now living on the same farm with 
the same wife ; they celebrated their golden 
wedding two years ago. A large fatty tumor 
has been growing on his shoulder for twenty 
years. In November. 1879, Dr. Craig, of Mans- 
field, assisted by Dr. Crabbs, of Olivesburg. suc- 
cessfully removed the tumor. He remained 
unconscious three weeks after the operation, 
but is recovering slowl}'. He is now in his 
eighty-fifth year. 

Thomas Robinson emigrated to this town- 
ship from England in the year 1821. He 
bought a quarter-section of Isaac Hanly. and 
afterward sixty acres of Israel Graham. There 
was a small improvement on each place, situat- 
ed on the '• Big Hill." Robinson was a man 
of singular notions and habits of life. He had 
plenty of money to do what he took in his head, 
and he conceived the idea of grubljing up all 
before him, when he cleared land, taking out 
trees three or four feet over. As a matter of 
coiirse, it was a losing business financially, but 
it gave employment to poor men, and scattered 
his guineas round the neighborhood, where the}' 
were badly needed at that time. After staying 
two or three years, he returned to England, as 



TV* 



618 



HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY. 



he said, to get another wife, which important 
mission he accomplished in seven years, and 
then returned and recommenced grubbing up 
trees, etc. He also built a large brick house, 
made of bricks of extraordinary large size. He 
also built the first frame barn in the township. 

The house above mentioned was remarkable 
for its immense cellars, which were all arched 
with stone. These were not properly constructed, 
and proved the ruin of the house by spreading 
the foundations, the walls cracking, and finally 
falling by piecemeal. It has not been clearly 
demonstrated whether the fall was great or not, 
but it fell, and the indications went to show, 
that Mr. Robinson, in more ways than one, did 
not build his house upon a "rock." He lost 
,his fourth wife in 1842, and in the spring of 
1843, returned to England, where he died. 

In 1866, the property was sold at public auc- 
tion, by order of the court, and Gen. James 
and Wm. Robinson bid it off and now own it. 

A few years ago, a Sunday-school picnic 
from Ashland landed at Windsor Station, and 
made a raid over the Big Hill, taking in their 
rounds the ruins, of the fallen castle. On leav- 
ing the ruinc it was observed by Mr. Robinson 
that each one of the party was carrying away a 
brick. He called the party to a halt, and gruflfly 
inquired, what in thunder they were carrying 
off' his bricks for. 

The spokesman of the party preceded to ex- 
plain, that they had heard down at Ashland 
that a rich lord from England had built a won- 
derful castle here once, that he was something 
of a Blue Beard in his character, that four 
wives had mysteriously disappeared, some 
thought, in the arched vaults of the cellar, etc., 
etc., and finally that an earthquake had shaken 
down the house, and buried the vtnfortunate 
wicked lord in the ruins ; and that with this 
romance burning in their brains, they were 
carrying away the brick to keep as a souvenir, 
and one brick to deposit in the cabinet of curi- 
osities in the Ashland Academy of Science. 



At this wonderful story, Mr. Robinson's eyes 
dilated. He at once proceeded, with impressive 
voice and gesture, to strip this romantic legend 
of some of its superfluous verbiage, and put 
things in something like matter-of-fact form, 
such as would do to go into the history of 
Richland County. It is needless to say that 
quite a change came over the spirit of their 
dreams, and before the party reached the 
station on their return home, there was not 
a brick to be found in the hat of one of 
those boys. The teachers felt pretty badly 
sold. 

In 1862-63, the Atlantic & Great Western 
Railroad was built, which enters Richland 
County and Weller Township on the east side 
of the township, at the crossing of the Black 
Fork, and running west to the west line of the 
township, where it makes a sudden curve to 
the soiith, to Mansfield. 

There is a comfortable station-house at the 
crossing of the Windsor & Olivesburg road, 
commodious switches and spurs, and convenient 
accommodations for loading and unloading 
stock. There is considerable business done in 
the way of shipping stone, staves, lumber, 
grain, etc., from this point, though but little 
enterprise is manifested in building up a town. 
The old village of Windsor, three-fourths of a 
mile south, is dwindling away. 

The railroad bridge over the Black Fork, one 
mile east of the station, broke down under a 
freight train in 1871, and all the train was pre- 
cipitated into the river. The crash was fearful, 
but by a wonderful providence, none of the 
employes were killed or even seriously hurt, 
though some were pulled out of the water from 
under the debris. A wrecking train was impro- 
vised and all hands put to work, and a new 
bridge built as soon as practicable, which has 
stood the pressure since. 

The first child or children born in the town- 
ship were Samuel and Mary Stevenson (twins), 
in 1816, one of whom (Samuel) is still living 






HISTOKY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



619 



on the old tarm where he was born, and where 
he has liA'ed sixty-four j^ears. 

The oldest man living within the bounds of 
the township is a Mr. Smith, living at Olives- 
burg, who claims to be ninety-eight years old. 
He is yet a hale old man, chops his own wood, 
and to all appearances, he is good for another 
half century. 

There are fifteen persons in the township 
who have lived therein sixty years, viz., 
Samuel Pittenger, Nathaniel Pittenger, James 
Hagerman, William Hagerman. William Fer- 
guson, John Ward, Samuel Stevenson, John 
Crabbs, Richard Houston, Robert Houston, 
Isaac' Council and Francis Porter — twelve men,- 
and three women, viz.. Mrs. Morgan. Mrs. John 
Cline and Mrs. Taggart. 

The Richland County Infirmary is situated 
in the center of Weller Township. It is beau- 
tifully situated on the western slope of the Big 
Hill, on the Mansfield & Olivesburg road. 
In accordance with an act of the Legislature, 
proceedings were inaugurated by the Count}' 
Commissioners, in the j-ear 184G, toward its 
erection. William Taggart, William B. Ham- 
mett and John McPool were acting in that 
capacity at that time. The farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, was bought of the heirs 
of Nathaniel Osbun, and the contract for 
making the brick and putting up the building 
was given to Col. Weaver, of Ganges, for 
$4,500. As Col. Weaver claimed he had lost 
money in the enterprise, the Commissioners 
humanely added a little pile to it as extras, but 
the house was finished, and, the following year, 
was occupied in accoixlance with its legitimate 
purpose. The first Board of Directors elected to 
take charge of its conduct were Richard Con- 
don, Christopher Horn and Samuel Lind. 

These men appointed Lowry Sibbet, of Mans- 
field, as Steward, and his lad}', Mrs. Sibbet, was 
dul)"- installed as Matron. The institution was 
managed as well, perhaps, as the average of 
such institutions throughout the State, and, as 



a benevolent institution, was a credit to the 
country. The average number of paupers ac- 
commodated within its walls was aljout seventy- 
five or eighty. 

In June, 1877, the old building burned down, 
and great inconvenience was experienced in 
making temporar}' provision for the inmates till 
another building could be provided. 

Plans and specifications were presented dur- 
ing the year 1878, and, in the spring of 1879, 
the contract was let to Sheets & Frayer, and the 
work commenced. The building is much more 
elaborate and expensive than the old one, and 
will cost between $30,000 and $40,000. It is n 
very handsome building, and makes a fine ap- 
pearance from the Atlantic & Great Western 
Railroad. The present officers, under whose di- 
rections it was built, are William Newlon, J. F. 
Gerhart and Peter Snapp. Present Steward in 
charge is William Gates. 

There was a school organized about the same 
time on Jacob Osbun's farm, at that time in 
Franklin Township (now Weller), adjoining the 
infirmary, and was taught by John Hagerman, 
and, in the winter of 1819-20, Joseph Ward 
taught a school on the south side of the Big- 
Hill, and the winter following, in a log cabin on 
the farm of Mr. Hall, on the Black Fork, at 
which time and place the Hon. Barnabas Burns, 
of Mansfield, commenced his education, also 
James Rait, of Mansfield. This rustic seminarj- 
had greased newspapers for windows. The fire- 
place extended nearly' across the east end, into 
which chasm immense piles of beech and sugar 
logs were rolled b}' muscular students. The 
master was favored with a splint-bottomed chair 
for his throne, but the students had seats made 
of split-rails, placed with the soft side upward. 

The first schoolhouse making an}' pretensions 
to respectabilit}' was built at Olivesburg in the 
year 1824. This was a substantial, hewed-log 
house, twent}' feet square, glass windows and 
good stove in the middle. The above-named 
gentleman (Joseph VVard) taught the first four 



i^r. 



020 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



terms in it. This was the first school continued 
through the summer season. His article of 
agreement stipulated that one-third of his pay 
sliould be in corn, one-third in maple-sugar and 
one-third money. 

It was not till the year 1854. that the town- 
ship was thoroughly organized into districts, 
and a Board of Education appointed, and a 
good frame house put up in each sub-district. 
The first Board of Education met at Isaac 
Charles" house, and was composed of the fol- 
lowing members : Charles Palmer, Sr., John 
Ward. Elijah Charles, Daniel McCormick, 
James O. Hagerman and James Walker, since 
which time the schools have prospered, with 
regular sessions winter and summer. 

The first religious service in this township 
was held at Peter Pittenger's house, conducted 
1)y Rev. John Clingan. Preaching was con- 
tinued for some time at his house by the 
Methodist ministers before any church was 
built. In 182(1, a log church was built on the 
land of Nathaniel Osbun. now the infirmar}' 
farm, and services held occasionally. The first 
church of any size or comfort was built by the 
Presbyterians at ( )livesburg, in the year 1827. 
It was a good frame house for those days, and 
cost $500. Rev. William Mathews was Pastor ; 
\Mlliam Houston, Abel ^Montgomery and Joseph 
Burget were the Deacons. 

John Crabbs, John Owens and James Grod- 
win were the Elders ; Joseph Ward, Clerk, 
and James Laughlin, Treasurer. In 1831, Mr. 
Nathan retired and Rev. James Robinson was 
installed Pastor and continued a number of 
years. The church is not more than half as 
strong at the present time as it was fifty years 
ago. In the year 1849, the old church building- 
was removed, and a new one built on the site 
in 1852. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Boles. 

The first Methodist Church in Olivesburg 
was built in 1840. Rev. M. Kinnear was Pas- 
tier; Dr. Mitchell and Isaac Charles, Trustees. 
It burned down in 1848 and Avas relmilt in 



1849. The Pastors were Rev. 0. Burgess and 
Jacob Pry : the Trustees, Isaac Charles and 
Jacob Crabbs. 

The M. E. Church at Frankton was built in 
the 3'ear 1837. The preachers were Revs. 
Gavitt and Yokum ; the Trustees, Charles Pal- 
mer, Henry Newman, William Ferree, Andrew 
Oswalt. The church cost $500. 

First M. E. Church at Milton was built in 
1839. Pastors, Adam Poe, A. L. Harris ; 
Trustees — Joseph Curtis, Henr^' Pittenger, M. 
Mason and Ezra Osbun. Second church was 
built in 1875. The Pastors have been John 
McNabb and C. C. Ball; Trustees, William 
Ferguson, John Ward, H. O. Pittenger, William 
Hagerman, William Robinson, William Wells 
and S. S. Harnly. It cost $2,400. 

The first parsonage in the township was built 
in Olivesburg in the year 1847. Trustees — Ja- 
cob Crabbs, Charles Palmer, Joshua Ford. It was 
occupied severally by Revs. Hubliard Duliois. 
Jacob Fegtly, John jMcNabl), John Whitworth 
and others. In the year 1876, it was sold, 
and a more commodious and convenient house 
built near Windsor Station, in close connection 
with Milton Church, and costing about $1,200. 
Trustees — John Ward, William Ferguson, Heniy 
Gollada}', James Hughes and William Foulks. 
It is beautifulh' situated on the southern slope 
of the Big Hill, 'and, with its rather picturesque 
surroundings, presents a pleasing view during 
the summer season, from the Atlantic & Great 
Western Railroad. It frequentl}^ calls out re- 
marks of passing strangers. The present Pas- 
tor occupying it is the Rev. C. I. Russel. 

Sabbath schools were organized first in the 
year 1828 l)y a Mr. E. Judson, of Milan, Ohio, 
at Olivesburg and at Fleming's Falls. James 
Godwin, Superintendent at Olivesburg; Thomas 
Wilson, Superintendent at Flemings, and Levi 
Horseman, Secretary. 

In 1829, the Rev. Mr. Matthews assisted in 
organizing a school in a cabin on Simon 
Morgan's land. Bartholomew Williamson, 



IT. 



J'v". 




c//^Uynl 




7"^ ^SfM.--^ 



^1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



623 



Superintendent; Joseph Ward, Sr., Secretar}' 
and Libi-arian. A collection was taken up here 
and forwarded to New York for books, and these 
were the first Sabbath-school books introduced 
into the township. There was a small school 
also in the west part of the township, with 
Charles Palmer as Superintendent. All these 
schools went down after a brief struggle for 
support ; but after the building of commodious 
church edifices at the various points already 
indicated, they were all reorganized on a per- 
manent Imsis, and have continued with brief 
intermissions ever since. Some of them are 
ver}' prosperous and successful. These schools 
were superintended alternately by Ezra Os- 
bun, John Ward, William Hagerman, Newton 
Charles. Freeman Osbun, and others at Mil- 
ton ; Charles Palmer, James Hughes, Henr}' 
Golladay, Allah Haverfield, David Hughes and 
others, at Franklin, and Dr. Crabbs, William 
Burget, William Foulks, at Olivesburg. 

The village of Olivesburg was laid out by 
Benjamin Montgomery in the year 1816, and 
called Olivesburg in honor of his oldest daugh- 
ter, Olive. In 1821, the village contained one 
tavern, kept by Benjamin Montgomery ; one 
blacksmith-shop, b}' Abel Montgomery ; one 
tailor-shop, by John Grum ; one cabinet-shop, 
b}- Thomas Beach ; one tannery, by Joseph 
Burget ; one horse-mill and water-mill, by Jon- 
athan Montgomer}^ ; one wheelwright-shop, by 
William Lee, or James Hall, and about the 
usual per cent of loafers. 

It was suggested to the writer by an old set- 
tler, that the history of Weller Township would 
be incomplete without some allusion to the 
witchcraft excitement that prevailed some fift}' 
years ago. It will, perhaps, ])e looked upon by 
some as a matter almost incredible that such 
things took place at so comparatively recent 
date, and we should feel reluctant about plac- 
ing them on record were there not living wit- 
nesses to substantiate all the statements made 
here: It was about the year 1831 or 1832, 



that a family living on the farm now occupied 
b}- the county infirmarj', conceived that they 
were annoyed by enemies who were endowed 
with the powers, qualities and attributes of 
witchcraft. A Mrs. Holstein, living at that 
time on the farm now occupied l)y Alanson 
Martin, was one of the parties thus charged, 
and that, in the exercise of powers and capac- 
ities above mentioned, they entered into their 
churns, sugar-kettles, etc., and prevented the 
butter from coming and the sugar from grain- 
ing, etc. At other times, the old lady would 
fancy they had taken partial possession of her 
person, and she would commence a series of 
gymnastic performances, swaying her bod}' and 
limbs to and fro, looking m3'steriousl3- out into 
vacancy and uttering sepulchral tones ; then 
she would take a silver half-dollar and clap it 
on the calf of her leg and kick like a mule in 
her efforts to throw it off In the night, mys- 
terious noises were heard up-stairs and down ; 
there were hissings and screechings, and run- 
^nings to and fro. In the morning, piles of meal 
'would be found in one corner, piles of salt in 
another, and torn shreds of old faded calico 
dresses would be scattered hither and thither. 
Neighbors were called in to witness the •■ pro- 
ceedings," and, according to the Scripture. 
'• some believed, and some believed not." A 
large portion of the more intelligent part of 
the community scouted the whole thing and 
stood aloof from all the proceedings. It was 
thought by many, that the object of the old 
woman was to excite hatred toward old 3Irs. 
Holstein. The excitement, however, continued 
to increase in a class of community who either 
did, or feigned, to believe it. Finall}-, a meet- 
ing of the " believers '-' was called to take steps 
looking toward the abatement of the nuisance. 
A man by the name of WA'coff, a connection of 
the troubled family, was Chairman of the meet- 
ing- 

Wycoft' settled on the western slope of the 
Big Hill in 1815. He was a man of immense 



:V 



'Il 



624 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



weight — on a pair of scales — of ver}' indo- 
lent habits, but a more inoffensive, good- 
natured man there was not in the county of 
Richland. Wycoff and his confreres, on the 
occasion aboA-e alluded to, held a kind of " ex- 
perience meeting," in which each one is sup- 
posed to have told " what I know about witch- 
craft," and its probable cause and cure. The 
conclusion of their deliberations was that the 
witch should be shot, not in dramatis jyersono', 
but by proxy. So they very gravely went to 
work, and, with the aid and assistance of the 
female department of the house, took wheat- 
flour and created a dough image, made after 
the "similitude and likeness" of a sinful and 
erring old woman, whose presence was now in- 
voked with mysterious incantations. It was 
then placed on the corner of an outside, old- 
fashioned mud and stick chimney, at a con- 
venient angle, with a big forked cherry-tree, 
where an excellent marksman was placed, with 
a rifle loaded with a silver bullet which had 
been melted down from two or three old, smooth 
sixpences that had been previously well soaked 
in buttermilk from which no Initter would 
come. The nerve of the marksman was good, 
and his aim was true. No better nerve was 
ever exhibited by "Fitz James or Roderick 
Dhu," considering the conditions. 8ir Walter 
Scott's heroes pale before him. The silver bul- 
let was true to its magic charm and '' accom- 
plished the end whereunto they sent it." At 
all events, the poor innocent image was bored 
through and through ; and it was not three 
days till there was a report circulated all 



through the neighborhood that there was a cor- 
responding wound in poor old Mrs. Holstein's 
side or bosom. It is a veritable fact, however, 
that Mrs. Holstein died shortly after these ridic- 
ulous transactions, which served to strengthen 
some in the faith. The writer hereof was pres- 
ent the year after these things took place, when 
a witch-doctor was sent for, who lived two miles 
north of Mansfield, who claimed to have power 
to exorcise evil spirits. He went out to the 
sugar-camp and muttered something over the 
sugar-kettles, to make the sugar ''grain" good. 
He appeared to be an honest Pennsylvania 
Dutchman, talked liroken English, charged a 
small fee for his services, stayed all night with 
the family, and, early in the morning, left them 
with his blessing. This was about the winding 
up of the era of witchcraft. 

Absurd and ridiculous as these things were, 
they had their counterpart in the spiritual rap- 
ping period, a quarter of a century later. Not 
more than a mile from this same locality, on 
the farm owned at that time by Henry New- 
man, and rented b}' a man named Heppard, 
some very extraordinary things took place, and 
the family was kept in a terrific state of alarm 
and excitement for weeks and months by simi- 
lar noises, thumping, rapping and tearing round 
the house in the night : and no satisfactory so- 
lution of the strange proceedings ever came to 
light. But these singular manifestations, like 
the former, have all passed away, and we look 
back upon them with mingled feelings of won- 
der and incredulity. 










"■> — ©r 



\ 



ii^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



6-25 



CHAPTER LXIL 

W R T H I N G T N T W N S H T P. 

Organization — Streams, Springs and Timber — Abner Davis — Scenery along the Clear Fork— Fair View 
Rock — Chasm Rocks — Hemlock Falls — Slanting Rock — Eagle's Nest — Pioneer Threshing Floor — 
IsDiAN Hill — Prospect Hill — Fountain Cavern — Giant's Plowshark — Watt's Hill — Uriim-isg 
Rock — First Settlers — Thk Pigeon Roost — Adventure with a Bear — Mills — Churches — Newville 
— Winchester — Independence — Helltown — The Old Indian, Lyons. 

tier of sections, entering the Clear Fork at New- 
ville. Andrew's Run enters the southwest cor- 



" Ye who love the haunts of Nature, 
Love the sunshine of the meadow, 
Love the shadow of the forest. 
Love the wind among the branches, 
And the rain-sliower and the snow-storm. 
And the rushing of great rivers 
Through their Palisades of pine-trees. 
And the thunder in the mountains. 
Whose innumerable echoes 
Flap like eagles in the eyries; 
Listen to these wild traditions." 

--L'lngfdlow. 

THE township was erected June 6, 1815, out 
of the east half of Greene, being then twelve 
miles long from north to south, and six miles 
wide. Thus it remained until February 11, 
1817. when Monroe was created out of its north 
half leaving it in its present shape, six miles 
square. It is now in the southeast corner of 
the country. It was named after Gov. Worth- 
ington. of Ohio. Its surface is broken and 
hilly, especially along the Clear Fork, where the 
scenery is picturesque and beautiful. It is well 
watered by the Clear Fork and its tributaries ; 
this stream entering the township about the cen- 
ter of its Avestern side, its course being gener- 
ally northeast, leaving the township on its way 
to the Black Fork, about the center of Section 
2. It is a clear, rapid stream, tumbling down 
among the hills, over a rocky and pebbl}' bot- 
tom. It must have been, long years ago, a 
very paradise of the red man. Slaters Run and 
its tributaries water the northern part. It 
passes from west to east across the northern 



ner of the township, and, passing north, empties 
into Clear Fork at Independence ; and Cold 
Run. coming from the southeast, joins the Clear 
Fork a short distance below Independence. In 
addition to these, numerous beautiful springs 
burst from the hillsides in ever}- direction. 

Ever}- part of it was once densely wooded ; 
ever}^ species of hardwood gi'owing with great 
strength and beauty. Much of this timber has 
been cleared away, but even yet the hills along 
the Clear Fork, and patches of ground all over 
the township, are covered with timber of the 
best qualit}'. 

The only railroad in the township is the Bal- 
timore & Ohio, which enters its western 
boundary- with the Clear Fork, running parallel 
with it to Independence, where it makes a curve. 
passing out on the same boundary' line about a 
mile from the southwest corner. 

Among the most noted springs is one on the 
land now owned by the heirs of Al)ner Davis, 
two and a half miles southeast of Newville. 
This Mr. Davis was once robbed of $1,100 in 
gold, and recovered his monej' in a peculiar 
manner. Three men came to his house one 
bitter, cold night, before he had retired, and, 
presenting a pistol to his head, demanded his 
money. After getting the money, the robbers de- 
parted, and, becoming somewhat bewildered l)y 
the siiow-storin. wandered about until two of 






'-^ 



626 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



them froze to death, and, when fonnd, the third 
was badly frozen, but survived, and was after- 
ward sent to the penitentiary. The money was 
all recovered. 

The magnificent rock}- country' in the vicinity 
of Newville is, without doubt, the most inter- 
esting geographical feature in the county. In 
the earl}' liistor}' of the country, these great 
rocks formed a secure retreat for the various 
wild animals, and dens for an immense num- 
ber of yellow rattlesnakes. Hundreds of these 
reptiles have been seen and killed by the early 
settlers among these rocks. The bottoms along 
the Clear Fork are exceedingly rich, where they 
are extensive enough for farming purposes ; oc- 
casionally, however, the high rocky bluffs crowd 
the little stream into a narrow gorge, and the til- 
ler of the soil must let these hills and rocks alone 
in their natural state forever. A narrow road 
borders the creek, clings to the hillside and 
wanders among the great rocks, which, jutting 
from these young mountains in great profusion, 
frown darkly upon the passer-by, silent monu- 
ments of lost races and ages. 

The banks of tlie stream in their primeval state 
were covered with a luxuriant growth of vege- 
tation, among which are the most beautiful 
wild flowers and flowering shrubs. With all this 
beauty, it is not pleasant to think of the slimy 
yellow rattlesnake creeping beneath these flow- 
ers, in such vast numbers as to render a walk 
along the banks of the stream, in an early day, 
a ver}^ dangerous undertaking. 

In the vicinity of Newville are various ledges 
of rocks which have received various names, 
suggested by the shape and locality. 

Fair View Rock received its name from the 
extensive and magnificent view to be obtained 
from its summit. A view of the valley may be 
had for some miles up and down the stream. 

To the right of this are Chasm Rocks, which 
consist of detached masses thrown off' from the 
main cliff", by some convulsion of nature in past 
ages, forming a deep rent in the rocks. In 



some places, this rent is four, and in others ten, 
feet across. These chasms are winding, tor 
tuous and open at the top, for the most part. 
This is an interesting point for the visitor, but 
space will not permit a description ; neither is 
it considered necessary, for these things will 
stand forever as they are. No human power 
will ever be exerted to change them, and it is 
sufficient that their locality be pointed out by 
the historian. 

Hemlock Falls, a highly interesting and ro- 
mantic natural curiosity, is situated about one 
and a half miles south of Newville, near the 
road leading to Danville, in Knox County, about 
one-half mile from the Clear Fork. This locality 
is noted as being the resort of Indians in 
earlier times, and, in later times, as the resort 
of pleasure parties and meetings of \'arious 
kinds. In point of interest and simple beauty, 
the country and scenery about Hemlock Falls 
is hard to excel. The water pours over a 
precipice about seventy -five feet in height, not, 
however, perpendicularly, but at an angle of 
seventh-five or eighty degrees in a succession ' 
of cascades. There is evidence, however, that 
at one time the water poured over a precipice 
about fifty feet perpendicularly, the rock hav- 
ing been worn away by the action of the water. 
One evidence of this is in the detached frag- 
mentary masses lying scattered at tlie foot of 
the falls. At present, the waier pours over a 
precipice of gradual descent about sixt}- feet, 
then makes a perpendicular leap fifteen feet to 
the fragmentary rocks beneath. Huge rocks, 
ragged and uneven, project from either side. 
The banks of the stream are fringed with hem- 
lock-trees — hence the name. A large oue of 
these, standing on the verge of a projecting 
rock, lookf^ as if it would be detached at any 
moment, and the traveler who has the nerve 
may hang out over a fearful abyss, by ascend- 
ing this ti"ee a short distance. 

Toward the southern extremit}- of this ledge 
of I'ocks, is '• Horseshoe Bend." In this bend. 



:v 



^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



627 



during the wet season, a stream of water issues 
from the perpendicular side of a rock, falling 
about thirt^^ feet. In every direction about 
these falls, the scenery is beautiful, and the 
traveler is continualh^ stumbling upon wonder- 
ful things. 

Near these beautiful falls, one of the first 
pioneer meetings in Richland County was held. 
Dr. S. Riddle, of Ashland, owner of the falls, in 
a communication regarding this event, writes : 

"The first pioneer meeting in Richland 
County was held at Hemlock Falls the first Sat- 
urday of September, 1856. The principal actors 
were Rev. James McGraw and Gen. Brinkerhofl", 
of Mansfield, Ohio ; Dr. S. Riddle, of Ashland ; 
Dr. J. P. Henderson, Noah Watt (long since 
dead), William B. Carpenter, Peter Brubaker, 
Peter Keller, John Uhler and A. Darling, of 
Worthington Township, and Solomon Gladden 
and John Coulter, of Monroe. William B. Car- 
penter was the President on that occasion, and 
Dr. J. P. Henderson was Marshal of the day. 
Speeches were made by McGaw and Brinker- 
hoff, also John Coulter referred to his early ex- 
perience in pioneer life and the encounters he 
had with bears and other wild beasts of the for- 
est. A large concourse of people were present ; 
there was music suitable to the occasion, and a 
splendid picnic-dinner spread out on the beauti- 
ful green above the Falls. The underbrush had 
been cleared away by some little boys, who took 
great delight in so doing. Among that number 
was G. W. Watts (now dead) and Jonathan Her- 
ring — who now lives on North Main street, Mans- 
field, Ohio, and runs the steam-dye works — who 
were at that time little boys about ten years old. 
The day was beautiful, and everything went off 
pleasantly, good order prevailing till the close 
of the meeting. A short time previous to this 
meeting, the place had received the name of 
Hemlock Falls by Gen. Brinkerhoff, who pre- 
ferred giving it that name instead of an Indian 
name, as some had suggested. At the second 
meeting, one year from that time, a large gath- 



ering of the people took place, and a general 
picnic was held, without any special reference to 
the pioneers. Speech by Hon. John Sherman. 
Adjourned to meet again in one year from that 
time. Third meeting, held a Sunday-school 
picnic. A very well-behaved and orderly crowd 
of people was there ; had appropriate music. 
The speakers on that occasion were Rev. Richard 
Galley (now dead) and Dr. Riddle. Yearly pic- 
nics were held there for some years afterward 
by other parties, but have dwindled down to a 
mere nothing. The Falls are still owned by 
Dr. Riddle, who intends to revive again the 
spirit of the meetings of former days." 

Slanting Rock is an enormous fragmentary 
rock, 80 feet long by 40 wide and 30 in thick- 
ness, which some convulsioii, of nature seems to 
have precipitated some considerable distance 
from the main clifl". This rock stands upon one 
of its ends, the other pointing upward at an 
angle of forty-five degi-ees. The ascent of this 
rock is somewhat perilous, the upper surface 
slanting about like the roof of an ordinary 
dwelling. Contiguous to this is another rock 
of larger dimensions, the upper surface of 
which is covered with moss and shrubs, which 
is also detached from the main ledge. 

The Eagle's Nest is a bold projecting rock, 
about sevent3--five feet in perpendicular alti- 
tude, and is situated one-fourth of a mile north 
of Hemlock Falls, on the same side of Clear 
Fork. It received its name from the circum- 
stance of an eagle having a nest under the 
the shelving rock near its summit. 

A short distance south of Eagle's Nest is the 
Pioneer Threshing Floor, which rises perpen- 
dicularly three hundred feet above the waters 
of the creek. Its upper surface is about fort}- 
feet square, and somewhat bowl-shaped. The 
name is derived from the circumstance of its 
being used during pioneer times for a thrashing 
floor, for which purpose it is admirably 
adapted. It is surrounded on two sides by 
trees of considerable growth. Its position is 



;k* 



6-:8 



ITISTOIJY OF EICHLAND COUNTY 



marked by a l)en(l in the creek at nearly right 
angles, where the creek is seen stretching away 
toward the west. On either side, so tar as the 
eye can penetrate, the creek is walled in l\y 
high precipitous hluffs. 

Indian Hill forms the eastern extremity of 
the ledge of rocks upon which Hemlock Falls, 
Kaole's Nest, etc., are situated. This eminence 
attbrds a fine view of the Valley of (Mear Fork 
and Slaters Run. On the top of this hill are 
seen several depressions, extending in a line 
•altout twenty -five feet across the hill, which 
would seem to indicate an Indian burial ground. 

Prospect Hill is situated about one-half 
mile west of Hemlock Falls, on the south bank 
of the Clear Fork. It is probably the highest 
point of land in "JJ^orthington Township. The 
view from its summit is very beautiful. The 
Clear Fork valley, and thousands of acres of 
field and meadow and neat farmhouses ; cattle, 
sheep, peace, plenty and beauty everywhere. 
Near its summit are several bowl-shaped cav- 
ities, the largest of which is, perhaps, twenty 
feet in diameter, evidently formed by the sink- 
ing down of the earth among the cavities of 
the rocks beneath. Thej' lie at the edge of a 
cleared field, and when the ploughed earth, on 
dilTerent occasions, has rolled into one of these 
tlepressions, and been washed down by rain, it 
finds its wa}' out about five hundred feet below, 
at the base of the hill, through the outlet of a 
strong spring of water. From this circum- 
stance, it is supposed that there is a subter- 
ranean passage from these depressions to the 
base of the hill. 

A short distance below the cavities is a mag- 
nificent rocky tower, one hundred and fifty feet 
high, overlooking the valley. 

A perforation of twenty or thirty feet always 
existed in this hill, Init it was not until within 
the last twent}' years or more that this was 
found to be the entrance to a cave, which has 
received the name of Fountain Cavern. This 
cavern is quite roomy, being perhaps three hun- 



dred feet in circumference, and with several 
distinct rooms and narrow, winding ways. Near 
its entrance is a rock called the Giant's Plow- 
share, from a resemblance to that farming im- 
plement. A short distance from this is another 
large rock resembling a pulpit, and near this a 
rock called the Indian's Arrowpoint, from its 
resemblance to that article. It stands on the 
large end, pointing to the north at an angle of 
seventy-five degrees. It is six feet broad at 
the base, and tapei's to a point like an arrow- 
head. 

Watts Hill is on the north side of the creek, 
immediately opposite Prospect Hill, and derives 
its name from Mr. Noah Watts, on whose farm 
it is located. The location of this gentleman's 
residence at the foot of this hill is one of the 
most beautiful that can be imagined. 

The eastern ascent of the hill is gradual, but 
the south is more abrupt, being in places al- 
most pei'pendicular. iVU over the hill are scat- 
tered curious-shaped rocks, cliffs, arches, towei'S 
and various strange things nature has provided 
to astonish the beholder. 

Near Watts Hill is a solitary rock called 
Dropping Rock. It is about one hundred feet 
in circumference, and ten or fifteen feet in alti- 
tude. It stands entirely alone, no other rocks 
being near, and its surface is covered with moss 
and shrubs. From its outside walls the water 
is continualh^ dropping, even in dry weather — 
hence the name. 

It will be seen from the foregoing, that this 
must have been a delightful hunting-ground for 
the Indian, and equally delightful to the first 
white residents ; but how much more beautiful 
is it to-day, when there are no Indians, rattle- 
snakes or wolves lurking beneath its I'ocks and 
in its caverns. 

The township is rich in Indian relics, Dr. J. 
P. Henderson, of Newville, having quite a cab- 
inet of curious things gathered in this vicinity. 
The plow even yet unearths some curious im- 
plements. Not long since, a curiously wrought 



>?Ts 



i) fy 



^. 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



629 



copper pipe was plowed up in the old Indian 
burying-ground at Helltown. which is now in 
possession of Dr. Henderson. 

The first white settler came into the town- 
ship, so far as known, in 1809, and was, there- 
fore, among the first in Richland County. The 
names of its first settlers are mentioned in a 
statement printed some years ago, from which 
the following extract is produced : " The first 
settlement of this township was made in the 
year 1809, by Samuel Lewis, James Cunning- 
ham, Andrew Craig and Henr}' McCart." This 
is. in part, erroneous, Samuel Lewis being the 
only one of those mentioned who settled within 
the present limits of Worthington. The men, 
hoAvever, settled very near to each other, and 
very near the line between Monroe, Worthing- 
ton and Grreen, and it has been with some dif- 
ficulty that their exact places of residence have 
been ascertained. They have been claimed as 
residents of Grreentown, and of G-reen Town- 
ship, but the fact is they settled very near 
where Monroe aad Worthington joins Green. 
James Cunningham moved about consider- 
alily ; in fact, many of these early settlers 
were somewhat restless, and it is therefore hard 
to locate them. Andrew Craig was among this 
number, and can hardly be called a settler at 
all. Of the former (Cunningham), it has been 
ascertained that he first settled on the north- 
east quarter of Section 6, in Monroe Township, 
so that his first residence was far from Worth- 
ington. His next move, so far as known, was 
to Mansfield, and his third move, made in 1810, 
was back to Monroe Township, where he settled 
on Section 30, near Greentown, and in the 
]McCart and Lewis neighborhood, so that he 
was not one of the earliest residents of Worth- 
ington at all, though very near its northern 
line. He afterward moved to the northeast 
quarter of Section 24, in Monroe. Sometime 
during the war of 1812, he moved his family to 
Licking County. Ohio, and returning again 
after the war settled permanently in Worthing- 



ton, on Section 17. It will be seen that he was 
an earl}' settler in Worthington, but not among 
the earliest. 

Samuel Lewis was probabl}- the first perman- 
ent white settler within the present limits of 
Worthington, settling on the northwest quarter 
of Section 1, in the spring of 1809. He after- 
ward, in 1812, erected a block-house on his 
fiirm for the protection of the settlers. This 
was known as Lewis' block-house, and is men- 
tioned in another chapter. Henry Nail, Sr., came 
in 1810, settling _on Section 1, and William 
Slater, Peter Zimmerman and James Wilson in 
1811 ; Herring, Brodie, Pierce, Davis and some 
others, perhaps, a little later. James Pierce 
came before 1815, and settled on Section 2. 
William and Jonathan Darling came in soon 
after Lewis, and settled on Section 1. Joseph 
Friend and Peter Zimmerman came about 1811, 
the former • settling on Section 3, and the latter 
on the northeast quarter of Section 16. Zim- 
merman, erected a powder-mill, the first in the 
country, on Clear Fork, and established a good 
trade in the powder business. In 1813, William 
and Thomas Simmons came, settling on Section 
20, and entering the land upon which stands 
the village of Independence. In 1823, Moses 
Andrews, wife and family, consistmg of Thomas 
B., William, John E., Moses, Jr., Catharine and 
Ann Eliza, came, settling on Section 32. When 
Mr. Andrews came, the following settlers were 
already here, in addition to those mentioned, 
viz., Frederick Eck, Section 32 ; Zeheniah Wade, 
Section 27 ; John Halfert}-, Section 34 ; Robert 
Kinton, Section 26 ; John Pipe ; Stephen 
Bishop, Section 28 ; Frederick Herring (one of 
the earliest settlers). Section 3 ; Thomas Watt, 
Section 31 ; David Filloon, Section 23 ; Nicho- 
las Fleeharty, Section 24 ; James Fleeharty, 
Section 13 ; Amasy Fleeharty (father of James 
and Nicholas, and a soldier of the Revolution), 
Section 24 ; Daniel Carpenter (father of George 
and W. B. Carpenter, of Mansfield), Section 2 ; 
Andrew Ramsey, Section 17, (1815) ; Robert 



IS/ 



1^ 



630 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Phipps, Section 17 ; Jacob Myers, Section 18 ; 
William'Robison, Section 18; Samuel Boyle, Sec- 
tion 32. Mr. Boyle's cabin is yet standing, and 
is, probabl}', the oldest house in the township. 
John Duncan and William Hanlan settled on 
Section 30, and Robert McConkey on Section 
13. Probably other settlers arrived before 
1823, whose names cannot at present be recalled. 

David Filloon erected the first blacksmith- 
shop in the township, on Section 19, the land 
being now owned by T. B. Andrews. 

These settlers were mostl}^ from the Ligonier 
Valley, in Western Pennsylvania. Most of 
them came into the township along the old 
Wyandot trail, following up the Mohican, the 
Black Fork and Clear Fork, settling first where 
the latter leaves the township, in the northeast 
corner. Of those who came later, a portion 
followed the military road, cut by a sec- 
tion of Gen. Harrison's army in 1812, which is 
yet a highway, and runs diagonally across the 
township from northeast to southwest, on the 
high gi'ound south of the Clear Fork. This 
was, probably, the first road in the township. 
It is here in order, to relate a few incidents con- 
nected with the struggles of these earl}" settlers, 
in their first eflTorts at transforming the rugged 
wilderness into the present cultivated gardens. 
Space can only be given for a few that will 
illustrate life in that time. 

Henry Nail relates, that, when a bo}', he was 
sent to Shrimplin's Mill, with two pack-horses, 
upon which the gi'ist was loaded. He started 
home late in the afternoon ; the path was nar- 
row and winding, so that he was compelled to 
drive one horse before the other, he riding the 
rear one. The twilight of the dense forest was 
fast deepening into darkness, and he made all 
possible haste to reach the more open country, 
fearing he might be intercepted b}' a gang of 
wolves. Unfortunately, the forward horse 
passed too near the projecting point of an up- 
turned root, and a large rent was made in the 
bag of meal, and its contents scattered upon 



the ground. Here was trouble. He had no 
means of fastening the parts of the torn bag 
together, and, if left over night, it was certain 
to be devoured by hogs or other animals, 
besides, there was a large family at home need- 
ing it for immediate use. Something must, 
however, be done immediately. The prolonged, 
undulating howl of wolves echoed through the 
forest, and an occasional child-like cr}', from a 
swamp not far away, fairly made his hair stand 
on end. The thought of a panther in the 
vicinity was not pleasant. His ingenuity being 
quickened, he drew several strands of hair from 
his horse's tail, gathered up as much of the 
meal as he could, and succeeded in closing the 
rent in the bag with the horse-hair. " I had 
not proceeded far on my way," said he, " when 
I heard the wolves quarreling over the remnant 
of the meal remaining on the ground, and with 
all my haste, by the time I reached the nearest 
clearing, there seemed to be a hundred of them 
within a few rods of me. The furious barking 
of several dogs belonging to a cabin near b}^, 
fortunately checked the pursuit, so that I reached 
home in safety." 

On another occasion several 3'oung men re- 
siding on the Clear Fork started off to visit a 
pigeon roost, situated in a swamp near the pres- 
ent site of Danville in Knox County. Arriving 
at the swamp, and not knowing the exact local- 
it}' of the roost, they separated, arid, surround- 
ing it, were to proceed inwardly until the roost 
was discovered, or they should meet in the cen- 
ter. They had only advanced a short distance 
when one of the party, Alexander McKee, 
aroused a bear that had taken lodgings in the 
swamp. The animal immediately rushed upon 
McKee, seizing him by the leg just as he reached 
the branch of a tree he was trjdng to ascend. He 
held on with a death-grip, and shouted for assist- 
ance. His companions coming up, the bear let 
go his hold, and, rising on his hind feet, faced 
his new assailants, ready for fight. A rifle ball 
through the head sent him dancing a jig, and 



IV 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



631 



another through the heart settled him. McKee's 
limb was badly lacerated, and he remained a 
cripple for life. 

Two young men, Henr}- and John Nail, sons 
of one of the earliest settlers, went out one day 
to hunt their horses, which were allowed to 
roam in the woods in summer. The}' caiTied 
their rifles, and were accompanied by two trusty 
dogs. When several miles from home, the dogs 
treed a young bear, which one the boys shot 
and wounded. It fell to the ground and set 
up a piteovis cry. Both had fired, and their 
guns were therefore empty, when the mother of 
the cub appeared and rushed upon the slayers 
of her 3^oung with savage gi'owls. The boys 
had neither time to re-load or climb a tree, but 
fortunately the dogs came to the rescue and at- 
tacked the bear fiei'cel}', upon which she unex- 
pectedly beat a retreat. They carried the cub 
home, and had roast bear meat for dinner. 

One of the earliest settlers of Worthington, 
Frederick Herring, erected a mill on the Clear 
Fork, near the present site of Newville, which 
was probably the second mill expected in the 
county. Beam's being first. The mill was re- 
sorted to from great distances b}' the early set- 
tlers. It was in operation nearl}' fifty years. 
Clear Fork fui-nished excellent water-power, 
and man}' mills have been erected from time to 
time on its banks. Another of the Hex-rings, 
David, erected a large three-story frame mill, 
about 40x60 feet, in 1841, two miles below In- 
dependence, on Clear Fork. Some years ago, 
this was converted into a woolen-mill, and is 
now owned and operated by Alexander & Zent, 
of Bellville. Its machinery is first class, and it 
is capable of doing a large business. 

About a mile above Independence is a grist- 
mill now owned by J. & E. Plank, erected about 
1820, by Jacob Myers. It has changed hands 
several times and been rebuilt, but is now in 
first-class condition and doing good work. 
About 1850, Jacob Armentrout erected a grist 
and saw mill one mile northeast of Inde- 



pendence. It is now owned and operated by 
D. J. Hummel. These are all water-mills, and 
have saw-mills connected with them. In addi- 
tion to these, saw-mills have been erected in 
various parts of the township on the swift little 
streams and near running springs. 

The first brick house was erected by William 
Darling, about 1828. The first voting place 
was at the house of Robert Phipps, on Sec- 
tion 17. 

The religious sentiment of this township is 
well developed ; the larger portion of its peo- 
ple being connected with some church. It is 
found here as elsewhere, that, long before the 
people were able to erect churches, they had 
preaching at private houses and the old log 
schoolhouses that began to spring up here and 
there in the woods, as the settlements grew. 
Among the earliest ministers were the Rev. 
James Johnson, of Mansfield ; William Hughes, 
Greorge Leiter, Shadrick Rhuark, George Hiskey 
and others. One of the earliest church build- 
ings was the old Union, or United Presbyterian, 
located on Section 8 ; erected, and the society 
organized, through the efforts of Rev. James 
Johnson, who was its first Pastor, The first 
and most influential members were the Laf- 
fertys, Halfertys, Ramseys, John Robinson, 
William Wilson, Peter Alexander and others. 
The first building was a hewed log, and in after 
years (about 1831), a frame addition was built. 
This building and organization have long since 
disappeared, and nothing remains to mark the 
spot but the graveyard in the vicinity. 

In an early day, the Rev. William Hughes 
established the church now known as the Clear 
Fork or Bunker Hill Presb}'terian Church, lo- 
cated on Section 23. Rev. Hughes preached 
many years to the people of this neighborhood 
before the building was erected. The first 
building was a hewed-log, and the second, the 
pi'esent frame, was erected about 1850. To 
this church belonged, in an early day, the Mof- 
fats. Pilchards, Hazletts, McClellands and 



>?- 



632 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



others. Some of its early ministers were Luke 
Dorland, Frank Eddy and W. W. Anderson. 
Rev. Mr. Ferris is the present minister, and the 
membership is about forty. A Sunday scliool 
is conducted at this cliurcii during the summer, 
and has lieen for many 3'ears. 

One of the early churches is the English Lu- 
theran, erected about 1832, on Section 6. The 
first church was a small frame, costing about 
$400 ; the second one, which is also frame, was 
erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,000. It is 
sometimes known as the " Harsh Church," and 
among its first members were the Harshes, Ber- 
rys, Grouses, William Harter, Daniel Teeter and 
others. Rev. Seidel and Greorge Leiter were 
the first mfnisters. The membership is at 
present about fifty. An active Sunday school 
is also connected with it, the membership aver- 
aging fifty pupils. 

A little later, about 183-1-, the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Newville was organized. 
The early and influential memliers of this 
church were James Morrison, Daniel Carpenter, 
Peter Keller, David Shellenberger. George 
Fickle, James Hazlett, and the wives of these 
gentlemen. The earl}" meetings of this organ- 
ization were held at the houses of James Mor- 
rison and George Fickle. Shadrick Rhuark was 
the first minister. Charles Reed and John 
Mitchell were also early ministers. Rev. Lion 
is pjesent minister, and the membership about 
forty. An active Sunday school is connected 
with the church, the average attendance being 
about fifty. 

The United Brethren Church, located on 
Section 4, was organized about the same time, 
or, perhaps, a little before the Methodist of 
Newville. The first church was log, erected 
about 1840. It was afterward weatherboarded 
over, and thus used until the present brick was 
erected. The earl}- members were the Suave- 
leys, the Snyders, the J]asterlys, Henry Muck 
and wife, Peter Leyman and others. The early 
meetings of this organization were held at the 



residence of Lawrence Easterly. George 
Hiskey was among the early ministers. The 
present membership is about fifty, and a live 
Sunday school is in operation. 

In an early day, the German Reformed soci- 
ety erected a log church on Section 22, which 
was used by them many 3- ears. The Baymil- 
lers, Cramers and others were influential in this 
church. It is now extinct, the church decayed 
and the society disbanded. A Baptist society 
was organized and a church erected in Inde- 
pendence, in 1852. The Rev. George Wilson 
was the founder, and called liimself an " Inde- 
pendent Baptist." The Halfords, Samuel 
Phipps, John Wise, Samuel Wilson, David 
Teeter and others were the first members of 
this church. The early ministers besides Wil- 
son, were Benjamin TuUoss and Revs. Jenkins 
and Dye. No regular services are at present 
held in the church. 

The Methodist Protestant Church of Inde- 
pendence was erected in 1857, at a cost of $800, 
though the society was organized four years 
before. The earl}' meetings were held in the 
old log schoolhouse. located on the farm of 
Thomas B. Andrews, near town. 

The early members of this church were 
Thomas B. Andrews and wife, David and Jane 
Spear, William and Letitia Huston, Catharine 
Myers, Jane and William Lamley and Richard 
Gatton. Rev. N. T. Brown, of Fredericktown, 
was the first Pastor. 

The present minister is W. S. Cams, and the 
present membership about forty. A large and 
active Sunday school is connected with this 
church. 

The Albrights are numerous and strong in 
this part of the count}-, having three separate 
and active organizations and churches near In- 
dependence. This church prefers to be known 
as the Evangelical. 

The first of these churches is the Zion, or Four 
Corners Church, located on Section 18, on the 
Kanaga property. This building was erected 



IT. 



\ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



633 



about 1860. at a cost of $1,000. The principal 
original members were Michael, Jacob, John 
and David Secrist and their wives, Uriah Laf- 
fert}', Elizabeth Kanaga and Jonathan Plank. 
The first ministers were John Seibert and Rev. 
Bomgardner. 

At present, the church is weak. Rev. Mr. 
Mesey has, at this time, charge of these three 
clrarches. 

The Salem Church was organized about 1850, 
and the building erected in 1862, at a cost of 
$1,000. Its early members were Saipuel, Elias 
and Henr}' Moore, Jacob Shaffer and Jonathan 
Freeheffer and wife. The present membership 
is about forty, and this,- also, is about the aver- 
age attendance of pupils at the Sunday school. 

The Mount Sinai Evangelical Church is lo- 
cated in Independence. This is an offshoot 
from the other two. and was organized and a 
building erected in 1875. The building and 
parsonage cost about $3,500. Its principal or- 
ganizers were Franklin Oberlin, Joseph Clever, 
James Near, Mary Clever, Sarah Thompson, 
Robert McEwin, Jonathan and George Free- 
heffer, and a majority of the members of their 
families. Bishop Stubl)s preached at the dedi- 
cation of the church in December, 1875, and 
Joseph Rosenberger was their first Pastor. 
The present membership is about seventy- 
five. 

A Sunday school was organized in 1876, A. 
Hitchman being first Superintendent. It now 
numbers about forty-five members. 

Three villages have been laid out in Worth- 
ington, two only being in existence at present. 

The first of these, Newville, was laid out In' 
Frederick Herring in December, 1823, on the 
northeast and southeast quarters of Section 3, 
on the Clear Fork near the mill which he had 
previouslj' erected. His cabin, erected some 
years before the town was laid out, was the 
first dwelling on the town site. Abraham Nye 
was among the first residents, and was instru- 
mental in inducing Herring to lay out a town. 



He purchased a few lots and erected the first 
hotel, one of the first buildings in the place. 
The first people who settled in the place were 
the Hogans, Daniel Carpenter, George and 
Jacob Armentrout and Luther Richard. The 
latter erected the second hotel. Daniel Stoner 
erected the first blacksmith-shop. The first 
Herring mill has not been in operation for 
twenty years or more, but another mill erected 
later by the Herrings is in operation, and is 
owned by the Garretts, of Mansfield. 

The first schoolhouse — a log one — was erected 
about 1826. Samuel J. Kirkwood, late Govern- 
or of Iowa, was one of the first teachers here. 
In 1830, a frame schoolhouse was erected, 
which was used until 1870, when the present 
neat, two-story frame was erected. It contains 
two rboms, two teachers, and accommodates 
sixty or seventy pupils. The population at 
present is about three hundred. There is one 
store, one hotel, and the usual number of 
mechanics and working people. Most of the 
inhabitants live by farming and various trades. 
The town is beautifuUj' situated on the Clear 
Fork, being inclosed by high, rocky bluffs. It 
is a rather sleepy little place, being undisturbed 
b}' railroads, or the rush and roar of the busi- 
ness world. It passes a dreamy existence, 
inclosed by a countr}' rugged, picturesque and 
charming. One of its honored citizens is Dr. 
J. P. Henderson, now in his seventy-eighth 
year, a graduate of Washington College, Penn- 
sylvania, who, curiously enough, elected to pass 
his life in this quiet village, in the practice of 
his profession, among these simple, honest 
people, surrounded by his books and his cabi- 
net of relics and curious things, in which he 
has always taken great delight. 

In March, 1845, a town named Winchester 
was laid out on Section 9, on the Clear Fork, 
by Noble Calhoun. A few houses were erected, 
but the land upon which it was platted, being 
heavily mortgaged, was sold at Sheriff's sale, 
and the place never amounted to anjthing. 



>-C i 



i^ 



634 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Independence was laid out on the northwest 
quarter of Section 20, January 12, 1848, by Daniel 
Spohn. In the early days of its existence it 
was nicknamed ''Spohntown"and "Squeelgut," 
but was named Independence b}' Thomas B. 
Andrews, rather in a spirit of defiance at the 
attitude of Bellville, which was not a friendly' 
one to the aspiring village. Andi'ews was its first 
Postmaster, and. before the town was laid out, 
kept the office in his house near the site. After 
the town was laid out and a warehouse erected, 
he moved the office into the warehouse. The 
land upon which the town stands was entered 
on the 18th of May, 1820, by William Simmons. 
The town plat was surveyed by -Joseph Hast- 
ings. Mr. Andrews was instrumental in getting 
the town established and laying it out, taking 
a lot for pay. 

The first store was started by William Lam- 
ley, who kept groceries and whisky. It may 
be remarked here that Independence is a tem- 
perance town, and will not allow (since the 
Bowersox affair mentioned in another chapter) 
any saloon to exist in the place. Lamley's 
store was a small frame building, near the rail- 
road, in the north end of the town. He after- 
ward erected a building, which is now occupied 
by Downing as a store, and started a hotel. 
Joseph Geary kept this hotel, the first in the 
place. David Teeter erected a second hotel. 
John Diltz. a carpenter and present Postmaster, 
erected the next dwelling, and shortly after, 
Daniel Garber erected a shoe-shop on Main 
street. William Clapper erected the next 
building and kept boarders. 

Gen. G. A. Jones came up from Mount Vernon, 
erected a warehouse, started a store and dealt 
in produce. In 1856, I. W. Pearce purchased 
the warehouse of Jones, conducted the business, 
and was also railroad agent. This gentleman at 
present keeps the principal store in the place, 
and does what banking business is necessary. 

When the town was laid out, the schoolhouse 
— a frame — was a short distance south of town. 



In 1868, the present building was erected. It 
is a two-story frame, and occupied by two 
teachers and about one hundred pupils. 

In 1877, the village wa^ incorporated, the 
first Maj'or being J. M. McLaughlin ; the sec- 
ond and present Mayor, George W. McBee. 

There are four dry-goods and gi'ocery stores, 
one hardware, one stove and tin, and several 
smaller establishments ; two churches, one ho- 
tel, and a proper proportion of mechanics and 
professional men. The population is about 
four hundred. The place stands in a great 
bend in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. 

One of the noted places in this township, 
whose history dates back to early Indian days, 
was known by the seemingly profane name of 
" Helltown." It is thus described by Dr. J. P. 
Henderson : 

" Helltown was situated on the right bank of 
the Clear Fork of the Mohican, one and a half 
miles below Newville. It occupied a high bank, 
where the stream is low and easily forded. A 
few hundred yards above, on the margin of the 
creek, issues a fountain of water, and near the 
same place, on the opposite side, Switzer's Run 
empties into the Clear Fork. The ground on 
which the village stood is a rich, alluvial and 
loamy bottom, extending some distance to the 
east, and, when first seen by the writer, was 
overgrown with wild plum-trees, three apple- 
trees, evidently volunteers ; and all around and 
east of the town stood a luxuriant growth of 
wild cherry-trees of the size of a man's thigh, 
and interspersed were a few ver}' large sugar 
maples. This bottom had evidentl}^ been 
cleared, and at an early day small conical ele- 
vations were to be seen, presumed to have been 
hills where corn had been cultivated. Back 
almost immediately from the village, and where 
the ground gradually ascended from the creek, 
was the graveyard, where about sixteen graves 
were originally counted. 

'' This village was occupied by a tribe of Del- 
aware Indians, who emigi'ated from Eastern 



:v 



J^l 



J^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY, 



635 



Penns^ivania about the year 1745, and settled 
on the Muskingum and its tributaries, on lands 
granted them by their ' ancient allies and un- 
cles, the Wj'andots.' Having in Pennsylvania 
commingled with the German and English pop- 
ulation, and acquired a smattering of the lan- 
guage of both, they gave the name of the vil- 
lage partly to each. Hell, which in the German 
means clear, united with town, in the English, the 
words designating simply, but not profanely, the 
town on the Clear Fork. As to how many huts 
and wigwams stood originally in this ' Old Plum 
Orchard,' as it was sometimes called, tradition 
is silent. When first seen by the writer, there 
were but three cabins standing, old and dilap- 
idated, without chimney, floor, door, window, 
or roof, and one of the corners broken down. 
Depressions in the neighboring grounds, how- 
ever, were supposed to have been the sites of 
other buildings. 

"In the spring of 1781, Col. Williamson and 
his party from Western Pennsylvania massa- 
cred the Moravian Delaware Indians at Gnau- 
denhutten, in Tuscarawas County, treacherously 
and in cold blood. When the inhabitants of 
Helltown heard of the massacre, the^' were 
panic-stricken and fled to Upper Sandusk}', the 
home of the Wyandots. for protection. The 
panic having subsided, the}' returned to Hell- 
town, and, after some time, removed, founded 
and located at Greentown, in Ashland County, 
near the Black Fork, about two miles above 
Penysville. Helltown was not wholly aban- 
doned, but was used until 1812 as a hunting 
encampment, and, being but five miles distant, 
the trail between the two places was deep and 
well marked. A trail also existed, on the first 
settlement of the whites, from Helltown to 
Mansfield, and crossed the one from Greentown 
to Upper Sandusk}-. A trail, too, from Hell- 
town to Jeromeville doubtless originally ex- 
isted, but, being disused, was necessaril}- oblit- 
erated in the lapse of years from 1782 to 
1812. 



" The route of Col. Crawford and his army 
in their march to Upper Sandusky in 1782 
has not been definitely located. It is believed 
they marched from Odells Lake to Mans- 
field, but the course they took between these 
two places is not yet determined. In a con- 
versation the writer had, mau}^ years ago, with 
the late Col. Solomon Gladden, of this count}', 
he stated that Col. Crawford and his part}' 
passed through Helltown on their way to Upper 
Sandusky, and that such was the statement to 
him of Capt. Munn, his uncle, who was an 
officer in the expedition. Of this conversation 
the writer took a minute shortly after, and as 
to the fact he cannot be mistaken. 

" In and about Helltown many Indian relics, 
ancient and more modern, have been found, 
such as arrow and spear heads, pipes of stone, 
pottery and copper, a stone drinking cup, cop- 
per lancets, leaden bullets, a scalping-knife, 
fragments of gun-barrels and brass mountings 
of gun-stocks, etc. Many of the graves have 
been opened, as they were superficial and easily 
dug into, but, so far as informed, nothing but 
bones more or less decayed wei'e found and ex- 
humed. 

•^ It may be added, that the site of Helltown. 
with its gi'aves, has for years been part and 
parcel of a cultivated field, and when last seen, 
early last summer, the ripening wheat was 
waving over the former habitations of the de- 
parted and the dead.'" 

Dr. Henderson also notes the history of an 
old Indian, known as Lyons, who once inhab- 
ited this part of the country. The Doctor says : 

•■ Old Lyons was the last of the Indians who 
had ■ a local habitation and a name' in Worth- 
ington Township. His dwelling was on the 
farm of David Rummel. near where it connects 
with that of *John Ramsey, and contiguous to 
the Clear Fork. It resembled a double barn, 
and consisted of two cabins constructed of buck- 
eye logs, with a small ground spot intermediate, 
and the whole covered with basswood ])ark. 



636 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



He was aged, dark, large for -an Indian, of 
coarse features, high cheek-bones and large pro- 
truding lips, so much so, indeed, that, when or- 
namented with a miniature silver clevis and 
double-tree in each ear, and one in his nose, and 
smoking from the bowl and through the handle 
of his iron tomahawk, he presented rather a 
grotesque appearance. He was, in a word, re- 
garded by the whites as extremely homely and 
repulsive. 

" Where he originated, or from what tribe he 
sprang, is unknown. He claimed land in Wy- 
oming Valley, said ' the whites had no right to 
it, never bought it ; that it was his.' He re- 
quested Judge Kinney to procure lawyers, in- 
stitute suit and oust the intruders, promising 
the Judge one-half if successful. Such action, 
it is needless to say, was never undertaken. 

•• That he was superstitious, would appear from 
one of his dreams, its supposed baneful import, 
and its antidote. He dreamed that he was bit- 
ten l)y a mad hog, which he interpreted to mean 
that he would, while hunting the next day, be 
bitten by venomous snake, unless he plunged 
into the water the next morning, and thus broke 
in upon and nullified the vision of the night 
Hence his voluntary immersion in the Clear 
Fork the next morning before sunrise, though 
the water was cold, and he emerged from it 
shivering and perfectly chilled. 

" That he was sarcastic, is also apparent from 
another incident. Mrs. Cunning, a 3'oung woman 
living near Hemlock Falls, and but recentty 
married, discovered him looking between the 
logs of the cabin before he entered the house. 
At this she became frightened, as her husband 
was from home. On seeing her trepidation, he 
laughed outright, and exclaimed, ' Very old 
woman, very much scared,' and left the house 
repeating the exclamation time and' again at the 
top of his voice, and in a chanting tone, till he 
disappeared in the forest. 

" He called on jMrs. White, said he wanted a 
loaf of bread then on the fire baking. On be- 



ing promised it so soon as baked, he exhibited 
to her a string of what he called the tongues of 
white persons, stating he had ninety-nine, and 
was determined to have another, a woman's, and 
then he would have 100. On her exhibiting 
some alarm, being alone, and her husband 
absent, he said it was not her tongue, but that 
of a woman who had mistreated or insulted him. 

■' He was very communicative to Mr. Johns- 
ton, and talked to him often and long. He 
stated that, during the Indian troubles and hos- 
tilities on the frontier, he was accustomed to 
approach the cabins of the settlers at the dead 
hour of night, when the inmates were asleep, 
and, silently as possible, punch a hole through 
the c\a,j daubing of the chimney into the fire- 
place, and then attaching a charge of powder to 
his ramrod, thrust it into the embers, when the 
powder would flare up, and illumine the inside 
of the dwelling, and enable him to count and 
discriminate the inmates, and if he discovered 
two men within he withdrew, but if but one. lie 
entered the house and killed him, and then dis- 
patched the women and children. He said, 
also, that at Crawford's and St. Clair's defeats, 
he had tomahawked white men till his arm was 
' sick,' and denounced (len. Wayne as ' bad 
man, swear that he could be heard three miles.' 
The only scalp exhibited by him. however, was 
that of a fairhaired person, and said by him to 
have been taken from the head of a British 
oflficer. 

" Notwithstanding this bloody record, he had 
the credit of saving the life of Mr. Flack, 
taken prisoner in Ligonier Valley, afterward 
taken to Detroit, redeemed by the French, and 
by them restored to his home and his tamily. 
While a prisoner in tlie hands of the Indians, 
and apprehending death at the stake, or other- 
wise, Lyons came to him and told him the 
only way to save himself was to strip off hi* 
clothes immediately, go to bed, cover himself 
up, and pretend to be asleep. He did so, and 
soon the savages dashed into the apartment 



(£/ 

"T 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



637 



where he was, whooping, j^elling, and careering 
through the room, in high and full feather, as 
though pandemonium itself was unchained. 
What all this had to do in saving the life of 
Mr. F., is a mystery we cannot solve. Suffice 
it to say, such was his lifelong conviction. 

" On removing from Worthington Township, 
Lyons had his hut at Jeromeville, but frequently 
revisited Greentown and his former neighbor- 
hood. N. Flaharty, Esq., saw him with a 
hunting party camped on Pine Run, below his 
house, as late as 1818 or 1819, when too old to 
hunt, and he said he was one hundred and 
sixty. He sold wooden ladles, made b}' him- 
self, to Mrs. F., had a new suit at the time, and 



a new gun, procured from a gunsmith who 
lived near Cadiz, on the Brush Fork of Still- 
water. 

" It is said to have transpired that, on leaving 
a tavern in Lexington, Lyon was followed and 
killed by a party of roughs, probably stimu- 
lated by whisky. He had boasted of having 
ninety-nine tongues of the whites, and wanted 
one more, which, if obtained, he would die con- 
tent, or be willing and ready to die. This was 
construed as a design on his part to murder 
some one, and it was determined to anticipate 
him by putting him to death. Soon after, he 
was found dead, and l^'ing beside a log, near 
Hanewalts mill, on the Clear Fork." 



CHAPTER LXIIL 



AUBURN TOWNSHIP.* 



SunvEY — '')KG\^izATroN — Physical F-atures— Jkdeuiah Morkhead — Two Hermits — First Settlers — FiBsr 

Road — ^Ge(^pge Mykds^Chiikches — Villages. 



TT^HE territory comprising Auburn Township 
-L was surve^^ed by Maxfield Ludlow in 
1807. Until April 8, 1820, it was part of 
Plymouth Township, which was twelve miles 
long from east to west, and six miles wide. At 
that date, this territory was divided by a line 
through the center north and south, and the 
west half called Auburn, making it six miles 
square. Thus it remained until the county of 
Crawford was organized, in February, 1845, 
when it was again divided by a line north and 
south, the four tiers of sections on the west 
being given to Crawford, leaving the remainder 
(two tiers) attached to Plymouth. December 
0, 1849, Cass being erected out of the east part 
of Plymouth, these two tiers of sections were 
attached to the latter, and the whole of Auburn 
(four by six miles in extent) remained in the 
northeast corner of Crawford County-. It is 

* Now in Crawford County, formerly in Richland. 



said to be one of the finest townships of land 
in the State for agricultural purposes, the soil 
being deep, dark, rich, and the general surface 
comparativel}' level. It slopes gentl}- to the 
north, and, in an eai'ly da}-, before the white 
man began its cultivation, the northern tier of 
sections were mostly under water for the greater 
part of the year, as they bordered on the great 
cranberry marsh lying to the east and north. 
It has always been considered " swamp land " 
throughout its northern part, but since it has 
been cleared of timber and underdrained. it 
appears as the finest of farming land, there 
seeming to be no end to the strength and pro- 
ductiveness of its soil. It is watered on its 
eastern side by Cuykendalls Run. which rises 
in the southern part, and, passing directly north 
through its eastern sections, enters Huron 
County about the center of the northwest quar- 
ter of Section 3. On the west side is Honey 



^■. 



^^ 



^ 



638 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



Creek, which also rises in the southern part, 
and, passing north the entire length of the 
township, enters Huron County through Sec- 
tion G. The Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake 
Michigan Railroad passes across the southwest 
corner, and Tiro, on this road, is the only rail- 
road station and post office within its limits. 

One of the earliest settlers in this territory 
was Jedediah Morehead, a hunter and trapper. 
He might not, in those very early days, have 
been called a settler at all, as he roamed about 
a good deal, squatting here and there wherever 
he found the best hunting, though later, he 
moved his family — a large one — to Vernon 
Township, where he purchased land and settled, 
on Section 1 . He hunted the swampy region 
about the cranberry marsh (the old settlers 
called it " the mash "' ), where he found bear 
and all other four-footed wild animals plenty, 
as well as wild geese and ducks. Even to 
this day it is is a good ducking-ground. In 
the northern part of the township, and extend- 
ing into Huron County, is a narrow, irregular 
strip of dry land jutting into the swamp ; and, 
upon the extreme point of this strip, Morehead 
built a small brush cabin, which is well remem- 
bered ])y the later settlers, in which he spent 
much of his time. This is yet known as 
" Morehead's Point." There is little doubt 
that he was the first settler and built the first 
cabin in the township. 

Two very singular characters, bachelors and 
hermits, named Varnica and Wadsworth, were 
among the earliest residents of the township. 
They could hardly be termed settlers, as they 
lived here in caves, and did not associate with 
their fellows. They were solitary in their lial)its, 
and sufflcientl}" eccentric to be called " crazy " 
by those who knew them. 

Varnica was a German, a fine scholar, and in 
his youth, it was said, was a military com- 
mander in Europe, but for some unknown rea- 
son, fled to the wilds of America, and his entry 
of land in Auburn Township was among the 



first. He had money, which he kept hid in the 
most singular places, and lived a hermit until 
quite old, when he took a fancy to a young 
man. by the name of Robert Wilson, with whom 
he resided until his death. 

After his death, very little money could be 
found until they came across a will, written in 
German and pi'operly witnessed, giving his fine 
quarter of land and some monej' to his friend, 
Wilson, who was also made executor and en- 
joined to give the residue of his money, scA'eral 
thousand dollars, to poor, aged and friendless 
females, and to make the distribution in small 
sums. This provision of his will was surpris- 
ing, as during his life here, he was never known to 
notice the opposite sex, and appeared to detest 
them. The will also revealed the place where 
the mone^' was secreted ; $2,200 in gold was 
discovered in a gate post, in the top of which 
a large hole Jiad been bored, and the coin 
dropped in, after which the hole was plugged 
with a pin of the same wood as that of the 
post. Other smaller sums of money were found 
in singular places. This strange man died about 
forty years ago. From the clause in the will 
regarding women, and other evidence, it is con- 
jectured some one of them had something to do 
with shaping the man's life. Young Wilson, 
who has also been dead about thirt}' years, exe- 
cuted the will with commendable fidelity, and 
relieved the wants of many poor women. 

The other man, Wadsworth, was also a fine 
scholar, a graduate of Yale College, and stud- 
ied theology. He also made one of the first 
entries of land in Auburn, and lived in a cave 
on his land. He was singular in appearance as 
well as action, being very round shouldered, so 
much so that it amounted almost to deformity ; 
])ut was one of the most muscular men in the 
township. He was an expert hunter and trap- 
per, and a miser. He raised chickens, melons 
and vegetables, and peddled his own produce 
later, when settlers came in and villages began 
to spring up. He would take a bag of melons 



"7< 



:t 



A' 



liu 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



639 



on his shoulder, a basket of eggs on his arm, 
and walk several miles to Plymouth or other 
places, and peddle from house to house. He 
was strictly honest and conscientious in- his 
dealings, careful in making change even to a 
cent or the fraction of a cent. He was never 
known to laugh, or even smile, and never owned 
or would use a horse, always carrying his grist to 
mill upon his back, and returning with the meal 
or flour the same wa}'. He died about 1840, 
without a will, leaving considerable money and 
a fine quarter-section of land, which was taken 
possession of by his rich and aristocratic Boston 
relatives, who had frequently visited him, and 
tried to induce him to return to Boston. His 
was, also, a severe case of " woman." 

The early settlers were John Pettijohn and 
William Greene, who came as earlj^ as 1815 ; 
Charles Morrow, 1817 ; Adam Aumend, Ru- 
dolphus Morse and Resolved White, who came 
from New York in 1819 ; John Blair, 1821 ; A. 
T. Ross, 1825 ; John Webber, 1817, Section 
13 ; Jacob Cuykendall, John Blair, Van Osdoll, 
Van Fleet, Ruckman, Capt. Joseph Gardner, 
John Bodley, Jesse Ladow and Samuel and 
Robert Hanna. These were all here before 
1820, except Ross. These early settlers are all 
dead. They and those who immediatelj' followed 
them were generally New Englanders, New York 
Hollanders and Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish. 

Probably the first road opened through the 
township was one cut by a portion of thearm}^ 
of Gen. Harrison, in 1813-14, from Mansfield to 
Fort Ball, near the present site of Tiffin, which 
passed diagonally across it from southeast to 
northwest. This route was frequented by Har- 
rison's couriers with despatches to the East. 
One of these couriers, well known to the set- 
tlers, was George Myers, a German, who after- 
ward laid out New Washington, in Crawford 
County, and called it after the " Father of his 
Country." A fact may be here noted, that 
nearly all the early settlers in Plymouth and 
Auburn Townships were soldiers of the war of 



1812. They must have been attracted to this 
beautiful country, and returned to it after the 
war. 

Auburn is well supplied with churches, there 
being seven, at present, within its limits. One 
of the oldest religious organiztitions is that of 
the Presbyterians, at Waynesburg. Rev. M. 
Wolf, a missionary, organized this society in a 
very early day. Their meetings were held in 
private houses and schoolhouses ; no church 
building was erected. 

The Baptists organized a society about 1830, 
Deacon Howe was the founder and leading 
spirit. About 18-40, they erected a small frame 
church on Section 16, which they occupied until 
January 1, 1880, when they dedicated a new one 
which had been erected at a cost of $2,500. 

The Methodists have a church called " Pleas- 
ant Grove," in the southern part of the town- 
ship. The United Brethren also have a church 
near Tiro in the southern part of the township, 
erected in 1878, at a cost of about $1,500. In 
the same neighborhood, on the Plymouth and 
Bucyrus road, is the Lutheran Church, organ- 
ized about 1855. One of the earliest Methodist 
churches was located on Section 8 ; it was used 
for many years, and sold to the Winebrenarians, 
or Church of God, who organized about 1874, 
and have since occupied it. The " Good Will " 
Methodist Church, is located on Section 20, 
and was organized about 1850. The church was 
not erected until 1870 ; Thomas Milliard, who 
came from Pennsylvania and settled near here 
in an earl}' daj', was the founder. Dni'ing 1879, 
the Catholics erected a church at a cost (in- 
cluding parsonage) of $4,000, on Section 7. 
But two towns have been started in this town- 
ship — W^aj'nesburg, on the west side, which be- 
came a village with two or three business 
places, but was killed by the passage of the rail- 
road through Plymouth, and Tiro on the Mans- 
field, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad. 
This latter is generally called DeKalb station, 
Tiro being the name of the post office. 



~ 



® *l^ 



_-rf S) 



^ 



640 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER LXIV. 

JACKSON TOWNSHIP* 

Crestline — Its Early History — Vkrnon Station — The First Railroap — Laying-Out oe Crestline — First 
Buildings — A Railroad Town — Incorporated — List of Mayors — Educational Matters — The 
Churches — Secret Societies — Growth, Hotels, Etc.— Mills— The Press — AVater Works. 



THIS is comparatively a new place ; a little 
more than thirty years ago, it was not 
thought of; consequently the "oldest inhabit- 
ant " is not in particular requisition in gather- 
ing its history. Men comparatively young 
remember when its site was a good place to 
hunt deer. It is generally flat about Crestline, 
and it has something of the appearance of a 
frontier railroad town, being very muddy when 
muddy an3^where, though its general elevation 
is about the average ; indeed, when laid out 
it was thought to be the highest point above 
sea-level in the State, hence the name — Crest- 
line. 

John Newman, who lived in the village of 
Leesville in 1840, says he was in the habit of 
coming down into the "big woods," where 
Crestline stands, to hunt deer, which were 
plenty, even at that late day ; also wolves, wild 
turkeys, etc. It was a country very similar to 
certain portions of the Black Swamp, in the 
western part of the State, to-day ; flat, swampy, 
but the soil is rich and very valuable, when 
cleared of timber and cultivated. A Dutch- 
man by the name of Harvey Aschbaugh, owned 
eighty acres of this valuable land, including 
the present site of Crestline. All that appeared 
to him valuable on the tract were the game, 
the timber, and a fine sulphur spring, the latter 
at present within the corporation limits. His 
cabin stood on the narrow, winding, muddy 
road that led from Mansfield to Leesville — the 
first road through there. 

* Now in Crawford County, formerly in Kichland. 



North of the Aschbaugh place, was a cabin 
occupied by a negro family, who owned the 
eighty acres upon which they resided. Where 
this family came from, what was their name, or 
what became of them, is not remembered. 
Their cabin stood at what is now the west end 
of Main street, and was erected after the Asch- 
baugh cabin. About the time the negro cabin 
was erected, another cabin was erected directly 
east of it, on the adjoining eighty acres, at 
what is now the east end of Main street, by 
Samuel Rutane, who had entered and purchased 
the land from the Government. Still further 
east of Rutane, was the cabin of Benjamin 
Ogden, on another eighty-acre lot ; further east 
still, on the Leesville and Mansfield road, stood 
the old log house called Seltzer's Tavern, in 
which, for many years, while all was a wilder- 
ness around, one Seltzer kept weary travelers 
in his rude loft, and fed them on "corn pone " 
and venison. 

This was about the state of affairs, when the 
wave of civilization approached, and came 
down upon the doomed settlement, through the 
blare of a head-light and the fuss and thunder 
of a locomotive. 

John Adam Thoman — a well-known name in 
Crestline — first saw the locomotive coming ; 
he could see the headlight through the dense 
woods in the direction of Cleveland, and knew 
it would strike that wilderness and scatter the 
wolves, deer and timber, like chaff before a hur- 
ricane, and immediately began his preparations 
to meet it and accept the inevitable. He pur- 









XI 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



641 



chased the eight}' acres belonging to the negro 
family, pacing what was then a high price, 
$600, and immediately began laying out a town 
in the woods. The road, however, struck the 
farm of Butane, at the east end of jNIain street, 
where the company erected a little shant}' for 
a depot, and called it Vernon Station. Rutane 
sold his place to a man named Conwell, who 
erected the first house near the station. It 
was on Main street, west of the railroad. Con- 
well afterward sold it to Rensselaer R. Living- 
stone, who laid out a town around the station. 
Here, then, the present town had its beginning, 
and many houses were erected around Vernon 
Station before Crestline was thought of The 
Livingstone and Thomas Additions, as they are 
called (though really Crestline is the addition), 
are now the larger part of the town. 

The Cleveland. Columbus & Cincinnati Rail- 
road has the honor of establishing Crestline. 
The charter for this road was granted in 1836, 
but it was not until February, 1851, that the 
road was opened for traffic. In 1850, however, 
trains wei'e running as far as Shelby and 
Crestline. At that time, the road was a wooden 
one, comparatively speaking, the improved 
"T" rail not having been invented. For three 
years, Vernon Station had an opportunity to 
spread itself before it was interfered with b}' 
another railroad. It grew to be something of 
a place. A post office was established there ; 
a hotel erected, called the Ohio House, kept 
by ^lichael Heflelflnger ; Messrs. Newman & 
Thoman started the first store, and kept a gen- 
eral stock, such as is usuall}' kept in a country 
store. A grocery and provision store was also 
established about the same time, by Thomas 
Hall, who was a conti'actor, and engaged in 
building a section of the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railroad, then l)eing rapidly 
pushed forward, and who established the pro- 
vision store partly for the purpose of supplying 
his employes. Thoman and Livingstone were 
busy during these years, selling their lots, ad- 



vertising the town, and erecting dwelling-houses 
for the accommodation of new residents and 
the numerous employes of the different con- 
tractors on the two roads. 

On the 11th of April, 1853, the Pittsburgh, 
Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad was opened 
for traffic from Allegheny City to Crestline, a 
distance of 187 miles. LTnfortunately for Ver- 
non Station, it was for some reason ignored by 
this road, which crossed the Cleveland, Colum- 
bus & Indianapolis road a half a mile or more 
south of it, and immediately there was a rush 
for the junction. Thereafter Vernon Station 
was "left out in the cold." 

Previous to this, a party of gentlemen con- 
cluded that money could be made out of this 
point on the road by laying out a new town. 
The names of these gentlemen were Jessie R. 
Strong, the chief engineer of the Pittsburgh, 
Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad ; Thomas W. 
Bartley, of Mansfield, and John and Joseph 
Larwill, of Wooster — the latter gentlemen being 
well known in the early history of Mansfield and 
this county, as surveyors. Whether these gen- 
tlemen exerted sufficient influence to change 
the direction of the road slightly so that it 
should strike the other road at a point so far 
from A^ernon Station as to give room to plat a 
new town, is not certainly known, but maj' 
be reasonably inferred, from the fact that the 
chief engineer was interested in the project, 
and that these gentlemen were connected with 
each other by marriage, if not by blood rela- 
tionship. Be this as it may, it was perfectly 
legitimate. They purchased the eighty acres 
of Harvey Aschbaugh, across which it was de- 
termined to run the Pittsliurgh. Fort Wayne & 
Chicago Railroad, and laid out a town at the 
junction, which they called Crestline, and there- 
upon Vernon Station was abandoned. It, how- 
ever, made little difference to the latter, as the 
two towns soon grew together and the line be- 
tween the two plats was obliterated. The two 
railroads built a frame union depot which stood 



I 



t 



643 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



there in the mud a squatty, ugly-looking thing 
for years. In 1864, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne 
& Chicago Railroad erected the present fine 
brick edifice at ihe junction, which is used as 
a depot and hotel. 

Jessie R. Strong erected the first building in 
Crestline. It is yet standing close to the junc- 
tion, on the north side of the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railroad, is two and a half 
stories in height, and one hundred and twenty- 
five feet in length. When erected, it was con- 
sidered one of the finest hotels in the State ; 
was liohted with gas manufactured on the 
premises, and furnished with bath-rooms, hot 
and cold water, etc. It was called the Crest- 
line House. It has been in continual use as 
a hotel, and is now called the Gibson House. 
Its first proprietor was Jacob Brown. 

Soon after the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago Railroad was completed to Crestline, 
the Bellefontaine road made its appearance. 
It was first built between Gralion, Ohio, and 
Union Cit}', Ind., and afterward extended to 
Indianapolis and to Crestline. It was opened 
for business in July, 1853. For some years, it 
used the track of the Cleveland, Columbus & 
Cincinnati, between Gallon and Crestline, and 
then passed into the control of the latter road, 
which was thereupon changed to Cleveland, 
Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, thus giv- 
ing the road direct connection with St. Louis 
and the West. Crestline became immediately 
an important railroad point and grew rapidly, 
notwithstanding the unfavorable location. 

Mr. Hall, the contractor before mentioned, 
erected the second building, on the north side 
of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- 
road, on Thomau street, and started a store, 
abandoning his business at the station and 
opening out a general stock at his new loca- 
tion. The first lots were sold at auction, and 
the first one sold was purchased by G. W. Em- 
erson, who afterward sold it to Mr. Babst, who 
erected upon it the Emerson House — the sec- 



ond hotel. Mr. Emerson kept this hotel manj^ 
years. In March, 1854, an addition was made 
called East Crestline, which is within the 
present limits of Richland County, the main 
part of the town being now in Crawford County, 
though when platted, Crawford had not been 
formed, and the territory was included within 
the limits of Richland — the line of Richland 
then being about four miles west of Crestline. 

It will be seen that Crestline is emphatically 
a railroad town ; the crossing of two important 
trunk lines caused it to spring into existence, 
and the principal dependence of the place for 
its growth and prosperity was, and is to-day, 
upon these roads. There is an excellent farm- 
ing country around it, but. Gallon being only 
four miles away, Bucyrus and Shelby a short 
distance on either side of it, there was no occa- 
sion for its existence but the railroads ; take 
these away, and its farming community is not 
sufficiently strong, perhaps, to save it from a 
lingering death. But the same power that 
breathed into it the breath of life, yet sustains 
it. The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago 
Railroad shops are located here, and these, 
together with other shops and foundries that 
have sprung up in connection with the railways, 
employ several hundred hands continually, that 
must be fed, clothed and lodged. The town 
was incorporated March 3, 1858, David Ogden 
being elected first Mayor, and William Kinsley 
first Recorder. The first Trustees were William 
P. Kernahan, E. Warner, Robert Lee, M. C. 
Archer and William Boals. The following is a 
list of the Mayors, who served in the order in 
which their names appear : Silas Durand, 
Samuel Hoyt, Jacob Staley, Nathan Jones, 
Robert Lee, Jacob Staley, Dr. J. M. McKean, 
George W. Pierce, Nathan Jones, A. E. Jenner, 
Nathan Jones, Dr. Edwin Booth and Dan. 
Babst. the present (January, 1880) officer. 

In educational matters, the town has not been 
neglected. Before the arrival of the railroads, 
a district loo; schoolhouse stood about one and 



:^ 



^1 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



643 



a half miles northwest of the present site of 
the town, on the Leesville road. This had been 
suflScient for educational purposes for man^^ 
years, and a school was taught there as late as 
1850. In 1853, when Crestline began to grow, 
a two-story frame school building was erected 
in the east part of the town, and shortly after- 
ward, a similar one was erected in the west part. 
These two buildings served the purpose until 
1868, when the present union-school building 
was erected. This building, which is an orna- 
ment and honor to the place, was designed by 
Mr. Thomas, and built by Miller, Smith & 
Frayer, contractors. The Board of Education, 
under whose supervision it was erected, were 
Jacob Stable, President ; D. W. Snyder, John 
Berry, S. P. Hesser, C. Miller and N. Jones. 
The cost of the building and furniture, together 
with the two lots upon which it stands, was 
$30,000. It is located on Columbus, between 
Union and Cross streets ; is of brick, three 
stories above basement ; sevent^'-two feet in 
length by sixty -five in greatest breadth ; con- 
tains eleven schoolrooms, besides six smaller 
rooms used for offices, library, etc., and will ac- 
commodate 500 pupils. Adjoining the lots on 
which the building stands, is the school park, 
which consists of six town lots, and is beauti- 
fully diversified b}' gravel walks, evergreens and 
shade trees. In the center is an elegant foun- 
tain, around the base of which are six hydrants 
for drinking purposes. The building and sur- 
roundings are, indeed, well calculated, with an 
efficient corps of teachers, to improve the men- 
tal faculties of its pupils in a superior manner. 
Not only has the intellectual training of the 
children been well provided for, but the spirit- 
ual needs of the older people have been well at- 
tended to, there being at this time seven 
churches in the town, occupied by as many dif- 
ferent denominations. 

The Methodist Episcopal is the oldest of 
these, having been organized aboiit 18-14, in 
what was then called Minnerl3''s Schoolhouse 



(now McCulloch's), and, as will be seen, some 
years before Crestline had an existence. John 
Lovitt was a prime mover in this organization. 
The. church which is now standing on Thoman 
street was the first one erected by the society ; 
it was erected in 1854 through the influence 
and personal exertions of Mr. Minnerly, Da^dd 
Thrush, David KeiT, Francis Cornwell, Mr. 
Howland, Francis Peppard and David White, 
who, with their wives and portions of their 
families, were a few of the first members. L. 
A. Markham is the present minister, and the 
present membership is about two hundred and 
fifty. The Sunday school connected with this 
church is one of the largest and most active, 
with a membership of 230. 

The Trinity German Lutheran located on 
Main street was organized about 1851, in the 
schoolhouse ; the members of the first organiza- 
tion being Michael Webber, Henr^' Lambert, 
George Hass, B. Faltz, John Keller and others. 
In 1861, the}' erected the present church edifice 
at a cost of $3,000. The first minister was the 
Rev. Meiser, who was followed by M. Hats- 
berger, H. Smith, Rev. Haley and Martin Berk- 
ley, the latter being present Pastor. The pres- 
ent membership is about seventy. An active 
Sunday school is connected with the church, 
conducted by the officers, with a membership 
of sixty. Its organization is coeval with that 
of the church. 

In 1879, Peter Sleenbecker, George Shaffer, 
George Snyder, George Sleenbecker, Michael 
Reh, Charles Christman, C. Morkel and others, 
becoming dissatisfied regarding some matters 
of church government, withdrew from the above 
church, organized a second German Lutheran 
society, and erected a church on East Mansfield 
street, costing about $4,000. Their first meet- 
ings, before the erection of their church, were 
held in the old German Reformed Church, which 
kept its doors open for them. Rev. Shultz, of 
Gallon, was their first minister, and was followed 
by Rev. Voegele, their present Pastor. Their 



*Ai 



■K 



f)44 



HISTORY OF richla:n^d county. 



Sunday school was organized about the same 
time, its present membei'ship being about thirty. 
The church is not a strong one in numbers. 

The English Lutheran Church was organized 
in 1854, by Rev. A. F. Hills ; the members of 
tlie first organization being David Lichtenwal- 
ter, A. W. Stine, William Kinsely, David Kep- 
linger, E. Warner, David McCartel, D. Minieh, 
Jane McCartel, Hannah Stine, Elizal)etli War- 
ner and Isaac Miller. Their earl}' meetings 
were held in the private residences of the mem- 
bers, though the present frame church was 
erected about the same year the organization 
occurred. A. F. Hills was first Pastor, followed 
by A. B. Kirtland, D. I. Foust, H. K. Fenner and 
B. F. Crouse, the present minister. The pres- 
ent membership is about one hundred and 
seventy. The Sunday school is large, active 
and healthy, numbering about one hundred and 
sixty pupils. Henry Erkley is Superintendent. 

The German Reformed Church, situated in 
the northwest part of the town, was organized 
in 1858, by Rev. M. Stern, of Gralion. A few 
of the original members were David Bluem, 
Pliillip and Frederick Eichorn, and Joseph Ben- 
der. For three or four years, their meetings 
were held in the English Lutheran Church ; but 
in 1862 they erected a brick church costing about 
$1,900. Their first minister after Stern was 
John Rettig, followed by John Winter. F. W. 
Marcus is present Pastor, with a membership 
of 130. The organization of the Sunday school 
was coeval with that of the church, and now num- 
bers about one hundred and twent3'-five pupils. 
William Lampert was first Superintendent. 

The St. Joseph Catholic Church is located on 
North street. The present organization dates 
back to 1858, though services were held by dif- 
ferent priests of the church many years before 
this. The few Catholics who were scattered 
among the early settlers were frequently visited 
in this wa}', and meetings called at their resi- 
dences, some years before they wei'e gathered 
into a church. The church was organized by 



Father Gallagher, of Cl^eveland, who was Pastor 
at Mansfield at the same time. The early 
meetings were held in the houses of Mike 
Dunn and Laurenz Raindl, who, with Patrick 
Dunn, Mr. McNamara, .J A. Barrel and Thad- 
deus Seifert, were the original members. The 
present frame church was erected in 1861, at a 
cost of $1,000. The membership numbers 
about one hundred families, and the Sunday 
school about two hundred children. There is a 
day school in connection with the church, with 
one hundred and seventy pupils in attendance. 

The Presbyterian Church of Crestline was 
organized February 20, 1855, in a small school- 
house, by Rev. I. N. Shepherd, of Marion, Ohio, 
and Rev. Silas Johnson, of Bucyrus. Previous 
to this, however, Rev. Luke Borland had col- 
lected the Presbyterians of the place, and 
preached to them at various times and places, 
for six or eight months. After the organization, 
meetings were held occasionally in the different 
churches of the village, already erected. The 
principal original members were John S. and 
Jane Smith, Alexander, Margaret and Martha J. 
Patterson, John and Mary White, Sampson 
Warden, John S. and Eliza Jane Banbright, B. 
and Mary Mansfield, and Samuel R. and Isa- 
bella Graham. 

The present church was erected in 1866-67. 
Rev. J. P. Lloyd was the first minister after the 
organization was effected, and continued in 
charge thirteen years. He was succeeded by 
Rev. James Shields, who remained seven j'ears. 
The present Pastor, Rev. W. W. Macamber, suc- 
ceeded Shields, November 18, 1879. The pres- 
ent membership is 200. A. M. Patterson is 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which is 
a large, active one, embracing 175 pupils, and 
was organized August 10, 1862. 

The several secret societies at present in ex- 
istence in the town are the Crestline Chapter, 
No. 88, R. A. M.; Arcana Lodge, No. 272, 
F. & A. M.; Crestline Lodge, No. 237, L 0. 
0. F.; Crestline Division, No. 8, Conductor's 



'\ 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



645 



Brotherhood ; Labonah Encampment, No. 123 ; 
Crestline Commaudery, No. 21. 

Crestline has gi'own rapidly, and therefore is 
not as healthy as towns around it that have 
gi'own slower. Some of its streets are narrow, 
winding and dirt}' ; a large majority of its 
business houses near the railroads, where they 
are the most conspicuous to public view, are 
weather-beaten, tumble-down frames, jumbled 
together, big and little, in a triangular and 
and almost every other shape, caused b}^ trying 
to build them facing the railroads, and at the 
same time preserve the points of the compass. 
In fact, its general appearance is more that of 
a frontier town than of a solid, substantial, 
well-laid-out, health}^ Ohio town. In addition 
to its railroads, their shops, etc., there are 
about a dozen hotels, and as many more board- 
ing houses, some of which eke out a precarious 
existence boarding railroad employes. The 
hotel business has been overdone, and some of 
them are standing idle, or have been converted 
to other uses. The Continental, kept b^^ Russell 
& Co., is the only first-class house. It is heated 
by steam, lighted by gas, manufactured on the 
premises, has every convenience for the comfort 
of its guests, and charges accordingly. One 
excellent feature is the establishment in the 
building, above the gentlemans waiting-room, 
of a reading-room, where the waiting passen- 
gers may while away a pleasant hour, among 
the latest magazines and papers, in a pleasant 
room, instead of spending their time and money 
at the numerous saloons which still defy, not 
only in Crestline but everywhere else, the 
" boasted civilization of the nineteenth centurj'." 

The hotels are mostly located in the neigh- 
borhood of the depot. At present, there are 
five dry-goods stores, three drug, one book, 
three jeweler, and a large number of grocery 
stores and saloons ; two banks, one publishing 
house, an iron foundry emplo3'ing half a 
dozen hands, two wagon and carriage shops, 
one planing-mill, five lawjers, six physicians. 



besides the usual number of mechanics in every 
department of labor. The Continental Flouring 
Mill was erected in 1860, was a small aflfair, 
but has been in many different hands, improved 
many times, and is now capable of turning out 
100 barrels of flour ever}- twenty-four hours. 
It is owned by Russell, Dail}^ & Co. It is the only 
gi'ist-mill in the town. Two saw-mills were 
erected in an early day (between 1850 and 
1856), one by Lang & Miller, the other by S. 
B. Coe ; both were within the limits of the 
present corporation ; both have disappeared. 
It is a noticeable fact that the stationary saw- 
mills once so plentiful in the count}^ are fast 
disappearing. They will probably become a 
curiosity to the next generation, especially 
those propelled by water-power. 

The Crestline Advocate was established in 
July, 1867, b}^ A. Billow, its first editor and 
proprietor. It is independent in politics. Mr. 
Billow died in May, 1876, since which time the 
paper has been conducted by his son, D. C. 
Billow. It is successful and permanent. Its 
presses are run by water-power fui'nished b}^ 
the water- works. 

It once had a competitor called the Independ- 
ent Democrat^ established b}^ Jenner & Reed in 
1873. It advocated the politics its name indi- 
cates and changed hands several times during 
its fleeting career. It was moved to Buc3'rus 
in the summer of 1876, and shortly aftei-ward 
discontinued. 

One of the best of Crestline's institutions is 
its water-works ; they are simple and inex- 
pensive in construction, and furnish the purest 
of water, which, no doubt, contributes largely 
to the health of its citizens. The water is 
brought in a large wooden pipe from a power- 
ful spring three miles east, in Springfield Towni- 
ship — mentioned in the historj- of that town- 
ship. It has a fall of 150 feet, from which 
considerable force may l)e obtained. It is car- 
ried over the town in smaller pipes, and used 
for all purposes. 



jy. 



'A 



646 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER LXV. 

POLK TOWNSHIP AND GALION.* 

Location — Name — Early Settlers — First Roads — An Indian Camp — Mills — First Schools and Teachers 
— Early Religious Societies and Preachers — The Establishment of Galion — First Post Office 
AND Store — Churches — The Railroads and Banks — The Press. 



r'THHIS township was surveyed by Maxfield 
-L Ludlow, and bears the name of President 
Polk. It once belonged to old Kichland, but is 
now the southeastern township of Crawford 
County. It contains twenty-one sections of 
land, considered among the richest in Central 
Ohio. Galion, the only important town, is lo- 
cated in the southern part of the township. Its 
early settlers were principally from New York 
and Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin Leveredge and his sons, James 
and Nathaniel, together with George Wood and 
David Gill, came in 1817, and were the first 
settlers on the present site of Galion. To these 
were added, in 1818, Benjamin Sharrock, and, 
in 1819, Asa Hosford. The Leveredges did the 
first clearing and put up the first cabins. Ben- 
jamin Leveredge's cabin was erected of un- 
hewn logs, near the spring, now within the cor- 
poration limits, on Atwood street. That of 
James Leveredge stood on the site now occu- 
pied by David Mackey's fine brick residence on 
Atwood street, and Nathaniel's stood near the 
center of the present public square. The old 
well on the square, filled up several years ago, 
was dug by him, and was but a few 3'ards from 
his cabin door. 

The vicinity was heavily timbered in those 
days, and rather swampy. This was twelve 
years before Galion was laid out. 

The Whetstone Creek (formerly called the 
Olentangy) passes a little north of Galion, and 
upon land north of this creek, George Wood 
and David Gill settled in 1818, erecting their 

* Now in Crawford County, formerly in Kichland. 



cabins near the old army road over which 
troops passed in 1812, which was, probably, the 
first road cut through the township by while 
men. The site of these cabins is yet marked 
bj" a few apple-trees. 

In those early days, the Wyandot Indians had 
a camp on the south side of the Whetstone, 
east of the Catholic Cemetery. They were 
peaceable, and rendered valuable assistance to 
the whites at their log rollings, and in the con- 
struction of their primitive homes. 

Asa Hosford, yet living near Galion, relates 
that he employed these Indians to assist him at 
a log rolling, the only pay required for their 
services being a plentiful supply of whisky. In 
the evening, after working hard all day, and 
being slightly intoxicated, they, at his request, 
executed a war-dance at his house. They 
placed one of their number, named "Buck- 
wheat," in the center of the cabin floor, and 
began their dance in a circle around him. 
They became greatly excited, but Mr. Hosford 
had taken the precaution to conceal their arms, 
that they might not be able to commit any 
serious outrage. After a time, they dragged 
Buckwheat roughly from his seat, threw him 
upon the floor, and one of them, placing his 
foot on his neck, imitated the operation of 
taldng his scalp, and of plunging their knives 
into him ; and Buckwheat played his part well, 
going through all the necessary motions of a 
dying white man. 

These early settlers were followed in 1820 
by Nathaniel Story and Father Ketteridge, the 
latter living with the former, who was a trapper 



rT 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUI^TY. 



647 



and hunter, and erected his cabin near Reising- 
ers Corners, west of town. Rev. James Dunlap 
came m 1822, and Nathan Merriman in 1824, 
the latter erecting, in the following jea,v, the 
first distillery in Polk Township. It was located 
near the spring, before mentioned, and was fa- 
miliarly known throughout the settlement as 
the " still house." 

About the same year, the first gi'ist-mill in 
the township was ei'ected by John Hibner on 
the land now owned by John Burgener. The 
buhrs were made of " nigger heads." Near the 
railroad bridge may yet be seen the ruins of this 
mill. The next mill was built by Asa Hosford, a 
few years after, on his farm southwest of Gallon, 
which is yet in operation and owned by him. 

The first hotel was kept by Asa Hosford in 
1824, on the J. R. Clymer property west of 
town. The large orchard adjoining the prop- 
erty was raised from the seed by Mr. Hosford. 
He was elected in 1826, the first Justice of the 
Peace, and was, from the time of his location, 
one of the prominent men, visiting the State 
capital frequently in the interest of this section, 
which owes much of its prosperity to his efforts. 
He circulated a petition to have a road cut 
through the woods from Mansfield to Upper 
Sandusk3\ and was afterward instrumental in 
getting a north and south road, from Columbus 
to Lower Sandusk}-, through this settlement. 
The opening of these roads aided largely in de- 
veloping and settling the countr}'. These roads 
intersect at Reisinger's Corners, and Main street, 
in G-alion, was formed by that portion of the 
east and west road, which passed within the 
present limits of the corporation. Its original 
course was, however, changed nearly fifty years 
ago. When laid out, it diverged to the north- 
ward at the corner of East Main and North Co- 
lumbus streets, following the meanderings of 
Whetstone Creek to a point beyond the present 
eastern limits of Gallon. 

The first schoolhouse was erected near the 
residence of C. S. Crim, on West Main street. 



in 1822. It was of round logs, and was mod- 
eled after the generality of cabins in those days. 
The first school teacher was David Gill, who, 
however, only taught two or three weeks, when 
Asa Hosford took the school and continued it 
to the end of the term. The next schoolhouse 
was of "scutched logs " (which means that the 
logs were lightly hewed on the outside after the 
building was erected) and stood on the ground 
now occupied by the old graveyard on West 
Main street. This building was also used for 
religious worship. This building ha\'ing been 
destroyed by fire, the next school was taught 
in a log building on the site of Joel Riblet's 
residence. 

The first religious meeting in the township 
was held in Benjamin Leveredge's cabin, near 
the spring. It was a Methodist meeting, at 
which Russel Bigelow, who organized many 
churches through this county, in an early da}', 
preached a most eloquent sermon. Though 
possessing a limited education, Bigelow was 
very eloquent, and one of the most remarkable 
of the pioneer preachers. 

Gallon was laid out September 10, 1831, by 
Michael and Jacob Ruhl, whose father had en- 
tered several quarter-sections of land in the 
neighborhood. The original plat consisted of 
thirty-five lots, and extended from the Ristine 
Block, which covers Lot No. 1, to the alley west 
of the old frame meeting-house on West Main 
street. 

The first post office was established in 1824, 
and Horace Hosford was first Postmaster. Mr. 
Hosford says if they averaged one letter per 
day, they did well. When this office was es- 
tablished, the inhabitants could not agree upon 
a name for the town. It had previously been 
numerously and variously named, but was best 
known as Goshen, Greensburg, Moccasin and 
Hardscrabble. The matter was submitted to the 
Postmaster General, who christened it Gallon. 

The first store was kept by Horace Hosford. 
who carried a general stock. At this time, the 



7" 



•k^ 



648 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



town was situated at Reisinger's Corners, but 
buildings were rapidly erected upon higher 
ground to the eastward, where the new town 
had been laid out by the Ruhls. The public 
square became the favorite spot, and the best 
buildings at the Corners were removed thither. 
In 1832, Asa Hosford erected upon this square 
the first frame house in the township. He also 
erected the first frame barn on what is known 
as the I. R. Clymer property, west of town, 
where he had kept the first tavern. 

At this time, Jacob Ruhl kept a tavern where 
the Sponhauer Block stands, and his brother 
Michael kept the village store in a double log 
cabin on the Central Hotel corner. The first 
saw-mill in the township was erected by Jacob 
Ruhl in 1836, on North Market street, near the 
bridge. 

In the log schoolhouse on Joel Riblet's lot, 
was organized the first Sabbath school in Gallon 
by Mrs. Sarah Ruhl and Mrs. Dr. Johnson. 
They were Lutherans, and the first religious 
services of the Lutherans were held in this 
building. 

In 1839, the first brick block was erected by 
Davis & Bloomer, in which they carried on the 
dry-goods business for many years. The build- 
ing is yet standing on the northeast corner of 
the public square. 

The old red brick church, that stood many 
years on the corner of North Union and West 
Church streets,*was erected in 1840, by the 
Lutheran and Glerman Reformed congregations. 
The Lutherans afterward purchased the Re- 
formed interest. This was the first church, and 
the Rev. F. J. Ruth, yet living and preaching, 
officiated at the laying of the corner-stone. 
The first Pastor was Rev. John Stough. 

The same year work was commenced upon the 
old Methodist Church, yet standing on West Main 
street, and it was the first fully completed and 
read}' for worship. The gi'ound upon which it 
stands was donated by Father Fellows, who was 
an active worker in the church for many j^ears. 



Rev. Francis Clymer held the first United 
Brethren services in 1851, in the old Lutheran 
Church. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church on East Main 
street, though no longer used for worship, was 
erected in 1851. Rev. Peter Kreush of the 
Shelby settlement was the visiting Pastor. 

There are at present, eleven churches in Gal- 
lon, viz.: the Methodist Episcopal, corner of 
Columbus and Walnut streets ; United Breth- 
ren, Walnut street, between South Market and 
Columbus streets ; English Lutheran, Colum- 
bus street, between Main and Walnut ; Baptist, 
Walnut street, between South Market and 
Union ; Presbyterian, South Market street ; 
Gex'man Reformed, West Main street ; German 
Lutheran, South Market street ; German Meth- 
odist, corner of South Market and Atwood 
streets ; Episcopal, Union street, between At- 
wood and Walnut ; St. Patricks Catholic, North 
Liberty street, and St. Joseph's Catholic, North 
Washington street. 

Gallon became an incorporated village about 
the year 1840. Joel Tod was the first Mayor. 

Between 1850 and 1854, two railroads, the 
Bellefontaine & Indianapolis, and the Cleveland, 
Columbus & Cincinnati, were completed to 
Gallon. These were afterward consolidated, 
and have been for years under one manage- 
ment. Their shops were located at Gallon, and 
these, employing a large number of hands, have 
materially added to the wealth of the place. 
The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad put in 
an appearance at Gallon in 1863. These three 
roads with their immense business and shops 
constitute the life and vitality of the town, 
which has made some might}' strides since 
they were completed. Sixty-five per cent of 
its population, of over five thousand, are rail- 
road emploj-es, and the average monthly sum 
paid out by these roads, to these employes, is 
over $40,000. 

Many large, fine brick residences, churches 
and business blocks have been erected in Gal- 






"1^ 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



649 



ion within a few years. In 1854, the brick 
schoolhouse on the corner of Liberty and 
Cliurch streets was completed, and the first 
union schools organized by David Kerr, Superin- 
tendent. In 1869, the present large, brick school 
building was erected, costing over $75,000. 

The First National Bank was \)rganized in 
1864, and the Citizens' Bank in July, 1866. 

The Gabon Weekly Times was started in 
1855, by John H. Putnam, who moved the 
office here from Union City, Ind. The first 
numbers were printed in the building now 
owned by James Martin, on East Main street. 
Dr. D. Alger became a partner, and the name 
was changed to the G-alion Weeldij Train. It 
was independent in politics. In a short time, 
I. V. D. Moore bought out Alger. When the 
campaign of 1856 opened, Mr. Moore retired 
and Jacob Kiblet became a partner. The 
paper became Democratic, and was called the 
(lalion District Democrat. In 1857, Andrew 
Poe purchased Mr. Riblet's interest. Mr. Put- 
nam soon after left it, and it was sold out on 



execution. In 1864, it was bought by Matthias 
brothers, and the paper edited by P. Schnur, 
who was soon succeeded by H. S. Z. Matthias, 
and the name changed to Gallon Democrat. 
The paper was soon after abandoned, and the 
office continued as a job office until July^e, 
1865, when the Weekly Review was established 
by Mr. Matthias as an independent sheet. In 
1871, it was purchased by John C. Covert, of 
the Cleveland Leader, who changed it to a Re- 
publican paper, and its name to the Gallon 
Democrat. In 1872, it was purchased by G. 
W. De Camp, and in 1874, passed into the hands 
of its present proprietors, A. D. Howe and F. E. 
Coonrod, and given its present name, Galion 
Review. 

October 31, 1872, the Galion Sun, an inde- 
pendent weekly newspaper, was established by 
its present editor and owner, George T. Ristine, 
and was soon enlarged to its present size. 
Steam power was introduced in December, 
1875, making it the first steam printing house 
in Galion. 



CHAPTER LXYL 

VERNON TOWNSHIP.* 

Organization— Topography— Hunting Ground— First Settlers and Settlements— West Liberty— De Kalb 

— Liberty (!hurch. 

primitive condition, it was covered with a vig- 
orous growth of hard-wood timber, and the 
land was generally swampy, but clearing 
and underdraining have rendered it very pro- 
ductive. 

It is well watered by the tributaries of the 
Sandusky River, one of which — Loss Creek — 
rises in the southeast part, and, running north- 
west until near the center of the township, 
turns southwest, entering Sandusky Township 
and Sandusky River through Section 19. The 
general course of its waters indicates a gentle 
inclination of its surface to the west and north. 



YE R N N T W N S H I P was organized 
March 9, 1825, out of the north half of 
Sandusky, and was, at this time, six miles 
square, including part of what is now Sharon 
Township. It remained in this shape until 
February 3, 1845 (the date of the erection of 
Crawford County), when it was reduced to its 
present dimensions — six miles long from north 
to south, and three miles wide ; belonging since 
1845 to Crawford County. 

It is an excellent township of farming land, 
being generally level or gently rolling. In its 

* Now in Crawford County, formerly in Richland. 



it^ 



650 



HISTOKY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



Bear's Marsh Creek waters the northern part, 
running west into the Sandusky River. 

This territory was largely used by the Dela- 
awares as a hunting-ground, quite a band of 
that tribe under the chief Wingenund, having, 
for many years, a permanent camp on the San- 
dusky River, near Leesville. The great, dark 
woods and thick undergrowth formed excellent 
hiding-places for wild animals. 

The township was first settled by white men 
about 1820, the first settlers generally follow- 
ing the Indian trails across Sharon Township, 
which soon became public highways. The 
wave of civilization gradually advanced from 
Mifflin Township, in the eastern part of the 
county, in 1809, to Sharon and Vernon, in 1818 
and 1820. 

The settlers generally came from Western 
Penns3'lvania, but a few were from New En- 
gland, and, in later years, a large number of 
European Germans settled in this part of the 
country. 

The first settler was George Byers, in 1820, 
and the next, so far i^s known, was George 
Dickson, in 1822. Dickson was a single man, 
but returned to Pennsylvania, married, re- 
turned here with his wife in 1823 and is yet a 
resident. The next settlers were Eli Arnold, 
William McClelland, Jonathan Dickson, Dennis 
Orton and James Dickson. 

In 1826, the township polled ten votes. 

Andrew Dickson and William McClelland 
were the first white children born in the town- 
ship, February, 1826. 

The first assessment was made in 1823, b}^ 
Adam Aumend, there being at that time only 
three families in the township, and but two of 
these had any property subject to assessment. 



The first orchard was planted in 1825. 

There are two small towns within its limits, 
West Liberty and De Kalb. The former is 
located on Loss Creek, on the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 17, and was laid out Ma}' 28, 
1835. It contains at present but one store and 
a few dwelling-houses. 

De Kalb was laid out November 21, 1838, 
on Section 5, by David Anderson. It is about 
the size of West Liberty. When the Mans- 
field, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad 
passed across the northeastern part of the 
township, in 1871, a station-house was erected 
a short distance from De Kalb, called "De 
Kalb Station." The little business of the place 
is now generally transacted at this station. 

A church called the "Liberty Church," or 
" Church of God," is located in the northern 
and eastern part of the township, and was or- 
ganized in 1850, by Elder William Adams. A 
few of the first members were Christopher 
Shade, Daniel Baker and wife, and Joseph 
Tomblesou and wife. 

The early meetings of the society' were held 
in the schoolhouse. A frame church building 
was erected in 1860, at a cost of $800. A few 
of the early ministers were William Adams, 
William Shaffer and David Shiiner. 

The present minister is William Burchard, 
and the membership is about thirty. 

A Sunday school was organized about the 
time the church was erected. Samuel Dean 
was the first Superintendent. He was suc- 
ceeded by Solomon Gross, who was Superin- 
tendent many years. This school is yet in suc- 
cessful operation, with a membership of about 
fifty. 



:f^ 



^ 2) 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



651 



CHAPTER LXVII. 

CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.* 

Its Formation, Boundaries and Physical Features — Antiquities — Earl/ Settlers and Settlements- 
Mills — Churches — Schools — Savannah. 



PRIOR to June 4, 1816, Mifflin Township 
was eighteen miles long, from north to 
south, and six miles wide. At that date, two- 
thirds of this territory, being the northern part, 
was organized into a township called Milton. 
This territory was again divided by a line 
through the center, east and west, October 15, 
1818, and the north half called Clear Creek. 
Thus Clear Creek was formed out of the north 
half of Milton, at the date above mentioned, 
and was originally six miles square. Upon the 
formation of Ashland County in 1846, Clear 
Creek was again divided, four tiers of sec- 
tions on the east being included in Ashland 
County, the other two tiers remaining in Rich- 
land. This last division reduced the township 
to its present dimensions — four by six miles. 
That part of it which remained in Richland 
was enlarged and called Butler. Clear Creek 
was surveyed and subdivided into sections in 
1807, by Maxfield Ludlow, who, with James 
Hedges, surveyed a large part of the country 
in this vicinity. Ruggles Township lies imme- 
diately north of it, and Orange east. The 
southern part of the township is described by 
the surveyor as second rate ; other parts, how- 
ever, as fine farming land.' It was originally cov- 
ered with all the different species of hard 
wood. 

The center of this township forms the di- 
viding ridge between the head-waters of the 
Mohican and those of the Vermillion Rivers, 
the latter stream rising in a beautiful little lake 
that lies near the eastern center of the town- 
ship, on Sections 13 and 14, called Savannah 

*Now in ABhland County, formerly in Richland. 



Lake. The surveyor found this lake bearing 
northwest and southeast, and two Indian trails 
leading in the same general direction across the 
township— one bordering the lake on the south, 
and the other north of the lake, crossing the 
northeast corner of the township. 

Clear Creek possesses more relics for the 
archaeologist than any township in Ashland 
County. The nature of the soil in the vallejs 
enabled the Mound-Builders to erect earth- 
works, the remains of some of which are yet 
visible. When Mr. John Bryte settled on Sec- 
tion 26, nearly half a centur}' ago, he found an 
earthwork, in shape a square, very few of this 
shape being found in Ohio. The east and west 
sides were about three hundred feet, and the 
north and south sides two hundred feet long. 
At that time, the banks were about three feet 
high, and twenty feet wide at the base ; large 
trees were growing upon them. There was a 
gateway upon the southwest side, leading to a 
fine spring. The plow has nearly obliterated 
the ancient work. Half a century ago, when 
Mr. Thomas Sprott settled on Section 35, he 
found a vei-y old and curiously constructed 
mound. It stands in the midst of a ten-acre 
field, a large elevation of ancient glacial drift, 
composed of rounded, well-worn bowlders, 
gravel, sand and light loam ; lifts its head about 
one hundred and twenty* feet above the sur- 
rounding valleys. The country around differs 
from it in soil. The surface on the top, from 
north to south, is about one hundred and twenty- 
five feet long, and from east to west, about one 
hundred feet, and level, with the exception of 
two mounds about twenty -four feet apart. 



^ 



G52 



HISTOKY OF EICHLAI^D COUNTY. 



nearly four feet high and thirty feet at the base, 
which stood on the top of this hill at the time 
Mr. Sprott came. Large trees were growing 
upon and around the mound, which must have 
been centuries old. For man\' 3'ears after he 
came, there was 3'et a small trench around the 
south of the mound. His curiosity being ex- 
cited, he at one time dug down about five feet, 
and came upon a lot of stones curiously piled 
over a lot of human bones. While removing 
these, he came upon about a peck of Indian 
red paint, which he removed and found a large 
collection of bones in a tolerable state of pres- 
ervation. He replaced the bones and filled 
up the grave. This was no doubt an Indian 
grave, and the paint had been placed there for 
use in the happy hunting-grounds. 

The first permanent settlement in this town- 
ship occurred in the spring of 1815 ; a year or 
more previous to this, however, several of those 
who afterward settled permanently came and 
entered their lands. The land office was then 
located at Canton, Ohio. The majority of them 
were from Western Pennsjdvania, Washington 
and Westmoreland Counties ; a few were from 
Virginia and a few from Eastern Ohio. 

The names, date and place of settlement so 
far as ascertained are as follows : Rev. James 
Handy, 1815 ; entered three quarters of land 
on Section 11, where the town of Savannah was 
afterward located ; John and Richard Free- 
born, 1815, Section 10 ; John Aton, 1821, Sec- 
tion 26 ; Abel Bailey, 1818, Section 16 ; John 
Bailey, father of Abel, 1818, Section 14 ; John 
Bryte, 1819 ; David Burns, 1815, Section 23 ; 
James Burgan, 1826 ; James Chamberlain, 
1823, Section 25 ; John Cook, 1822, Section 24 ; 
Tliomas Cook, 1822, Section 3 ; John Cuppy, 
1819, Section 15 ; Patrick Elliott, 1817, Section 
12 ; Elias Ford, 1819, Section 22 ; Isaac Har- 
rout, 1819, Section 16; Abraham Huffman, 
1815, Section 31 ; John McWilliams, 1817, Sec- 
tion 26 ; Daniel Huffman, 1816 ; Jacob Mc- 
Lain, 1822, Section 11 ; John McMurray, 1819 ; 



Jared N. Slonacker, 1824, Section 23 ; Thomas 
Sprott, Sr., 1823, Section 35 ; Peter Vanostrand, 
Sr., 1816, Section 35 ; Thomas Wright, 1823. 

Of these early settlers, John Bryte afterward 
held several offices of trust in the township ; 
was its first Clerk, and was twice Director of the 
Ohio Lunatic Asylum. David Burns served in 
Capt. Martin's company of militia, on duty at 
the block-house at Beam's mill. James Haney 
was Justice of the Peace, and also, probably, 
the first clergyman in the township. The wife 
of Patrick Elliott was the first school teacher. 
It will be observed that the Rev. James Haney, 
the two Freeborns, John and Richard, David 
Burns and Abraham Huffman were the very 
first settlers, arriving in 1815. The first three 
mentioned and William Shaw built a keel-boat 
in Washington County, Penn., where they re- 
sided, and, placing their families and household 
goods thereon, floated down the Ohio and up 
the Muskingum and its tributaries as far as 
thej^ could, landing near the present site of 
Jeromeville, on Jerome Fork, and transporting 
their goods and families thence to their future 
homes in the township, through the woods, on 
pack animals. 

The Messrs. Freeborn named the principal 
creek in the township " Clear Creek," from the 
beauty of its waters, and after this creek the 
township was named. These Freeborns also 
planted the first apple-seeds, from which sprang 
some of the oldest orchards. 

The nearest mills in those early days were 
Shrimplin's, on Owl Creek, thirty or forty miles 
south, and Odell's, in Wayne County, about 
thirty miles distant. In 1822, Thomas Ford 
erected a " horse-mill," the first in the town- 
ship. The first saw-mill was erected by 
Joseph Davis, on Clear Creek, about one and 
a half miles west of Savannah. It emplo3'ed 
one saw, and ran about five months in a year. 
The first grist-mill run by water-power was 
erected in 1824, l)y John Hendricks. It was a 
primitive affair, Init did a large business. It 






HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



653 



stood on Vermillion River, about a mile north- 
west of Savannah. A second grist-mill was 
erected in 1827, by Thomas Haney, on Mulhol- 
len's Run, near town. 

For many years the first settlers, though relig- 
iously inclined, were not able to erect a church 
building, meetings being held in private houses. 
The house of Thomas Ford was a prominent 
place of public worship for many years ; the 
pioneers — men, women and children — often 
traveling six or eight miles on foot to attend 
religious services ; lighting their way through 
the woods with torches of hickor}- bark. A 
church was finally erected near Mr. Ford's 
house, in 1830. It was called " Ford's meeting- 
house." It was a very good church, and would 
seat about four hundred people. The first 
meeting held in it was on the occasion of 
Thomas Ford's funeral. The sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Elmer Yocum. Rev. 
James Hanej' was the first minister, and for 
many years a prominent man, serving several 
terms in the Ohio Legislature. The first relig- 
ious meeting was held in his house, near the 
present village of Savannah. 

The first school in the township was taught 
by Mrs. Patrick Elliott in her own house, in the 
winter of 1817-18. Rev. Haney, William Shaw 
and John Hendricks were among her pupils. It 
was many years before an}^ school building was 
erected, the first one being erected on the site 
of Savannah about 1818. Another was erected 
in 1820, in the southern part of the township, 
on the land of Abraham Huffman. The first 
teacher here was Robert Nelson, and his scholars 
were Abraham Huffman, Isaac Van Meter, 
Peter Vanostrand, Sr., Robert Ralston, An- 
drew Stevenson, Mrs. Treckle and David Mc- 
Kinney. One of the earliest schoolhouses was 
also erected near Ford's mill. 

The first physician is Dr. Cliff, who came to 
Vermillion (Savannah) in 1823. 

The township was a famous hunting-ground 
for the Seneca and Wyandot tribes of Indians ; 



they were generally inclined to peace, and did 
not disturb the settlers. 

The first election was held at the house of 
John P'reeborn. 

Savannah, the only town, was laid out in 
1818, b}^ John Haney, son of Rev. James 
Haney, on the latter's land. It was first called 
Vermillion, but more frequently went b}' the 
name of " Haneytown," after its founder. Its 
first settler was Joseph Fast, a carpenter. The 
first schoolhouse was a log building, erected on 
the northeast corner of the town plat. Jacob 
McLain was the first brickmaker and hatter in 
the town and township ; Garnett Whitelock, the 
first blacksmith. Some of its first settlers were 
John Downer, a cabinet-maker ; Eliphalet 
Downer, hatter ; William Bryan and Joseph 
Marshall, blacksmiths, and James Duff, weaver ; 
they all lived in log houses. In 1836 or 1837, 
the names of town and post office was changed 
to Savannah; and from this time until 1840 
the town was at the zenith of its prosperitj'- ; 
there were three stores, two public houses, and 
a supply of mechanics, all doing a fair busi- 
ness. It was a leading stopping place between 
the productive country south and the market 
on the lake, north. Several efforts were made 
between the j^ears 1830 and 1840, to erect a 
new county, with Savannah as the count}^ seat ; 
this failing, the town declined for several years. 
In 1858, an institution of learning called the 
" Savannah Male and Felliale Academ}- " was 
started, which seemed to put new life into the 
town. 

There are several churches in the town : The 
Presbyterian, established in 1833, b}' Rev. 
Robert Lee ; the Free Presb^'terian, organized 
in 1851, by Rev. F. M. Finney ; the United 
Presbyterian, organized in 1858, by ReA^ 
J. Y. Ashenhurst ; the Associate Reformed 
Congregation, organized in 1831, by Rev. 
James Johnson, and the Disciple, organized 
in 1830, b}' Elders David Bryte and Joseph 
Harvout. 



-^i 



(? 4»^ 



654 



li 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



CHAPTER LXVIIL 

GREEN TOWNSHIP.* 

Survey — Thk A'^illage of Greentown — Organization — The Man Green^Andrew Craig — Henry McCart's 
Family — Rev. John Heckewelder — Early Settlers — War of 1812 and Block Houses — Indian 
Trails — Scenery — Water Courses — Site of the Old Indian Village — Distilleries — Mills — 
Churches — Perrysville — Education. 



THIS township, though now belonging to 
Ashland County, occupies a conspicuous 
and important position in the history of " Old 
Richland," on account of the famous Indian 
encampment, known as Creentown, established 
on Black Fork within its limits. 

Cen. James Hedges surveyed this town- 
ship in 1807. No white man's cabin was then 
standing on its soil, unless it may be some 
stra}' French trader or renegade American 
had built a hut among the Indians at Green- 
town. Mr. Hedges ran his lines through the 
dense forest, marking out the little squares that 
spoke of the coming of the superior race. 

In running the south and east boundary, he 
seems to have been much embarrassed over the 
variations of the compass. He re-surveyed, 
but could not determine the cause of the varia- 
tion. He stumbled upon the Indian village in 
the forest, upon the wild and pretty Black 
Fork, and stuck a corner-post in one of their 
cornfields, while the red men looked on and 
wondered, but did not disturb the inti'uders 
who were thus audaciously measuring off their 
land. This was an old village ; there were 
old men and women here, but of another race ; 
a race doomed to follow the deer and buffalo 
into exile and oblivion. The number of Indian 
families residing in the village is not given, 
but must have been fifty or sixty. The village 
was situated on a rolling slope of land extend- 
ing down to the Black Fork, and the grave- 
yard and village together must have occupied 

* Now in Ashland County, formerly in Bichland. 



four or five acres. Indian trails, much used, 
were found along the streams, tending north- 
west. The land was heavily timbered with 
hard wood, and is to-day good farming land. 

The first organization of this township oc- 
curred August 7, 1812, it being then attached 
te Knox County. Madison Township then in- 
cluded all the territory afterward embraced in 
Richland County, and out of this G-reeu was 
created, being first about thirty miles long from 
north to south, and a little less than twelve 
miles wide. In this condition it remained two 
years ; meanwhile, Richland County was 
formed, which included Green and Madison 
Townships, and new boundaries were immedi- 
ately established. Green was cut down Au- 
gust 9, 1814, to a territory twelve miles square, 
in the southeast corner of the county. The 
following 3^ear (1815), it was cut in two by a 
line running north and south through its cen- 
ter, the east half retaining the name of Green, 
being then six by twelve miles in extent. In 
this shape it remained until 1818, when it was 
divided by a line running east and west through' 
the center, and thus reduced to its present di- 
mensions — six miles square — Hanover being 
created from the southern half 

The name — Greentown — originated from the 
fact of the settlement of a Tor^' — -Thomas 
Green — on the spot, where the Indians assisted 
in building the village. This man, if he may 
be considered a settler, was the first white set- 
tler in this part of the country. He came here 
about 1783. He had been engaged with the 



V 



^ 



HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. 



655 



British and Indians at the massacre at Wyom- 
ing, and for this crime, was afterward com- 
pelled to flee for his life and bury himself in 
the great forests of Ohio. He can hardly be 
considered a settler in the proper sense of that 
word. He was a renegade, and did not come 
here with the intention of settling in a particu- 
lar spot, and did not probably remain for any 
length of time in one place. He was here 
years before any survey had been made ; he 
could not and did not enter land ; he did not, 
probably, want land, or a permanent home ; he 
resided with the Indians, and probably hunted, 
fished and traded for a living. He might have 
planted corn and tilled the soil to a certain ex- 
tent, but so did the Indians. His name, how- 
ever, is perpetuated in the village, and, if de- 
serving of an}' notice whatever, it belongs in 
the history of this township. He cannot be 
classed with the Grirty and other renegades, as 
they were nomadic in their lives, while Green 
appears to have stopped on the Black Fork, 
at least long enough to establish a permanent 
village, and had influence enough among his 
dusk}' neighbors to give it his name. Grreen 
may have been the first white man in the 
county, but it is not likely, as Girt}^, McKee 
and other renegades were through here thirty or 
fort}' years before the surveyors came. 

Mr. Norton, in his history of Knox County, 
makes Andrew Craig the first settler in Green 
Township, and also in Ashland County. He 
gives this description of Craig : "He was, at 
a very early day, a sort of frontier character, 
fond of rough and tumble life, a stout, rugged 
man, bold and dare-devil in disposition, who 
took delight in hunting, wrestling and athletic 
sports ; a ' hail fellow, well met ' with the In- 
dians then inhabiting the country. He was 
from the bleak, broken mountainous region of 
Virginia, and as hardy a pine knot as ever that 
country produced. He was in this country 
when Ohio was in its territorial condition, and, 
when this wilderness was declared to be in the 



county of Fairfield, the sole denizen of this 
entire district tabernacled with a woman in a 
rough-log hut close by the little Indian field, 
about a half mile east of where Mount Vernon 
now exists, and at the point where Center Bun 
empties into the Ko-ko-sing. There Andi-ew 
Craig lived when Mount Vernon was laid out, 
in 1805 ; there he was upon the organization 
of Knox County, its oldest inhabitant, and there 
he continued until 18U9. Such a harum-scarum 
fellow could not rest easy when white men got 
thick around him, so he left and went to the 
Indian village — Greentown — and from there 
emigTated further out on the frontier, preferring 
red men for neighbors." 

If the above is a true picture, even Andrew 
Craig cannot be called the first settler, or a set- 
tler at all, as he appeared to be one of those 
restless border spirits that do not come under 
the head of "settler." He did not propose to 
be hampei-ed in his movements by civilization. 
The first settlement of the township, however, 
occurred in 1809, as others besides Andrew 
Craig came in at that time and remained. 
Henry JMcCart was in that neighborhood ; and 
Henry Newman says that one peculiarity of 
McCart was that he dressed his children, of 
whom he had half a dozen or more, girls and 
boys, all alike. The dress was buckskin 
throughout^— buckskin pantaloons and long 
buckskin coat reaching nearly to the knee and 
confined at the waist with a belt. No one was 
able to tell his girls and boys apart, as they 
all lived a good deal out of doors, and there was 
little difference in their complexion. 

The Moravian missionary, Heckewelder, 
passed through Greentown, with other white 
men, in 1808. He says : " In the year 1808, 
while I was riding with a number of gentlemen 
through Greentown (an Indian town in the 
State of Ohio), I heard an Indian in his house, 
who, through a crevice, saw us passing, say in 
his language to his family : — • See ! What a num- 
ber of people are coming along ! What ! and 



-^^ 



^1 



'Hi 



656 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



among all these not one Long Knife ? All Yen- 
gess ! ' Then probabl}^ observing me, he said to 
himself : -No ! one Quakel ! (Quaker).'' It is evi- 
dent that Rev. John Heckewelder and probably 
other missionaries had been preaching to these 
Indians man}' jears, for when Mr. James Copus 
came and settled near them in 1809, and 
preached to them occasionally, he found many 
among them who partiall}" understood the Eng- 
lish language, and it was evident from their ac- 
tions and conversation that they were accustomed 
to the holding of religious meetings. James Cun- 
ningham and Samuel Lewis were also here in 
1809, and settled in the neighborhood of this 
village. In 1810, the following settlers were 
found in that vicinity, in addition to those 
already mentioned : Greorge Crawford, David 
Davis, Frederick Zimmer, Jr., Phillip Zimraer, 
John Lambright, Peter Kinney, Edward Haley, 
John Davis, a widower, Allen Oliver, Charles 
and Bazel Tannehill, John Coulter, Melzer 
Coulter, Archibald Gardner, Calvin Hill, and 
their families. These did not all settle in (Ireen 
Township, but a few of them did, and all settled 
so near each other, along the Black Fork and 
Rocky Fork, as to become neighbors. They were 
mostl}' of German descent, from Western Penn- 
sylvania and Virginia. The war of 181 2 stopped 
the emigration for a year or two, but in 1814-15 
the following settlers had been added to those 
in Green : Trew Peter, William Brown, John 
Shehan, Ahira Hill, x\sa Brown, Lewis, John 
and Adam Crossen, Stephen Vanscoyoe, Noah 
Custard, David Hill, Lewis Pierce, William 
Slater, John Murph}-, Henry Naugh, John Pool, 
William Irvin, Moses Jones and Ebenezer Rice. 
Mr. Rice came in 1811, and settled on Section 
29. From 1815 until 1824, the following addi- 
tional names appear as settlers in the town- 
ship : James Bj'ers. Section 23 ; Conrad Cas- 
tor, Section 22 ; Jonathan Coulter, Samuel 
Graham, Section 17 ; Andrew Humphrey ; 
William Hunter, Section 26 : William Taylor, 
Section 21 ; William Wallace, Section 24 ; John 



White, Isaac Wolf, Section 25 ; and many 
others, whose names are not now recalled. 
Abraham Baughman and John Davis were 
among the earliest settlers in this township — 
perhaps the earliest. They were here when 
Peter Kinney arrived, in 181(t; how long they 
had been here, or where they came from, does 
not appear. Baughman, who was a man of 
family, lived near Greentown, while Davis, who 
was a widower and kept "bachelor's hall," set- 
tled on Section 31. He had been a Revolution- 
ary soldier, and some years subsequent to his 
settlement in the township, was found dead on 
the roadside, al)ove Chillicothe. to which place 
he been to draw his pension. This township 
settled very rapidly after the war of 1812 ; 
Greentown being located on a sort of thorough- 
fare, over which a majority of emigrants, seek- 
ing homes in the West must pass. The conse- 
quence was that many who intended going 
further west and who halted in the settlement for 
a day or two, remained and became permanent. 
When the war of 1812 began this was, of 
course, a frontier settlement, and having a band 
of Indians in their very midst, the settlers felt 
a continual sense of insecurity. They knew 
not what moment their hitherto friendly red 
brothers might take a notion to massacre the 
entire settlement. British agents were in con- 
tinual correspondence with them, and endeavor- 
ing to influence them to take up the hatchet, 
and put on the war paint. It was not strange, 
therefore, that when 3Iartin RuflJiier and the 
Zimmer family were murdered, the entire set- 
tlement were panic-stricken, and made all 
haste for the block-houses in the vicinity, and 
discussed seriously the matter of deserting the 
countr}' entirel}'. There were men among them, 
however, who had cool heads and 1>rave hearts, 
whose counsels prevailed. A few, however, left 
the country entirely, going back where they 
came from, to remain until after the war, and 
some never to return again to Ohio. About 
thirty persons from this settlement went to 



r 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



657 



Clinton, Knox County, among whom were 
Ebenezer Rice, Joseph Jones, Calvin Hill, 
Abraham Banghman, J. L. Hill, and their 
families. Peter Kinney, James Cunningham, 
Andrew Craig, David Davis, AVilliam Slater, 
John Wilson. Peter Zimmerman, Harvy Hill, 
Henry McCart and Henry Nail, with their fam- 
ilies, fled to Lewis' block-house, on the Clear 
Fork. Most of these families made a temporary 
stay at the block-house, returning frequentl}- 
during the fall months, to their cabins, to look 
after their stock, etc. The next day after the flight 
to Lewis' l)lock-house, Harvy Hill and John 
Coulter, who aided the fugitives in driving 
along most of their cattle, returned, and by the 
aid of the Tannehills, Olivers, and some others, 
the roof of Thomas Coulter's cabin was taken 
off, a second story put on, and it became 
"Coulter's block-house."' This cabin was about 
sixteen bv eighteen feet, and had been erected 
in 1810. It stood at the base of a bold bluflE", 
on the bank of the Black Fork, half a mile south- 
east of the village of Penysville. x\s soon as 
this block-house was completed, it was occu- 
pied by Thomas Coulter, Allen Oliver, Melzer 
Tannehill. Jeremiah Conine, George Crawford, 
and the families of these gentlemen. Thomas 
Coulter and Harvy Hill then voliuiteered to go 
to AVooster, through the forest, at that time a 
dangerous undertaking as was supposed, to 
secure soldiers to defend the settlement. They 
succeeded in obtaining a guard of eleven 
soldiers under command of Lieut. AVin- 
tringer, of the Tuscarawas militia of the arm}' 
of Gen. Beall, then collecting at AA^ooster. 
The guard accompanied them home, and in the 
daytime scouted through the hills and valleys 
for Indian signs, and stood guard at the block- 
house at night. A\'^hile a resident of the block- 
house, the wife of Jeremiah Conine died, and 
was buried in the cemetery at Perrysville. She 
was the second person interred in that ground ; 
Samuel Hill, who died the preceding June, 
beino- the first. 



AVith the removal of the Greentown Indians 
by the Government, disappeared forever the 
red men as a tribe from this part of the coun- 
try. Two of their trails, well marked and much 
used, passed through the township ; one from 
the direction of Mifflin, down the east side of 
the Black Fork to Greentown, Avhere it was 
joined by another from the direction of Lucas ; 
then it passed near the track of the Pittsburgh 
Railroad, a little north of the present site of 
Loudonville, continuing down the valley 
through Holmes County toward the Lake Fork 
of the Mohican. The other trail kept down the 
south side of the Black Fork from Greentown 
to the AA^alhonding ; then to the forks of the 
Muskingum. These trails were evidently their 
great highways to the East, over which the war 
parties of the AVj'andots and Delawares fre- 
quently passed on their marauding expeditions 
into the infant settlements of Eastern Ohio and 
AA^estern Pennsylvania. 

It is said that the scener}' along the Black 
Fork and in the vicinitv of this Indian village 
was of unrivaled beauty. The l)anks of the 
streams resembled a A'ast greenhouse, where 
choice flowers, flowering shrubs, and plants of 
every variety peculiar to this climate might V)e 
seen, growing in wild luxuriance, filling the air 
of all the country with sweet perfume. In 
May, when the trees were in full leaf, with an 
undergrowth of shrubber}', pea-vines, and sedge- 
grass, intertwined b}' wild gi'ape- vines, and in 
the glades, black haw, red haw and plum-trees 
in abundance ; and all echoing with the merry 
songs of birds and chirp of squirrels leaping 
from branch to branch, saluting the pioneer or 
hunter, rendered the scene a veritable paradise. 

As may be inferred, ({reen Township is rich 
in Indian relics, and archseological specimens. 
These have been gathered by the hundred, and 
are now safely deposited in the cal)inets of cu- 
riosity seekers, or in possession of the inhabi- 
tants. The plow continues to turn up a few 
every year. Ancient eartliworks also exist 






658 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



which receive attention in another chapter. 
The soil was favorable for the erection of these 
works, being rolling and sandy in places, while 
streams and springs of water are abundant in 
ever}^ direction. The Black Fork enters the 
township from its western borders, flowing in a 
southeastern course until it I'eaches Loudon- 
\alle in Hanover Township. Messrs. Coulter, 
Oliver, Rice and others, in an early day, con- 
structed flat-boats, freighted them with pork, 
flour and whisky, and ran them to New Orleans. 
These boats would average about 15 feet in 
width, 50 feet in length, and would carry 40 or 
50 tons. Clear Creek runs about a mile through 
the southwest corner ; and Honey Creek orig- 
inates in the Quaker Springs, near the south- 
east line of Vermillion Township, and pursues 
a southwardly course through Green, termina- 
ting in the Black Fork. 

Where the village of Greentown stood, there 
is now, and has been for many years, a culti- 
vated farm, and there is nothing special to 
mark this historic spot. A monument should 
be erected here while there are yet those liA^ing 
who can point out the location. It is about 
two and a half miles up the Black Fork from 
the town of Perrysville. John Shambaugh has 
for many years owned the farm upon which 
the village was located, but has recently sold it. 

There were the usual number of distilleries 
in the township in an early day, before trans- 
portation of any kind gave an outlet to pro- 
duce. Corn was about the only marketable 
thing the farmer could raise. This would bring 
the money at the distilleries. These gradually 
went out of existence, as canals, and finally 
railroads, made their appearance, and public 
opinion strengthened against them. 

Several mills have been erected, from time 
to time, in the township. The settlers first 
went to Mount Vernon for their grinding, and 
later, to the mill at Newville. The "Darling" 
mill, on Clear Fork, was erected probably as 
early as 1818 or 1820. The '-Stringer" mill 



was erected in 1842, on the Black Fork, one 
mile below Perrysville — now owned by William 
Endslow. One of the early mills was erected 
by Isaac Meaner in the northeast corner of the 
township ; it is now operated by a Mr. Wolf 
One of the early mills was also located on 
Hone}^ Creek, three miles northeast of Perrys- 
ville ; it was erected by Jesse Vanzile — now 
owned by A. J. Royer. The mill now owned 
by William Ward, two and a half miles west 
of Perrysville, is located on a large spring. 
The first mill in this place was erected by Will- 
iam Clemmens. This was subsequently taken 
down and the present one erected by Nicholas 
Swearengen. 

Church matters have not been neglected, there 
being five churches in the town and township. 
Rev. John Heckewelder was probably the first 
preacher within its limits, visiting, as has been 
mentioned, the Greentown Indians as a mis- 
sionary at a very early day. James Copus, 
who was killed by these Indians, was also one 
of the earliest preachers. Outside of the town 
are two churches — one foi'merl}' a Methodist, 
located in the northeast corner, organized and 
the house erected about 1837. The society be- 
coming feeble, the church was purchased by 
Christians of different denominations, and has 
since been used for general church purposes. 
The other is the Greentown Baptist Church — 
first a brick, erected in 1837, two and a half 
miles northeast of Perrysville ; this was pulled 
down in 1870, and a frame erected at a cost .of 
$1,700. 

Perrysville contains three churches at pres- 
ent. The Presbyterian was one of the earliest 
in the township, the organization dating back 
to 1818. No building was, however, erected 
until 1833. In 1865, a new frame was erected 
costing about $2,500. 

The Baptist Church seceded from the old 
Greentown Baptist Church, organized and 
erected a frame church building in 1865, at a 
cost of $2,300. The Methodists tor manv vears 



^ 



^'\^ 



■^ 



(2_ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



659 



had a class in Perrysville, but no building until 
1873, when they erected the present frame. 

Perrysville was laid out, according to the 
statement of Mr. Rice and other old settlers, 
in 1812, though the plat does not appear on 
the records until three years later. About the 
time it was laid out, the battle on Lake Erie 
was fought by Commodore Perry — hence the 
name of Perrysville. The proprietors were 
Thomas and Jonathan Coulter and Greorge 
Crawford. Its first settlers were the Hills, Coul- 
ters and Tannehills, the first coming from Ver- 
mont and the two latter from Pennsylvania. 
There are two ancient mounds near the town, 
and dui'ing last year while excavating for 
gi-avel (they are constructed principally of 
gravel), two skeletons wei-e found in an indiffer- 
ent state of preservation. 

The town contains, perhaps, three or four 
hundred people, and is situated on the Black 
Fork, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railroad, on a sandy bottom among the 
hills. It contains three dry-goods stores, which, 
however, are not confined to dry goods alone ; 



two grocery, one hardware, two drug and one 
boot and shoe store ; two foundries, one hotel, 
many shops of different kinds, and the usual 
number of mechanics in the various ti'ades. 

Education has not been neglected. The first 
schoolhouse in the town was erected on Lot 
No. 36, and was hewed log. The next — a 
frame — was erected nearly on the site of the 
first. The third was erected in 1854, in Coul- 
ter's Addition — a frame about 2-1x30 feet. It 
is yet standing, but is used as a dwelling. The 
fourth house was also erected in Coulter's Ad- 
dition. It is a two-story frame, and is yet in 
use for school purposes. The town is now di- 
vided into two districts, the Black Fork being 
the dividing line. 

In 1865, Prof J. C. Sample started a select 
school in the Presb3^terian Church. This school 
was a success, and in two or three years a 
stock compan}' was formed and erected the 
present academy, at a cost of $4,000. Prof 
Sample is yet Principal, and has a houseful of 
students, many of them from a distance. Per- 
rysville is a quiet, orderly, pleasant village. 



CHAPTER LXIX. 

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.* 

Notes of the Survey — Organization and Physical Features — Early Settlers — Loudontille — The Bank 
— Mills — The Business of Loudonville — Secret Societies — The Churches and Schools — The 
Press — The Mayors. 



HANOVER TOWNSHIP was surveyed by 
James Hedges, who commenced March 
15, and ended March 25, 1807. In his notes of 
the survey he says : '' The east boundary had 
much burnt woods. On the fifth mile going 
south, came to an old Indian l)oundar3' line, 
being, perhaps, the north line of Glelloway Res- 
ervation, in Knox County." 

The line runs southwest across the township, 
and passes out nearly in the middle of Section 

*Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland. 



31. In subdividing the township, between Sec- 
tions 1 and 2, he touches Armstrong's Creek, 
150 links wide, running southwest. This creek 
is so named from Capt. Thomas Armstrong, an 
Indian chief, who resided in the A'illage of 
Greentown, some eight miles higher up the 
stream. It is also described by other survey- 
ors as the IMudd}- or Black Fork of Mohican 
John's Creek, but more popularly known as the 
Black Fork, or principal head of the Walhon- 
ding or White Woman's River. The junction of 



)^ 



660 



IIISTOIIY OF lUCIILAND COUNTY 



the Clear Fork and Black Fork is mentioned, 
the width being 140 links. In running the 
south boundary going west, he came to an old 
Indian path or trail leading north and south, per- 
haps to the Grelloway settlement of the Wal- 
honding. The land of Hanover is described as 
Ixung rugged and poor, with stunted timber, 
much burnt on the northeast part of the town- 
ship. 

Hanover was organized October 4, 1818, out 
of the southern lialf of Greene. The surface is 
l)roken and hilly ; some of the lofty and pre- 
cipitous hills reaching an altitude attaining the 
real grandeur of mountains. A considerable 
portion of its surface is not, therefore, adapted 
to cultivation, though there are many farms in 
the valley's not surpassed in fertility by any in 
other townships. A great deal of the land is bet- 
ter adapted to grazing. Clear Fork enters the 
township near the northwest corner, flowing 
southeasterly about five miles, when it unites 
with the Black Fork. As this stream is con- 
fined among the hills and the fall is rapid, it 
furnishes excellent water-power, which is suffi- 
cient the year round to run any number of 
mills. The Black Fork enters the township at 
Loudon ville, and pursues a southwesterly course 
until it unites with the Clear Fork. 

The early settlers of the township were Sam- 
uel Garrett, 1825, Section 11 ; Nathaniel Has- 
kell, 1820; John Hildebrand, 1823; Mark 
Mapes, 1822 ; James Loudon Priest, 1810 ; 
George Snyder, 1818 ; Stephen Butler and 
family, Caleb Chappel and family, 1814. 

The township being a little out of the line 
of travel, and not quite as inviting in appear- 
ance as some others, was not settled so early 
nor so rapidly. 

Of these settlers, Mr. Garrett served in the 
Revolutionary w^ar, in the Life Guard of Gen. 
Washington, and states that upon his discharge 
he was paid off in Continental money, which 
was so worthless that it would not purchase 
him a single meal. Mr. Haskell was one of the 



first merchants and millers in the township, 
and was engaged in freighting to New Orleans 
by flatboats, shipping pork, flour and whisky. 
Flour then cost $2.50 to $3 per barrel, and 
In-ought in New Orleans $5 and $6. Mr. Priest 
immortalized his name b}' laying out the town 
of Loudonville. He first settled in Lake 
Towmship, building the first caliin in that town- 
ship, and becoming its first Justice of the Peace. 
During the Indian troubles, he erected a fort 
upon his premises, for the safety of his family 
and those of his neighbors. 

Mr. Snyder was a soldier of the Revolution, 
and lived to the age of ninety-three. 

The township sustains a livel}' and flourish- 
ing little city, called Loudonville, situated on 
the line of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railroad. It was laid out August 6, 1814, 
by Stephen Butler and James Loudon Priest ; 
the latter gentleman purchasing the northwest 
quarter of Section 1, upon which Loudonville 
stands. The first sale of lots was made Sep- 
tember 14, 1814. 

There was one cabin on the site of Loudon- 
ville before it was laid out, owned by Stephen 
Butler. It had but one room, but was used as 
a hotel, and therefore the first hotel in the town 
which was laid out around^t. Mr. Caleb 
Chappel, who settled near the town site in 1814, 
was Mr. Butler's nearest neighbor, and it ap- 
pears that the latter was the only citizen of the 
place during that year. He was at that time a 
Justice of the Peace. Priest lived five miles 
east, and Mr. Oliver five miles west. 

Loudonville, at one time, like all other towns 
in the new country, expected to be a place of 
note, and aspired to become the county seat. The 
"Walhonding Canal" was the thing that was 
going to make it a city, and although it excited 
great expectations, they were of short duration. 
as the project failed for want of proper finan- 
cial support. Mr. Butler was the first Justice 
of the Peace, and the only business man in the 
township for a number of years. Later, Mr. 






^^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



661 



Htiskell was, perhaps, the most public-spirited 
citizen. He early laid out an addition to the 
place. He erected, at his own expense, a brick 
building known as " Haskell's Academy," em- 
ployed teachers, and by his influence and en- 
ergYj kept it going for several years. He 
started the first bank here in 1868, which 
after his death was continued by his nephew, 
George C. Haskell. When the latter died in 
1876, the business was continued by the Lou- 
donville Banking Compan}', consisting of 
George Schauweker, William Garrett, J. W. 
Bull, William Campbell, J. L. Quick, J. H. San- 
born and J. W. Stacher. It is not a national 
l)ank. 

One of the earliest mills in the township was 
that of Thomas McMacken on Clear Creek, 
erected in 1834. 

A. A. Taylor, of Loudonville. is now the 
owner of one of the largest mills in that part 
of the country. It is capable of turning out 
about two hundred and fifty barrels of flour 
daily, and is located in one of the best wheat- 
growing regions in the State. In order to erect 
this mill, Mr. Taylor was compelled to demolish 
one of the first mills of the county, which had 
been erected about 1819, by Alexander Skinner. 

Thomas H. Stewart, yet living in Loudon- 
ville, was one of the first Associate Judges of 
Richland County, and his wife, yet living, is the 
onl}' one of the first pioneers yet remaining in 
the township. She was the daughter of Caleb 
Chappel. 

The population of Loudonville, at present, is 
about two thousand. There are four dry-goods 
stores kept by William Fisher & Co., J. W. 
Stacher, Adam UUman, and Frederick Arnold ; 
three clothing stores, by Wise & Co., C. Open- 
heimer, and Steitzel & Co.; five grocery stores, 
by Jacob Buckheisen, Lewis McMahou, Samuel 
Hess, Joseph Yuncker and John Redd. There 
are two hotels, two butter and egg packers, a 
very extensive tannery by Godfrey Schawaker ; 
two foundries doing a small business ; three 



drug stores, by P. Ullman & Co., Leopold & 
Co., and M. Clough ; two hardware stores by 
Hartupee & Reed, and Priest & Frankheiser ; 
three stove and tin stores by Henry Pippet, G. 
G. Leopold and Daniel Prutzman ; three boot 
and shoe establishments by C. Petot, John Long 
and A. Barker ; two newspapers, the Democrat 
and the Loudonville Advocate. 

In addition to the above, there are many 
other small business institutions of different 
kinds, and the usual number of mechanics and 
laborers. 

The secret and benevolent institutions are 
the Hanover Lodge, No. 115, A., F. & A. M., 
organized in 1843 ; the I. 0. 0. F., instituted 
April 20, 1854 ; the Knights of Pythias and 
Knights of Honor. The charter members of the 
first society mentioned were George H. Stewart. 
Adolph Clem, A. Haskell, John Ewalt. William 
Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller and Jacob 
Boothe : and of the I. 0. 0. F., John Taylor, 
D. E. Stockman. A. P. Mather, C. Hildebrand 
and A. Yarnell. 

There are seven churches in the town. 

The Methodist was organized in the spring 
of 1834 by Rev. Elmore Yocum, in Thomas 
McMahon's warehouse. The early meetings 
were held at the houses of Joseph White and 
James Martin, and in the old Plank School- 
house. The first church building was erected 
in 1836. It was brick and cost about $500. 
In 1856, a frame was erected at a cost of 
$1,500. 

The Baptist Church was organized in May, 
1839. Isaac Wolf and John Xeptine were 
Deacons. Revs. Wilson, Stearns and William 
Leete were the earl}' Pastors. A frame building 
was erected in 1843 at a cost of $1,250. 

The German Reformed and Lutheran Evan- 
gelical denominations erected a church for joint 
use in Loudonville in 1846. This building was 
destroyed b}- fire in 1860. These societies then 
erected separate frame churches. The Reformed 
and Lutheran Societies also erected a church in 



fk 



663 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



the southern part of the township in 1846. The 
congi'egations were organized seven years be- 
fore the church was erected. 

A Catholic society was organized in 1868 in 
Loudon ville, and a ])rick church erected about 
tlie same time. 

The Presb^^terians had for many yenYS, a small 
society here, but were not able to erect a church 
until 1873, at which time they erected the pres- 
ent brick edifice. 

An English Lutheran Church was organized 
in 1878, and the present brick building erected 
in 1879. 

But little can be said in favor of the Loudon- 
ville schools. Mr. Haskell's academy was, 
unfortunately, allowed to go down after his 
death, and there seems -to be at present, an 
opening for the Loudonville people to exercise 
their public spirit in this direction. 

The Loudonville Advocate was started March 
20, 1873, l)eing the fourth paper established in 
Loudonville. It was a stock concern, and edited 
by J. H. Ruth, formerly' of Ashland ; continued 



in that position until December, 1877, when the 
office was disposed of to Messrs. Stauffer & 
Miller, of Quakerstown, Bucks Co., Penn. In 
December, 1869, Mr. Miller retired and Peter 
H. Stauffer became sole proprietor. The paper 
is neutral in politics. 

The Loudonville Democrat was established in 
this place by J. Gr. Herzog, a native of the State 
of New York, February 28, 1879, and has just 
closed the first year of its publication. Its 
circulation is over eight hundred. It is neatly 
printed, and in a prosperous and healthy condi- 
tion. 

The town was incorporated in 1850, and the 
following is a list of the Mayors : William 
Hook, John McCormick (twice re-elected), A. 
L. Scott, John Strong, Jesse Hayes, A. L. Scott 
(four times re-elected), William Larwill (re- 
elected), A. L. Scott, D. Rust (re-elected), A. L. 
Scott, John Strong, John B. Long, Robert Hill 
(re-elected), John B. Long (twice re-elected), 
John W. Bull and C. S. Deyarmond, the pres- 
ent incumbent. 



Organization, Boundaries, Etc.- 



CHAPTER LXX. 

MILTON TOWNSHIP.* 

-Springs — Surveyed — Soil and Timber- 
Document — Early Settlers, Etc. 



-Hunting-Grounds — An Official 



MILTON TOWNSHIP was organized June 
- 4, 1816, out of Mifflin, being at that 
date twelve miles long from north to south, and 
six miles wide. It remained in this shape until 
October 15, 1818, when Clear Creek was formed 
out of the north half leaving Milton six miles 
square in Richland County. When Ashland 
County was formed, in 1846, its four tiers of 
sections on the east were transferred to that 
county. The two tiers of sections remaining 
in Richland were enlarged and called Weller, 
the four in Ashland being: called Milton. Its 



'Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland. 



dimensions are, therefore, four by six miles, with 
Montgomery on the east and Mifflin on the south. 

No streams of consequence are found in this 
township, but there are many beautiful springs, 
one of the strongest in the county being found 
near the " Short farm." 

It was survejed in November, 1806, by Gen. 
James Hedges. Like other townships in the 
county, it was densely timbered with oak, 
beech, hickory and other hardwood. The south- 
ern part is described as hilly and the soil of in- 
ferior quality. The eastern part is generally 
level and the soil good ; over the remainder of 



*1T. 



:V 



^- 



tk 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



663 



the township, the ascents and descents are reg- 
ular, in places level, the soil generally fair for 
farming purposes, but cla^x}'. It must have 
been a good hunting-ground for the Indians, as 
large quantities of their hunting implements 
and war weapons are found — stone axes, stone 
wedges, arrow-points, etc. Some of these evince 
great skill in workmanship. 

The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad 
passes diagonally through the township, the di- 
rection being northeast and southwest. 

The following extract from the official record 
of the organization of Milton is given as some- 
what of a curiosity, being a little out of the 
usual way of performing that operation : 

" Now, it came to pass when men began to 
multiply on this side of the river westward to- 
ward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and 
the inhabitants of Milton Township became 
numerous and strong, that they said one to an- 
other, Gro to, let us separate ourselves from 
Mifflin Township, to which we aforetime had 
been attached ; for why should we be oppressed 
by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in 
carrying us before strangers ? 

" Let us select a goodly number from among 
our brethren that shall bear rule over us. And 
they prayed the court at Mansfield, and their 
request was granted. Milton was formed, and 
became a free and independent township. This 
happened in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and sixteen."' 

This curious document was signed by Robert 
Nelson, one of the township pioneers. 



^"3ti^ 



The earliest settlers came in 1814, mostly 
from Pennsylvania. In that year, Mr. Alexander 
Reed settled on land adjoining the old Hope- 
well Church, Section 1?>. His farm contained 
80 acres, which he sold, in 1821, to Joseph 
Marklay for 550 gallons of whisky. 

James Andrews came in 1816. He was a 
man of superior ability and influence, having 
served in the war of 1812 as Captain in the 
Ohio militia, and was afterward Justice of the 
Peace in Milton for twenty-seven years. Alira- 
ham Doty also came in 1816; William Lock- 
hart, in 1818 ; John Woodburn, in 1825. Other 
early settlers were Peter Brubaker. Joseph 
Bechtel, Joseph Charles, John Clay. John 
Hazlett, Henry Keever, John Neal and Michael 
Smettzer. 

This is essentially a farming community, no 
town existing within its limits. Before it be- 
came a part of Ashland County, Olivesburg 
belonged to it. Its early reminiscences are 
similar to those of other townships whose 
history has already been written, and need 
not be repeated. The same may be said of 
the struggles and triumph of its early set- 
tlers, who came to it a wilderness, and have, 
after years of toil, hardship and danger, dressed 
it in the garb of civilization. Its earliest set- 
tlers worshiped at the old Hopewell Church, 
erected in 1819, but organized several years be- 
fore. This church stood very near the line be- 
tween Milton and Montgomery. Its history is 
noticed in the history of the latter township. 







■tt; 



5 L> 



664 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



CHAPTER LXXI. 

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP.* 

Survey — First Skttlers and Settlements — Esquire Newell — Churches — Old Hopewell — Ashland — Its 
Early Settlers, Etc.— First Carriage — Francis Graham's Recollectkins — Post Office — Schools — 
The Ashland College — The Churches of Ashland — The Business of Ashland — The Newspapebs 
AND other Publications. 



SINCE the erection of Ashland' County, 
Montgomery has assumed a position of 
importance, being near the center of the county 
geographically, and including the countj^ seat 
within its limits. It was surveyed in October, 
1806, by Maxfield Ludlow. In running the 
south boundary going west, seventeen chains 
and twenty links from the third mile stake, he 
came to a well-marked Indian trail running 
southeast and northwest. This is the well- 
known path of the Wyandots, which was fol- 
lowed by Maj. Robert Rogers in 1761, in his 
route to the forks of the Muskingum, on his 
return to Fort Du Quesne, as well as by Gen. 
Beall, on his expedition to Sandusky. This 
trail passed over the farm known as the late 
residence of John McCammon, thence across 
the Ryal farm, in Milton Township, into Richland 
Countj^, in a northwesterly direction through 
Blooming Grove Township. The east boundary 
of the township is noted as flat and marshy, 
with bottoms subject to overflow ; the timber, 
elm, maple, sugar, swamp-oak and alder bush. 
On the third mile going north, a plain, much- 
traveled Indian trail, leading northwest, was 
seen. This passed b}' the old Newell farm, 
thence to near the covered bridge on the 
Wooster road, where it divided, one branch 
leading up the Catatawa}^, and the other near 
the bridge on the Harrisburg road, bj^ the old 
residence of Daniel Carter, Sr., subsequently 
known as the John Mason farm. The lands of 
Montgomery on the east are described as level 

*Now in Ashland County, formeriy in Richland. 



and rich ; in the middle and west part of the 
township as rolling and of good quality ; the 
timber, ash, walnut, oak, hickory, cherry, sugar 
and maple, with considerable undergrowth, and 
a number of glades. The subdivision into sec- 
tions was surveyed by Jonathan Cox, in No- 
vember, 1806. Mr. Cox found an ancient 
earthwork north of Ashland, which is referred 
to in another chapter of this work. 

Montgomery was organized June 6, 1815, 
out of the north two-thirds of Vermillion, 
being then twelve miles long from north to 
south, and six miles wide. June 3, 1816, this 
territory' was divided, and Orange created out 
of the north half leaving Montgomery in its 
present shape — six miles square. 

Montgomery, lying back from the principal 
streams, was not settled as early as the other 
parts of the county, no settlers being found 
within its limits for several years after the set- 
tlement at Greentown. Robert Newell was, 
without doubt, the first settler in the township. 
He came from White Eyes Plains (Newcom- 
erstown), Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, to Mont- 
gomery' in 1811, settling on the land afterward 
occupied by Hugh McGuire. He seems also 
to be the only settler until the spring of 1812, 
when Samuel Carter came. April 1, 1814, 
Henry Baughman, with his wife and one child, 
settled on Section 3. Samuel Burns also came 
early in the spiung of 1814, from Guernsey 
County, Ohio, settling on land adjoining that 
of Mr. Newell. He brought his family by water 
in a pirogue. He was fourteen days coming up 



T^ 



:^ 



HISTOEY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY. 



665 



the Muskingum, Walhonding, Mohican and Je- 
rome Forli. Following there were Henry Gam- 
ble, March, 1815 ; Francis Graham, 1821 ; 
Jacob Grubb, November, 1823 ; Sage Kellogg, 
Octol)er, 1818 ; John Hough, 1823 ; James 
Ku3'kendall, March, 1815, Section 6 ; Henry 
Maize, June 23, 1828 ; Joseph Markley, March, 
1815. Section 17 ; John McNa-ull, 1815 ; Chris- 
topher My krauts. April, 1823 ; Andrew Proud- 
fit, December, 1817 ; Michael Riddle, spring of 
1819, Section 2 ; Joseph Sheets, November, 
1817; William Skilling, June, 1817; Peter 
Swineford, 1819 ; Elias Slocumb. 1817 ; Mich- 
ael Springer, 1815 ; Daniel Yantilburg, 181G ; 
Alanson Walker, 3Iarch, 1822. The following 
settlers and their families were here in 1814 : 
Jacob Grouse, Daniel Mickej', Widow Treckle, 
John Carr, Benjamin Cuppy, Daniel Carter, 
William IMontgomery, John Heller, Conrad 
Kline and John Smith. 

Of these settlers, Daniel Carter, one of the 
earliest, cut the first road in the township, set- 
tling one mile northeast of the present town of 
Ashland. It was January when he arrived, 
and his shelter, until his cabin could be erected, 
was an open-ended tent. These pioueers must 
have had stout hearts to thus settle in the dense 
woods, in mid-winter, with no shelter from the 
snow, cold, wolves, bears, etc., but a tent. He 
cut and hauled the logs for his cabin as quickly 
as possible, but could not raise it without help, 
and traveled sixteen miles through the forest 
to get the fourth man for that purpose. He cut 
awaj' the timber and planted seven acres of 
corn that same spring, but when Hull surren- 
dered, fearing a general Indian massacre. Mr. 
Carter deserted his new home and went to New 
Philadelphia, Ohio, returning the following 
year and finding their premises unmolested, 
save that their corn had been partially taken 
by the wild animals. When informed of the 
murders on the Black Fork, by the Indians, the 
family fled to the block-house. 

Mr. Gamble was a soldier of the war of 1812. 



The cabin of Robert Newell was burnt b}' the 
Indians in 1812. Mr. Newell was a very illit- 
erate man, being unable to read or write, as 
wei'e man}- of the pioneers, through no fault of 
their own perhaps ; but Newell was neverthe- 
less a man of integrity, a good citizen, and pos- 
sessed of good judgment. He was elected by 
his neighbors Justice of the Peace, and, of 
course, could not keep a docket or issue a sum- 
mons. So satisfactorily, however, and with such 
an even hand, did he dispense justice upon 
principles of strict equity rather than law, that 
his oflflcial acts were indorsed by a re-election. 
Elo3d Eddy, his son-in-law. and Jacob Kline, 
elected as constables, were also equally illiter- 
ate. In most cases, Squire Newell would refuse 
alisolutel}- to issue summons, fixing up and en- 
forcing on summary but equitable terms of set- 
tlement issues among his neighbors : but this 
could not alwaj's be done. In one instance, 
Andrew Clark demanded summons on Martin 
Mason for balance of pa}' claimed for construct- 
ing a mill-race, and the Squire, after protracted 
eflbrts to bring the parties to settlement, was 
unable longer to defer an issue of summons. 
Accordingl}- he called upon Constable Kline, 
and presenting that functionary with a strong 
buckeye club, informed him that was his author- 
ity for bringing Mason, dead or alive, into 
" court," to call upon said defendant, and if he 
showed any symptoms of unwillingness to obey 
the summons, to make vigorous use of the club. 
Mason readily obeyed the summons, however, 
and the litigants appeared before his honor. 

The Squire demanded first of the plaintifl', 
then of the defendant, a full statement of the 
matter at issue, which demand having been 
complied with, he rendered judgment as fol- 
lows : •• Mason shall pay to Clark two liushels 
of coi'u ; Clark being a poor man, and having 
no horse, you, Mason, shall deliver the corn at 
his house. Forever after this, you are to be 
good friends and neighliors, and if either of 
you shall fail in the least particular to obey this 



-^ 



666 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



order, I will have the offender before me and 
whip him within an inch of his life. As for 
myself, I charge no fees. Not so with Consta- 
ble Kline, his charge being a quart of whisky, 
which plaintiff and defendant will see is brought 
into court as promptly as possible for the use 
of all present." 

The Squire was quite an important man, as he 
owned 1,000 acres of land, and was considered 
in other respects in comfortable circumstances. 

After the war of 1812, this township, in com- 
mon with all others in the county, began to fill 
up quite rapidly, and its pioneer history is not 
different from that already written of other 
townships. As soon as the settlers could get a 
clearing about their cabins, and provide for 
their immediate wants, they began to think 
about schools, churches, etc. 

The first church erected in this part of the 
county was "Old Hopewell," called "Old" 
perhaps from the fact that it was abandoned 
for another of the same name, afterward erected 
in Ashland. This church was erected (of logs) 
one mile west of Ashland in 1819, by the Pres- 
byterians. In the first settlement in this neigh- 
borhood were several Presbyterian families, 
viz., those of Robert Nelson, Abraham Doty, 
David McKinney, William Huston. David Pol- 
lock, Abel Montgomery and others. These 
formed a society in 1817, which they called 
" Montgomery." The Montgomerys were prom- 
inent among the earl}' settlers, hence the name 
of this church and the township. Rev. Joshua 
Beer and Rev. William Mathews were their 
first ministers. Thirty-four persons constituted 
the first society ; the first Elders were Robert 
Nelson and Abraham Doty. The congregation 
worshiped in the cabins of the members until 
1819. The old church was a square log, sub- 
stantial and comfortable for that day. Its 
name was changed to Hopewell in 1820. One 
of the earliest ministers in this church was Rev. 
Robert Lee, from Westmoreland County, Penn. 
Mr. Lee afterward went further west. 



and settled in Crawford County, near the 
little village of Leesville, which was named for 
him. He was a well-known preacher in that 
part of the country, and a ver^' excellent 
man. Old Hopewell was the "mother" of all 
the Presb3^terian churches in this part of the 
country. In 1833, twenty-one members were 
dismissed to form a society in Clear Creek 
Township ; on the 5th of August in the same 
year, nineteen members were dismissed to 
form a church at Orange, five miles east of 
Ashland ; in April, 1834, thirty-nine mem- 
bers were dismissed to organize a church 
at Olivesburg. Thus, in less than a year, 
seventy-nine members yveve dismissed, showing 
how wide-spread was the influence of Old Hope- 
well. People went a long distance to church in 
those days, but those were not the days of news- 
papers, telegraphs and railroads. After send- 
ing out these three colonies, sixt3^-five members 
were yet left in Hopewell. In 1836, the old 
log church was abandoned for a better one, in 
the village of Ashland. 

In the township outside the town of Ashland, 
two churches were erected ; one, the Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran, on the east line of the township, 
in 1838 ; Rev. Mr. Wolf was first Pastor. The 
other, the Glerman Baptist, or Brethren, three 
miles south of town. The latter have three 
churches, known as the "Ashland District," and 
the church is better known as the Dunkers, or 
Dunkards, (properly Tunkers), which name was 
given them in Germany, and still clings to them 
in this country, though they repudiate it. 

In those early days there did not, however, 
appear to be any religious sects or political 
parties. It was emphatically an " era of good- 
feeling." When it was known that a man was 
to preach in the neighborhood, everybody, for 
miles around, came to the meeting ; it mattered 
little what denomination he belonged to, he was 
welcome. Most of the clergymen visiting this 
part of the country were, however, Presb3^terians 
and Baptists. 



'W 



^" 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



667 



Ashland, the seat of justice for the count}-, 
was originally known as Uniontown, and was 
laid out July 28, 1815, by William Montgom- 
ery, who gave it the name of Uniontown in 
honor of his native town of that name in Penn- 
sylvania. When he laid out the town, it was 
all woods, and deer, bears and wolves roamed 
unmolested. There was not a cabin or build- 
ing of any kind upon its site. Henry Gamble 
and John Smith were in the neighborhood, and 
were the nearest settlers. Mr. Montgomery 
erected the first cabin on the site for his own 
use. James Kuykendall assisted in its erec- 
tion. It was of hewed logs, and occupied the 
lot upon which Treaces tavern was afterward 
erected. Mr. Montgomery kept tavern in it 
and entertained the travelers on the road be- 
tween Wooster and Mansfield. He was also 
engaged, at this time, in distilling whisky, which 
was looked upon as a respectable employment 
in those days. He was also proprietor of a 
tannery, which he subsequently sold to George 
Sweineford, and which occupied the premises 
afterward occupied by David Whiting. 

In 1817, Joseph Sheets, William Montgom- 
ery, David Markley and John Croft, with their 
families, constituted the population of the 
town. Markley was engaged in selling gro- 
ceries, whisky, etc., and had the first store in 
the town. It was on the lot where the town 
hall was afterward erected. Samuel Uric came 
in shortly afterward and started the first black- 
smith-shop. Nicholas Shaffer soon arrived. He 
was a carpenter ])y trade, but found nothing to 
do except hew out door and window frames, as 
there was no frame houses being erected, and 
no mills to make lumber. John Antibus manu- 
factured hats. Croft conducted the tannery. 

The first vehicle in the form of a carriage 
made its appearance in the new town in 1821. 
Its springs were of wood, and, excepting the 
tires upon the wheels, there had not Iwen twenty 
pounds of iron used in its manufacture. It 
was manufactured in Connecticut, and was 



brought here by Dr. Luther, who was probably 
the first physician in the place. In 1821, Fran- 
cis Graham came to Uniontown and brought 
with him a stock of dry goods and gi'oceries. 
He says at that time it was a village of four- 
teen or fifteen families, two distilleries, one saw- 
mill, one small tannery, one wheelwright shop 
for the manufticture of wheels for flax-spin- 
ning ; one blacksmith-shop, kept by Samuel 
Urie, and one physician — Dr. Joel Luther. 
David Markley, as before mentioned, was the 
first storekeeper, but he had no more than a 
one-horse wagon load of goods, and did not 
replenish his stock, so he soon ran out. Joseph 
Sheets kept the next store. He brought a 
small stock of goods from Steubenville, Ohio, in 
1819. He did not replenish this stock, and 
soon sold out. There were so few people, and 
their wants were so simple, that store-keeping 
did not pay. Mr. Graham may, therefore, be 
considered the first store-keeper who carried a 
general stock and started a permanent store. 
The other two stores had disappeared, and he 
rented a room of Mr. Sheets, on ^Nlain street, 
and also engaged board of him at something 
less than $1 per week. Sheets was keeping a 
tavern at the time, the second one started in 
the place. In 1822, John Hull, the wheel- 
wright, opened the third tavern in a small build- 
ing which was, some years after, moved back 
to give place to the Slocum House, where the 
town hall was afterward erected. Graham 
found his goods in demand, but no money in 
the country to pay for them, and was com- 
pelled to part with them in exchange for prod- 
uce of various kinds, for which he found 
no market. Wheat was worth about 25 cents 
per bushel, but no one wanted to buy it for 
family use. and. as there was no market outside 
the immediate neighborhood, but little was 
raised. Oats were traded off at 12 to 15 cents 
per bushel ; corn was in better demand, and 
brought, in goods, from 1 5 to 20 cents per bushel, 
and became almost lawful tender, because it 



^ 



HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



could be converted into whisky, which could 
be freighted to the lake, and found a ready 
market. Maple sugar was also an import- 
ant item of trade, and was made in large 
quantities, bringing from 4 to (5 cents per 
pound. 

In 1822, Mr. Graham petitioned the Post- 
master Greneral for a post office at Ilniontown. 
The petition was forwarded to Hon. John 
Sloan, then llepresentative to Congress from the 
Richland and Wayne County District. The 
Postmaster General declined granting a post 
office with the name Uniontown, as there were 



The name Uniontown continued to hang to 
the place two or three years, when it was 
changed to Ashland by the Legislature. 

The first school in Ashland was taught by 
Therrygood Smith, and was situated on the 
lot west of the one afterward occupied by 
Hugh Davis. This cabin burned down in 
1824, taking fire from its lath and clay chim- 
ney. The first house erected for school pur- 
poses was in 1825, on the lot afterward owned 
b}'' Sarah Jones. Chandler Foote taught here. 
The third school was taught inl826, in a cabin 
owned bj' CuUen Spaulding, b}' Mr. Fleming. 




already two Uniontown post offices in the 
State. Mr. Sloan then made choice of the 
name of Ashland, there being no post office of 
that name in Ohio. Mr. Graham became the 
first Postmaster, and the first contract for car- 
rying the mail was let to a Mr. Bell, who was to 
make the trip once a week between Wooster 
and New Haven, Huron County, via Ashland. 
The mail was carried on horseback about a 
year, when the Post Office Department discov- 
ered it would not pay expenses and withdrew 
the contract. Mr. Gi'aham then hired the mail 
carried to Mansfield three years at his own ex- 
pense and at a loss. 



In progress, the Ashland schools have kept 
pace with the growth of the town. At present 
it is divided into three districts, with excellent 
buildings in each. 

The question of establishing a first-class in- 
stitution of learning somewhere within the 
limits of Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana, had 
been freely discussed for many years by the 
more enterprising members of the Brethren 
Church, and attempts had been made in each 
of these States, and in one of them a large sum 
of money had already been guaranteed for this 
purpose ; but for vai'ious reasons all these efforts 
failed, though the importance and benefit of 



1^ 



it. 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



669 



^1 



such an institution became more and more ap- 
parent and acknowledged b}- the church at 
large. Under these circumstances, repeated 
offers were made to Elder S. Z. Sharp, then 
Professor in Mar^^ville College, Tennessee, to 
take charge of the enterprise and bring it to a 
successful issue, which, after mature reflection, 
he accepted, and, in the summer of 1877, made 
a tour through Ohio in quest of a suitable loca- 
tion. Of the many places proposed, Ashland 
was selected ; and in June, 1877, a meeting 
was called of all the business men in Ashland ; 
the aims of the founders and the character of 
the proposed college presented to the crowded 
assembly in the town hall. Among the prom- 
inent features of the institution were men- 
tioned " freedom from yain show and extrava- 
gance in dress," assuming that " high intellectual 
and moral attainments" were the true objects to 
be placed before the student. The citizens of 
Ashland at once seconded the proposition to 
establish such an institution at this place, and 
raised SI 0.000 toward the erection of buildings, 
while agents were at work elsewhere collecting 
funds. 

A corporation was formed, and, on February 
22, 1878, a charter obtained b}' which the insti- 
tution was placed under the care of the church 
of the Brethren, and legallj^ on an equality 
with the best in the State. In the following 
summer, the main building was erected, 100 
feet deep, 100 wide, and four stories high, with 
ten recitation-rooms, professors' rooms, literary 
halls, offices, and chapel for the accommodation 
of 500 students. 

During the summer of 1879, another build- 
ing, 110 feet long and four stories high, was 
erected as dormitory and boarding hall. The 
buildings and grounds are valued at $60,000. 

On the 17th of September, 1879, the college 
was formally opened ; fifty-nine students regis- 
tering their names the first day ; seventy-five 
during the first week, and closed December 24 
with 112 enrolled. 



The charter provides for four departments : 
First, classical, with the degree of A. B.; second, 
philosophical, with the degree of Ph. B.; third, 
normal ; fourth, commercial. Students com- 
pleting either of the last two, will receive suit- 
able certificates of graduation. A department 
has also been added to prepare those wishing 
to take a scientific and classical course. 

Each course is based on the most natural and 
philosophic plan by which all the powers of the 
mind are developed simultaneously and sym- 
metrically, and the time of the student divided 
among language, mathematics, science and phil- 
osophy, while opportunities are offered to study 
some of the fine arts. 

The classical course requires four years to 
complete, and the studies are arranged as fol- 
lows : 

Freshmen Year— First term. Virgil, Anabasis, 
geometry, sacred history ; second term, Virgil. 
Anabasis, higher algebra, sacred history ; third 
term, Cicero's De Senectute et Amicitia, Mem- 
orabilia, higher algebra completed, botan}'. 

Sophomore Year — First term. Livy, Memora- 
bilia, trigonometry and surveying, chemistry, 
lectures on Roman history ; second term, 
Horace's Odes and Epodes, Homer's Iliad, trig- 
onometry and navigation, lectures and Greek 
history ; third term, Horace's Satires, political 
economy, general geometrj', zoology. 

Junior Year — First term. Tacitus. March's 
English grammar and Milton, mental phil- 
osophy (elective), German, Greek or mathemat- 
ics ; second term, Demosthenes' Corona, men- 
tal philosophy, Gonafs Physics (elective), 
ancient or modern languages ; third term, En- 
glish literature, moral philosophy, physics 
(elective), ancient or modern languages, mathe- 
matics or science. 

Senior Year — First term, philosophy, art of 
discourse, church history, geology and mineral- 
ogy, French ; second term, history of philosophy, 
rhetoric, Eusebius, astronomy-, New Testament 
history (elective), modern languages ; third 



Je. 



670 



HISTORY or RICHLAND COUNTY. 



term, history of philosophy, evidences of Ghris- 
tianity, natural theology, Grreek Testament, 
Butler's Analogy. 

Composition throughout the course. 

Philosophical Course — This is designed for 
those who wish to prepare themselves for some 
special department in science. The study of 
Greek and a part of Latin omitted, and an 
additional number of scientific studies added. 
Prominence is given to modern languages. 

Normal Department — This course is fully as 
complete as found in other commercial colleges, 
with a shorter course for farmers, teachers, 
mechanics, etc. 

The preparatory- department is similar to 
those in other first-class colleges. 

Among the distinguishing features found in 
the first circular issued are : 

1. It is thoroughly Christian, but not sec- 
tarian. 

2. Combines the most liberal course of study 
with the least expense. 

3. It inculcates the spirit of plainness and 
economy in dress ; aiming to adorn the mind 
and character more than the body. 

4. Its location is unrivaled in advantages. 

The government is mild and firm ; the stu- 
dents are taught as much as possible to govern 
themselves. Tuition, $30 per year in advance. 
Boarding from $1 to $2 per week. The Faculty, 
at present, consists of Elder S. J. Sharp, A. M., 
President and Professor of Mental and Moral 
Science ; L. Huber, A. M., Professor of Greek 
and Modern Languages ; J. E. Stubbs, A. M., 
Professor of Greek Language and Literature ; 
David Bailey, A. M., Professor of Mathematics ; 
Jacob Keino, Ph. B., Professor of Natural 
Sciences ; F. P. Foster, Superintendent of the 
Commercial Department ; J. E. Ewing, In- 
structor in Music. 

At present (February, 1880). 140 students 
are enrolled. 

There are eleven churches in Ashland, viz., 
Methodist, Presbyterian, English Lutheran, 



German Lutheran, German Reformed, Disciple, 
Baptist, ITnited Brethren, Albright, St. Ed- 
ward's Catholic and Dunkard. 

As has been mentioned, the Presbyterians 
were organized in Hopewell Church, which was 
transferred to Ashland in 1837 ; a building of 
stone having been erected here in 1836. This 
building stood until 1879, when it was taken 
away, and the present beautiful brick erected at 
a cost of $20,000. 

The Methodist Church was organized about 
1828, and a stone church erected which was 
afterward purchased by the county and used as 
a court house until the present bviildings were 
erected on its site. The present brick church, 
on the corner of Third and Church streets, was 
commenced in 1848, and completed in 1858 ; 
and cost $4,000 or $5,000. Present member- 
ship about four hundred. 

The English Lutheran was organized about 
1835 by Rev. F. J. Ruth, now an aged citizen 
of Gallon, Ohio. The present brick edifice is 
located on Third street, and cost about $3,000. 
Present membership, 250. The society con- 
templates erecting a new church building during 
the year 1880. 

The Baptist Church was organized in 1860, 
by eleven persons. Its membership is now 
about thirty. First Pastor was Rev. I. N. Car- 
man. They erected a frame building soon 
after organization that cost about $1,500. 

Disciple Church organized by John Rigdon in 
1824. Their frame church building on Orange 
street was erected in 1842, and cost about $1,500. 

German Lutheran organized in 1872, about 
which time they also erected a brick church on 
jMain street, at a cost of $4,000. Present mem- 
bership about one hundred. 

The German Reformed was organized, and 
the building erected about the same time (1872). 
The building is frame, and cost about $2,500. 
Membership about sixt3\ 

The United Brethren Church was organized 
about 1872, by Rev. Mr. Moody, and a frame 



^ (, 



"V 



^ 



S) L> 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



671 



^ 



building erected on East Walnut street at a 
cost of $3,000. Present membership about 
one hundred. 

The Albrights have erected a fine brick 
church on Third Street, at a cost of $6,000. 
Present membership about one hundred. 

St. Edward's Catholic Church on Cottage 
street was organized about 1872. The build- 
ing is brick, and not yet finished. 

The Tunkards, or Brethren, as they prefer to 
be called, organized in 1879, and at present, 
hold services in the chapel of the college. The 
membership is about one hundred. S. Z. 
Sharp, J. A. Worst and S. H. Bashar are the 
leaders. 

Ashland has grown into a town of nearly, or 
quite, four thousand people, the Atlantic 
& Great Western Railway contributing not 
a little to its development. 

There are two large flouring-mills ; four large 
dry-goods stores ; four clothing, three hard- 
ware, four agi'icultural implement, three stove 
and tin, ten grocery and three drug stores ; 
three restaurants, two hotels, two banks, one 
insurance company, three tanneries, two plan- 
ing-mills and the usual number of people in 
other business in the same proportion. 

The Ashland Mutual Insurance Company was 
organized in 1851. It is permanent and re- 
liable, its assets aggregating about $600,000. 
William Osborn is President ; L. Jeflf Sprengle, 
Secretary, and J. D. Stubbs, General Agent. 

The First National (and only national) Bank 
was organized first in January, 1852, and re- 
organized and made a national bank in Jan- 
uary, 1864. 

The Farmers" Bank was organized July 1, 
187-1. It is a private institution. 

The Ashland Herald was started in 1836, by 
John C. Gilkison, of Mansfield, who continued 
its publication about one year, when he sold the 
press and material to Joshua H. Ruth, now of 
the Loudonville Democrat. The Herald was 
Whig in politics, but Ruth changed both 



its politics and name, calling it the Ohio 
Globe. It supported Van Buren for the Pres- 
idency. In less than a year, Ruth was suc- 
seeded by Judge Samuel McCluer, now a 
leading lawyer of Akron, who changed the 
name to the Western Phoenix. The politics were 
again changed to Whig, but the paper only 
lived about a year. 

From 1838 to 1846, Ashland was without a 
paper ; but in the latter year two were started — 
one the Ashland Democrat, edited and published 
by Jonathan Maffett (now of Upper Sandusky, 
Ohio) and William Hunter. The other was the 
Ashland Standard. The first represented the 
hard money Democrats, and the last the soft. 
The Standard was published the last two years 
by W. T. Jackson. These papers continued 
about four years, when both concerns sold out 
to Horace S. Knapp, and in their place ap- 
peared the Ohio Union. In 1850, a Whig paper 
was established called the Ashlander, by W. B. 
McCarty, now an attorney at Bowling Green. 
Ohio. It was continued two years. July 14, 
1853, the Ashland riwies was started by L. Jeff 
Sprengle (who is authority for this account of 
the papers) and Judge William Osborn. It was 
Whig in politics, and continued four years, when 
Judge Osborn, who had been editor-in-chief, 
sold his interest to Mr. Sprengle, and was suc- 
ceeded as editor by Josiah Loche. of the In- 
dianapolis Journal, who continued as editor 
two years, when he returned to Indianapolis 
and resumed his place upon the Jonrnnl. Mr. 
Sprengle continued the pubhcation of the Times 
in the interest of the Republican party until 
June 1, 1876, when he disposed of his interest 
to his son-in-law, J. E. Stubbs, who afterward 
sold a half-interest to his brother, John C. 
Stubbs. These gentlemen have conducted it 
until the present time, it being under the 
editorial and business management of G. W. 
Stubbs and B. G. Grosscup. 

At the Times office, is also published a re- 
ligious paper called the Gospel Preacher, in the 



-1^ 



672 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY 



interest of the Brethren, or Tunkards, which 
has a circulation of 4,000. Its editors and man- 
agers are Prof S. Z. Sharp, S. H. Bashor and 
John Worst. 

In the same office and for the same society, 
is also published a Sabbath-school paper, called 
the Young Disciple, which is edited by Prof S. 
Z. Sharp, President of the Ashland College, and 
James Quintor. Its circulation is nearly 10,- 
000. 

The jobbing department of the Times office 
is complete in every respect, and the establish- 
ment generally is one of the largest and most 
complete in this part of the State. 

The Ohio Union, above mentioned, continued 
in charge of Mr. Knapp until 1853, when he 
sold to John Sheridan, bv whom it was con- 



tinued until November, 1855, its name having, 
in the mean time, being changed to the Ash- 
land Ihiion. At that date, it was purchased by 
Collins W. Bushnell. In January, 1857, H. S. 
Knapp repurchased, and continued the publi- 
cation of the paper until May 30, 1860, when he 
disposed of it to J. J. Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs sold, 
in 1865, to McCord, Nelson & Landis, and in 
the same year it was transferred to J. M. Landis 
& Bro. In 1868, the establishment was pur- 
chased by George W. Hill, who conducted it 
until August, 1872, when he sold to Nelson & 
Gates, who changed the name to the Ashland 
Press. January 1, 1879, W. H. Gates retired 
from the firm, and Nelson continued until July 
17, when the establishment was purchased by 
Alberson & Heltman, the present proprietors. 



Formation — Indian Trail- 



CHAPTER LXXII. 

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.* 

Indians and Indian Relics — Ancient Relics — First Settlers- 
Mills — Orange Villaoe — Churches. 



First Road — 



PRIOR to 1816, Montgomery Township, in 
what is now Ashland County, was twelve 
miles long from north to south, and six miles 
wide. June 3, 1816, this territory was divided 
and the north half called Orange. It was at 
that time the northeast township of " Old Rich- 
land," but became a part of Ashland County 
in 1846. It was surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow 
in 1806, when it was yet a wilderness and no 
white man's cabin within its boundaries. An 
Indian trail passed through the southwestern 
part of the township, passing up Jerome Fork, 
crossing into Clear Creek Township, to Ver- 
million Lake. This trail was much used by 
the Wyandots and Ottawas in their passage to 
and from the eastern part of the State. About 
the year 1816, this trail was surveyed by Rev. 
James Haney, of Savannah, a practical sur- 

*Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland. 



veyor, to Rowsburg, and from there to Wooster. 
It was opened as a road and used as a common 
highway Ijy the early settlers of Orange and 
Clear Creek Townships. 

The evidences of Indian occupation in many 
parts of Orange Township were numerous. The 
aborigines, it seems, were accustomed to assem- 
ble annually in the spring, in large numbers, 
upon the lands subsequently owned by Isaac 
Mason, Jacob Young, Jacob Heifner and Peter 
Biddinger, to make sugar and hunt, which cus- 
tom they kept up until as late as 1815 or 1816. 
Mr. Biddinger, being a gunsmith, was often 
visited by them for repairs to injured or broken 
flint-locks. 

The soil and timber of Orange do not differ 
materially from others around it, already de- 
scribed. The land is generall}- level, or with 
gentle ascents and descents ; the township is 



^^ 



:\ 



, 4^ 



HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. 



673 



generally well watered by Jerome Fork of the 
Mohican and its tributaries, this stream having 
its rise here. 

A few interesting relics of a former age have 
been found in the township. A few human 
skeletons were once unearthed on the bank of 
the creek, while a party of workmen were im- 
proving the before-mentioned trail, one of which 
appeared to be more than seven feet in height. 
It may be imagined that this was an Indian 
chief, who once headed his file of dusky war- 
riors along the dark paths and ravines and 
beautiful streams of the country. If he wielded 
authority in proportion to his physical dimen- 
sions, he must have more than rivaled Pipe, 
Logan or Tecumseh. Col. John Murray, who 
discovered the remains, had no difficulty in 
passing the lower jaw over his face. The cra- 
nium and other bones showed that the skeleton 
belonged to a man of unusual size and power. 

About one-fourth of a mile southwest of the 
village of Orange is to be found an ancient 
mound. It was examined by Dr. Deming and 
others, who found well-preserved human bones, 
remnants of pottery, etc. 

The first settlers were as follows : John 
Bishop, February, 1814, Section 21 ; Vachel 
Metcalf, 1814: ; James Campbell; James Clark, 
1818, Section 2 ; Robert Culbertson, 1825 ; 
Phillip Biddinger, 1823 ; Christian Fast, Sr., 
1815, Section 18 ; Jacob Fast, 1817, Section 
21 ; Nicholas Fast, 1815 ; Phillip Fluke, 1816 ; 
Jacob Hiffner, Jr., 1817, Section 14; James 
Medowell, November, 1823, Section 26 ; Ed- 
ward Murray, 1820 ; Patrick Murray, 1815 ; 
John Stull, 1820 ; William Patterson, 1818, 
Section 7 ; Christopher Rickett, 1822 ; Daniel 
Summers, 1818, Section 10 ; Solomon Urie, 
1814, Section 34; Jacob Young, 1814 ; Amos 
Norris, 1814. 

It will be observed from this list that five 
families (these settlers nearly all brought their 
families) settled in the township in 1814 ; they 
were, as was usually the case, mostly from 



Western Penns3'lvania, and many of them 
came as early as 1813 to select their lands. 

The reminiscences of these earl}' settlers are 
intensely interesting to the present generation, 
but, however interesting, they cannot all be 
preserved in print. A few of the best are re- 
tained, which convey a truthful picture of pio- 
neer life. 

Among the earliest settlers in this township 
was Christian Fast, Sr., whose captivity among 
the Indians in this part of the State, is given 
in the chapter entitled "First White Men in 
the County." It is only necessary to refer to 
it here, as it is fully given there. It is a narra- 
tive of thrilling interest, and shows in a strik- 
ing manner the privations of frontier days in 
the West. Mr. Fast returned in 1815 and set 
tied in this township, where he lived many years. 

Vachel Metcalf and Amos Norris were the 
first to move into the township with their 
families. They came earl}' in the spring of 
1814 ; Jacob Young and Jacob Crouse, how- 
ever, came the same spring, and the former 
built his cabin on the Ashland and Orange 
road, a few rods from where the bridge crosses 
the Jerome Fork of the Mohican. 

Another of these pioneers, Solomon Urie, re- 
lates man}^ interesting adventures. His brother, 
Thomas, was killed in Eastern Ohio, b}^ the 
Indians, while he and Solomon were out hunt- 
ing. The latter barely escaped, on this oc- 
casion, by leaping from a high bluff. The 
Indians dared not follow. Solomon and his son, 
Samuel, served with credit in the war of 1812. 
He was with Williamson in his campaign 
against the Moravian villages in 1782, and wit- 
nessed the massacre and burning of the villages. 
Williamson was his brother-in-law, and on this 
account he was induced to accompany the ex- 
pedition. He always disapproved the barbar- 
ous act, and often stated to his sons, that 
Williamson yielded a reluctant consent to the 
perpetration of that dreadful tragedy, being un- 
able to control the violence of his soldiers, who 






-^ 



674 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



were border volunteers and had suffered much 
from Indian raids and depredations. In the 
winter of 1815, he erected a blacksmith-shop on 
his land, being the first one in Orange Town- 
ship, he being a blacksmith and gunsmith by 
trade. The first winter after his arrival, he 
killed forty deer, eight large black bears, a great 
number of coons and other game. 

An Ashland paper of April 9, 1862, has this 
item : '• Jacob Young, an old citizen of this 
township, died on the 3d instant, at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-nine years and three 
months. He was born in Hardy County, Va. 
January 1, 1773 ; emigrated to Ohio in 
1804, and to this county in 1814. He lived 
with his companion, who still survives him, 
sixty-eight 3'ears. He was the father of twelve 
children ; and when he died, had one hundred 
and seventeen grandchildren ; one hundred 
and seventy-six great-grandchildren, and five 
great-great-grandchildren. ' ' 

No road had been surveyed in the township 
at the date of its first settlement. John Bishop 
carried the chain for the surveyors when they 
established the first road which led from 
Sheet's saw-mill, on the east line of Montgomery 
Township, via Jacob Young's and Leidigh's mill 
to Savannah, though no mills or towns were 
then in existence. Mr. Bishop was made Con- 
stable at the first election held in the town- 
ship. 

On the site of this Leidigh mill, two miles 
west of the present village of Orange, was erect- 
the first mill in the township, in 1815, by Mar- 
tin Mason. The stones were " hard-heads," and 
would grind sixty bushels per day. The mill 
commenced operations in March, 1816. That 
the settlers in Orange and adjacent townships 
appreciated the advantages of the mill, ma}^ be 
understood when it is stated that prior to its 
erection, the nearest mill was that of Stibbs, 
one mile east of Wooster. In 1814-15, no corn 
could be obtained nearer than Wooster and 
along Apple and Short Creeks — price, $1.25 per 



bushel. Wheat could not be obtained nearer 
than Massillon, at $2 per bushel. 

Previous to the erection of this mill, corn was 
prepared for use on hominy blocks, and nearly 
ever}^ cabin had one. Mr. Mason constructed 
a hand-mill before this first water-mill was 
built. He had a couple of hard-heads made 
into mill-stones. This hand-mill (a good one of 
its kind) would, by the aid of six persons, pro- 
duce half a bushel of meal in two hours. 

What was called "sick wheat" was often 
produced in the early attempts at cultivation. 
The berry would be as plump and attractive in 
appearance as the best quality ever grown, and 
the flour as white as the best specimens now 
produced. When made into bread, it would be 
palatable, except that it would have a sweet 
taste ; but when eaten by man or beast, it pro- 
duced a distressing sickness, and only remained 
upon the stomach a few moments. This was, how- 
ever, the only disease that attacked the wheat, 
neither weevil, rust nor smut being then known. 

Milling was sometimes done at Beam's, on 
Black Fork, and down on the White Woman ; 
the trip to the latter being made in canoes, and 
occup}' ing about two weeks. For a long time 
Beam's mill ground onlv corn. 

Orange, the onh^ town in the township, was 
laid out April 22, 1828, by Amos Norris and 
J. C. Chilcoat. It is located in the midst of a 
fine farming region, but long ago arrived at 
maturity — a village of one or two hundred 
people. The post office is Nankin. 

The religious sentiment is well developed, a 
number of churches having been organized in 
the town and township. One of the earliest is the 
German Reformed, organized about 1832. The 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Orange is prob- 
abl}' the oldest, having been organized some 
years before 1830, at which date the church 
building was erected. The Evangelical Lu- 
theran was organized in 1861 ; the North 
Orange Methodist Episcopal about 1848 ; tlie 
Canaan Church was erected in. 1850 ; the Ger- 



e) V 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



675 



man Reformed and Methodist Episcopal about 
1840 ; the Old School Presbyterian of Orange 
in 1834, by Russell Bigelow, the famous mis- 



sionary ; the United Brethren Church building 
was erected in 1850, and the St. Jacob's Ger- 
man Reformed in 1853. 



CHAPTER LXXIIL 

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.* 

Formation — Survey — Indian Trails — Timber — Early Settlers — Indians — Gen. Beall and the Battle of 
CowPENS — First Roads — Mills and Distilleries — First Justices of the Peace — Education — 
Churches — Infirmary — Hayesville — Whisky as a Motor. 



AUGUST 9, 1814, Vermillion Township was 
formed. It occupied in the northeast 
corner of " Old Richland," a territory which has 
since been divided into six townships, being then 
eighteen miles from north to south, and twelve 
east and west. Within the same year, how- 
ever, this territory was again divided by a line 
through the center north and south, the east 
half retaining the name of Vermillion. In 1815, 
Vermillion was reduced to its present dimen- 
sions, six miles square, in the southern part of 
the territory. It was then on the east line of 
Richland, but became a part of Ashland 
County in 1846. It was surveyed by Jonathan 
Cox in 1807. James Hedges ran the southern 
line, and found great difficulty in getting it cor- 
rect. He went over it three times, and on the 
third survey says : " I find the chaining correct. 
I am much peiplexed to know the cause of my 
westing, or inclining south. The variation must 
operate very partial, or my compass must have 
been unluckly altered." He then re-surveyed 
the west boundar^^, and, coming to the south- 
west corner, observes : " Here I experience 
troubles of a new kind ; having already spent 
two days and a half waiting on an Indian chief, 
who appeared hostile to our business ; also 
laboring under the difficulty of a hand being- 
absent thirteen days, on a tour for provisions ; 
in the mean time having lived eight days upon 
boiled and parched corn, I now find ni}- camp 

*Now in Ashland Count}', formerly in Richland. 



robbed of some necessar}' articles, and two hands 
that I left to keep the same, revolted and run 
away. My range and town lines not being 
finished, and expecting shortly other surveyors 
after me to subdivide ; all these difficulties con- 
spire to make me unhappy. No alternative re- 
mains but to proceed to Owl Creek and get 
hands and provisions, this being the 20th of 
October, 1806." This suspended operations 
until April, 1807, -when Jonathan Cox proceeded 
to subdivide the township into sections. . In 
running along the east boundary-, Mr. Cox came 
upon Indian trails, much traveled, running 
northeast. All these trails in this part of the 
countr}- bore northeast toward Sandusky, and 
southeast in the direction of Fort Pitt, Wheel- 
ing or Mingo Bottom, near the present site of 
SteubenviUe. The trails mentioned here doubt- 
less passed over to Greentown, along what is 
known as the old Portage road, and lead from 
Mohican John's town. About one mile south 
of the northeast corner, he found a trail much 
traveled. Along the west boundary, in the 
southwest corner, were also trails much traA'eled. 
The land is described as fertile, the ascents and 
descents sloping and gentle ; the timber — oak, 
hickory, ash, sugar maple, with some black 
walnut and chestnut. 

The following names comprise a partial list 
of the earliest settlers in this township. Sterl- 
ing G. Bushnell. 1821 ; Thomas D. Roe, 1815 ; 
Rev. John Cox, 1823 ; Joseph Duncan, 1824, 



'k^ 



()7() 



IIISTOIIV OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Section 80; John Farver, 1817, Section 2; 
Kohcrt V\u\v\, 1 S 1 1 , Section 12; Williiun Jlur- 
[)er, liSlf), Si'ction 10 ; Ricluml .lacknuin, 182;j, 
Section 28 ; William Knrniihiui, 1815, Section 
28; William Lemon, 181S; (icorge Mnrsli:ill, 
1822; Andrew Newman, lS2r); Jonathan i'al- 
mcr, 1811, Section 12; (iill.ci't INinly, 1817; 
William ilecd, 1811; William IJyland, 1815; 
Jolin Scott, 181!l ; Michael Siller, 1820 ; ,Josei)h 
W'orkmnn, 1815, Section 2(! ; Stei)hen Smith, 
Sec-tion 88; (ieor<;e K(diley, 1811 ; Uriah and 
-lolm Johnston, and («eorge Kin<i'. The Avave 
ol" cmi'^'nition h:id barely reached this point in 
the wilderness, when the war with (Jreat Brit- 
ain be<>an, and checked it. JUit two (n' three 
scttU'rs caine in 1811, jind these were compelled 
the following' year to seek safety in block- 
honses. Sterling (1. liiishnell was the father of 
H hiroe family, among whom was Dr. William 
IJnslmell, of Mansfield, whose history appears 
in this work. 

It appears that (Jeorge Kckley was the first 
to make a i)crmanent settlement, in the spring 
of 1811 ; he was followed about two weeks 
later by Robert Finley, the second settler. Tlie 
Kckl(>v family were prominent in the later as 
well as t'arlier history of the townshij). E. R. 
Kckley, son of Fphraim Kckley, was a Colonel 
in the army during the latc^ war, and since, a 
member of Congress. Jonathan Palmer came 
in 1810, and entered his land, as did probably 
others; but he did not bring his family until 
1811, :uid tlu>n only a portion of it. When the 
war began, he returned to .letferson County, 
his tbrmer residence, and remained until 181-4. 
Upon his return, he found llobert Finlc}', Lem- 
uel Boulter, Samuel 11 utchings, William Black, 
(fcorge Eckley and Daniel Harlan the only res- 
idents of the township beside himself Tiiere 
was not a physician in the township or count}' to 
his knowledge— not even in Mansfield or Wooster. 
A physician would have been as much of a cu- 
riosity in those ilays, as would an Indian among 
the peoi)le now. " G randmother " Palmer otlici- 



ated in that capacity to the entii*e satisfaction of 
all the neighborhood. She gave her services and 
herb tea gladly, and received thanks for her 
pay. Their coarse, wholesome food and active 
lives secured health, and physicians were not 
needed, (lilbert Purdy tells of buying wheat 
at 10 cents per bushel, which he paid in black- 
smithing, hauling it to Portland (Sandusky 
(Uty), and sellnig it for GO cents. William Keed 
served in the war of 1812, and Lemuel Boulter 
and (Jeorge King were Bevolutionary soldiers. 
Indians, though plenty, do not seem to have 
disturl )cd Ww j)eople of this townshi}) ; in 
fact, no Indian tragedies of consecjuence 
occurred anywhere in the county after the 
war. The red men felt that the whites were 
too numerous and powerful for them, and 
remained (juict until they were removed from 
the country. 

(Jen. lieali and his army passed across the 
northeast corner of the township on their march 
to the theater of war, and probably cut the first 
road. They camped about two weeks within 
the limits of the township, and while in this 
camp an incident "occurred, which has been 
lacetiously termed the " battle of Cowpens." 
One dark, rainy night, when the arm}' was 
wrapt in slumber, and not dreaming of war, 
but, no doubt, sleeping with a sense of sur- 
rounding danger from Indians, the crack of a 
rifle was heard in the direction of a distant 
l)icket-post. The army was aroused ; the sen- 
tinels came rushing in with the report that the 
enemy was upon them ; the host was mar- 
shaled ; the ground trembled with the dull 
tread of tramping squadrons ; the line was 
formed, and a heavy fire opened, whether with 
or without orders ; the lurid glare of battle dis- 
pelled the inky blackness of the night ; the 
crash of tlie musketry, the shouting of the offi- 
cers and men, the charging of the cavahy upon 
the stumps and logs in the direction of the suj)- 
posed enemy, all combined to give Vermillion 
a taste of genuine battle. 



rv 



u 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



677 



It was discovered in the morning that the 
drove of cattle belonging to the army had In-oken 
loose from their corral, and were roaming at 
will. It is said several of them were killed. 
The General was satisfied, however, as the 
troops had shown their willingness to fight. 

Gen. Beall left a broad trail through the wil- 
deniess, and cleared off some ground in the 
neighborhood of his camp. The first road, 
however, for the use of the public was that from 
Wooster to Mansfield, which passed through 
near the center of the township, and was made 
in 1815. Settlements grew rapidly along this 
road, and the first hotel and post office was es- 
tablished on this road at Hayes Cross Roads, 
now Hayesville. 

Vermillion is well watered by the tributaries 
of Black Fork and Jerome Fork, lying as it 
does between these streams. ^lills and distil- 
leries were erected along these tributaries ; the 
latter, especially, growing very numerous. Hav- 
ing no market for their corn, they were 
compelled to make whisky out of it, and this 
found a ready sale. It was hauled to the lake, 
and found its way to the Indians and soldiers, 
by whom the larger share of it was consumed, 
though the settlers themselves used a large 
(juantity of whisky. It was not poisoned in 
those days, and was considered a healthy drink. 
The first mill was erected by ('onstance Lake, 
in the tall of 1817, on Goady's Run, in the 
southeastern part of the township. Prior to 
this, the settlers had recourse to their hand- 
mills or hominy-blocks, and to Shriraplins, on 
Owl Creek, and Stibb's, near Wooster. The 
trip to these mills was generally made with 
four horses and a wagon, by one of the settlers, 
who carried the grists of all his neighbors ; 
and it occupied about a week of time. The 
farm upon which Constance Lake erected his 
mill, had previously been occupied by JJaptiste 
Jerome, a Frenchman, and the first white set- 
tler in this part of the country. He lived for 
a long time on the site of Jeromeville (which 



received its name from this fact), among the 
Indians. The mill soon afterward passed into 
the hands of Lake & Larwill, and then Lake 
& Bentley. 

James Wallace and Robert Newell were 
elected .Justices of the Peace, in the township, 
in 1814 ; Ephraim Eckley and James Walters 
also occupied this oflBce before 1815. Joseph 
Workman succeeded Wallace, in 1817. 

pjducation has received the attention of the 
the people of Vermillion ever since it was a 
wilderness. The children of the pioneers 
were taught the rudimentary part of their ed- 
ucation at home, and many select schools were 
taught in private houses before any school- 
house was erected. One of the first Iniildings 
used for a schoolhouse was the old Baptist 
Church, in 1821, in the Buslmell District, and 
probably the first public school was taught in 
that house, by Miss Sedelia Bushnell. William 
Irwin was also a teacher in 1823. Since then, 
comf<n-tabl(f schoolhouses have been erected in 
place of the old log ones, and. about 1840, a 
disposition was shown to have a place for 
higher education. A high school was accord- 
ingly estal)lished in Hayesville in 1843, and 
in 1845, the Vermillion Institute was chartered 
and authorized to confer degrees. It originated 
through the eflfbrts of Rev. Lewis Granger, J. 
L. McLain and the citizens of the town. It is 
handsomely situated, and has had a career of 
varied success. Like all other institutions of 
learning, even though not attended with the 
highest success, it gives to the people ai-ound 
it a higher civilization and better society than 
is enjoyed outside the circle of its influence. 

The first church was erectetl in the northeast 
part of the township, in 1817, and was known 
as " Eckley's Church." It was free to all Prot- 
estant ministers, but was chiefly used by the 
Methodists. -Old Hopewell," erected by the 
Presbyterians, one mile west of Ashland, and 
Eckley's, formed the nucleus from which Pres- 
byterianism and Methodism radiated in Ashland 



~ 



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^ 



678 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



County. Mr. Constance Lake, who built the 
first mill, Avas buried in the first graveyard, 
which was laid out near Eckley's Church. 

"Hammond's Meeting-house," in the southern 
part of the township, was erected by the 
Methodists in 1852. 

The German Evangelical, in the " Risser set- 
tlement," was organized in 1860. The house 
was built in 1847 by the Mennonites, a de- 
nomination that embraced about fifteen fami- 
lies. Rev. John Risser was the first Pastor, 
and the oflScers Christian Herschler and John 
Latschar. After a time, a half-interest in the 
house was sold to the German Lutheran society. 

The Church of God, better known as the 
Winebrenarian, was organized in 1835, with 
about twenty members. Rev. Thomas Hickor- 
nell and Rev. Jacob Keller were the first Pas- 
tors. Michael Stevens and Archibald McGrew 
were the first Elders. It was erected near the 
eastern line of the township. 

In Hayesville, the Old School Presbyterian 
Church was organized in the fall of 1846, and 
had as the first minister Rev. Benjamin T. 
Lowe. An Associate Church was organized in 
Ha^-esville at an early day. It was called the 
"Associate Congregation of Haj'esville," and 
in 1858, upon the union of the Associate and 
Associate Reformed, became the United Pres- 
byterian. 

The first Methodist Church in Hayesville 
was organized in 1828, at the house of Richard 
Jackman. About two years after Hayesville 
was laid out, the society erected a house for 
worship, 28x35 feet, the membership at this 
time amounting to thirty. In 1855, another 
building was erected, at a cost of $1,400. It 
is 38x50 feet in size. Mr. Palmer, one of 
the earliest settlers, says the first clergymen in 
the township were Presbyterian missionaries, 
who in traveling to and from the missions 
among the Senecas and Wyandots made it a 
practice for many years to preach at the house 
of Mr. Palmer and others. Eckley's Church 



was quite a large one, made of unhewn logs, 
in which the Methodist quarterly meetings 
were generally held, and to which the settlers 
came from a great distance, bringing their pro- 
visions, and camping out about the church — 
sometimes using its capacious fire-place for 
cooking purposes. 

In 1849, Sylvester Alger and George W. 
Urie, architects, constructed the Ashland County 
Infirmary in this township. It cost about 
$4,000. 

Hayesville was laid out October 26, 1830, by 
John Cox and Linus Hayes, on the land first 
entered by Lemuel Boulter. The year before 
this, an effort had been made to start a town 
two miles west of where Hayesville was after- 
ward located. They gave it the name of Will- 
iamsburg, but it never became a town. The 
inhabitants in that part of the county felt, how- 
ever, that a town must be started somewhere 
near them, along that main road from Wooster 
to Mansfield. There was also, by this time, an 
important road passing north and south, upon 
which teams and men were frequentl}^ passing, 
engaged in the business of transporting their 
grain and produce from the older and richer 
counties of Knox and Licking to the markets 
at the lakeside. A stopping-place was needed 
for the travelers on both these roads, and the 
cabin of Linus Hayes, standing at the intersec- 
tion of these roads, was converted into a tav- 
ern. After awhile, it occurred to Mr. Hayes 
that a town could be built up here, and thus 
Hayesville was laid out. Probably two-thirds 
of the earl}^ towns in the count}' came into ex- 
istence under about the same circumstances. 
A blacksmith-shop and one or two cabins were 
built at the cross roads before the town was 
laid out. John Cox built a cabin on the north- 
west corner of the principal streets and started 
the first store. This gentleman undertook to 
sell the first lots in the town at auction, and on 
the day named for the sale quite a number of 
pioneers attended. The business opened in the 



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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



67S) 



morning, and the auctioneer, John Shriver, ex- 
pended a wonderful amount of breath, but 
could get no bids whatever. At noon, Mr. Cox 
despaired of being the founder of a town, and 
offered his farm for $300, apparently disgusted 
with the non-success of the undertaking. No 
one, however, would buy his farai, even at that 
mone3^ In this extremity, some one hinted to 
Mr. Cox a matter that gentleman had over- 
looked, and which had been the cause of all 
his trouble. It was the absence of whisky. A 
jug of the beverage was immediately obtained, 
a few berries put in, and it was called cherry 
bounce. After partaking freely of this, the 
selling of lots again commenced, with better 
success. The services of John Shriver were 
dispensed with, and T. J. Bull, of Loudonville, 
mounted a chestnut stump, which stood about 
the place now occupied by the town fountain. 
The first lot was bid off by David Richmond, a 
shoemaker, for 175. At the close of the da}-. 



a mere fraction of the laud which at noon had 
been offered for $300, had been sold for more 
than twice that amount. Mr. Cox should have 
understood pioneer nature better than to have 
attempted anything in those days without the 
aid of whisky. As evidence of this. Dr. Will- 
iam Bushnell says they attempted once to raise 
a log barn without whisky, but it could not be 
done ; and the Doctor, then a bo}*, was sent to 
the distiller}' near Uniontown (Ashland) for a 
jug of the precious beverage. On this trip, the 
Doctor became lost in the woods, and was com- 
pelled to lay out over night, with the wolves 
for companions. 

The post office at Hayes Cross Roads was 
established in January, 1827. Mr. Cox was 
Postmaster, and held the office until 1841. 
John Wilson was the first mail-camer. 

Hayesville is now a pleasant village of three 
or four hundred people. There are several 
good stores, and the society is excellent. 



CHAPTER LXXIV. 

CONGRESS TOAVNSHIP.* 

Boundaries and Physical Features — Early Settlements — Village of Williamsport — Schoolhouses — 
Post Office — United Brethren Church — Pioneers — First Mill — Mt. Tabor Chapel — German 
Reformed Church — Christian Church — Schools, Etc. 



THIS territory was formerlj' embraced in 
the limits of Perry Township. June 6> 
1825, Perry was divided, setting off a tract six 
miles square fi'om the west end, and was or- 
ganized and named Congi'ess. This township 
has maintained its original form, excepting in 
the southwest corner, where a few sections have 
been set off into Gilead Township for political 
purposes. Congress Township, in its general 
appeai-ance and character, resembles Bloomfield, 
being rather level, yet gently undulating in 
some portions. The land is generally' tillable 
and the soil fertile. Tliere are several streams 

*Now in Morrow County, formerly in Richland. 



coursing through this region, affording stock 
water and drainage. The early settlements 
gravitated about two points. Williamsport and 
West Point. The village of Williamsport is 
located on the northeast quarter of Section 11. 
The town site was laid out by William Daken, 
September 12, 1836. It was surveyed b}- John 
Stewart. The village stands upon an elevation, 
and is easily accessible from either side. 

The first building erected upon the town site 
was a small frame, about twenty feet long by 
eighteen feet wide, and occupied by B. P. 
Truax as a store. On the opposite corner, di- 
agonallv across the street, was §oon erected a 



680 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



log cabin, and occupied by Enoch Hart. This 
lot is now occupied by the residence of Mr. 
McGowan. The next building probalily was 
the hotel which occupies the southeast corner. 
This was erected by John Cook in 1848, and 
was used by him as a tavern for a term of 
years, after which it several times changed 
owners. 

The first schoolhouse was built of logs in 
1835, and was afterward succeeded by a frame. 
The present house is a frame, two stories high, 
but the school consists of only one department. 
The post office was first established a mile east 
of the village about 1847, and named Andrews 
in honor of the first Postmaster. It still re- 
tains the same name. John Cook was the 
second Postmaster, and has held the position 
the most of the time since. The route in those 
early daj^s extended from Mansfield to Dela- 
ware, over which the stage coach ran regularl}', 
carrying the mail and passengers. 

The United Brethren Church is the only re- 
ligious institution of this community. The 
edifice stands in the northwest extremity of the 
town. It is commodious, well finished and 
furnished, and crowned with a good bell. The 
society was organized a])out 1850, and held 
services for a time in the schoolhouse ; the}' 
were soon driven to a private house by perse- 
cution, where they continued to assemble until 
the meeting-house was built. Among the min- 
isters were Revs. Hiskey, Tabler, Slaughter and 
Father George. The original members were 
Messrs. Kleinfelter, Miller, Silver, Davis, Lane, 
Clymer and various others. There are at pres- 
ent about sixty-five members. The village 
affords two physicians, J. A. Thoman and J. 
L. Graves. Nearly all the early settlers of 
this region have passed from the arena of con- 
flict to the place of rest, and their posterity re- 
main to fill the vacant places. Among these is 
John Cook, who is previously mentioned as a 
prominent citizen. He was born in the town- 
ship on his father's farm. He came to Will- 



iamsport in 1847, having married Miss Mitchell 
the previous year, and has been identified with 
the interests of the village ever since. His 
father, John Cook, Sr., was born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1790, and removed to Richland Coun- 
ty in 1811, locating on the farm three miles 
south of Williamsport, now known as the Cook 
farm. He raised a large famil3^ Several sons 
still live in Congress. He died in 1844. Will- 
iam Andrews was one of the early pioneers. 
He came to Congi-ess in 1835. He was the 
first Postmaster, and kept store several years 
in the village, and finally removed to the West 
about 1850. Peggy Mitchell, an aged and 
much respected pioneer, lives near the village ; 
she has been in the vicinity since 1830. Her 
husband, Dan Mitchell, who died in 1879, was 
a very prominent man. He held the office of 
Justice of the Peace for a number of years. 
This couple were blessed with ten children, and 
Mrs. Mitchell, who is now about ninety years 
old, retains her vigor of body and mind in a 
remarkable degree. William Lavering settled 
on Owl Creek in the earl}- da3's. He built a 
horse grist-mill, which was the only thing prac- 
ticable then, and the settlers for miles around 
brought their little grists of wheat and corn on 
horseback, hitched in their horse, ground their 
own grain, then mounted and returned home. 
Mr. Lavering built the first saw and grist mill 
in the township about 1815, on Owl Creek. 
Enoch Hart was among the first pioneers. He 
entered the piece of land embracing the town 
site, and afterward sold it to Mr. Daken. He 
died in 1877. About two and a half miles 
northwest is Mount Tabor chapel, the property 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. An at- 
tractive edifice occupies a considerable eleva- 
tion, surrounded by a beautiful cemetery-. This 
society was organized many years ago, and for 
a time flourished, but suffered a serious decline 
so that for ten or twelve years the place was 
not supplied with preaching. In 1875, there 
was a revival which' resulted in the building of 



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r^ 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



681 



the present commodious house of worship, the 
original house having been demolished. There 
are at present about forty members. Some of 
the ministers were C. C. Ball, G. Walker, W. 
W. Smith, Seymour and E. Buxton. A few 
miles northeast from Mount Tabor is a German 
Reformed Church. Services are held in both 
languages, English and German. The church 
is attended by a number of settlers of German 
tongue who are from Pennsylvania and other 
German communities. A few miles north of 
the German Reformed Church, and aljout three 
miles east of West Point, is another chapel, be- 
longing to the Christian Church. This societ}' 



has been organized some thirty years. There 
is a membership of about eight}'. The build- 
ing, a nice frame, comfortabl}' furnished, was 
erected about 1855. The ministers have been 
Rev. William Gass, Rev. Burns, Revs. Reed, 
McVey, Van Voorhies, William Bowling and a 
few others. Congress Township is well sup- 
plied with good schoolhouses, mostly built of 
brick. The numerous schools and 6hurches 
and other civilizing influences certainly point 
toward true prosperity. The material resources 
of this township and its industrious, intelligent 
citizens promise a bright future. 



CHAPTER LXXV. 

NORTH BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.* 

Boundaries — Subface — Settlers — Village of Blooming Grove — Churches — Stores, Shops, Etc. — Village 
' OF Westpoint — Early Settlers — Churches — School. 



THIS township joins Troy on the west. It 
was embraced in the limits of the latter, 
which was then twelve miles long from east to 
west, and six miles wide. March 4, 1823, a 
tract six miles square was set off from the west 
and named North Bloomfield. The surface of 
this township is quite smooth, and the soil is 
free from stones. The early settlements clus- 
tered about two points, located in the extreme 
northeast and southwest portions of the town- 
ship, West Point and Blooming Grove. The 
oldest pioneer now living in the vicinity of the 
latter place is probably Hiram Stevens, who 
was born in Vermont in 1800. He came to this 
township in 182.3, when there were only eleven 
voters within its limits. He settled on a piece 
of land just south of the village, where he re- 
mained until recentl}', when he moved to the 
town. Four sons and two daughters are the 
surviving members of his family. James Apple- 
man, another old and honored pioneer, lives 

* Now in Morrow County, formerly in Richland. 



just east of the village. He came to Bloom- 
field in early days, entered a quarter-section of 
land, embracing a portion of Sections 10 and 
11, and cleared it mostly by his own labor. 
William Harris came to this region in 1820, and 
settled on the land now owned by Mr. Apple- 
man. He removed to Indiana about 1841. 
Stephen Borham, who settled about four miles 
south of the village, came to this vicinity be- 
fore 1820. His daughter, Mrs. Eckler, was per- 
haps the first white child born in this township. 
At a later period, about 1833, quite a tide of 
immigration visited this portion of the county, 
bringing Samuel Bishop and family, all of whom 
are now dead except ]Mrs. INIoore ; also John 
McCool, who settled about two miles south of 
the village. Thomas Chambers and several 
other prominent men belong to this period. A 
few 3'ears later, about 1840, Samuel Cummins, 
John Berger, George Keeler and a few others 
settled southwest of Blooming Grove. Promi- 
nent among the settlers who are identified with 



\ 



^ 



683 



HISTORY OF KICHLAN^D COUNTY. 



the history of the village are J. C. Johnston 
and Solomon Harding. The former was born 
in Beaver County, Penn., in 1818, and came to 
Ohio in 1821, locating near Perrysville with his 
father. He came to Blooming Grove in 1836. 
He married Miss Logan in 1838, and built the 
first dwelling in the village, and has been en- 
gaged in business there ever since. He joined 
the Baptist Church in 1842, and has been an 
active member through a period of nearly forty 
years. Solomon Harding, the proprietor of the 
town site, came to Bloomfleld about 1834. He 
laid out the town, and sold some of the lots, 
and removed to Gallon in 1864, where he died 
in 1872. His family consisted of seven sons 
and two daughters. One son resided here till 
1859. 

The town site of the village of Blooming 
Grove was laid out in 1835. It was surveyed 
by John Steward and acknowledged before 
David Kilgore, who was then Justice of the 
Peace. This occurred March 5. The location 
is a very pleasant one. The town stands upon 
a little eminence, the ground descending to 
the east and west. As already stated, the first 
building was a small, humble dwelling, erected 
by Mr. Johnston. He also built a blacksmith- 
shop about the same time. The house stood on 
Lot No. 8. The post office was established in 
1845, with U. G. Baker as Postmaster. The 
route has often been changed, and at present 
they have a tri-weekly mail from Gallon to 
Fredericktown and return. The village em- 
braces about one hundred souls. The village 
school is a common district school of a single 
department. There are three churches in the 
village— Baptist, Methodist and Adventist. 
The Baptist Church was organized October 23, 
1843, by Rev. Frederick Freeman. There were 
fifty-three members at the time of organization, 
while at present only thirty are enrolled. The 
meeting-house was erected in 1840. It is a 
frame house, forty-four feet long and thirty feet 
wide, costing about $400. This building was 



replaced, in 1870, with a substantial brick, 
forty-five feet long and thirty-four feet wide! 
Its cost was near $2,500. The ministers have 
been Dr. Newton, Rev5. Freeman, Neflj; Pearson, 
Mothland, Morrison and Hall. A good Sunday 
school of thirty or forty members is sustained. 
The annual contributions are about $300. 
The Advent Church is a neat, frame build- 
[ ing in the southern portion of the town. A 
series of meetings were held during the winter 
of 1878-79, which resulted in a permanent or- 
ganization, consisting of twenty-seven members. 
An efl^brt was soon made to build a church, and 
resulted in the erection of a commodious 
chapel, forty-six feet long and twenty-eight feet 
wide. It is nicely painted, furnished and in- 
closed by a good board fence. The building 
cost about $1,600. The society was organized 
March 16, 1879, by Rev. A. 0. Berrill. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- 
ized in early days, and has varied in numer- 
ical and moral strength. The church edifice 
stands just opposite the Advent, and is a brick 
structure. The village aflfords two stores, three 
blacksmith-shops, one physician— Dr. McFar- 
land^and a few artisans. A beautiful ceme- 
tery lies just west of the village. It was laid 
out in 1840. The first grave was made in 
1823. In 183(j, only three graves had been 
made, but at present, about four hundred and 
thirty bodies rest in the quiet retreat. 

The village of West Point is located on the 
adjacent corners of Sections 31 and 32, in 
Bloomfield Township, and Sections 5 and 6, 
in Congress Township. It embraces an area 
of eight acres, two acres from each section. It 
was laid out by Mathew Boben in 1848, who 
sold goods a few years in the village, but was 
soon thereafter elected Recorder of Morrow 
County, and removed to Mount Gilead. Many 
pieces of land were entered, and various settle- 
ments made before the town was laid out. The 
Government patents of various parcels of land 
joining the town, are in the possession of the 



\ 



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^- 



HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 



5 ^ 



present owner — Mr. Rule. These several par- 
cels were entered August 6, 1836, by Isaac 
Barns, James Sharrock and Samuel Fryman. 
These patents are signed by Andrew Jackson, 
President, and Elijah Haywood, Commissioner 
of the General Land Office. Most of the early 
pioneers of this region have gone to their rest. 
Samuel Fryman, who entered the northwest 
part of the town site, was from Belmont County, 
Ohio. After making some improvements, he 
sold to Mr. Rule and went to Missouri. Jacob 
Heney, who died a few years ago at the age of 
ninety jears, came to Bloomfield in early days, 
from Pennsylvania. He entered the southeast 
quarter of Section 23, and lived, on the spot 
up to his death. Henry Bortner entered the 
northwest quarter of Section 34. He was 
born in York County, Penn, in 1784. He 
came to Ohio in 1837, and reared a family of 
thirteen children, of whom eleven still survive. 
John Warner settled on the northeast quarter 
of Section 33, which he entered about 1834. 
He also was from York County, Penn. He 
was born in 1807, and died on his home- 
stead in 1874. A large family remain to honor 
his memory. Mr. Kennon located on the 
southeast quarter of Section 29. He was a 
native of the Isle of Man. He was of Scotch 
descent, and a man of more than ordinary 
merit. He was a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and possessed considerable 
talent. His family consisted of five sons and 
two daughters, and all were highly respected 
and appreciated by their neighbors. The 
father died some twenty years ago ; soon the 
mother followed, and, in consequence, the family 
was soon scattered. Several other families who 
are connected with the early history of this 
region, have long since passed away, but have 



left a numerous progeny to prolong their mem- 
ory and their name. The village of West j 
Point is so located that the south half lies in i 
Congress Township, and the north half in 
Bloomfield Township. In the north quarter of 
the village lives Isaac Rule, one of the most 
prominent, yet not earliest, of the settlers. He 
came to the county with his father in 1828, and 
located near Woodbury. In 1851, he bought 
out Mr. Roben, who was selling goods in West 
Point, and moved to the village. Thi'ough his 
industry and business tact, he has secured 
about six hundred acres of the best land in 
this region. He is now about fifty-five years 
of age. His wife is also an early settler of the 
county. The village contains one store, several 
shops*^ and offices. The schoolhouse is a neat 
brick of one room and a single department. A 
neat frame church belonging to the Baptist 
denomination graces the southern quarter of 
the town. This society was organized before 
1840. Some of the original members were 
Daniel Eastman and Mr. Cash. The present 
enrollment of members reaches about sixty. 
Among the Pastors were Rev. T. W. Dye, who 
died but recently, and had served the congre- 
gation some seven years, and Rev. Mothland, 
of GraUon, who has been the late minister. The 
original meeting-house was a log l3uilding and 
stood about a mile and a half south of the vil- 
lage. About 1856, the present building was 
erected. It is about forty feet long by thirty- 
six feet wide. Dr. Frank Rule, a young man 
of brief experience, but of good parts, prac- 
tices the healing art. This section of country 
presents the evidences of real prosperity. It 
is inhabited largely by industrious, energetic 
and hardy people, who came from Pennsyl- 
vania. iNIarvland and other Middle States. 



^ 



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v_ 



hDaalsjES CSOCSCNic 



J 





BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



Note.— All the histories of families and persons in this part of the work have been obtained din'ctly from the families or individuals 
interested, or from persons possessing the necessary information. In no case whatever has secoml-hatid information been accepted. 
Being thus written, the families or persons themselves are responsible for all facts and dates contained in them. 

CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



ACKERMAN, HENRY, barber: he was born in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, in the town of Neidermodau, Ger- 
many, July 11, 1845, and came to this country in 1865 ; 
he learned his trade in the Fatherland, and, after com- 
ing to this country, he worked for a short time in Crest- 
line, Ohio ; he removed to Mansfield in 18fJ6 and com- 
menced business in this city, at which he has continued 
to date. He was married in Mansfield, July 12, 1867, 
to Christina Hartman ; they have six children — four 
sons and two daughters. 

ANDERSON, J. C, Surgeon ; he was born in Butler 
Co., Ohio ; removed to Richland Co. in 1850; he was 
educated at Ganges and Cleveland ; commenced the 
study of medicine at Ganges in 1863 ; graduated at the 
Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College in 1872 ; 
received a commission as Surgeon of the 12th 0. V. I. 
(1878); he is now engaged in the practice of medi- 
cine in Mansfield. He was married to Anna M. 
Wherry, of Shelby ; they have one child, 3 years 
old — Reed Wherry. 

AUNGST, JOHN E., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Jefferson Township Sept. 3, 1854 ; he came 
, to Mansfield in 1863, where he has since resided. He 
was married in this city, in 1876, to Miss Lillie Bell ; 
one daughter, Allie, by this marriage, resides with her 
parents in this citv. 

AUGUSTINE, CHARLES, leather merchant; he was 
born at Sugar Creek Falls, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1831, and came 
to Mansfield in 1850, where he was employed for a time 
as clerk in the dry-goods house of Amos Townsend, 
now Member of Congress from the Cleveland District. 
May 25, 1858, he was married to Miss Louisa Ritter, 
daughter of the late Joseph Ritter, to whom have been 
born six children. In the year 1865, Mr. Augustine 
joined the Masonic Order, since which time be has been 
an active Mason and has held a number of subordinate 
offices. He is a member of the leather firm of Ritter 
& Sons, in which business he is now engaged, and is 
considered one of the representative business men of 
Mansfield. 

BAKER, GEORGE, stonemason, and grocery and 
provision merchant; he was born in Prussia June 9, 
1816; learned the trade of stonemason; came to 
Mansfield Aug. 29, 1848. Married in the old country, 
Feb. 10, 1842, to Mary Nips, with whom he has raised 
six children — Peter, born in Germany Sept. 18, 1842; 



Lizzie, born in Germany Feb. 6, 1847 ; Bena, born in 
Mansfield Aug. 2, 1849; George, born in Mansfield 
Feb. 8, 1856; William, July 3, 1858; Emma Louisa, 
March 12, 1861. Mr. Baker has resided in Mansfield 
thirty-two years, and is one of the representative Ger- 
man citizens ; has been a member of the German Secret 
Relief Society since Nov. 16, 1850. 

BARTLEY, MORDECAI, deceased, thirteenth Govern- 
or elected by the people of Ohio, was born in Fayette Co., 
Penn., Dec. 16, 1783. In 1804, he married Miss Welles, 
and five years afterward removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio, 
where, upon the bank of that river, near the mouth of 
Cross Creek, he purchased a farm and engaged in the 
business of agriculture. Here his peaceful labors were 
iaterrupted by the declaration of the war of 1812, when, 
in a few weeks, he enlisted a company of volunteers, 
who elected him their Captain, and took the field under 
Gen. Harrison. At the close of the war, he removed to 
the almost unbroken wilderness of Richland Co., when 
Mansfield was the principal settlement ; west of that 
place he secured a sufficiently large space to satisfy 
him, and there, with his ax, he opened a clearing in the 
forest, and erected his home. Upon this farm, he worked 
diligently and successfully several years, and then, 
removing to Mansfield with the savings of his long years 
of farm labor, he entered into mercantile business. He 
early developed a character that won the confidence of 
those that knew him best, for, in 1817, he was elected 
to the State Senate, and appointed by the State Legisla- 
ture to the then important position of Register of the 
Land Office. This gave him charge of the Virginia mili- 
itary district school lands. In 1823, he was elected to 
Congress, and served four terms, when he declined 
re-election. In Congress, he was the first to propose the 
conversion of the land grants of Ohio into a permanent 
fund for the support of the common school, and secured 
an appropriation for the harbors of Cleveland, San- 
dusky City, Huron and Vermillion. In 1844, having 
retired from Congress, and engaged in mercantile and 
agricultural business, he was elected Governor of Ohio 
on the Whig ticket. Both parties have testified to the 
ability of his administration. In 1846, the war with 
Mexico was strongly opposed by the antislavery people 
of Ohio, they regarding its proclamation in the interest 
of slavery extension, and, in response to the call for 
troops, they were not in favor of Ohio filling her quota, 



*^ 



^ 



'A- 




^- 



but Gov Hartley mentioned that Ohio, in common with 
every other State, was constitutionally bound to respect 
the requisitions of the National Government. He there- 
fore adopted the proper measures, and the necessary 
number of volunteers were enlisted, and transferred to 
the authorities under his personal supervision. The 
messages he wrote during his administration were 
papers of ability, and plainly made apparent his thor- 
ough knowledge of the rather complex system of United 
State Government. He declined a second nomination, 
though strongly urged to accept, and, returning to his 
home, at Mansfield, he passed the evening of his life 
in the retirement of his family, dividing his attention 
between the practice of his profession as a lawyer, and 
in the management of his farm near that city. He died 
Oct. 10, 1870. 

BAUGHMAN, ELIZABETH C, MRS., daughter of 
James and Hannah Cunningham, was born near Black 
Hand, Licking Co., Ohio, March 8, 1805; her mother 
dying when she was only 6 months old, she was raised 
,rby her grandfather, Michael Statler, a farmer near 
Black Hand. After her father's second marriage, 
he removed to this (Richland) county, where he figured 
prominently in the early history of this section of Ohio. 
in 1819,thesubjectofthissketch joined herfather's fam- 
ily in this county, they residing at that time in the Clear 
Fork Valley, below Newville, near what is now known as 
St. John's Church. The change from her grandfather 
Statler's — a wealthy farmer in a more civilized county — 
to the hardships and privations of pioneer life here 
was not a pleasant transition, and was made only 
because of her father's request. Her grandfather, she 
says, was one of the kindest and best of men, but she, 
then in her 16th year, with a deep sense of filial duty, 
left a home of wealth, comfort and ease, for a cabin in 
the rude wilderness, where property and life were alike 
insecure from the savages and wild beasts of the forest. 
The journey from Black Hand to St. John's was made 
in a sled, in the month of January, 1819, in two days, 
stopping over night near Mount Vernon. 

Sept. 27, 1825, she was married to Jacob Baugh- 
man, who had succeeded to his father's farm, now 
known as the Dome farm, near Walnut Hall School- 
house, in Monroe Township, this county. Soon after- 
ward, her husband sold the Dome farm and bought 
eighty acres of land, situated between the Lowrey(now 
Welty), and the Stoul farms, where he erected a cabin 
and they commenced housekeeping. He afterward sold 
and bought a number of farms, living at diiferent inter- 
vals, in Monroe, Worthington and Jefferson Townships, 
but returned to Monroe, where he died, March 20, 
1855, aged 63 years ; he was buried at Perrysville. 
Mrs. Baughman then removed to Bellville, where she 
resided until 1869, when she removed to Mansfield, 
where she has since resided. She is the mother of 
five children — Mary C. (wife of Abraham Lash), Han- 
nah L. (wife of David Herring), deceased ; Margaret 
C, deceased (wife of Freeman Carlile) ; Abraham J. 
Baughman and Sade E. Baughman ; the two latter, 
remaining single, have always lived with their mother. 
Mrs. Baughman possesses an organization of wonder- 
ful tenacity, and is of that wiry physical consti- 
tion, well-knit and close-fibered, that accompanies a 
character of great ambition, high spirit and wonderful 



endurance. While mild and persuasive, yet she always 
possessed that degree of positive energy that would 
not give up or back down, no matter what obstacles 
were in her way. She worked hard, sufiTered much, 
and accomplished much. But she has seen the shad- 
ows of life's adversities succeeded by the sunshine of 
prosperity, and has lived to realize the full fruition of 
the glorious promise, " Your children shall rise up and 
call you blessed." 

She is of a hopeful disposition and her great strength 
has consisted in being able to look at the bright side of 
things. Her mirthfulness gives her power of sarcasm 
and considerable pungency of speech. She is no fox 
in character, but frank and outspoken, and would 
never toady to any one. Although not schooed in 
physiognomy, she could always read faces almost uner- 
ringly. She has the mental temperament of the intel- 
lectual organization. Is patient, systematic and 
industrious, and, believing that application will accom- 
plish almost anything, she never had patience with the 
idle and fickle. Without trying, she always made 
friends wherever she went, and the tones of her voice 
would alone win her way anywhere. She united with 
the Disciple Church in June, 1838, of which organiza- 
tion she has ever since been a worthy and consistent 
member. Her sympathies are warm, and in sickness 
she is tender and attentive. In the home circle, as a 
mother, her children say she is without a peer. Mrs. 
Baughman is five feet and one inch in height, weighs 
105 pounds, erect in poise and symmetrical in build. 

March 8, 1880, upon the occasion of her attaining 
her 75th year, a pioneer birthday party was given her 
at the family residence. No. 100 South Main st., Mans- 
field, which was the first pioneer social party ever held 
in Richland Co.; about fifty guests were present, one 
of whom, Mrs. Solomon Gladden, was a cotemporaneous 
pioneer with Mrs Baughman, and was present at her 
wedding fifty-five years ago ; the exercises commenced 
at 6 o'clock, with music; the ballad, "We Meet To- 
day," composed and set to music by Prof. Pontius, was 
sung by Miss Kate Eichelberger, Prof. Pontius at the 
organ ; after which a pioneer sketch, written by a 
pioneer's daughter, Mrs. Dr. Patterson, daughter of 
Solomon Gladden ( who performed the marriage cere- 
mony for Mr. and Mrs. Baughman), was read by Mrs. 
Richard, wife of Prof. J. Fraise Richard, of the Nor- 
mal College, on account of the unavoidable absence of 
Mrs. Patterson ; music was furnished by Prof. Will H. 
Pontius, Miss Kate Eichelberger and Mrs. W. L. Gas- 
ton ; other fine selections were rendered by the trio ; 
later in the evening. Miss Mary Cox sang and played. 
Gen. Brinkerholf being the patron saint of the pio- 
neers of Richland Co., was first called upon for an ad- 
dress " appropriate to the occasion." He responded 
in a neat little speech complimentary to the pioneers 
and "their times," as follows: 

"The occasion which has called us together this eve- 
ning, is one of more than usual interest ; birthday 
celebrations are always pleasant occasions, and we are 
happy to meet and greet our friends at their recur- 
rence, but yet some birthdays are more interesting 
than others, and this is one of them. The lady in 
whose honor we meet to-night, and whom we are glad 
to find upon her 75th birthday cheerful and happy. 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



not in the winter of life, but in the golden autumn 
time, is one of the living witnesses of the childhood of 
our city. Seventy-five years, when we look forward, 
seems a long time, but looking backward it is not so 
long, and I have no doubt the incidents recalled by 
^'"° Patterson, when Elizabeth Cunningham was a 



Mrs. 



girl, seem to Mrs. Baughman but recent memories. 
In fact, with us all, it is our early recollections that 
last the longest. In our sleep we do not locate our 
dreams amid recent surroundings ; but we go back to 
the homes of our childhood. Mrs. Baughman's father, 
Capt. James Cunningham, was among the first settlers 
of Mansfield, and, in the year 1809, when Mansfield 
first had a habitation and a name, he lived in its first 
cabin on the Sturges corner. Mrs. Baughman at that 
time was with her grandfather in Licking Co., but ten 
years later she removed to Richland Co. where she has 
since been a resident. Since then, Mansfield has be- 
come a populous city, and a massive block of brick 
and stone occupies the site of the little log cabin on 
Sturges' corner; and instead of the drum of the 
pheasant and the hoot of the owl in the leafy wood- 
lands, we have for music the whistle of the locomotive 
and the clangor of machinery in the huge and smoky 
factories. We have churches and schools, busy mills, 
and all the pride, pomp and panoply of wealth and 
position and fame ; and yet, I doubt very much if we 
have the wisdom, or patriotism, or sincerity, or happi- 
ness of those among whom Mrs. Baughman passed the 
early years of life. Thirty years ago, when I came to 
Mansfield, very many of the early pioneers were still 
living, and they seemed to me men of larger mold 
and broader sympathies than those of this later gener- 
ation. It was this fact that led me to seek to preserve 
some record of their lives, and I very soon commenced 
to gather some of their history, and, after twenty-five 
years of waiting, a man who has a genius for writing 
history has come to complete the work, and we hope 
very soon to put into print an enduring record of the 
giants of those early days, who founded the civilization 
of Richland Co. Mr. Graham is with us to-night and 
I doubt not he will bear out my estimate of the worth 
of our early pioneers. Mrs. Baughman's father was 
one of them, and Mrs. Patterson's father was another. 
I do not remember to have met Capt. Cunningham, but 
I knew Solomon Gladden very well, and he was a typi- 
cal pioneer, massive in body and massive in mind. 
Reuben Evarts, who is here to-night and whom I pre- 
sent to you as a sample of the early pioneers, knew all 
of these men in their prime, and I hope he will tell 
us something about them. However, years have come 
and years have gone, and as the great globe swung in 
its mighty orbit around the sun, these mighty men of 
valor passed out into the infinite, and of those who 
knew them and were among them, of them about the 
only one who remains in Mansfield now is Mrs. Baugh- 
man, whose birthday we celebrate to-night. She is 
happy in having lived to see the result of their labors, 
and we are happy in seeking to contribute to the enjoy- 
ment of this hour." 

After supper, the presents on the occasion were form- 
ally presented by Hon. M. May in a brief, but appro- 
priated speech. Among the numerous presents we 
mention specially a beautiful China lea-set from Elder 



G. M. Kemp, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Hon. M. May, S. E. 
Jenner, H. W. Albach, Capt. A. C. Cummins and J. Fraise 
Richard ; Elder Kemp, Mrs Baughman's Pastor, fol- 
lowed, responding to Mr. May, accepting the presents 
in her behalf, in a speech brief, appropriate and 
touching in its pathos ; Reuben Evarts, a real and well- 
preserved representative pioneer, being called on, made 
some pleasing allusions to pioneer life and character, 
and presented an appropriate preamble and resolutions, 
which were adopted. 

BAUGHMAN FAMILY, THE. The ancestor of the 
Baughman family came from Germany, and located in 
Pennsylvania. The only knowledge the writer has of 
his family is of two sons — George and Abraham ; and 
one daughter, married to Joseph Charles. George 
emigrated to Ohio in 1805, and settled in Mifflin Town- 
ship, Franklin Co., where he spent the remainder of 
his life ; he died at a ripe old age, and is buried at 
Gahanna ; he was the father of the late Hon. Jesse 
Baughman, the founder of Gahanna, and one of the 
originators of the Franklin County Pioneer Association. 
Abraham was born on the Atlantic Ocean when his 
parents were en route for America. He married Mary 
Catharine Deeds, and removed from Cumberland to 
AVashington Co., Penn., and afterward to Richland 
Co., Ohio, settling in Monroe Township in 1811 : they 
had five sons and three daughters — Adam, John, 
Abraham, Jacob and George, and Catharine, Elizabeth 
and Lovace ; Catharine married a Mr. Black, of Tusca- 
rawas Co. ; Elizabeth married a Mr. Stewart, and re- 
moved to Tennessee, and Lovace married a Mr. Gay- 
man, of Pittsburgh ; Adam married a Miss Huffman, 
and removed to Plain Township, Franklin Co., Ohio, 
and he and his wife are both interred on the Baugh- 
man farm there, where they lived and where they died; 
John married Elizabeth Wyandt, and settled in Wayne 
Co., Ohio, and the township in which he lived was 
named for him ; Abraham married Susan Wyandt, and 
settled in Monroe Township, Richland Co., Ohio, 
where he died in 1848 ; his children were Margaret, 
wife of John Wolfe ; David, married to Rebecca Wolfe ; 
John, married to Catharine Castator ; Aaron, married 
to Catherine Schrack ; Peter, married to Eliza Wyandt ; 
George, married to Minerva Merrell ; Elizabeth, wife 
of Simon McDanel ; AVilliam, married to Rachel 
Slater ; Abraham, married to Eliza Wrigton : Su- 
sanna ; Simon, married to Susan Mercer. Jacob 
Baughman married Elizabeth Cunningham; his life was 
principally passed in Monroe Township, Richland Co., 
where he died March 20, 1855, aged 63 years. They 
had five children — Mary C, married to Abraham Lash ; 
Hannah L., married to David Herring; Margaret A., 
married to Freeman Carlile; Abraham J. and Sarah E.; 
the two latter remain single and live with their mother; 
they are printers, and publish the Mansfield Call ; they 
have also published the Cleveland Temple Visitor, Mans- 
field (Ohio) Liberal, Canal Fulton Herald and Medina 
Democrat. George Baughman never married, and died 
in 1850. 

BERNO, PETER, merchant, Mansfield, Ohio ; he 
was born in Rhein Pfaltz, a province of the Kingdom 
of Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country, 
with his parents, June 10, 1851, and to Mansfield, 
Ohio, June 16, 1851 ; his father's name was Jacob 



jLI 



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690 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Berno, and his mother's Fredricka Profit. His 
grandfather, on his father's side, was a soldier in the 
French army during the French Revolution, and, dur- 
ing the invasion of Germany by the French, was taken 
prisoner. He subsequently remained and became a 
citizen of that country. The name was originally 
spelled "Bernoux." The subject of this sketch was 
married to Christiana Bohm, whose parents were of 
German origin, and residents of Manstield since 1850. 
BIGELOW, PERKINS, druggist ; he was born in 
Marlboro, N. H., Nov. 11, 1814; here we find him a 
farmer boy, alternately attending school during the 
winter months, and working on his father's farm dur- 
ing the remainder of the year, until 18 years of age. 
The school being situated in a remote part of the dis- 
trict, young Bigelow was compelled to traverse several 
miles daily, in that bleak, winter climate, in order to 
gain that knowledge which has been so useful to him 
in his after life. Directly after leaving school, he was 
employed in dry goods, as clerk, for five years previ 
ous to his removal to Ohio ; arriving at Newark, he 
continued as a salesman in dry goods for three years, 
where, joining a colony for Texas in 1841, he accom- 
panied them as far as Arkansas, then up the White 
River until near the boundary of the Cherokee Nation, 
undergoing the hardships incident to such a trip at 
that time. While there, he assisted in building the 
first log cabins of the colony, but soon after was com- 
pelled, by reason of sickness, to return to Newark, 
Ohio, where he entered a drug store, reading medicine at 
the same time ; then to Mansfield, in the year 1847, 
on the same block in which he has continued in that 
business up to the present time, ranking now as 
the oldest living merchant in continuous business in 
Mansfield. During Dr. Bigelow's long and useful life 
in Mansfield, he has been prominently connected with 
all enterprises undertaken in the improvement of the 
city and the welfare of its inhabitants, and has fre- 
quently been called by them to positions of honor and 
and trust. Elected as Mayor of the city in 1852, he 
was re-elected in 1853. For twenty years, he has been 
a useful member of the Cemetery Association, the 
plans and improvements of which have been, in a great 
measure, due to his judgment and skill. For fifteen 
years, he held the position of Worshipful Master of the 
Mansfield Masonic Lodge, and at present is a member 
of the Richland ^lutual Insurance Co. Perkins Bige- 
low was married in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1846, to Miss 
Anna Maria Palmer ; they have two children — one son 
and one daughter. 

BIRD, SHARPLESS E., long connected with the St. 
James Hotel, in Mansfield, was born on the 20th of 
December, 1844; his father and mother, William and 
and Jane (Sharpless) Bird are residents of this city. 
S. E. Bird was married July 4, 1869, in Mansfield, to Liz- 
zie Vonhof; a daughter of Louis Vonhof, proprietor of the 
St. James building ; to them have been born four chil- 
dren, three of whom are dead and one living. Mr. Bird, 
though a young man, has aided in years past in giving 
Mansfield a high position by his skill in conducting one 
of the best hotels in the State ; he is now engaged in 
the mercantile business. 

BLACK, JOSEPH H., dealer in staple dry goods, 
corner of Fourth and Main streets ; was born in 1833, 



at Ballgreen , County, Donegal, Ireland ; emigrated in 
1851 to McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio ; engaged as 
salesman with Thomas W. Simpson, in dry goods. 
Came to Mansfield in August, 1859 ; entered in partner- 
ship with Moses Black, under the firm name of ^I. & 
J. H. Black, dry goods ; continued in partnership for 
sixteen years ; dissolved in 1875, then resumed business 
in his own name ; continues to do the largest exclusive 
dry-goods trade in the city. He is a very hard and ear- 
nest worker in the mercantile business ; by his long 
experience and close application, is thoroughly posted 
on all matters connected with the dry-goods business, 
as he has been almost raised in a dry-goods store ; he 
is a solid, practical, business man, and an excellent 
financier. Was married in 1866 to Miss Alice G. Gra- 
ham, daughter of Francis Graham, of Ashland, Ohio ; 
their children are Mary, Augusta F., Joseph H., Jr., 
and William G. Black. Residence on Mulberry street, 
No. 45. 

BLOSER, S. P., retired ; he was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., in 1824 ; he came to Ohio in 1850. He was 
married in 1852 to Elizabeth Snyder, who was born 
in Lockport, N. Y.; they have one daughter — Minnie, 
who is married to Henry Uhlich. 

BOLLMAN, JERRY S., Recorder; was born in Leb- 
anon Co., Penn., Jan. 20, 1834, and removed with his 
parents to Richland Co., where they settled in Frank- 
lin Township in 1849. Mr. Bollman came to Mansfield 
and began the trade of cabinet-making in 1852 with 
Capt. Reinaker, and served his full apprenticeship of 
three years, when he entered the store of John H. 
Wigle, where he remained for some time ; then into 
Remy & Co.'s dry-goods store, Scattergood & Penrose, 
Robinson & Vance, C. L. Avery's and Black's. In the 
year 1877, Mr. Bollman was elected Recorder of Rich- 
land Co., on the Democratic ticket, and took possession 
of the office on the 7th of January, 1878, and now fills that 
position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction 
of both political parties ; the abstract office, in con- 
nection with the one which he fills, is a model of con- 
venience, and reflects great credit on him, to whom it 
personally belongs. Mr. Bollman was married to Miss 
Lydia Av Dill in Mansfield July 7, 1858 ; they have 
four children, all living — Barton T., now a telegraph 
operator in Mansfield; Curtis J., a druggist; Milton 
F., and Roy J. Mr. Bollman is at present a resi- 
dent of the Third Ward, Mansfield, and enjoys the 
confidence of the entire community. 

BOSSLER, HENRY, woodworkman in the Mansfield 
Machine Works ; he was born in Madison Township, 
Richland Co., Jan. 14, 1839. Married, Sept. 27, 1868, 
Josephine Mcllvain, who was born in Mansfield May 
22, 1843; they have one son — William T., born March 
17, 1865. Mr. Bossier has been engaged with the 
Mansfield Machine Works over two years, and has won 
the entire confidence of his employers through his 
industry and frugality, and is recognized as one of our 
substantial and active citizens. 

BRINKERHOEF, HON. JACOB, was born in the 
town of Niles, Cayuga Co., N. \ , Aug. 31, 1810. His 
father, Henry I. Brinkerhoff, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, having been bord near the town of Gettysburg ; 
his grandfather, however, was from Hackensack, 
N. J., and belonged to the old Dutch family of 



Fv" 




New York, the progenitor of which came from Drent- 
land, in Holland, in the year 1638. His mother, nee 
Rachel Bevier, wasof Huguenot descent, and came from 
Ulster Co , N. Y. After a thorough English education, 
obtained at the public schools and at the academy at 
Pratisburgh, Steuben Co., N. Y., he entered the law 
office of Messrs. Howell & Brother, in Bath, Steuben 
Co., in 1834. Here he regularly prosecuted his studies 
two years, and in the spring of 1836, removed to Mans- 
field, Ohio, where, in May, 1837, he was admitted to 
the bar of the Supreme Court of the State, and imme- 
diately entered upon the practice of his profession. 
He soon acquired reputation as a lawyer of more than 
average ability, and in the course of a year or two was 
elected Prosecuting Attorney for Richland County, the 
duties of which he performed successfully for four 
years; at the expiration of his office, in the fall of 
1843, he was elected to Congress, on the Democratic 
ticket ; while serving as a member of this body, he 
became affiliated with the Free-Soil party, and drew up 
the famous resolution introduced by Uavid Wilmot, of 
Pennsylvania, and since known as the Wilmot Proviso ; 
the original draft of this resolution, in his own hand- 
writing, is still in his possession. Several copies of this 
resolution were made and distributed among the Free- 
Soil members of Congress, with the understanding that 
whoever among them should catch the Speaker's eye 
and get the floor should introduce it ; Wilmot was the 
fortunate man, and thereby his name was attached to 
the resolution, and it has gone into history as the 
"Wilmot Proviso," instead of the Brinkerboff Proviso, 
as it should have been. At the close of his Congres- 
sional career, he resumed the practice of law, at Mans- 
field, in which he successfully labored until he was 
elevated to the Supreme Bench, his first term com- 
mencing Jan. 9, 1856; in this highly honorable posi- 
tion, he was retained for three successive terms, cover- 
ing a period of fifteen years, and it is but justice to 
mention that a fourth term was offered him, but he 
declined a renomination. The Ohio State Reports con- 
tain many of his opinions, delivered during his term upon 
the Supreme Bench, and they are everywhere very highly 
regarded by the profession. He was marrj^d, Oct. 4, 
1837, to Caroline Campbell, of Lodi, Seneca Co., N. Y., 
who died at that place while on a visit, Nov. 1^, 1839. 
His present wife was Marion Titus, of Detroit, Mich , 
by whom he has four children now living, two sons and 
two daughters, viz. : Malvinn, George, Roelof and Ger- 
trude. The Judge has retired from his profession, and 
still resides at Mansfield, but in feeble health. 

BRINKERHOFF, GEN. ROELIFF, was born in 
Owasco, Cayuga Co., N. Y., June 28, 1828. The Brinker- 
hoffs of America are all descended from Joris Dericksen 
BrinckerhoflF, who came from Drentland, Holland, in 
1638, with his wife Susannah, and settled in Brooklyn, 
N. Y., then New Netherlands. The members of the 
family are now numerous, and for the most part are 
settled upon Long Island, and in the valley of the Hud- 
son, but still a few families of the name can be found 
in almost every Western State. The Western Brinker- 
hofiFs are mostly descendants of Ilendrick, son of Joris, 
who settled in New Jersey, and who dropped the letter 
c from his name. Gen. BrinkerhofF is of the seventh 
generation in America; his father, George R., was born 



near Gettysburg, Penn., but his grandfather, RoelifF, 
came from Hackensack, N. J.; his ancestors on his 
mother's side (the Bouviers), and on his grandmother's 
(the Demarests), were French Huguenots, fleeing from 
religious persecution, who found safety and a home 
among the tolerant Dutchmen of the New Netherlands. 
RoelilF, the subject of this sketch, at the age of 16 was 
a school teacher in his native town ; at 18, he was in 
charge of a school near Hendersonville, Tenn.; at 10, 
he was a tutor in the family of Andrew .Jackson, Jr., at 
the Hertaitage, and remained thereuntil 1850, when he 
came North and entered as a law student in the office 
of his kinsman, the Hon. Jacob BrinkerhofiT, at Mans- 
field, Ohio; in 1852, he was admitted to the bar, and 
entered the practice, and remained in the profession 
until the war of the rebellion ; during that time, June, 
1855 to 1859, he was one of the editors and proprietors 
of the Mansfield Herald. In September, 1861, he 
entered the military service as First Lieatenant and 
Regimental Quartermaster of the 64th 0. V. I.; in 
November of the same year, he was promoted to the 
position of Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and 
during the winter was on duty at Bardstown, Ky ; 
after the capture of Nashville, he was placed in charge 
of transportation, land and river, in that city; after the 
battle of Pittsburg Landing, he was ordered to the 
front, and placed in charge of the field transportation 
of the Army of the Ohio ; after the capture of Corinth, 
he went home on sick furlough, and was thence ordered 
to Maine as Chief Quartermaster in that State ; subse- 
quently, he was transferred to Pittsburgh, Penn., in 
charge of transportation and army stores, and thence to 
Washington City as Post Quartermaster, and remained 
on that duty until June, 1865, when he was made a 
Colonel and Inspector of the Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment ; he was then retained on duty at the War Office, 
with Secretary Stanton, until November, when he was 
ordered to Cincinnati as Chief Quartermaster of that 
Department; in September, 1866, he was breveted a 
Brigadier General of Volunteers ; he was also tendered 
a commission in the regular army, but declined ; on the 
1st of October, at his own request, he was mustered out 
of service, having completed five years of continuous 
service in the army. Gen. BrinkerhofF is the author of 
the book entitled "The Volunteer Quartermaster," 
which is still the standard guide for the officers and 
employes of the Quartermaster's Department. After 
his retirement from the army, he returned to the prac- 
tice of his profession, at Mansfield. In 1873, upon the 
organization of the Mansfield Savings Bank, he became 
its executive officer as cashier, and has since retained 
that position ; he is also a member of the Board of 
State Charities, and President of the National Confer- 
ence of Charities. Gen. BrinkerhofF, Feb. 3, 1852, mar- 
ried Mary Lake Bentley, of Mansfield, daughter of 
Baldwin Bentley, and gi-and-daughter of Gen. Robert 
Bentley, by whom he has a family of four children, two 
sons and two daughters — Robert Bentley, Addie Hor- 
ton, Mary and RoelifF, all now living at Mansfield. 

BRINLEY, SAMUEL G. (deceased) ; was born in 
Mifflin Township Sept. 10, 1831 ; his fixther, John 
Brinley, is a resident of La Grange Co., Ind. Samuel 
G. was the first child. When 16 years of age, he com- 
menced clerking in a dry-goods store in Petersburg, 



\ 



4^ 



692 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



where he lived four years ; soon after, he removed to 
this city, and was engaged in the dry-goods store of 
James Weldon, where he remained ten years. For 
several years during the war, he held the position of 
Deputy I'rovost Marshal and United States Marshal, 
and was a clerk in the Treasurer's oiBce of this county 
under T. J. Robinson. He was married, Oct. 30, 1853, 
in Mansfield, to Miss Elzina S. Grubaugh ; they are 
the parents of seven children. Charles Oscar was born 
Aug. 7, 1854; John Allen was born Aug. 1, 1857; 
Joseph Franklin was born March 27, 1860 ; Harry S. 
was born July 16, 1864; Elzina S. was born Dec. 15, 
1866, and died April 15, 1868; Aden was born June 
25, 1870, and Lee was born Feb. 19, 1872. Mr. Brin- 
ley died in this city Dec. 26, 1876 ; he was, for a num- 
ber of years before his death, a successful contractor 
and builder, and had the confidence and esteem of the 
community. He was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. for a 
number of years, and of the Methodist Church for 
twenty-five years. Mrs Elzina Brinley was born near 
Loudenville, Ashland Co., Nov. 19, 1833 ; she is now 
a resident of West Bloom street. 

BRISrOR, T. G., dentist ; he was born in Washing- 
ton, Washington Co., Penn., in 1837 ; he came to Steu- 
benville, Ohio, in 1844, where he studied dentistry ; 
he came to Mansfield in 1858, and engaged in the prac- 
tice of dentistry. In 1865, he went to St. Louis, Mo., 
and practiced dentistry until 1872, when he returned 
to Mansfield ; he has been engaged here since. He is 
the oldest dentist in the city. He has branch offices 
at Shelby, Shiloh, Bellville and Hayesville, which places 
he visits once each month — Mondays and Tuesdays. 

BRISTOR, JAMES R., dentist, Mansfield; he was 
born in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., Jan. 
28, 1834, and emigrated to Steubenville, Ohio, April 1, 
1845, with his father and mother ; in 1857, he con- 
nected himself with the dental profession and moved 
to Mansfield, in 1860, and located. He was married, 
Jan. 6, 1873, to Hannah M. Duncan, widow of Alex. 
Critchfield, of Millersburg, Ohio ; she was born at 
Bloomfield, Coshocton Co., Ohio, Feb. 26, 1840, and 
moved with her father and mother to Millersburg, 
Ohio, in the fall of 1852, and to Mansfield in January, 
1873 ; they have three children — John Henry, born 
April 25, 1874; Harriet Louisa, Sept. 14, 1875 ; Laura 
Virginia, April 20, 1878. In 1876, Mr. Bristor was 
elected from the Fourth Ward as one of the city Coun- 
cilmen, and, in 1879, he was chosen to preside as Pres- 
ident of Council of the city of Mansfield. James R. 
Bristor was born of Henry M. Bristor and Minerva 
Ruple Bristor, his wife, both of whom were born in 
Washington Co., Penn. Henry M. Bristor was born 
of Thomas Bristor and Elizabeth Dubany Bristor, his 
wife, both of whom were born near the James River, 
in Eastern Virginia ; their parents lived within hearing 
distance of the cannon at the surrender of Cornwallis 
at Yorktown, Va. Minerva Ruple Bristor was born of 
James Ruple and Dina G. Ruple, in Washington Co., 
Penn. Hannah Duncan Bristor was born of John 
Duncan and Nancy Casey Duncan; her father emigrated 
from Washington, Penn., to Ohio, and her mother from 
Harper's Ferry, W. Va. 

BRONSON, S. A., D. D., Pastor Protestant Episco- 
pal Church ; Dr. Bronson is a lineal descendant of 



Abraham Bronson, one of the two Bronsons who, in 
1673, petitioned the court for the privilege of settling 
on a plantation in what is now the town of Waterbury, 
Conn.; Dr. Bronson's father, Bela Bronson, emigrated 
from Connecticut to Ohio and settled in what is now 
Columbia, Lorain Co., in 1807; the Doctor was then 
in ^lis infancy, and was carried in his mother's arms 
across the Cuyahoga, with the first team that crossed 
in the tide of Western emigration; he was taken to 
church by his mother and was baptized in AVaterbury, 
his native place ; the first minister of the Gospel he 
remembers to have seen was when he was about 9 years 
old ; his mother and the church service, read by lay- 
men, were his only teachers ; at the age of 16, he trav- 
eled on horseback about seventy miles in the fruitless 
search for a Latin dictionary ; he afterward attended 
school at Kenyon College, where he graduated in 1833 ; 
two years after, he was ordained to the ministry ; from 
1845 to 1850, he was President of Kenyon College ; in 
1867, he was Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the 
same institution ; in 1872, he came to Mansfield to 
accept the pastorate of the church here ; he had, how- 
ever, filled the pulpit a year and a half before coming. 
BURNS, BARNABAS, attorney at law. The parents 
of Mr. Burns, Andrew and Sarah (Caldwell) Burns, 
were Irish Catholics, and emigrated to America about 
the year 1800 ; they had a family of five children, 
three sons and two daughters. Mr. B., the young- 
est of five children, was born in Fayette Co., Penn., 
June 29, 1817 ; he emigrated with his pareuts to 
Milton Township, Ashland Co., settling there June 
20, 1820; Mr. Burns remained on a farm until he 
was of age ; he received a common-school education, 
and also spent a short time in the Ashland and Mans- 
field schools. He came to Mansfield April 9, 1838, 
where he has resided ever since. He was Deputy 
Clerk of the Courts, from 1839 to 1846 ; he studied law 
in the offices of Hon. Thomas W. Bartley and Hon. 
Samuel J. Kirkwood, and was admitted to practice in the 
summer of 1848, and has practiced law in Mansfield 
from that date to the present time. In the fall of 1847, 
Mr. Burns was elected to the Ohio State Senate, and 
re-elected in the fall of 1849 ; he was Presidential 
Elector for the State at large, on the Democratic ticket, 
in 1852 ; he served as Colonel of the 86th 0. V. I. in 
the war of the rebellion, doing excellent service there ; 
after his return, he again began the practice of his pro- 
fession. In 1873, he was elected a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention, and the same year was nominated 
on the Democratic ticket as Lieutenant Governor; out 
of a vote of nearly 600,000, he was defeated by only about 
five hundred votes; in 1876, Col. Burns was one of the 
Ohio Commissioners at the Centennial Exposition, fill- 
ing that office, like all others, in a manner satisfactory 
to all the interests concerned therein ; Col. B. has 
served several terms as one of the Trustees of the Ohio 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home; he is now, although 63 years 
old, actively engaged in the practice of his profession, 
being one of the oldest members of the Mansfield bar 
now in practice ; he has always been an active and con- 
sistent Democrat. Col. Burns was married, Sept. 16, 
1841, to Miss Urath Gore; Mr. and Mrs. B. became 
the parents of seven children, two of whom died in 
infancy ; three sons and two daughters yet survive — 



TV 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



693 



Mary (wife of Dr. Geo. Mitchell), John Caldwell, Kate, 
Jerrie H. and Barna G. 

BUSHNELL, WILLIAM, physician. The family from 
which Dr. Bushnell descends dates back, in America, 
to early in the sixteenth century. Sometime in that 
period, Francis Bushnell came from England to Amer- 
ica, and located in Guilford, Hartford Co., Conn.; he 
died in 1646, as the records show, his death being the 
first authentic date in possession of the family. He left 
five sons — Francis, William, .John, Richard and Isaac. 
The second son, William, married and settled in Con- 
necticut, and, at his death, left four children, the second 
of whom, Ephraim, also lived in Connecticut, and 
raised a family of seven children. His third child, 
James, was born March 12, 1716, and, about the year 
1736, married a Miss Dudley. He was a seafaring 
man, and, soon after his marriage, went to sea on one 
of his voyages, and was never afterward heard from. 
It is supposed his vessel was lost at sea. After his 
departure to sea, his only son, Alexander, was born 
June 2, 1737. Feb. 12, 1761, he married Chloe Waite, 
a member of the W^aite family of Lyme, Conn. (Chief 
Justice Waite, of Ohio, is a descendant of the same 
family). Miss Waite was born June 20, 1738. She 
lived to be 94 years old, dying Oct. 28, 1832. She 
became the mother of eleven children. The sixth child, 
Sterling G., the father of Dr. Bushnell, was born in 
Hartford Co., Conn., in 1781. The exact date is not 
known, as the record has been lost. Mr. Bushnell 
came to Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1805, and to Vermillion 
Township, Ashland Co., May 20, 1820. His family 
then consisted of eleven children — Betsey, Lury, Will- 
iam, Collins, Sedelia, Jotham, Huldah, Rosella, Horner, 
Olive and Thomas. Of these, six are now living — Bet- 
sey, William, Sedelia, Huldah, Rosella and Thomas. 
Mr. Bushnell lived in this township until August, 1847, 
when his destth occurred. He was 70 years of age. His 
wife lived several years after her husband's death, dy- 
ing in the old homestead ; she lives with her son 
Thomas, who is there yet. Mr. Bushnell was a man of 
scholarly attainments, and great force of character. He 
was a surveyor, and surveyed parts of the Reserve in 
the counties of Ashtabula, Medina and Lorain ; while 
living in Trumbull Co., he surveyed a good deal of its 
territory there. William B. remained at home in Ver- 
million Township, teaching school about one year, 
assisted in opening the farm, and studying medicine ; 
he then went to Trumbull Co. to study medicine ; in 
1825, he went to the old Ohio Medical College, at Cin- 
cinnati, where he remained about one year at the medi- 
cal school ; at the end of the time, he went to New 
Orleans, and settled at Point Coupee, where he practiced 
medicine one year ; while there, he taught in an acad- 
emy seven months: from there he returned to this 
county, and located in Mansfield ; this was in July, 
1828. The Doctor has since lived here, engaged in the 
practice of medicine. When Dr. Bushnell was a boy, 
he took a small part in the war of 1812. He was quite 
ambitious of military life then, as were all boys of the 
day, and enjoyed at least one adventure. After Hull's 
surrender, when in his 12tli year, the 1st Regiment of 
the 3d Brigade, and the 4th Division of the Ohio Militia, 
on its way to the frontier, halted and took dinner at the 
residence of his father, who was Adjutant of that regi- 



ment. William, believing he was old enough to go with 
the troops, pleaded his cause so earnestly to accompany 
the regiment, that he was allowed to do so, and marched 
with it to the vicinity of Cleveland, where the troops 
were encamped. A battle being imminent with the 
Indians, his father told him he must go back home. He 
obeyed very reluctantly, as he desired to take a hand 
in the fighting. He retraced his steps alone through 
the dense wilderness, guided only by the trail left by 
the regiment. 

April 5, 18? 6, Dr. Bushnell married Mary, only 
daughter of Gen Robert Bentley, a man of much abil- 
ity, who resided in this county. Of their children only 
one is living — Martin B., a resident of jNlansfield. Dur- 
ing his long and successful career as a physician. Dr. 
Bushnell has also devoted himself to public business, 
and held several places of responsibility. Many of the 
internal improvements in the northern portion of the 
State were either projected by him, or owe their exist- 
ence to his energy and influence. He was one of the 
Directors of the Alantic & Great W'estern Railway, not 
only during its construction, but for some years after 
its completion. In 1849, Dr. Bushnell was elected a 
member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and sub- 
sequently re-elected, and served several terms in that 
legislative body. After the establishment of the Cleve- 
land Medical (.'ollege, he was connected with it as a 
Censor for about fifteen years. He is a member of the 
American Medical Association, and also of the Ohio 
Medical Association ; and, as a physician and surgeon, 
he ranks with the most eminent in the State. Possessed 
of a remarkably vigorous .constitution, he has been 
enabled to perform an unusual amount of work. In the 
early days of his practice, with almost impassable roads 
to travel long distances, it required the constant exer- 
cise of those virtues. He is possessed of an exceed- 
ingly dignified and pleasant appearance, and commands 
the respect of the community where he has lived so 
long, and with satisfaction to his constituents, whom he 
has represented. In .June, 1878, he was appointed by 
Gov. Bishop the Delegate of Ohio to the International 
Congress on prison reform, called by and under the 
auspices of Sweden, to take place in Stockholm on the 
29th of June. The Doctor took passage on the Inman 
steamer City of Chester, to attend to the duties of his 
delegation, and at the same time enjoy a European tour. 
Since his return, he has been quietly living in the city, 
enjoying the fruits of a long and busy life. 

CAIRNS, ROBERT, was born on the McFall corner, 
in Mansfield, Feb. 3, 1815; at the age of 3 years, his ■ 
parents removed to the opposite corner, now occupied 
by M. L. Miller; he has always resided in the city and 
county. He was married, in 1835, to Elizabeth Gor- 
don, by Rev. James Johnson, the first minister of the 
U. P. Church in Mansfield. Mr. and Mrs. Cairns are 
the parents of nine children — four boys and five girls 
— all living. Mr. C. comes of a family remarkable for 
longevity, size and activity; they were all prominent 
actors in the history of this county. His father, .Joseph 
Cairns came to this county from ^luskingum County 
directly after Hull's surrender; he acted as a Captain 
in a regiment in the early part of the war of 1812. 
Mr. C. is of Irish parentage, rugged, hardy and active, 
and bids fair to live m-iny years to relate the incidents 



\ 



:±. 



694 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



of pioneer limes ; no one has a better and more accu- 
rate memory than he, and no one enjoys telling of old 
times more than Robert Cairns. 

CAKE, HiRAM, employe of A. & G. W. R. R.; he 
was born in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, Aug. 23, 1823 ; 
he came to Richland Co. May 2, 1840, and immediately 
engaged as a clerk in the dry-goods house of the late 
William McNulty, which was then situated on the 
northwest corner of Main and Fourth streets : he re- 
mained with him until 1840, when he enlLsted in the 
United States Army and joined the company from this 
county as private, under Capt. William McLaughlin, in 
the war wil h Mexico ; after the expiration of his term of 
service, he returned to Mansfield and soon after engaged 
in the employ of Isaac Smith, a dry-goods merchant of 
Monroeville, Ohio ; after several months' residence 
there, he went to New York City, where he was em- 
ployed in the wholesale dry-goods house of Marsh & 
Trear, with whom he remained four years, when he 
returned to Mansfield and again engaged in the employ 
of William McNulty for one year, taking charge of the 
business during McNulty' s absence in California. He 
then was employed by W. L. Strong in the same busi- 
ness for some time, when he went to Caliibrnia, in 
1852; after an absence of fourteen months, he came 
back to Mansfield and was employed by the Penn. 
R. R. Co., as book-keeper, for several years, since which 
time he has been constantly engaged in the railroad 
business, in different capacities, until the present time. 
At the age of 21, he joined the Masonic Order and be- 
came a member of the Mansfield Lodge, No. 35, in 
which he is yet a member ; during his long membership 
in this order, he was repeatedly elected as its Secre- 
tary, and has been, and now is (1880), Secretary of 
Mansfield Chapter of Royal Arch iNIasons and the Mans- 
field Council of Royal and Select Masters ; he now 
holds the position of Recorder of the Mansfield Com- 
mandery. No. 21. Knights Templar. He was married 
in Mansfield, in June, 1850, to Miss Maria L. McCul- 
lough, oldest daughter of Judge David McCullough ; 
they were the parents of eight children, six of whom 
are living. Mrs. Maria Cake died in this city in 1869. 

CANTWELL, AVILLIAM (deceased), was born in 
August, 1786, in Brooke Co., Va. He married Ann 
Williams, and afterward removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio, 
where they remained until 1820, when they removed to 
Richland Co. and settled on a farm two miles from 
Mansfield, on the Spring Mill road, where they resided 
almost contiuviously up to the time of the death of the 
wife of Mr. Cantwell, which occurred in January, 1850 ; 
he survived his companion, with whom he had lived 
over fifty years, but died in 1857. William and Anne 
Cantwell will be remembered by the pioneers, who still 
survive, very favorably and kindly, and Mrs. Cantwell 
will be remembered as one of extraordinary intellect- 
ual acquirements for one in the period of pioneer life 
in which she lived ; they raised a family of twelve 
children, eleven of whom grew up to be men and 
women. Thomas, the oldest, located on a farm near 
Olivesburg, in Richland Co., about 1820, and remained 
there till his death in 1868; AVilliam was accidentally 
killed by the fall of a tree ; Martha married Jacob 
George; Margaret married David Jacques; Rachel 
married William Williams ; Elizabeth married John 



Cary ; Jane married John Scott; Col. James married 
Sarah S. Ferguson; Nancy married Samuel H. Davis; 
John F. married Matilda Casebeer, and J. Y. married 
Mrs. J. C. Curtis ; they were all at one time residents 
of Richland Co. Only three of the family survive — 
Margaret Jacques, Jane Scott and J. Y. Cantwell. 
.James Cantwell was born in December, 1810, and 
hence was 10 years old when he came with his father 
to Richland Co.; in 1845, he responded to the call of 
the Government and volunteered in the military serv- 
ice for one year during the Mexican war; he was 
elected and served as First Lieutenant of the company 
of which McLaughlin was Captain; after the war, he 
represented Richland Co. two terms in the Ohio Legis- 
lature, and the district of which Richland forms a part, 
one term in the Ohio Senate. In 1859, he removed to 
Kenton, Hardin Co., and, at the breaking-out of the 
rebellion, he raised a company the second day after 
Fort Sumter was fired upon, and went to Columbus 
April 16, 1861, when his company was assigned to the 
4th 0. V. I., and he was elected Lieutenant Colonel of 
the regiment, Louis Andrews being Colonel. In 
October following, he was tendered a commission as 
Colonel of the 82d 0. V. I., which he accepted, and 
recruited and organized in less time than any other 
three-years regiment was organized. In January, 
1862, the regiment was ordered to West Virginia, and 
from the first was one of the most active regiments in 
the field ; it took part with Schenck and Milroy at the 
battle of Bull Pasture Mountain in May, 1862; then 
marched with Fremont and Seigel across the Shenan- 
doah Mountains and took part in the memorable cam- 
paign of Jackson and Banks in Shenandoah Valley ; 
was at the battle of Cross Keys ; then marched over 
the Blue Ridge and joined the Army of the Potomac ; 
was at the battle of Cedar Mountain. It was one of 
four regiments connected with Milroy's brigade, the 
advance guard of Pope's army in its march toward 
the enemy, and the rear guard on its retreat, and hence 
for ten successive days prior to the second battle of 
Bull Run the regiment was continually under fire ; it 
was engaged actively and in the foremost of the second 
Bull Run battle on the 30th 9f August, 1862, and while 
gallantly leading his regiment on a charge, (]ol. Cant- 
well was instantly killed, the ball passing in just 
below the left eye and out at the back part of the head. 
Thus fell one of the bravest of men, beloved by all the 
soldiers, and leaving many friends behind him ; but he 
died as a true soldier would choose to die, upon the 
field of battle, and his widow and family, who reside 
still in Kenton, Ohio, appreciate the sentiment inscribed 
by an officer upon the board that marked his tempor- 
ary grave upon the battle-field : 

" How sleep the brave who sink to rest 
By all their country's wishes blest." 

His family and friends revere his memory as a true 
and faithful husband and father, noble man and sol- 
dier, and a firm friend. J. Y. Cantwell was born in 
December, 1824, within two miles of Mansfield ; he 
grew up to manhood in this locality ; read medi- 
cine with J. W. Chandler, in Mansfield ; graduated in 
the spring of 1847, and practiced medicine in his 
native town successfully until the breaking-out of the 
rebellion, and entered the service of the Medical 






CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



695 



Department on the 15th of April, 1861 ; was first con- 
nected with the 4th 0. V. I., but was afterward 
appointed Surgeon of the 82d 0. V. I., Col. Cantwell's 
regiment, and was in active duty in the field till 
December, 1863, filling the position of Brigade, Divis- 
ion and Corps Surgeon, as official orders will show ; 
he participated in more than twenty battles, in all of 
which he occupied the position of Operating Surgeon. 
In January, 1864, he was commissioned by President 
Lincoln Surgeon of the U. S. Volunteers, and assigned 
to duty by the Surgeon General as Inspector of Hospi- 
tals, with Washington as headquarters ; in this capacity, 
he visited all the principal cities, inspecting hospitals, 
discharging, etc.; returning to duty, he was transferred 
to the Veteran Reserve Corps, where he remained till 
April, 1865, when he was assigned to duty at Columbus, 
Ohio, as Superintendent of Hospitals, where he 
remained till the Government property was disposed of 
and the hospitals closed in October following, when he 
was mustered out of service, but, by recommendation 
of the Surgeon General of the U. S. Arpiy, for merit- 
orious services, he was bi-eveted Lieutenant Colonel, 
and he now holds a commission, signed by Andrew 
Johnson and Edwin M. Stanton, conferring upon him 
that rank. After the war, he went to Alabama and 
engaged in the planting interests as well as his profes- 
sion, but has now returned to his native city, where he 
expects to spend the greater portion of his time during 
the balance of his life. 

CAREY, F. C, proprietor of soap factory ; was born 
in Ashland Co. (formerly Richland), Perry Township; 
came to Mansfield recently, and purchased the soap 
factory, which was established in 1868 and" has been 
one of the leading enterprises of this city ; the com- 
pany have the capacity to manufacture 40,000 pounds 
per month ; they manufacture the following varieties 
of soap: laundry, toilet, castile, barbers', tar, and also 
the celebrated coldwater soap ; they are introducing 
and extending the sale of their soap in a number of 
States. They exchange soap for grease, also pay the 
liighest market price for tallow. 

CARPENTER, GEORGE F., attorney; was born 
Aug. 8, 1820, in Worthington Township. Was mar- 
ried, July 2, 1852, to Jennette L. Reid, of Mans- 
field ; their children are Reid, Frank, John, Nettie, 
Dan and Lizzie. Mr. Carpenter came to Mansfield 
in the fall of 1842, studied law with .James Purdy ; 
was admitted to the bar in February, 1845, in New 
Lisbon, Ohio ; entered in partnership with James 
Purdy; continued till 1847, then formed a partnership 
with Gen. William McLaughlin ; continued till 1852, 
then resumed the practice of law alone for several 
years, after which he formed a partnership with Col. 
Isaac Gass. Was in the army from April 6, 1863, till 
Nov. 12, 1865; appointed Paymaster of the Army of 
the Cumberland ; returned to Mansfield and resumed 
the practice of law ; in 1874, entered in partnership 
with H. P. Davis, which continues up to the present 
time ; office in the Carpenter Block, corner of Third and 
Main streets. 

CARPENTER, W. B., tanner; he was born Sept. 15, 
1825, in Worthington Township ; he served as an 
apprentice at the tanner's trade for three years in New- 
ville, with T. F. Simmons; at the expiration of this 



time, he went to BuflFalo, N. Y., and completed his 
trade ; he then returned to Newville and superintended 
the tannery for his father ; he afterward formed a part- 
nership with G. F. Carpenter, and remained six years ; 
in 1852, he dissolved partnership, but he continued the 
business, making twenty-seven years' continuous work 
in a tannery. He was married, Sept. 15, 1846, to Eme- 
line Grove, who was born in 1828, in Montgomery Co., 
Penn.; they had the following family— Alfred George 
(married to Alice Boyd), and resides in Cleveland, 
engaged in the practice of law ; Clara L. (married to 
Joseph Charlton) ; Electa (married to T. Y. Smiley), 
and resides in Ashland ; Alice E. (married to Albert 
Seller) ; Eugene is attending the Ohio University at Del- 
aware; AdaE.., Otto W. and Jennieare stillat home with 
their parents ; one daughter — Lucy, is dead. Mr. Car- 
penter has been a member of the M. E. Church since 16 
years of age. Donn A. Carpenter, brother of W. B., 
was born in 1830 ; he was in the Mexican war ; he was 
elected State Senator from Jones Co., Iowa, in 1863, 
and also in the late war ; he died in January, 1864. 
Mr. Carpenter can trace back his ancestry to 1638 ; 
they landed at Boston Mass., in early American days, 
and from there spread over the United States ; Mr. C.'s 
father came to Ohio in 1818. 

CARROTHERS, SAMUEL (deceased), was born in 
Washington Co., JPenn., in 1780, and was the only son 
of George and Jane Workman Carrothers, who were 
old residents of that county, and came to this country 
before the Revolutionary war. He was married in 
Washington Co., in the year 1802, to Miss Mary Dye, 
who was born in 1781 ; they removed to this county in 
1815, and were the parents of five children — Susan 
Lake Carrothers was born in the year 1807, and is now 
a resident of Linn Co., Iowa; Elizabeth Grant was 
born Jan. 24, 1809, and is a resident of this city; 
Jane Workman Hoft'man was born in 1811, is a resident 
of Olney, 111. ; Rebecca D. McCoUough was born in 
1813, and is now living in Olney, 111.; George W. was 
born in January, 1815 ; Mary Carrothers Ridgeway 
was born in 1817 ; Samuel Leet Carrothers, the young- 
est son, was born in 1819 ; he lives in the city, and is 
a builder and contractor ; Elizabeth Carrothers was 
married in Mansfield, to Edwin Grant, in 1834; he 
was born in Fairfield, Conn., in 1797, and came to Rich- 
land Co. in 1819 ; for many years he carried on a tan- 
nery, near the corner of First and Main streets, in this 
city, in which he was quite successful ; he died in 
1845, in Mount Carmel, 111.; after liis death Mrs. 
Grant returned to this city, where she has since 
remMined ; they were the parents of one child, Esther 
Ann, the wife of Robert Ray Smith, the well-known 
painter of this city. They were married March 9, 
1858, and are the parents of four children. 

CARTER, MERCHANT, County Treasurer; was born 
in Springfield Township, Richland Co., Oct. 15, 18S'2. 
jNIarried Nov. 22, 1859, to E. U. Gass. AVas elected 
County Treasurer in 1877, re-elected in 1879. 

CHANDLER, J. M. (deceased), was born in Jerome- 
ville, now in Ashland Co., Ohio, Oct. 15, 1815, and 
there received a good common-school education; after- 
ward studied medicine, and passed through the regular 
course ; at the early age of 21 years, Mr. Chandler 
graduated with honor at the Ohio Medical College at 



~ 



k. 



696 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Cincinnati ; in the year 1842, he remove'tj to Mansfield 
and commenced practice, which he continued until the 
time of his death, which occurred Jan. 18, 1863; the 
Doctor was buried at Mansfield on the 20th of Jan- 
uary, 18fi3 ; during his residence in Mansfield, he was 
engaged in a large practice, and was reputed by his 
brothers in the profession as one of the best-read phy- 
sicians and counselors, in this part of the State ; for a 
number of years, he was in partnership with the late 
Dr. G. F. Mitchell, and their business extended through- 
out the adjoining counties. Dr. J. M. Chandler was 
married, Aug. 12, 1845, to Miss S. A. Mount, who died 
Aug. 10, 1847 ; Frank, a son by this marriage, died 
May 4, 1855 : on Dec. 30, 1852, the Doctor was mar- 
ried to Miss R. E. Mount, who still survives ; three 
children, two girls and one boy, by this marriage, now 
live in Mansfield — Charles M , at present is telegraph 
operator in the Western Union office in Mansfield. 

CHARLTON, JOSEPH Y., tanner; was born Jan. 
21, 1841. He was married March 16, 1865, to Clara L. 
Carpenter ; she was born July 6, 1847 ; they have four 
children — Mattie B. was born in February, 1866 ; Grove, 
May 17,1868; Alfred Doyle, Jan. 1, 1870; Lettie Nell, 
Feb. 14, 1874. After marriage, located in Wayne Co , 
engaged in farming ; thence to Lucas ; from there to 
Newville, engaged in tannery ; in 1879, he went to 
Mansfield : since then has been engaged as foreman in 
the Carpenter tannery. Enlisted in the army during 
the late rebellion in the 32d 0. V. I.; served his time 
of enlistment; was wounded twice during battles. 

CLABERG, ISAAC N., attorney ; he was born Oct. 
6, 1847, in Butler Township; son of Jacob Claberg ; 
he attended the Savannah Academy and also theSmith- 
ville Academy, and graduated at the Law Department of 
the Indiana State University ; afterward read law with 
Manuel May, and was, admitted to the bar at Bucyrus, 
Ohio, in March, 1878 ; now engaged in the practice of 
law in Mansfield. 

CLAPP, EMILIUS, wine merchant; Emelius Clapp 
is the descendant, in the seventh generation, of Roger 
Clapp, who came to this country from England in 1630, 
settling in Dorchester, Mass.; here he married Miss 
Joanna Ford, daughter of Thomas Ford, of Dorchester, 
England, who, with her parents, came over in the ship 
with himself. Roger Clapp was appointed by the Gen- 
eral Court, in August, 1665, Captain of the Castle (the 
principal fortress in the province), which position he 
held for twenty years, and was universally respected 
and honored ; he also held various other offices, both 
civil and military; in 1686, he removed to Boston, 
where he died in 1691, in the 82d year of his age; 
his wife died in 1695, in her 78th year ; by this union 
there were fourteen children, one of whom. Preserved, 
was born Nov. 23, 1643, who married Sarah New- 
berry, of Windsor, and settled in Northampton ; he was 
Captain of the Town, a representative in the General 
Court, and Ruling Elder in the church, and died from 
the effects of a gunshot wound received from an 
Indian ; he had seven children, one of whom, Roger, 
was the father of Maj. Jonathan, one of the first set- 
tlers in Easthampton ; he had three sons and eight 
daughters; the youngest son, Benjamin, was born in 
1738, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and 
died in 1815 : his wife died in 1847, at the advanced age 



of 97 years ; there were born to them fifteen children. 
The eighth was Solomon, the father of Emelius Clapp, 
who was born in Easthampton, Sept. 2, 1782, and died 
Nov. 25, 1827; he married Miss Paulina Avery, of 
Wallingford, Conn.; there were ten children by this 
marriage, of whom Emelius is the first son, born Dec. 
5, 1808 ; he received his education at the public schools 
and Amherst Academy; after his father's death, he 
remained at home until the spring of 1832, then 
removed to Ohio, where he lived until the following fall 
when he returned to Massachusetts, where he married 
Lydia Hutchinson April 15. 1833 ; the same year, he 
again came to Ohio, and settled in Chester, Geauga Co., 
where he remained until 1836, when he removed to 
Mentor, Lake Co., and there lived one year ; then com- 
menced the manufacture of candy at Painesville, whi6h 
business he followed in connection with the manufact- 
ure of silk ; specimens of his handiwork are now 
in possession of the family aud show him to have been an 
expert workman ; he resided in Painesville until the 
spring of 1844, then to Elyria, where he continued the 
manufacture of candy until September, 1850, when he 
came to Mansfield ; during his residence in this city, 
he was constantly engaged, in partnership with his son- 
in-law and alone, in the manufacture of candy, and the 
grocery trade, for many years. Nov. 20, 1865, the firm 
of E. Clapp & Co. sold their stock to Remy, Hedges & 
Co.; since 1855, he has been exten.sively engaged in 
the manufacture of wine from grapes grown at his vine- 
yard on Kelly's Island. Emelius and Lydia Hutchin- 
son (lapp are the parents of four children, one son 
and three daughters ; .James Birney died in Elyria, 
aged 5 years; Francis H. died in infancy ; two daugh- 
ters are now living — Ellen Mariette (wife of Mr. G. C. 
Wise), of this city, and Mary Paulina (wife of Joseph 
H. McKee),of Grand Rapids, Mich. Mrs. Lydia Clapp 
died in Mansfield Feb. 20, 1870; his present wife was 
Miss Carrie Beardsley, of Garrettsville, Portage Co., 
whom he married May 30, 1872. 

CLARKE, W. P., merchant. This gentleman entered 
the store of Arnold Constable, of New York, as clerk, 
in the spring of 1857 ; he commenced business for 
himself in the fall of 1859, having purchased the stock 
of the late firm of E. & C. Hedges, of Mansfield ; he 
occupied the old stand, 15 Public Square; he now 
occupies the entire building, and is at present crowded 
for room to accommodate his increasing business, which 
is now the most extensive in the city; he employs five 
clerks, and wholesales and retails staple and fancy 
dry goods, carpets, oil-cloths and mattings, together 
with ribbons, laces, hosiery, gloves, and fancy goods of 
all kinds ; his stock is at all times very large, and one 
of the most complete of the kind in Mansfield ; Mr. 
Clarke has, by his aifability and courtesy to customers, 
contributed very much to his business, and is to-day 
recognized as the leading dry-goods merchant un the 
city ; Mr. Clarke occupies several places of trust and 
responsibility ; he is Director of Mansfield Savings 
Bank, a Director in the Mansfield Fire Insurance Com- 
pany, Director and Treasurer of the Mansfield Loan 
and Building Association. 

CLUGSTON, GEORGE A., banker; he was born 
Oct. 5, 1842, in Franklin Co., Penn.; came to Ashland 
Co., Ohio, in 1849 ; he received a liberal education, 



& 



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CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



697 



and engaged in teaching, in all three years ; came to 
Mansfield in March, 1863 ; read law with Henry 
Hedges; was in Provost Marshal's ofiSce fourteen months, 
also Deputy Clerk in office of Probate Judge; he was 
admitted to the bar in 1865, by District Court held at 
Bucyrus, and in United States Court in 1867, at Cleve- 
land ; continued in pi-actice till October, 1873, when he 
was appointed Cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, 
and continues to hold that position ; held the office of 
City Clerk of city of Mansfield in 1872-73. He was 
married, Jan. 1, 1867, to Sarah M. Larimer, who was 
born in Mansfield, Ohio, where she has always lived. 

COOK,.JABEZ (deceased). Mr. Cook was a resi- 
dent of Mansfield and Madison Townships for sixty 
years, an honest, upright citizen, well informed and 
possessed of social qualities of a high order ; he was 
born in Washington Co., Penn., July 11, 1792; came 
to Ohio in 1814, and settled in Madison Township in 
1815, and on what has since been known as the Cook 
homestead, on which he remained about forty years. 
He was married in March, 1815, to Miss Hannah Pier- 
son, of Washington Co., Penn.; nine children were 
born to them, seven of whom are living ; James Hervey 
and Thomas McCurdy, the one a resident of Mansfield 
and the other of Sandusky City, are twins and the first 
children of Jabez Cook ; they were born in September, 
1816 ; Alice, the third child, is a resident of Mansfield ; 
Emily, of Morrow Co., Ohio; Elizabeth, of Iowa City ; 
Mortimer and Lydia Jane, in Santa Barbara, Cal.; 
Abbie Ellen and Willis M., are dead. Mr. Cook 
removed to Mansfiell in 1854, where ,he continued to 
reside until his death, which occurred Feb. 6, 1875. 

COOK, JAMES HERVEY, was born in Madison 
Township, two and a half miles south of Mansfield, in 
September, 1816; he received his elementary educa- 
tion at what is now known as the Sandy Hill School- 
house, and afterward at Granville, Ohio, when he 
returned home and worked on the farm and taught 
school several winters ; he came to Man?field in tiie 
winter of 1840-41, and taught a school on the corner 
of Fourth and Mulberry streets in the little red school- 
house, which the older residents will remember. He 
was married, March 27, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Wiler, 
of this city, with whom he has raised four children ; 
until the year 1849, Mr. Cook was alternately engaged 
in teaching school, farming and buying produce; in the 
spring of that year, he took possession of the Wiler 
House, in which business he was engaged without inter- 
ruption ten years, and again in 1864 until 1869 ; he 
has always been considered one of Mansfield's best 
citizens, and interested in all public improvements ; he 
is now connected with the Richland Mutual Insurance 
Company as one of its officers. 

COLWELL, SAMUEL B. (deceased). He was born 
in Southampton Township, Cumberland Co., Penn., 
June 12, 1810. where he worked at his trade of black- 
smithing, until his removal West in 1836 ; he came to 
Richland Co. in May, 1837, and settled in Troy Town- 
ship, where he took charge of a grist-mill with a 
brother ; he continued at this business for some time 
before removing to his farm west of Lexington, on 
which he lived until 1862, when he returned to Lexing- 
ton and thence removed to Iowa and entered land ; 
returning to Ohio, he bought a farm south of Lexing- 



ton, which he soon after exchanged for the mill prop- 
erty ; for five years previous to his death, he was a 
resident of Missouri; he died in Mansfield June 23, 
1879, respected for his many good qualities of head 
and heart. Mr. Colwell was married in Troy Town- 
ship to Miss Mary Mclntire, by whom he had nine 
children, six of whom are living, three sons and three 
daughters ; James is in the employ of the Aultman & 
Taylor Co., and Samuel in the wholesale house of 
Joseph Miller. 

CRAIG, J. W., M. D., physician. Dr. Craig's father, 
Samuel Carson Craig, was born in Beaver Co., Penn., 
in 1783. He was married to .lane Woods, and came to 
Belmont Co., Ohio, where Dr. Craig was born ; not 
long after, his parents came to this county, where they 
resided during the remainder of their lives ; his 
father dying Feb. 7, 1862; his mother, Sept. 18, 1875. 
When J. W. Craig was about 9 years of age, he went back 
to Belmont Co., where he lived with an uncle, a law- 
yer, and attended school and read Blackstone, his uncle 
desiring he should prepare for the profession of law ; 
J. W. did not fancy Blackstone to any great degree, 
and often reoxl medical works, evincing a desire in that 
direction ; when near 17 years of age, he went to Har- 
rison, near Cincinnati, where he continued to read 
medicine, and also taught school two years ; he after- 
ward went to this county, and, with Dr. Bricker, read 
medicine in the office of Dr. John Mack, of Shel- 
by; from there, he went to the Cleveland Medical 
College, where he graduated in 1851 ; April 7 of 
that year, he located in Ontario, where he remained in 
practice nineteen years ; at the end of that time, 1870. 
he removed to Mansfield, where he still resides. Dr. 
Craig was married, Jan 24, 1854, to Eliza McConnell, 
whose father, Hugh McConnell, was born in Lancaster 
Co., Penn., July 11, 1802 ; one of his sisters, born July 
14, 1800, is now living, in good health, in Mansfield. 
He was married to Mary J. McCommon May 24, 1827 ; 
she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Aug. 26, 1803 ; 
five years after their marriage, they came to Mansfield, 
and soon after bought a farm in Richland Co., where 
they now reside ; Dr. and Mrs. Craig are the parents 
of four children — Wilda, James H., Maggie and ^lay. 

COPE, FRANKLIN E., was born in Winchester, 
Frederick Co., Va., April 4, 1807 ; immigrated to Colum- 
biana Co., Ohio, June 10, 1810, remained there till 
1832. He was married, Nov. 12, 1833, to Jane Sweney, 
she was born in Washington Co., Penn., July, 1808; 
Mr. Cope was engaged in the hatter business in Mansfield 
for fifteen years, also farming ; he was among the early 
settlers who bore a part of the heat and burden of the 
severe trials of a pioneer life. 

CRAIGHEAD, JAMES, Mayor of the city of Mans- 
field ; he was born in 1833, in Carlisle, Cumberland 
Co., Penn.; came to Mansfield in 1837. Was married 
in 1859 to Susan White, daughter of Jonathan S. 
White, of Franklin Township ; they have the following 
children : Septimus, born in 1860, engaged in reading 
law with Manuel May, in Mansfield, and Charlie, born 
in 1864 (deceased) ; Mr. Craighead was elected Mayor 
of Mansfield in the spring of 1879. 

CREIGH, DAVID'M. (deceased). The man whose 
name stands at the head of this biography died and 
was laid to rest in the Mansfield Cemetery, Sept. 26, 



. eJ 

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698 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1861. aged 61 years; although years have come and 
gone, his name is still familiar to the living, and his 
memory cherished by those who knew and honored him. 
He was born in the city of Pittsburgh, Penn., Dec. 5, 
1799 ; he came to Ohio in 1822 with his parents, who 
settled in the northern part of Madison Township ; he 
remained here for a number of years working on the 
farm with his father, Samuel H. Creigh. On the 19th 
day of February, 1845, he was married to Miss Attillia 
Barr, daughter of Col. Jacob Barr, one of the early set- 
tlers of this county, who resided a few miles west of 
Mansfield, the Rev. D. J. Swinney officiating; in this 
neighborhood he soon after purchased land, and con- 
tinued in farm life until his death ; during their resi- 
dence in Madison Township they raised a family of 
three children ; the eldest, .Jennie, afterward the wife 
of James R. Pollock, died Nov. 11, 1877, aged 30 years 
10 months and 29 days ; one son by this marriage still 
survives her; a loving daughter, sister and mother, 
kind and affectionate to all ; her death was universally 
regretted ; John T. Creigh was born Jan. 10, 1847 ; he 
received a good common-school education, and_ soon 
after his father's death came to Mansfield, and was 
employed for some years in the hardware trade, acquir- 
ing a thorough knowledge of that business, which has 
been so useful to him in his present occupation ; he is 
at present a partner in the widely known and prosper- 
ous firm of Patterson & Creigh, carriage manufacturers; 
he was married in November, 1871, to Miss Emma 
Williams, of this county, and resides on West Bloom 
street ; Franc Creigh, the youngest and surviving 
daughter, was born June 9, 1848, and, like her sister 
and brother, received a good education, residing with 
her mother, who removed to Mansfield soon after her 
husband's death ; she was married Sept. 7, 1869, to 
D. W. Kendig, in Mansfield; they have three children 
— Carl, the eldest, was born March 24, 1871 ; Lee 
Creigh Kendig, born Feb. 9, 1873; Kittle Kendig, born 
Sept. 28, 1876 ; Mrs. Franc E. Kendig resides on West 
Market with her mother and father's sister, with her 
little family around her. She and husband are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church. 

CRALL, WILLIAM, was born in Ireland about the 
year 1794, the exact dale not known; he emigrated 
with his parents to this country, and settled in AVash- 
ington Co., Penn.; his father died shortly after coming 
to the country, and he being at that time but 12 years 
of age, and the eldest of the family, the support of the 
family mainly devolved upon him ; he learned the car- 
penter trade with a Mr. Enos, who afterward removed 
from Pennsylvania to Richland Co., and settled in 
Mifflin Township; during the war of 1812, William 
enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, and, with his 
command, marched to the West, against the Indians 
and British ; ■ when the command arrived on its march 
at Cadiz, Harrison Co., they received the news that peace 
was declared, and the war was at an end. The com- 
mand was shortly afterward disbanded, and William 
with other discharged soldiers came to Mansfield, which 
at that time was nothing more than a wilderness ; remain- 
ing here a short time, he went back to his home in Penn- 
sylvania, and afterward returned here with his old em- 
ployer, with whom he worked at the carpenter trade. The 
first house in this city furnished with a shingled roof and 



"plowed and grooved" floor, was erected by him at 
the southeast corner of Fourth and East Diamond 
streets, on the lot now owned by Minor Howe ; at this 
time he was 21 years of age. In 1817, Oct. 12, he was 
married to Mary Westfall, by whom he had eight chil- 
dren, four of whom died at an early age; John Crall, 
the eldest, died in 1862 ; Abram died in California in 
1852, and Susan and James are still living ; Mary West- 
fall was born at Beverly, Randolph Co. Va., Oct. 31, 
1797; her brother, Harvey Westfall, had come to Rich- 
land Co. during the war of 1812, and settled at Mans- 
field ; at the close of the war, she came to Ohio, and 
landed at Newark, where she had an aunt liying; she 
made the entire distance on horseback ; after remain- 
ing in Newark for a time, she came on to Mansfield to 
reside with her brother Harvey ; after her marriage, 
her sister Sidney came to Mansfield from Virginia, and 
lived with her until her marriage with Franklin Car- 
michael ; Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael settled near Shiloh, 
in this county, where their children who are living 
still reside. Harvey Westfall removed from Mansfield 
to Plymouth, near which place he died about twelve 
years ago ; William Crall, after residing in Mansfield 
for several years, removed with his family to Plymouth, 
at which place he, in company with Abraham Trux, 
erected a flouring-mill, which is still standing ; he 
remained at Plymouth but a few years, when he 
returned to Mansfield, where he resided until his death, 
which occurred Sept. 11, 1851; his wife survived him 
until July 21, 1872; previous to going to Plymouth, 
Mr. Crall kept tavern in the old frame building which 
stood on the northwest corner of Fourth and Main 
streets. His parents were Scotch-Irish, and he was 
raised in the Presbyterian faith ; his wife joined the 
Presbyterian Church in this city, under the ministra- 
tion of Rev. James Rowland, and remained a member 
of that church until the time of her death. She always 
took a great interest in the political affairs of the coun- 
try, and for a woman was remarkably well posted in 
political matters. She was fond of reading political 
speeches, and when able, often attended political meet- 
ings of both parties. The career of all leading political 
men was narrowly watched by her, and their speeches 
eagerly read. 

Mrs. Crair s ancestors on her mother's side were Welsh, 
and on her father's. Low Dutch or Hollanders; her 
grand-parents assisted in settling up Virginia, and her 
grand-fathers, Pugh and Westfall, both fought in the 
early Indian wars in Virginia, and her father and uncles 
in the war of the Revolution ; of the children of William 
Crall, as we have said, but two are now living ; Abra- 
ham immigrated to California during the gold fever, 
and died there in 1852 ; John enlisted in Capt. Mc- 
Laughlin's company, 3d 0. V. I., and served during 
the term of service of that regiment in the war with 
Mexico. After his return home, he was married to 
Susan Snyder, who lived but a year or two after her 
marriage ; she left one child, a daughter, who was 
married to Anthony I. Piero, and is now living at 
Plymouth ; although quite a politician, John never 
sought office, and never held but one official position, 
that of Constable, which office he held at the time of 
his death, which occurred in July, 1863. James S. 
Crall enlisted in the 82d 0. V. 1. during the war of the 



1^ 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



699 



rebellion, and was appointed a Second Lieutenant to 
recruit a company for that regiment; upon the organi- 
zation of the regiment, he was elected Captain of the 
company ; upon the death of Col. Cantwell, at the sec- 
ond battle of Manassas Plains or Bull Hun, he was 
promoted to Major of the regiment, and afterward was 
made Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which posi- 
tion he held at the close of the war and the muster-out 
of the regiment ; the 82d Regiment belonged to the 
11th Corps, and took past with that corps in all the 
battles in which it was engaged while in the Army of 
the Potomac ; after the battle of Chickamauga, the 
11th and r2th Corps were transferred to the army of 
Gen. Thomas ; the two corps were consolidated and 
were afterward known as the 20th; with this corps 
under command of Gen. Hooker, the 82d Regiment 
took part in all the skirmishes and battles preceding 
the taking of Atlanta, in the march from Atlanta to 
Savannah, and from Savannah to Raleigh, North Caro- 
lina; the regiment was on the march from Raleigh to 
Richmond, when Lee surrendered to Grant; a few days 
thereafter, Johnston surrendered to Sherman, and the 
war was over. Since his return home, James S. Crall has 
served as member and President of the City Council, 
two terms as Justice of the Peace and is at present 
Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas ; his sis- 
ter, Susan Larimore, is living, and with her children 
resides with him in this city. 

CRAWFORD & ZELLERS, cracker manufacturers, 
located at the corner of Walnut and Bloom streets, in a 
brick building 56x100. The business was originally 
started in 1872, by H. H. Colby, who continued it for 
one year, when the firm that now has it took charge, 
Sept. 7,' 1874; Messrs. Crawford & Zellers were for- 
merly engaged in the manufacture of crackers at Rich- 
mond, Ind., and when they purchased the property, 
they possessed not only ample capital, but a complete 
knowledge of their business ; the first building was a 
frame, to which Crawford & Zellers added some addi- 
tions ; soon after the improvements had been made, 
the frame portion of the structure was destroyed by fire ; 
nothing daunted, the proprietors at once rebuilt in a 
much finer style, so that the works they now have is a 
model institution of its kind, and considered by all to 
be one of the most complete in the State; all the ma- 
chinery used is of the best and most improved make, en- 
abling this house to successfully compete with any other 
engaged in a similar business; 'an engine of thirty-horse 
power is used, and the bakery has a capacity of turning 
out 500 barrels of crackers every 24 hours; 25 to 30 
hands are employed, and a business maintained that will 
exceed $150,000; the crackers here produced are noted 
for tMbir first-class quality and the universal satisfaction 
they give ; a goodly trade is not only had by this firm 
in Ohio, but the same has extended into the States of 
New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and 
Indiana. The firm is composed of B. F. Crawford, D. 
K. and J. G. Zellers ; Mr. Crawford has withdrawn his 
interest from the firm of Zellers & Co., at Richmond, 
Ind., and now gives his undivided attention to the 
business which he has and is so satisfactorily conduct- 
ing, and of which he is principal owner. 

DAILY, JOHN B. (deceased), was born in New Lis- 
bon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, April, 1827 ; whileyet a poor 



boy, te, unexpectedly to his relatives, came to Mansfield, 
and was at once placed at the desk in the hardware 
store of A. J. Endly, where he soon showed that apt- 
ness for book keeping which was so serviceable to him 
in after years ; here he was constantly employed for 
fourteen years, gaining a thorough knowledge of the 
trade ; in the year 1864, he was appointed Deputy Rev- 
enue Assessor, which position he held until the coming- 
in of the new administration ; Mr. Daily was a mem- 
ber oi the German Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., which order he 
joined in the year 1864, and in which he has held a 
number of offices ; Mr. Daily was long and favorably 
known as one of INIansfield's business men, being 
engaged largely at one time in real estate and other 
enterprises. John B. Daily was married July 3, 1865, 

to Miss Emma C , of New Lisbon ; there have 

been born to them four children — Laura E., William C, 
John E. and Emma M.; John B. Daily died Aug. 6, 
1876, in Mansfield. 

DAY, AMOS (deceased), son of Joseph and Eleanor 
Day; was born in Washington Co., Penn., Jan. 12, 
1806, and removed to this county with his father's 
family in 1815, thus having lived sixty-five years con- 
tinuously in Richland Co. He was married in Novem- 
ber, 1834, to Martha Smith, daughter of Jedediah 
Smith, of Washington Township, by whom he had 
eight children, five of whom are still living, being 
Joseph B. and Harrison W. Day, of Washington Town- 
ship ; Mrs. W. S. Bradford and Miss Kate £. Day, of 
Mansfield; Mrs. J. F. Bowers, of Bellville. He 
learned the mason trade when quite a young man, and 
built or helped to build many of the old structures of 
Mansfield, among which was the Congregational Church, 
the old Sturges Block, Tracy's Block, and others, which 
have since been replaced by more modern and imposing 
edifices ; also many of those still standing, among 
them the McFall Block, built nearly half a century 
ago, the old North American, southeast of the Park, 
and the Union Church. He moved to his farm in 
Washington Township in 1835, where he battled with 
the sturdy monarchs of the forest during the best years 
of his life, making them give place to fruitful and pro- 
ductive fields and abundant harvests; he removed to 
Mansfield to spend the declining years of his life, 
where he died of typhoid fever on the 21st day of 
April, 1880. He was a man of great force of charac- 
ter, always adhering firmly and strictly to principles 
of virtue and honesty ; he was a kind father and a good 
husband, and his memory will be cherished and revered 
by those who knew him best ; companionable and 
sociable with his friends and acquaintances, his cheer- 
ful and pleasant greetings will not soon be forgotten by 
those with whom he mingled for more than half a cen- 
tury. By rigid economy and industrious habits he 
acquired a competency, which he used carefully and 
rationally, often expressing a desire to leave his wife 
and children in comfortable circumstances rather than 
to enjoy the luxuries of life himself; despising dis- 
play and pretension, and of a retiring and unassuming 
disposition, his good deeds were not heralded to the 
world, but he was ever ready to lend a helping hand 
to the poor and the distressed. He united with the 
Congregational Church of Mansfield in 1836, soon after 
its organization, and, although of late years not an 



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700 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



active member, he was a firm believer in the Christian 
religion, a faithful and rigid observer of the Sabbath Day, 
and a careful and constant reader of the Scriptures; 
and, possessing a wonderfully retentive memory, its 
great and grand truths were treasured up in his mind, 
and often adverted to, to the edification of his family 
and friends. His mind dwelt much during the later 
months of his life on the uncertainty of earthly exist- 
ence ; and, upon his dying bed, although cut down by 
a malignant and ruthless disease, and although his 
mind often wandered, yet in his lucid intervals, his 
conversation showed to those who watched by his bed- 
side that his thoughts were at such times fixed upon im- 
mortal things. In one of those moments, while reason for 
a short space returned to her throne, he seemed much 
moved, and spoke of going home: and when asked if 
he meant Heaven, he replied, "Yes," and at another 
time he requested that a hymn be sung. He bore his 
sufferings with patience and resignation; not a word 
of complaint or murmuring escaped his lips during the 
progress of his fell disease. His mother, Eleanor Day, 
came from her home in Indiana to attend the funeral of 
the first-born of her twelve children ; she and her 
twin sister, who is also living, lack only seven years 
of being a century old; (heir descendants number 250; 
their maiden name was Thomas ; they are full sisters 
of the father of Gen. Thomas. Mrs. Eleanor Day was 
the mother of twelve children, eleven of whom attained 
to manhood and womanhood, and nine of them are still 
living, being Marcus, Clemens and Cyrus Day, of this 
county; Harrison Day, of DeKalb' Co., 111.; Mrs. Hon. 
Robert M. Lockhart and Mrs. Louisa Ensley, of De 
Kalb Co., Ind.; Mrs. Hon. .lohn Young and Mrs. Jacob 
Henry, of Sauk Co , Wis., and Mrs. Joshua Martin, of 
Barry Co., Mich. The old lady is still in the enjoy- 
ment of all her faculties unimpaired ; but says tliat 
" This world has no charms for her," and she is only 
waiting to be called up higher, and receive the reward 
of a well spent life. 

DeCAMP, MOSES (deceased); was born in Washing- 
ton Co., Penn.,Oct. 10, 1816, and was of French Prot- 
estant descent. The American family from whom he 
sprung were among the earliest settlers of New Jersey ; 
some of the descendants afterward settled in Western 
Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1827, his father moved with 
his family into Ohio and located in Morrow Co , where, 
with the little opportunities then alforded, he soon by 
diligence acquired sufficient knowledge to teach while 
continuing his studies, and the fall of 1842 found him 
in charge of what was then known as the Preparatory 
Department of Delaware University, which embraced 
almost every branch, except the dead languages ; while 
there, greater inducements were held out to him to con- 
tinue his chosen vocation, which he reluctantly declined 
on account of poor health. He afterward removed to 
Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he married Miss Almena H 
Winters in the fall of 1844, by whom he had four chil- 
dren — Gilbert Winters, Alphonse Lemartine, Herbert 
Cantwell and Luella Almena; all residents of Mansfield, 
except the second son, who is a dentist of note, in Paris, 
France; Dr. M. DeCamp commenced the practice of 
dentistry in this city in the fall of 1851, and continued 
to practice until a few months before his death, which 
occurred April 17, 1876; during his residence in 



Mansfield, he was known as a trustworthy Christian 
man ; for a number of years President of the American 
Bible Society, of this county, and of the State Dental 
Association, in which he held high rank on account of 
his professional ability ; at the time of his death, he 
was a member of the State Board of Dental Examiners, 
and a prominent Mason in the Mansfield Lodge. He 
was a member of the Congregational Church in Mans- 
field, and for several years acted as one of its Deacons. 

DI(?!KSON, V. M., grocer; was born in Millsborough, 
Springfield Township, June 22, 1844 ; while living in 
that township he worked on a farm until 18 years 
of age, then removed to Oil City, Penn., where he re- 
mained two years ; in 1865, he was employed in the 
firm of Dickson & Byrd, grocers, in Mansfield ; in 1867, 
the firm name was changed to .1. and V. M. Dickson — 
Mr. Byrd retiring; this partnership continued until 
Oct. 21, 1878, when he entered into partnership with 
Mr. Wm. Adrain, Oct. 31, same year, under the firm 
name of Dickson & Adrain, now doing business on the 
corner of Main and Market streets, Mansfield. Mr. 
D. was married, April 10, 1872, to Miss Anna W. 
Sayles, of New York, now residents of West Third 
street, Mansfield. 

DILL, THOMAS T., Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas. Born in Wayne Co., Ohio, May 2, 1842 ; came 
to Mansfield in 1853 ; at the beginning of the war, 
enlisted in the army under the first call for troops ; 
being for three months in the 16th 0. V. I.; served his 
time in that organization in West Virginia, was mus- 
tered out at the expiration of the term, and immedi- 
ately enlisted again in the 16th 0. V. I., as organized 
for three years, served through Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Virginia, and all the Southern States ; was taken pris- 
oner at Tazewell, Tenn.; served under Gen. Grant in 
several campaigns, including the siege of Vickshurg ; 
served in the Depirtment of the Gulf, in the States of 
Louisiana and Texas; was under Gen. Banks on his 
Red River expedition ; participated in a great many 
battles during his term of service in the 16th 0. V. I.; 
was discharged in November, 1864, by reason of expira- 
tion of term of enlistment, and immediately re-enlisted in 
the 1st Regiment, 1st Army Corps, an organization made 
up of veterans who had seen not less than two years' 
service; this corps was called "Hancock's Corps," 
and was commanded by Gen. W. S. Hancock; ISIr. 
Dill was commissioned a First Lieutenant by Gen. 
Hancock; whilst in this command did service in Vir- 
ginia, and was in several engagements ; when the war 
closed, he was retained in'the service by Gen. Hancock 
until the 2d day of May, 1866, at which date he was 
mustered out, making a little more than five years' 
service in the army ; since his return from the'army, 
he has resided in Mansfield, and was employed as a 
mechanic for eight years by the Aultman Taylor Co ; 
was elected Clerk of Court in October, 1876, for three 
years, served faithfully and was re-elected in October, 
1879, for another term. 

DOLL, MKIHAEL R., harness-maker. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Green Township, Richland 
Co., as it originally •existed, Oct. 25, 1839; came to 
Mansfield in 1845 with his parents, who soon after 
removed to an adjoining county, where he was placed 
in school until of sufficient age to begin his trade of har- 



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CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



701 



ness-making, at which he worked until the breaking- 
out of the civil wiu, when he entered the army, enlist- 
ing as an artificer in the lltli 0. B., afterward 
assigned to the Western Department 17th Army Corps ; 
Mr. Doll served his full term of enlistment, taking an 
active part and doing his duty as a soldier in the many 
engagements in which that battery and corps were 
engaged ; among the more noted and terrible battles in 
which he took part, were the siege of Vicksburg, 
Island No. 10, Corinth and the battle of luka, Miss. 
During Mr. Doll's career as a soldier, he passed through 
many dangers unharmed, when others have fallen — not 
escaping altogether, as he was slightly wounded at the 
battle of Vicksburg, and in the great railroad collision at 
Crestline in April, 1861, severely injured, having a knee 
joint dislocated and being otherwise bruised ; but it was 
not until long after the close of the war in January, 
1877, that, after escaping the bullets of the enemy, and 
working at his vocation ih Mansfield, he received a 
pistol-shot wound through the gross carelessness of a 
friend that almost proved fatal, from the effects of 
which he still suffers, and will carry the marks to his 
grave. An upright and good citizen, he is now contin- 
uing steadily at his trade, enjoying tlie entire respect 
of till tliG Gitizciis 

DOOLITTELL, COLUMBUS S., was born near Fred- 
erickstown, Knox Co., Oct. 24, 1819. His mother 
having died when he was quite a small child, he lived 
with his grandfather, Thomas Doolittell, during his 
minority ; soon after he was 21 years of age, he taught 
school one year ; in the summer of 1842 he attended 
the commencement of Kenyon College, when President 
Hayes graduated ; his speech so influenced Mr. D. that 
he determined to fulfill a long-cherished hope, and take 
a thorough classical course ; in May, 1843, he entered 
the preparatory class in Kenyon College, and by per- 
sistent application he entered the fceshman class of 
'44, with W. K. Rogers, now Private Secretary to the 
President. Among his other classmates, who became 
prominent, were W. G. LeDuc, now Commissioner of 
Agriculture, and Dr. J. W. Scott, a distinguished Pro- 
fessor in the Cleveland Medical College. His resources 
being somewhat limited, he supported himself by teach- 
ing private classes. By diligent use of his time, and 
close study, he maintained a high standard of scholar- 
ship, and graduated with the highest honors in 1848. 
In September of that year, he accepted the position of 
assistant teacher in Mrs. Schenck's Seminary, in Colum- 
bus ; in the fall of 1849, he was chosen a tutor in Kenyon 
College, and at the same time became a member of the 
Theological Seminary ; in 1852, he was ordained Dea- 
con, and took charge of St. Stephen's Church in Can- 
field. In January, 1853, he was married to Miss P. 
A. Lindley, of Frederickstown. In 1856, he accepted 
a call to St. Luko's Church, Granville, and at the 
same time became associate principal of the Granville 
Female Seminary; in 1861, in company with Mr. 
J. Lindley, he moved the school to Mansfield, where 
he was engaged about ten years. In 1876, Mr. D. be- 
came the associate editor of the Ohio Liberal, then an 
independent paper, but retired from the paper when it 
became Democratic. In January, 1877, he became the 
associate editor of the Mansfield Herald, a position he 
now occupies. 



DOUGLAS, THOMAS E., Postmaster. He was 
born six miles west of Mansfield June 21, 1829; he 
received a very fair education in the common schools, 
and in the academies of Haysville and Berea ; he 
studied law in the office of L. B. Matson, and, in July, 
1860, was admitted to the bar, and in October formed 
a partnership with M. W. Worden, with whom he be- 
gan the practice of his profession ; when the war broke 
out in the spring of 1861, Mr. Douglas enlisted, April 
16, in. Maj. McLaughlin's company in the 1st Regi- 
ment, and remained with it during its term of service, 
participating in the battle of Bull Run, July 21 ; re- 
turning home, he enlisted in the 15th, three-years' 
service, in which regiment he was commissioned First 
Lieutenant of Co. G, Sept. 9 ; that regiment was 
in the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 18G2, after which 
Lieut. D. was promoted Captain, and, in the battle 
of Stone River, Dec. 31 ; in this latter eng.igement, 
Capt. Douglas was so severely wounded in the right 
lung, that he was obliged to return home. While here, 
he was married to Francis H. Rowland, daughter of 
Rev. James Rowland, May 12, 1863. June 24, he 
was appointed Captain in the Veteran Reserve Corps, 
in which capacity he served until he was mustered out 
while at Baltimore, Aug. 29, 1866 ; he then returned 
home and resumed the practice of law, following it un- 
til he was appointed Postmaster, March 12, 1873 ; he 
took charge of the office May 12. Mrs. Douglas 
died Aug. 1, 1879, leaving four children. 

DOUGLAS, M. E., Secretary of the Merchants' and 
Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company. He was 
born in Richland Co., where he has always resided. 

DOW, W, contractor and stonemason, Mansfield. 
He was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, Oct. 6, 1847 ; 
he was the first son of John and Jenett Dow, who were 
of an old and respectable family in that country ; he 
emigrated to this country in May, 1869, and came to 
Mansfield in July, 1H70 ; directly after his arrival here, 
he was employed by the contractors of the court 
house, which was then being built ; he was likewise 
employed in building the stonework of the Congrega- 
tional Church in this city, and in the spring of 1873 
the firm of Hancock & Dow were the contractors and 
builders of the stonework of the Mansfield Savings 
Bank ; in 1874, they finished their contract for the same 
work on the Plymouth and Shelby Schoolhouses ; in 
1875, they built the freight house of the C, C. & I. R. R. 
at Columbus, and the passenger stone depot at Berea ; 
among the public and larger buildings for which they 
were the contractors and masons, since that date, were 
the Marysville High School in 1876, and the city hall, 
in the same place, and the Masonic Hall of Marion in 
1877; in 1878, they they did the mason work on the 
Marion County Jail ; in addition to those already men- 
tioned in this city, was the work on the Jenner, Keith 
& Scattergood Building and the frontage of the Swi- 
gart Building ; the firm is at present the contractors 
for the same work on the new county jail, now in 
process of erection. 

DYSERT, D. M., M. D., homoeopathist. He was born 
in Wayne Co., in 1852, educated in Wayne and Medina 
Cos. ; he graduated at Pulte Medical College, Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, in 1876 ; he was engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Independence, this county, for three years, 



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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



where he had a very extensive practice ; his health be- 
came impaired in the fall of 1879, and be v?ent to Florida 
to spend the winter ; be returned to this county and 
located in Manstield, opened an office at the southwest 
corner of the park. He is prepared to attend to all 
calls in his profession promptly. 

EARNEST, D. H., dealer in furniture. He was 
born, July 24, 1844, in Cumberland Co., Penn.; immi- 
grated to Richland Co. in the fall of 1858; engaged 
with Cyrus Hersheiser and learned the carpenter trade ; 
worked at that trade eight years, then engaged with 
Aultman & Taylor machine-shops for ten years and 
four months ; .Jan. 22, 1879, he formed a partnership 
with J. K. .Johnson in furniture store, which they still 
continue. He was married, April 7, 1868, to Iva Jane 
Pocock ; she was born in Wayne Co., Oct. 16, 1841 ; 
they have the following family : Mary Bell (deceased), 
Rosa Ellen, born Aug. 18, 1871 ; David Milton Georgia, 
Nov. 17, 1874 ; reside at No. 118 East Market street. 

EDGINGTON, JESSE (deceased). He was born in 
Virginia, and in an early day removed to Jefferson Co. 
this State, where he resided for several years, when he 
came to this county and settled in Springfield Township 
in 1814, where he was one of the largest land-owners 
during his life. The first Presbyterian Church built in 
that township, of which he was a member and one of 
the founders, was erected on his land ; he died in 1821, 
at an advanced age, leaving five children by his mar- 
riage to Miss ]\Iargaret Palmer. Thomas, the eldest 
son, was born in Virginia in 1781, and removed with 
his parents to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where he lived until 
1815, when he came to this county and settled in 
Springfield Township. He was married in Jefferson 
Co., Ohio, to Miss Mary Alban in 1802; they were 
the parents of ten children, of whom Margaret was 
the oldest; she was born in Jefi"erson Co., Ohio, Aug. 
80, 1803, and died in Columbia City, Ind., Aug. 30, 
1872; Thomas Edgington died in Springfield Township 
in 1856 ; Margaret was married in Springfield Town- 
ship to William Douglas in 1823 ; they were the parents 
of five children — William Douglass was born in AVasli- 
ington Co., Penn., in 1798 ; his father, Michael Douglas, 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. He was married 
in that country to Lydia Pollock in 1795, and emigrated 
to America in the fall of 1 796, and settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, where he continued to reside until 1820, when 
he removed to Ohio, and settled in Springfield Town- 
ship, Richland Co.; William Douglas died in 1857 in 
that township. 

ELLIOTT, H. C, book-binder. He is prepared to do 
all kinds of blank-book and magazine binding in the 
best and latest styles, also re-bind and re-model old 
books ; all orders by mail promptly attended to ; 
parties desiring binding will find it to their advantage 
to examine his samples ; prices to suit the times, cor- 
ner Main and Fourth streets. 

ERWIN, A. J., physician, surgeon and oculist; he 
was born in Concord, Penn.; he was educated at the 
University of Nashville, where he graduated in med- 
icine in 1864. Immediately afterward, he entered into 
partnership with the eminent surgeon, Dr. J. W. Daily, 
of Fort Wayne, Ind., at which place he remained until 
1870, when he removed to Mansfield. He was married, 
in 1867, to Miss Mary C. Johnson, of Mansfield, who 



died in 1874. He is a member of the American Med- 
ical Association and the American Public Health Asso- 
ciation. In 1874, he was elected by the American 
Medical Association as a delegate to foreign associa- 
tions, in which capacity he visited Europe, and while 
there he took a course in eye diseases in the Royal 
London Ophthalmic College. In 1878, he was elected 
to the chair of orthopedic surgery in the Cleveland 
Medical College, which chair he filled by occasional 
visits without removing from Mansfield. He is surgeon 
of the P., Ft. W. & C, M. & C. and the B. & 0. R.R.'s. 
He is now in active practice. 

ETTINGER, JACOB, groceryman. The subject of 
this sketch is the oldest of eight children born to Daniel 
and Catherine Ettinger, an old YorkTo. (Penn.) family, 
who came to Ohio in 1837 and settled near what was 
then known as Lower Sandusky — now Fremont. The 
father located in Scott Township, Sandusky Co., where 
he remained two years, and then removed to Lexing- 
ton, this county, where he resided for many years, en- 
joying the confidence and esteem of the entire com- 
munity. For many years, he was engaged in teaching 
school, and was accounted a more than ordinary mathe- 
matician. For [nine years, he served as Assessor of 
Troy Township. Communicative and intelligent, he 
was always a favorite with those who desired any in- 
formation that he could give. He died in Ogle Co., 
111., and was buried near Lexington, Ohio. Jacob Et- 
tinger was born in York Co., Penn., April 16, 1823 ; in 
his youth, he received a good common-school education, 
and, after his parents removed to this county, he taught 
school for about four years, when, removing to Mans- 
field, he was appointed a conductor on the old S. M. 
& N. R. R., which position he held for seven years, and 
was accounted a careful and faithful officer. He was 
married in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, on the 10th of April, 
1846 ; they have had four children, two living and two 
dead. For fourteen years, Mr. Ettinger has been en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits in Mansfield, and is ac- 
counted a shrewd and successful business man. 

ETTINGER, BENJAMIN, harness-maker ; he was 
born in York Co., Penn., June 7, 1828, and came to 
Ohio in 1836, and to Richland Co. in 1837, where he 
received his elementary education, his father being a 
teacher and mathematician of some note in Troy Town- 
ship. When 18 years of age, he commenced the trade 
of harness-making, which occupation he continues to 
follow in Mansfield, where he is known as a good work- 
man. Mr. Ettinger was married, Sept. 6, 1854, to Miss 
Elizabeth Brooks, who died Oct. 16, 1860, and again 
married to Mary Emma Lake, his present wife ; they 
have one son. 

FARMER, J. S., attorney at law. He was born in 
Mansfield June 28, 1844, and received his elementary 
education in Washington Township. John and Susan 
(Stewart) Farmer, his parents, were old residents of 
the county and resided in Washington Township many 
years. In 1864, he began teaching school in this 
county, and was so engaged for ten winter terms ; dur- 
ing the summer months he worked on a farm, while he 
continued a course of reading preparatory to the study 
of law ; in April, 1870, he came to Mansfield and con- 
tinued his studies under the instruction of Matson & 
Dirlam, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1872. 



yr, 



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CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



703 



Mr. Farmer was married, Oct. 8, 1874, to Barbara A. 
Hannan, by whom he has three children. 

FAUS, HENRY,. traveling agent. He was born in 
Columbia Co., Penn., March 31, 1837 ; came to Ohio in 
1852. Was married April 14, 1863, to Lodema C. Zent ; 
she was born Sept. 3, 1841, in Richland Co.; they have 
the following family : Lorena F., born .June 8, 1864 ; 
Delia B., Oct. 8, 1865; Charlie J., Sept. 8, 1866; 
Wardie B., Sept. 8, 1867. 

FINFROCK, .J. H., physician; was born in Colum- 
biana Co., Ohio; came to Richland Co. in 1836; read 
medicine with Dr. John Blecker, of Van Wert, Ohio ; 
graduated at Cincinnati in the Medical College. En- 
listed during the war ; was promoted Captain of Co. F, 
6th 0. V. I.; served in that position till he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Surgeon of the 11th 0. V. C; was 
stationed in Dakota Territory. After his service in the 
army, he located in Laramie City, Wyoming Territory, 
where he is engaged in the practice of medicine. 

FINFROCK, M. V. B., druggist; son of .Jonathan 
Finfrock ; was born in 1838 in Madison Township. 
Was married in 1864 to Lydia E. Keller; they have 
three children — Ira Elmer, Emma May and Grace 
Maud. Mr. Finfrock was engaged in teaching school 
for some years ; then located in Mansfield in the 
drug business ; has been very successful, and is now 
leading off in this department ; has also been taking a 
very active part as Councilman for two years ; he is 
now a member and Treasurer of the School Board of 
the city of Mansfield, and doing all he can to raise the 
standard of education. 

FISHER, .JOHN, sewing-machine agent ; was born 
March 27, 1849, in Cumberland, Md. His father and 
mother are now and have been old residents of that 
locality, dating back fifty-three years. Mr. Fisher came 
to Mansfield Dec. 24, 1879, and is now engaged in act- 
ive business. He was married Feb. 10, 1872, in Cum- 
berland, Md., to Anna M. Wolf; they have three chil- 
dren — two boys and one girl. Charles Fisher emi- 
grated from Germany and settled in Cumberland, Md., 
about the year 1827. John Fisher was the eighth son. 
About thirteen years previous to his arrival in Mansfield, 
he was employed on railroads in different positions ; 
at present a resident of the Fourth Ward. 

FLANNERY, B., keeper of boarding-house; he was 
born in Ireland, in the year 1838, the first son of 
Mathew and Margaret Flannery ; he emigrated to 
America in May, 1863, and landed in New York City, 
where he was employed in a tea and coffee house for 
three years, when he removed to the oil regions of 
Pennsylvania, where he remained two years before 
coming to Mansfield. He was married in this city, 
Dec. 16, 1868, to Miss Mary Hogan. During his resi- 
dence here, he has been prominent in local politics, 
and has been a delegate to a number of important con- 
ventions,, and is one of our active citizens. Mr. Flan- 
nery comes from a respectable family in the old country, 
where they held high ofiices in Church and State. 

FORD, JOHN, deceased ; he was born in Harrison 
Co., Ohio, in 1816. His parents removed to this county 
when he was quite young, and settled in Clear Creek 
Township, now in Ashland Co., where he assisted in 
clearing the land and worked on the farm until his re- 
moval to Washington Township with a brother ; he 



there cleared the land since known as the Hunter farm, 
and afterward purchased the farm south of Washington 
Village, where he lived for many years, well known by 
the citizens of the county and respected for his many 
good qualities of head and heart. He was married to 
Miss Harriet Barnes, of Washington Township, Aug. 
16,1838; they were the parents of eight children — 
four sons and four daughters ; three sons and one 
daughter reside in Mansfield ; one son is a farmer in 
Washington Township ; Mary Ellen Ford, born Aug. 
21, 1839, died Feb. 28, 1863; Phebe, born July 28, 
1849, died Aug. 11,1851; Ada, born April 27, 1860, 
died Sept. 26, 1874. Mr. Ford removed to Mansfield 
in May, 1872, where he was engaged in business with 
his sons, and resided until his death, which occurred 
Feb. 25, 1876. Mrs. Harriet Barnes Ford died in 
Mansfield Oct. 27, 1874. 

FORD, THOMAS H. (deceased). Ex-Gov. Ford was 
born in Rockingham Co., Va. Aug. 23, 1814. His 
parents soon after removed to Harrison Co. Ohio, where 
they lived a few years, removing to Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Ashland Co., then a part of this county; here 
Mr. Ford died, leaving a large family, some of whom 
were grown. Thomas Ford grew to maturity here, 
getting little if any education in the district schools, 
obtaining the principal part by the light of a burning 
stump or the fire-place. After reaching his majority, 
he married a Miss Hall, and for some time was engaged 
on a farm; this pursuit, however, did not favor him, 
and consequently he did not make a success : his wife 
died here, as well as all her children — the latter while 
in their infancy. Mr. Ford was again married to Mary 
Ann Andrews, and not long after gave up farming and 
came to Mansfield to engage in the study of law, enter- 
ing the ofiice of .James Purdy, Esq.; while here, in 
1851, his second wife died, leaving him three boys — - 
Thomas H. who died in 1873, in the city ; P. P. H., 
who is yet a resident of Mansfield, and W. A. who, 
when his mother died, was 18 months old, and who was 
given by her to Mrs. John Bright (sister of Mr. Ford) 
to raise ; he is now in California. Mr. Ford was mar- 
ried the third time to Harriet M. Pantlind, who became 
the mother of one child, Ada, who is married and liv- 
ing in Washington City, and with whom her mother 
now lives. After Mr. Ford completed a law course, he 
was admitted to practice, and, at different times, was 
partner of P. P. Hull, Oliver P. Gray, William Long- 
bridge, AVilliam Tidball, H. P. Davis, R. C. Smith, 

Boales, Judge Dirlam and others. When the Repub- 
lican party came into existence, he was one of its most 
eloquent exponents, and, while engaged in politics, de- 
livered at Philadelphia, a speech that made his name 
famous ; it was one of those speeches given impromptu, 
(he never studied a speech) which the occasion calls 
out, and is rarely repeated ; it gained him the Lieu- 
tenant Governor's place under Gov. Chase, and brought 
him prominently forward in after life ; at the expiration 
of his term of office, he returned to Mansfield to the 
practice of law, though he was always active in poli- 
tics. When the war with Mexico broke out, he en- 
listed, and raised a company which saw one year's serv- 
ice ; its history is given elsewhere ; while in this war, 
he was wounded ; when the last war broke out, ex-Gov. 
Ford raised the 32d 0. V. I. and was its Colonel ; the 



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704 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



unfortunate affair at Harper's Ferry cost him his dis- 
missal, though he and his personal friends always in- 
sist he was made a " scape goat " for a higher officer's 
blunders. President Lincoln re-instated him, though 
he did not again enter the service ; he went to Wash- 
ington City, where he built up a lucrative practice in 
the law, and where he held for a while, the office of 
Superintendent of Public Printing ; about the year 1866, 
he connected himself prominently with the temperance 
movement in the District, and was considered one of 
its ablest and most eloquent advocates ; he died Feb. 
29, 1868, at the age of 54 years ; all the city papers 
referred to his loss, and all published commendatory 
notices of his life and death, that were widely copied ; 
the various temperance orders buried him with every 
show of respect, in one of the city vaults, from which 
his remains were subsequently removed to the cemetery, 
in Mansfield where they now repose. 

FORD, E. C, merchant. He was born in Washing- 
ton Township, June 8, 1856, where he resided until his 
removal to Mansfield in the spring of 1872, where he 
commenced the tinner's trade, which completing, he 
entered into partnership with his father (the late John 
Ford), and a brother, under the firm name of Ford & 
Sons, doing a large business in stoves and tinware ; 
since his father's death, which occurred Feb. 25, 1876, 
the firm name has been Ford Brothers. He was mar- 
ried in Mansfield, June 19, 1878, to Miss Ella J. Hershi- 
ser, daughter of Cyrus Hershiser, a well known con- 
tractor and builder in this city. 

FORD, P. P., merchant. He was born in Mansfield, 
Nov. 20, 1846; his father being the late Col. Thomas H. 
Ford ; he received his education principally at the 
Monroe Seminary and at Lexington, Ohio ; during the 
late war, he enlisted in the 32d 0. V. I., in which he 
remained until the close of the war, participating in 
all the battles in which that regiment engaged ; after- 
ward resided in Washington City for some time, then 
returned to Richland Co., Ohio, where he has since 
lived. In Aug. 13, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary 
C. Stone, of Washington Township, by whom he has 
had five children — Jessie Ada, Edwin Davis, Charles 
Thomas (deceased), Mary H. and Emma Virda; in the 
fall of 1869, Mr. Ford removed to Mansfield, where he 
now lives and engaged in mercantile business. 

FORD, S. N., Secretary of the Mansfield Building 
and Lumber Company. He was born in Washington 
Township, Richland Co., Feb. 6, 1847 ; his elementary 
education he received principally at the Lexington 
Seminary, which he attended for several years ; at the 
age of 18, he commenced business for himself, and in 
February, 1870, was employed by the Mansfield Build- 
ing and Lumber Association, and was elected agent of 
the same in the fall of 1872, which position he held 
until October, 1876, when he was elected its Secretary. 
Mr. Ford was married in Lexington, Dec. 28, 1868, to 
Miss Lizzie Cook, of that place, with whom he has 
raised two children, one son and one daughter — Hoyt 
and Ada. 

FORD, THOMAS W., merchant. He was born in 
Washington Township Jan. 12,1844; he is. a son of 
the late Mr. John Ford, who resided in that township 
over forty years ; in 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 32d 0. 
V. I., and served until the close of the war, after 



which he returned to Richland Co., .and was engaged 
in farming and teaching school for seven years previ- 
ous to his removal to Mansfield. He was married in 
September, 1868, to Miss Leah Garber, of AVashington 
Township ; they have one son, G. G. Ford, who was 
born June 27, 1869 ; after his removal to Mansfield, he 
was employed in the wholesale house of E. P. Sturges 
& Co. four years, then a partner in the stove and tin 
store of Ford & Sons, now Ford Brothers ; one of the 
best-conducted houses in that branch of business in 
Mansfield. 

FRANZ, J. B., proprietor St. James Hotel. The 
subject of this sketch, the w«ll-known landlord of the 
St. James Hotel in Mansfield, was born in Leesville, 
Crawford Co., Ohio, June 24, 1841; although compar- 
atively a young man, he has already acquired an envi- 
able reputation in his special line of business, and is 
classed among our enterprising citizens. He was mar- 
ried in Delaware, Ohio, June 3, 1874, to Miss Nellie 
Sampsell, daughter of one of the old citizens of that 
place. 

FRENCH, D. H., Rev., D. D., Pastor U. P. Church, 
Dayton, Ohio. Dr. French, who for over twelve yeara 
was Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in this 
city, is a son of Rev. David French, who was Pastor 
forty-four years of the Associate Congregations of 
North and South BuflFalo, in Washington Co., Penn. 
Dr. French was born in that county ; he received his 
collegiate education at the Jeiferson College, Cannons- 
burg, Penn., where he graduated in 1857; he attended 
the Theological Seminary at Xenia, Ohio, and, six 
months after graduating there, received calls from three 
congregations to become their Pastor ; he accepted the 
call from Cannonsburg, Penn., and entered upon the 
discharge of his duties in March, 1861 ; after a pastor- 
ate of five years, he was obliged to resign on account 
of a threatened attack of lung disease ; about a year 
after his release from this charge, he was called by the 
congregation in Mansfield, which call he accepted, and 
for twelve and one-half years labored faithfully among 
the people here ; late in 1879, he received a call from 
the U. P. Church, Dayton, Ohio, which he accepted, 
and early in January, 1880, went to that city, where 
he now resides ; he received the honorary title of Doc- 
tor of Divinity from the Muskingum College, in the 
summer of 1879. 

GAILEY, RICHARD, attorney-at-law. Of the two 
sons of Rev. Richard Gailey, the subject of this sketch 
is the younger, the elder being Rev. John Gailey, of 
the United Presbyterian Church. Richard was born 
May 5, 1845, in Madison, Westmoreland Co., Penn. 
In 1849, his father removed to this county, and first 
settled in Monroe Township, and subsequently removed 
to Lexington ; he received his education chiefly from 
his father in the seminary of which he was the founder; 
during the years 1867, 1868 and 1869, he studied law 
with Judge McJunkin, of Butler, Penn., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1869 ; after his admission to the 
bar he practiced his profession in Mansfield, Ohio, 
until 1872, when he returned to Pennsylvania and 
practiced in Parker City and Pittsburgh, until the death 
of his father, in 1875, when he returned to Lexington, 
where he practiced until May 1, 1880, when he came 
to Mansfield and entered into copartnership with H. 



^ 



;r* 



s^—^ 



CITY OF MAIiTSFIELD. 



705 



D. Keith ; this firm is engaged in a lucrative and con- 
stantly increasing business, and commands the confi- 
dence of the bar and people. During the war of the 
rebellion, Mr. Gailey served in the 87th 0. V. I. and 
also in the 86th 0. V. I. In 1872, he was married to 
Miss Sarah E. Nutting, by whom he lias two sons — 
John, aged 6 years, and Richard, aged 2 years. 

GASS & HOTT, dealers in books, successors to C. A. 
Pendleton ; they handle a general line of school, mis- 
cellaneous and blank books, and stationery, wall-paper, 
curtains, curtain fixtures and similar goods, gold pens, 
archery, croquet-games of all kinds and a line of fine 
fancy goods, etc. 

GASS, BENJAMIN (oldest son of William and .Jane 
Gass); was born in Brook Co., Va., on the 12th of June, 
A. D. 1794; came with his parents to Fairfield Co., 
Ohio, in .June of 1800 ; then to Knox Co., Ohio, in the 
spring of 1806, and to that part of "the new pur- 
chase" (so called) which is now Troy Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1812, arriving at 
their destination on the 2.3d of April. Benjamin was 
an extra good hand at hard work, and labored hard in 
assisting his father to clear up their wilderness farm, 
living mostly with his parents until he was married, in 
January of 1827, to Miss Elisabeth McCluer; they 
raised three sons and two daughters, all of whom are 
now living, except their youngest son (James G. Gass), 
who was a soldier through the rebellion, and died a 
few years after it was suppressed, perhaps in conse- 
quence of exposure while in the service ; he was in a 
number of hard battles. Benjamin's wife died in May 
of 1864, and in the autumn of 1867, he was again mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah M. Creigh, of Mansfield, who still 
survives him. He taught school a number of winters 
both before and after his first marriage, also singing- 
schools ; was a great lover of "old folks' singing." 
Was an ardent Antislavery man ; lectured and debated 
much on that subject when it was quite unpopular in 
"old Richland," though he was twice elected, and 
served as Auditor of the county. He left his farm 
a year or more before his death, and resided on his 
wife's property in Mansfield, where he died in Febru- 
ary of 1867, aged a little over 82 years and 8 months. 
He was hurt by a limb of a tree when he was 76 years 
old, and was unable to work after that; his wife lives 
on Market street. 

GASS, ISAAC, youngest son of William and Rebecca 
Gass, was born in Troy Township, Richland Co., Ohio, 
in October, 1819; lived and worked on the farm dur- 
ing his minority and for some years afterward ; taught 
school frequently ; studied law with Judge Steward ; 
was licensed as an attorney in 1848. In the spring of 
1848, was married to Miss Amelia B. Coates ; they had 
one son and two daughters ; their son, Mr. Florean P. 
Gass, and daughter (Bertie) still live in Mansfield, 
their oldest daughter (Mary) having died some years 
ago. Isaac removed to Mansfield and commenced bus- 
iness as a lawyer immediately after his marriage. In 
the fall of 1861, he raised a company to help in the sup- 
pression of the rebellion, and was elected as their Cap- 
tain, but about the time of their starting into service he 
was promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy of their reg- 
iment (the 64th) ; they were ordered to the battle of 
Pittsburg Landing in April of 1862, but only reached 



it as the rebels commenced the retreat. After a num- 
ber of months' further ^exposure, his health failed so 
that he was under the necessity of resigning. He was 
afterward elected and served as State Senator, repre- 
senting Richland and Ashland Cos., and subsequently 
to that was Mayor of Mansfield,"^ and Justice of the 
Peace, which last ofiBce he held at the time of his 
death, in October of 1875, when he was about 56 years 
old. 

GATES, DAVID, farmer and dairyman; he was 
born in Madison Township Sept. 10, 1837, and received 
his elementary education in Mansfield ; afterward com- 
menced farming at the old homestead, where he re- 
mained until coming to Mansfield in 1872, when he 
purchased the omnibus line, in which business he was 
engaged six years, when he sold his interest in it, and 
since then has been farming in Madison Township. 
Mr. Gates was married in Madison Township May 18, 
1859, to Miss Margaret M. Bell ; they have three chil- 
dren — Cora Irene, May Bell and Peter, all living. 

GEDDES, GEORGE WASHINGTON, lawyer and 
Judge, and at present member of Congress for the 
Fifteenth District of Ohio. He was born in Mt. Yernon, 
Knox Co., July 16, 1824; he is the son of .James and 
Elizabeth Geddes, and on his father's side of Scotch 
descent, his paternal grandfather having emigrated 
from Scotland in the last century ; his father removed 
his family from Knox to Richland Co. when the subject 
of this sketch was but a child, and there he attended 
the public schools until he was 15 years old, when he 
returned to his native town, and entered a store as a 
clerk ; his employer was the well-known old merchant, 
James Huntsberry, of Mt. Vernon, with whom he re- 
mained until he was nearly of age, in the mean time de- 
voting nearly all of his spare time to the study of law ; 
he entered the law office of Hon. Columbus Delano 
(Secretary of the Interior during the first term of 
President Grant's Administration), with whom he read 
law for one year, after which he was admitted to the 
bar; he chose law as a profession for reasons satisfac- 
tory to himself, and removed to Mansfield among 
strangers, where, unaided, he commenced his profes- 
sional life in November, 1845; his first case decided his 
future ; engaged to try this case in the country before 
a Justice of the Peace, he accidentally met Hon. James 
Stewart ; that gentleman was so well pleased with the 
conduct of his first case, that he invited him to per- 
manently settle at Mansfield, and guaranteed him 
sufficient to defray his necessary expenses ; having re- 
mained with him under these conditions two years, he 
was, in 1847, taken into partnership, which continued 
three years, when, in 1850, Mr. Stewart was elected 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and Mr. Geddes 
entered into partnership with Hon. Jacob Brinkerhoft'; 
this connection continued five years, and until Mr. 
Brinkerhoft" was elected to the Supreme Bench of the 
State, when this partnership thereupon ceased ; Mr. 
Geddes then practiced alone until, in 1856, he was 
elected Judge of Common Pleas, as the unwilling candi- 
date of the Democratic party, in opposition to his old 
partner, Mr. Stewart, whose term had expired ; he 
served the full term, until 1862 ; that year, at a dis- 
trict convention of both parties, he was renominated for 
a second term, and elected without opposition ; having 



t 



706 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



served a second full term, he was, in 1866, nominated 
by his own party for a third term, but, although run- 
ning ahead of his own ticket by nearly five hundred 
votes, he was defeated by a majority of only seventeen 
votes ; he then returned to the practice of his profes- 
sion in Mansfield, until 1868, when, the Legislature 
having provided for an election of an additional judge, 
he was, by a majority of over eight hundred votes, 
elected to fill that position ; having served out the full 
term of this, his third election to the Common Pleas 
Bench, he decided not to be again a candidate ; in the 
mean time, without solicitationon his part, in 1872, he 
was, at the State Convention, nominated for the Su- 
preme Bench, but, with the other candidates on the 
ticket, defeated. A matter worthy of notice in this 
connection is, that Judge Geddes was never present in 
any convention that nominated him ("until his nomina- 
tion for Congress), and never solicited a nomination ; 
after his last term of office, he resumed the active prac- 
tice of his profession, associated with Col. M. R. Dickey 
and John W. Jenner, Esq., under the firm name of 
Geddes, Dickey & Jenner. Judge Geddes has always 
taken much interest in educational and benevolent 
institutions, and is a Trustee of the Ohio Wesleyan Col- 
lege at Delaware ; during the war, he was resolutely in 
favor of the suppression of the rebellion, and closely 
identified with the party known as War Democrats ; 
a Trustee and Steward of his church, the Methodist 
Episcopal, he is a liberal promoter of all that tends to 
elevate and relieve the community in the benefaction 
for charitable objects. In 1848, he married Miss Nancy 
Lemon, of Ashland Co., and two living children have 
been the issue of this union. Judge Geddes was, in 
June, 1878, nominated without solicitation on his part, 
by one of the most memorable district conventions 
ever held in Ohio ; after a struggle of five days between 
the several candidates before the convention, on the 
1,255th ballot, the nomination was conferred upon him 
by the unanimous vote of the convention, and in October 
he was elected by a majority of 4,578, to represent in 
the Forty-sixth Congress the Fifteenth District of Ohio. 

GERBiJRICH, DANIEL, dealer in music, musical 
instruments, etc.; he was born Jan. 26, 1819, in Leba- 
non Co., Penn.; engaged in farming for twenty years. 
He was married, Nov. 4, 1841, to Eliza Wise (daughter 
of Judge Wise), who was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., 
Dec. 9, 1823 ; they engaged in keeping hotel for three 
years, after which he engaged in the music trade; 
they had four children — Dr. E. W. Gerberich, born 
June 24, 1842, and now resides in Des Moines, Iowa, 
engaged in the practice of medicine ; Allen D., born 
Nov. 6, 1845, enlisted in the 127th Penn. V. I., and 
died in the service in 1862 ; P. A. Gerberich, born 
Nov. 1, 1847; and L. S. Gerberich, born July 23, 1849. 

GERBERICH BROS., agents for pianos and organs; 
also, musical merchandise of every description ; they 
have been engaged in this business for nine years ; 
their knowledge of music and experience in this busi- 
ness have given them an extensive reputation in this 
and adjoining counties. 

GILBERT, A. J., firm Gilbert, Waugh & Co.; Mr. 
G. came to Ohio from New York, his native State, with 
his brother, in 1865, and purchased an interest in the 
mills, where he is yet associated. 



GILBERT, FRANK A., firm'^Gilbert, Waugh & Co.; 
Mr. G. is a native of New York ; he came to Mansfield 
in 1865, and purchased the " City Mills ;" afterward, 
the Gilbert Bros, sold an interest in the mill to Mr. J. 
W. Waugh, the three now owning and operating the mills. 

GLESSNER, JOHN Y., editor and publisher of the 
Shield and Banner ; this well-known citizen of Mans- 
field has for nearly half a century been prominently 
identified with the newspaper history of Ohio, as 
printer, editor and publisher ; he was born in Somer- 
set, Somerset Co., Penn., where he acquired the print- 
ing business practically, and afterward, in connection 
with a younger brother, Jacob Glessner, purchased the 
Democratic paper which they edited and published for 
three and a half years, when they sold out to the Hon. 
Daniel Weyand ; they removed to St. Clairsville, Ohio, 
in 1833, and purchased the St. Clairsville Gazette of the 
Hon. George W. Manypenny, which they edited and 
published four and a half years ; in the meantime, they 
also started the Cadiz Sentinel, which was conducted by 
the younger brother until both oflices were disposed of; 
in the ever-memorable log-cabin and hard-cider cam- 
paign of 1840, when Gen. Harrison was elected Presi- 
dent, John Y. Glessner was connected with the busi- 
ness department of the Ohio Statesman, then so ably 
edited by Col. Samuel Medary ; in May, 1841, he came 
to Mansfield and purchased the Shield and Banner of 
Mr. John Meredith, which he has edited and published 
continuously for thirty-nine years the present month 
(May, 1880) ; for forty-three years and a half he has 
been in active editorial life in this State ; adding the 
three and a half years in Somerset, Penn., he has been 
editing Democratic papers forty-seven years, and still 
possesses much of the vigor and perseverance of his 
more youthful days ; he is now the oldest editor in 
Ohio. 

GOODWIN, P. W., harness-maker. The parents of 
P. W. Goodwin will be remembered by the older citi- 
zens of the county. His father, Wm. T. Goodwin, 
came to Ohio and first settled in Wayne Co. in 1816, 
and removed to Richland Co. in 1844. He was married 
to Miss Phebe Bullock, of Rochester, N. Y., in 1813 ; 
to them were born ten children, of whom P. W. Good- 
win was the ninth. His father died in November, 1868, 
in Medina Co., and his mother Dec. 2, 1875 ; both were 
earnest Christian people and members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. P. W. Goodwin commenced 
the trade of harness-making in 1852, which he con- 
tinued until the breaking-out of the war. On the 19th 
of July, 1859, he was married to Miss Jane Wharf, in 
Mansfield, to whom have been born four children — two 
boys and two girls — May Alleta, Melvin Pearson, Wm. 
Henry and Maud Estella. In November, 1861, Mr. 
Goodwin entered the army and enlisted in the 42d 0. 
V. I., serving his full term of enlistment, and partici- 
pating in all the battles in which his regiment was 
engaged — notably among them the battles of Middle 
Creek, Chickasaw Bayou, Miss, (there wounded); 
Arkansas Post; Thomson's Hill, May 1, 1862; Cham- 
pion Hill, May, 1862 ; Raymond, Big Black, and after- 
ward at the siege of Vicksburg, and continued with his 
regiment until the close of the war, since which time 
he has been engaged at his trade. Now in business in 
Mansfield. 



*^, 



J%1 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



ro7 



GROVE, W. A., dealer in clocks, watches and jewel- 
ry ; was born in Hanover, York Co., Penn.; learned 
the jewelry business in Baltimore, Mil., with Henry 
Ebaugh, on Gay street, between Front and High. He 
was married, in 1858. to Lavina Forney, of Hanover, 
York Co., Penn. In the fall of 1859, moved to Frank- 
lin Co., Penn.; remained there till .June 17, 1863, at 
which time he was driven out by the rebel soldiers and 
lost his entire stock ; afterward moved to Mansfield in 
November, 1863, and established the jewelry business. 
Mr. and Mrs. Grove have two children — Naomi, born 
July 12,1872; John A., Aug. 12, 1875. Mr. Grove 
is still engaged in the jewelry business ; he always has 
on hand a complete stock of every thing in his line, 
and will not be undersold ; also repairing clocks, 
watches and jewelry. Main street, near the Savings 
Bank. 

HALL, DK. J. B., homoeopathic physician, was 
born in Franklin Township, Richland Co., in the year 
1847, his father, now living, being one of the early settlers 
of this county ; Dr. J. B. Hall spent his early life on the 
farm with his father, attending school during the win- 
ter months until about 18 years of age, then, removing 
to Mansfield, commenced the study of medicine under 
the instruction of the late Dr. StuU ; in the fall of 
1867, he attended his first course of lectures at Cleve- 
land, and afterward returned to Mansfield, where he 
continued his studies until the fall of 1868, and then 
attended his second course of lectures in Philadelpia ; 
afterward, commenced practice in Mechanicsburg, 
Penn., where he remained one year, when he removed 
to Mansfield, where he still resides with his wife and 
two children, having a fair and growing practice. 

HANCOCK, R. G., contractor and stonemason ; 
he was born in Wiltshire, England, June 11, 1842, 
and, although a comparatively young man, he has 
already acquired an enviable reputation as a me- 
chanic and bviilder; he emigrated to America and 
landed in New York City May 5, 1870 ; having learned 
his trade in the city of Bath, where he lived five years ; 
in 1862, he removed to London, England, which was 
his home until his departure for this country ; he 
located in this city Oct. 4, 1870, and, the following 
day, commenced work at the court house, then in 
the course of erection ; April 24, 1870, the firm of 
Hancock & Co. began building the stonework of the 
Congregational Church, of this city, which they 
finished, and, in the spring of 1873, the stonework of 
the savings-bank ; in the spring of 1874, the stonework 
of the Plymouth and Shelby Schoolhouses, and, in 

1875, built the freight-house of the C. C. & I. R. R., at 
Columbus, and the passenger stone depot at Berea ; in 

1876, the stonework of the Marysville High School, 
and, in 1877, the city hall of Marysville, and 
Masonic Hall of Marion ; in 1878, the Marion 
County Jail; since then, he has been engaged in 
numerous other private and public contracts in this 
city and elsewhere, notably among them the Jenner, 
Keith & Scattergood Building; he is at present with 
his partner, Mr. Dow (who has • een with him since 
1873), the contractor for the stonework of the new 
jail in Mansfield. He was married in November, 1877, 
to Miss Scutts, by whom he has had four children — two 
sons and two daughters. 



HARDING, FREDERICK (deceased) ; he was bcrn 
in StaflFord, England, May 10, 1816, and received his 
youthful education at Ashton-under-Lyne; in the year 
1833, he was apprenticed by his father, George Hard- 
ing, shoe manufacturer of Ashton-under-Lyne, to 
Charles Dawson, of the borough of Stafford, to learn 
the art of a chemist and druggist ; the indenture was 
drawn up with great care, and the conditions were very 
stringent, as was the custom in England ; after four 
years of service, he was granted a diploma as a chem- 
ist and druggist. Mr. Harding was married, in Man- 
chester, England, to Miss Frances Tinker, youngest 
daughter of D. Tinker, of Ashton-under-Lyne, on the 
19th of October, 1846 ; three children were the result 
of this marriage, two of whom died in infancy ; the 
third came with his parents to this country in the fall 
of 1852, and is now a printer in the Government print- 
ing office in Washington ; Mrs. Frances Harding died 
Feb. 8, 1853 ; Frederick Harding was married, May 6, 
1855, to Amelia, third daughter of Charles and Sarah 
Hutchinson, in Richland Co. ; to them were born three 
sons — F. H. Harding, April 30, 1857 (printer); C. F., 
Jan. 24, 1859 (clerk); J. H., June 8, 1861, and died 
Aug. 11, 1862. Mr. Harding entered the Union army 
in October, 1861, as a private in the 64th 0. V. I., and 
served his full term of enlistment; in August, 1863, 
he received an appointment in the United States army 
as Hospital Steward, and was considered among the 
best chemists and druggists in the service. He died in 
Mansfield Nov. 25, 1866. 

HARRINGTON, L. F., hardware merchant; he was 
born in Bellville, this county, Jan. 6, 1835, where he 
resided until coming to this city, in 1860. He served 
as Deputy Auditor during Jonas Smith's administra- 
tion of that office; in 1873, he was elected Auditor of 
Richland Co., and re-elected in 1875 ; he served the 
full terms to the satisfaction of the people. Since 
1877, he has been engaged in the hardware trade in 
this city. He was married in Mansfield to Miss Dollie 
Sheets in 1863 ; they are the parents of one child, a 
daughter — Ozella, a resident with her parents of this 
city. 

HAWKINS, J. A., photographer; he was born in 
Rochester, N. Y., in 1853 ; in 1869, he went to Toledo, 
where he remained seven years, learning his trade ; he 
then came to Mansfield, and at once opened a good 
gallery ; he now has one of the best in the city, located 
over McCoy's dry-goods store, near the corner of 
Fourth and Main streets. 

HEDGES, JAMES, GEN. (deceased); he was the 
sixth son of Charles Hedges, who was a resident of 
Eastern Virginia ; the family consisted of nine sons 
and two daughters, as follows — Joseph, Samuel, Elijah, 
John, Josiah, James, Hiram, Olho, Ellzey, Sarah and 
Mary; of these sons, Joseph, Samuel, Hiram and 
Otho settled in Virginia, and remained there during 
all their lives; Elijah removed to Fairfield Co., Ohio, - 
where some of his descendants still reside ; John 
removed to Muskingum Co. ; James and Josiah first 
settled in Belmont Co., and, in 1812, Josiah Hedges 
was the Clerk of the courts of Belmont Co., and .James 
Hedges was the Sheriff of the county, while the 
youngest brother, the late Ellzey Hedges, was acting as 
a deputy of both. James Hedges was commissioned as 



708 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Captain of cavalry in the United States army, and 
entered the military service, his younger brother, 
Ellzey, closed the office of Sheriff, and, in 1812, 
carried on foot the returns of the Presidential election 
to the capital of the State. James Hedges, who was a 
surveyor, upon this trip entered the land on which 
Mansfield is built, and, after the war, resigned his 
commission, and settled at Mansfield ; here for a time 
he was engaged in mercantile business with his brother, 
Josiah Hedges, who remained at St. Clairsville, Ohio, 
under the firm name of J. & .T. Hedges. Gen. James 
Hedges died in Mansfield Oct. 4, 1854. 

HEDGES, HENRY C, attorney. He is a son of the 
late Ellzey Hedges. He was born in Mansfield, where 
he has always resided. He graduated at Delaware, 
Ohio, in 1852 ; he studied law in the office of Charles 
and John Sherman, and was afterward a partner of the 
latter. After Mr. Sherman's election to Congress, Mr. 
Hedges continued in the practice of law, in which he 
is now engaged. Mr. Hedges served in a number of 
public capacities, being 
a member of the School 
Board over twenty con- 
secutive years. 

HEDGES, W. C, mer- 
chant; he was born in 
Tiffin, Ohio, and has re- 
sided in Mansfield for 
several years. His father, 
AV. C. Hedges, was a son 
of Josiah Hedges, the 
founder of Tiffin, Ohio, 
and brother of the late 
Ellzey Hedges, of this 
city. 

HEDRICK, ALFRED 
G., butcher. Among the 
oldest living residents of 
Mansfield is the man 
whose name stands at 
the head of this biog- 
raphy. Joseph Hedrick 

and Sarah Knode, the father and mother of the above, 
were married in Sharpsburg, Washington Co., Md., in 
the year 1813. Alfred G., the first son, was born in 
Washington Co., Md., Oct. 15, 1814, and came to Ohio 
with his parents, who first settled near Mansfield Oct. 
25, 1826, where he remained until 22 years of age, 
working on the farm ; in the fall of 1837, he removed 
to Vicksburg, Miss., going by stage to Cincinnati, thence 
by steamer ; here he remained one year, when he re- 
turned by way of St. Louis, then up the Illinois River, ' 
afterward by stage to Chicago, then to Huron by 
steamer, and stage to Mansfield. Alfred G., in his 
younger days, worked at his trade of housepainting ; 
since then, he has been engaged in different occupa- 
tions and has traveled extensively over the western 
part of the country ; for a time he was engaged in the 
grocery business, but upon the discovery of rich 
fields of gold in California in 1849, his love of 
travel and adventure again found him one of a party 
with William McNulty, destined for that then com- 
paratively new country, going by the way of New 
Yoi"k and the isthmus ; thirteen months afterward, he 




HEDGES BLOCK. 



returned by the way of New Orleans, and engaged in 
farming, which occupation he continued for fifteen 
years, when he again removed to Mansfield and went 
into business, but, not yet satisfied, he again joined a 
company for the mineral region of Idaho, where he 
remained eight months ; some time afterward, he be- 
came interested in a large dry-goods business, which he 
continued for three years, when he removed to Kansas, 
and, shortly after, returned to Mansfield, where he has 
since resided. Alfred G. Hedrick was married, Nov. 
15, 1838, in Madison Township, to Ann Case ; they 
have had nine children born to them, seven of whom 
are living and two dead. This year, Mr. Hedrick 
is yet in active business in Mansfield, and can recall 
many of the early incidents in its history. 

HELPS, WILLIAM, bookseller, and dealer in maga- 
zines, daily papers, stationery, etc., Main street. 

HERRING, JAMES H., blacksmith and wagon man- 
ufacturer; he was born in the village of Bloody Run, 
Bedford Co., Penn., Nov. 27, 1842 ; he is a son of the 

late George W. Herring, 

who died in this city 
.June 6, 1870, and a 
descendant of the Her- 
rings, of Bedford Co., 
Penn., an influential fam- 
ily, who first came to 
this country from Hol- 
land in an early day. 
His parents came to Ohio 
in 1853 and located in 
Salem, where they re- 
mained one year and 
then removed to Rush- 
ville and thence to Lan- 
caster ; they came to 
Mansfield in 1856. When 
of sufficient age, James 
H. commenced working 
at the trade of black- 
smithing, which he ac- 
quired in the usual time, 
and at which he continued until the breaking-out of 
the civil war. He volunteered in the United States 
service and was a member of McMullen's 1st Ohio 
Independent Battery, and remained with it until the 
close of the war and the expiration of his term of 
service ; during his long career in the army, he actively 
participated in seventeen engagements. After his 
return, he resumed his trade of blacksmithing, which 
is his occupation at present. He was married in Mans- 
field, Dec. 19, 1867, to Miss Nancy J. West, a daughter 
of Sylvester West, an old resident of Mansfield ; four 
children have been given them ; three sons are living 
— John, George and Dimon; James Henry died in 
infancy. 

HERRING, CHARLES D., tinner; was born in Bed- 
ford, Northumberland Co., Penn., Jan. 30, 1825, and 
came to Mansfield in 1857, and belongs to the same 
family of Joseph and Andrew J., and g, twin brother of 
the latter. Mr. Herring was married in Mt. Gilead, 
Ohio, to Martha Longsdorf, in the fall of 1857, to whom 
have been born eight children. Mr. Herring enlisted 
in the late civil war and was a member of McMullen's 



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f* 



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CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



709 



Battery, in which he remained and took part in all the 
engagements in which that battery was engaged while 
able to do duty, a great part of the time being unable 
on account of sickness ; he remained in the army and 
was honorably discharged after about twenty months' 
service. Mr. Charles D. Herring is now engaged in 
business in Mansfield. 

HERRING, ANDREW JACKSON, blacksmith. He 
is the son of Michael and Mary Messersmith Herring ; 
Michael was a son of old Christian Herring, who set- 
tled in Berks Co., Penn.; A. J. Herring was born Jan. 
30, 1825 ; a twin brother, Charles C, resides in Mans- 
field ; they were born in Bedford, Co., Penn.; A. J. 
Herring came to Ohio, and settled first in Fairfield Co., 
and to Richland in April, 1863. Mr. Herring was 
married, Jan. 5, 1854, in Rushville, Fairfield Co., Ohio, 
to Matilda Dick ; to them have been born three chil- 
dren — Mary E., Joseph C. and John WilJard, all living 
in Mansfield. Mr. Herring and wife are members of 
the Methodist Church in this city. 

HERRING, JOSEPH F., blacksmith, and inventor of 

steel plowshares. Was born 

in Bedford, Bedford Co , 
Penn., Feb. 16, 1825; he 
came to Ohio in 1855, and 
to Mansfield in 1856 ; Mr. 
Herring learned the trade 
of blacksmithing in his 
native town with his father, 
and continued the same 
after his removal to Mans- 
field until Aug. 18, 1874, 
when he received letters 
patent on his invention of 
the steel plowshare, the 
manufacture of which occu- 
pied his time, and since 
then has been wholly en- 
gaged in manufacturing 
that justly celebrated in- 
vention, which has been in- 
troduced into almost every 
State in the Union and con- 
ceded to be as near perfection as any now in use. He 
was married in Hollidaysburg, Penn., to Miss Nancy 
Herbert, to whom have been born four children, two 
of whom are living — Emma, the first, and Eugenia. 
Nancy Herbert Herring died in Mansfield in 1857. 
Mr. Herring was married in Mansfield to Mary Zerby ; 
they have a family of interesting children. 

HERSHISER, CYRUS, builder and contractor. His 
father, Samuel, was one of the old residents of Bedford 
Co., Penn., where Cyrus was born Nov. 8, 1824; became 
to Mansfield in 1844, where he commenced the carpenter 
trade in the spring of 1845, since which time many of 
the largest buildings and residences in Mansfield have 
been erected by him. In the year 1847, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Rebecca F. Hagar, who died in Mansfield 
in 1849 ; one child by this marriage, died in infancy. 
In 1850, Mr. Hershiser was married to Miss Margaret 
A. McCormick, a daughter of one of the old resi- 
dents of Mansfield, by whom be had five children, 
three of whom are living — Alice B., Ella J. and Emma 
A.; Mrs. Margaret Hershiser died in Mansfield in 




HICKS BROWN & CO. S MILL. 



December, 1871. In February, 1874, he was married 
to Miss Lena Seger, of Mansfield, with whom he now 
lives ; one son by this marriage, died in infancy ; Mr. 
Hershiser has been prominently identified in the enter- 
prises of Mansfield for a number of years, and is now 
one of the largest builders and contractors in the city. 
HICKS BROWN & CO., proprietors flouringmills. 
In the progress of human events, the very essential 
article of bread is a matter of daily consideration, and, 
though human diet is composed of many ingredients, 
bread from wheat flour takes the first place ; chemistry 
with the aid of the microscope has demonstrated, that, 
inside of the thin shell of the wheat grain or kernel, 
the flour is there closely compressed in small granules, 
and requires merely to be separated or disintegrated, 
and not to be crushed or powdered in grinding as has 
been the custom for ages past. For the purpose of mak- 
ing this new process of flour, it was proposed some- 
time during the Centennial year, to erect in Mans- 
field a flouring-mill, embodying all the features, 
machinery and processes required, and. as a result, 

early in February, 1877, 

I the new mill commenced 

operations under the joint 
proprietorship of Messrs. 
John Staub & Hicks Brown ; 
in September of the same 
year, the partnership was 
dissolved, and the mill 
passed into possession of the 
present partners, Messrs. 
Hicks Brown & M. D. Bar- 
ter, under the firm name 
of Hicks Brown & Co., who 
have in the past two years 
increased its capacity 50 
per cent, and have estab- 
lished a trade which re- 
quires the running of the 
mill to its fullest capacity, 
day and night, and the em- 
ployment of about twenty 
persons ; Mr. Brown gives 
his undivided attention to the business, and the 
product is obtained from the skillful operating of 
the mill under the direction of Mr. William Kreigh- 
taum, the head miller ; the nationality of the opera- 
tives is decidedly cosmopolitan ; of the 20 operatives, 
1 is a native of Richland Co.; 5 are natives of other 
counties of this State ; 2 are English ; 4 Germans ; 
1 Swede ; 1 Norwegian. The mill is located at the 
junction of the B. & 0. R. R., with the A. & G. W. giving 
it advantages to receiving grain, and shipping flour 
not usually obtained ; some idea of the amount of the 
business transacted by and through this first-class mill 
may be inferred from the fact that they are now paying the 
farmers of Richland Co. and vicinity about .$200,000 a 
year for wheat, besides a large quantity of flour ex- 
changed for their " Brown's Best Flour," which is 
clear evidence that the farmers appreciate their right 
to enjoy the best that their land produces ; of course, 
the entire population of Richland Co. could not con- 
sume the products of this mill ; Messrs. Hicks Brown 
& Co. find no diflBculty in disposing of their new-process 



Mi 



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710 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



flour in the discriminating markets of the season, 
Boston alone taking nearly one-half that is made; 
Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania taking also a 
full share. When the new mill commenced operations, 
it was recognized as one of " the most complete mills in 
America," and yet the proprietors are constantly on 
the lookout for improvements, both for machinery, 
and methods, being determined to keep in the front 
rank as to the standard of quality of their products ; 
they have put in several improved machines, and are 
now contemplating additions ; the magnificent steam 
engine which operates the entire machinery seems to 
defy any ordinary draft in its power; it is a Harris- 
Corliss engine, something of the renowned Centennial 
English pattern, and capable of turning out 800 barrels 
per day ; there is indeed something in a name, es- 
pecially when it is honestly earned ; millers are very 
jealous of their brands of flour (decision of the Su- 
preme Court on trade marks to the contrary notwith- 
standing), and especially when the contents of the bar- 
rel is in keeping with the inscription ; Messrs. Hicks 
Brown & Co's own brands are "Brown's Best," " Belle 
of Richland," "Brown's Mayflower," "Brown's Char- 
ter Oak," historical names, and worthy to be daily 
mentioned in connection with daily bread. 

HOFFER, ISAAC B., dealer in meats, etc. He was 
born April 13, 1833, in Carlisle, Penn.; came to Ohio in 
1852. Married in 1858 to Catherine Leiter ; she was 
born May 19, 1837, in Mansfield ; they have the fol- 
lowing children — .Joseph P., born Feb. 28, 1859; Fannie 
F., June 28, 1862; Grace, Aug. 9, 1864; Isaac Brain- 
ard, Aug. 23, 1868; Edmund Brink, April 15, 1871; 
Kate L., April 20, 1875 ; James C, April 28, 1878. 

HOFFER, JAMES E., butcher; was born Dec. 
31, 1839, in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn.; came 
to Ohio July 15. 1858; engaged in butchering; has 
been at that business constantly since he came to 
Mansfield. He was married, Nov. 4, 1862, to Melissa 
Crider, who was born in Massillon, Stark Co., Nov. 4, 
1844 ; they have the following children : May, Laura 
(deceased), Willie, Jessie, Nellie (deceased), Harry and 
Fred. 

IRWIN, GEORGE (deceased), born Dec. 8, 1787, in 
Chester Co., Penn., and removed to Ohio with his 
family in June, 1836. Rachel AVallace Irwin was born 
in Chester Co., Penn., June 12, 1791 ; they were the 
parents of eleven children — Elisabeth Irwin, born in 
Waynesburg, Chester Co., March 12, 1811, and died 
Jan. 1, 1815, aged 4 years; Mary Ann Irwin Rooks, 
born in Waynesburg, Chester Co., Penn., July 31, 1813, 
a resident of Mansfield ; Joseph Irwin, born in Waynes- 
burg, Chester Co., Penn., May 25, 1815, and died July 
25, 1815 ; Levi, born in Waynesburg, Chester Co., 
Penn., Aug. 9, 1816; Hannah Maria Irwin Carrothers, 
born in Waynesburg, Chester Co., Penn., Feb. 16, 1819, 
now living in Mansfield ; S. Laferty Irwin, was born 
at Waynesburg, Chester Co., Penn., April 12, 1821, 
and died at Mansfield, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1875, aged 54 
years ; Mr. S. L. Irwin was a carpenter in Mansfield 
for a number of years and held at different times official 
positions of trust in township and county ; Charlotte 
Irwin was born at Milton, Northumberland Co., Penn., 
May 10, 1823, and died at the old homestead, near 
Mansfield, March 18, 1873, aged 50 years ; Elisabeth 



Irwin, born at Milton, Northumberland Co., Penn., 
Sept. 19, 1825, and died March 22, 1833, aged 8 years ; 
George W. Irwin, Jr., born in Milton, Northumber- 
land Co., Penn., Aug. 30, 1827 ; has been engaged 
in railroad business for over seventeen \earsinOhio; 
Rebecca Irwin, born in White Deer Valley, Lycoming 
Co., Penn., March 11, 1880, now Rebecca Irwin Ford, 
living in Madison Township ; Sarah Jane Irwin Cal- 
hoon was born in White Deer Valley, Lycoming Co., 
Penn., May 24, 1832, and died at Mansfield, Ohio, 
March 18, 1873, aged 41 years. George Irwin, the 
father of theje children, died at the old homestead, 
near Mansfield, March 29, 1864, aged 76 years ; Rachel 
Wallace Irwin, the mother, died in Mansfield Nov. 11, 
1873. 

IRWIN, LEVI, contractor and builder. This well- 
known citizen is a descendant of an old Chester Co. 
(Penn.) family of AVelsh descent ; the grandfather, 
father and the subject of this sketch were all born in 
that county. John Irwin, the grandfather, was a sol- 
dier in the war of 1812, taking part in the campaigns 
in the Northwest, where he died. Levi was the third 
in a family of nine children of George and Rachel 
Irwin, five of whom are living and four dead ; born 
Aug. 9, 1816. he came with his parents to Rich- 
land Co., Ohio, in the year 1836, locating south- 
east of Mansfield on a farm which is yet known by 
the family name. On this farm, the father remained 
during his whole residence in this county, and there 
died March 29, 1864, aged 76 years. Rachel Wallace 
Irwin, soon after her husband's death, came to Mans- 
field among her children, where she died Nov. 11, 
1873, aged 81 years and 9 months. After leaving the 
family homestead, Levi removed to Mansfield, where, 
as a carpenter, contractor and builder, he yet resides, 
having been in continuous business for over thirty-five 
years. On the 18th of December, 1852, Levi Irwin 
was united in marriage to Mary McClellan at Gallon, 
Ohio ; to them have been born six children ; Nettie, 
the fifth child and only daughter, died June 15, 1874, 
aged 11 years and 9 months; four sons reside in the 
city; Charles L., a druggist; William F., engineer; 
George, a book salesman, and John McClellan. Mr. 
Irwin has been a member of No. 19, I. 0. 0. F., since 
the year 1851, and a member of the Methodist Church 
for forty-one years, and a Trustee of the same for 
thirty-five years ; he is accounted among Mansfield's 
best and most enterprising citizens. 

JENNER, S. E., lawyer (son of Dr. A. Jenner); was 
born July 7, 1839, in Ontario, Richland Co.; com- 
menced the study of law, in 1860, with T. W. Bartley ; 
admitted to the bar in 1862, and commenced practice 
in company with Judge Bartley in Cincinnati. Mar- 
ried, Oct. 25, 1866, Miss Julia M. Bartley, daughter of 
Gov. Bartley ; returned to Mansfield in 1866, and re- 
mained here in practice in company with John W. 
Jenner till 1872 ; then moved to Washington City ; 
formed a copartnership with Judge Bartley ; remained 
there till 1877, then returned to Mansfield, and re- 
sumed the practice of law with John W. Jenner; pres- 
ent name of law firm, Jenner & Tracy, composed of 
John W. Jenner, S. E. Jenner and F. K. Tracy. 

JOHNSON, JOHN, deceased ; he was born in York 
Co., Penn.; when a young man, he removed to Ontario 






Co., N. Y., where he purchased- a farm, on which he 
lived ten years, then returned to York Co., Penn., and 
married Miss Eleanor Duncan in 1811 ; afterward re- 
sided in Ontario Co., N. Y., until 1824, when he came 
to Richland Co. and located on a farm three miles west 
of Mansfield, where he lived until 1845 ; he then came 
to Mansfield, where he resided with his daughter, Mrs. 
T. J. Robinson, until his death, which occurred March 
28, 1864, at the advanced age of 80 years. John John- 
son and Eleanor Duncan Johnson were the parents of 
one child — Sarah S., born Nov. 19, 1817 ; she was mar- 
ried in this county April 11, 1839, to T. J. Robinson, 
a prominent business man of this city ; one child by 
this marriage — Ella J.; she is the wife of .J. P. Vance, 
of Cincinnati. John Johnson was an elder brother of 
the Rev. James Johnson, whose biography appears 
elsewhere. 

JOHNSON, JAMES, REV., D. D. (deceased) ; the 
first minister of the U. P. Church in Mansfield ; he 
was born in York Co., Penn., in the year 1786 ; he was 
of Scotch-Irish descent; at the early age of 17 years, 
he commenced his ministerial education, in Beaver Co., 
with his uncle, David Johnson, and afterward graduat- 
ed in the regular course at Jefferson College, Cannons- 
burg, Penn., and completed his theological studies in 
New York City, under the instruction of Dr. Mason, 
then a noted divine of the U. P. denomination resident 
there ; for a number of years, he taught school in 
Brownsville, Penn., where he afterward began his min- 
isterial work. In 1821, he came to Mansfield, and 
assisted in laying the foundation of the present build- 
ing occupied by that denomination, on the corner of 
Third and Mulberry streets. Three years later, when 
visiting a brother and sister in Ontario Co., N. Y., he 
there met Miss Mary St. Clair McCall, whom he mar- 
ried on the 4th of July, 182.5, and who came with him 
to this city, the whole journey occupying fifteen days, 
being made in one of the cumbersome buggies of that 
period. He preached, the first Sabbath after reaching 
Mansfield, in the then unfinished church, the congrega- 
tion bringing chairs and stools with them in lieu of 
other accommodations; he continued his ministry 
without interruption in this place until his death, 
which occurred in 1858. He was a man justly beloved 
by his people and respected by all for his upright life 
and conduct ; for a number of years, he had regular 
congregations and appointments in Troy and Monroe 
Townships during his pastorate here. He was the 
father of three children, two sons and one daughter ; 
Mathew St. Clair died in this city, aged 17 years ; Rob- 
ert William was a soldier in the Mexican war, and died 
in Mexico, was brought home and buried ; Mary, the 
only daughter, died in 1852, aged 21 years. 

JOHNSTON, J. K., dealer in furniture ; he was born 
Oct. 11, 1850, at Mansfield ; is a son of Eleazer Johns- 
ton, who came to Mansfield in 1848, and came to his 
death in the army. He engaged with John Skeggs and 
learned the carpenter business; in 1873, engaged in 
the cabinet business, devoting his whole attention to 
this branch of trade ; in the spring of 1877, he formed 
a copartnership with M. P. Shambs in the furniture 
business, which continued till January, 1878; then 
formed a copartnership with D. H. Earnest ; they still 
continue. He was married, Oct. 24, 1872, to Miss 



Anna M. C. Weatherby ; she was born in Mansfield ; 
they have two children — Margaret A., born May 15, 
1874, and Maud A., Dec. 29, 1878. 

JOHNSTON, D. R., wholesale and retail druggist; 
he is a regularly graduated physician, and practiced 
medicine twelve years. He was for several years, as a 
physician, connected with the U. P. Mission in Egypt. 
In 1876, he purchased the Markward Drug Store, below 
the Wiler House ; he carries a large stock, and does an 
extensive business. 

KANAGA, AMOS R., attorney at law ; the subject 
of this sketch was born Nov. 14, 1854, in Jefferson 
Township ; he attended the high school of Bellville 
from the age of 16 to 20 years, and afterward at the 
West Salem public schools, and then at Oberlin Col- 
lege ; he studied law first with Thomas Keeler, of West 
Salem, and completed his studies with Dicky & Jenner, 
of Mansfield ; he was admitted to the bar in Ashland, 
Ohio, .lune 19, 1878, and is now engaged in this city in 
the practice of law; he now has a good, paying prac- 
tice ; the public will find him ready to attend to such 
business that may be placed in his care, with prompt- 
ness and dispatch. 

KEYS, A. E., M. D., physician and surgeon. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Eagle Co., N. Y., 
Aug. 2, 1825; his parents were natives of Vermont, 
where they afterward resided until his 10th year, 
when they again removed to Western New York ; here 
young Keys received a good common-school education ; 
having chosen medicine as his profession, he com- 
menced reading under the instruction of an uncle in 
Huron Co., Ohio; at the age of 19 years, he attended 
his first course of lectures at the old Erie Street School 
in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846 ; some years later we find 
him in partnership with his uncle in the practice of 
medicine, with whom he remained until the spring of 
1856, when he attended his second course of lectures at 
the Berkshire Medical College, Mass., and again in the 
winter of 1856, the Homeopathic School of Philadelphia ; 
after this long and thorough course of study, the Doctor 
commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in 
Buffalo, N. Y., but a year later removed to Jamestown, 
in the same State, where he continued in practice 
until the beginning of the war in 1861, when he en- 
listed as surgeon in the army ; the Doctor remained in 
the army two years, when he resigned and again com- 
menced general practice in Ravenna, Ohio; in 1869, he 
came to Mansfield, where he has since resided, having 
a large and lucrative practice, and is looked upon by 
his brethren of the profession as a skillful surgeon and 
physician. He is a prominent member and officer of 
the Masonic Order and Knights of Honor. 

KING, JEROME J., grocer. He comes from a fam- 
ily long resident in Troy Township, where he was born 
May 4, 1842; he received his elementary education 
principally at the Lexington Union Schools; when 17 
years of age, he left the homestead and embarked in 
life for himself; for two years thereafter he was em- 
ployed as a salesman of dry goods in Jeromeville, Ash- 
land Co.; he came to Mansfield in 1861, and continued 
in the same business in the store of P. & A. W. Remy 
unjtil April 1, 1865, when he entered into partnership 
with A. W. Remy in the retail grocery trade, which 
terminated Jan. 10, 1865; since that time he has been 



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712 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



engaged in the same business alone in the city. Mr. 
King was married in Mansfield, Aug. 27, 1867, to Miss 
Mary G. Miller, by whom he has five children — Jerome 
Howard, Allen Miller, Clarence Catlin, Rufus Hobert 
and Mary Louise ; during his residence in Mansfield, 
he has been considered one of her representative busi- 
ness men. 

KNISELY, J. H., proprietor shirt manufactory. This 
factory is located in Krause's Block, on Main street, and 
gives employment to twenty hands, twelve sewing mach- 
ines, and keeps two salesmen constantly on the road ; the 
business was founded in 1876 by Mr. Knisely and two 
others, Mr. Knisely becoming sole owner shortly after; 
in 1876, the income amounted to $6,000, now it will 
reach f 15, 000 per year; Mr. Knisely is no novice at 
the business, having had an experience of over six 
years in a leading Philadelphia house previous to com- 
mencing his present enterprise ; 
he turns out more shirts than 
any other factory in the State, 
retaining many of his old cus- 
tomers, who have learned to 
trust him ; his productions 
never fail to show their superior 
quality, the prices range from 
$1 to 12.50, and guarantee in 
every case a satisfactory fit or 
no pay ; all his material is 
bought direct from the importer, 
thus avoiding the " middle man ' ' 
and his commission, and giving 
his customers the benefit of 
these figures ; he laundries all 
his shirts, and keeps a full line 
of linen collars and cuffs always 
on hand ; the shirts manufact- 
ured by Mr. Knisely possess 
many excellent features of style, 
durability and finish ; the repu- 
tation of his shirts is now firmly 
established. 

KNOFFLOCK, M., egg- 
packer ; he was born Sept. 20, 
1831, in Bucks Co., Penn.; he 

enlisted as a sailor on a United 

States man-of-war in 1841, when 
a mere boy ; he served five years on board the United 
States frigate St. Mary, during which time he visited 
China, Japan, and all the principal islands of the Pacific 
and Arctic seas, as well as the different countries of South 
America ; he served as a soldier in Co. E, 2d Penn. V. 
I. during the Mexican war, and was engaged in the 
campaigns and engagements under Scott while there; 
he served in the Union army during the late rebellion 
in Co. B, 27th 0. V. I., two years (his full term of en- 
listment). He was married in Philadelphia in 1849, to 
Miss Sarah McNeely, who died in 1873 ; he was again 
married in Shelby, Ohio, to Miss Mary Jones, and is 
the father of three children. 

KRAUSE, JOHN, merchant ; was born in Nieder- 
modau, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; his father's name 
was George Krause, and his mother's maiden name was 
Maggie Krause ; John Krause was the second son, born 
Aug. 28, 1819, and came to America in 1847, landed 




in New York June 14, 1847 ; he came to Mansfield, 
June 20, 1847. He was married June 29, 1847, in 
Leesville, Crawford Co. to Elizabeth Beck, with whom 
he raised four children. One died in infancy ; John, 
the oldest, born March 19, 1848, now one of the 
partners of Krause & Sons ; Philip, the second child, 
was born .Jan. 29, 1850, also partner in the firm ; Cassie 
Miller Krause, born July 19, 1854; John Henry, born 
March 9, 1857. Mr. Krause has been in active business 
in Mansfield for twenty-four years, and is the senior 
member of the firm ; in the year 1 874, he erected the large 
business block on Main street now known as the Krause 
building, which he occupies in his grocery and provis- 
ion business, in which he has been engaged over twenty- 
four years, now the oldest merchant in active business 
in that line in the city ; Mr. Krause is at present a resi- 
dent of v\ est Fourth street, Mansfield. 

LARIMER, JOSIAH (de- 
ceased). His father, James 
Larimer, emigrated to this coun- 
try from Ireland in October, 
1790, and located first at Pitts- 
burgh, afterward removed to 
Virginia for a time, and then 
to Fairfield Co., Ohio, where 
Josiah was born Nov. 14, 1814; 
the family removed to Richland 
Co. in May, 1815, and settled 
in Madison Township on part 
of Sec. 31 ; he remained on the 
farm until 21 years old, and 
then came to Mansfield, where 
he was engaged in the livery 
business almost continually until 
a short time before his death, 
which occurred Oct. 5, 1875. 
He was married in this county 
to Miss Jane Sweeney, who sur- 
vives him ; three children by 
this marriage, one son and two 
daughters, reside in the city. 

LINDSEY, E. D., plain and 
ornamental plasterer, fresco and 
granite artist ; was born on 
Valley Farm, one mile west of 
HoUidaysburg, Penn., May 5, 
1821. His father and mother, Jacob and .Jane Simonton, 
moved there from the East. His mother's folks moved 
from Wilmington, Del., and settled in Canoe Valley. 
Both families had a great deal of trouble with the In- 
dians ; John Simonton, his uncle, was captured by them 
on one of their tours of massacre, etc., and was never 
recovered ; he became quite a noted chief. E. D. Lind- 
sey received his elementary education near where the 
city of Altoona now stands, and, on the 5th of May, 
1836, at the age of 15 years, began an apprenticeship 
of four years, at his present occupation ; at the expira- 
tion of that time, he went to Philadelphia, where he 
completed his trade in the ornamental branches ; he 
then returned to HoUidaysburg and carried on busi- 
ness for several years, when, at the request of an old 
uncle, he started in the spring of 1845 for the Upper 
Sandusky (Ohio) land sales, intending to purchase 
property there; this project was afterward abandoned. 



1^ 



JVJ 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



713 



and he settled in Marion, Ohio, where he resided till 
the fall of 1864, having purchased property in Galion 
in the summer of 1863, and was a partner in the whole- 
sale and retail grocery business, under the firm name 
of Haines & Lindsey ; in the fall of 1864, his family 
moved to Galion ; in the spring of 1866, he engaged in 
the oil business in Pennsylvania, until the spring of 
1867, when he returned to Galion and resumed his 
trade, doing business throughout Central, Northern and 
Western Ohio. That he is a skilled mechanic, some of 
the finest buildings, both public and private, will bear 
testimony — such as the court house in Sandusky City ; 
court house, Catholic and Methodist Church at Mans- 
field, and numerous other fine buildings throughout the 
State. In 1867, was called to finish the residence of 
Joseph Simmons, and again, in 1869, to finish the 
Methodist Church — both of Mansfield, where he has 
resided ever since. He was married to Keziah J. Ran- 
dall, of Marion, Oct. 26, 1848, by the Rev. L. B. Gur- 
ley. They are the parents of three children, Eugene 
D., Elmon H. and Harrie W.; the elder two are engaged 
in the drug business, and the younger is a musician at 
Mansfield. Mr. Lindsey relates this circumstance, 
which is quite a coincidence : He, with two friends 
and their wives, celebrated their marriage by a triple 
silver wedding, at his residence in Mansfield, Oct. 26, 
1873, at which time all three couples were present, re- 
ceiving many elegant gifts of remembrance ; the marriage 
took place twenty-five years prior, at 7 o'clock A. M., at 
or as near the same minute as possible — the ceremonies 
were performed by different ministers, and with their 
bridal attendants started upon the wedding tour. All 
of them were most intimate friends in youth. The 
triple marriage was the result of a wager, which was, 
that if any one or more of the three were not married 
in three months from that date, he should forfeit a con- 
siderable sum of money ; his two friends discussed 
their love-tales before him, thinking that he would 
have to pay the wager, and not till the day previous to 
the wedding did they discover that he was in the ring. 
Another perhaps remarkable thing was, thateich couple 
had but three children. He joined the Ancient Order 
of Odd Fellows in the year 1846, afterward became a 
member of the Encampment, having served in all sub- 
ordinate offices ; took all degrees, passed all chairs, 
also the higher degrees of both Grand Subordinate 
Lodge and Grand Encampment of Ohio, and entitled 
to a seat in both grand bodies and the Grand Lodge of 
the United States, and is still an active member of all 
branches. 

LIVELSBERGER, C. F., shoemaker. He is engaged 
in the manufacturing of boots and shoes ; he is pre- 
pared to do all classes of work — sewed work a specialty. 
Shop on North Main street. 

LONGSDORF, WILLIAM, house-joiner ; was born in 
Berks Co.. Penn., April 27, 1823. He removed to 
Stark Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1830, where they 
remained two years, when they again moved to Wayne 
Co. At the age of 15, he began his trade in Summit 
Co., which he acquired in three years; he followed his 
trade until 1848, when, by the premature discharge of 
a cannon on the Fourth of July of that year, he was 
incapacitated from further work in his calling. He 
was married in 1845, to Miss Aurelia D. Ward, in Cuya- 



hoga Falls. They are the parents of ten children, four 
of whom are living and six dead. He removed to 
Mansfield in the fall of 1855, where he has since re- 
sided. 

LUDWIG, JOHN ADAM, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
was born in July, 1840, and received his elementary 
education in Mansfield, where, and in Madison Town- 
ship, he has been engaged in business until the 
present time. Mr. Ludwig was married to Miss 
Catherena Pfenning, who died in May, 1872, by 
whom he had three children — George Elbert, Charles 
Henry, Anna Louisa. In December, 1872, Mr. Ludwig 
was married to Philepena Snook, by whom he had one 
child, born in 1876. John Peter and Elizabeth (Delf ) 
Ludwig, the parents of Adam L., were born in Ger- 
many, and have resided in Mansfield and Madison 
Township for many years, where they are universally 
respected. 

McBRIDE, THOMAS, attorney at law. He was born 
in Monroe Township, Nov. 20, 1827 ; his parents, Alex- 
ander and Ruth J. McBride, came to this county and 
settled in Monroe about the year 1820, where the sub- 
ject of this sketch received his elementary education in 
part, when he removed to Missouri and continued his 
studies until his return home two years afterward ; 
from that time until he commenced the study of law, 
he was alternately engaged in teaching school during 
the winter, and working on the farm during the sum- 
mer months ; he commenced the [study of law in this 
city, and was admitted to the bar by the District Court 
at Mount Vernon in .June, 1857 ; commenced practice 
in Defiance, Ohio, where he remained eight years ; 
while there he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Defiance Co. two terms — from 1859 to 1863 ; he then 
returned to Mansfield, where he continued to practice 
his profession with M. May ; the firm of May & Mc- 
Bride was dissolved in April, 1868, and McBride & 
A. M. Burns in April, 1874, when he entered into part- 
nership with B. Burns & Son, under the firm name of 
Burns & McBride, and Burns, the junior member of 
the firm, having been elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Richland Co., retired in April, 1877, since which time 
he has been engaged in the practice with Barnabus 
Burns, under the firm name of Burns & McBride, He 
was married in September, 1857, to Miss Barbara E. 
Brandt, of Springfield Township, by whom he has five 
children living, three sons and two daughters — Curtis 
Victor, Willie Edgar, Minnie Blanch, Florence Mabel 
Brandt, Thomas Hall, Hattie May McBride ; the third 
child and oldest daughter died in her 7th year in Mans- 
field. 

McBRIDE, JAMES (deceased). Prominent among 
the early settlers of Richland Co., who were identified 
with its growth and prosperity, were the McBrides, of 
Scotch pedigree ; their father emigrated to America 
soon after the Scottish insurrection, 1796, and first set' 
tied in Chester Co., Penn.; James was born in Little 
York, Penn., Feb. 3, 1812 ; his father's family came to 
Richland Co. in 1823, and cleared and put up the first 
building on the Robert Coulter farm west of Mansfield • 
during his long residence in this city of fifty-four years, 
he was largely engaged in stock-dealing, which he took 
principally to the Philadelphia market, crossing the 
Alleghany Mountains twenty-seven times before the 



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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



days of railroad transportation. Mr. McBride was 
married, .July 12, 1838, to Miss Lettelia Hoy, a daugh- 
ter of Richard Hoy, who came to Richland Co. in 1816, 
and cleared and built on a farm north of Mansfield ; 
James McRride died in Mansfield Aug. 12, 1876, leav- 
ing three children, two of whom reside in the city, 
Sadie J. and Matie L.; Mrs. Lettelia Hoy McBride was 
born in Salem, Washington Co. N. Y.; she died .June 6, 
1870, in Mansfield ; John G., second son, died Oct. 16, 
1870, aged 25 years; J. Douglas, the oldest, was born 
March 26, 1842, now a resident of Washington City. 

McBRIDE, ROBERT (deceased). Mr. McBride was 
born in Chester Co., Penn., March 20, 1808, of Scotch 
ancestry ; his father, James McBride, was born in Ire- 
land, whither his parents had gone during the insurrec- 
tions in Scotland, and soon after migrated to America 
and settled first in Chester Co., Penn. ; in the year 1823, 
the McBride' 8 came to Richland Co., Ohio, and lived 
for a time on what is known as the Finney farm, and 
afterward on the Barr farm, west of Mansfield ; while 
yet a young man, he came to Mansfield and opened a 
dry-goods store, in which business he continued until 
1848 ; afterward, he was engaged in a number of enter- 
prises, and was one of the prominent and extensive 
wool-dealers of this part of the country ; for a number 
of years he was engaged largely in that business with 
a Mr. Sexton, of Cleveland. Robert McBride was mar- 
fied in the year 1845 to Miss Jane E. Shriner, of Penn 
sylvania, to whom were born four children, two of 
whom are dead and two residents of Mansfield ; James 
H. engaged in the practice of the law, and Robert in 
the dry-goods business ; Mary, the only daughter, died 
in 1860; George died in 1874, and was a number of 
years one of the prominent business men of Mansfield 
and a young man of great promise. Robert McBride 
will be remembered by the older residents of Mansfield 
as one of her best citizens, a man of integrity, whom all 
respected. He died Feb. 14, 1865. 

McCLOY, ANBREW JACKSON, was born Feb. 11, 
1828, near Zanesville, Ohio, the eighth child of David 
C. and Elizabeth McCloy ; his father was of Protestant 
Irish descent, and came to this country in 1812; Eliza- 
beth McCloy Haymaker was born in Virginia ; in the 
year 1820, they removed to Ohio and settled in Mus- 
kingum Co., where he died in 1831. In the spring of 
1846, A. J. McCloy came to Mansfield, where and in 
the vicinity he resided until the present time (1880). 
He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary Church, of But- 
ler Township, by whom he has raised one son, Eli 
Chapman McCloy, now a resident of the West ; natur- 
ally of a retiring disposition, yet an enthusiastic ad- 
mirer of the beauties of nature, possessing fine social 
qualities, he is at once a companion and friend. 

McCOY, ECKELS, Probate Judge. The subject of 
this sketch is of Scotch-Irish descent, and a name 
which has, through many years of public services and 
enterprises, become familiar to the residents of Rich- 
land Co.; born in Wayne Co., Ohio, June 22, 1825, the 
second son of Arwin and Jane (Eckels) McCoy ; when of 
sufficient age, E. McCoy served an apprenticeship as 
carpenter for three years in Wayne Co., with a Mr. 
Stichler, previous to his removal to Mansfield, where he 
continued his trade with Mr. George Watson, long since 
deceased, whose daughter, Elizabeth Watson, he after- 



ward married, by whom he has had seven children, six 
of whom are living and one is dead. In the year 1846, 
he joined both the Masonic Order and the I. 0. 
0. F., in both of which he has held at different times fi 
number of subordinate offices. Since 1856, he has 
been a useful member of the cemetery association ; 
to him is due in part its present creditable con- 
dition. Since the year 1852, he has served as 
a member of the City Council five terms, and also 
as City Clerk. In 1853, he was elected Recorder of 
Richland Co., and re-elected in 1856. In 1860, he 
served as Clerk pro tern, of the Court_of Common Pleas ; 
appointed Superintendent of the Mansfield Water Works 
on May 1, 1872, he served as such until Feb. 1, 1879, 
when he resigned to accept the position of Probate 
Judge of Richland Co., to which he was elected, and 
which office he now holds. In March, 1850, Mr. 
McCoy was one of a party destined for the then 
comparatively unexplored gold regions of California, 
going by the way of Panama, and a year later returned 
through the city of Mexico and New Orleans. In ad- 
dition to the public office which he now holds, Mr. Mc- 
Coy is now and has been a member of the Richland 
Mutual Insurance Company, and Treasurer of the 
same ; a man whom all classes of citizens without re- 
gard to party respect, and who has been faithful to all 
trusts confided to him. 

McCRAY, T. Y., lawyer ; born in Washington Co., 
Penn , Aug. 8, 1837 ; emigrated to Richland Co. in 
1846; he was raised on a farm; he became crip- 
pled and had the asthma when young ; attended 
school at Savannah and Hayesville Institutes ; taught 
school twelve years ; in 1860, was appointed on the 
Board of Examiners in Ashland Co.; served the term 
of four years ; was admitted at the bar in 1862 in Ash- 
land Co. He was married in 1863, to Miss Mary E. 
Barnhill, in Ashland Co. In March, 1866, moved to 
West Salem, Wayne Co.; had charge of the public 
schools till 1868 ; while there, was appointed on the 
Board of Examiners of Wayne Co.; continued till 
1875 ; in 1868 was elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Wayne Co. for a term of two years ; in 1870 was re- 
elected, making a term of four years. In 1868 moved 
to Wooster, and engaged exclusively in the practice of 
law ; in 1875 went to Cleveland, formed a partnership 
with 'J. M. Stewart, continued substantially one year ; 
being asthmatic for the last three months, lost his voice, 
then returned to Wooster for the purpose of settling 
up his affairs ; came to Mansfield Aug. 20, 1876 ; re- 
sumed the practice of law up till this time. Have had 
the following children — Robert, born in Ashland Co., 
Jan. 12, 1864; Minnie, in Ashland, Jan. 11, 1866; 
Clarence V., Nov. 5, 1868, in West Salem; Gracie, Sept. 
14, 1872, in Wooster; Ella B., July 26, 1875, at Woos- 
ter; Thomas, June 26, 1878, in Mansfield; Robert 
died in 1871, Clarence in 1870, in Wooster; Ella died 
in 1876. 

McCRORY, R. B., attorney and member of Legisla- 
ture ; was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., 
Feb. 13, 1846; came to Ohio with his father, Samuel 
McCrory, in a wagon to Mansfield. He was educated 
in the public schools of Mansfield ; studied law with 
Geddes, Burns & Dickey ; was admitted to the bar the 
20th of June, 1870; commenced the practice of law; 



K 



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_J) 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



715 



continued a short time alone, then formed a partner- 
ship with A. R. Scheble ; continued with said firm 
about four months, then resumed the practice alone. 
In the spring of 1871, he was a candidate for Prose- 
cuting Attorney against Andrew Stevenson and J. R. 
Cowen; Mr. Stevenson withdrew; was defeated bj 
Cowen, by 180 votes ; in the fall of 1872, the office was 
vacated by Cowen ; A. J. Mack and R. B. McCrory 
were nominated ; Mr. McCrory was elected ; in 1874 
wiis re-elected over S. E. Fink ; served for the term 
of four years and three months ; since then continued 
the practice of law ; formed a partnership with An- 
drew Stevenson in December, 1878; nominated at the 
Democratic primary meeting in June, 1879, as candi- 
date for member of Legislature ; was elected Oct. 14, 
by 780 votes over Williams, 706 over Sowers ; it was 
one of the most enthusiastic campaigns ever known in 
Richland Co. 

McCULLOUGH, DAVID; was born in Washington 
Co., Penn., March 30, 1810, and came to Mansfield 
in February, 1822 ; for a number of years, he lived and 
carried on his trade of tailoring on the west side of 
Main street, below Market. Mr. McCullough is now a 
resident of East Market street, Mansfield, where he has 
lived for nearly fifty years, and has raised a large 
family of children, many of whom are scattered over 
the Western parts of the United States, while others lie 
at rest in the beautiful cemetery of Mansfield, a place 
he has done much to improve and adorn while acting as 
one of the members of the cemetery association. Under 
the old constitution of Ohio, Mr. McCullough held the 
position of Associate Judge a number of years. In 
1855, he was elected Treasurer of Richland Co., serv- 
ing out his full term with fidelity and conceded by all 
classes to have been faithful to his trusts. Mr. McCul- 
lough was taken into the Masonic Order in Mt. Zion 
Lodge, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in the year 1841, and is now 
supposed to be the only living charter member of the 
Mansfield Masonic Lodge, in which he has held at dif- 
ferent times a number of subordinate offices. During 
Mr. McCullough' s long residence in Mansfield, he has 
always been looked upon as one of her best citizens. 
David McCullough was married to Catherine Tumble- 
son in Mansfield by the Rev. James Johnson, first min- 
ister of the U. P. Church in Mansfield. Catherine 
Tumbleson was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in the 
year 1809, and died in Mansfield in the year 1878 ; a 
kind and affectionate mother and wife, Mrs. McCul- 
lough will long be remembered by residents of the city 
for her many acts of charity and love. 

McCULLOUGH, NOAH COOK, tailor; the first 
child of John and Melissa Cook McCullough. John 
McCullough, also a tailor, came to Ohio and settled in 
Mansfield Oct. 20, 1817, when a boy of sixteen years, 
preceding his brother David, who survives him. In 
August, 1827, Melissa Cook McCullough died in Mans- 
field, and was buried in the same grave with an infant 
child. John McCullough was among the oldest and 
most respected of our pioneer citizens, and esteemed 
for his many virtues ; he died in Mansfield Oct. 4, 
1872, aged 71 years. Noah C. McCullough was born in 
Mansfield, Oct. 29, 1824, on East Diamond street, near 
the old tanyard ; when about 16 years of age, he com- 
menced work with his uncle David, and continued in 



the same shop until 1848, when David retired; Noah 
McCullough is now and has been in the tailoring busi- 
ness in Mansfield since that date, and is the oldest 
tailor, in active business, in Mansfield. On the 24th 
day of Oct., 1848, Noah Cook McCullough was married 
to Sarah J. Pennywell, formerly of Massillon, in Mans- 
field. Miss Pennywell was born on the 1st day of 
December, 1825, and came to Mansfield in 1844. To 
them have been born two sons, Warren John McCul- 
lough, who died in infancy, and Willard Harvey, born 
Nov. 12, 1854, now connected with the Adams Express 
Company, in Mansfield. Mr. McCullough has been a 
member of the Mansfield Masonic Lodge, No. 35, since 
1848, and during that time has held a number of sub- 
ordinate offices. A member of the Baptist Church for 
over fifteen years, he is looked upon as one of Mans- 
field's best citizens. 

McCULLOUGH, A. H., M.D.; is a native of Beaver 
Co., Penn.; his parents lived on a farm in Raccoon 
Township, and he assisted his father in farming and 
attended school until he was 18 years old ; he then en- 
tered Westminster College, where he remained one 
year, and then went to Wooster University, where he 
graduated in 1873. After graduating, he went to Pitts- 
burgh, and entered the office of Dr. John Dickson & 
Sons ; and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia, 1875 ; he then located in Massillon, Ohio, 
and practiced his profession about six months, when he 
removed to Mansfield, where he has practiced medicine 
ever since. He added to his professional duties that of 
the drug business, having bought out the establishment 
of W. B. Mercer in September, 1878, in which bus- 
iness, together with his profession, he met with excel- 
lent success. 

McFALL, HUGH (deceased). He was born in Bucks 
Co., Penn., Jan. 3, 1783; from there he moved to 
Beaver Co., , where he learned the carpenter trade, 
which he followed for a time, when he removed to Can- 
ton, Ohio, in 1815, where he began work as a clerk in 
the store of Wm. Christmas ; he came to Mansfield in 
1821, and commenced business in a general dry-goods 
store, under the firm name of McFall & Co ; his partner 
was George Stidger, of Canton, Ohio : this partnership 
continued about five years, when he purchased the 
interest of Stidger, and carried on the business until 
1846, when he retired. He was married in Mansfield, 
July 4, 1824, to Miss Clarissa Smith, a native of Water- 
loo, Seneca Co., N. Y. ; she was born Jan. 16, 1805; 
they were th-e parents of four children, one of whom 
died in infancy; Ephraim, the eldest child living, was 
born in this city, April 26, 1825 ; Gaylord was born 
Feb. 22, 1829; Susan Franc Dec. 25, 1836; during Mr, 
M.'s long business career in Mansfield, he acquired the 
enviable reputation of being a strictly honest man ; he 
never was known to misrepresent to a customer, and 
often, when it would have been to his pecuniary inter- 
est, he refused, while others frequently used the advan- 
tage. He died in September, 1869. Mrs. Clarissa 
Smith McFall is yet living, and possesses a vivid rec- 
ollection of the early times in this county. 

McFALL, EPHRAIM, son of Hugh McFall ; was born 
April 26, 1825, in Mansfield ; he was educated in the 
Mansfield schools ; then engaged in the wholesale gro- 
cery ; was the first to engage in a jobbing business; 



*^1 



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716 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he continued fifteen years ; he then engaged in the 
study and practice of a veterinarian surgeon. Mr. 
McFall was married in January, 1854, to Miss G. C. 
Thomas ; she was born in Maryland. They have one 
son, Hugh, who was born in 1860 ; is now employed 
by H. M. Weaver & Co., in their wholesale boot and 
shoe store. 

McFARLAND, ROBERT C, grocer; was born Nov. 
23, 1837, in AVashington Township, Richland Co. Mar- 
ried in 1861, to Mary E. Norris, who was born in Han- 
over Township, Ashland Co., June 6, 1842. They 
have six children — Joseph S., born June 30, 1866 ; 
George 0., June 10, 1868; Alfred H., June 16, 1870; 
David 0., May 8, 1872; Harry W., March 22, 1874 ; 
Almira Adella, June 1, 1876. Mr. McFarland enlisted 
in Co. E, 64th 0. V. I., for the term of three years ; 
after his discharge, re-enlisted as a veteran soldier; was 
engaged as a soldier for four years ; he was wounded 
three times at the battle of Stone River, and at the 
battle of Franklin, Tenn., was wounded through the 
left shoulder, and then taken prisoner and retained 
about twenty-one days ; he was in sixteen regular bat- 
tles or engagements. After the war closed, he located 
in Mansfield ; is now engaged in the grocery business, 
and is a live business man, and as a citizen he is re- 
garded as one of our leading and enterprising men, 
always ready to promote every good cause and work. 

McFARLAND, DAVID K.; was born Dec. 30, 1852, 
in Washington Township, this county. Married Jan. 
22, 1874, to Maranda J. McConkie, who was born Feb. 
2, 1857. They had the following family— Elbert B., 
born Nov. 14, 1876; Mary, born May 15, 1879. Ma- 
randa McFarland died May 30, 1879. Mr. Mc. moved 
to Knox Co., 111., March 1877. 

McGUIRE, JOSEPH, carpenter ; was born in Cum- 
berland Co., Penn., 1820; he came to Ohio with his 
parents in 1822; located in Richland Co. He was 
married in September, 1849, to Elizabeth Hoover, who 
was born in this county in 1829. They have the fol- 
lowing children — Paulinia Rosella, born July 1, 1850; 
Mary Elisebeth, March 25, 1852 : William Franklin, 
April 80, 1855 ; Alice Dell, Feb. 4, 1857 ; Emma Ann 
and John E. (twins). May 31, 1861. Mr. McGuire 
located in Mansfield in 1842 ; he has been a citizen of 
this city ever since. 

McKINLEY, JOHN F., farmer. As a soldier and 
citizen, this name is familiar to the residents of Mans- 
field, and the members of the 120th 0. V. I.; born in 
Wayne Co., Feb. 27, 1835, he remained at home attend- 
ing school and working at different occupations until of 
age, when he removed to Iowa, and entered into busi- 
ness ; three years afterward, he returned to Ohio, and 
settled in Ashland, where he remained until the break- 
ing-out of the civil war, when he enlisted at Mansfield in 
Capt. Dickey's company of the 15th 0. V. I., three-months 
service; after serving his full term of enlistment, Mr. 
McKinley returned to Ashland Co., where he was mar- 
ried to Elisebeth Neal on the 27th day of November, 
1861, and remained until August, 1862, when he again 
entered the service, and recruited Co. C, 120th 0. V. 
I., which was stationed at Camp Mansfield until fully 
organized ; this regiment was soon after ordered to Cov- 
ington, Ky., when it entered into active service, the 
history of which will be found in another part of this 



work. During Mr. McKinley' s career as a soldier, he 
served with distinction in all of the battles in which 
that regiment was engaged, first at Chickasaw Bluffs, 
Miss., the battle of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, siege of 
Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Fort Blakely, when be was 
promoted to the position of Major of the regiment, and 
served as such during the battle of Snaggy Point, on 
the Red River ; for about eight months thereafter he 
was in command of the regiment as Major. The 120th 
0. V. I. was later consolidated with the 114th 0. V. I., 
when Maj. McKinley was promoted to the lieutenant 
colonelcy, afterward known as the 114th 0. V. I., in 
which he served until the close of the war. 

McLaughlin, gen. WILLIAM (deceased). This 
distinguished soldier was born in Beaver Co., Penn., 
Feb. 3, 1802; in his youth, he attended the common 
schools of the country, where, by dint of persever- 
ance, he learned to write a beautiful hand, which, in 
early life, he turned to pecuniary advantage by giving 
writing lessons. Getting interested in the study of law, 
he determined to study for that profession ; he applied 
to Gen. Robert Moore, then a member of Congress, and 
a practicing lawyei" at Beaver Court House, Penn.; Gen. 
Moore advised him to take time to consider the matter, 
and, if he still concluded to enter the profession, to 
come to his oflfice. At the end of a week, young 
McLaughlin came to Beaver Court House, and enrolled 
himself as a student. He was a fellow-student with 
Chief Justice Agnew and Col. Richard P. Roberts, 
two of the greatest lawyers in Western Pennsylvania. 
Col. Roberts has a brother and several other relatives 
in and about Shelby, in this county. Young McLaugh- 
lin was a very frank, honest, manly fellow, and was 
universally liked. When he had completed his law 
studies. Gen. Moore advised him to go West, as he had not 
had the good fortune to receive a thorough early edu- 
cation, as had been the case with the majority of the 
young members of the bar in Beaver, then a small place 
on the west banks of the Ohio. Gen. Moore told him 
that in the West he would have a better chance to rise, 
and, in compliance with this advice, McLaughlin came 
to Canton, Ohio, and began the practice of law. Here 
he was cotemporary with David Starkweather, Hiram 
Griswold, Dwight Jarvis, John Harris, and other men 
of that class. He made friends in Canton, as he had at 
Beaver, and soon rose in his profession. Desirous of 
coming farther West, he left Canton about 1828, and 
came to Mansfield ; here he engaged in the practice of 
law, and soon became successful. When the Mexican 
war broke out, McLaughlin, who had always been a 
leader in the militia, raised a company and left for the 
front. Its history is given in the chapter on that sub- 
ject. After his return in 1847, he resumed the practice 
of law, which he followed until the spring of 1861, 
when he was the first man to i-espond to the call for 
troops. He sent a dispatch to the Governor, tendering 
a company, when, in fact, he did not have a man 
enlisted. From the breaking-out of the war, until his 
death, his history is so closely identified with that of 
the war, that to give it here would repeat, in a large 
measure, what has been written on that subject. His 
last public act was to raise a squadron of cavalry, which 
he led to the field, and which he commanded until his 
death, July 23, 1862. 



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CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



717 



McMILLEN, DAVID C, M. D. The subject of this 
sketch is of Scotch-Irish descent, and direct oflFspring 
of a soldier in the war for American independence and 
the war of 1812. His grandfather emigrated to Amer- 
ica with a brother soon after the insurrection in Scot- 
land. David C. McMillen was born in Trumbull Co., 
Ohio, July 27, 1832, and was the sixth in a family of 
eight children ; in 1854 he came to Shelby, this county, 
and commenced reading medicine with his brother Cal- 
vin, with whom he remained until he commenced gen- 
eral practice, having attended lectures at the Cleveland 
Medical College in 1856 and 1857. With the exception 
of two years' residence in Goshen, Ind., the Doctor has 
continued in the practice of his profession in this 
county, almost without interruption, until the present 
time; he removed to Mansfield in the year 1870, and 
is now in general practice, attending faithfully to his 
duties, and with an increasing practice. During the 
war, he served as Assistant Surgeon of the 163d 0. N. 
G., and also on a hospital boat on the Ohio and Ten- 
nessee Rivers. 

McMILLEN, JAMES FRANK, physician (eclectic); 
Dr. McMillen was born in AVeathersfield Township, 
Trumbull Co., Ohio, the 16th of June, 1824, the eldest 
of the three brothers residing in Mansfield, belonging 
to an ancestry which can be traced back to the great 
Scottish insurrection, and afterward in the American 
Revolution and the war of 1812. At the age of 19, he 
commenced the study of medicine, which soon after he 
discontinued for a short time, but again resumed under 
the instruction of Dr. Evarts, of Cleveland. In 1849, 
he came to Shelby, Ohio, and engaged in the practice 
of his profession ; for over twelve years, the Doctor 
has been engaged in active practice in Mansfield, and, 
with the exception of short intervals of absence in St. 
Louis, Indianapolis and Macon, Ga., has been in gen- 
eral practice for thirty years. Dr. J. F. McMillen was 
married in Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Dec. 27, 1853, 
to Laura Goodale Had ley, who died in Shelby, Ohio, 
on the 12th of December, 1866. To them was born 
one child — William E., now a resident of Omaha, who 
was born March 22, 1857. Was again married on the 
27th of November, 1879, to Mrs. Catherine C. Edmonds, 
at Mansfield. 

McMILLEN, JOHN ALFRED, plasterer and painter; 
was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Jan. 29, 1838 ; moved 
to Shelby, Richland Co., in 1852, with his parents. Of 
Scotch-Irish descent, he inherits the strength and con- 
stitution of that people ; the lineage can be found in 
the biographies of his two brothers, in another part of 
this work. At the breaking-out of the late war, he 
enlisted in the Union army at Union City, Ind., as 
private, in the 11th 0. V. I., three-months service, 
serving his full term with credit and honor. J. A. 
McMillen was married at Union City. Ind., to Anna 
Caron, in the year 1866, where he remained and worked 
at his trade, until his removal to Mansfield, in 1871. 
During his residence in Mansfield, he served on the 
police force and was accounted a faithful officer. They 
have three children. 

MARSHALL, E. C, salesman ; was born Oct. 9, 
1856, in Washington Township, Richland Co. ; he 
served with J. Kelly, of Bellville, as an apprentice ; 
learned the tinner trade ; then attended the Bellville 



High School, after which he went to Mount Union Col- 
lege in Stark Co.; came to Mansfield in 1876 ; em- 
ployed as clerk in the Sharp dry-goods store, after 
which he engaged as salesman in Singer's hat store, 
which position he still retains. 

MARSHALL, JOHN, dealer in farming implements; 
he was born in this county March 22, 1835. He mar- 
ried Mary A. Cookston. He enlisted in the late war 
as a member of the 7th Indiana Battery ; served two 
years, and was discharged on account of sickness, after 
which he returned, and was for a time Lieutenant of 
Co. E, 2d 0. V. C. He is now a resident of this city. He 
is engaged in selling farming implements of various 
kinds, and is doing a very extensive business. 

MATTHES, ADAM, proprietor of European Hotel; 
he was born in Germany Jan. 8, 1832 ; emigrated to 
America in 1851, and located in Mansfield. He was 
married, Aug. 14, 1855, to Caroline Heltmen, who was 
born in this county in 1837 ; they have the following 
family — Louis, born Jan. 9, 1858; Caroline, May 1, 
1862; John, June 13, 1864; Adam, Jr., July 13, 
1866; May, Oct. 31, 1868; Charley and Frederick 
(twins), April 10, 1871; Amelia, .July 9, 1877; An- 
drew, Oct. 5, 1879. Mr. Matthes is engaged in conduct- 
ing the European Hotel, and is doing a good business. 

MAXWELL BROS., dry goods ; the store is located 
in a three-story brick building, 20x80 feet, at No. 11 
Main street, in which can be found the largest and most 
complete stock of staple and fancy dry goods, embracing 
all articles usually found in the best stores, exceeding 
any other establishment in the city of Mansfield. This 
house was established in 1860; their increase in the 
past few years has been all that they could wish, and 
they now do a business that compares favorably with 
any similar house in the city ; anything new in the 
dry-goods line can always be found in the store of the 
Maxwell Bros., and, as they have but one price, total 
strangers can buy just as cheap as regular customers. 
Robert B. Maxwell, the active member and business 
manager of the house, is a gentleman of over twenty- 
five years' experience ; he is honest and straightfor- 
ward in all his transactions, and never fails to gain 
the confidence and esteem of all with whom he may 
come in contact. The brothers were born in Scotland 
— Robert, in 1840, and John, in 1834 ; they are now 
taking the lead in this line of goods ; all who call on 
them will find them congenial gentlemen with one, and 
they are destined to be successful in business. 

MAY, JOHN MILTON (deceased) ; he was born in 
Conway, Hampshire Co., Mass., Oct. 13, 1787. The 
ancestor of his race in America was John May, from 
Mayfield, Sussex Co., England, Captain of the ship 
James, which sailed between the ports of New England 
and London, from 1635 to 1640, when he settled in 
Rojfbury, Mass.; from this stock descended the Mays 
of New England, New York and Michigan, known in 
military and civic life ; Theodore May, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was a Revolutionary war 
soldier, who, at the close of his services, receiving his 
pay in Continental currency, so utterly depreciated 
that John Milton and his other boys would use it for 
"thumb-papers" at school. In 1797, he removed with 
his family to Washington Co., N. Y. In 1811, our Mr. 
May emigrated thence alone for Ohio, crossing the 






*^: 



■^ 




Alleghany Mountains to Pittsburgh on foot, arriving at 
Marietta, Ohio, by boat. In the fall of that year, he 
commenced the study of law in the office of Philemon 
Beecher, in Lancaster, Ohio, having for fellow-students 
for a time Hon. Thomas Ewing and the late Judge Jacob 
Parker, of this city ; during his novitiate in the law, 
he supported himself by teaching in the winter-time ; 
Hocking H. Hunter was one of his pupils ; he was ad- 
mitted to the bar .July 26, 1815, and in the autumn of 
the same year, settled in Manstield, where he resided 
until his death, which occurred Dec. 12, 1869; he was 
the first resident lawyer in Mansfield, and practiced in 
his profession until two years previous to his death. 
He was elected Prosecuting Attorney for this circuit in 
1816, but resigned the office in 1817, because the de- 
fenses to prosecutions offered him better compensation ; 
for many years, he rode the circuit of the northern and 
western County Courts, and had a large and successful 
practice. In 1825, he married Miss Artemisia Wolfe, 
from one of the pioneer families of the county, by 
whom he had one son, now the Hon. Manuel May, of 
this city, and one daughter. Miss Lizzie E. May, who 
died in 1866. In politics, Mr. May wa.s unambitious ; 
in his profession, he was a fine advocate, as well as an 
able chancery lawyer, and, during his long life, always 
maintained a high character as a good citizen and an 
honest man ; in his latter years, among his associate 
lawyers, he was styled the " Nestor of the bar," and 
known as " Father May," and to the day of his death 
maintained the good will, respect and confidence of all. 
He was confined to his house about a month before his 
demise, but was not bed-fast ; he passed peacefully 
away while sitting in his chair. 

MAY, MANUEL, attorney. Mr. May was born in 
Mansfield, where he has resided continuously since ; he 
is of pioneer parentage. The biography of his father, 
John M. May, has been outlined in this book. His 
mother, in the year 1807, then Artemisia Wolfe, aged 
6 years, emigrated with her brothers, sisters and 
widowed mother from the Wyoming Valley, Luzerne 
Co., Penn., to Fredericktown, Knox Co., Ohio, then 
containing the territory of this county ; she, with the 
Wolfe family, removed thence and settled in Mansfield 
in 1812, and was married in 1825; one of the issue of 
the marriage was Manuel May. Among the educators 
of his boyhood were Rev. James Rowland, Louis An- 
drews and William .Johnson. He graduated at Kenyon 
College, studied law with his father, John M. May, and 
graduated at the Cincinnati Law School ; in 1858, he 
received the honorary degree of A. M. at Kenyon Col- 
lege ; on leaving law school, he practiced law with his 
father, under the firm name of J. M. &. M. May ; 
his subsequent law partners were Thomas McBride, 
John K. Cowen and S. L. Geddes. At present, he is 
alone in the law business with the aid of his large 
library and the office help of his students ; he was 
elected and re-elected Prosecuting Attorney of Rich- 
land Co., serving in that capacity from 1858 to 1862; 
he represented the Fourth Ward as a member of the 
City Council of Mansfield for four years, part of which 
time he was presiding officer ; he was elected and re- 
elected to the Ohio Senate and represented Richland 
and Ashland Cos. in that body from 1866 to 1870, and, 
during his second term, was a member of the Judiciary 



Committee ; as a County School Examiner, Mr. May 
has for years been connected with the educational in- 
terests of the county. He is a bachelor, has always 
voted the Democratic ticket and is active in politics as 
well as business. 

MITCHELL, DR. GEORGE F. (deceased). He was 
born in Washington Co., Penn, May 8, 1808; he was 
the youngest son in a large family of children ; his 
brothers were mostly farmers, who remained in their 
native county; his tastes and inclinations were in a 
different course, and, in his early boyhood, as well as 
in his later life, he was a constant student ; his re- 
searches were not alone confined to the profession in 
which he became eminent, but the sciences and litera- 
ture were not neglected ; in 1827, he commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. Church, of Pittsburgh, 
Penn., a noted practitioner of that city ; with him he 
remained three years, when, after practicing a short 
time in an adjoining county, he removed to Ohio in 
1832, and practiced medicine in Olivesburg, this county, 
until 1846, at which time he came to Mansfield ; he 
was a graduate of the Miami Medical College, of Cin- 
cinnati, and in after years the honorary degree was 
again conferred on him by the Medical College of 
Keokuk, Iowa; for a number of years he was elected a 
Censor of the Medical College at Cleveland, and was 
an active member of the State and American Medical 
Associations, in both of which he held positions of 
honor, and was selected as a delegate to the latter body 
by the State society ; at home he was interested in all 
educational and benevolent enterprises, and was one 
of the originators and Trustees of the Mansfield Female 
College, while under the control of the Methodist 
denomination. For forty years, he was actively en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine, during which time 
the rich and the poor without distinction received the 
benefit of his skill. He was married in May, 1831, in 
Fayette Co., Penn., to Miss Nancy DeVatte ; eight 
children were given them, two of whom died in infancy, 
two in early and promising manhood, one daughter just 
as she was blooming into womanhood, and three chil- 
dren still live. He died in this city March 31, 1869. 

MITCHELL, GEORGE, physician and surgeon. Dr. 
George Mitchell was born July 19, 1837, in Olivesburg, 
Richland Co., Ohio, and is a son of Dr. G. F. and Nancy 
DeVatte Mitchell ; his father was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, but practiced for forty years in Richland Co., 
with great success; Dr. George Mitchell received his 
elementary education in Mansfield, and in due course of 
time entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, 
Ohio, and pursued the full course of four years' study, 
graduating from that institution in 1858, with the degree 
of A. B.; in 1860, he matriculated at the Western Reserve 
Medical College, where he attended one course of lect- 
ures, and during the following winter, entered the 
Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he gradu- 
ated as Doctor of Medicine in 1862 ; immediately after 
receiving his degree, heentered the United States service 
as Assistant Surgeon of the 102d 0. V. I.; he continued 
in active service in different campaigns until the close 
of the war, being twice promoted for valuable services 
rendered; in 1865, he retired from the army and 
located in Mansfield, where he has since resided and 
engaged in the practice of his profession ; he is one of 



^ 



A< 



CITY OF MAN^SFIELD. 



719 



the Censors of the Medical Department of the Wooster 
University, and is also a Trustee of his alma mater ; in 
the winter of 1876, he was appointed by Gov. Hayes 
one of the Board of Trustees of the Central Ohio In- 
sane Asylum ; he is a member of the American Medi- 
cal Association, and also of the Ohio State Medical 
Society, and has at various times contributed to the 
literature of his profession. 

MITCHELL, WILLIAM, surgeon dentist ; was born 
in Weller Township May 1, 1841, and came with his 
parents to this city in 1846 ; he received his elementary 
education in the public schools he was a member of 
the first class that graduated in the Mansfield High 
School, he afterward completed his studies at the Dela- 
ware University ; in 1860, he began the study of den- 
tistry and graduated at the Pennsylvania College of 
Dental Surgery in Philadelphia in 1863 ; he practiced 
his profession for a number of years in this city and 
Gallon, Ohio ; he was employed by the publishers of 
this work as a biographical writer, and he collected 
many of the portraits of the early settlers that appear 
therein. He was married May 15, 1872, in Mansfield, 
to Miss Sallie Strickler ; they are the parents of four 
children — George Frank, Charles Wesley, M. Eugene 
and Sallie. 

MOWRY, .JOHN N., physician and surgeon ; was 
born in Pittsburgh, Penn., March 2, 1824, the second 
son of Daniel and .Jane Wiley Mowry, of Western Penn- 
sylvania, of German-Scotch descent ; after receiving 
his elementary education in Pittsburgh, he commenced 
the study of medicine with Dr. R. B. Mowry, of that 
city, and afterward attended lectures and graduated at 
the .Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, March 
9, 1850; in the fall of 1852, he removed to Mansfield, 
having previously practiced in Allegheny City for two 
years; he was appointed surgeon of the 0. & P. and 
the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., which positions he held for 
twenty-four years ; he entered the army as assistant 
surgeon of the 15th 0. V. I., and was at the first battle 
of the war, Philippi, W. Va.; then he was appointed 
surgeon of the 32d 0. V. I.; then discharged after eight 
months' service, for disability ; he then returned to 
Mansfield, then Gov. Tod telegraphed him to meet Surg. 
Gen. Webber, in Cincinnati, and proceed at once to 
Pittsburg Landing for the relief of the wounded ; after 
his return, he was appointed Surgeon of the 86tli 0. 
V. I., and remained until expiration of service; he 
then resumed the practice of his profession in Mans- 
field, where he resided until 1875, when he removed to 
Tiffin, Ohio ; not liking it, he returned to this city in 
1877, Where he has since resided. Dr. Mowry was 
married, Sept. 7, 1854, to Miss Elisebeth Sherman Park- 
er, who died April 16, 1855 ; he was again married, 
Nov. 25, 1856, to Miss Mary L. Armentrout, by whom 
he raised five children; she died Jan. 10, 1872; he 
was married in Tiffin, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1874, to Mrs. Ellen 
J. Graham, of that city ; the Doctor has always taken 
an active interest in the prosperity of the city, and sub- 
scribed liberally to all the railroads, and was active in 
securing the location of the Aultman & Taylor Co.'s shops 
in Mansfield. 

MURPHY, JOHN A., farmer ; was born in Madison 
Township July 7, 1850, and received his elementary 
education in District No. 3. He was married in the 



spring of 1877, since which time he has resided in this 

city. 

NEWLON, J., groceryman ; was born in this county 
in 1828. He was married in 1855, to Sarah Shoup, 
who was born in Wood Co., Ohio, in 1834; they have 
two children — Harmon D., born in 1856, and Williard 
B., in 1859. Mr. Newlon is engaged in the grocery 
business in this city in company with R. C. McFarland. 

NEWMAN, ANDREW S. (deceased). He was born 
March 1, 1811, in Richland Co., in the Newman cabin, 
on the Rocky Fork, near the present site of Campbell's 
mill. A short time after his birth, his father, .Jaeob 
Newman, removed to Mansfield, and thenceforth An- 
drew continued to reside there ; in the fall of 1812, be 
and his mother were sent to the block-house, at Mt. 
Vernon, Ohio, and, while at this place of comparative 
safety, his brother, Joseph, was born ; when the army 
passed through Mansfield in 1813, under the command 
of Gen. Crooks, his father was requested, by the com- 
manding officer, to act as guide through the wilderness, 
and during this expedition he contracted the disease 
which terminated his life shortly after his return ; 
though thus early deprived of his father, in his sur^ 
viving parent he was abundantly compensated ; his 
mother was a woman of very extraordinary ability, and 
while she devoted herself to her children and their wel^ 
fare, she was universally beloved by her neighbors ; 
the native good sense and sound judgment which so 
characterized him as to make him a man of mark in the 
community, he inherited largely from his mother ; his 
early intellectual advantages were meager, but, possessed 
of good natural abilities, with only such assistance 
as a winter school in a log cabin afforded, and with a 
thirst for reading, he became one of the best-informed 
men in the country ; he was a man of strong convic^ 
tions, and singularly gifted with the power to express 
them, had little reverence for place and position, but 
warm charity for the lowly and oppressed ; he was 
possessed of a most excellent judgment of men and af- 
fairs, and always regarded a wise counselor. He was 
married, April 2, 1839, to Eliza A. Armentrout, who 
bore him two children, Mary S. and Harriet (who died 
in infancy). His wife died July 3, 1855, leaving an 
only child, the late Mary N. Cummins, so well and fa- 
vorably known in this community. In 1841, he became 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ever 
afterward led a consistent Christian life. After a 
brief illness of typhoid pneumonia he died, Jan, 31, 
1872. 

NEWMAN, MICHAEL (deceased). He was born in 
New Holland, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1785; he came 
to Ross Co., Ohio, about 1800, and in 1806, he was 
married to Elizabeth Copsey, who was a descendant of 
the family of the Longs, in England ; he came to this 
county, as is shown by the history, in April, 18r.8, and 
settled at Beam's (now Campbell's) Mill ; he lived a 
year or two in his brother Jacob's cabin, and then 
moved across the creek, near the mill, into a cabin that 
was built by Moses Fountain, who probably aided in 
building the mill on which Mr. Newman worked in the 
summer of 1808 ; he next moved to Section 16 in Madi- 
son Township, where he resided until after Hull sur- 
rendered Detroit, Aug. 16, 1812; it was about this time 
that troubles with the Indians arose, and as it was not 



®_ 




possible for Mr. Newman always to be at home — the 
nearest flouring-mill being at Mt. Vernon — he took his 
family to Frederiektown, in Knox Co., Ohio, where 
there was quite a settlement, a block-house and a few 
soldiers stationed ; he returned alone to take care of 
his property, but found all his stock and grain had been 
taken for the use of U. S. troops, under Gen Beall ; his 
provisions and stock being all gone, he returned to 
Frederiektown and took his wife and children to her 
relatives and friends, at Chillicothe ; he left them there 
and returned late in the fall to this county, only to find his 
house burned ; he never was able to find out whether the 
Indians or soldiers p.erpetrated this outrage ; having no 
shelter, he went to Chillicothe and remained there dur- 
ing the winter; in the spring of 1813, he returned to 
Richland Co., built a new house, and that summer, in 
August, he brought back his family and began again ; 
he had five sons and six daughters ; their names, in the 
order of their births, are Mary, Henry, Susan, Jacob, 
Jane, Margaret, Harriet, John, Elizabeth, Andrew and 
Michael C. ; Mary married B. Goldsmith ; they had five 
children ; Goldsmith is now deceased, and his widow 
lives in Pierceton, Ind. ; Henry married Hannah Mar- 
ing and both are deceased ; they had one son, 
John M. Newman, who married Eva J. Miller; 
Susan married William Waugh ; they have no chil- 
dren, and they are living in Van Wert Co., 
Ohio ; Jacob married Catharine Stoudt ; they had two 
children, John H. Newman and Lizzie Newman ; his 
wife died soon after the birth of John H., since which 
time Jacob has been a widower, and lives in Van Wert 
Co., Ohio; Jane died when a young lady; Margaret 
married John C. Snow : they have no children ; Mrs. 
Snow is now deceased, and John C. Snow is now living 
in niinois ; Harriet died in infancy ; John is not mar- 
ried, and is now serving his eighth term as County Sur- 
veyor of Richland Co.; Elizabeth married Rev. N. F. Bell; 
Mr. Bell is now deceased, and his widow lives in Huron 
Co., Ohio ; Andrew is now living somewhere in Cali- 
fornia ; Michael maried Carrie Wilson ; they have four 
children, and reside in the city of Mansfield. Mr. 
Newman died in 1862, and his wife died in 1872. 

NEWMAN, JACOB (deceased). The Newman fam- 
ily, of whom .Jacob was the oldest, were of Holland 
descent, and settled at an early day in Lancaster Co., 
Penn.; the children, Jacob, Polly, John, Christena, 
Andrew, Michael and a sister whose name is not now' 
known, were born here. This sister married a man by 
the name of Cline ; went South with him, and was lost 
trace of by the family. Jacob and Michael, when they 
became young men, went to Franklin Co., Penn., where 
Jacob married Catherine Freymeyer, by whom he had 
four children — John, Catherine, Jacob and Henry ; 
Mrs. Newman died when the last named was but 2 or 3 
weeks old ; the death of the mother, in a measure, 
broke up the family. This was in October, 1802. Mr. 
Newman gave all the children but the youngest to 
their grandparents (their mother's parents) to keep, 
and taking with him the youngest, whom he kept 
by the aid of nurses, he went to the vicinity of 
Greensburg, and lived there on a farm three or 
four years. He desired a frontier life, and, hear- 
ing of the West as it then existed, and the easy 
terms upon which poor people could obtain land 



in the military and other districts in Ohio, he deter- 
mined to emigrate there. He came to Stark Co. and 
located some land near the town of Canton, then a 
frontier place. Not long after, he had a good chance 
to sell the land, and did so, and determined to remove 
still farther out. His kinsman, Gen. James Hedges, 
had been surveying in the new country, now comprised 
in this county, and had informed him of some of the 
choice selections of land and the probable location of a 
county seat, as the General knew a new county would 
necessarily be made in this part of the State. In the 
summer of 1807, he left his family at Canton, and, 
moving his few effects, came to the Rocky Fork, where 
he or Gen. Hedges had undoubtedly selected a location 
and erected a cabin. He brought, as a housekeeper, 
his niece, Catherine Brubaker, who did the cooking for 
him and his hands, who were probably her brothers, 
the Brubaker boys. As this early settlement is fully 
given in the pioneer history elsewhere printed in this 
volume, its history need not be repeated here. Mr. 
Newman remained here improving his land till the 
spring of 1808, when he took his niece back to Canton, 
and his brother Michael and his wife came out and en- 
tered the cabin. That fall, he brought Henry, his 
youngest son, out and left him here, while he went to 
Pennsylvania, where he was married to Susan Snively, 
and remained in the East during the following winter. 
Returning to this county, he remained in the Rocky 
Fork and improved his claim and run his saw-mill, 
which he had erected a year before. The removal of 
the site of the county seat from the vicinity of the mill, 
and its sale by Mr. Newman to Mr. Jacob Beam, caused 
Mr. Newman to remove again. He, in company with 
Gen. Hedges and Joseph Larwell, of Wooster, had laid 
out the town of Mansfield on its present site, and had 
begun improvements there. IVfe*. Newman built his 
cabin on the east side of South Main street, about two 
hundred yards south of the creek, and, in the latter 
part of 1811, brought up his family, and the next sum- 
mer raised a crop on his land here. In August, the 
Indian troubles occurred, and Mr. Newman took his 
wife and son Andrew to Mt. Vernon for safe-keeping, 
while he and Henry remained to guard the cabin and 
the town. While Mrs. Newman was in Mt. Vernon, 
Joseph was born (Sept. 25, 1812). Not long after, a 
company of soldiers came up to help guard the town — 
the killing of Jones having excited the people consider- 
ably — and Mr. Newman, considering all things rather 
safe, went to Mt. Vernon and brought his wife and 
children home. Gen. Crook's army came to Mansfield 
soon after this, on their way to the Upper Sandusky 
country, and Mr. Newman, being a practical, sagacious 
woodsman, was engaged to pilot the army through 
from Mansfield. Most accounts state that the army 
left about the middle of December. Mr. Henry New- 
man says this can hardly be true, as he distinctly re- 
members the event, and is sure his father did not leave 
till later in the winter, probably in February. This 
march, in an open winter, was very trying on the sol- 
diers, and even the hardy frame of Mr. Newman could 
not endure the strain. He contracted a pulmonary 
complaint, which, after reaching home about June 1, 
1813, continued to grow worse, and on the 20th of 
that month he died. He left a widow and three 



vT 



W 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



731 



children — Henry, Andrew and Joseph, the latter about 7 
months old. She soon after took the logs Mr. N. had 
prepared in his lifetime to build a better cabin, had 
them moved to the north side of the square, where 
Capt. A. C. Cummins now lives, and had a cabin built 
there. The house was improved at times, and a brick 
addition built afterwai'd by Henry Leyman. It is part 
of Capt. Cummins' house now. Mrs. Newman resided 
here until her death, 1834. By this time, the chil- 
dren were grown. Henry and Andrew were married 
and had homes of their own, and .Joseph was a young 
man beginning life for himself. 

NEWMAN, HENRY, Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio. Mr. 
Newman is the fourth child of Jacob Newman, and, 
since 1849, has resided in Williams Co.; he was born 
Oct. 17, 1802, in Franklin Co., Penn.; his mother dying 
a few weeks after his birth, his father took him to 
Westmoreland Co., where he went to reside, keeping 
him under his own care ; about 1805, his father emi- 
grated to Stark Co., Ohio, and in 1807 to Richland Co.; 
Henry remained in Stark Co. until the fall of 1808, 
when he was brought by his father to the cabin home 
on the Rocky Fork ; he was left here by his father 
while he went to Pennsylvania, where he was married ; 
Henry lived with his uncle Michael and wife, who came 
on and kept house while Jacob went East ; after his 
father's return, both families occupied the cabin until 
about 1810, when Michael and his wife moved into the 
cabin built by Moses Fountain north across the creek, 
and near the mill ; Jacob Newman remained on the 
Rocky Fork until the fall of 1811, when he came to 
Mansfield, and remained here until his death in June, 
1813; in the summer of 1812, he raised a crop here, 
and that winter piloted Gen. Crook's army to the Mau- 
mee country. Henry Newman says the accounts con- 
cerning his absence ffom December until June are in- 
correct ; he states that his father was not gone that 
length of time, and that he did not leave Mansfield 
until March ; he is quite certain concerning this, as he 
cannot remember his father being absent so long ; after 
his father's death in 1813, Henry assisted his mother 
in the care of her property, and gathered what meager 
education the schools of the day afi'orded ; in 1828, he 
went to New Orleans in search of a man named Thomas 
6. Shield, who had absconded in debt to the Newman 
estate about |1,400, but failed to find him. A few 
years after his return, he was married to .Jane Ward, 
a member of the Ward family, in Weller Township, to 
which locality he removed, and entered 80 acres of 
land. Mr. and Mrs. Newman lived on this farm — to 
which many acres were added — until 1849; they 
brought it to a high state of cultivation, and gained a 
competence from its soil ; all their children, but one, 
were born here. Their names are Jacob, born in 1832, 
(now a resident of La Grange, Ind.); Joseph (who lost 
his life in the late war, being mortally wounded at 
Mission Ridge); Andrew (also a soldier, and, who 
after his return, died from the exposure of a soldier's 
life); all three of these men went into the army as Lieu- 
tenants, and all were promoted ; Mr. Newman's daugh- 
ters are Harriet, Sarah, Francis and Elizabeth. Mr. 
Newman moved to Williams Co. in 1849, where he pur- 
chased a large farm, and erected a saw-mill, which en- 
terprises, with the aid of his son, he conducted suc- 



cessfully, until 1875, when he ceased the active labors 
of life, and went to Bryan, where he now lives in re- 
tirement. Mrs. Newman died June 30, 1876 ; since 
her death, he makes his home with his daughter, Fran- 
ces ; his memory is remarkably clear concerning pio- 
neer days and incidents ; he can give accurate histories 
of those early times when Richland Co. was a frontier 
county, and to his recollection more than to any man 
now living are the accurate details of pioneer days in 
this county as given in the historical part of this vol- 
ume due ; that it might be made accurate, he visited 
the county, and pointed out to the compiler of these 
pages, localities, and narrated incidents that otherwise 
would have been forgotten. 

NEWMAN, JOSEPH (deceased), was the youngest 
child of Jacob and Susanna Newman, and was born on 
the 25th day of September, 1812, at the block-house 
at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where his mother had been sent 
as a place of comparative safety from murderous attacks 
of hostile Indians. A few months afterward, his father 
returned from the army in Northwestern Ohio, where 
he contracted a fever that soon terminated his life. 
Thus early deprived of a father, his early care and 
training devolved upon his mother, who was wonder- 
fully well qualified to perform these duties. She was 
a woman of "great good sense," and her keen inten- 
tions for the future welfare of her boy soon told her 
that nature had fitted him to adorn the highest walks 
of life. And his brief career shows how even a mother's 
love " builded better than it knew." He early showed 
a disposition to acquire an education and was not satis- 
fied with the usual "quarter in winter time," but went 
to Norwalk, Ohio, then a prominent seat of learning in 
Northern Ohio, where he laid the foundation that de- 
termined his success in after life. The close applica- 
tion to study and habits of thought that he acquired at 
this academy followed him through life, and though his 
scholastic attainments were not the most classical, they 
were enough, combined with his strong, natural intellect, 
to rank him among the most scholarly men of his day. 
He attended law school at Cincinnati and then prepared 
himself for admission to the bar, and then entered into 
partnership with Judge James Stewart, and rapidly 
rose in his profession until he was considered one of the 
best lawyers in Central Ohio. Of commanding pres- 
ence, far above the ordinary stature, a handsome person 
and magnetic voice, of rare habits of thought and study, 
he was singularly well qualified to fill a high position 
at the bar or in the halls of legislation. About 1841, 
he married Ann Catlin, of Harrington, Conn., a cult- 
ured lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, who 
survived him. No children were born of this marriage. 
He was a Major General of the Ohio militia and took 
great interest in its organization and proficiency. He 
was an Assistant Clerk of the Ohio Senate, and, about 
1845, after having served four years as Prosecuting 
Attorney, was elected a member of the Ohio Senate. 
His entrance into the Ohio Senate was at the time 
when new counties were being formed, and personal 
feelings in this respect ran high. The new county of 
Ashland was about to be formed, which would despoil 
his native county of some of her most desirable terri- 
tory. He took an active part in the Senate to preserve 
his county in her fair proportions, which was the great 



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722 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



desire of his life. He regretted to see, and did all in 
his power to prevent, his native county from being 
clipped almost on all sides, despoiled of her original 
territory and fair proportions, but the feeling of the 
hour was for more new counties, and he was compelled 
to submit to a movement that he was powerless to resist. 
He took a high position both as a speaker and a careful, 
painstaking legislator, and filled the position with 
great credit and was regarded as among the foremost 
men of his party. In politics, he was a Democrat of 
the Jefferson and Jackson school and an earnest advo- 
cate of their political views. Toward the close of his 
senatorial career, his bodily health gave way, his mind 
became clouded under constant study and excitement, 
and he was removed to an asylum at Utica, N. Y., 
where his friends hoped that rest and the proper re- 
storatives would bring back his wonted vigor of mind 
and body. But this was not to be; he died July 17, 
1847. Thus closed a career of remarkable activity and 
usefulness, and one whose high and pure character 
passed the fiery ordeal of public life blameless and 
without reproach. 

NETSCHER, J. B., manufacturer, Mansfield; was 
born in Germany, in 1834, and is a self-made man. 
He began business in this city some thirty years ago, 
in a very small way, but has increased his facilities 
fully 200 per cent, for, in fact, as a manufact- 
urer of vinegar, he stands pre-eminent ; by means of 
his pomace leach and vinegar generator, no pomace 
is lost ; as soon as the cider is pressed out, what was 
considered useless is utilized by Mr. Netscher, and six 
or seven bushels of apples, after being pressed, will 
yield one barrel of choice vinegar that is ready for use 
in a few hours, and of a quality that never fails to 
please the consumer ; by means of this generation, 
from two to ten barrels of vinegar can be produced 
daily; this handy contrivance is secured by letters of 
patent. No. 199,854, dated Jan. 29, 1878; it is without 
doubt one of the inventions of the age, and will, when 
it becomes better known, create a revolution in the 
production of vinegar, while the price of this standard 
commodity will very materially diminish. Mr. Nets- 
cher by no means confines himself strictly to the 
making of vinegar, but apple-wine and cider as well, 
all of which is warranted pure, or no pay desired. 
This enterprising gentleman also deals in bituminous 
and anthracite coal, and occupies with his coal yard a 
lot 450x450 feet, located on Short street, near the B. & 
0. depot ; at this yard, parties can always be sure of 
obtaining the very best bargains in coal that any firm 
in the city can offer. The warehouse and cellar 
wherein Mr. Netscher stores his cider and vinegar, is 
a two-story brick, 30x60 feet ; immediately in front of 
this building is a four-story brick structure, 30x70 
feet, also owned by Mr. Netscher, which he rents for 
business purposes ; a telephone extends from the yard 
on Short street to the warehouse, or upper office, on 
Main street, thus affording immediate communication 
to either place. When running full time, Mr. Netscher 
employs twenty-eight men all the time, and uses the 
power of a fifteen-horse engine ; everything is com- 
plete, from the coalyard to the vinegar manufactory. 
Mr. Netscher is not only doing a public good in the 
manufacture of vinegar by his invaluable patent process. 



He is giving truth to the universal decision that 
America is the birthplace of all great ideas. 

NEVIUS, L. W., dentist. Dr. Nevius was born in 
Knox Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1846 ; his father was an enter- 
prising, well-to-do farmer ; L. AV. lived with his parents 
on the farm until the fall of 1861, when he entered the 
Ohio Wesleyan College of Delaware, where he remained 
until the fall of 1863, when he enlisted in the 2d 0. H. 
A., and remained in the service until the close of the 
war ; as soon as he returned home he began the study 
of dental surgery, in the office of Drs. Semple & 
Stephens, Fredericktown, Ohio ; in 1867, he bought 
the office and practice of his preceptors, and carried 
on the business for himself; in the spring of 1871, he 
came to Mansfield and opened an office over Black's 
dry-goods store, on the corner of Main and West Mar- 
ket streets, a location he still occupies ; the Doctor 
fitted his office in an exceedingly neat and tasteful 
manner, an improvement on the most of the offices then 
seen where dental surgery was practiced ; his ideas 
were to disabuse the minds of his patients of the im- 
pression that a dental office was only a place of torture ; 
he placed beautiful pictures on the walls, an organ in 
the room, statuettes in the corners, books and music on 
the shelves, an aquarium with gold fish swimming in 
its waters, a variety of house plants in the windows 
and other tasty and pleasing ornaments about his 
room ; the result of this ornamentation soon had its 
efi'ect ; patients not only came from the city and the 
country, but from a distance, for a man who exhibits a 
cultivated taste for fine arts will always be a good 
workman. The Doctor's patients found him a man of 
pleasant address, free from every evil habit, and one 
who could not only appreciate their needs, but one who 
could relieve them ; his practice soon grew so that the 
rooms needed extending, and new improvements ; in 
1875, he remodeled his office, added new rooms, giving 
him a cheerful, homelike reception-room, two operating 
rooms and a convenient laboratory ; these he fitted in 
the best style, making them the largest, best-lighted 
and most commodious dental rooms in Central Ohio; 
his practice now comes from all parts of Northern 
Ohio, attesting his skill as an operator, and standing 
as a gentleman. Dr. Nevius' recreation consists in 
driving a spirited horse, an amusement not only very 
pleasurable but invigorating ; it steadies his nerves and 
makes his brain clearer, when each morning he can 
enjoy a vigorous drive for an hour or more, and thus 
inhale abundance of fresh air, strengthening his sys- 
tem, and preparing him for his day's labor; whatever 
may be said of the practice, if other professional men 
would follow Dr. Nevius' example, either by riding or 
walking, a healthier and more cheerful class of human- 
ity would certainly exist. Dr. Nevius has lately asso- 
ciated with himself Dr. C. M. Roe, son of Joseph Roe, 
one of the pioneers and principal men of Springfield 
Township, a recent graduate of the Dental College of 
the Michigan University ; he bids fair to become a 
dentist of the best ability, and is a gentleman in every 
respect. 

NIMAN, W. B., was born Sept. 29, 1831, in Mad- 
ison Township. Married Feb. 28, 1867, to Mary H. 
Slocum, who was born Dec. 2, 1842, in Sandusky Co. 
Mr. Niman enlisted in the army July 24, 1861, 2d 0. 



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DRS. NEVIUS & ROE'S 



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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



V. C; went as private in Co. M ; after returning home, 
he engaged with 163d, in Co. A; after the death of 
Capt. Avery, Mr. Niman took the command of Co. A 
through the service. At the expiration of service, 
he received an lionorable discharge and returned to 
Mansfield, and was for a time engaged in keeping the 
American Hotel; the site of the hotel is one of the 
oldest corners in the city. 

OBERLIN, WM. KELKER, farmer; was born in 
Stark Co., Ohio, Feb. 28, 1839; came to Richland Co. 
with his parents April 4, 1849, with whom he lived 
thirty-one years. His father, John Oberlin, located in 
Washington Township. He was married Oct. 19, 1869, 
in Washington Township, to Miss Kate Ford. They 
are the parents of two children — Thomas W., born Feb. 
1, 1875; Arthur B., born Sept. 9, 1879. He is now 
engaged in business in Mansfield. 

OTTINGER, SAMUEL F., Deputy Recorder; was 
born in Stark Co., March 13, 1847 ; came to Richland 
Co. in 1860. He was married in 1870, to Catherine 
Grubb, ,who was born in Knox Co., April 4, 1845. 
They have two children — Minnie Bell, born .Jan. 5, 
1873; Lizzie Ordella, April 18, 1877. Mr. Ottinger 
has been engaged as Deputy Recorder since September, 
1878. 

PAINTER, MICHAEL, farmer ; was born in Madi- 
son Township May 2, 1839. His father, the late An- 
drew Painter, resided east of Mansfield for a great 
many years, where he followed farming, and also pro- 
prietor of a carding-mill, which still stands ; in this 
business Michael was engaged during its continuance, 
and afterward at farming. He was married in 1868 to 
Miss Margaret Sproats, by whom he has raised two 
sons. Now a resident of Madison Township. 

PARKER, JACOB (deceased); was born on the 
island of Newfoundland Sept. 5, 1791. Although born 
in a foreign land, he was an American in fact, his 
father being a citizen of Massachusetts, and resided in 
Newfoundland only temporarily ; early in the present 
century, he removed with his father to Ohio. In 1815, 
he graduated at the Ohio University at Athens — he and 
Thomas Ewing being the first two who received the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts from an Ohio college. After 
his graduation, Mr. Parker, in company with Thomas 
Ewing and .John M. May, entered the law ofiice of 
Philemon Beecher, in Lancaster, where he studied 
until admitted to the bar. In 1819, he removed to 
Mansfield and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession; in 1829, he went into the mercantile business 
with Robert McCombs, of this city, in which he con- 
tinued until 1837 ; in the winter of 1840-41, he received 
the appointment of President Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas of this county ; he held this ofiice seven 
years, and discharged its duties with great ability and 
to the entire satisfaction of the bar and the people. 
Upon leaving the bench, he retired from active life ; 
he, however, always took an active interest in the wel- 
fare and prosperity of the city ; he was a persevering 
worker, and a man of sound judgment. His death 
occurred in December, 1857. 

PARSONS, LE ROY, real-estate and insurance agent ; 
he was born in Bennington, Vt., in May, 1843 ; when 
a youth, he removed with his parents to Eastern Penn- 
sylvania, where he received in part his elementary 



education ; he came to Mansfield in 1867, and was 
engaged for a number of years in the sale of farming 
implements ; in 1872, he opened an insurance and real- 
estate office in this city, in which business he has since 
been exclusively engaged. The assets of the companies 
he represents, which are classed among the very 
best, amount to over $1,000,000. He was married in 
Mansfield, Sept. 14, 1876, to Miss Mary Shumway, 
of this city ; one child, a son, was born in March, 1878. 
Mr. Parson's ancestry dates back among the early set- 
tlers of New England. They were vigilant participants 
in the Revolutionary war. During his residence in 
this city, he has taken an active pai*t in the promotion 
of its interests, and been elected to the oflBce of Clerk 
of the City Council for four consecutive terms ; a period 
longer than any of his predecessors. 

PATTERSON, A. C, proprietor of the carriage man- 
ufactory ; he was born in Lexington, Ohio. Married, 
in 1862, to Lizzie A. Cope, daughter of Franklin E. Cope ; 
they had the following children: Franklin E., born in 
July, 1864, died in 1871 ; Florence J., born in October, 
1868, died in August, 1871, and Gracie A., still living 
with her parents. Mr. Patterson established the buggy 
factory in 1864 ; has been connected with this business 
ever since, and has met with marked success ; his work 
is among the best in the county. 

PATTERSON, A. V., DR., physician ; he was born in 
Springfield, Jefferson Co., April 9, 1831; came to 
Mansfield in 1837 ; attended the Mansfield Academy, 
also Oberlin College, after which he attended the Uni- 
versity of Cleveland ; graduated at the Cleveland Medi- 
cal College Feb. 25, 1857 ; commenced the practice of 
medicine at Gallon, where he remained until he was 
commissioned Surgeon of the 102d 0. V. I.; continued 
till the close of the war, after which he located in 
Mansfield ; engaged in the practice of medicine, and 
still continues. He was married, March 3, 1857, to 
Miss L. L. Gladden, daughter of Capt. Solomon Glad- 
den, of Monroe Township. 

PLATT, WILLIAM (deceased). Among the old resi- 
dents of Madison Township who have passed away, and 
who will be remembered by many of the living, was 
William Piatt, who resided on a farm near Mansfield, 
known by his name, but now within the city limits, 
and partially covered with dwellings. He was born in 
the year 1803, and came to this county in 1821. The 
site of the old homestead, and a part of the lands, which 
have never passed out of the family name, can be seen 
from many parts of the city. He died Feb. 17, 1850, 
in the 46th year of his age, well known by all the citi- 
zens of that time, and universally respected and 
esteemed. Quiet and amiable in his manners, he made 
no enemies. Highly moral in his conduct, and upright 
in all his dealings, he always sustained the most unsul- 
lied character ; living at a time when it was generally 
customary among farmers to allow the use of liquor 
among their employes, particularly during the harvest, 
he was among the few who peremptorily forbid it. Mr. 
Piatt was married, May 1, 1835, to Miss Charlotte Bell, 
by whom he had seven children — one, a son, alone sur- 
vives him, a resident of the city, near the old home- 
stead. 

POTTER, E. J., photographer; he was born in 
Wayne Co. Sept. 19, 1844. He was married to Mary 



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CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



725 



Backenstoe, who was born in Mansfield ; they have two 
children — William, born March 10, 1867 ; James, Oct. 
6, 1868. Mr. Potter enlisted in the 3d 0. V. C, Co. E, 
in September, 1861 ; was in the service about three 
years and four months, and was in different engage- 
ments — among them the battle of Stone River. This 
regiment was noted for its service in this battle. He 
was taken prisoner at Benton, Tenn.; he was prisoner 
eleven months — first at Atlanta, second at Libby Prison, 
in Richmond, third at Belle Island, and from there to 
Andersonville ; was kept there seven months ; from 
there to Florence, S.C; was then exchanged at Charles- 
ton, and came from there to Annapolis, Md.; from there 
to Columbus, Ohio, and received an honorable discharge. 
Came to Mansfield, where he has since been engaged in 
the photographic business, having one of the best gal- 
leries in the city. He has established a very extensive 
business, and an excellent reputation, as an artist. He 
stands at the head of his profession in Northern Ohio, 
and is prepared to do all kinds of first-class work in his 
line. 

PRITCHARD, W. H., born in Worthington Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, July, 1850. After taking an aca- 
demical course at Greentown Academy, Perrysville, 
Ohio, he went to college at Denison University, and 
thence to the University of Wooster, where he gradu- 
ated in June, 1874. The expenses of his education 
were paid almost exclusively by the results of his own 
labor, working summers and teaching winters. In 
July, 1874, he was married to Miss Sophie Leiter, of 
Lucas, Ohio, and for four years thereafter he was em- 
ployed as a teacher — one year as assistant in Greentown 
Academy and three years as Superintendent of Schools 
in Shelby, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in De- 
cember, 1878, by the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio, 
and immediately thereafter formed a copartnership 
with Norman M. Wolf, under the firm name of 
Pritchard & Wolf, and since that time has been enjoy- 
ing a good and successful law practice. In the spring 
of 1879, being an enthusiastic Republican, he was 
active in organizing and was elected chairman of the 
Young Men's Republican Club of Mansfield. His 
family consists of his wife and two boys — J. Sample, 
aged 5 years, and Natscher W., aged 2^ years. 

PROCTOR, FRANCIS M., REV., minister, U. P. 
Church ; was born in Troy Township in 1829 ; he is 
the second son of James and Margaret (^Mitchell) Proc- 
tor, who were both old residents of that township ; 
James Proctor came to Ohio with his parents from 
Alleghany Co. in 1816, and settled in Troy Township 
where he lived until four years previous to his death ; 
he died in Mansfield Oct. 9, 1871, aged 73 years ; Mar- 
garet (Mitchell) Proctor died March 31, 1837. Francis 
M. received his elementary education in this county, 
and graduated at Franklin College, Ohio, in 1856 ; he 
studied theology at the Alleghany Seminary, and was 
licensed by the Mansfield Presbytery of the U. P. 
Church to preach in 1857 ; in the year 1858, a call was 
made out for him by the Cuylerville congregation under 
the care of the Caledonian Presbytery of the State of 
New York, which call he accepted, and was ordained 
Nov. 9, 1858, and installed Pastor of that congregation, 
where he remained until February, 1866, when on ac- 
count of poor health he was compelled to resign his 



charge, and returned to Richland Co., Ohio, where he 
has since resided, a resident of Mansfield, and has 
not regained his health sufficiently to engage in the 
active work. On June 18, 1857, he was married to 
Miss Lovenia Bowers, of Morrow Co., with whom he 
has raised six children, two sons and four daughters. 

PURDY, JAMES, retired capitalist ; was born July 
24, 1793, in Hopewell, York Co., Penn.; his father 
owned a farm on which he had a flouring-mill, located 
forty miles north of Baltimore ; the non-intercourse 
laws of 1808-09 and embargo on shipping in our ports 
embarrassed his business, reduced his income and the 
value of his property ; James had been given more than 
an ordinary common-school education, with the inten- 
tion of giving him a college course ; he was the oldest 
son, and a change of the pecuniary circumstances re- 
quired his personal services ; he was put to work on 
the farm, in th& mill, and at whatever he would be most 
useful. 

In 1811, his father sold out, and purchased a farm 
near Canandaigua, N. Y., to which place he removed 
with his family ; James continued to labor with him 
until he became of age, and his father's farm was well 
improved ; he then determined to acquire a liberal 
education by his own exertions ; to that end he de- 
voted two years in an academy of high repute in 
the acquirement of a classical education ; a gentle- 
man of the bar in Canandaigua tendered him a position 
in his office on very liberal terms, which he accepted, 
and entered as a law student, in which position 
he continued three years, the time required in that 
State for admission to the bar ; during all this time, he 
sustained himself by teaching, either common schools 
or as assistant teacher in the Canandaigua Academy, 
with some perquisites of the office ; Sept. 5, 1822, he 
left for Pehsacola ; he stopped at Louisville, Ky., on ac- 
count of the sickness below; while thus waiting, he be- 
came acquainted with the effect on society produced by 
slavery, and determined to settle in a free State ; he 
crossed the river into Indiana and went to Corydon, 
where the Supreme Court of the State and the United 
States District Court were in session, and was admitted 
to practice in both ; on trial, the location did not suit 
him, he returned eastward, and May 29, 1823, settled 
in Mansfield, then a rough, unsightly hamlet, and then 
the farthest west town in that latitude ; the county was 
then thirty miles square, sparsely settled, with intelli- 
gent, industrious and energetic pioneers. 

Some years before this time, J. C. Gilkison had 
brought a printing establishment fo this place, and 
made an unsuccessful effort to establish a paper; he 
sold to a Mr. Croswaite, who had also issued a pros- 
pectus, but failed to get sufficient support, and offered 
the property for sale; Mr. Purdy purchased it, and 
gave his note on time therefor, employed J. C. Gilki- 
son as printer, and issued the Mansfield Gazette; he 
now discovered that the type was worn out and insuflB- 
cient to print a respectable paper ; he went to Cincin- 
nati on horseback, purchased type on credit, and brought 
it to xMansfield in saddle-bags, the only mode of trans- 
portation then available. 

In connection with his professional business, he con- 
tinued to edit the paper until 1831, when he sold it to 
T. W. Bartley, then a young lawyer, since Judge of 



A: 



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726 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio ; a new circuit of 
thel'ourt of Common Pleas was organized in the winterof 
lS2o-24, composed of the counties of Richland, Huron, 
Sandusky, Seneca, Crawford and Marion ; in these, 
the Courts of Common Pleas held three terms annually, 
and the Supreme Court one ; this circuit he traveled 
four times a year on horseback, accompanied with other 
members of the bar, also the Supreme (/"ourt in Colum- 
bus, and the courts in other counties occasionally ; as 
the country improved and increased in population, he 
reduced the territorial extent of his practice; by care- 
ful and strict attention to business, and prompt remit- 
tances, he was intrusted with a full share of the most 
important business of the country, from which his in- 
come was pi'incipally derived. 

Canals were located and being constructed in other 
parts of the State, for which water could not be ob- 
tained in this and other counties ob the dividing 
ridge. A canal from the mouth of Little Beaver, on 
the Ohio River, to the mouth of Big Sandy, on the Ohio 
Canal, was located and in process of construction by the 
State. Railroads were then considered quite inferior to 
canals. He had made an eastern tour and saw the 
railroads there being constructed and doing business, 
and thought a railroad from the western terminus of 
Sandy and Beaver Canal, westward, through Richland 
and other counties to the west line of the State, would 
create a valuable thoroughfare, connecting this part of 
the State with Pittsburgh, and thence eastward. His 
professional calling had introduced him to the prom- 
inent men of that city, and made him acquainted with 
the most prominent men on the line of the contemplated 
improvement. 

In the summer of 1834, he wrote a number of these 
gentlemen, calling a meeting on a certain day at his 
office, to initiate the construction of this improvement. 
A meeting was held, composed of representatives from 
Wayne Co., westward to the State line, at which 
measures were taken to obtain an act of the Legislature, 
and Dr. A. G. Miller, S. R. Curtis (afterward General), 
and he were appointed a committee to forward the 
work. In the winter of 1834-35, he went to Columbus 
and procured the necessary legislation, and July 4, 
1835, a meeting of the Commissioners therein designa- 
ted was held at the court house, in Mansfield, and 
measures adopted to carry into effect the provisions 
of the charter. Dr. A. G. Miller and S. G! Curtis and 
he were again appointed a committee to take charge of 
the work. He called on the Board of Public Works for 
an engineer and corps to survey and locate the road. 
They, after much solicitation, in the spring of 1836, ap- 
pointed S. R. Curtis, who organized his corps in Mans- 
field, and made the survey and location that summer ; 
made his report to the Board of Public Works, and the 
expense was paid by the State. Of this, the Pitts- 
burghers were notified by Mr. Purdy, without whose 
aid the work could not be done. Railroads had not yet 
become popular ; they had the Pennsylvania canal and 
Ohio River, and declined co-operation. Thus termina- 
ted our labor of two years. But it was not lost. Our 
attention was directed to the construction of a railroad 
to Sandusky, which, as hereinafter stated, was com- 
pleted in June, 1846. Mansfield soon became an im- 
portant point, and in the fall of 1848, gentlemen of 



Pittsburgh wrote Mr. Purdy, requesting him to call a 
meeting at Massiilon, which he did. The meeting was 
attended by Ohioans and Pennsylvanians. A joint 
charter from the two States was determined on. A 
committee was appointed to visit Harrisburg, and also 
one to visit Columbus to obtain the charter. Mr. Purdy 
and B. Jones, of Wooster, were the committee for Ohio. 
Mr. Purdy attended, and a joint charter was procured 
for what afterward became the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. 
This company had the benefit of our two years' work 
and the survey we had made, at the expense of the 
State. Thus, "large oaks from little acorns grow." 

Richland had never become a well cultivated county ; 
immense quantities of produce were by the farmers 
transported to the Lake on wagons. Our first market 
was Sandusky. A canal was made from Huron to 
Milan ; this drew the business from Sandusky to Milan. 
Sandusky then had a railroad built to Monroeville, 
operated by horse-power. Much of the Richland trade 
was withdrawn from Milan to Monroeville and thence 
to Sandusky. Efforts had been making for some time 
to get a railroad from Sandusky to Mansfield, and 
charters therefor had been granted. A charter had been 
obtained for a railroad from Monroeville to Plymouth. 
In December, 1839, Judge Patterson and he were ap- 
pointed to go to Columbus and obtain or have amended 
a charter for a road from Plymouth to Mansfield, which 
was accomplished. He, with others, spent the winter 
among the farmers throughout the county in obtaining 
stock. In the spring of 1840, the company was or- 
ganized and he was appointed President. Under his 
superintendence, an engineer was appointed and the road 
located, and in August, 1840, the first ground was 
broken in Mansfield, in the presence of a large and 
deeply interested assembly, by John Stewart, the first 
Surveyor and the first Auditor of the county, and Gen. 
Robert Bentley, also an early pioneer and commander 
of the militia of the county, both farmers. On that 
day the foundation of Mansfield's prosperity was laid. 
It then became a railroad terminus. Other railroads 
were constructed through this point, in all of which 
he took an active part, and for their construction con- 
tributed liberally. These public improvements have 
made Mansfield a railroad center, a commercial and 
manufacturing city. For this we are deeply indebted 
to the stalwart pioneers of the county, who subscribed 
liberally to the stock. Bonds were not then issued, 
the money had to be raised in the country. The three 
companies were consolidated ; the work progressed 
slowly, and the cars did not reach Mansfield until June, 
1846. It now forms part of the Baltimore iSi Ohio Rail- 
road. To the contributors the improvements were not a 
direct financial success, but in the improvements of the 
country they have their compensation. In 1855, he in- 
vested in real estate in Iowa, one tract lay on the west 
bank of the Mississippi River. He, with others, added to 
this and laid out theciiy of Clinton, which, in 1870, con- 
tained 8,000 inhabitants, a National Bank, a daily 
paper and a street car company. The Chicago, Iowa & 
Nebraska Railroad Company was then (1855) organized, 
of which he became a stockholder, and in which he was 
offered and accepted a prominent position in locating 
and constructing the road. It was completed and the 
enterprise was a pecuiiiary success. It crossed the 



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CITY or MANSFIELD. 



727 



river at Clinton on a bridge, and has become a part of the 
route from Chicago to San Francisco. About the same 
time, he, with two others, purchased a block in Chicago 
on which they erected seven good buildings which he 
still owns. As facilities in Mansfield multiplied, busi- 
ness increased, requiring greater money accommoda- 
tions. In 1845, he took an active part in obtaining the 
charter for the State Bank of Ohio, of which he be- 
came a member of the Board of Control and assisted in 
the management of its multifarious departments, con- 
sisting of forty branches. It was wound up at the 
termination of its charter, no bill holder ever losing a 
dollar. He, with the assistance of William Granger, 
G. Armintrout, David Anderson and John Shank, organ- 
ized a branch — the Farmers' Bank of Mansfield, of 
which he was appointed President and Attorney, which 
position he occupied until the termination of the 
charter. This bank was the only institution of the 
kind in Mansfield for many years. It afforded 
means liberally to business men, and thereby pro- 
moted the prosperity of the city. At the expiration 
of this charter in 1865, the stockholders organized 
and transferred their stock to the Farmers' National 
Bank of Mansfield, of which he was appointed 
President and Attorney, which position he still occupies. 
This is now the only bank in the city that issues notes 
for circulation. It afi'ords to our manufacturers and 
others pecuniary means for carrying on their business 
and a satisfactory profit to the stockholders. He was 
connected with other branches and some banking houses 
in the State. In 1850, he, J. M. Rhodes and S. B. 
Sturges, established a banking house in Sacramento 
City, Cal., where he had previously sent some miners, 
and furnished their outfit. This banking institution 
built the first fire-proof banking house in that city. 

Although his business was extended, he continued 
to promote the interests of the city by liberally par- 
ticipating in all public improvements, by erecting 
business houses on Main street, and a comfortable fam- 
ily residence in the suburbs, where he continues to 
reside. He is a Presbyterian ; not withholding aid from 
other denominations, his contributions were principally 
made to that churchfand its institutions. To the Woos- 
ter University he gave $5,000, the interest of which to 
be used in putting young men through the two last 
years of the course, who by their own exertions had 
reached the junior class. 

In politics, he is a Whig and a Republican, in all 
those terms imply, including the N. To the support 
of these principles he contributed liberally, but never 
held a civil office. He has been a soldier and a partici- 
pant in three wars. In that of 1812-15, he served in 
the army on the Niagara frontier. By special authority 
from the Governor, he assisted in enlisting Ohio's 
quota for the Mexican Army. On the first call for 
soldiers to suppress the rebellion, he received a tele- 
gram from Gov. Denison to enlist soldiers. Within 
forty-eight hours he raised and put on the cars for 
Columbus 100 soldiers ; physical debility prevented 
him from accompanying them. As Chairman of the 
County Committee, he took an active part in raising 
men, and supplies to those in the field. He was ap- 
pointed Commissioner for drafting men for the army, 
which duty he faithfully performed. His son, .James, 



with his consent, enlisted at the age of 16 as a private, 
continued in the service to the close of the war, being 
promoted in the mean time to 1st Lieutenant. Although 
assiduously devoting his time to his profession, he was 
still attached to the business of his early life. After 
providing a home, an office and a library, he purchased 
a farm, then a mill site and built a mill, which he sold 
in 1835. In 1836, he purchased lands on the south 
shore of the Maumee River, opposite the Grand Rapids 
and an island in the river, thereby becoming the ripa- 
rian proprietor of three-fourths of the Maumee 
and of the water-power. Here he erected a flour- 
ing-mill, saw-mill and other machinery, which he con- 
tinues to keep in operation. On part of the land a 
prosperous town has grown up ; on the remainder, 
farms have been cleared up, and are being cultivated 
and improved under his own supervision. At the age 
of 87, although badly crippled by rheumatism, he 
otherwise enjoys perfectly good health. 

RACE, W. H., physician; came to Mansfield in 1859, 
and has been engaged in the practice of medicine since, 
except his service in the army, where he was surgeon 
in the 3d 0. V. I. Returning, he again resumed his 
profession ; he has served as Coroner for Richland Co. 
for two terms. Dr. Race is an alumnus of the Ohio Med- 
ical College, from which institution he graduated. 

RECORD, C. M., boot and shoe dealer ; he came to 
Mansfield in July, 1878, from Massachusetts ; engaged 
in the manufacturing of boots and shoes, introducing 
all the late machinery, which added to his success ; 
being prepared to meet all competition in price and 
quality, he is now selling his goods in many places in 
Ohio, and has a very extensive home custom trade. It 
is now an established fact, that Mansfield has a first- 
class shoemaker, prepared to make all classes of work, 
from the very finest hand-sewed boot to the stogy or 
brogan, as cheap as can be procured in any of the East- 
ern cities. 

REED, N. S., General Agent Richland Mutual Insur- 
ance Company; he was born in Frederick Co., Md., 
Sept. 7, 1823 ; the third child of James and Susan 
Reed, old residents of that place ; he came to Ohio 
with his parents, who settled in Knox Co. in 1829, 
where he received his elementary education ; at the 
age of 16 years, he commenced the trade of harness- 
making in Frederick, which he completed in four years 
afterward ; for a year afterward, he was employed in 
a dry-goods store as clerk, then he purchased a stock 
of goods and opened a store in Waterford, which he 
continued for eighteen months, when the death of his 
father compelled a change and he returned to Frederick, 
where he resumed his trade, at which he worked until 
removing to Mansfield in April, 1856, where he plied 
his vocation until the spring of 1863 ; for three years 
following, he engaged in real-estate business in this 
city, when he received the appointment of General 
Agent of the Richland Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany, which position he now holds. Mr. Reed was 
married in Richland Co., March 11, 1852, to Miss Cor- 
delia Geddes ; they have four children — Burr W., Liz- 
zie A., Hattie R. and iNIary ; Burr W. died at the age 
of 9 years, and Mary at the age of 6 months. Mr. 
Reed was made a Mason at Frederickton, Ohio, in 1845, 
in which order he has held a number of subordinate 



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728 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



oflices and is now a member of Venus Lodge, Mans- 
field. During his residence in this city, he has been 
identified in every movement tending tovi^ard the im- 
provement of the city and its inhabitants. 

REED, INK & LEWIS, jobbers of notions, hosiery and 
fancy goods. H. L. Reed came to Mansfield in 1865, 
and engaged in book store, which he continued for some 
years. He established the present business in January, 
1875. Mr. Reed was married to Miss Wasson, daugh- 
ter of William Wasson, of Ashland, Ohio, in 1867. Resi- 
dence, West Third street. 

REMY, PETER, merchant and manufacturer ; he 
was born Sept. '20, 1830, in Mogendorf, dukedom of 
Nassau, Germany ; he emigrated with his parents to 
the United States early in the spring of 1844, who 
located in Mansfield June 29, 1844 ; he was then 14 
years of age ; the year following, he was employed by 
Mr. Keith, who was one of the early settlers, and kept 
a tavern stand one and a half miles north of the city ; 
he remained with him two months, and recalls with 
gratitude to this day the treatment he then received. 
His father soon after apprenticed him until he became 
of age to Lieut. Gov. Thomas H. Ford, desiring that 
he should thoroughly prepare himself and complete the 
study of the law ; after remaining about ten days, he 
became dissatisfied, and sought other employment ; an 
uncle, who was then living three miles west of town, 
kindly found him employment in the dry-goods store 
of Endly & Wigle, with whom he acted as a salesman 
for three years ; he was afterward employed in the 
same business in the firm of Frost & McBride for one 
year ; this firm having failed, he was in like capacity 
engaged in the store of Sturges, Grimes & Co., for a 
period of four years. In December, 1852, he went to 
California, where he was again hired by Frost, who 
had preceded him and who was engaged in the same 
line of business ; he remained with him one and a half 
years; for a short time afterward, he did business in 
Weaverville, then in a placer-raine ; soon after, he 
opened what was then termed a general store. After 
residing in California four years, he returned to Mans- 
field, where he has since resided ; in the spring of 
1857, he opened a dry-goods store with his Cousin, 
under the firm name of P. & A. W. Remy ; this part- 
nership continued until the spring of 1864, when he 
was next employed in the store of E. & T. Wirt for six 
months, then doing business on the old Weldon corner ; 
Nov. 20, 1865, he, in company with James A. Hedges 
and Abraham C. Cummings, bought out the wholesale 
grocery, confectionery and liquor house of E. Clapp & 
Co. ; the firm name was then Remy, Hedges & Co., 
which was soon after changed to Remy, Hedges & 
Walters ; in this business, he was engaged fourteen 
years. He is now extensively engaged in manufactur- 
ing the celebrated patent thill coupling, also fork, hoe 
and other handles, in Lodi, Ohio; the firm name is 
Relny, Warren & Co. During his residence of thirty- 
four years in this city, Mr. Remy has held many posi- 
tions of trust and honor ; one term as City Treasurer, 
and again re-elected ; he has served as Treasurer 
of Madison Township for two terms, and as one of the 
Infirmary Directors, which position he was compelled 
to resign, his business demanding his full time ; he 
was a member of the Board of Equalization for six 



years, and served on the Board of Public Improvements, 
and for two terms a member of the Richland Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company ; in all these positions, Mr. 
Remy served with credit to himself and for the inter- 
ests of the people. 

REMY, A. W., & SON. The above-mentioned firm 
are well-known grocers and cofiFee-roasters ; they oc- 
cupy Nos. 4 and 5 South Park street, a double store, 
30x70 feet, connected by an arch, with a warehouse in 
the rear ; they have a commodious store, and' do a 
large business, and are first-class grocers ; they are 
also coffee-roasters, and keep the largest variety of 
fine coffee, both green and roasted, to be found in 
Mansfield; salt, lard, plaster, water-lime, etc., always 
on hand and convenient to load ; they make a specialty 
of clothes-wringers, and are sole agents for the Ex- 
celsior and Welcome wringers, with bench, which have 
been introduced over the county and given universal 
satisfaction ; they have sold hundreds of these ma- 
chines, and would refer any person wishing to buy a 
wringer to parties using them ; they are guaranteed 
to be the best in the world. 

REMY, E. & F. M., grocers; they were born in 
Mansfield, and are engaged in the grocery business, 
108 Main street ; they have the finest assortment of 
staple and fancy groceries in the city, and offer them 
at bottom prices ; their stock consists of sugars, teas, 
coffees, sirups, spices, fruits, berries, and vegetables in 
in their season, flour and feed ; they also make a 
specialty of fine cigars and tobacco ; goods are deliv- 
ered free to all parts of the city. 

RICHARDSON, JAMES R., manufacturer mineral 
and soda water. He was born in Allegheny City, Penn., 
July 1, 1829 ; in 1830, his parents moved to Washing- 
ton Co., Penn., where his mother died two years later, 
leaving a family of six children, four boys and two 
girls, the youngest 7 months and the oldest 15 years 
old. The subject of this sketch obtained a fair common- 
school education by attending school during the winter 
months; not relishing the avocation of a farmer, he 
determined to try the city, and, in 1846, the next year 
after the great fire there, he went to Pittsburgh, where 
an elder sister resided. She had married a gentleman 
engaged in the manufacture of hats and caps, and by 
whom Mr. Richardson was employed as clerk ; while 
here he learned the business, and at the end of three 
years, he was enabled to purchase his brother-in-law's 
store, through the aid of a friend and the easy terms 
of payment given him by his brother-in-law, who 
wished to retire from the business. After carrying on 
the business for several years, having once been par- 
tially burned out, and losing considerable money, he 
sold out and invested his means in a steamboat, which 
he entered in the capacity of receiving and discharging 
— mud-clerk ; he engaged in the river trade for some 
time, holding all the positions on the boat from clerk 
to captain. In 1867, he sold out, and engaged in the 
drug business in New Castle, Lawrence Co., Penn. In 
1870, he sold out here, and in March, 1871, came to 
Mansfield, and engaged in the manufacture of mineral 
and soda water. The confinement in the drug trade 
had impaired his health, and his physician recommended 
him to try out-door employment, or one that would 
give him considerable physical exercise ; the business 



"a) V 



^ 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



729 



he now follows gives him just that, and is, therefore, 
fitted for his condition; in 1875, after the death of 
Isaac Gass, then Mayor of the city, he was urged to 
run for the unexpired term ; he did so and was elected 
by seventy-five majority ; two years later, he was 
re-elected by seventy-four majority ; he served out the 
term, faithfully discharging all the duties of the office. 
Mr. Richardson was married in 1852, to Miss Mary E. 
Surles, of Steubenville, Ohio ; they are the parents of 
three children, one boy and two girls, one of whom (a 
daughter) is dead ; both the other children are mar- 
ried and have families. Mr. Richardson is now and has 
been a prominent member of the Masonic Order, I. 0. 
0. F., K. P. and Knights of Honor. 

RHODES, WILLIAM H. This well-known citizen, 
at present a merchant, on the corner of East Diamond 
and Fourth streets, is of English descent, dating back 
to the Beaumonts and Hoxeys ; William H. Rhodes was 
born in Portage Co. Dec. 8, 1819, and removed to 
Mansfield in the year 1846 ; soon after his removal to 
this county, he was engaged in buying horses for the 
Eastern market, until the year 1849, and then for a 
time- was proprietor of the old Exchange, on Main 
street, now the European Hotel, which he soon after 
relinquished to take charge of the Teegarden House, 
now the St. James ; soon after, he was actively engaged 
in the grocery business, which he continued until the 
year 1858, at which time he sailed from New York, by 
way of the Isthmus, for California, where he remained 
eight years, principally engaged in stock farming. In 
June, 1866, he returned to his native State, locating in 
Mansfield, where he has since been engaged in active 
business. Mr. Rhodes was married in the year 1848, 
to Miss Alzoa M. Winslow, by whom he has had nine 
children, six living — Abbie W., Esther S., George T., 
Helen S., Carrie E. and Mary A. ; Mrs. Rhodes died Feb. 
16, 1869 ; a kind mother and wife, she will long be re- 
membered for her many good qualities of head and 
heart. Mr. Rhodes comes from a long-lived family, 
his father and mother both living until about their 
80th year, and died in California some years since. 
William H. Rhodes, the second son in a family of six 
children, during his residence in this city, has always 
been considered an upright and good citizen, and 
respected by the entire community. Two brothers of 
Mr. Rhodes were for a time in succession cashiers of 
the old Farmers' Bank, of this city, and will be re- 
membered by the old citizens as good business men. 

RICHARD, J. FRAISE, Professor, President and 
founder of the Mansfield Normal College. He was 
born one mile west of Ashland, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1844; at 
the age of 7, his parents moved from that locality to 
the southern line of Wood Co., and began to clear up a 
farm ; in this work he assisted, remaining on the farm 
until his 16th year, using such opportunities of educa- 
tion as the district school atforded ; with these aids 
and self-study under most trying circumstances, he was 
qualified to teach a country school during the winter 
of 1860, being then but 16 years of age ; with the 
means thus secured, he attended the Seneca County 
Academy at Republic one term in the fall of 1861, 
under the charge of Prof. Aaron Schuyler, now of 
Baldwin University; returning to his home, he taught 
during the dark days of 1861-62, and was ready to 



return to the Academy in September, 1862 ; when Pres- 
ident Lincoln called for 600,000 volunteers, he enlisted 
in Co. B, 111th 0. V. I., and went to the army ; he 
was soon detailed as a clerk, in which capacity he spent 
over three years in the Government service ; for two 
years he was Chief Clerk of the armies and departments, 
under the control of Maj. Gens. J. D. Cox, John M. 
Schofield, George S. Stoneman and John M. Palmer; 
twice during his army service he was offered a cap- 
tain's commission, but they were both refused. At the 
close of the war, he was offered a position in the War 
Department at Washington, but it was also refused; 
returning from the army in 1865, he attended the 
University at Indianapolis for one year, taking double 
work ; thence he went to the National Normal School 
at Lebanon, Ohio, where he completed the business, 
scientific and classical courses, graduating in August, 
1869 ; during 1869-70, he taught in the Lebanon 
School ; in the fall of 1870, he organized at Republic, 
Ohio, the Northwestern Normal School, and thus be- 
came the pioneer of normal work in Northwestern 
Ohio. From the hundreds and thousands of pupils 
received in that school during the five years it was 
under his management, have been taken the Principal 
and subordinate teachers of the Valparaiso (Ind.) Nor- 
mal, to-day the largest normal school in America ; some 
of the teachers in the Ada Normal ; lawyers and physi- 
cians without number, and innumerable teachers and 
Superintendents ; he taught a portion of a year at 
Ada, and was Superintendent of the Alliance (Ohio) 
Public Schools during 1877-78 ; from Alliance he came 
to Mansfield. From this sketch it will be seen that, 
as pupil and teacher, he has been connected with 
every grade of school in this country, and has acquired 
a diversified experience. His articles on educational 
subjects have been published in the Ohio Educational 
Monthly, the Boston Journal of Education, the Chicago 
Educational Weekly, the Eclectic Teacher and Southern 
School Journal, the Common School Teacher, Normal 
Teacher and Parents' and Teachers' Monthly. He is 
thoroughly known in the educational world, and is 
now permanently settled in the work of his life, the 
building-up of the Mansfield Normal College. 

RIE MAN, ANDREW, brewer. He was born in Ida, 
Precinct of Rhodenburg, Chur, Hessen, Germany, 
July 23, 1826, and was married to Dorethea Kiston, on 
the 17th day of September, 1848. Mr. Rieman has 
been a resident of Mansfield since 1857, and during 
that time has held a number of public positions of 
honor and trust ; he has repeatedly held the position of 
Councilman from the Third Ward in the City Council, 
and was elected President of the same several terms, 
where he served with credit to himself and the city's 
interest. To Andrew and Dorethea Rieman have been 
born six children, four of whom are living and two 
dead — Rosina, born Oct. 11, 1849; John, Jan. 21, 
1852; Elisabeth, Aug. 11, 1854; Lizzie, Feb. 11, 1856; 
Andrew. Jr., July 23, 1858 ; Dorethea, Oct. 16, 1864 ; 
Elisabeth Rieman died April 12, 1855, and Andrew, 
Jr., Dec. 18, 1861. Mr. Rieman is now a resident of 
Mansfield, where he is engaged in an extensive brew- 
ing business. 

RITCHIE, JAMES, Sheriff of Richland Co. He was 
born in the County Monahan, Ireland, Oct. 2, 1843; 



M^ 



-4* 



730 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he came to this county with his parents, who emigrated 
in 1846; the family afterward returned to Ireland in 
1852, and in the latter part of the same year again 
came to America, where they have since resided ; he 
began carpenter work in 1862, in this city, which trade 
he acquired and followed until 1875, when he was ap- 
pointed Deputy Sheriff under John J. Diclison ; he was 
elected Sheriff of Richland Co. in October, 1877, and 
re-elected in 1879, which position he now holds. He 
is the youngest man who has ever been elected to 
that office in this county. He was married in Mans- 
field to Kate Bell ; they are the parents of six children 
—Bertie B., boi-n Sept. 19, 1870; Franklin D., born 
Dec. 6, 1872; William W., born April 4, 1873; Nettie 
May, born July 29, 1876; James J., born Oct. 13, 
1879 ; Kate, April 19, 1880. 

RITTER, WILLIAM, leather merchant. Was born 
in Canton, Ohio; Jan. 10, 1834, where his parents 
resided previous to their removal to Mansfield in 1836. 
Since reaching manhood, he has held a number of 
offices of honor and trust, both in the city and county, 
to the satisfaction of the people ; in 1860, he was elected 
City Clerk, which position he resigned at the breaking- 
out of the civil war, and entered the army in the three- 
months service, where he remained during his full 
term of enlistment; in the fall of 1861, he was elected 
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in which office he 
served two terms of three years each ; in 1877, he was 
elected a Trustee of the Board of Water Works, which 
office he now holds and is President of the same. 
In June 24, 1864, he was married to Miss Sarah A. 
Keech, daughter of C. C. Keech, of this city, now 
residents of South Main street, Mansfield. 

RITTER, JOSEPH (deceased). In 1874, Oct. 20, 
Mansfield lost one of its old and respected citizens, 
in the person of Joseph Ritter, who had lived here 
nearly fifty years, honored and respected, always a 
gentleman, plain and frank in his intercourse with his 
fellow-men ; he was proverbial for his kindness and 
rigid honesty ; he was born in Brakerl, Westphalia, 
Germany, in the year 1796, and emigrated to this 
country in 1818, landing in Baltimore, where he 
worked at his trade (tanner) until 1822, when he 
removed to Canton, Ohio, and in 1836, to Mansfield, 
having previously visited Ohio in 1819; after his retire- 
ment from business, a few years previous to his death, 
and on his fiftieth anniversary in this county, he visited 
the land of his birth and the scenes of his childhood, 
interesting incidents of which he was accustomed to 
relate with minuteness. Joseph Ritter was married in 
Baltimore, April 2, 1828, to Miss Magaline Eberly, who 
survives him, and by whom he had three children — 
John, William and Louisa, who now reside in this 
city. 

RITTER, JOHN, tanner and leather dealer. The 
senior of the present firm of Ritter & Sons, was born 
in Canton, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1829 ; when 7 years of 
age, he came with his parents to this city, where he 
has since resided ; while quite young, he commenced 
work in his fiither's tannery, which trade he afterward 
acquired, and in which he continued until the organi- 
zation of the leather firm. He was married in Mans- 
field, May 8, 1857, to Miss Mary Jane Irwin, who died 
April 15, 1879, leaving four children. 



ROBERTS, MARK L., mechanic and inventor. The 
subject of this sketch was born in East Whiteland 
Township, Chester Co., Penn., July 15, 1822, a descend- 
ant both on his father's and mother's side of old and 
well-known families, the one of Welsh and the other 
of French pedigree ; his younger days were spent on a 
farm in his native county, where he first began to show 
that inventive genius that has produced so many useful 
labor-saving machines during his life. While in 
his 17th year, he invented a thrashing machine, 
which he thinks was the second manufactured ; his 
second invention, a knitting machine and the Rob- 
erts Manufacturing Knitting Machine, was the work of 
sixteen years' hard labor before its accomplishment ; an 
adjustable cork horse-shoe, which is believed to be a 
great improvement over the old method, he invented in 
1873 ; a rake and hay elevator in 1872 ; a seamless 
knit bag in 1869. Mr. Roberts' family consists of a 
wife and six children ; of the sons, Isaac Calvin is a 
painter ; Allen Lewis, an engineer ; Wayne K., a needle 
manufacturer. Mr. Roberts is now living on North 
Mulberry street, Mansfield, in a beautiful home, dili- 
gently at work in other improvements. 

ROWLAND, REV. JAMES, was born near Pitts- 
burgh, Penn., Sept. 1, 1792, where he was reared, and 
graduted at Jefferson College in 1813 ; he was of 
Scotch-Irish descent, his family having come from the 
North of Ireland ; after leaving college, he went to 
Washington City, where he taught a preparatory 
school ; he left Washington after a residence of four 
years, and opened a classical school at Darlington, 
Penn., where he remained as teacher and preacher of 
the Presbyterian faith until the spring of 1820, when 
he removed to Mansfield, where he was settled over 
the first church organization in Richland Co., preach- 
ing here part of the time and part six miles west on 
the Leesville road. He was married twice, first to 
Maria S. Christmas, of Wooster, Ohio, May 2, 1820, 
who died in November, 1839 ; second, to Mary A. 
Moody, of Shippensburg, Penn., May 12, 1841; Mr. 
Rowland was a ripe scholar, a man of fine personal 
appearance, and possessed more than ordinary talent ; 
after a life of usefulness he died at his house in Mans- 
field, Dec. 20, 1873. 

RUMMEL, J. P., proprietor of suspender factory. 
Was born in 1840, Worthington Township, Richland Co. 
Married in 1866, to Eva Redrup, she was born in Cleve- 
land ; they have the following family : Wilber J. (de- 
ceased), Lulu E., Arthur Clifton. Mr. Rummelis con- 
ducting an enterprise that is giving employment to a 
number of hands ; the articles of his manufacture are 
growing fast in popularity, and consequently is increas- 
ing, and is taking the lead of this class of goods. 

RUNYAN, BENTLEY S. (deceased). The subject 
of this sketch, who was one of the active and prominent 
business men of Mansfield for over twenty years, was 
born in Knox Co., Ohio, March 6, 1821 ; he was the 
eighth child of Hill and Mary L. Runyan, who were 
old residents of that county ; in the month of April, 
1847, he removed to Mansfield, where he opened a 
hardware store, near the southeast corner of Walnut 
and Fourth streets ; in the fall of the same year, he 
changed his location to a room south of Fourth on Main 
street, where he remained until after purchasing the 



lir 



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CITY OF MAKSFIELD. 



731 



building south of the present European Hotel, in which 
place for many years he did a large and extensive 
business, it being the chief hardware store in the city. 
During his residence in this city, he was prominent in 
all public and charitable enterprises, and his name was 
generally found at the head of the list of those citizens 
who petitioned and subscribed in the interest of the city 
and its inhabitants; he was one of the founders of the 
Mansfield Gas-light Company, and served as one of its offi- 
cers, and was elected on an independent ticket as Mayor 
of the city, in which capacity he gave universal satisfac- 
tion ; for many years he was an active member and 
officer of the Richland Co. Agricultural Society, the 
success of which was due in a great measure to his 
efforts. He was married in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to 
Miss Lucinda Murphy, of that place, Jan. 14, 1844 ; 
five children by this marriage are living — .John Bent- 
ley, now a resident of Tiffin, Ohio, where he holds the 
position of Teller in the Tiffin National Bank ; Charles 
C., of the firm of Bush & Runyan, plumbers and gas- 
fitters in this city ; Robert Mead, iron-roofer and 
painter, now in the employ of the Aultman & Taylor 
Co.. and two daughters, Almeda and Mary E. B. S. 
Runyan died in this city Jan. 1*2, 186'» ; R. Mead Run- 
yan was married in INIansfield, Jan. 20, 1875, to Miss 
Ida Boyle ; two sons were born to them — Frank, born 
in 1876, died March 18, 1878; Harry was born Jan. 
15, 1877. 

RUSSELL, REV. FRANK, Pastor Congregational 
Church. (The first part of this sketch was taken from 
the 3d vol. of the History of the city of Brooklyn, and 
the rest was written by a lay member of Mr. Russell's 
church, with the aid of the records). Rev. Russell was 
born May 19, 1840, at Marion, Wayne Co. N. Y., the 
eighth of nine children, all boys, and all reared to man- 
hood by the same parents; his father was a well-to-do 
farmer, and when Frank was 10 or 11 years of age, lost 
nearly all his property by the failure of business firms, 
who had used his name as security ; Mr. Russell's edu- 
cation was procured by his own eS"orts ; he taught school 
during the winters when he was 15 and 16 years old, and 
an academy in Niagara Co., when 17; at the same time 
taking his college-fitting from his 13th to 17th year, 
at the Collegiate Institute at Marion. In 1858, being 
prepared for the sophomore year in Yale College, he 
went to Phillips Co., Ark., with the determination of 
earning sufficient money by teaching to defray the ex- 
penses of the college and seminary courses. Associated 
with an elder brother, he was soon at the head of an 
academy which flourished beyond all expectation, and 
became the organizer of the first teachers' associations 
and normal work ever known in that part of the State. 
His home was with an eminent physician, where he 
improved an excellent opportunity of studying medi- 
cine, the advantages of which have been perceptible in 
all his subsequent work. He remained teaching with 
increasing success in every respect until the entrance 
of the Union army in the summer of 1862, when every 
dollar, all personal property, library, horses, etc., and 
even wardrobe, were lost amid the ravages of war. 
Three of Mr. Russell's brothers were in the army, one 
of whom was killed when leading the 2d Kansas Regi- 
ment, of which he was Lieutenant (^olonel. Mr. Rus- 
sell made his way to Michigan, became Instructor in 



Adrian College, where with highest honors he also took 
his degree in 1864, under Dr. Wahan; he entered 
Union Seminary in New York City the same year, con- 
tinued his self-support by teaching the classics and 
phonography, doing mission work, speaking and writing. 
Married the daughter of a clergyman in 1866; gradu- 
ated in 1867, and removed at once to Philadelphia, 
where, during his last Seminary year, he had gone 
weekly to preach to an unorganized congregation. He 
was greatly blessed in his labors, organized Plymouth 
Church, and on that occasion was both ordained and in- 
stalled Pastor, his friend. Dr. J. P. Thompson, preach- 
ing the sermon. He was unwearying in raising funds 
for the new building, which was built and dedicated at 
the corner of Nineteenth and JNlaster streets. j\lr. Rus- 
sell left this work, and was called to what was then the 
Fifth Avenue Congregational Church in Brooklyn, N. 
Y.; in April, 1868, very soon after, by a difficulty it 
had been rent in twain. One year from this division it 
was re-united with added forces, under the name of the 
Park Congregational Church, and Mr. Russell was in- 
stalled Pastor, his own previous Pastor, Rev. Henry 
Ward Beecher, preaching the sermon. A new build- 
ing was erected on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 
Seventh street, he raising therefor over $9,000 outside 
the parish. After over five years of active labor here, 
his home was broken up by the death of his estimable 
wife, when at the suggestion and aid of his generous and 
loving people, he left his two young children in appro- 
priate care, and traveled in Europe, returning at the 
close of 1873; he very soon removed to the charge of 
the First Congregational Church in Kalamazoo, ^lich. 
In May, 1876, Mr. Russell was married to a daughter 
of Judge Henry, of Detroit. He found his church the 
eighth in size of the churches of that order in the 
State, and after it had be'jome the fourth in size and 
the church for the first time in twenty-two years en- 
tirely relieved of debt, he was visited with the sad calam- 
ity of the burning of his dwelling with almost its en- 
tire contents, including his fine library of over 1,100 
volumes, and over 16,000 pages of manuscript, and also 
a valuable cabinet of minerals and curiosities. In the 
prime of his strength, his wife and children all in ex- 
cellent health, Mr. Russell was soon called to his pres- 
ent charge in Mansfield, where he was installed Pastor 
on the 15th of May, 1878. The pastorate of Mr. Rus- 
sell in Mansfield has thus far been marked by an earnest 
and systematic efi'ort to promote the best interests of 
the church and the community. He has shown himself 
to be a severe student, and a zealous, painstaking 
laborer in the Master's vineyard ; his methods are 
practical, and his manner of teaching and preaching 
attractive and impressive ; his sermons are the result of 
thought and exhaustive preparation, and are fully 
committed and delivered extempore, entirely without 
notes ; his interest in the reform and philanthropies 
that seek the good of the community, calls him to im- 
press upon them the peculiar bent of his mind, and 
systematic and business-like efforts characterize the 
movements, which are quickened and expanded by the 
influence of his skillful touch, and made to bud and 
blossom with promise ; within a year from the com- 
mencement of Mr. Russell's labors in the church, oc- 
curred the heroic and wonderfully successful struggle 



'.i^ 



732 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



with the great and overshadowing church debt, in 
which $40,000 were pledged to wipe out the incubus. 
Within a year also, the great revival under the leader- 
ship of Messrs. Whittle & McGrannahan added sixty-four 
members by confession, the other churches of the city 
also reaping adequate harvests ; temporally and spirit- 
ually the church has prospered greatly under Mr. Rus- 
sell's charge, the congregations have been enlarged, the 
prayer and conference meetings have been largely in- 
creased in numbers and intensified in interest, and the 
Sabbath school has had exceptional growth, and is the 
beautiful and flourishing garden of the church, which is 
to gladden the future with abundant|fruitage ; the enthu- 
siasm of the youth of the society has been stimulated 
and aroused as it never has been before, and the benefi- 
cence and missionary spirit of the church have been 
broadened and deepened, and bear onward unusual 
blessings. In all these realizations, the active brain 
and willing, practiced hand of Mr. Russell are visible. 
For the benefit of the community Mr. Russell has, to- 
gether with the Pastors of the other evangelical denom- 
inations, begun a work that cannot but be wide-reaching 
in its influences, blessings and comforts for the poorer 
classes. The Union Church work was great in its con- 
ception and noble in its purpose ; it seeks to clothe the 
naked, feed the hungry and lift up the degraded and 
sin-stricken, it is practical Christianity as taught by 
the Savior. Mr. Russell has taken active interest in 
this movement, and the resident clergy are working 
harmoniously and efficiently in its behalf ; the larger 
success is yet to come. One of the principal eff'orts of 
Mr. Russell has been to promote brotherly feeling and 
unity of action among the evangelical churches, as the 
best way to assure God's blessings by deserving them; 
he has been met in the proper spirit, and all is harmony 
and peace and promise. Among what has been pub- 
lished from Mr. Russell's pen apart from newspaper 
columns, special mention should be made of some out- 
line lessons of Biblical study, several addresses, quite a 
number of pamphlet sermons, and a volume on the 
"State of the Dead," and the geographical index to the 
collection of maps in one of the best-known teachers' 
Bibles, believed to be the first index of the kind ap- 
plied to Biblical maps. His largest work is entitled, 
" What Jesus Says," a large 12mo of 400 pages, being a 
compilation of all the utterances of the Savior arranged 
under topics, with a careful index ; the edition of this 
work was very soon exhausted, showing it has met and 
filled a want recognized among Christians. 

SEAMAN, CONSTANTINE ORORICK, was born in 
Virginia, April 3, 1820, and came to Ohio and settled 
in Wayne Co. in 1833, and to Mansfield in October, 1842. 
C. O. Seaman was married in 1839 to Margaret Furgu- 
son, who died in 1849. In the year 1852, he was mar- 
ried to Miranda Hill, who died in 1866, and in the 
year 1870, he was married to Rebecca Furguson. Mr. 
Seaman, in his younger days, was considered one of 
the strong men of Richland Co., and during his resi- 
dence here has done much hard labor in assisting to 
clear up the country and make Mansfield what it is. 
Mr. Seaman is of English and Irish descent, and 
inherits a strong constitution ; is in active life, and a 
resident of the Third Ward, Mansfield, where he has 
lived many years. 



SEWARD, JAMES P., attorney; was born in Knox 
Co., Ohio, Oct. 6, 1851, at Mt. Vernon ; moved to 
Mansfield in 1856. He attended the Vermillion Insti- 
tute, Hayesville, Ashland Co. ; also attended the Oberlin 
College ; read law with Manual May ; admitted to the 
bar, Aug. 22, 1876, in Lorain Co.; engaged in the 
practice of law in Mansfield in the fall of 1876, and 
still continues in the practice. In 1877, he was ap- 
pointed Secretary of the Democratic Executive Com- 
mittee ; in 1878-79, promoted to the chairmanship of 
the committee. Mr. Seward ably conducted the cam- 
paign of 79, which, by his unceasing assiduity, result- 
ing in a great victory in Richland Co. for Democracy. 

SHERMAN, JOHN, HON. The name Sherman is by 
no means common in England, though it has been 
highly respected and honored. Sir Henry Sherman, of 
Yaxley, was one of the executors of the will of the 
Earl of Derby, dated May 23, 1521 ; William Sherman, 
Esq., purchased Knightstown, in the time of Henry 
VIII ; a monument to William Sherman is in Ottery, 
May, 1542. [Hollister History Conn., Vol. 2, p. 440.] 

None of the records now accessible show precisely 
the relation between the Shermans of Yaxley, and Ed- 
mund Sherman of Dedham, Essex Co., whose descend- 
ants came to America. The latter was a clothworker 
and a man of means ; his initials were found on a 
stained-glass window (his gift), one of the buttresses 
of the church was built by him, and the pupils of the 
free school indorsed by him were seen going to 
church in procession, by the Rev. Henry B. Sherman, 
now Pastor of the Church of the Ascension, Esopus, 
N. Y. 

Edmund Sherman married Ann Pellet April 30, 
1560; their son Edmund married Ann Clark .June 11, 
1584 ; their son, Edmund 3d, had a fourth Edmund, 
who came to this country with his three sons — John, 
Edmund and Samuel, and a nephew, John Sherman, but 
with his son Edmund, returned to England in 1636, and 
left the three boys to work their way in the new world. 
The nephew John was the ancestor of Roger Sherman, 
The son John was the Rev. John Sherman, of Water- 
town, Mass., the most noted mathematician at that time 
in New England. Samuel, his brother, was the ances- 
tor of the Ohio Shermans. His son. Deacon John Sher- 
man, died in 1730; his son, John 3d, died in 1727; 
his son, Daniel, was born Aug. 14, 1721, and was one 
of the noted men of Connecticut. Cothren (page 190) 
says of Daniel Sherman : " He was perhaps the most 
distinguished man that had arisen in the town (Wood- 
bury) previous to his day." He was a Justice of the 
Quorum for twenty-five years, and Judge of the Litch- 
field County Courts five years from 1786. For sixteen 
years, he was Probate Clerk for the District of Wood- 
bury, and Judge of that District thirty-seven years. He 
represented his native town in the General Assembly 
sixty-five sessions, retaining the unbounded confidence 
of his fellow-citizens. It is to be remembered that 
there were two sessions a year. May and October. He 
was a man of commanding powers of mind, of sterling 
integrity, and every way well qualified for the various 
public trusts confided to his care. He died at a good 
old age, and full of honors. 

The sixth son of the Hon. Daniel Sherman was Tay- 
lor Sherman. He was married in 1787 to Elizabeth 



^ 



^ 






CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



733 



Stoddard, a descendant of the Rev. Anthony Stoddard, 
one of the justly noted men of New England. To 
know what is in the present Sherman family, and 
whence it came, it is necessary to give some account of 
this line of their ancestry. The ministry of Mr. Stod- 
dard was remarkable for its duration and the peace and 
prosperity that attended it. From the date of his first 
sermon as a candidate, to that of his last, immediately 
preceding the brief illness that terminated his useful 
labors, he numbered sixty years in his holy calling. 
"We have contemplated him," says Cothren, (page 
140), "hitherto only as a minister of the Gospel ; but 
his labors ended not here. He was at the same time 
minister, lawyer and physician. Like many of the 
early ministers of the colony, he prepared himself for 
the practice of physic, that he might administer to the 
wants of the body as well as the mind. 

"He was Clerk of the Probate for the District of 
Woodbury, then comprising many towns, for a period 
of forty years ; in this capacity, he drew most of the 
v;ills for his parishioners, and did nearly all the busi- 
ness of the office. * * * All the records of the 
court during the time he was Clerk, appear in his 
handwriting." 

The characteristics of the Rev. Anthony Stoddard 
appear in the widow of Taylor Sherman, his grand- 
daughter, for, as one of the grandchildren says, "She 
made us stand around." 

The Hon. Taylor Sherman, having married Elizabeth 
Stoddard, lived at Nor walk, Conn., lost property by 
depredations of the enemy during the Revolution ; in- 
herited a part of the fire lands in Ohio, and came out 
in 1808 as Commissioner to make a partition of them. 

The Hon. Charles R. Sherman, his son, married Mary 
Hoyt in Norwalk, Conn., in 1810; after being robbed 
as Internal Revenue Collector by his Deputies, and 
thus broken up, he came West with his wife and one 
child on horseback, and settled in the town of Lancaster. 

Lancaster at that time was noted all over the State 
and the West generally, for the learning and talent of 
its bar, yet Mr. Sherman placed himself in a position 
in accordance with the splendid history of the Sher- 
man family. At the age of 35, when he had fairly en- 
tered upon a successful legal practice, before accumu- 
lating more than barely enough to pay the expenses of 
settling in a new country, he was appointed Judge of 
the Supreme Court of Ohio. In a brief memoir by 
Gen. Reese, it is said, "He rose rapidly to eminence as 
a polished and eloquent advocate and as a judicious 
and reliable counselor at law. Indeed, in the elements 
of mind necessary to build up and sustain such a repu- 
tation, few men were his equal in Ohio." While on the 
bench at Lebanon, he was taken suddenly ill, and died 
on the 24th of June, 1829. 

He left a family of eleven children, of whom the 
eldest was 16 years of age, and the youngest 6 weeks. 
Of these Gen. W. T. Sherman was the sixth, and the 
Hon. John Sherman the eighth. The widow, having 
scant means to maintain herself and family, could do 
little toward educating them. The Hon. Thomas Ewing 
adopted William Tecumseh and had him made a cadet 
at West Point, and he thereby became a distinguished 
General, being now at the head of the Army of the 
United States. 



John, at 8 years of age, was adopted by his father's 
cousin, John Sherman, of Mount Vernon, with whom 
he remained until 1831, when he went to Lancaster 
to school. In 1837, he was appointed junior rod-man 
on the Muskingum Improvement, under Col. Samuel 
Curtis. In the spring of 1840, his brother, Charles T., 
then in the practice of law in Mansfield, invited him 
here ; after four years' study, when 21 years of age, 
he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of 
law. He began public life in 1855 as a Representative in 
Congress. His upward career was rapid and sure ; he 
was kept at his post all through the war of the rebellion, 
doing valiant service^ in the Senate and in organizing 
troops for the war. After the war, he was continued 
there until his call to the office of Secretary of the 
Treasury, which place he has so signally and success- 
fully filled. 

All the other members of Judge Sherman's family 
lived to grow up and occupy respectable positions in 
society. 

SHERMAN, CHARLES J. (deceased) ; Judge Sher- 
man was born in Norwalk, Conn., Feb. 3, 1811, and 
was brought by his parents to Lancaster, Ohio, about 
a year later ; he graduated at the Ohio University, at 
Athens, about 1829 ; he studied law with Henry Stod- 
dard, at Dayton, and, after being educated to the bar, 
came to Mansfield about 1835 ; he remained here, 
steadily engaged in practice, until 1867, when he was 
appointed United States District Judge at Cleveland, 
where he settled and lived until his death, Jan. 1, 
1879. He was married, in 1841, to Eliza Williams, of 
Dayton ; they became the parents of seven children, 
five of whom are now living, viz.: Mary Hoyt, born in 
1842, now the wife of Gen. Nelson A. Miles, of the U. 
S. A.; Henry Stoddard, born in 1845, now practicing 
law in Cleveland; John, Jr., born in 1847, now U. S. 
Marshal in New Mexico; Charles F. Cook, born in 
1848, died in infancy ; Anna Wallace, born in 1850, 
died .Jan. 1, 1870; Eliza A. Williams, born in 1852, 
now the wife of Colgate Hoyt, of Cleveland ; Elizabeth 
Bancroft, born in 1857, now the wife of J. D. Cameron, 
U. S. Senator from Pennsylvania. Judge Sherman re- 
signed his judgeship in 1878, and, during the remain- 
der of his life, held no office. Judge Sherman, while a 
resident of Mansfield and which crowned the very 
prime of his life, was active in promoting all the ma- 
terial interests of Mansfield and the county of Rich- 
land — specially in the organization of the agricultural 
society, in the introduction of better modes for the 
larger production of the better quality of fruits; he 
was for years one of the officers of the S., M. & N. R. R. 
Co. (now a part of the B. & 0. R. R.) ; took a very 
active part in the projection and building of the P., Ft. 
W. & C. R. R., and was the first general solicitor, or 
counsel, of said company ; he had a large practice as 
an attorney, but seldom appeared at the bar, preferring 
the work of a counselor in 4he office, and was one of 
the most genial of men in social life, a safe adviser and 
stanch friend. 

SIMPSON, JOHN, PROF., Superintendent of the city 
schools ; he was born in Richland Co., Ohio, June 26, 
1829. He was married, Dec. 25, 1862, to Miss Millie 
J. Stringer, who was born in Ashland Co.: they have 
three daughters — Mary Blanche, born Feb. 16, 1864 ; 



^f 



'■^ 



734 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Helen Agusta, Feb. 21, 1868, and Gertrude A., Feb. 
10, 1870. Prof. Simpson graduated at Jefferson Col- 
lege, Penn., in 1858 ; he entered the Hayesville Insti- 
tute, as a teacher, about the year 1860 ; he was soon 
installed as Professor of mathematics, and lecturer on 
physical geography ; in this department he distin- 
guished himself, until he was recognized as one of the 
best instructors and ablest mathematicians of the State; 
he subsequently became President of the institute, and 
continued in this capacity until 1871 ; he then entered 
the public schools of Mansfield ; after a little more 
than a year's experience of his ability, the Board of 
Education elected him Superintendent, a position which 
he has held with marked success for the past seven 
years, and to which he has been unanimously reelected 
by the board. The wide reputation of Prof. Simpson 
has been fitly recognized by the Faculty and Trustees 
of the University of Wooster in their bestowal upon 
him, at their annual commencement, of the honorary 
degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 

SMITH, HIRAM R. ; retired merchant. His father, 
Asa Smith, was born at Albany, N. Y., September, 1760; 
died on his farm near Huron, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1815. 
His mother (her maiden name Hannah Richmond) was 
born at Providence, R. I., March 21, 1774; died at 
Sandusky City Aug. 30, 1842. His parents with their 
family — four daughters and two sons — emigrated to 
Ohio just before the war of 1812 ; they embarked on a 
sail-boat (before any steamer was on the lake) at Buf- 
falo for Ohio, and landed at the mouth of Huron River, 
where they located their farm adjoining the present 
village of Huron ; here they remained during the war, 
encountering all the privations of a pioneer life and 
dangers from the Indians, who were prowling all over 
this section of country at that time. Here the subject 
of this memoir, Hiram R. Smith, was born, on the 
banks of Lake Erie near Huron, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1813. 
He came to Mansfield September, 1824; lived with 
Hugh McFall, tending store morning and evening, and 
went to school during the day ; his teacher was Col. 
Alexander Barr, who kept in the old frame school- 
house of one room, known as the Big Spring School- 
house, on the ground where the soap factory now 
stands. He lived with Hugh McFall fifteen years as 
salesman in a general stock of goods. From 1824 until 
the opening of the New York Canal, there was no 
market for the products of the country ; therefore no 
prices to remunerate the farmer — wheat, 25 cents ; 
corn, 12^; oats, 10; flour, $1.50 per barrel; pork, 
fl.50 per hundred ; butter, 5 to 6 cents per pound; 
eggs, 3 to 4 cents per dozen. Goods were bought in 
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, loaded on big Pennsyl- 
vania wagons with six horses in Philadelphia, and 
hauled through to Mansfield, which took from five to 
six weeks ; on the return of the team they loaded with 
ginseng, beeswax, feathers, cranberries, butter and 
maple sugar. During the time he was with Hugh 
McFall he served as Deputy Postmaster for eight years 
and six months ; did all the business in post-office 
department : through his fidelity, economy and energy 
he succeeded in accumulating some means ; then en- 
gaged in business for himself in general merchandise, 
as was usually the custom in those times. He was 
married in 1839 to Ann C. Leiter; she was born in 



Washington Co., Md. ; died in Mansfield June 7, 1850. 
They had the following children : Henry, born March 
31, 1840 (enlisted in the army during the rebellion; 
died in Arkansas in 1862) ; Mary Felicia, born June 25, 
1842, died July 20, 1876, (her death cast a gloom over 
the entire community ; she had the qualities of true 
womanhood — religious and social — also a gentle and 
kind disposition ; she endeared herself to many friends 
and had no enemies ; she was a Christian and an 
earnest Sabbath school worker) ; Richmond Smith, born 
Dec. 14, 1844; Clara Ann, Feb. 8, 1848; died July 
26,1875; Miss Smith was for some time a teacher in 
the public schools ; she also won many friends through 
her kind and gentle disposition ; she was always ready 
to lend a helping hand in matters pertaining to the 
good of those around her ; although her sufferings 
were intense, she bore them with Christian resignation 
and departed in great peace. Mr. Smith's second 
marriage occurred May 16, 1854, to Ann Ward; she 
was born in Richland Co. ; they have two children : 
Ward Smith, born Oct. 1, 1856, was married to Mattie 
Hart, of Mansfield, Nov. 9, 1879; Rena May, born 
Aug. 8, 1860, she resides with her parents in Mans- 
field. Mr. Smith has been engaged quite extensively 
in the mercantile business, has filled different positions 
of trust and honor, and has proven himself worthy ; 
also has added greatly to the improvements of this 
city ; has erected several fine buildings, among them 
the Opera Hall building ; he has always encouraged 
every public enterprise that would be a benefit to the 
community and especially add to the advancement of 
the city ; he has also borne a portion of the pioneers' 
burdens, and can look back when Mansfield was in its 
infancy ; he has grown up with the progress of the 
city, has participated in the work of progression, and 
has been one to help Mansfield raise up to her present 
status — sne among the number to say : "Let us have a 
good pioneer history of our county," with a helping 
hand ; he ranks among the first on the list ; this is 
characteristic of H. R. Smith. 

SMITH, WILLIAM (deceased) ; he was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., Nov. 5, 1788, and was de- 
scended from an old Washington Co. (Penn.) family; 
he came to this county in the fall of 1822, and first 
settled on a tract of land about two miles east of Mans- 
field, where he lived several years, when he purchased 
an interest in what was then known as the Tingley & 
Phearson carding machine and woolen factory, then 
located a short distance north of town ; he continued 
in this business nearly three years, when he removed 
to Mansfield ; two years later, he purchased of Robert 
McCombs a tract of land situated one and a half miles 
east of the court house, on the Rocky Fork of the 
Mohican, at that time covered with a dense forest ; this 
he partially cleared, and on it he built a house, 
where he lived and continued to improve the land ; 
some years afterward, he erected a carding machine 
and fulling-mill on the stream, which he operated a 
few years, and tiien started a flouring and grist mill, 
in which business he was engaged until 1844, when 
he removed to Mansfield, where he continued to reside 
until his death, which occurred May 5, 1846. William 
Smith was married in Washington Co., Penn., June 23, 
1814, to Miss Sarah Lyle, a native of that county, who 






;rv 






CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



735 



was born Feb. 1, 1794 ; they were the parents of 
twelve children — .James, born Feb. 7, 1815, died Aug. 
9, 1863; Sarah A., April 1, 1816; Robert Lyle, April 
11, 1818, died Dec. 14, 1831 ; Abigail, .June 28, 1820, 
died Oct. 6, 1831; William, Feb. 28, 1822; David 
Lyle, April 27, 1824 ; ]\Iary Jane, March 4, 1826, died 
July 3, 1828 ; Rebecca, May 24, 1828, died Aug. 29, 
1828; Ebenezer, Aug. 1, 1829, died May 23, 1852; 
Robert Ray, born Oct. 9, 1881 ; Samuel Lyle, Dec. 26, 
1833, died Nov. 17, 1874; Isabella, May 18, 1836, 
died March 29, 1837. Mrs. Mary Lyle Smith died at 
the house of her son-in-law, Mr. James Clark, near 
Mansfield, Oct. 3, 1876. 

SMITH, J. F., dealer in coal ; he is a native of 
Knox Co.; he came to Mansfield six years ago ; he is 
engaged as coal dealer, and has on hand a good supply 
of all kinds of coal, and delivers to all parts of the city ; 
ofiice on North INIain street. 

SMITH, JONAS, Jr., engineer ; a resident of Mans- 
field, who springs from an old Western Pennsylvania 
family ; his father, Henry E., was a native of Fayette 
Co., born in the year 1812; his mother, Margaret D. 
Carr, was born in Pittsburgh in 1816 ; in after years, 
the parents removed to Ohio ; Jonas Smith, Jr., was 
born in Wooster, AVayne Co., in 1849, and received his 
education at the Massillon public schools ; since 1867, 
he has been connected, as a fireman and engineer, with 
a number of the leading railroads of the West ; for 
twelve and a half years, he was employed on the P., 
Ft. W. & C. R. R. and its divisions, as fireman and en- 
gineer, respectively, and, afterward, on the T. & A. A. 
R. R. Mr. Smith has the reputation of being a careful 
and well-posted engineer, enjoying the confidence of 
railroad oflBcials wherever he has labored. 

SMITH, RICHMOND (son of Hiram R. Smith), Sec- 
retary of the Richland Mutual Insurance C©.; was born 
Dec. 14, 1844. Married to Alice Dull, of Mansfield, 
Oct. 18, 1876. Mr. Smith has been very eflBcient in his 
labors, and has aided greatly in raising the company to 
its present substantial basis. 

SMITH, E. W., insurance and real-estate agent; he 
was born in Washington Township, Richland Co., May 
8, 1822. Married, Sept. 26, 1854, in Zanesville, Ohio, 
to Sarah Guthrie Metcalf, who was born July 10, 1835, 
at Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass.; they have the follow- 
ing children : Caroline L., born March 2, 1856 ; Anna 
M., May 15, 1860; S. Dwight, May 6, 1868. Mr. 
Smith was raised on a farm in this county. He gradu- 
ated at Oberlin College in 1845. In 1846, he went to 
Chicago with Rev. J. B. Walker, and assisted him in 
conducting a paper called the Herald of the Prairies ; 
continued there three years, and then returned to Mans- 
field. In 1850, he and M. Day bought of J. C. Gilki- 
son, and established the Mansfield Herald, which is yet 
published under the same name. While engaged in the 
publication of this paper, he was appointed, without 
solicitation, in 1851, General Agent of the American 
Bible Society for one-half of the State of Ohio, and 
continued in that work till May, 1870. Afterward en- 
gaged in the real-estate and insurance business, and 
still continues in that work. 

SNYDER, SAMUEL S., contractor; he was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., Sept. 13, 1816, the first child 
of Henry and Elizabeth Snyder. In September, 1834, 



he removed to Ohio with his parents, who first settled 
in Mansfield, and afterward resided on a farm west of 
the city for two years ; during this time, and until the 
age of 21, he followed clearing, and carried the mail to 
Bucyrus and Delaware and return. In August, 1837, 
Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Irene Stevens of this 
county, with whom he raised a family of six children ; 
two sons are now in active business in this city. In 
the year 1846, he removed to Mansfield having previa 
ously followed farming. For a number of years, he 
was engaged in the grocery business in Mansfield, and 
was located a great part of the time on the northeast 
corner of Main and Third streets. In 1850, Mr. Sny^ 
der was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Wharf, which 
position he held for four years. It was while engaged 
in this service, he was attacked by a desperate prisoner 
in which he came near losing his life. During his long 
residence in Mansfield, he has held numerous oiEcial 
positions, and in each has been faithful to the trusts 
confided to him ; at one time Postmaster, then collector 
for Hall & Allen until elected Auditor of Richland Co., 
in 1864, and re-elected, serving two full terms. Mr. 
Snyder is now a resident of East Third street, and, of 
late years, has been engaged in business principally as a 
contractor in street improvements. 

SNYDER, C. H., dentist ; he was born in Mansfield 
in 1854; he was educated and graduated in the city 
schools ; graduated at the Ohio College of Dental Surg^ 
ery, at Cincinnati, Ohio. 

SNYDER, GEORGE W., railroad agent ; he was born 
in Mansfield Jan. 25, 1847, where he received his ele- 
mentary education ; in 1864, he became connected with 
the A. & G. W. R. R., at Mansfield, as clerk in the 
agent's office, which position he held until March^ 
1873, when he received the appointment of ticket and 
freight agent on the same road ; after the formation 
of the Mansfield Stock- Yard Company, controlled by 
the A. & G. W. R. R., his business qualifications were 
recognized by an appointment to the additional office of 
general manager of that company, both of which posi^ 
tions he now holds. He was married Oct. 16, 1872, in 
Knox Co., Ohio, to Miss Lizzie TuUoss ; they have two 
children, a son and daughter — Bennie T., born Aug, 
14, 1873, and Georgia Belle, born July 4, 1876. 

SPENCER, JOHN G., proprietor of opera boot and 
shoe store ; he was born, 1837, in Ireland ; came to 
Piqua, Ohio, 1854 ; engaged there in dry-goods ti'ade 
for ten years ; came to Mansfield in 1866, where he 
engaged in the wholesale and retail boot and shoe 
trade ; more recently, he established the Opera House 
boot and shoe store, one of the largest retail stores in 
Northern Ohio ; this establishment carries at all times 
an immense stock of first-class work, and, buying only 
from first hands, offers inducements not surpassed in 
this State ; buyers will here find an unrivaled assort- 
ment, consisting of over one thousand different varie- 
ties, and the reputation of Spencer's store for low prices 
is well known all over Richland Co., and commends 
itself to the general public. 

STEVENSON, ANDREW, attorney ; was born April 
1, 1844, in Weller Township, Richland Co. ; was edu- 
cated at the Vermillion Institute, Hayesville, Ashland 
Co. He went to the army; was in the Ohio Cavalry, 
served four months. He was discharged under a 



^ ^ 

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736 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



writ of habeas corpus, being under 18 years of age. He 
returned to Mansfield, commenced the study of law with 
the firm of Bartley & Johnson ; was admitted to the 
bar in 1865 ; then went to Pittsburgh, Penn., and com- 
menced the practice of law, and continued one year and 
six months ; then returned to Mansfield in the winter 
of 1866, and resumed the practice of law. In 1869, 
was nominated Prosecuting Attorney by a majority of 
1,190 over his opponent, Thomas McBride, and served 
in that office two years. Went to Marysville, Union 
Co., Ohio, in 1873, and resumed the practice of law. 
Engaged in the political campaign for Hon. E. F. Pop- 
pleton ; stumped the entire district. In 1875, was 
strongly solicited to become a candidate for nomination 
for member of Congress ; district composed of the coun- 
ties of Marion, Delaware, Union and Hardin. He re- 
ceived the caucus vote of Union and Hardin Cos., and 
peremptorily refused to be a candidate, having pledged 
himself to give his influence to Hon. E. F. Poppleton 
for his renomination. In the winter of 1878-79, 
returned to Mansfield, resumed the practice of law with 
the Hon. R. B. McCrory. 

STEWART, JAMES (deceased). Judge Stewart was 
born in Chanceford, York Co., Penn., Aug. 2, 1802 ; his 
paternal ancestors came from Ireland about the middle 
of the eighteenth century ; his father, John Stewart, 
was born in York Co. in 1776; his mother, Jane Dun- 
dan, was of Scotch descent ; they were married about 
the year 1800, and became the parents of three chil- 
dren — two boys and one girl ; the eldest son, according 
to the custom of those times, inherited the homestead 
where his son, James, now resides. In the spring of 
1805, the parents of Judge Stewart moved to Ontario 
Co., where they remained until 1824, when they came 
to Richland Co. ; when they moved to Ontario Co. 
it was then the "West," in a measure, and was yet 
unpopulated ; they purchased a farm of the Govern- 
ment, near the town of Seneca, and erected a hewed-log 
house, much better than the average cabins of the day ; 
they were industrious, frugal and economical, and soon 
had a pleasant and comfortable home. Under such 
influences Judge Stewart passed his early life ; of an 
active mind, he soon learned to read and write, and 
having the advantage of good schools in Seneca, he 
made rapid progress in learning ; afterward he entered 
the academy at Canandaigua, where he continued to pur- 
sue his studies (save a few intervals spent in teaching) 
until he came to Mansfield in 1822; here he established 
the first academy in the town, which he conducted two 
years, when (in the autumn of 1824) he went to Oxford 
College, remaining only a year or so, not completing 
his course. In 1826, he was married to Margaret 
Loughridge, a beautiful woman, possessed of a lovely 
Christian character, from whom he had the sad mis- 
fortune to be separated by death two years later ; she 
left one daughter, Cecilia, now Mrs. John Sherman, of 
Washington City. Two years after he was married. 
Judge Stewart was admitted to the bar, having studied 
law in the office of Judge Parker ; he soon rose in 
practice, occupying the front rank in his profession ; 
he continued the duties of his profession until the 
spring of 1850, when Judge Parker's term, as Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas, expiring, he was appointed 
to the vacancy, in accordance with the unanimous wish 



of the bar; in the fall of 1851, this office was vacated 
by the new constitution ; Judge Stewart was called by 
the unanimous vote of the people of his district to the 
position of District Judge, there being no opposing 
candidate ; from this time until the expiration of his 
judicial term, in 1856, he was constantly occupied with 
the duties of the bench ; two years after the expira- 
tion of his term his death occurred (Feb. 24, 1858). 
He was married the second time, to Mary Mercer, 
who died Aug. 14, 1860. As a jurist. Judge Stewart 
had few superiors ; he was prompt, accurate, clear, 
unprejudiced and independent; his mind was emi- 
nently a judicial one, and to no one could the younger 
members of the bar go, in whose word and opinion 
they could have more confidence ; in all public inter- 
ests he was ready and willing to do his part ; as a 
private citizen he was unexcelled, while as a parent 
and husband he was kind, congenial and true. 

STRAUB, JACOB, wagon-maker; he was born in 
Lancaster Co., Penn., April 11, 1826, and removed to 
Richland Co., Ohio, with his parents when but 4 weeks 
old ; they settled on Sec. 17, in Mifflin Township. 
Having chosen wagon-making as his trade, he came to 
Mansfield, and began work in the shop of William Ber- 
ringer, where he completed his trade in 1847. Directly 
afterward, he commenced piece-work until accumulating 
suflBcient capital to buy the stock of his employer in 
1848, in which business he has continued to the pres- 
ent time ; now considered the pioneer wagon-maker 
of Richland Co. He was married in 1850, to Elizabeth 
Christman, who died April 29, 1868, in Mansfield; he had 
three children by this marriage, one of whom is living. 
Again married in June, 1871, to Mary Lehr ; he has one 
son by this marriage — Harry, born Jan. 9, 1873. During 
Mr. Straub's long and active life in this county, he has 
passed through many of the experiences of those who 
preceded him — having but a few dollars when leaving 
the homestead — nothing daunted, he has continued 
steadily at his trade while being called by his fellow- 
men to positions of honor and trust, as Land Appraiser, 
repeatedly chosen Assessor, and elected a member of 
the City Council three terms, three years of which he 
acted as its President, serving with distinction. 

STRICKLER, CHRISTOPHER, cabinet-maker and 
wheelwright. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Chester Co., Penn., April 27, 1827 ; he is the fourth son 
of Amos and Mary Scott Strickler, one of the old fami- 
lies of that county; when 17 years of age, he 
was apprenticed to learn the trade of wheelwright, 
which he completed at the age of 21 ; not wholly satis- 
fied with this vocation, he worked at cabinet-making 
several hours each evening, which trade he finally 
accomplished some years later by denying himself many 
hours of rest ; some time after, however, he continued 
the trade of wheelwright exclusively, in his native 
county, where he remained until April, 1868, when he 
removed with his family to Mansfield, Ohio, and was 
employed in the shops of Blymeyer, Day & Co. ; since 
then he has been constantly engaged in the Mansfield 
Machine AVorks. Mr. Strickler was married in Phila- 
delphia, Penn., Dec. 16, 1852, to Miss Susan Hopton, a 
descendant of an old Quaker family, by whom he has 
had four children— Sallie, born Sept. 30, 1853 ; Anna 
Elizabeth, Oct. 22, 1862; Clinton, April 15, 1865; 



^ < 



^ 



^ 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



737 



Mary Gertrude, March 21, 1867 ; they ai-e now resi- 
dents of Wood street, and members of the Congrega- 
tional Church. 

STRONG, FREDERICK W., deceased; he was born 
near Frederick, Md., Feb. 16, 1812 ; he came to Ohio 
when quite young, and located in Mansfield in 1840, 
where, for many years, he was engaged in the dry- 
goods trade, and afterward, and until his death, was 
the founder and head of the well-known produce and 
commission house of F. W. Strong, Son & Co. ; during 
his long residence in this city, covering a period of 
nearly forty years, he was accounted one of its leading 
citizens and merchants ; a man of sound judgment and 
business tact, he was active and successful. Mr. 
Strong was married March 4, 1838, to Miss Lucina R. 
Poppleton, to whom were born two children — Lyman 
A. and Lucina J. ; Lucina was married in this city 
Oct. 29, 1861, to Prof. W. H. IngersoU, who died in 
Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 80, 1876 ; one child, a daughter, 
by this marriage, is now living. F. W. Strong died 
June 10, 1879, in Mansfield, having lived an upright 
and consistent Christian life, and been a member of 
the Congregational Church for many years. 

STRONG, LYMAN A., merchant; he was born 
March 2, 1839, and received his elementary education 
in this city, and afterward continued his studies at the 
Marietta College, where he graduated in 1861 ; return- 
ing home, he commenced the study of law in the office 
of Watson & Dirlam, and was admitted to the bar in 
1864. Since 1865, he has been a member of the well- 
known firm of F. W. Strong, Son & Co., produce and 
commission merchants, and is one of Mansfield's repre- 
sentative business men. He was married Oct. 31, 1865, 
to Miss Fannie M. Whitney, of this city. 

STURGES, EBEN P., Sr. (deceased) ; Mr. S. was 
born in Fairfield, Conn., on the 12th of August, 1784. 
At the early age of 14, he embarked in a subordinate 
capacity on board of a merchantman owned by a rela- 
tive. It was not his design to make a sea-faring life 
his profession, but while on the vessel no one discharged 
his duties more assiduously. At 16 years of age, he 
was first officer, and before he was 21 was master and 
part owner of the ship. He commanded the merchant 
vessel Madisonia when hostilities broke out betvreen 
Great Britain and the United States in 1812. Soon 
after the commencement of the war, he was homeward 
bound, on a voyage from South America, with a valuable 
cargo. Early in the voyage, he was informed by an 
American privateer of the existence of hostilities, and 
a few days subsequently, he was captured by a British 
frigate — the Garland — and sent with his crew as pris- 
oners of war to Kingston, .Jamaica. Here, after endur- 
ing severe hardships and passing through an attack 
of yellow fever, he was released on parole. He em- 
braced the first opportunity to return to the United 
States, where he arrived safely, but enfeebled in health 
by confinement and disease. After recovering sufficient 
strength, he came to Ohio on a visit to his sister, the 
late Mrs. Ebenezer Buckingham, of Putnam. Having 
determined to relinquish the sea he tarned his mind to 
a new field of enterprise. This portion of the State of 
Ohio was then an almost unbroken wilderness. Form- 
ing his plan, he returned east and formed a connection 
with Buckingham Sherwood, late of Newark, Ohio. 



They purchased a stock of goods, which they transported 
in wagons to Zanesville, designing to take them from 
that place to Gen. Harrison's camp near the frontier. 
In the accomplishment of this plan, they succeeded in 
conveying their goods with great difficulty to Mansfield, 
then the site of a new village. On their arrival, they 
were informed of the hostilities of the Indians along 
their proposed route, and were induced by the solicita- 
tion of the inhabitants to remain and oflFer their goods 
for sale to the settlers here. A store was opened in a 
cabin nearly opposite to where the Wiler House now 
stands, and thus Mr. Sturges became the first merchant 
who settled in Mansfield. Enterprising and energetic, 
he soon built up a large trade, attracting business from 
(at that time) quite remote points. Mr. S. was during 
his whole life an efficient friend of religious institutions. 
He, more than any other man, aided in the erection of 
the First Presbyterian Church in this city. Subsequently 
he embraced in heart the Gospel, the support of which 
he sought to promote by his means. After he made 
a profession of religion, he largely helped in building 
the Congregational Church here, where, while he was 
able to hear preaching, he regularly worshiped with in- 
terest and sincerity For many years before his death, 
he suffered from deafness, which prevented him from 
hearing ordinary speech. Mr. Sturges was married 
three times. In 1821 to Miss Amanda Buckingham, of 
Putnam ; in 1834, to Miss Jerusha M. Hale, of Connecti- 
cut, and, in 1850, to Miss R. M. Tracy, of this city. 
By his first wife he had three children — Messrs. Dimon, 
Col. S. B., and Edward. By his second — Henry A. and 
Miss Amanda. His last wife had no issue. She still 
survives him. He died Jan. 1, 1862. 

STURGES, EDWARD, Sr., deceased. He was born 
in Fairfield, Conn., Dec. 5, 1805, and was the son of 
Dimon Sturges, who was a soldier of the Revolution, 
and Sarah Perry. His great-grandfather, Solomon 
Sturges, was killed by the Tories "during the attack of 
the British on Fairfield, July 8, 1779. At the early 
age of 14, Mr. Sturges left the home of his ancestors for 
the then " Western wilderness." He traveled over the 
mountains on horseback, and arrived in Mansfield in 
April, 1820. He immediately entered the store of his 
brother, E. P. Sturges, then an apparently rude estab- 
lishment located on the corner where. the Sturges Block 
now stands, the firm name being Sturges & Sherwood. 
In 1823, Edward Sturges became a partner in the 
place of Mr. Sherwood. The firm name then became 
E. P. & E. Sturges. He continued to be a leading and 
influential partner in this old and successful business 
house through all its various changes till 1863, when 
H. H. Sturges took his place, and the firm became 
Sturges (it Wood. In January, 1854, he entered into 
the banking business in company with A. L. Grimes 
and S. B. Sturges, under the firm name of E. Sturges, 
Sr. & Co. This firm continued its business until it 
merged into the Richland National Bank. He was 
also connected with the Farmers' National Bank, and 
with other financial and manufacturing interests of the 
city. He was for a long time a large stockholder 
in the Mansfield Machine Works, and it was mainly due 
to his counsels and material assistance that this large 
establishment was saved from utter financial ruin on 
the very verge of which it was at the beginning of the 



^ 



I) ^T 



738 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



panic in 1873. Soon after terminating his connection 
with the dry-goods store in 1863, he engaged in the 
wholesale grocery business with his son, E. P. Sturges, 
with whom he continued until his death, which occurred 
Monday, Sept. 16, 1878. Concerning his business 
habits, the Liberal, in its obituary notice, states : 

" Mr. Sturges was, in all respects, a model business 
man, prudent, honorable, careful, and industrious; he 
trusted to sure and steady gains rather than the specu- 
lative ones, and his example remains for imitation to 
all those who would pursue a mercantile career upon 
the best principles for an honorable success. 

"Mr. Sturges, although he never accepted political 
preferment, always took a deep interest in public 
affairs. In the early days of agitation upon the slavery 
question, he was an earnest antislavery man, and 
always gave a zealous support to the cause. He and 
his brother were among the founders, and were the 
life-long supporters of the Congregational Church, 
which grew up out of the antislavery discussions of 
the time. 

"Mr. Sturges, in all the relations of life, was an 
exemplary man. In business, he was thoroughly trust- 
worthy and just in all his dealings. As a citizen, he 
discharged his duties with fidelity and honor. As a 
neighbor and friend he was kind, obliging and chari- 
table. In short, he was an upright Christian gentle- 
man, whose life has been a benediction to his genera- 
tion, and whose death will be lamented by all who knew 
him." 

Mr. Sturges was married in the summer of 1887 to 
Mary Mathews, the daughter of Dr. Increase and Betsey 
Leavens Mathews, late of Putnam, Ohio, where she 
was born Nov. 18, 1815. Her parents were among the 
early residents of the Territory of Ohio, which her 
father adopted as his home at the close of the last 
century, and where, in connection with his associates. 
Gen. Rufus Putnam and Levi Whipple, Esq., he 
founded upon the Muskingum River the town of Put- 
nam. She received her later education at Marietta. 
In the summer of 1887, she became the wife cf Edward 
Sturges, Sr., and removed to Mansfield, which con- 
tinued to be her home until her death. She possessed 
a strong character and many virtues. Practical and 
constant, though scrutinizing, in her benevolence, 
distress, misfortune, and worthy poverty met at her 
hands warm sympathy and unfailing assistance. They 
left a family of five sons and three daughters — Charles, 
Eben P., Arthur, Willis M., John, Susan, Mary, and 
Anna. 

TAYLOR, THOMAS W., carpenter. He was born in 
Franklin Township Oct. 18, 1842. Married in 1866, 
to Lydia Small, who was born in Franklin Co., Penn., 
Jan. 8, 1843; they have six children — Orlando, born 
Sept. 22, 1866 ; Ada R., born Sept. 8, 1868 ; Charlie, 
born Dec. 23, 1870 ; Mary, born March 12, 1873 ; Maud, 
born Aug. 14, 1876 ; Thomas, born Feb. 21, 1879 ; Mr. 
Taylor resides in Mansfield, and has been engaged in 
the Mansfield machine works. He enlisted in the 64th 
Regiment, O. V. I.; a member of Co. E, and was engaged 
in the service three years. 

TAYLOR, FRANK R., teamster. He was born in 
Franklin Township in 1854. He was married in 1876, 
to Mary J. Browneller, who was born in Madison 



Township in 1859 ; they had one child, Fenton E , born 
Jan. 17, 1877 ; he died April 20, 1879. 

TODD, DR. J. J. (deceased). He was born near 
Ashland, Ohio, Dec. 12, 1820 ; when of sufficient age, 
he commenced the trade of saddle and harness making 
in that place, which he completed, and at which he 
continued to work for two years after coming to Mans- 
field in 1842 ; not fully satisfied with his vocation, and 
ambitious to enter a wider field of usefulness, he com- 
menced the study of medicine with the late Dr. A. G. 
Miller, under whose instruction he finished his studies, 
and graduated at the Cleveland Medical College in 

1847. For nine years thereafter, he had a large and 
constantly increasing practice throughout this county, 
and was looked upon as a careful and skillful physician. 
He died in Mansfield the latter part of January, 1856. 
Dr. J. J. Todd was married, Aug. 26, 1847, to Miss 
Naomi Hedges, daughter of the late EUzey Hedges, of 
this city, to whom were born five children, three of 
whom are living and residents of this city. 

TROUTMAN, ELIAS, tinner and coppersmith. He 
was born in Center Co , Penn., March 11, 1817 ; in 
1827, he came to Ohio with his parents, who located in 
Orange Township, Ashland Co. ; at the age of 18, he 
began the trade of stone-cutter and brick-laying, which 
he soon discontinued, as he was compelled to remain 
idle during the winter. He immediately came to 
Mansfield and entered into a contract with the widow 
Buckins after her husband's death to learn the tin- 
ner's trade, which he acquired in the usual time, when 
he learned the trade of coppersmith with William 
McNulty, where he continued until 1839 ; after that date 
until 1849, he was working chiefly at the tinner's trade, 
when in the winter of that year, he went to California, 
and returned in the spring of 1851 ; he has been en- 
gaged at his trade in all its branches since that year in 
this city, and is now in active life. He was married, 
March 26, 1840, to Elizabeth Kefi"er, of Washington Co., 
Penn.; to them were born seven children, five of whom 
died in infancy, and one daughter at the age of 18 years. 
One child living. During his residence in Mansfield, 
Mr. Troutman has always been identified in every 
movement that tended toward the improvement of the 
city and its inhabitants, and interested in benevolent 
and church enterprises. He is an active member of 
the Lutheran Church. 

TWITCHELL, A. J., attorney; he was born Dec. 31, 

1848, in Portage Co., Ohio; graduated at the Ohio 
Wesleyan University in 1872 ; at the Harvard Law 
School in 1874; read law with Judge M. R. Dickey; 
admitted to the bar in the fall of 1874 ; engaged in the 
practice of law, in company with A. M. Burns, in 
December, 1874; continued till July, 1877, when he 
began alone. Was married, Sept. 24, 1874, to Ella C. 
Downs, of Defiance, Ohio ; they have two children — 
Ray, born in July, 1876; Lee, in September, 1878. 

TYLER, AV. F., traveling salesman ; was born June 
7, 1824, in Newport, Herkiraer Co., N. Y.; emigrated to 
Mansfield in 1859 ; engaged in grocery store, continued 
sixteen years, and then engaged as traveling agent for 
a Cincinnati carriage manufactory, and continues up to 
this date. He was married to Hannah Pratt August 
22, 1849 ; they have four children — Mary Ellen, born 
May 29, 1850; William Dexter, Feb. 7, 1853, who is 



® 



-r— ► 



CITY or MANSFIELD. 



•nh 



engaged as traveling salesman ; Ida Bell, Oct. 19, 18-57 ; 
Hatlie Emmer, Oct. 9, 1866. Residence, No. 90 East 
Market street. 

WAGNER, C. W., druggist and practical apothecary ; 
at No. 32 South Main street, in the American Hotel 
Building, can be found the well-stocked drug and pre- 
scription establishment of Mr. C. AV. Wagner, who has 
had a practical experience in the drug business for 
over twenty-three years, six of which were passed in a 
first-class drug store in the city of New York ; Mr. 
Wagner is a practical apothecary, in every sense of the 
word, and, in the compounding of medicine, stands 
pre-eminent in Ohio, being the only druggist in Rich- 
land Co. who is thoroughly conversant with the Ger- 
man language; having been educated in Germany, he 
naturally receives the greater portion of the German 
trade ; he established his store six years ago, and has 
ever since been doing a successful business ; his scru- 
pulous honesty and extreme accuracy in compounding 
medicines secure for him a very large share of physi- 
cians' and private prescriptions ; he is also manufact- 
uring and selling extensively the following useful rem- 
edies : " Wagner's Compound Balaam of Wild Cherry, 
Horehound and Tolu," for the certain cure of coughs, 
colds, etc.; "The Children's Friend," the celebrated 
German worm-powder, very effectual and safe ;' " Wag- 
ner's Croup, Liver and Cathartic Pills," for liver-com- 
plaint, costiveness, sick headache, etc ; " Wagner's 
Cholera Cordial," an excellent remedy for dysentery, 
diarrhoea, cramp, cholera-morbus, etc. ; " Wagner's 
Celebrated Asthma Remedy," which gives relief in five 
minutes ; also, " The Farmer's Friend," without excep- 
tion the best horse, cattle and general stock powder 
now in use ; Mr. Wagner also has constantly on hand 
a full assortment of pure, unadulterated drugs, chem- 
icals, etc., and all the standard patent medicines in the 
market, besides a great variety of toilet and fancy arti- 
cles ; he is very attentive to his business, and can be 
found at his store at all times. C. AV. Wagner, practi- 
cal apothecary. No. 32 South Main street, American 
Hotel Building. 

WALLACE & SNYDER, dentists ; they established 
an office in jMansfield, in November, 1879. Dr. Wal- 
lace located here a year or two before. They are 
both practical and skillful workmen ; they have built 
up a very extensive practice; are now taking the lead 
in this profession ; they have fitted up an office in very 
neat style, ou the west side of the park, where they 
can always be found to attend to all calls promptly. 

WARING, GEORGE W., was born in Athens, N. Y., 
March 28, 1816 ; came to Ohio in 1838, and was 
engaged in the dry-goods trade six years in Plymouth 
previous to his removal to this city in 1844, when 
he actively engaged in the produce and commission 
business for a number of years ; the building now 
known as the Niman Foundry was erected and used by 
him in that trade in 1844 ; he was afterward engaged 
in the dry-goods trade for four years, when he pur- 
chased the grocery store of Stiles & Coman, the first 
wholesale store of that kind in the city ; for many 
years, he was the proprietor and landlord of the Amer- 
ican House, while there, he purchased and brought to 
this city, in 184.5, the first omnibus ever used here. 
He was married, March 28, 1844, in this city, to Miss 



Eliza Roop ; they are the parents of seven children, 
three of whom are dead. 

WELDON, JAMES (deceased). The subject of this 
sketch, well known to all of the old residents of this 
county, was a direct descendant of an old and highly 
respectable family of Weldons living in Kent Co., Del. 
James Weldon was born in AVestmoreland Co., Penn., 
in the year 1804, and was the second son of Rolland 
Weldon, who removed to Ohio and located in Mansfield, 
on what has since been known as the McFall corner, in 
the year 1811. James Weldon was married, Jan. 10, 
1887, to Isabella McEUroy, daughter of Alexander Mc- 
EUroy, near Mansfield, by the Rev. James Rolland. To 
them were born three children — the eldest, William H.. 
was born Jan. 8, 1839 ; Charles D., April 17, 1844, and 
the youngest, a daughter. William H. Weldon, a bus- 
iness man of great promise, died Dec. 11, 1868, having 
been engaged for a number of years in New York and 
Philadelphia, as well as Mansfield, in the banking 
business ; Charles D. is now and has been an artist 
of note in the East for a number of years — now a 
resident of New York. Isabella (McEllroy) Weldon 
was born in the year 1808, the third child of A. 
McEllroy, living two miles east of Mansfield. James 
Weldon was, doubtless, at the time of his death, 
Feb. 20, 1872, the oldest resident merchant in Mans- 
field ; during his long life in Mansfield, which extended 
over a period of sixty years, he was engaged in many 
enterprises and business transactions of note; a quiet, 
unassuming man, respected by all for his qualities 
of head and heart, his death was deplored. Mrs. 
Weldon died Wednesday, May 12, 1880, at the old 
homestead, which has been occupied by the family over 
thirty-four years. 

WELDON, WILLIAM H. (deceased). In another 
part of this work, a brief mention is made of Mr. Wel- 
don, whose parents and grandparents were among the 
earliest settlers of this county. At the age of 14 years, 
he showed a more than ordinary aptitude for mercan- 
tile pursuits, and was placed in the Cleveland Commer- 
cial College, where he soon acquired that knowledge of 
book-keeping that was always of great benefit to him 
in his afier life. After his return from Cleveland, he 
entered the Farmers' Bank, where he was soon recog- 
nized as an expert accountant ; soon after, was engaged 
in a bank in Pittsburgh ; then in Chicago, in the bank 
of Purdy, Granger & Weldon ; while here, he received 
an appointment to a clerkship in Washington ; then to 
the Treasurer's office at the Mint in Philadelphia, where 
he was appointed a Government Paymaster. Wm. H. 
Weldon was married to Mary Hodge Purdy in Mans- 
field, Dec. 2, 1862, to whom have been born two c^iil- 
dren— May Churchill, born Oct. 28, 1865, and Will- 
iam McEllroy, born Dec. 28. 1868. After his marriage, 
Mr. Weldon returned to Philadelphia, where he was 
employed in the U. S. Mint about five years, which 
position he was compelled to relinquish on account of 
poor health, when he returned to his native town, and 
soon after departed this life. 

WEST, SYLVESTER, was born Nov. 13, 1880, in 
Jeiferson Co., Ohio, near Steubenville ; came to Rich- 
land Co. Jan. 15, 1836, and settled near Newville; he 
came to Mansfield in 1842. Mr. West was married 
Oct. 10, 1822, in JeflFerson Co., Ohio, to Sarah Shiveley, 



740 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



to whom have been born twelve children — six living 
and six dead ; five of the living reside in Richland Co. 
Mr. West has been a member of the Methodist Church 
fifty-five years. Mrs. Sarah West died Dec. 2, 1873, 
aged 68 years — an affectionate wife and loving mother, 
her life was that of a true Christian ; she had been a 
faithful member of the Methodist Church over fifty 
years ; she was born in Jefferson Co., in the year 1805, 
and after her marriage was always ready to assist her 
husband in making home pleasant and happy. 

WHARF, FREDERICK (deceased); he was born in 
New York, April 20, 1809, and removed to Richland 
Co. with his parents, .James and Jane (Graham) Wharf, 
in 1838. Mr. Wharf was married in New York, to 
Miss Laura Gault, to whom were born two children 
—William, who died in Mansfield, Aug. 23, 1878, 
and Henry, a painter, now engaged at his trade in this 
city. Mrs. Laura (Gault) Wharf died in Mansfield in 
18-51. Frederick Wharf lived at the old homestead 
south of Mansfield until he was appointed Deputy 
Sheriff. Mr. Wharf was afterward elected Sheriff of 
Richland Co., and served his full two terms to the en- 
tire satisfaction of the people who elected him. Al- 
though a strong party man, he possessed many qualities 
of head and heart that made him warm friends in both 
parties. He died in the fall of 1862, and was buried 
at Mansfield. 

WHISSEMORE, A., photographer; he was born 
Dec. 20, 1829, in AVayne Co. Married to Martha Jane 
Mathews, of Richland Co. Mr. Whissemore has been 
engaged as an artist in Mansfield for twenty-three 
years, and is the oldest artist in the city ; has been 
keeping up to the standard of his business, and having 
every facility, he is prepared to execute all kinds of 
first-class work ; his reputation as an artist is so exten- 
sively known that it needs but little comment. Rooms 
above Blymyer's stove store. 

WHITE, TIRZAH McCONNELL, MRS. Among the 
oldest of the faithful and good Christian mothers who 
still linger is Mrs. Tirzah White, of East Fourth street, 
Mansfield, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn.; she was 
born on the 14th day of July, 1800, and was married to 
John White the 11th of August, 1825, in Lancaster 
City. When but 4 years of age, she was left an orphan, 
and passed through the sad experiences of those bereft 
of parents in youth. Although now aged and infirm, 
she looks back over her long life without regret or com- 
plaint, and, anxious for the future welfare of all, she 
kindly admonishes them when opportunity offers to put 
their trust in Him who has been her stay and strength. 
John and Tirzah White were the parents of three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living — Samuel S. and Cath- 
erine J.; the third, Mary E., died July 3, 1877, leaving 
two daughters and one son ; the daughters — Sai-ah Alice 
Stevens and .Jessie Bowman — reside in Mt. Vernon. 
John Ligget Longshore, son of Catherine J., lives with 
his parent and grandparent at the old homestead on 
East Fourth street, Mansfield. 

WILER, JOHN JACOB, weaver, butcher, brewer 
and baker retired ; he was born in Herisau, Appenzell 
Co., Switzerland, June 4, 1780, and was the oldest of a 
large family of children, only four of whom, however, 
lived to manhood and womanhood. When quite young, 
he learned the trade of weaver in his native town. 



which he continued until his 16th year, when, conclud- 
ing to travel and ply his vocation, he went to France, 
where he remained two years in order to acquire some 
knowledge of the language; afterward, for fifteen 
years he traveled through the different governments of 
Europe as a journeyman weaver ; specimens of his 
workmanship are now in the possession of his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. J. H. Cook, which show him to have been an 
expert workman. During the campaign of Napoleon I 
in Austria, he enlisted for a time in the Swiss army on 
the frontier, and was assigned to the Army of the 
Reserve. While engaged in his occupation as a jour- 
neyman weaver, he passed over the battlefield of Leip- 
sic the morning after the engagement, while the dead 
were being buried ; his description of the scene he 
used often to relate with minuteness. Mr. Wiler sailed 
for America from Amsterdam on the 19th of May, 1817, 
in the ship " Bourbon," Capt. William Gobrell in 
charge. Mr. W. landed in Philadelphia, after a voy- 
age of ninety-nine days, on the 26th of August, 1817. 
Some idea may be formed of the terrible suffering and 
distress felt by the 500 souls on board during this long 
voyage, when, after being out some days, ship fever in 
its worst form made its appearance on the vessel, and, 
before reaching port, 105 of the crew and passengers 
succumbed to the dreadful disease, and were buried at 
sea. Mr. Wiler, after landing at Philadelphia, was 
sent to the hospital, suffering from this malady, where 
he remained three months, until fully recovered, when 
he started on foot through Pennsylvania, accompanied 
by his nephew, John Ulrick Tanner, who came to 
America with him. Being ignorant of the language, 
he was frequently taken advantage of by some people 
on the route and defrauded out of what little money he 
had. The treatment he there received, often by those 
professing Christianity, caused him to have little faith 
in man's professions, and he thereafter judged men by 
their actions alone. After coming to Ohio, he stopped 
at New Lancaster about one year with a Mr. Arnold, 
who befriended him, and to whom he has always felt 
grateful. He went from Lancaster to Columbus, where 
he remained about one year engaged as a hostler by a 
Mr. Heyle. At the end of the time, he came to Mans- 
field. Mr. Wiler was married to Miss Margaret Steyer 
after an acquaintance of three weeks, whose father 
lived in Franklin Township, ou the 25th of April, Sun- 
day, 1819, and the following Monday morning took 
possession of the tavern then owned by his father-in- 
law, which has since that date been known as the 
"Wiler House." His means were so limited, that when 
ordering his sign he found that he would be unable to 
pay if his full name was used, when, at the suggestion 
of his nephew, Tanner, the name Jacob was omitted, 
and he was able to secure the sign, and since that date 
he has been known only by the name of .John Wiler. 
Mrs. Margaret Steyer Wiler died in Mansfield in her 
71st year May 25, 1868. John Wiler lives on West 
Fourth street, and was 100 years old on the 4th of 
June, 1880. John Wiler had nine children, three of 
whom are living — Mary Ann (Cook), John Ulrick Wiler, 
Margaret Louesa (Barr); two sons, grown to manhood, i 
died in California of cholera ; the others died in infancy 
and youth. In this year, there are living twelve grand- 
children and four great-grandchildren. 






Ml 



CITY OF MANSFIELD. 



741 



WILER, JOHN U. ; mechanic and jeweler. He was 
born in Mansfield April 20, 1824 ; he learned the jew- 
eler trade in the city ; in September, 1848, he formed 
a partnership with the late John A. Lee, which termi- 
nated in four years, when he continued the business 
until 1857 ; he was afterward connected with the saw- 
mill for a number of years, since which time he has 
been engaged constantly at his present vocation, as- 
sisted by his sons, Jolin J., Hervey H. and David 
Ephraim, who also are expert workmen. Mr. Wiler 
was married Nov. 14, 1850, to Miss Anna Louisa Rob- 
bins ; they are the parents of three sons, named above, 
and one daughter, M. Eva. 

WINTERS, GEORGE H. ; printer and stationer: 
successor to E. B. Sturges & Co. He calls the atten- 
tion of manufacturers, corporations, professional men, 
merchants, societies, banks, churches, farmers and 
others, that he is more fully prepared than ever to do 
every kind of printed work, such as pamphlets, legal 
briefs, posters, sale-bills, horse-bills, handbills, circu- 
lars, dodgers, cards, bill and letter heads, statements, 
envelopes, programmes, labels, tickets, invitations, 
checks, notes, tags, and all other descriptions of job 
printing in superior style ; every order will have 
special attention, with first-class workmen ; he has 
made recent additions of late-style type, fine presses, 
and all necessary elements of a successful printing 
office, making job printing a specialty (no newspaper 
connected with their concern), and with a disposition 
to please all patrons, and execute only the best class of 
work at the most reasonable prices. 

WISE, GEORGE C, grocer; a descendant of a Penn- 
sylvania family ; his grandfather, Col. John Wise, having 
command of a Pennsylvania militia regiment in the 
war of 1812. Jacob Wise, the fiither of the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., 
Penn., in the year 1802; he emigrated to Ohio, and 
settled in Mansfield in 1825. George C. Wise, the 
third child, was born on the 23d of October, 1828, on 
the northwest corner of Third and East Diamond 
streets, Mansfield ; at the age of 18 years, he com- 
menced the trade of cabinet-making, which he con- 
tinued four years ; on the 8th of August, 1853, he 
began in the store of Mr. E. Clapp as cierk, on the 
corner of Fourth and Main streets, and was taken into 
the firm as a partner, under the name of E. Clapp & 
Co., in 1865 ; in the year 1866, the firm of Clapp & 
Wise removed to the Miller Block, where they con- 
tinued the business until Feb. 6, 1873, when Mr. Wise 
purchased the interest of E. Clapp, since which time 
he has carried on the business alone. George C. Wise 
was married in Mansfield Feb. 1, 1854, to Ellen M. 
Clapp, a daughter of his employer, to whom have been 
born six children, four of whom are living — Alice C, 
now Mrs. Frank D. Gadsby ; Charles E., at present 
in business with his father; Lillie E. and Nettie B. 
George C. Wise holds the position of one of the repre- 
sentative business men of Mansfield. 

WOLFF, BARNARD, carpenter; he was born in 
Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., April 17, 1827, 
being the sixth child of David WolfiF of that place ; as 
soon as he arrived at a sufficient age, he entered a 
carpenter-shop to learn that trade, which he accom- 
plished in the usual time ; in the year 1849, while yet 



in poor circumstances, he was married to Miss Jane 
McCleary, a resident of Chambersburg ; in the month 
of June, 1850, they removed to Mansfield, Ohio, where 
he has since resided ; on the 9th day of October, 1875, 
his wife died after a long and painful illness, and on 
the 17th day of April, 1877, he was again married in 
Plymouth, to Miss McClinchey of that place ; during 
Mr. Wolff's residence in Mansfield, he has been closely 
identified in the city's growth and her improvements ; 
he is the owner and builder of the Sherman House, 
which he erected in 1870, on the northwest corner of 
Fourth and East Diamond streets, thereby adding much 
to the good appearance of that part of the city, and a 
benefit to the traveling public ; Mr. Wolif has also been 
the contractor and builder of many of the larger 
edifices in the city, both public and private, and also 
the large depot and freight house at Orrville ; during 
his residence in Mansfield, he has always been con- 
sidered one of her stanch citizens ; he resides on East 
Fourth street. 

WOLFF, SAMUEL M., carpenter; CoL Wolff was born 
in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., June 1, 1839, 
and came with his parents to Richland Co. in 1854, 
where he worked with his father on the farm, two and 
one-half miles north of Mansfield, until the year 1859, 
when he came to Mansfield and commenced the trade of 
carpentering in the shop of his brother, where he 
served an apprenticeship of two years. At the break- 
ing-out of the war in 1861, he enlisted in the first 
company organized in the evening of the noted 17th 
day of April ; his name appears among the first in Co. 
I, 1st 0. V. I., three-months service, under Capt. Wm. 
McLaughlin ; with this company he served his full 
term of enlistment, and with it was in the two engage- 
ments of Vienna and the first battle of Bull Run. July 
21, 1861, his term of service having expired, he re- 
turned to Mansfield and again commenced work at his 
trade, at which he continued until the 21st day of Sep- 
tember, 1861, when he enlisted in an " independent 
rifle company " then being organized in the western 
part of the State ; this company was rapidly being re- 
cruited when .John Sherman returned with an order 
from Washington to organize the 64th and 6oth Regi- 
ments ; by the common consent of the independent 
company, they entered the 64th Regiment as Co. A, this 
being the first company in Camp Buckingham ; while 
here, Mr. Woltt" was made Second Lieutenant; the 64th and 
65th Regiments, known while in Camp Buckingham as 
the" Sherman Brigade," were, aftertheirdeparturefrom 
Mansfield, always known as the " Harker Brigade," 
and it was first assigned to the 3d Division, 21st Army 
Corps, and took part in the battle of Shiloh ; after this 
battle, Lieut. Wolff was promoted to the first lieutenancy 
of the same company ; soon after, he was engaged in 
the Buell raid and the battle of Stone River, Dec. 29, 
1862, to .Jan. 3, 1863 ; it was in this long engagement 
that Lieut. Wolff was slightly wounded by a fragment 
of shell, but not disabled ; he was promoted to Captain 
of Co. H, and, as such, was in the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, Sept. 19 and 20, 1863; at the battle of Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Ga., Nov. 25, 1863, Capt. Wolff received 
a gun-shot wouud through the right arm, which com- 
pelled him to relinquish his command for about two 
months ; afterward, with his company and regiment, 



M'- 



d^ 



743 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he was engaged in numerous battles until the close of 
the war, among them the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, 
May 9, 18G4 ; Resaca, May 14 and 15, 1864 ; New Hope 
Church, May 27, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 
1864 ; Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; Atlanta, July 
22, 1864; Jonesboro, Sept. 1, 1864; Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, Sept. 3, 1864; Spring Hill, Tenn., Nov. 29, 1864, 
in which engagement Capt. Wolff was slightly wounded 
by gunshot through both legs; at the battle of Franklin, 
Nov. 30, 1864, during a charge of the enemy, Capt. Wolif 
became engaged in a hand-to-hand combat between the 
lines with Col. John B. Austin, of a Mississippi regiment; 



discharge of the regiment, Jan. 3, 1866, at Columbus, 
holding the commission of Colonel, acknowledged as a 
brave and good soldier, with an army record of which 
any man might well be proud ; it is sad to think that, 
after doing this service for his country, he should be a 
constant sufferer in his after life. Col. Wolff was mar- 
ried in March, 1864, to Miss M. J. Browneller, who 
died in the year 1865. In 1868, he was again married, 
to Miss Susan Urvan, who died in Mansfield, in 1870. 
The Colonel is now a resident of Mansfield. 

WOLFF, E. M. & CO., marble dealers. Their shops 
were established in 1869 ; since then they have greatly in- 




GRANITE WORKS AND MONUMENTS OF E. M. WOLFF & CO., MAIN STREET, MANSFIELD. 



the Union forces falling back for a time, charged upon 
the enemy, who had captured the works, driving them 
out, when Wolff, eomjng up with Col. Austin, demanded 
his sword ; but this he at first refused, and bravely 
defended himself, but was soon compelled to surrender 
and reluctantly delivered his sword to Wolff, who now 
has it in his possession ; in the night of the 20th of 
June, 1864, Capt. Wolff received a wound on the head 
from a falling limb while in charge of a company of 
choppers, the effects of which he will, doubtless, carry 
to his grave, being now a constant sufferer and threat- 
ened with the loss of sight ; in February, 1865, Capt. 
Wolff was promoted to Major of the regiment, and, soon 
after, was made Lieutenant Colonel, and was, at the 



creased their business ; as time progressed they added 
machinery which no other firm in Ohio has in use, made 
necessary by the march of time, until now their shops 
are fully supplied with everything needed in the busi- 
ness ; the character of the work attests its quality, 
while sales in all parts of this and adjoining Stales 
establish its merits ; twenty-two men are now em- 
ployed. 

WOLFE, NORMAN M., born in Monroe Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, July 6, 1849 ; engaged on the home 
farm for many years ; took his academical course in 
Greentown Academy, at Perrysville, spending the winter 
term at teaching country schools, and finally promoted 
to the situation of Assistant Teacher of Mathematics 



*7 



(T' 



"re 



4 




in the academy. He attended the University of 
Wooster, and completed his education at Amherst Col- 
lege, Massachusetts ; was elected Principal of Mahon- 
ing Institute, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in which position 
he remained until the spring of 1876 ; began the study 
of law on the 14th day of April, 1876 ; was admitted to 
the bar by the Supreme Court, at Columbus, Ohio, May 
7, 1878 ; formed a partnership with William H. Pritch- 
ard, for the practice of law, Dec. 1, 1879 ; the style of 
the firm is Pritchard & Wolfe, is enjoying a most envi- 
able reputation as lawyers, and have their oflBce in P. 
0. Block, North Park street, Mansfield, Ohio. Mr. 
Wolfe was married to Miss Jennie Leiter Sept. 22, 1877, 
and his family now consists of his wife and daughter, 
Grace May, aged 2 years. In politics, Mr. Wolfe is an 
active Democrat, holding official positions in the cam- 
paign clubs of his party, and, in the spring of 1879, was 
elected to the office of City Solicitor for Mansfield. 

WOLFE, SAMUEL G., COL. (deceased), born in Wyo- 
ming Valley, Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1798 ; his father, 
Jacob Wolfe, dying, his mother, Eleanor Wolfe, with 
Samuel, Peter and Jacob, her sons, and Eliza, Maria, 
Catherine and Artemisia, her daughters, along with the 
Ayres families and the Culvers, emigrated to Ohio, the 
Wolfes and the Ayrses settling in Frederickstown, Knox 
Co., in 1807, being the second arrival to settle here. 
On the breaking-out of the war of 1812, Jacob volun- 
teered, and went to the army, serving in the regiment 
of Col. Lewis Cass ; Peter was a scout, and Samuel, be- 
ing but 14 years of age, was compelled to stay with the 
family as a help against the Indians. The Wolfe fam- 
ily moved to Mansfield in 1812, where Eliza taught 
school and kept military stores in the block-house. The 
Wolfes lived on the northwest corner of the premises 
now occupied and owned by John Wood, on West 
Market street. When Samuel became of age, he carried 
on the cabinet business there for some years, until he 
was elected Sheriff of the county ; he served in that 
capacity four years, and then was elected and re-elected 
Auditor of the county, serving four years ; he was a 
Colonel in the militia, and has been efficient in its 
organization, as well as a popular officer ; he was a man 
of commanding presence, and, like his brothers, large 
and over six feet in height. He exercised a great deal 
of influence in politics, and had many friends who 
desired to run him for Congress. He died in Seneca 
Co., Ohio, in 1868. 

WOLFARTH, JACOB, stonemason. He was born 
March 24, 1854, in Holmes Co. Married, Jan. 17, 
1875, to Lucy A. Smith, she was born in Seneca Co. 
May 26, 1854; they have the following children : Mary 
A., born March 24, 1876; Dorthea Barbary, Jan. 7, 
1878. Residence 115 West First street, Mansfield. 

WOLFERD, EZRA, shoemaker ; son of George Wol- 
ferd. He was born April 17, 1831, in Franklin Town- 
ship ; he engaged as an apprentice in 1847 with David 
Wise, of Mansfield, and served three years ; he has 
since that time been constantly engaged at his trade. 
He was married in 1854 to Feny Simmons, who was 
born in Germany ; they have two children — Stephen, 
born April 8, 1856, and Delia, July 26, 1860; Stephen 
was married to Minnie Longsdorf in 1879. Mrs. Feny 
Wolferd died in January, 1877. Mr. Wolferd is en- 
gaged with Rigby & Cox, working at his trade. 



WOOD, JOHN, proprietor woolen mills. He was 
born Nov. 22, 1819, in Concord, Mass.; he came to 
Ohio in 1837, located in Cleveland, remained there one 
year, then came to Mansfield ; engaged as clerk for E. 
P. Sturges, continued for six years ; in 1847, he en- 
gaged in partnership with Sturges Grimes & Co., after- 
ward changed to Sturges, Wood & Witter, wholesale 
merchants. He was married, Sept. 1, 1847, to Char- 
lotte B. Parker, daughter of Judge Parker ; she was 
born in 1823 in Mansfield ; they have four children — 
Edward P., born Aug. 16, 1848 ; he graduated at the 
Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., and is now in the 
navy ; Lizzie, William S. and Fannie P. 

WORDEN, MILTON W. (deceased). Judge Worden 
was born in Liverpool, Medina Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 
1839; after coming to this county, he resided for a 
number of years in Washington Township, where he was 
married, Nov. 22, 1859, to Miss Anna McFarland, 
daughter of an old resident of that township. Placed 
at an early age, by the death of his father, in circum- 
stances where it became necessary for him to depend 
in a large measure upon his own resources, he marked 
out for himself a path in life, which many a youth un- 
aided by fortune and friends, would have been fearful 
to essay, and by his integrity, valor and ability, reached 
a position in his brief life of twenty-nine years, in and 
by which he commanded the regard of his fellow-men, 
the esteem and respect of his comrades and the warm 
affections of his familiar friends. Judge Worden, by 
a course of preparatory studies and reading, fitted 
himself for, and gained admission to, the bar ; but the 
gates of the temple for him were closed almost simul- 
taneously with his entrance. The tocsin of the mighty 
rebellion was sounded ; the call of the country to arms 
was made, and he enlisted in the 32d 0. V. I., in the 
beginning of the rebellion ; while acting as Captain in 
that regiment at the battle of Harper's Ferry in 1862, 
he lost a leg, which incapacitated him for further serv- 
ice, when he returned to Mansfield and was elected 
Probate Judge for one term in the fall of 1864 ; he was 
shortly after appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue, 
which position he held at the time of his death. 
Judge Worden at the time of his death left a wife, Anna 
McFarland Worden, and five children— Ella, Martha 
E., Frank S., Albert Milton and Lillie, all of whom 
are living. 



Ton late for insertion in proper place. 

BOWLAND, ROBERT. He was born Sept. 19, 1774, 
in Pennsylvania. Was married in 1815, to Ann J. 
Mercer, who was born in February, 1791 ; came to 
Ohio in 1826, located in Mansfield and engaged in the 
dry goods business many years. Died in November, 
1857 ; Mrs. Bowland died in April, 1858. 

PRITCHARD & WOLFE, attorneys and counselors 
at law. The firm is composed of William H. Pritchard 
and Norman M. Wolfe, both natives of this county; 
Mr. Pritchard graduated from the University of Woos- 
ter in 1874; he then superintended the Shelby schools 
from 1875 to 1878; he began the practice of law Dec. 
1, 1878. Mr. Wolfe was educated at the University of 
Wooster, and, soon after leaving college, succeeded ot 



744 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the principalship of Mahoning Institute, remaining 
there two years ; resigning that charge, he returned to 
Richland Co., and, on the 14th of February, 1876, be- 
gan the study of law ; was admitted to the bar by the 
Supreme Court of Ohio on the 7th day of April, 1878, 
and, in December following, he formed a copartnership 
with William H. Pritchard for the practice of his pro- 
fession. Their rooms are in the Post Office Block. 

SNYDER, JOSEPH N., deceased ; his parents, John 
and Susan Stough Snyder, were loiig residents of Cum- 
berland Co., Penn.; Joseph was born in that county in 
1813, and was their first son ; he came to Richland Co. 
in 1835, where he resided until his death, which oc- 
curred in this city in the fall of 1869 ; when a young 
man, he acquired the trade of cabinet-maker, which 
vocation he followed for a number of years ; for many 
years previous to his death, he was engaged in house- 



painting, and was accounted the best workman in that 
line in the city ; he was a man well informed, and 
took an active interest in the political parties to which 
he belonged ; originally, he was an Old-Line Whig, but 
was known in after years as an adherent of the Demo- 
cratic party. He was married in this city to Miss 
Catherine Brickman ; they were the parents of five 
children, four of whom are living — three sons and one 
daughter. 

SNYDER, C. B., painter and glazier. He was born 
March 23, 1845, in Mansfield, the second son of Joseph 
N., deceased ; he is now actively engaged at his trade 
in this city, and is considered an expert workman. 
He was married in Mansfield in 1867, to Miss Amanda 
Harmon ; they are the parents of four children — Willie, 
Alice and Harry; Frank, the second son, died in 1875, 
aged 5 years. 



BLOOMING CROVE TOWNSHIP. 



ADAMS, THOMAS C, was born in Cumberland 
County, Penn., May 14, 1830, where he resided until 
the fall of 1851 ; he removed to Springfield, Clark 
Co. ; he remained there about one year, when he went 
to La Fayette, Ind. ; he stayed there about four years ; 
while there he paid his attention to milling ; he re- 
moved back to Cumberland County, on account of his 
health being somewhat impaired ; after his removal to 
Pennsylvania, he still followed the business as a mill- 
wright until he removed to this county, in May, 1863; 
when he first settled here it was nothing but a wilder- 
ness ; the second or third year after his removal here 
he built a saw-mill ; it was burned down June 20, 1872, 
but by the kind assistance of a few neighbors and 
friends he was soon able to rebuild ; the mill still 
stands, and runs a great part of the time. He was 
married Jan. 10, 1861, to Margaret A. Snyder, who was 
born in Perry County, Penn., March 29, 1840, where 
she resided until she, with her husband, removed to 
this county ; the fruits of this marriage are three 
children: Robert A., who was born Oct. 28, 1861, in 
Perry County, Penn. ; Anna M., born Nov. 25, 1864, 
in this county, and Mary Jane Grace, born Oct. 14, 
1866, also in (his county. Mr. Adams is a millwright 
by profession, although early in life he learned the 
tanning business, but never followed that vocation after 
leaving home. He has by strict economy made for 
himself and family a good home, now owning on the 
county line a good farm containing 76 acres, which he 
still manages aside from the management of his mill. 

ADAMS, W. B., was born in Union Co., Penn., 
June 7, 1857 ; he resided there until 1875, and then 
came to this county, where he has since lived ; his 
occupation since residence in the county has been buying 
and selling goods on the road for the firm of A. Sturgess 
& Co., He has given his employer entire satisfaction 
thus far; he intends to make this his future business. 

ALBRIGHT, HENRY; was born in Clear Creek 
Township, Ashland Co., Ohio, April 2, 1847, where he 



resided until the age of 14 years, when he soon after 
went into the army. He was a member of Co. B, 102d 
0. V. I. ; was enrolled on the 8th of August, 1862, and 
discharged in 1865, when he returned to his native 
place, where he resided for about two years, when he 
removed to this township, and has since resided here. 
Aug. 28, 1870, he was married to Miss Ellen Sonanstine. 
They have one child, a son — Arthur, aged 2 years. 
Mr. Albright is a blacksmith by trade, and carries on 
that business at this place, Shenandoah. This has been 
his occupation since the late war. He contracted the 
rheumatism while in the army, but has never made 
application for a pension, to which he is entitled. Mr. 
Albright has built up for himself here a very good 
trade, although his health does not permit him to labor 
hard. 

ALLEN, J. W. He was born in Shenandoah Co., 
near Mt. Jackson, Va., Oct. 20, 1811. He resided 
there until the year 1854, when he came to this county, 
and has since resided here. He is by profession a 
merchant tailor, as well as a druggist, which business 
he now carries on in Rome. In the year 1833, on the 
12th of September, he was married to Miss Catherine 
J. Sonanstine; they had four children, three of whom 
are living — .Joseph F., James William, and Mary Jane. 
The one deceased — Virginia C. — died in 1864, at the 
age of 18 years 8 months and 14 days. Mr. A. studied 
and practiced medicine previous to his coming here, 
although he has not paid much of his attention to his 
profession at this place. He attended lectures at Jef- 
ferson College at Baltimore, Md. 

ALSDORF, ADAM W. Was born in Ashland Co., 
Milton Township, then Richland Co., where he resided 
until the age of 32 years, when he removed to this 
township, where he has since resided. He has paid 
most of his attention to farming and dealing in stock. 
Mr. Alsdorf is now one of the Trustees of his township, 
which shows the estimation in which he is held by the 
people of the township which he represents. Feb. 4, 



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BLOOMING GEOVE TOWNSHIP. 



745 



1865, he was married to Miss Minerva Gates ; they have 
four children living — Arniinda, Dora A., Cyrus A., 
and Herney C. The health-of their family is good. 
Mr. Alsdorf has, by good management and strict atten- 
tion to business, made for himself and family a good 
home. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all in the 
community in which he resides. 

ANDERSON, WILLIAM C, Shenandoah; he was 
born in Preble Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 1841, where he re- 
sided until the age of 11, when his parents removed to 
Randolph Co., Ind., where they remained about two 
years, when they came to Richland Co., where they 
have since resided. In 1857, Mr. Anderson learned 
the trade of shoemaker, at which he has worked, until 
within the past year he has been paying some attention 
to the shipping of stock, the purchase of hides and 
furs, and the boring of wells. In 1865, he was married 
to Elizabeth A. Burgoyne. Their four children are liv- 
ing — Lena Ann, Bettie E., Stella V. and Lois. During 
the war, Mr. Anderson enlisted in April, 1861, for 
three months; again, in 1862, for the same time; again 
in October of the same year ; and when the three- 
months troops were called, he again went into the serv- 
ice — enlisting four diiferent times, receiving an hon- 
orable discharge each time. Mr. Anderson never 
interested himself much in politics, but has been 
Township Trustee several terms. 

ARMSTRONG, SAMUEL M., was born in Franklin 
Township, this county, on the 1st day of July, 1830; 
he resided here until the spring of 1841, when his 
parents removed to this township, and where he has 
since resided. Mr. Armstrong is by profession a shoe- 
maker, and followed that until the war broke out, 
when he enrolled himself as a member of Co. F, 82d 
0. V. T., on the 30th day of November, and was 
discharged on the 25th of August, 1865 ; he was in the 
numerous battles the regiment was called upon to en- 
gage in ; he received a gun-shot wound in the right 
hip at the battle of Dallas, in front of Atlanta. Since 
the war, Mr. Armstrong has been farming. In the fall 
of 1856, on the 16th of October, he was married to 
Miss Sarah J. Burns. They have had nine children, 
seven of whom are still living, and named Mary E., 
Flora Bell, George W., Nettie May, Eva A., Wilber B. 
and Frank N.; Mary Elizabeth is married ; the ones 
deceased are Charley F., who died at the age of 2 years 
and 5 months ; the youngest, Perry S., died at the age 
of 4 months. Mr. Armstrong's father and mother are 
still living, and reside with him. His father was born 
Dec 29, 1800, in Adams Co., Penn. He was 2 years of 
age when he removed to this State, and at the age of 
22 he came to this county, which makes him a resident 
of the county for a period of fifty-eight years. 

ARMSTRONG, JOHN H , was born in this county 
on the 10th of December, 1836, and has since resided 
in the county, with the exception of the war. He en- 
rolled himself as a soldier Aug. 25, 1861 ; he was a 
member of Co. M, 2d 0. V. C, and was discharged 
Oct. 7, 1864. His vocation, principally, is that of 
farming. In the year 1866, he was married to Miss 
Susannah Pifer. They have reared a family of six 
children, all of whom are still living, with the excep- 
tion of the last one, who died in infancy ; the others 
are named, respectivelj, Effie M., Harold B., Tennie 



E., Virgia, Claudia and Florence. His wife died Jan, 
26, 1880 ; she was a lady of exemplary character, and 
a consistent Christian. 

BACKENSTO, ANTHONY J., was born in this 
county April 20, 1851, where he has since resided, and 
has lived in this township for a period of six years ; 
his occupation has been that of farming all his life. 
In the year 1871, June 15, he was married to Miss Jane 
Eller ; they have two children, both of which are 
still living, and named Ira E. and Ernestus C. The 
health of his family, together with himself, is not very 
good, and has not been since he removed to this place, 
he being troubled with the heart disease, while that of 
his wife and that of the oldest child is good, but the 
youngest has never been very rugged, although Mr. 
Backensto lives in one of the healthiest localities in his 
township, as well as one of the most pleasant ; although 
the hand of disease has laid its hand upon him, he has 
the satisfaction to know that himself and family enjoy 
the respect of all in the community where he resides. 

BAKER, PETER, was born in Germany Nov. 11, 
1835; when at the age of 18 years, he came to this 
country and located in New York City, where he re- 
sided until the year 1868, when he removed to Ashland 
Co., where he remained three years : from there 
he removed to Windsor, this county, where he stayed 
six years; from there he moved back to Ashland 
County, where he lived a short time, when he moved 
back to this county, and located in this place, Rome, 
where he manufactures boots and shoes of all grades, 
He also has a notion store. His trade is that of shoe- 
maker, and he has always made that his business. He 
learned the trade in Germany before he came to this 
country. In the year 1856, June 16, he was married to 
Miss Catherine Abeale, in New York City ; they have 
had nine children, six of whom are still living, and 
named Leana, John, Frederick, Rosa, Augusta and 
Laura ; three died in New York City, named Henry, 
Annie and Emma. 

BAKER, GUSTAVUS B., was born in Hampshire 
Co., Va.. on the 24th February, 1834, where he resided 
until the age of 4 years, when his parents removed to 
Cumberland Co., Penn., where they remained about 
five years, and from there they removed to Knox Co., 
Ohio, where they stayed one year, and from there to 
this township, where he has since resided, and has 
always paid the most of his attention to farming. In 
the year 1859, on the 14th of February, he was married 
to Miss Feann SlauiFer ; they raised a family of eight 
children, seven of whom are still living, and named 
Cornelius 0., Mary E., Sarah E., Harry A., Augusta 
D., Perry B. and Alice M. ; the one who died was Ben- 
jamin F. ; he departed this life on the 19th of February, 
1872, aged 12 years and 8 months. 

BAKER, JOSIAH, was born in Cass Township, on 
the 7th of June, 1843, and has always resided in the 
county, although he has moved, from time to time, 
from one township to another, and has recently sold 
his farm in this township and purchased one in Frank- 
lin, where he intends to make his future home. Mr, 
Baker has never turned his attention to political mat- 
ters to any great extent, although he has represented 
his township as Trustee two terms, and is now Super^ 
visor and School Director. In the year 1865, on the 



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746 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



27th of May, he was married to Miss Sarah Arnold ; 
they have a family of four children, three of whom are 
still living — Lizzie M., George B. and Curtiss C; An- 
drew S. departed this life on the 13th of December, 
1866, aged 3 months and 24 days. He has always paid 
his attention to farming, and, by good management and 
strict attention to business, has made for himself and 
family a good home. 

BARR, JOHN C, was born in Noble Co., Ind., on the 
27th of September, 1855, where he resided until the 
age of 2 years, when he removed to this county and 
where he has since resided ; Mr. Barr is by profession 
a blacksmith, which he carries on at Ganges ; he is 
considered by all to be proficient at the business. In 
the year 1877, he was married to Miss Libbie A. Stoer ; 
they have no children. 

BASHORA, ISAIAH, was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., on the 26th of April, 1883; at the age of 2 
years, his parents removed to the State of New York, 
where they resided about ten years, when they came 
to this State and located in Shelby, where they lived 
about six years ; thence they went to Bucyrus, where 
they remained until 1848, when they removed to Wis- 
consin, where they lived two and one-half years ; they 
then returned to Bucyrus, where our subject remained 
until 1858, and thence he removed to this township, 
and has remained here ever since, with the exception 
of six months in Wood Co. and four years at Shiloh. 
In the year 1853, on Feb. 12, he was married to Miss 
Suzanah Hess ; they have a family of four children, 
three of whom are living — Henrietta, Maggie J. and 
Ruehamie ; the one deceased, Esther, departed this life 
in August, 1858. Mr. B. is by profession a blacksmith, 
and he, together with Mr. Burns, carries on that busi- 
ness at Rome in all its branches, where they do work 
right and at prices to suit the times. 

BELLMAN, ANDREW J., was born in Middleburg, 
Portage Co., Ohio, Aug. l":*, 1836 ; when at the age of 
6 months, his parents removed to Plymouth, in this 
county, since which time he has resided in this county; 
in 1871, he removed to this township, which place has 
since been his home ; at the age of 15 years, he com- 
menced at the cabinet and chair making business, 
which trade he has made his vocation until his removal 
here at Shenandoah, where he has been engaged, to- 
gether with his trade of carriage and wagon making, as 
well as the carpenter trade, house-painting and turn- 
ing, and also paper-hanging — in all of which he is con- 
sidered proficient. In the year 1858, on Jan. 28, he 
was married to Miss Mary Jane Sonanstine ; they have 
had six children, four of whom are still living— Car- 
rie, Eddie, Fred and Florence J.; the ones that died 
were Kittie and an infant. Mr. Bellman now carries 
on a repair-shop at this place, where he does and de- 
signs to repair anything that can be done by mechan- 
ical skill. 

BENEDICT, ABRAHAM, was born in Franklin Co., 
Penn., Aug. 11, 1834, where he resided with his 
parents until the age of about 7 years, when he re- 
moved with his parents to this county and township, 
where he has resided ever since, with the exception of 
about two years, when he resided in Williams and Ash- 
land Cos. about seven years. In the year 1857, Feb. 
22, he was married to Mary E. Stoner ; they have 



raised a family of four children — Henry N., Sarah 
Ann, Albert and Almira ; all are still living, and Mr. 
Benedict has, by strict integrity and good manage- 
ment, made for himself and family a good home, and 
while himself and [family enjoy good health, they en- 
joy the regard of all who know them; the father is 
dead, having died in Michigan ; his mother is still liv- 
ing with his sister, Margaret B., in Iowa, near the 
State line. 

BRICKER, LEVI, was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., 
on the 19th of December, 1817, where he resided until 
the age of 21 years, when he removed to this county 
and located in Franklin Township and rented a little 
cabin of his uncle, and worked out by the day's work. 
Mr. Bricker possessed only what he could bring in 
a one-horse wagon — wearing apparel, a few dishes, 
etc., $160 in money, his wife and one child. In the 
fall, Mr. Bricker began butchering for 75 cents per 
day, but soon after, his wages were raised to f 1 per day. 
Soon after, his brother-in-law gave him his two horses 
to go and trade for a stallion owned by one Gideon 
Lo'zier ; he went and traded one of the horses, gave |30 
to boot, payable in one year, and that rigged him for 
farming. This was the first of the year 1840. He 
rented a small place from the same party he made the 
trade with, containing 80 acres ; he cleared 3 acres for 
three crops, but Mr. Lozier having married again, 
he sold his crops to him and came over to this town- 
ship and located on John Arnold's place, and bought 
the crops on the grounds from one Mr. Livey, who had 
the place rented. Mr. Bricker lived there two years ; 
then he bought 80 acres of land in Franklin Township, 
all forest; built him a little cabin, into which he 
moved in the spring of 1843; he cleared his land 
in about three years, together with 10 acres of Philip 
Fisher's land adjoining his; he borrowed the money to 
purchase his land from his father-in-law, David Wer- 
ner ; the amount was $500 ; he paid him back annually 
with 5 per cent interest; he earned a great part of his 
money by driving horses over the mountains ; he made 
his first trip in 1845 with nine horses ; a great part of 
the way he went alone. Mr. Bricker followed that as 
his vocation every year until he located in this town- 
ship in 1852. Sometimes Mr. Bricker would have to 
walk back a great part of the way, as he could not get 
room on the coach ; he never came back but what he 
would always bring his money with him — from |1,000 
to $4,000, not in drafts, but generally in Lebanon bank 
money, which was just as good as the gold out here ; 
he was never robbed, nor was there ever any attempt 
to rob him. He bought the place which he now occu- 
pies in 1851, together with 44 acres, paying cash, $1,- 
500. Previous to this purchase, he bought the 160 
acres east of here for $1,600 cash, but had to borrow 
$400 ; his fathei'-in-law went his security. Mr. Bricker 
is considered one of the most successful business men 
in the county ; has given work to a great many men ; 
has always lent his aid in all public improvements, and 
is considered one of the largest land-owners in this 
part of the county. He has, by good management, 
and strict attention to business, made for himself and 
family a good home, having given his children over 
$50,000. Mr. Bricker well remembers when he would 
go through with horses, porters would say along the 






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BLOOMING GKOVE TOWNSHIP. 



747 



road that dealt in stock, as also in Philadelphia 
they would often make the remark: "There comes 
Bricker ; and what he tells you about his horses, you 
can rest assured is correct." Mr. Bricker made, net, 
over |1,600 in two trips with horses over the moun- 
tains. Mr. Bricker had by his first wife ten children, 
nine of whom are living. By his second wife three, all 
of whom are living. Mr. Tobias Coffman, of Lancaster, 
Penn., claims that Mr. Bricker can beat any man in 
America on the "jig dance;" he says he will bet his 
last dollar on him as regards time. 

BURGOYNE, GEORGE, was born in Dolphin Co., 
Penn., on the 28th of .June, 1802, where he resided 
until the year 1833, when he removed to this township, 
and where he has since resided. Mr. Burgoyne is a 
tanner by profession, and followed that as his vocation 
until the year 1840, since when he has paid his atten- 
tion to farming. In the year 1880, on the 25th of 
March, he was married to Miss Anna Bell ; they have 
a family of five children, all of whom are living, named 
Alfred, Hannah .Jane, .John P., George A, and Eliza- 
beth Ann. Mr. Burgoyne is one of the oldest surviv- 
ing settlers of this county, and he, together with his 
brother associates, can recall many hardships and pri- 
vations that he had to contend with, that the present, 
as well as the future generations, will never know nor 
experience. 

BURGOYNE, .JOHN P., was born in this township 
on the 13th of .June, 1836, where he has since resided. 
Mr. Burgoyne has always paid his attention to farm- 
ing. He has never paid much attention to political 
matters. In the year 1862, on the 5th of March, he 
was married to Miss Elisabeth Cline ; they have one 
son — George F. 

BURNS, JAMES A., was born in this township Jan. 
24, 1841, and has always resided here, with the excep- 
tion of three years he was in the late war ; he enlisted 
Sept. 7, 1861 ; was a member of Co. E, 3d 0. V. I. ; he 
was discharged Oct. 3, 1864. Mr. Burns is a black- 
smith by trade, having learned the trade at the age of 
18 years, and has since followed that as his vocation ; 
he now carries on the blacksmithing business at this 
place (Rome), where he does all kinds of work pertain- 
ing to the business. On the 12th of July, 1865, he 
was married to Miss Elisabeth Burns, who was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn., Feb. 18, 1838; they have four 
children, all of whom are living — Charles F., Clinton, 
Victor L. and Minnie. The health of himself and 
family is good. Mr. Burns has, by strict attention to 
business, built up for himself a good trade. 

BURNS, WILLIAM F., was born in this county and 
township April 1, 1843; his principal vocation has 
been that of farming ; he engaged himself at the car- 
penter trade for about three years. He is the eighth 
child of William and Mary Burns, of whom mention 
is made in another part of this work, as their lives 
are connected with the early part of the county. In 
the year 1870, Jan. 25, he was married to Miss Lo- 
vina Zeigler. They have raised a family of five chil- 
dren, named Curtis A., Flora E., Scott A., Carrie L. 
and the baby. Mr. Burns was a member of Co. F, 82d 0. 
V. I., and was enrolled on the 5th of November, 1862, 
and was discharged from the service the 24th of July, 
1865, at Louisville, Ky.; he participated in all the dif- 



ferent battles and marches that his regiment was called 
upon to participate and engage in, having, during his 
time of service, marched a distance of over three thou- 
sand miles, 'as the records will show ; he entered the 
service as private, and was discharged with the rank of 
corporal. 

CARROTHERS, JAMES, was born in Washington 
Township, this county, April 6, 1830, where he resided 
until the age of 15 years, when he went to Williams 
Co., where he learned the carpenter trade; remained 
there until he finished his trade, when he went to 
Michigan, where he stayed two years ; then to Wiscon- 
sin, where he remained until 1857, when he removed 
to the State of Minnesota; stayed there one summer, 
then started for the frontier, in Upper Minnesota, where 
he remained until he was compelled to leave on account 
of Indian troubles in 1862 ; his wife and two cliildren 
were captured ; he then volunteered to fight the Indi- 
ans, which service he served about two weeks ; in the 
mean time his wife and children made their escape ; he 
then enrolled himself as member of the 1st Wisconsin 
Battery, where he remained until the war closed, when 
he returned to the frontier and commenced work at his 
trade again; worked about fiveyears, disposed of his land, 
then went to Iowa, where he stayed about two years, 
and at the expiration of that time he came back to his 
native county and located in this township, where he has 
since resided and worked at his trade until now, 
with the exception of what time he spent in inventing 
a sawing machine, which is considered by all a very 
valuable improvement in sawing timber of all kinds — 
can work it by hand or steam power ; it is so con- 
structed that two men can saw twenty cords of wood in 
one day, with perfect ease, by hand-power, without the 
use of steam or horse power ; they can saw large tim- 
ber as well as small ; the inventor has taken in with 
him a partner, and if they take the pains to show the 
merits of this machine, it will soon be in use all over 
our land, as it is conceded by all who have seen it work 
to have no equal of anything of its kind yet invented. 
He was first married to Miss Helen Marr-Paddock ; 
they had two children, who are still living, named Al- 
thir and Thomas W. He married his second wife, Miss 
Mary Jane Ferguson, Jan. 18, 1876 ; they have two 
children — Albert A. and Elisabeth Jane, who are still 
living. Himself and family enjoy good health, and 
have the regards of all around them. 

CHEW, EZEKIEL, Sr. (deceased), was born May 13, 
1805, near Winchester, Va.; while he was theinfant of the 
family, his father, the late William Chew, came to Ohio 
and settled in Harrison Co., and at the age of 17 he came 
to Richland Co., with his uncle Thomas Dickerson, 
learning from his uncle the trade of a blacksmith, 
which business he followed for sixteen years. In the 
mean time, May 27, 1827, at the age of 22, he and 
Elizabeth Hackett were married, and settled on the 
land which is now a part of his " homestead farm." 
His wife died February, 1847, leaving six children 
in his care. He again married, on June 24, 1850, 
Amanda M. Phelps ; two children were born, Ezekiel 
Martin and Laroka Phelps. Our subject was time 
and again chosen as the Magistrate of his town- 
ship, and, in the charge of his ofiicial duties, so wisely 
counseled, that but little litigation was carried on. In 



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.-5) 



748 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1848, he was elected by the General Assembly an Asso- 
ciate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of this 
county, occupying the bench with Judges Steward, 
McCullough and Barr, and remained there until the 
ofiBce of Associate Judge was discontinued by the new 
constitution. In the discharge of his judicial duties, he 
was prompt, able and honest. The older members of 
the bar of Richland Co., without exception, bear cheer- 
ful testimony that the judicial robes were by him unsul- 
lied. His political convictions were strong, always act- 
ing with the Democratic party. He was one of the 
charter members of the Rome Lodge of I. 0. 0. F., No. 
158. He was for many years a member of the Masonic 
Order, and of Mansfield Lodge, No. 86. By his breth- 
ren of Mansfield and other lodges, his mortal remains 
were consigned to the tomb. 

CHEW, EZEKIEL M., was born July 2, 1851, on the 
farm on which he now resides and owns. July 4, 1876, 
he was married to Alverda E. Ferrell, by whom he has 
one son, Oro Lotis. Mr. Chew is a member in good 
standing in four secret orders. He joined the I. 0. 0. F. 
in 1873, and the Moriah Encampment in 1874, 
and the Patrons of Husbandry in 1875, and the 
Royal Arcanum in 1879. His political convictions are 
strong, and very zealous, always acting with the Dem- 
ocratic party. 

CHEW, WILLIAM M., was born in Jefferson Co., 
this State, on the 2d day of July, 1829, where he 
resided until the age of 15, when his parents removed 
to this township, where he has since resided ; Mr. 
Chew has paid the most of his attention to farming. 
In the year 1853, he was married to Miss Chew, who 
died in 1867 ; they reared a family of four children, 
who are still living, and named Franklin P., George 
W., Thomas J. and Ruble A. ; in 1872, he was again 
married, to Miss Matilda Whisler ; they have a family 
of five children, four of whom are living — Viola, 
Maud, Alpheus and Pere; the one deceased died in 
infancy. 

CHEW, AMIE, MRS., is the widow of the late 
Joseph Chew, who died on the 5th of October, 1877, 
and who was born in Jefferson Co., this State, in the 
year 1831; when 10 years old (in 1841), his parents 
removed to this county, where he lived until his death ; 
he was a teacher by profession ; he was married to 
Miss Amie Charles on the 23d of March, 1864; they 
reared a family of six children, all of whom are still 
living, and named Lettie A., Mary E., Silas S., Clement 
v., riara C. and Emily W. The health of Mrs. Chew's 
family is generally good ; she is able to attend to the 
management of her place and keep four of her chil- 
dren at school. They all enjoy the regards of all 
in the community in which they reside. 

CHEW, AMON S. ; he is the son of William and 
Leddie Chew. William Chew was born in October, 
1770, in the State of Maryland, and Mrs. Chew was 
born in old "Virginia about the year 1787. Our sub- 
ject, Mr. Amon Chew, was born in Harrison Co., this 
State, Oct. 15, 1811, and, about the year 1822, his 
parents removed to this county, Monroe Township, 
where they resided until their death ; Mr. Chew lived 
there about twelve years, and then removed to this 
township, and has resided here ever since ; his mother 
died in the year 1855, and his father, William Chew, 



died in the fall of 1866 ; this subject is the thirteenth 
child of his parents, who raised a family of seventeen 
children ; he has resided in this township since the 
year 1834. In the following year after he located 
here, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Gutherie ; they 
raised a family of two children ; his wife died Dec. 18, 
1837 ; in the year 1839, on April 2, he was again mar- 
ried, to Miss Mary Hackett ; they raised a family of 
six children, only one of whom, Elizabeth (the wife of 
.J. G. Hackett) is now living; Mr. Chew's second wife 
died Sept. 30, 1878. He has been from time to time 
elected to ofiSces of trust, such as Assessor and Treas- 
urer for several years of his township. He has, by 
strict economy and good management, made for himself 
a good home. He enjoys the respect and esteem 
of all who know him ; his oldest son, William, died 
while serving his country during the war in the capac- 
ity of Sergeant. 

CHEW, E. J., was born Dec. 18, 1853, in this town- 
ship, and is the second and youngest child of George 
H. and Sarah P. Chew, who was also born in this 
county ; his fiither died twenty-one years ago, his 
mother the following year ; after the death of his 
parents, his uncle, Amon Chew, took him to raise when 
but a mere boy; he remained with his uncle until the 
age of 16 years, when he went out into the world for 
himself, and has from time to time followed different 
vocations ; he is a blacksmith by trade, and a rail- 
roader ; he has also paid some attention to farming ; in 
1875, he took a trip to California, but, not liking the 
country, and the climate not agreeing with him as well 
as his native place, he only remained there about nine 
months, when he I'eturned home. 

CLELAND, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Shiloh : he was born in Washington Co., Penn., 
June 18, 1816 ; his parents, John and Margaret Cle- 
land, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 9, in 
Township 23, Range 18, in 1824 ; his father drove a 
four-horse team from the East, when they emigrated, 
and his mother rode on horseback; carrying one child; 
the parents were natives of Washington Co.; the father 
was of Irish parentage, the mother of German ; about 
two years after settling in this county, the father died, 
leaving the mother and a tamily of six small children ; 
the eldest child left home to learn a trade, and to the 
next, the subject of this sketch, fell the burden of aid- 
ing his mother in a struggle for existence ; he was then 
about ten years of age ; by industry and hard labor the 
farm was cleared and made remunerative. The nearest 
mill was on the Huron River, seven or eight miles 
away ; he took the grist there for grinding, sometimes 
u«ing the oxen and the sled, sometimes the corn was 
put in one end of a sack, a stone in the other, and 
thrown over a horse on which he was mounted. Plym- 
outh was the post office ; no school or church was in the 
neighborhood ; when the schoolhouse was built, greased 
paper served for window lights, slabs answered for 
seats, and, on Sabbaths, divine service supplanted the 
educational routine of the week days. Mr. C. was 
married to Charlotte Cline Jan. 8, 1844; they have 
seven children — ^Elisabeth, Celesta, Margaret, Jairus, 
Hattie, Ida and Henry. After Mr. C.'s marriage, he 
remained on his father's farm, which he finally pur- 
chased, adding to it till he now owns 320 acres of 



^( 



k* 



BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



749 



well-improved land, with good buildings. He has held 
the office of Township Trustee several years, and has 
all his life been an active and useful citizen. 

CLELAND, AMAZIAH, was born in Washington 
Co., Penn., Oct. 11, 1822. At the age of 2 years, his 
parents removed to this township, where Mr. Cleland 
has since lived, with the exception of about eighteen 
years he spent in Huron Co. (New Haven). He is the 
youngest of six children of John and Margaret Cle- 
land. He was married, April 1, 1849, to Ellen L. 
Stewart, who was born in Steuben Co., Penn., in 1829. 
They have seven children, of whom five are living, 
named Ezra S., William, Emline B., Herman W. and 
Edna; the ones that died are named Wilson and Phebe. 
Mr. Cleland is by profe-<fsion a blacksmith, and followed 
that vocation, from time to time, for a period of five 
years ; he has also been in the mercantile business 
about seven years, and the balance of his life has been 
spent on the farm ; his eldest son, Ezra S., is married. 

CLINESMITH, WM. H., was born in this county on 
the 11th of December, 184f), where he has always lived; 
he has always paid the most of his attention to farming, 
although he is by profession a carpenter and also a 
millwright ; he has worked at both of these vocations 
from time to time. Dec. 11, 1872, he was married to 
Miss Sarah Wood ; they have had three children, all 
living — Jessie, Charles K., and Els wood. 

COBBAN, CHARLES I ., is the youngest child of 
James and Sarah Cobban. His father was born in 
Scotland in 1811 ; he came to this country in 1835, 
and came to this county in 1854 ; he was married 
twice — first to Helen Webster ; by this marriage he 
became the father of seven children — named John, 
James, James (2d), Isabel, William A., Francis M. 
and Mary Ellen ; only two are living, William A. and 
Isabel. His second wife's name was Sarah Beattie, 
who bore him four children — named .James A. and 
Charles I., who are still living ; the ones that died 
were Mary C. and Maggie. Both his wives were born 
in Scotland. Charles I. Cobban was born Nov. 25, 
1857, in this township, and has always lived here ; he 
was married Feb. 6, 1878, to Alwilda Bobbins, who 
was born in Wakeman, Huron Co., Nov. 29, 1859, and 
has resided in this county six years. Mr. Cobban has 
always been a farmer. 

CRAWFORD, WILLIAM, was born in Washington 
Co., Penn., Oct. 18, 1808, where he resided until the 
age of 15 years, T^hen he removed to this State, Colum- 
bia Co., where he resided until the age of 28 years, 
when he came to this township on the 6th of March, 
1843 ; he remembers the time well ; the ground was 
covered with snow ; he can recall the many hardships of 
himself and family in the days that are past and gone; at 
the age of 15 years, Mr. Crawford commenced to learn 
the carpenter trade, which he followed until he was able 
to buy a house of his own, since which time — about 
fifteen years — he purchased a farm, and has paid most 
of his attention to farming ; he has also been Trustee 
of his township ; in the year 1839, Feb. 23, he was 
married to Miss Nancy Quinn. Mr. Crawford has, by 
hard work, good management and strict attention to 
business, made for himself and wife a good home. 

CREVELING, A. W., was born in Columbia Co., 
Penn., Jan. 17, 1841, where he resided until the age of 



7 years, when his parents removed to this county and 
located in Cass Township, where they remained about 
seven years, when they removed to this township, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Creveling is the fifth 
child of Jacjb and Martha M. Creveling, who raised a 
family of seven children, all of whom are dead, with 
the exception of this subject. Mr. Creveling's father 
died Oct. 2, 1878 ; his mother is still living, and resides 
with him. Mr. Creveling has paid the most of his 
attention to farming, buying and feeding stock. In 
1868, July 4, he was married to Miss Zoradah Burns ; 
they have raised a family of three children — Verda, 
Dora and Boyd, all of whom ai-e still living. He has 
held the ofiice of Justice for three years ; he was elected 
on the Republican ticket. 

CROSIER, WILLIAM, was born in Juniata Co., 
Penn., Sept. 17, 1826; at the age of 8 years, his 
parents removed to this county ; in the spring of 1855, 
he went to California, where he remained about three 
years, when he came back to this county, where he 
has since resided. He was married, July 10, 1854, to 
Eveline Shamp, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, 
Dec. 4, 1836 ; when a babe, her parents removed to 
Huron Co.; resided there until the age of 10 years, 
when her parents came to this county, where she has 
since lived. They have had eleven children, five of 
whom are still living — Nora J., Mary Ida, Emma, Al 
bert and Charles B.; those that died are named Annie, 
Bell, Ruby, Bertha, Thomas and Hattie. Mr. Crosier 
has always farmed as his vocation, which business he 
still follows. 

DAVIS, SAMUEL, was born in Columbiana Co. Jan. 
29, 1831 ; when 2| years old, his parents removed to 
Clear Creek Township, Ashland Co.; he lived there 
until the age of 19, when he removed to Butler Town- 
ship, and has since lived in different townships in this 
county, with the exception of about two years he re- 
sided in Ashland Co.; he has always farmed from boy- 
hood ; has part of the time traveled on the road, selling 
different articles of merchandise. He was married 
April 24, 1851, to Louisa J. Barns, who was born in 
Huron Co., where she lived until the age of 8 years, 
when she came to this county, and has always lived 
here since ; they have had four children, three of whom 
are still living — Almira Cordelia, Mary L. and Minnie 
Maud ; Elisabeth Jane departed this life Jan. 4, 1878, 
aged 26 years, 8 months and 11 days. She was mar- 
ried to Mr. George Wolfersberger ; Almira C. is mar- 
ried to Sylvanus Hodges. 

DE LANCY, JOHN, was born in Cass Township Oct. 
22, 1848, where he resided until 28 years of age, when 
he removed to this township, and has since resided 
here. He was married, Sept. 4, 187 i, to Louisa Hus- 
ton, who was born on the place Mr. DeLancy now owns, 
she was born Sept. 16, 1854 ; they have had two chil- 
dren, both are living and named Sarah Ann and Liz- 
zie. Mr. De Lancy has followed farming, although 
for the past two years, he has been engaged in 
selling the combined Hubbard reaper and mower, 
manufactured at Fremont, Ohio, in which capacity he 
has met with decided success, as the machine he repre- 
sents is first class in every respect, and is conceded by 
all who are acquainted with the machine, to be as good 



r^ 



^ 



750 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



for all purposes as any others manufactured. Mr. De 
Lancy is agent for a part of Huron and Richland 
Counties. 

DEVORE, PHILIP C, was born in this county and 
township and on the farm which he now owns and re- 
sides ; but about twelve years ago he removed with his 
family to Kansas, where he resided about eight years, 
when he moved back to this county, and located on the 
farm above mentioned ; Mr. Devore was born Dec. 18, 
1842, and has paid the most of his attention to the livery 
business, has also been in the merchandise business ; 
but of late his business has been that of farming. In 
the year 1866, April 2, he was married to Margaret 
Sutch ; they have raised a family of four children, 
three of whom are still living, named Allen, Elipphlet, 
Dora and a babe, aged 8 months, named Harry ; the one 
that is dead was an infant ; this subject is the third 
child of Soxley and Cathrine Devore. Mr. Devore has 
by strict attention to business accumulated for himself 
and family a good home, he now owning the undivided 
half of the old homestead. 

DICKERSON, THOMAS, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Shiloh. Mr. D. was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, 
July 11, 1822; his parents brought him to Blooming 
Grove in October of the same year. His earliest recol- 
lections are those concerning wolves and Indians. He 
often hid himself under the bed when they would come 
to the cabin. He enjoyed the meager facilities of the 
day for getting an education. He remained with his 
parents till 21 years of age. Nov. 80, 1843, he was 
married to Susannah Miller, by whom he had nine chil- 
dren, six boys and three girls — William, Manuel, An- 
gelina, George, Ambrose, Irena, Ellis, Ellsworth and 
Amon. He and his wife and two daughters remain on 
the farm, which he entered at the land office at Wooster 
in 1819. Mr. D.'s father was a native of Fayette Co., 
Penn.; he came to Harrison Co., and was married to 
Mary Chew in 1819. In this county he lived until 
1822, when he came to this county, entered a quarter- 
section and on it built his cabin. He had learned the 
blacksmith trade, which, in his condition, was a great 
advantage; as such, he was of great value to the In- 
dians, who frequently came to his shop for the repairs 
of their rude tools. In the history of the township, 
several incidents are narrated concerning his life here. 
He lived on the farm until his death, Sept. 10, 1845. 

DICKERSON, GEORGE 0., was born in this county 
Aug. 22, 1852, where he has since resided. He has 
always followed farming as his vocation ; he has also 
followed saw-milling for about three years. He was 
married, Dec. 17, 1876, to Annie Mary Adams ; they 
have one child — Almeda. 

EHRET, CHRISTIAN H., was born in Germany 
May 4, 1798, where he resided until the age of 19 
years, when he removed to the United States and lo- 
cated in Pennsylvania, where he resided a few years, 
when he removed to this State and located in this 
county and township, and has resided here ever since. 
He married Miss Elizabeth Phiper while in Pennsyl- 
vania, but, soon after he removed to this State, she 
died, and about the year 1836, he was again married 
to Miss Cathrine Pifer, who was born in Pennsylvania 
Sept. 19, 1818 ; she, at the age of 14 years, removed 



with her parents to this county, where she has since 
resided, and is, together with Mr. Ehret, considered one 
of the oldest surviving settlers of the county ; they have 
raised a family of eight children, five of whom are still 
living and married — Elisabeth, Cathrine, Susannah, 
Jacob P. and Frank, who is the youngest of the family ; 
the children are all married, with the exception of Miss 
Cathrine. Mr. Ehret had by his first wife three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living — Charlotte and Salley, 
who are also married ; death has taken from the family 
four children. Mr. Ehret is strict in his religious 
principles, having united with the German Reformed 
Church at an early day, and has adhered to that de- 
nomination ever since. Mrs. Ehret has been a member 
of the same church for the last few years. Mr. Ehret's 
eyes have been afflicted somewhat, as also his health in 
general, but he is still able to be about. He, with his 
family, enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know 
them. He has, by hard work and good management, 
made for himself and family a good home. 

, ELLIS, SIDNEY, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y.. 
Nov. 9, 1824, where he resided until the age of 25 
years, when he removed to Huron Co., this State, where 
he remained eight years, then went back to New York ; 
he stayed there four years, then went back to Huron 
Co. again, where he stayed eleven years ; then he 
removed to this county, and has since resided here. 
He was married, Aug. 22, 1846, to Miss Hannah Bene 
diet, who was also born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. ; they 
have had four children, all living, and named Polly M., 
Ella S., Louisa C. and Stephen E. Mr. Ellis has 
always paid his attention to farming and raising stock, 
and still carries on that business on the farm he now 
owns. 

FERGUSON, HARRISON, was born in this county 
on the 15th of April, 1827; he has since resided in 
the county, with the exception of about sixteen years 
he lived in Ashland Co., since which Blooming Grove 
Township has been his home. Although Mr. Ferguson 
was raised a farmer and followed that as his vocation 
until the last few years, he has been in the employ of 
the Wilson Sewing Machine Company ; every one knows 
the machine cannot be excelled by any of its competitors 
for its simplicity of construction, its lightness in run- 
ning, its lasting powers ; and is considered by many 
who claim to be judges, to be far superior to any other 
machine in every respect, as the increasing demand 
shows throughout the country ; Mr. Ferguson intends 
to keep constantly on hand a full supply of these 
machines, together with a full supply of attach- 
ments to accommodate all, and hopes by its merits to 
obtain his share of public patronage. In the year 
1850, on the 11th of June, he was married to Miss 
Mary Shoemaker ; they have a family of three chil- 
dren — Hannah M., Martin M. and Harriet Alice; 
Hannah M. and Martin M. are married, while Harriet 
A. resides with her parents. 

FERGUSON, MARTIN M., was born in Ashland Co. 
on the 13th of November, 1852, where he resided until 
the age of 13, when his parents removed to this town- 
ship, where he has since remained ; has always paid 
his attention to farming. Feb. 4, 1875, he was married 
to Miss Mary C. Hesig ; they had one child named 



ir 



*i: 



BLOOMING GKOVE TOWNSHIP. 



751 



Leonard S., who died at the age of 1 year and 8 months 
and 7 days. 

FERRELL, GEORGE VV., was born in Ashland Co., 
then Richland, in Milton Township, Jan. 10, 1828, 
where he resided until the year 1864, when he removed 
to this township, and where he has since resided ; Mr. 
Ferrell is a cooper by trade, and he followed that as his 
vocation together with that of farming, until the last 
eight years ; since then he pays all his attention to farm- 
ing and dealing in stock. In the year 1850, April 
18, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Martin; they 
have had six children, all of whom are still living, and 
named Irvin S., Austin M., Arthur W., Alberda E., 
Adolphus S. and Adella R., four of whom are now 
married. Mr. Ferrell has from time to time held offices 
of trust in his township, and is now Treasurer of the 
township ; Mr. Ferrell has, by good management and 
strict attention to business, made for himself and fam- 
ily a good home, while himself and family have the re- 
gards of all where they reside. 

FINKBINER, ANDREW W., was born in this county 
on the 16th of September, 1859 ; he has since resided 
here, and has paid his attention to farming until within 
the past few years he has learned the carpenter and 
joiner trade, which occupation he intends to make his 
vocation. 

FLOOK, CASPER, was born in Hopeful Township, 
Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 20, 1815, where he resided 
until the age of 18 years, when he came to this county, 
where he has since resided ; he has lived in this town- 
ship thirty-five years. He was married in December, 
1835, to Melinda Edwards ; they have five children, 
all of whom are living — Mary Jane, Leander T., Am- 
berson A., Margaret Ann and Sanford S. Mr. Flook 
has always farmed ; when he first came here, he 
cleared land for two crops ; a few years after, he bought 
the 80 acres he now occupies, and cleared it all himself. 
He is among the surviving settlers of his township. 

GATES, MARTIN, was born in Washington Co., 
Penn., Dec. 10, 1821, where he resided until 1823, 
when his parents removed to this county, where he has 
since resided ; although he has lived a part of his time 
in diiferent townships, he now lives in this township, 
where he has been about fifteen years ; he has always 
paid his attention to farming and handling stock. In 
the year 1843, on the 9th of May, he was married to 
Miss Frances Urquhart ; they have reared a family of 
ten children, nine of whom are still living — John, 
Margaret E., Samuel C, Mary C, Jacob, Cass H., 
Rosman E., Sallie and Martin ; George W. died April 
15, 1870, at the age of 4 years 1 month and 22 days. 
The health of Mr. Gates' family is generally good, with 
the exception of three of the children, whose health is 
somewhat impaired. Mr. Gates is among the surviving 
pioneers of the county, as well as his wife, who was 
born in the county, and who is still living, aged 56 
years almost ; they can recall many hardships and 
privations that they, together with their associates, had 
to contend with, that the present as well as the future 
generations will never know nor experience. 

GATES, JACOB H., was born in this county March 
15, 1852; he has since resided here, and has always 
paid his attention to farming and handling stock. In 
the year 1873, on the 4th of July, he was married to 



Miss Alice Bly ; they have a ftimily of four children, 
all of whom are living, named Dolly, Cloyd, Nellie and 
Dotty. 

GATES, HENRY, was born in this county on the 2d 
of July, 1854 ; he has since resided here, with the eX' 
ception of about eighteen months, when he was in 
some of the Western States ; Mr. Gates is a carpenter 
by profession, and followed that as his vocation until 
he was married, since which time he has paid his at- 
tention to farming. He was married to a Miss Eunice 
Bly on the 10th of May, 1874 ; they have a family of 
four children, all of whom are living — Walter, Bert, 
Molesky and the baby. 

GEARY, ELIZABETH, MRS., is the widow of the 
late Joseph Geary, who was born in Allegheny Co,, 
Penn., April 8, 1806 ; when a small boy, his parents 
removed to Harrison Co., Ohio ; he remained there over 
thirty years, then went to Tuscarawas Co., where he 
stayed five years, when he came to this county, where 
he remained until his death, which took place July 7, 
1879; he was an aflFectionate husband and father. Mrs, 
Geary was married to Mr. Geary in the fall of 1844; 
they reared a family of thirteen children, six of whom 
are living — Alexander, Isaac C, Isabel, Emma, Sherman 
and Joseph F.; the ones deceased were named William 
W., John N., Emeline, Nancy and Jane. Mrs. Geary 
was born in Jeiferson Co., this State, March 13, 1826 ; 
when a little girl, her parents moved to Tuscarawas 
Co., where she remained until she was married to Mr. 
Geary, and lived and removed with him from place to 
place until his death. 

GROVE, LAWRENCE A., was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., July 31, 1852, where he resided until the 
age of 18 years, when he went to Illinois and stayed 
there one year ; thence he returned to Ohio and went 
to Stark Co., and remained there one year; he then 
went to Dauphin Co., Penn., where he stayed two years, 
and from there he went to Cumberland Co., where he 
stayed one year; thence to Baltimore, Md., where he 
remained one year, and then came to this county, 
where he has since resided, with the exception of eight 
months which he spent in Illinois ; Mr. Grove is by 
profession a carpenter, and while he was not attending 
school he followed that as his vocation until he came to 
this county, since which time he has paid his attention 
to farming. 

GUTHRIE, NATHANIEL, is the child of John E. 
and Elizabeth Guthrie, who was born in this county 
and township, on the old homestead farm on which he 
now resides, on the 6th day of October, 1843 ; until 
the late war broke out he followed farming, when, in 
1862, he entered the army, was a member of Co. K, 
120th 0. V. I., and was enlisted on the 15th of October, 
1862, and discharged Oct. 12, 1863, by reason of dis- 
ability by disease contracted while performing his duty 
as a soldier ; he has never as yet made an application 
for a pension, although he is certainly entitled to it ; 
after his return from the army, he was unable to perform 
any labor ; he turned his attention to the carpenter 
business, which he followed about nine years, but for 
the past four years he has again gone to farming ; 
in the year 1S66, on the 14th of August, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Almeda Purcher ; they have raised a 
family of nine children, six of whom are still living, 



,u 



752 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



named John, Luther, James, Harvey, Myron, Taylor, 
Elona, Beulerd W. and a baby named Orville, who 
claims to be captain of the house ; those that are dead 
are named Cellestia A., Ruthford B. and one born 
dead. Mr. Guthrie's parents are considered among the 
old settlers of the county ; his father departed this 
'life May 4, 1865. Mrs. Guthrie is still living, and 
enjoys very good health for a lady of her age. Our 
subject's health is very good, considering the shock he 
received while in the army ; his family's health is 
generally good ; he has never turned his attention to 
politics. He has been School Director. 

HACKETT, WILLIAM, was born in Washington Co., 
Penn., Sept. 5, 1809, where resided until the age of 6 
years, when his parents removed to this county and 
township, where he has s'nce resided, where he has 
paid the most of his attention to that of farming ; he is 
the fifth child of George and Nancy Hackett, who de- 
parted this life quite a number of years ago. His first 
wife died about two years after marriage ; he has been 
married to his second wife about forty years ; her maid- 
en name was Margaret E. Shuster ; they have raised 
a family of six children — two of them were born dead, 
four are still living, whose names are Margaret Ann, 
Robert, Ella and Almealia; one by the first, named 
George, who was living in California at last accounts. 
Mr. Hackett has never turned his attention to politics ; 
he was one of the first settlers of the county. Mr. 
Hackett says that he remembers the time when they 
had no school here ; he often went to play with the 
Indians for pastime. 

HACKETT, HENRY P., was born in Cass Township, 
March 7, 1827, where he resided until the age of 12 
years, when his parents removed to this township, 
where he has since resided and has lived on the farm 
he now owns since 1855. He was married, June 27, 
1854, to Mary Ann Zeigler ; they have had nine chil- 
dren — eight are still living, and are named George B., 
Sarah Alice, Clara B., Frank L., Mary E., Addie V., 
Perrie F. and Minnie L. ; the one deceased, Elmer L., 
died Oct. 6, 1874, aged 19 years 5 months and 29 
days ; five of these children were by his first wife, 
four by his second wife, whose name was Catharine 
Fickes, who died June 9, 1871 ; his first wife died 
Aug. 2, 1864. George B., the oldest one living, is 
married. Mr. Hackett has never paid much of his 
attention to political matters, although he has been 
Trustee of his township for two terms ; he has always 
paid his attention to farming, and has, by good manage- 
ment and strict attention to business, made for himself 
and family a good home. 

HACKETT, JAMES L., was born in Cass Township, 
this county, July 22, 1830 ; when about 8 years of 
age, his parents remaved to this township, where 
Mr. Hackett has always lived. He was married in 
November, 1856, to Elizabeth Zigler, who bore him 
seven children, all living — Nancy .Jane, Margaret Ann, 
Irena E., Harriet L., Ida Bell, Ruby R. and Estella ; 
his first wife died in April, 1876 ; he married his sec- 
ond wife May 28, 1878, whose name was Maggie J. Cas- 
key, and is still living. Mr. Hackett has always paid 
his attention to farming, and now controls and man- 
ages the farm he now owns. He has on his farm one 
of the strongest sulphur springs in this part of the 



State, and those wishing to be benefited thereby will 
find it to their advantage to call at his farm, which is 
located on Sec. 5, Blooming Grove Township, on the 
Huron Co. line. 

HACKETT, WILLIAM A., was born in Cass Town- 
ship, this county, Sept. 14, 1832; when a small boy, 
his father removed to this township, where he remained 
until the age of 22 years, when he went to Williams 
Co., this State, where he remained two yeai-s ; thence 
he went to Branch Co., Mich., and located in the town 
of Bronson, where he stayed a few months, and then 
went to La Grange, Ind., where he remained seven 
years; from there he removed to Chicago, 111., where 
he remained fourteen years, with the exception of 
about eight months that he resided in Lincoln, Neb., 
and about six months he spent in St. Louis, Mo. ; the 
latter-named place was directly after the great fire in 
Chicago ; he witnessed both of the great fires at that 
place, and did a great deal in regard to mechanical 
skill to build the city up on both occasions ; from Chi- 
cago he came back to his native county, where he has 
since resided. He was married, March 28, 1856, to 
Catharine Gibbens ; they have three children, all 
of whom are living — George W., Frank J. and Ira G. 
Mr. Hackett is by profession a carpenter, and is con- 
sidered by all who know him to be very proficient, hav- 
ing, while at Chicago and other places, charge of large 
establishments, employing a great many men ; although 
he owns and has the control of a good farm, he in- 
tends in the future to pay his attention to building and 
contracting. 

HACKETT, IRA G., was born in Cass Township 
Nov. 7, 1836, where he resided until the age of 3 years, 
when his parents removed to this township, where he 
has since resided. He was married, Sept. 6, 1870, to 
a Miss Elizabeth Chew; they have had five children, 
four of whom are still living, and named, Mary E., 
Dora L., Dasie P. and Asher C, one died in infancy. 
Mr. Hackett has always paid his attention to farming, 
although he has worked at the carpenter trade ; he 
lives on the old homestead farm which he owns. 

HACKETT, MARGARET, MRS., is the fourth child 
of George and Nancy Hackett, who came to this 
county in 1815, and located in this township, and re- 
sided here until their death ; her father died in 1845, 
aged 68 years; her mother died in 1855 or 1856, aged 
78 years. Mrs. Margaret Hackett is the widow of 
the late George Hackett, who was born in Juniata, 
Penn., Aug, 19, 1800; he departed this life Aug. 11, 
1876, aged 70 years. Mrs. Hackett was born Nov 18, 
1807, in Washington Co., Penn.; at the age of 8 years, 
her parents removed to this township, and this has 
since been her home, having lived in the township for 
a period of sixty-five years. She was married, June 
11, 1840, to her late husband, George Hackett, who 
always paid his attention to farming. Mrs. Hackett 
has sold her place and is now living a retired life. 

HACKETT, GEORGE B., was born in this county and 
township July 2, 1856, and has resided here ever since, 
and is by occupation a carpenter and joiner, and has 
from time to time contracted and intends to make that 
his business after this season. In the year 1877, Oct. 
14, he was married to Miss Celena A. Samen ; they had 
two children who died in infancy. 



9) 



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BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



753 



HACKETT, FRANK J., was born in La Grange Co., 
Ind., Feb. 18, 1859 ; when 3 years of age, his parents 
removed to this township, where he lias since resided. 
He has always paid his attention to farming ; he is 
the second son of William A. and Mary C. Hacliett, 
who are considered to be among the best citizens of the 
the township which tliey represent. He took a trip 
West, to Chicago and Nebraska, where he was gone 
about one year. 

HAFER, DANIEL, was born in Northumberland Co., 
Penn., Dec. 7, 1837 ; when at the age of 1} years, his 
parents came to Ashland Co., near Savannah, where 
they resided about six years, when his father died. 
His mother dying some four years afterward, he went 
to live with his sister in Seneca Co., Ohio, who 
resided near Bellevue, where he resided until the age of 
15 years, when he went back to Ashland Co., where he 
resided until the age of 21 years, when he made his 
home in Butler Township, this county, near the county 
line, when he turned his attention to farming until the 
late war broke out, when he entered the service ; lie 
was a member of the 3d 0. V. C. of Co. E ; was en- 
listed Aug. 27, 1862, and was discharged March 30 
the following year, 1863, by reason of disability from 
disease; after his discharge, he returned to this county, 
whei'e he has since resided. He follows different voca- 
tions, generally farming, but for the last four years he 
has not been able to perform any manual labor at all 
by reason of his physical disability, caused by his dis- 
ease while in the army. At the present date, he is 
Postmaster of Rives, and in connection with his official 
duty he has a notion-store. In the year 1859, he 
was married to Charity Devore ; they had a family of 
four children, three of whom are now deceased, to- 
gether with his wife, who died in 1878. 

HAMMAN, JOSIAH, is the youngest son of Peter 
and Susan Hamman, who came to this township forty- 
eight years ago (1832); he was born in this township 
on the 18th of December, 1845, and has since resided 
on the farm where he was born, which he now owns. 
His father departed this life on the 11th of September, 
1862, aged 61 years 10 months and 6 days; his mother 
is still living ; she was born Aug. 20, 1805. Our sub- 
ject was married. May 5, 1864, to Miss Louisa L. 
Crouse, who is the youngest daughter of William and 
Eliza Crouse, who came to this county and located in 
this township about forty years ago ; they are still liv- 
ing. Mr. Hamman has had five children ; four are 
still living — Cameron Delbert, Charles A., Florence J. 
and Boyd C; the one deceased — Ulila May, depai-ted 
this life Feb. 11, 1875, aged 6 years 3 months and 9 
days. Mr. Hamman has always paid his attention to 
farming and stock raising, and has, by strict attention 
to his business, made for himself and family a good 
home. 

HARVEY, JOHN, was born in Jefferson Co. March 8, 
1819, where he resided until the age of 7 yeai*s, 
when his parents came to this county, where he has 
since resided. He was married, Oct. 5, 1844, to Mary 
Bricker, who was born, Feb. 7, 1822, in Pennsylvania; 
at the age of 15, her parents brought her to this county, 
where she has always lived ; they have had ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom are still living — Sarah Ann, Mary 
C, William S., Hannah L., Martha A., George F. and 



Tobias R.; John E. died at the age of 1 year and 6 
months; the other two died in infancy. Mr. Harvey 
has four children married — Sarah Ann, Mary C, Will- 
iam S. and Hannah L. He has always farmed from 
boyhood ; he has cleared over four hundred acres of 
land, and has helped to clear over a a thousand acres 
in this county ; it is conceded by all that he has chop- 
ped and cleared more land than any man in this vicin- 
ity ; Mr. Harvey has been a resident of this county a 
period of fifty-three years, and has always worked hard 
to maintain himself and family. 

HISEY, JOHN, was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., 
Jan. 22, 1824, where he resided with his parents until 
the age of 3 years, when they moved to Columbia Co., 
this State, where they remained about eight years, 
when they removed to this township, and where he has 
since resided and has always paid his attention to 
farming, with the exception he has, from time to 
time, been making brick on his farm. Mr. Hisey is 
the fourth child of Joseph and Elizabeth Hisey, of 
whom both are dead, and who will be mentioned else- 
where in this work. Mr. Hisey has held offices of 
trust in his township. In 1852, March 25, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Precilla Griese ; they have had ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom are still living, and named Mary 
C, Sarah E., John H., George W., .Jacob H., Precilla 
R. and Isaac K.; three children died while in infancy 
and were never named. Mr. Hisey has by hard work, 
good management and strict attention to business, made 
for himself a good home. The oldest daughter is mar- 
ried to Mr. Martin Ferguson, of this township. 

HUNTER, BENJAMIN, was born in Columbia Co., 
this State, Dec. 12, 1815, where he resided with his 
parents until the age of 19 years, when he removed to 
this county and township, where he has since resided. 
Mr. Hunter is the second child of Samuel and Jane 
Hunter, who are both dead, his father having died in 
1844 and his mother in 1870. This subject was mar- 
ried to Margaret Irvin in November, 1836, who died 
May 3, 1842 ; in the year 1843, June 6, he was mar- 
ried to Sarah M. Jump ; they have raised a family of 
nine children, six of whom are still living, named 
Mary, Priscilla, Thomas E., Susan Jane, Robert and 
Rebecca A.; three children are dead, one of whom, 
William J., the oldest, died while in the army; he was 
a member of Co. C, 120th 0. V. I., in Capt. McKinley's 
company ; he enlisted in the service in August, 1862, 
and died of typhoid fever, contracted while at Arkan- 
sas Post, Jan. 12, 1863, at the place above named. 
Mr. Hunter has never taken a very active part in 
political matters of his township ; he has been School 
Director for years. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are both 
members of the Presbyterian Church, having united 
with the church about the year 1838; Mr. Hunter has 
always taken an active part in all church matters, and 
has always been a hard worker in the interest of Sab- 
bath schools ; he, together wirh his brother and Pastor, 
had a great many privations and hardships to con- 
tend with when they first removed here, but he has by 
good management and strict attention to business made 
for himself and family a good home. 

HUNTER, JOSEPH P., was born in Columbia Co., 
this State, Feb. 24, 1820, where he resided with his 
parents until the age of 14 years, when he removed 



^- 



754 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



with his parents to this county and township, where he 
has since resided ; he is the fourth child of Samuel 
and Jane Hunter, who are both dead, his father having 
died in 1844, and his mother died in 1870, in the 
month of October. He was married to Angeline Clark 
March '26, 1846 ; they have reared a family of ten 
children, nine of whom are still living — Mary Jane, 
Margaret Ann, Calvin C, Samuel P., James J., Minnie 
P., AUie E., Angeline and Ida J.; the one deceased 
was named Sarah K. Mr. Hunter has served his 
township as Clerk, Justice and Treasurer for a number 
of years. Mr, Hunter has always taken an active part 
in church matters, having united with the Presbyterian 
Church at an early date (about the year 1840) ; Dec. 1, 
1823, the church was organized in this township, being 
the first public house of worship in this township : the 
father of John A. Lee was one of the first members 
that ofi&ciated at the church, and Mr. Hunter states 
that the Rev. Robert Lee was very instrumental in its 
organization ; Mrs. Hunter is also a member of the 
same church and has been for forty years. While Mr. 
Hunter has held offices of trust, he has been School Direc- 
tor for twenty years. Mr. Hunter's health is not very 
good at this present time ; Mrs. Hunter has been for the 
last few years afflicted with the rheumatism, but is able to 
be about. Mr. Hunter can recall the time when, at an early 
day, himself and father had to blaze the trees to go from 
their house to mill ; the west line of his farm is the 
old Huron trail, and is nearly on a direct line with 
West Diamond street, Mansfield, south. Mr. Hunter's 
father served in the war of 1812; also his uncle and 
grandfather were in the same war. He has, by strict 
integrity and economy, made for himself and family a 
good home. 

HUNTER, C. S., was born in this township April 
26, 1841, where he has since resided. 

HUNTER, ANDREW, was born in Columbia Co. Oct. 
17, 1824; at the age of 8 years, his parents came to 
this county, where he has since resided. He was mar- 
ried in August, 1853, to Margaret J. McGaw, who was 
born in this township, where she has always lived ; 
they have five children — Martin M., Ezra, Ernest, 
Clement L. and Loys. Mr. Hunter has always paid his 
attention to farming and dealing in stock ; at present, 
he makes sheep a specialty. He has, by industry and 
strict attention to business, made for himself and fam- 
ily a good liome. 

HUNTER, MARTIN M., is the oldest child of An- 
drew and Margaret Hunter ; he was born in Blooming 
Grove Township Aug. 6, 1853 ; he is, by profession, a 
school teacher, but is now the senior partner of the 
firm of M. M. Hunter & Co., general dealers in all 
kinds of furniture, as well as undertaking in all its 
departments, at Shiloh, Ohio. They always sell goods 
with prices to suit the times. 

HUNTER, JOSEPH M., was born in this county and 
this township, on the farm he now occupies, on the 
29th day of April, 1844, where he has since resided, 
and has paid his attention to farming. In the year 
1874, on the 12th of March, he was married to Miss 
Alice E. Miller ; they have a family of four children, 
all of whom are still living, named Claude, Annie, 
Fenella and Allen G. Thurman. 



HUNTER, SAMUEL P., was born in this township 
March 7, 1855 ; he has since resided here, with the 
exception of three years he lived in Butler Township. 
He was married Sept. 6, 1876, to Mary E. Clayberg, 
who was born in Butler Township Sept. 16, 1856, and 
has always lived in the county ; they have one child — 
Edith May. Mr. Hunter is, by profession, a school 
teacher, and has followed that several terms in the win- 
ter season. For the past few years, he has turned all 
his attention to farming and raising stock, and intends, 
in the future, to make sheep-raising a specialty. 

HUSTON, ALEX., was born in Middleton Township, 
Columbiana Co., in November, 1823, where he resided 
until the year 1850, when he removed to this township, 
where he has since resided. He was married, in 1843, 
to Nancy Rodgers, who bore him three children, who, 
with their mother, are all dead. He married his sec- 
ond wife, Miss Mary Parks, in April, 1851 ; she was 
born in Richland Co.; she died June 8, 1875 ; the fruits 
of this marriage were four children ; three are still liv- 
ing — Mathew, Louisa and Rebecca A.; the one de- 
ceased — Harriett, died in April, 1871, aged 1 year 5 
months and 9 days. 

HUSTON, MARGARET, MRS., was born in this 
township and on the same farm she now owns, Feb 6, 
1825, and has always lived in this township and on the 
same farm. She has never been absent from the town- 
ship six weeks at one time. She is the oldest child of 
Thomas and Mary Thompson. Her father was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., Feb. 22, 1800 ; he came to this 
county Nov. 15, 1823, and lived here until his death, 
which occurred July 13, 1868; her mother died June 
26,1863; she was born May 22, 1799, in York Co., 
Penn.; her maiden name was Mary Beaird ; she was 
married, March, 1828, in Washington Co., Penn. ; the 
same year, they removed to this county. Our sub- 
ject's sister. Miss Kezia Thompson, who owns the farm 
jointly with her, is the fourth child of Thomas and 
Mary Thompson ; she was born May 22, 1831, on this 
farm also, and has always lived in the county and on 
the same farm. 

HUSTON, JAMES, was born in Franklin Township 
Feb. 18, 1841, and has always lived in this county ; he 
has lived in this township since 1861. He was mar- 
ried, Jan. 9, 1868, to Dorcus Zeigler, who was born in 
Butler Township Jan. 25, 1842, and has always lived in 
the county ; they have six children — Carrie, Charles, 
Rufus, Ransom, Razela and Jessie. Mr. Huston has 
always followed farming as his vocation. He has, by 
economy, honesty and industry, accumulated a good 
home. His father cut the first tree down after the 
town of Rome was laid out as a town ; he was born in 
Columbiana Co.; he came to this county when he was 
about 20 years old, and resided here until his death, 
which occurred in the latter part of April, 1879 ; he 
was 73 years old. 

HUSTON, MATHEW, was born in this township, 
Aug. 15, 1852, and has always lived in the township. 
He was married, July 26, 1877, to Lucy E. Willis, who 
was born in Huron Co. June 14, 1854. Mr. Huston 
has always followed farming as his vocation, in which 
he is still engaged. 

KELSO, JOHN, was born in Ashland Co., on the 1st 
day of August, 1855, where he resided until the fall 






^^ 



Al 



BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



755 



of 1867, when he removed to this county, where he 
has resided most of his time, excepting a short time 
in Williams and Huron Cos. In the year 1877, on the 
19th of November, Mr. Kelso was married to Miss Mary 
A.Weppier; they have one child, Ruby May; Mi-. Kelso 
is by profession a harness-maker, and now carries on 
that business at Rome, where he has built up for him- 
self quite a good trade, and his future intentions are 
to make this his business, and claims that his work 
shall all be first-class, and with prices to suit the times. 

KESTER, GEORGE W., M. D., was born in Bronson 
Township, Huron Co., on the 3d of January, 1846, 
where he resided until the age of 2 years, when his 
parents removed to Savannah, Ashland Co., where he re- 
mained twenty years ; he removed to New London, 
where he resided about fourteen years, when he re- 
moved to Ganges. The Doctor enrolled himself in the 
late war, first as a member Co. D,. 25th 0. V. I., en- 
listed on the 8th of June, 1861, and discharged on the 
2oth day of June, 1864 ; second, was a member of Co. 
I. 2d U. S. V. 1., enlisted on the 24th of February, 
1865, and discharged on the 24th of February, 1866, 
at Elmira, N. Y.; the Doctor participated in all the 
numerous battles the regiment was called upon to en- 
gage in ; was in the service for a period of four years. 
In the year 1868, on the 31st of December, he was 
married to Miss Hester A. Swanger ; they have a family 
of two children, both of whom are living, named Willie 
W. and Bessie May. The Doctor practiced at this place 
(Ganges) ten years. 

KINSELL, JOHN W., was born in Cass Township 
Dec. 9, 1840, where he resided until 22 years of age, 
when he removed to this township and where he has 
since resided, with the exception of six months which 
he spent in Rochester, Lorain Co., and Shiloh. He 
was married, Aug. 80, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth J. 
Shupe, who was born in Ashland Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 
1842; when a small girl, her parents removed to this 
county ; they have reared a family of five cliildren, 
four of whom are still living — Jennie E., Walter H., 
George W. and Sallie E.; the one deceased, Charlie N., 
departed this life May 22, 1872, aged 1 year 8 months 
and 12 days. Mr. Kinsell is by profession a school- 
teacher; having at an early age acquired a good educa- 
tion, he soon had charge of a graded school, and has 
followed teaching for a period of twenty terms in the 
winter, and four terms in the summer season ; the bal- 
ance of his time he has been engaged in farming, and 
this, together with dealing in stock, will be his princi- 
pal occupation in the future. His daughter. Miss .Jen- 
nie, now in her 16th year, is teaching school in Dis- 
trict No. 6s in this township, and is considered a very 
competent teacher. 

KIRKENDALL, PETER S., was born in Hancock 
Co. Dec. 15, 1836 ; when about 2 years old, his par- 
ents removed to this county, where he has since resided ; 
he has lived in this township twenty-eight years. He 
was married, April 2, 1868, to Catherine La"men, who 
was born in this township, where she has always 
lived ; they had one child, Wilbert Otis, who departed 
this lite Sept. 4, 1876, aged 1 year 10 months and 1 
day. Mr. Kirkendall is by profession a carpenter, al- 
though he has paid a great part of his attention to 
farming. He was a member of Co. I, 15ih 0. V. I.; 



he enlisted Sept. 7, 1861, and was discharged Sept. 17, 
1864 ; he was in all the battles his regiment was called 
upon to engage in, some of which wei-e Shiloh, Stone 
River, Liberty Gap, Resaca, Altoona Mountain, Dal- 
las, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Rocky Face, Mission 
Ridge and Chickamauga. 

LAZELL, FRANCIS M., was born in New York, July 
2, 1847 ; soon after, his parents removed to Norwalk, 
Huron Co., Ohio, and when at the age of 8 years, they 
removed to this county, where he has resided ever since, 
with the exception of a few months he spent in Iowa. 
This subject has bought the hotel at this place, Rome, 
where he intends to keep a first-class house, and also a 
stable ; he understands the business, as he formerly, 
with his father, kept the same house. 

LAMER, ABRAHAM, was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., on the 16th of January, 1818, where he resided 
until March, 1839; then he removed to Venango Co., 
Penn., where he remained until August, 1844, when 
he removed to this township, where he has since re- 
sided. Mr. Lamer is by occupation a carpenter and 
joiner; he commenced his trade in 1836, and has 
always followed that as his vocation, and now has a 
shop in Rome. In the year 1842, on the 10th of 
August, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Cassiday ; 
they have had thirteen children, nine of whom are liv- 
ing, viz.: Sarah, Catherine, Climenia, Franklin P., 
Cynthia L., Celina A., Nietus Zula Z., Juliet E.; those 
dead are Bergenetta, aged 9 months, and Francis, aged 
4 months ; the other two died in infancy. Mr. Lamer 
is among the surviving pioneers of this county, having 
lived in this township over thirty-six years. 

LAMER, FRANKLIN P., was born Jan. 28. 1853, 
in this township, where he has since resided, with the 
exception of about three years and eighteen months, 
which he spent in Pennsylvania, and eighteen months 
in the western part of the State. Mr. Lamer is by pro- 
fession a carpenter and joiner, although for the pas 
year he has been farming, and intends to follow that 
vocation in the future, in connection with his trade. 
He was married, Jan. 10, 1879, to Maggie E. Wilson ; 
they have one child — Zettie Olive. 

LATIMER, NANCY, MRS., was born Aug. 13, 1813, 
in Westmoreland Co., Penn., where she resided until 
the age of 10 years, when her parents removed to 
Wayne Co., Ohio, where she lived until the 19th 
of August, 1834, when she was married, and came to 
this county, where she has since resided. She is the 
widow of the late William Latimer, who died Feb. 12, 
1850, aged 44 years; he was born in Pennsylvania 
April 25, 1805; they had seven children, six of whom 
are living, named Elizabeth Jane, George, John, Mary 
E., Margery Ann and William S.; one named Wilson 
died March 29, 1868, aged 25 years 11 months and 21 
days ; George, John, Margery Ann and William S. are 
married. Her son William S. now carries on the farm 
for her, but when her children were small she had the 
management of the place herself after her husband's 
death. She has been a widow for a period of thirty 
years, and lived in the county forty-six years. 

LINDSEY, WILSON, was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., Feb. 24, 1806. When at the age of 11 years, 
his parents removed to Columbiana Co., this State, where 
he resided until the year 1837, when he came to this 



'k. 



756 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



county, and where he has since resided, and in this 
township. He was married, Jan. 8, 1835, to Sarah 
Gilbert, who was born in Columbiana Co. Nov. 11, 1811 ; 
they have had twelve children, nine of wliom are living, 
named William C, George B., Mary Ann, Samuel M., 
Jacob G., Wilson S., Lizzie, Joanna C, Rosa E.; those de- 
ceased are John V., Benjamin F. and Julius C. Mr. 
Lindsey is by profession a brick manufacturer, as well 
as a bricklayer, but since his residence in this county 
he has paid the most of his attention to farming, and at 
present he is retired. 

LINDSEY, WILSON S., was born in this township 
Oct. 7, 1841, and has principally made this county his 
home, and his occupation has principally been that of 
forming. In 1868, Jan. 9, he was married to Miss 
Ellen Perkins ; they have had two children ; one of 
them died, named Neal L., aged 9 months ; Maud Bell, 
is still living, aged 5 years. He has by good man- 
anement and strict attention to business made for him- 
self and family a good home. 

LYBARGER, ANTHONY, was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn., on the 31st day of May, 1800 ; he resided thero 
until the age of 30 years, when he removed to Knox 
Co., where he lived until 1865, when he went to Illi- 
nois, where he stayed about one year, then went back 
to Knox Co., where he stayed until 1869, when he re- 
moved to this county, where he has since resided. He 
has always paid his attention to farming, although he 
has owned and run a grist and saw mill. He had six 
children by his first wife, and none by the second ; 
four of the children are still living; one died at the age 
of 48 years 1 month and 21 days, the other died in 
infancy. 

LYBARGER, SILAS C, M. D., was born in Knox 
Co. on the 1st of February, 1830; resided there until 
the year 1865, when he removed to this county, where 
he has since lived and followed his profession as 
physician and surgeon at Ganges ; the Doctor practiced 
in his native county previous to his coming here ; in 
his early days he paid his attention to farming. In 
the year 1862, on the 17th of July, he was married to 
Miss Hannah Steffe ; they have a family of three chil- 
dren, all of whom are living, named Clement L. V., 
Silvia May and Curtis F. Mrs. Lybarger departed 
this life on the 17th of December, 1879, lamented by 
all who knew her. She was a devoted wife and mother, 
was a consistent Christian and beloved by all ; and the 
Doctor, together with his family, have the sympathy of 
all in their sad bereavement. 

LYBARGEa, JOB, was born in Knox Co. on the 18th 
of January, 1834; he remained there for thirty years, 
when he removed to the State of Illinois, where he 
stayed about eighteen months ; from there he removed 
back to Knox Co., where he resided about three years, 
and from there he went to Richland Co., where he 
remained about three years, and then removed back to 
Knox Co., where he lived about two years, when he 
removed back to this county, where he has since re- 
sided. Mr. Lybarger has paid the most of his atten- 
tion to farming during life. In the year 1853 he was 
married to Miss Eliza Brown ; they have a family 
of four children, three of whom are still living and 
named respectively Emma Jane, Edwin B., Mary 
A. and Clarrie I.; by his second wife, whose maiden 



name was Sarah Jane Neely, he has nine children, 
eight of whom still live, named Margaret S., Anthony 
A., Oliver L., Roderick M., Wilber J., John K., Marcus 
E., Rollen E. and the baby. Mr. Lybarger during the 
late war served in the 2d 0. N. G. as Second Lieutenant 
as well as ('aptain. 

LYBARGER, EDWIN B., was born in Knox Co., near 
Monroe Mills, on the 16th of August, 1855; he resided 
with his parents until the age of 10 years, when they 
removed to the State of Illinois, wliere they remained 
about eighteen months, when they removed back to 
Knox Co., where they stayed about three years, when 
our subject removed to this township and remained 
about three years; he removed to Knox Co., where 
they stayed about two years, when became back to this 
county, where they stayed about two and a half years ; 
then he went back to Illinois again, where they re- 
mained about fourteen months ; from there he went to 
Iowa and located in Wayne Co., where he remained 
about five months, and from there he came back to this 
township, where he has since resided. Mr. Lybarger 
has paid most of his attention to farming, although he 
has been in the saw-mill business, as also many other 
vocations ; he has from time to time walked the rope 
from one building to another at quite an elevation. He 
is at present a student of medicine and expects to be- 
come a physician and surgeon. On the 20th of May, 
1878, he married Miss Annie Terman, who bore him 
one child — a little girl named Mabel A. 

McCLAIN, JOHN K., wagon and carriage maker, 
Shenandoah ; he was born near Jeromeville, x\shland 
Co., March 14, 1836. When a child, his parents re- 
moved to Canal Fulton, removing again to Ashland 
when he was 16 years of age. Here he learned car- 
riage-making, and removed to Blooming Grove Town- 
ship, Richland Co. In 1857, he engaged in the carriage 
and wagon manufacturing business in Shenandoah, and 
soon established a good trade. In 1869, he gave his 
attention to the manufacture of handles of all kinds, 
and, in 1872, was employed as salesman for machinery 
and farming implements in general. In 1876, he re- 
turned to the manufacture of handles, rakes, etc., and 
has established a good business, generally employing 
about ten hands. He was married, in 1857, to Angeline 
Sonanstine; they have five children — Arabella, Clara, 
John C, Cora and Albert. Mr. McClain's business 
qualifications have enabled him, with a good deal of 
hard labor, to secure for himself and family a good 
home, where they live in the enjoyment of good health 
and the respect of the community. 

McCORMlC, DAVID, was born in Ashland Co., 
Mifflin Township, Aug. 2, 1844. At the age of 2 years, 
his parents removed to Hancock Co., where they stayed 
one year ; from there they returned to this county, 
where Mr. McCormic has since resided. He has lived 
in this township about nine years. He was married, 
Dec. 3, 1868, to Lydia Harlan, who was born in Ash- 
land Co. Dec. 21, 1844, where she lived until she was 
married ; since that time, she has lived in this county; 
they have five children, four of whom are living — 
Edwin, born April 2, 1870 ; Freelove E., Oct. 3, 1872 ; 
Margaret E., Jan. 22, 1875, and Birtha M., Jan. 16, 
1877; one, who was born Dec. 16, 1878, died at the 
age of 9 days. 



A" 



ikv 



BLOOMmG GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



75^ 



McGAW, JOHN C, was born in Washington Co., 
Penn., Dec. 13, 1817. At the age of 4 years, his 
parents removed to this township, where Mr. McGaw 
has since resided. He was married, about the year 
1844, to Elizabeth Bell, who was born in Harrisburg. 
Penn., about the year 1821 ; they have had eight chil- 
dren, of whom three are living — Albert C, Harriet R. 
and Wilson ; the ones deceased — Delila A., Robert B. 
and James, and two died in infancy. Mr. McGaw is 
among the old settlers of the county ; he has always 
been a farmer by occupation. 

McMILLEN, W. W. P., DR., was born in Stark Co., 
Ohio, Sept. 3, 1846, where he resided until the year 
1878, when he removed to this county and township 
and followed his profession as physician and surgeon. 
Previous to his location here, he attended a course of 
lectures at Cincinnati and also at Ft. Wayne, Ind., and 
followed his profession as Doctor in his native county, 
but finding the locality in which he practiced overtaxed 
his strength, he looked for new fields of labor, and 
finally located at Rome, where he has, by strict atten- 
tion to his business, gained for himself a good practice. 
He was married to Miss Hattie P. Orvis Nov. 26, 
1878. 

MACOMBER, WILLIAM J., was born in Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., June 1, 1811 ; when nearly 2 years old, his 
parents removed to Cuyahoga Co., where he remained 
until the year 1838, when he came to this township, 
where he has since resided, and on the farm he first 
bought, which he now owns. He was married May 31, 
1838, to Elsie Ferguson, who was born in Clyde, N. Y.; 
they have eight children — Unis, Mary D., Alice L., 
Phoebe A., Ezrie, Rosiala, Emma J. and Fremont; all 
are married but three, Rosiala, Ezrie and Fremont. 
Mr. Macomber has always paid his attention to farm- 
ing ; he has by industry and good management made 
for himself a good home. 

MALLOTT, ELIA8, was born in Fulton Co., Penn., 
on the 20th of February, 1840, where he resided until 
the age of 24 years, when he removed to this county, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Mallott is by profes- 
sion a miller, and has always followed that as his voca- 
tion until the last year, since which time he has been 
engaged in the mercantile business with his nephew, 
R. F. Mallott. In the year 1859, on the 31st of May, 
he was married to Miss IMary Jane Pittman ; they have 
a family of eight children, five of whom are still living, 
named Julia, Ann, Denis E., Sarah J., George E. and 
the baby, Fredrick C; Mary E. died Oct. 28, 1876, at 
the age of 10 years 11 months and 9 days; Willard 
W. died Aug. 30, 1876, aged 1 year 10 months and 17 
days, and Emeline F. departed this life on the 17th of 
August, 1872, aged 9 months and 17 days. 

MALLOTT, RILEY F., was born in Fulton Co., Penn., 
on the 2d of April, 18-56, where he resided until the 
age of 21 years, when he removed to this county, where 
he has since resided. Mr. Mallott is an Elder of the 
Dunkard Church ; he is a school teacher, which voca- 
tion he follows in the winter seasons, while at the other 
times he is occupied at the store of R. F. Mallott & Co., 
in which he is a partner: they carry on general mer- 
chandising at Ganges ; they aim by fair dealing with 
all to merit their share of public patronage. In the 
year 1874, on the 4th of May, Mr. Mallott was married 



to Miss Amanda E. Bard ; they have a family of three 
children — Lewis H., Essie E. and Daniel C. 

MARING, PETER, Jr., is the youngest child of 
Peter Maring, Sr., who came to this county (southern 
part) in 1817, and came to this township in 1818, and 
settled on the farm Mr. M. now owns. His father 
died Aug. 5, 18G2, aged nearly 79 years. He was born in 
New Jersey; his mother's maiden namewas Anna Finch, 
who was also born in New Jersey; she died Aug. 1, 
1871, aged over 80 years. jNlr. Maring was born Oct. 
21, 1824, in this township and on the farm he now 
owns, which has been his home over fifty-five years. 
He was married, Feb. 21, 185t), to Miss Lydia A. Dicker- 
son, who was born in this township and county, Dec. 
25, 1825. The fruits of their marriage are three chil- 
dren — Mary J., Emma A. and Henry Sherman. Mr. 
Maring is by trade a carpenter, and has spent a great 
portion of his life working at the trade, although he 
was raised on the farm. He had for a few years an 
interest in the saw and grist mill at Shiloh, which called 
his attention to that place for a few years. At present, 
he pays all of his attention to his farm. 

MARTIN, MOSES B., was born in Adams Co., 
Penn., in 1810, where he resided until the age of 22 
years, when he, together with his parents, moved to this 
State and Ashland County, near Haysville, Vermillion 
Township, where they resided for about five years, when 
he settled about one mile west of the old camp ground, 
near Ashland ; after living there about four years, he 
removed to the neighborhood of Petersburg, near where 
Hershes' mill was located ; lived there about fourteen 
years ; was about seven years on the old Newman place, 
now owned by Jacob Baum ; moved to the adjoining farm, 
where he lived the other seven years ; from there he re- 
moved to Olivesburg, this county, where he lived about 
twenty years, when he removed to this township, where 
he has since resided, which makes him a resident of this 
county about twenty-seven years. He was married to 
Miss Ellen Craig Nov. 19, 1835 ; they have raised a 
family of twelve children, eleven of whom are still 
living, named Peter, William, Mary Ann, Jacob, John 
B., Liddie C , Samuel, Rebecca Jane, Sarah A., Francis 
E. and Elzie ; Melissa died at the age of 8 years and 
6 months. Mr. Martin is by profession a shoemaker, 
which he followed while at Haysville, and also while at 
Petersburg ; the balance of the time his attention was 
principally turned to farming. He carried on shoe- 
making while at Olivesburg until the late war broke 
out, when his four sons enrolled themselves to serve 
their country ; and finding the two vocations of shoe- 
maker and farmer overtaxed his physical as well as 
mental ability, he gave up the boot and shoe trade, 
and turned all his attention to farming. The first real 
estate he ever possessed was a house and lot at Hays- 
ville ; the next, 20 acres near Petersburg ; bought a 
house and lot after removing to Olivesburg, together 
with forty acres of land ; he sold the forty acres and 
bought 76 acres, the Jefferson Beverstock farm ; sold 
that and bought the 80 acres upon which he now 
resides. 

MILLER, D^VID, was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., 
Nov. 5, 1808, where he resided until the year 1833, 
when he removed to Franklin Township, where he 
lived until about the year 1870; from there he 






758 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



removed to Shelby, where he remained about eighteen 
months, and from there to this township, where he 
has since i-esided. In the year 1830, on Jan. 7, he was 
married to a Miss Sarali Burgoyne ; they reared a 
family of ten children, nine of whom are still living, 
and named, respectively, John J., Eliza 11., Sarah A., 
Eli B., Israel W., Minerva F., Harriet J., Mary Ann 
and Precilla F.; George W. died in Kansas City Feb. 
'22, 1880, of hemorrhage of the lungs ; he was brought 
home and buried at Shenandoah. Mr. Miller has 
never paid much attention to political matters, although 
he has served, from time to time, as Trustee of his 
township. His wife departed this life on the 15th of 
January, 1877 ; she was a consistent Christian, being a 
member of the Disciple Church, and was beloved by all 
who knew her. 

MILLER, MICHAEL, was born in Dauphin Co., 
Penn., April 24, 1815, where he resided until the age 
of 20 years, when he removed with his parents to this 
county, and located in this township, where he has since 
resided. Mr. Miller has followed farming ; he has held 
diiFerent offices of trust in his township. He is the fifth 
child of David and Elizabeth Miller, both of whom are 
dead. Mr. Miller was married to Miss Sarah Shoop June 
27, 1849 ; they have four children — Alice E., Minerva 
S., Frank P. and Mary B. Mr. Miller can recall many 
hardships and privations that himself and family had 
to endure ; he has, by his industry and strict attention 
to business, made for himself and family a good home. 

MITCHELL, CORYDON, was born in Springfield 
Township, this county, Feb. 29, 1848, where he resided 
until the past four years, since which time he has lived 
in this township; he has always paid his attention to 
farming. June 17, 1874, he was married to Miss Lil- 
lie Caton ; they have a family of three children — 
Luenna G., Wallace H. and Zona P. 

MITCHELL, WM. J., was born in Huron Co., this 
State, June 5, 1850, where he resided until the age of 
14 years, when he came to this county, and where he 
has since lived, with the exception of eighteen months, 
which he spent in Michigan. He was married Dec. 27, 
1871, to Miss Emma C. Sonanstine, who was born June 
24, 1850, in this county ; they have four children — Min- 
nie, Olivia, Bessie and Forest. Mr. Mitchell has always 
followed farming and still is engaged in that vocation. 

MOORE, ALBERT, was born in this county on the 
23d of July, 1848. He has since resided here, with 
the exception of one summer, when lie was in Michigan 
and Indiana ; he has always paid his attention to 
farming. In the year 1879, on the 21st of November, 
he was married to Miss Sarah A. Adam ; they have one 
child. Birdie. 

MORGAN, WILLIAM, was born in Wayne Co., on 
the 8th of May, 1823, where he lived until the age of 
27, when he removed to Little Mexico, AVyandot Co. ; 
he stayed there one year, then came to this county, 
where he has since resided ; he has always worked by 
the day's work and farming. In the year 1861, he 
enlisted in Co. I, 15th 0. V. I. ; he served over 
four years and was honorably discharged ; he received 
a gunshot wound in the thigh, on account of which he 
now draws a pension. 

MORRIS, ISAAC P., was born in Butler Township, 
this county, and has since resided in the county. He 



is the youngest of five children of Benjamin and Jane 
Morris ; his health not being good at the age of 15 
years, his parents thought some light employment 
better suited for him ; he engaged himself as clerk 
in a store, which he followed until the year 1868, 
since which time he has been engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at this place, where he carries on a 
general store, keeps on hand what is always found in 
a first-class store ; he is also Postmaster. In the year 
1872, Aug. 13, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Cline ; 
they have one daughter — Floyd N., 6 years old 

MOSER, HENRY SMITH, was born in Monroe 
Township Jan. 15, 1823 ; his father, Henry Moser, was 
born in York Co., Penn., in the year 1787 ; he emi- 
grated with his parents to Washington Co., Penn., in 
1800 ; his mother, Marie E. Smith, was born in 
Dauphin Co., Penn., at Oldtown, now in the city of 
Harrisburg; she emigrated to Washington Co., Penn., 
with her parents in 1804 ; she was married to Henry 
Moser in 1800 ; the fruits of their marriage were ten 
children. Henry Moser and his family moved to Rich- 
laud Co., April 17, 1820, to Sec. 6, Monroe Township ; 
Henry Moser served six months in the war of 1812. 
H. S. Moser was the eighth son of his parents, and was 
married to Miss Rebecca Marlow in 1843 ; the fruit of 
their union was six children, three boys and three 
girls, all of whom are still living, and are all married. 
H. S. Moser served three years in the late war, with 
two of his sons ; he was severely wounded at Vicks- 
burg. Miss. He has been living in Blooming Grove 
Township since April, 1851. Mr. Moser was a mem- 
ber of Co. K, 120th 0. V. I. ; was enrolled Sept. 28, 
1862, and discharged Sept. 28, 1865. 

MOSER, JAMES H,, was born in this county April 
18, 1844, and, with the exception of two or three years, 
he spent in Huron Co. and Indiana, he has always lived 
in the county. He was married, Dec. 3, 1868, to Deb- 
bie Meek ; they have two children — Anna L. and Sylva 
May. Mr. Moser has been in the mercantile business 
for a period of three years at Shiloh, but, with the 
exception of this, he has always given his attention to 
farming, in which he is engaged. He was a member of 
Co. F, 23d 0. Y. I. ; he enlisted Feb. 15, 1864, and was 
discharged in the summer of 1865. 

MOSER, AUSTIN C, was born in Washington Town- 
ship, this county, March 7, 1848 ; when at the age of 
13 years, his parents removed to this township, where 
he has since resided, with the exception of eighteen 
months he spent in the army, he being in the late 
war a member of Co. E, 32d 0. V. I. ; he enlisted 
March 18, 1864, and was discharged July 20, 1865. 
He was married, Sept. 16, 1873, to Jennie Martin : 
they have had two children, both of whom ai-e living, 
and named Arthur W. and Martin S. 

MEYERS, PETER, was born in Adams Co., Penn., 
about the year 1840, where he resided until the age 
of 30 years, when he went to the State of Illinois, 
where he remained about one year and then removed 
back to this county, and located in Cass Township, 
where he stayed one year, then came to this township, 
and has since resided here. He was married, Oct. 20, 
1868, to Mary Ann Albert ; they have never had any 
children, but have adopted a little girl, named Ida A. 



:r^ 



BLOOMING GEOVE TOWNSHIP. 



759 



Mr. Meyera is by profession a carpenter, but at the 
present he pays all his attention to farming. 

MYER, DANIEL A., was born in Ashland Co., near 
Paradise Hill, Milton Township, March 10, 1856, where 
he resided, with his parents until the age of 6 years, when 
his parents removed to this county, where they resided 
about four years, when he, together with his parents 
moved back to Ashland Co., and located near Peters- 
burg, where they still reside. This subject has the 
greater part of the time lived in Ashland Co.; a part 
of the time he was engaged in the saddle and harness 
business in Wood Co.; paid some attention to farming, 
but latterly he is engaged in the butchering business. 
In Rome, this county, in the year 1878, he was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Burns, Jan. 20; they have one child, 
named Hattie. 

NELLSON, WILLIAM A., was born in Perry Co., 
Penn., April 4, 1820; when 7 years of age, his parents 
removed to this county, where Mr. Nellson has since 
lived ; he has resided in this township fifty-two years ; 
he is the third child of .John and Elizabeth Nellson ; 
his mother died in Pennsylvania, his father died .July 2, 
1866, aged 77 years, 9 months and 7 days; his mother 
died April 29, 1829, aged 42 years 4 months and 4 
days ; his father was born on the same farm on which 
the subject of this sketch was born, in Pennsylvania, 
Sept. 2-5, 1788; his mother was born Dec. 25, 1787. 
Mr. Nellson was married, Nov. 2, 1855, to Rebecca 
Quin, who was born in this township Feb. 20, 1824, 
and has always lived in the township; the fruits of 
this marriage are five children — Esther Jane, Margaret 
Ann, Nancy, John A. and Charles Nellson. Mr. Nell- 
son is by profession a carpenter, and has followed his 
trade from time to time during life ; he has also carried 
on his farm, which he still manages. 

NOBLE, JOHN A., is the fourth child of William 
and Margaret Noble, who was born in Butler Township, 
this county, Jan. 15, 1836, where he resided until the 
year 1853, when he removed to this township, and has 
always resided here, with the exception of one year he 
spent in Montana Territory. His father was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., March 30, 1801 ; he settled in 
this county about 1832, where he still resides ; his 
mother was born March 31, 1798, in Washington Co., 
Penn., and died .July 9, 1870; they had six children, 
four of whom are still living — Hannah, Jane, .John A. 
and Margaret E. ; those that died were named Mary 
A. and William AV. John A., was married, .Jan. 3, 1871, 
to Adeline M. Howard, who was born in Ripley Town- 
ship, Huron Co., this State, Oct. 9, 1848; they have 
four children — Hennie, Sumner, AVade and a babe 10 
months old. Mr. Noble has from boyhood followed 
farming, and still makes that his business. 

OMAN, WM. W., was born in Columbia Co., Penn., 
on the 1st of March, 18.50 ; he resided there until 3 
years of age, when his parents removed to Kalamazoo 
Co., Mich, where he resided about ten years, when he 
removed to this township, where he has since lived, 
with the exception of about three years when he re- 
turned to Michigan, where he remained for that time ; 
Mr. Oman has always paid his attention to farming, 
and is said to be proficient at the business. In the 
year 1872, on the 5th of March, he was married to 



Miss Sarah J. Tucker ; they have a family of three 
children — Charles C, William W. and Maudie M. 

OMAN, CLARK, was born in Kalamazoo Co., Mich., 
on the 8th of .June, 1855, where he resided until the 
year 1877, when he removed to this township, where 
he has since resided ; Mr. Oman has always been 
a farmer, and it is claimed by all that he makes a 
success of it. He has never been married ; his sister 
keeps house for him ; Mr. Oman has a brother with 
him, .J. F., who has recently come from Michigan, and 
should the county suit may make this his future home. 

ONEAL, JAMES A., was born in Norwalk, Huron 
Co.. this State, on the 14th of October, 1852; he re- 
sided there until the age of 14, when he engaged him- 
self to the Lake Shore Railroad Co., in which place he 
remained for four years ; from there he went to 
Greenwich, where he stayed one year, and then went 
back to the railroad one year; from that, he went 
into the saw-mill business ; from there he went to 
Wyandot Co., where he remained over two years, and 
then to Wood Co., where he remained~-two years ; from 
there he went to Delphi, and from there he came 
here, where he has since remained, and has charge of, 
and runs, the saw-mill located at this place. Mr. 
Oneal is a millwright by profession, and is considered 
by good judges to be proficient at the business. On the 
last day of June, 1872, he was married to ^liss Marga- 
ret Kooken ; they have a family of three children — 
Elmina M., .John W. and William. 

PARRISH, HUGH L., REV., deceased,* was born in 
Pembroke, Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 29, 1812, and died 
in Rome, Richland Co., Ohio, June 17, 1879. He was 
converted Aug. 12, 1827, when 15 years old, at the 
close of a Methodist class-meeting. His mother be- 
longed to the Baptist Church, but he, feeling drawn 
toward the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she, be- 
lieving he was a Christian, and yet forbidden by her 
church to commune with her son, united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church with him. He always 
attributed his early conversion and love for the church 
to the example and prayers of a pious mother. He 
was licensed to exhort in Mercer Circuit, Pittsburgh 
Conference, by Cornelius Jones, July 13, 1833. He 
was licensed to preach, June 3, 1835, at Salem, Penn., 
Alfred Brunson, Presiding Elder. He commenced the 
itinerant's life in October, 1836, under the direction of 
Adam Poe, Presiding Elder of Wooster District, on 
Richfield Circuit, George Smith in charge. He was ad- 
mitted to the Michigan Conference, on trial, in the fall 
of 1837, and sent to Wooster Circuit with George 
Smith and Thomas H. Dunn. Bishop W. L. Harris 
entered the traveling connection at the same confer- 
ence. His remaining appointments were as follows : 
In 1838, Wellington, James Brewster in chai-ge ; 1839, 
Medina Circuit, John L. Ferris, Assistant, ordained 
Deacon at Ann Arbor in 1839, by Bishop Soule ; 
1840-41, Dover Circuit, ordained Elder at Wooster in 
1841, by Bishop Roberts ; 1842-43, Brunswick Circuit; 
1844-45, Amherst Circuit, Joseph Santley, Assistant ; 
1846-47, Berea; 1848, Medina Circuit, W. C. Pierce 
in charge; 1849, Medina Circuit, William SpafiFord, 
Assistant; 1850, Sullivan Circuit ; 1851, Olivesburg 

* From his obituary notice. 



■71 



V 



760 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Circuit, J. Scoles, Assistant; 1852, Olivesburg Circuit, 
R. H. Chubb, Assistant; 1853, Sullivan Circuit; 1854- 
55, Jeromeville Circuit, P. R. Roseberry, Assistant; 
1856-57, Mansfield ; 1858-60, Presiding Elder Mans- 
field District; 1861, agent Ohio Wesleyan Female Col- 
lege at Delaware; 1862, Chaplain 102d llegt. 0. V. I.; 
1863-64, Berea; 1865-67, Taylor street, Cleveland; 
1868-70, Lorain street, Cleveland; 1871-72, Galena 
Circuit ; 1873-75, Pelton avenue, Cleveland ; 1876, 
Shiloh Circuit ; 1877-78, superannuated ; 1879, trans- 
ferred from earth to heaven. He was twice married. 
His first wife vyas Jemima Darrow, who left two 
children — daughters — at her death, both living. His 
second wife was Abbie A. Ingham, the comfort of his 
infirm old age. Brother Parrish was one of the old- 
school preachers, the pioneers of Methodism in the 
West, whose college was experience ; whose teacher, 
the Holy Spirit ; whose study, the saddle. 

PARRISH, MRS. ABBIE A., is the widow of the 
late Rev. Hugh L. Parrish, who departed this life on 
the 17th of .June, 1879, whose portrait and life will be 
found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Parrish was 
born in New London Co., Conn., on the 1st of Janu- 
ary, 1828; when at the age of 8 years, her parents 
removed to this State, where she has since resided ; she 
commenced going to school when quite young and was 
an attentive pupil ; she attained for herself an educa- 
tion sufficient to teach school, which vocation she fol- 
lowed for a few years, when she quit teaching and 
went to the Ohio Wesleyan Female College at Delaware, 
this State, where she graduated with honor, and from 
that time until her marriage with the late Rev. Hugh 
C. Parrish, Feb. 7, 1860, she followed her profession 
as teacher in the high school ; her husband and herself 
by their united energies had made for themselves a 
good home, and, at his death, she fell sole heir to all. 
Her health is somewhat impaired, but she is still able 
to attend to the management of her farm. She enjoys 
the respect of every one who knows her. 

PAUL, MATILDA, is the widow of the late Mr. 
Andrew Paul, who departed this life on the 17th of 
April, 1872. Mrs. Paul was born in Beaver Co., Penn., 
on the 4th of June, 1817, where she resided until the 
age of 19, when she paid her uncle a visit in this town- 
ship, but never returned to her native home, as she 
married Mr Paul on the 2d of January, 1840, and has 
since resided here. They reared a family of eight 
children, six of whom are still living and named Mar- 
garet Ann, William M., Mary J., Andrew E., Matilda 
and Nancy C; those deceased are named Elizabeth, who 
died after marriage, and Rebecca Ann, who died in 
infancy. Her son Andrew A. is unmarried, resides at 
home and carries on the farm, and three daughters, 
unmarried, are still at home; the rest of her children 
are married. 

PITTENGER, IRA L., was born in Rome, this town- 
ship, Dec. 16, 1852, where he has since resided, with 
the exception of about one year, when he resided in 
Weller Township. He was married Nov. 19, 1876, to 
Ida V. BackenstD, who was born in this county, where 
she has always lived; they have two children — Loyd 
0. and a baby. Mr. Pittenger is by prc^fession a school 
teacher, which vocation he followed in the winter sea- 
son ; in the summer he pays his attention to farming; 



he has also followed the business of buying produce 
through the county for a period of four seasons. He 
has never missed a winter at school, either as pupil or 
teacher, since he was 5 years of age ; he has taught 
school eleven terms. 

POTTER, GEORGE H., was born in Franklin Co., 
Penn., on the 21stof October, 1888, where he resided un- 
til the year 1866, when he came to this county and has 
since resided here. Mr. Potter is by profession a 
miller, although he has paid some attention to farm- 
ing ; for the past ten years, however, he has been 
in the grocery business at this place, and for the past 
four years has been Postmaster also of Ganges. In the 
year 1870, on the 10th of .July, he was married to Mrs. 
McElroy. H« enlisted in the late war, first a mem- 
ber of Co. K, 126th Penn. V. I.; he was enrolled Aug. 
2, 1862 ; discharged on the 20th of May, 1863 ; sec- 
ond, was amember of Co. D, 21st Penn. V. C; enrolled on 
the 1st of February, 1864, and discharged on the 8th of 
July, 1865, at Lynchburg, Va. 

POWELL, ELIZABETH, MRS., is the widow of the 
late William Powell, who was born in Pitt Township, 
Allegheny Co., Penn., March 7, 1805. At the age of 17, 
he came to this county, and lived here until his death, 
which occurred March 7, 1880, at the age of 75 years. 
Mrs. Powell was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Aug. 14, 
1813 ; she lived there until the age of 17, when her 
parents removed to this county, where she has since 
resided; they have thirteen children, seven of whom 
are still living — James, William H., Matilda Jane, 
Priscilla Ann, Sarah, Lydia and George W.; the ones 
deceased were named Margaret, Mary, John, Nancy, 
David R. and Elizabeth ; James, W'illiam H., Matilda 
Jane, Priscilla Ann and Sarah are married. George 
W. was born Feb. 22, 1857, on this farm, and has 
always lived here ; he has always paid his attention to 
farming, and now carries on the farm for his mother, 
which he has been doing since his father's last and 
fatal illness. 

POWELL, JAMES, was born in this township Aug. 
20, 1837, where he has always resided. He was mar- 
ried, June 19, 1860, to Sarah C. Roseberry, who was 
born in Ashland Co., April 15, 1845 ; they have a fam- 
ily of five children, all of whom are still living — Syl- 
vester W., Ida May, Otho, Irene S. and Ina E. Mr. 
Powell has always farmed from boyhood, and of late 
years has turned his attention to dealing in stock, al- 
though he owns and has the management of two farms. 
He has, by industry and strict attention to business, 
made for himself and family a good home. 

POWELL, WILLIAM H., was born in this township 
June 5, 1840, and has always lived in the township. 
He was married, Aug. 3, 1868, to Sabra S. Finch ; they 
have five children — Nora B., Delia, Nettie, S. W. and 
Eva. Mr. Powell has always been a farmer. 

QUINN, SAMUEL, was born in this State, Feb. 21, 
1812, where he resided until the year 1821, when 
his parents removed to this township and located 
on the farm our subject now owns ; he is the oldest 
child of seven children, whose parents' names were 
Daniel and Hester Quinn, both of whom are dead ; his 
father died Jan. 1, 1861 ; his mother on the 6th of 
May, 1873, at the ripe old age of 82 years ; our subject 



BLOOMIXG GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



761 



well remembers the first night they spent in this town- 
ship, the 17th of April, the snow fell at the depth of 
eighteen inches ; soon after this his father lost one of 
his horses, but soon obtained another one in exchange 
for a yoke of cattle ; he remembers how one John 
Aller used to bring over his team, accompanied by sev- 
eral of his boys, and how hugely they used to enjoy 
the exercise of their physical powers in logging ; his 
father was considered by all to be a good marksman 
and says he killed a great many deer, and if just a few 
miles from home, he would give them away rather than 
carry them home. Our subject was never married ; his 
housekeeper. Miss Fannie Dugan, is a native of Ire- 
land, has been in the family for over fifteen years, and 
is a lady who is respected by all. Camp Council of the 
war of 1812 was almost direct in front of where his 
house now stands. He has never taken any active part 
in political matters, but casts his vote for the Democ- 
racy ; he has by good management made for himself a 
good home ; has always paid his attention to farming. 

QUIN, GEORGE, was born in this township on the 
16th of February, 1834, and has always lived in the 
township, making him one of the oldest surviving set- 
tlers of the county ; has always paid his attention to 
farming. He was married on the 4th of March, 1861, 
to Miss Clarrissa Ferrell ; they have reared a fam- 
ily of eight children, three of whom are still living, 
and named Delia, Ora and Silva ; the ones that are 
dead died in infancy. 

REYNOLDS, FRANKLIN D., was born in this 
county on the 12th of July, 1854 ; he has always re- 
sided here, and paid his attention to farming. In the 
year 1877, on the 6th day of December, he was married 
to Miss Mary E. Zeiters. 

RORICK, J. F., was born in this county and town- 
ship, at the village of Rome, Aug. 22, 1854, and has 
since resided here, and has followed as his vocation the 
wagon and carriage business, but for the past three 
years he has been engaged in the merchandise business 
with his brother at Rome ; his brother sold to his broth- 
er-in-law, Martin Collin ; in the future it will be under 
the firm name of Rorick & Collin, general dealers in all 
kinds of merchandise, dry goods and everything found in 
a first-class store, it being the only general store in the 
town. Mr. Rorick's father was one of the old settlers 
in the township, having resided here for over a genera- 
tion ; he departed this life July 21. 1879, being lamented 
by all who knewhim ; he was born in Germany in 
1812, where he resided until the age of 15 years, when 
he removed to the United States, located in Pennsylvania 
and resided there sixteen years, when he removed to 
this county, where he resided until his death. He was 
married to Margaret Moun in 1847 ; they raised a fam- 
ily of four children — Jacob, Joseph F., Mary E. and 
Hannah Amanda. Mr. Rorick served four years in the 
late war. 

RUTH, H. N., was born in this township on the 12th 
of July, 1850, and has always lived here ; he is by 
profession a carpenter, and follows that as his vocation. 
In the year 1875, on the 14th of October, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Caroline Emery. 

SANKER, JOHN G., was born in Saxon Germany 
Sept. 20, 1825, where he resided until the age of 7 
years, when his parents removed to this country, and 



located in Columbiana Co., this State, where they re- 
mained for about fourteen years, when he removed to 
this township, where he has since resided ; on his 
coming here he learned the trade of carriage and 
wagon making, and that has been his vocation ever 
since ; he now carries on that business at Shenan- 
doah. In the year 1847, May 30, he was married 
to Miss Catharine Sonanstine ; they have raised nine 
children, eight of whom are still living, and named 
Curtis J., Sylvester, Alphingo, Jennetta C, David A., 
Jennie May, Delia and Leonard J. ; the second child, 
named Joseph W., died at the age. of 2 years. Mr. 
Sanker has, by fair dealing and strict attention to busi- 
ness, built up for himself a good trade, as well as made 
a good home for his family. Mr. and Mrs. Sanker are 
both members of the Disciple Church. During the late 
war, his son, Curtis J., entered the service for his 
father at the age of 17 years, and while there he con- 
tracted a fever, which has injured his health. Four of 
Mr. Sanker's children are now married — Sylvester, 
Alphingo, Jennetta C. and Jennie May. Mrs. Sanker 
has lived in this township forty-seven years. 

SANKER, DAVID A., was born in this township 
Nov. 8, 1858, where he has since resided ; he has learned 
the carriage and wagon making of his father, and has 
always paid his attention to it ; he now runs the black- 
smithing department of his father's factory. They man- 
ufacture carriages and wagons of all descriptions, and 
at prices to suit the times ; they also manufacture 
sleighs of all kinds, and do all kinds of repairing. 

SHAMES, GEORGE, was born in Germany on the 
24th of June, 1830 ; he remained there until the year 
1852, when he came to this country, locating in this 
county, where he has since resided ; Mr. Shambs has 
always paid his attention to farming and dealing in 
stock, and now makes a specialty of breeding and 
handling short-horn cattle, together with all kinds of 
stock. In the year 1855, on the 10th of December, he 
was married to Miss Margaret Zachman ; they have 
had a family of nine children, eight of whom are 
living — Margaret, John F., Mary Jane, George B. 
McClellan, Carrie B., Eugene, Philip and Josephine; 
Ella B. departed this life on the 8th day of Decem- 
ber, 1878, aged 18 years 6 months and 15 days ; 
she was a young lady whom every one loved and 
respected. Mr. Shambs has, by good management and 
strict attention to business, made for himself and fam- 
ily a good home, and is considered one of the foremost 
citizens of the township in any direction that tends to 
elevate or enlighten the rising generation. 

SNAPP, PETER, was born in Virginia March 12, 
1808, in Shenandoah Co., where he resided until the 
year 1836, when he removed to this county and town- 
ship, where he has since resided, and has paid his at- 
tention to farming, principally ; he followed shoemak- 
ing for the first few years after his location here, but 
soon purchased a farm; he has owned two or three 
good farms in the township, aside from the one he now 
owns. Mr. Snapp has held offices of trust, from time to 
time, in his county and township ; the last oflice he held 
was County Commissioner ; he served two terms, being six 
years; his last term expired in the fall of 1879, which 
record shows for itself how he was held in the estima- 
tion of the citizens of this county at large. April 






^ 



!k. 



762 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



22, 1831, he was married to Miss F. A. Sonaustine ; 
they have raised a family of ten children, nine of 
whom are still living; — Margaret Jane, Mary A., Cath- 
erine, George W., Ellen M.. Emma C, John L., Frank- 
lin P. and William A.; the one that died was the oldest 
child, named Joseph F., who went to California in 
1852, leaving here the 19th day of March ; resided there 
until his death, March 21, 1877. Mr. Snapp is con- 
sidered amongst the old settlers of his county, and 
himself, together with his brothers, can recall the many 
privations and hardships they had to contend with that 
the present and future generations will never have to 
cope with. One son, John L., is home on a visit from 
his home in Nevada, where himself and brother, Frank 
P., own a large tract of land and carry on the stock and 
mining business. 

SNELL, FRANK, was born in AVayne Co., Ohio, Oct. 
28, 1849, where he resided with his parents until the 
age of 18 years, when he removed to Wadsworth, 
Medina Co., where he remained about four years ; 
from therel he went to Berea, Cuyahoga Co., where he 
remained about two years, when he came to this place, 
where he has since resided. While at the age of 
18 years, he learned the trade of carriage-paint- 
ing, which has since been his occupation, he now having 
charge of the painting department in his father-in-law's 
(Mr. Sanker) carriage factory. In the year 1876, 
Sept. 7, he was married to Miss Jennette C. Sanker. 
They have one child, a daughter, named Blanche, 3 years 
old. By fair dealing and strict attention to business, 
he has built up for himself a good trade. 

STARR, ELIZABETH, MRS., was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Blooming Grove Township ; she was born 
Sept. 12, 1787, in Huntington Co., Penn., and lived 
there ten years, and removed to Beaver Falls in the 
fall of 1797, arriving at the falls Nov. 4, 1797. Mar- 
ried Aug. 23, 1810, lived there until 1818, removed to 
Richland Co., in 1818, leaving the falls May 1, and 
arrived at her home in the wilderness of Blooming 
Grove on May 12, where she has lived until now, 
March 4, 1880. Her grandfather Colwell, on her 
mother's side, came from Ireland; her grandmother 
Colwell was American-born, born in Chester Co., Penn. ; 
her maiden name was Elizabeth McClain. Her grand- 
father, John Mitchell, was born in County Tyrone, 
Ii-eland ; his father's name was George; grandfather 
Mitchell and grandmother Mary Camble, were both 
born and married in County Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated 
to America, and settled near Chambersburg, Penn. 
Her father and mother, Robert Mitchell and Anne Col- 
well, before marriage, were forted from Indians, near 
Huntington, Penn., on one Litel's farm, part of each 
year of the seven years of the war of independence, 
and were married in 1783. Her brother, David Col- 
well, was a soldier under Washington ; was in the 
battle of Brandywine, helped take the Hessians at 
Trenton. She has always been on the frontier, never 
had the advantage of an education, not so much as to 
read and write, and gave these sketches from memory. 
She has lived under the administration of every Presi- 
dent from Washington down. 

STARR, MITCHEL, M. D., Shanandoah, was born 
in Butler Township, Richland Co., Oct. 27, 1820, 
and has since resided in the county. Studied medicine 



in 1847, with Dr. Allen, of Rome, and began practicing 
in 1851, and by close attention to business has secured 
a large practice. During the late war the Doctor en- 
tered the service as Assistant Surgeon of the 174th 0. 
V. I., continuing with the regiment until the close of 
the war, since which time he has been engaged in the 
practice of his profession and the management of his 
two farms. He is the fifth child of Robert and Eliza- 
beth Starr, old settlers of the county. In 1852, he 
was married to Mary M. Cummings ; their children 
are Grattan F., Wilson S., and Judson C. His parents 
came to the county in 1817, and located the farm upon 
which his mother (who is still living, at the age of 92) 
yet resides. The old lady has been blind for fifteen 
years, but retains her mental faculties in a remarkable 
degree ; her birthday is Sept. 12. The Doctor is not a 
politician, but has voted "the Prohibition and Republi- 
can tickets. When Gov. Tod called out the " Squirrel 
Hunters," Dr. Starr responded, and marched to the de- 
fense of Cincinnati, which was then threatened by Gen. 
Kirby Smith. He relates that while on this expedition, 
one of his comrades went on a foraging expedition and 
secured some sweet potatoes, but was followed by the 
owner of the potatoes, who threatened to shoot the 
forager ; whereupon the man with the gun was ar- 
rested, and while surrounded by the soldiers, one 
Flanders, who probably had previous acquaintance with 
him, accused him of being a rebel ; whereupon he was 
made to hold up both hands and swear to support the 
Constitution of the United States, of the State of 
Ohio, work in the trenches for the Government, and 
take postage stamps in exchange for sweet potatoes. 
The Doctor enjoys talking of old times, and says the 
cradle in which he was rocked was a sugar trough. 
They ground their corn in a horse-mill, the nearest 
being located at Olivesburg. The bed occupied by his 
mother when her fourth child was born was constructed 
of four forked sticks driven in the ground for bedposts, 
upon which sticks and straw was laid. 

STARR, GRATTAN F., was born in Weller Town- 
ship, this county, March 19,1853; he has resided in 
this township since 1857. He was married, Dec. 18, 
1873, to Annie Funk ; they have three children, two of 
whom are still living ; Judson died at the age of (i 
months. Mr. Starr is the first child of Dr. Mitchell 
Starr, of whom mention is made elsewhere. He has 
always paid his attention to farming. Mrs. Starr was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn., where she resided until 
the age of 6 years, when her parents came to this 
county, where she has since lived. 

STARR, WILSON S., was born in Olivesburg, this 
county, Oct. 21, 1855, and has always lived in the 
county ; his grandmother and his father are among the 
oldest surviving settlers of the county. Mr. Starr has 
been principally salesman in a store, situated at Shen- 
andoah, although he has farmed some. At present, 
he is engaged in the manufacture of tile, in partner- 
ship with Nathan Whisler. They have the facilities 
to manufacture all sizes, and expect to keep constantly 
on hand the best tile made, and to sell at prices to 
suit the times. He was married, Aug. 31, 1877, to 
Emma F. Runyon ; they have one child — Lottie. 

STARR & WHISLER, tile manufacturers, Shenan- 
doah ; keep constantly on hand the best tile manufact- 






BLOOMING GEOVE TOWNSHIP. 



763 



ured of all sizes, and with prices to suit the times. 
They have the best facilities for making tile, and there 
is no better clay in the State than they use for the pur- 
pose. They warrant their work, and respectfully solicit 
their share of public patronage. 

STEWART, FRANCIS W., was born in Sandusky 
City, Erie Co., Aug. 30, 1840. At the age of 13 months, 
he was sent to his grandmother's (Mrs. Susan Jenks) 
in Huron Co., to live, his mother having died when he 
was only 9 days old ; he lived with his grandmother 
until the age of 7 years ; his father having married 
again, he went to live with him in Cleveland ; lived 
there two years, then went to live with Lewis Harring- 
ton, his uncle, in Greenfield Township, Huron Co.; he 
lived with him twelve years at that place, when his 
uncle moved to Fairfield Township, and stayed there six 
years ; then went to Michigan ; remained there five 
years, then returned to Huron County, where they 
stayed two years, and from there he came to this town- 
ship and has since resided here. He was married, 
Jan. 26, 1873, to Phoebe Mann, who was born in Huron 
Co., April 12, 1839 ; she lived in Huron Co. thirty-eight 
years, the balance in this township ; they have one 
child — EUeva. Mr. Stewart has generally farmed dur- 
ing life, which business he still carries on, on the farm 
he now owns. 

SIGNER, GEORGE, was born in this county and 
township July 27, 1832, and has remained here and 
has always paid his attention to farming ; he is the fifth 
son of Henry and Catherine Stoner, who are both dead. 
He was married to Miss Mary Jane Madden March 8, 
185-5, the day Buchanan took his seat in the Presiden- 
tial chair ; they have two children — Susanah C. and 
Emma Jane, who are still living, the oldest being married 
and now resides in Michigan with her husband, Adam 
Fike. 

STURTS, HENRY, was born in Bedford Co., Penn., 
Oct. 3, 1823, where he resided until the age of 13 
years, when his parents removed to Lancaster Co., where 
they remained a few years, when they removed to Knox 
Co., where they stayed about two years; thence Mr. 
Sturts removed to this county, and located in this 
township, where he has, the most of the time, resided, 
during which time he has paid his attention to farm- 
ing. About the year 1855, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Rofeewalt ; they have two children — John G. 
and Harriett C. The latter is married to Mr. Joseph 
Delancy, of Cass Township. 

ST. .JOHNS, GILES, was born in this county on 
the 14th of March, 1839, where he has since resided, 
and has always paid his attention to farming ; he has 
resided in this township fifteen years. In the year 
1864, on the 31st of October, he was married to Miss 
Sarah Bricker ; they have a family of three children, 
Sarah A., Eva R. and Cora May. 

TERMAN, HIRAM, was born in this county on the 
8th of May, 1842; he has always resided here, with 
the exception of three years and two months, which 
time he served in the late war ; he enlisted in Decem- 
ber, 1861, on the 26th day, and was mustered out on 
the 4th of January, 1864 ; he was a member of Co. F, 
82d 0. V. I.; he participated in all the battles the reg- 
iment was called upon to engage in, until the battle of 
Gettysburg, on the 1st of July, when he was taken 



prisoner, and remained as such for a period of over 
seventeen months ; was first taken to Belle Island ; 
thence to Andersonville ; from there to Savannah, and 
thence to Uealon Junction, from where he was 
paroled. Mr. Terman is a farmer by occupation, and 
has always followed that. In the year 1868, he was 
married to Miss Nancy J. Boals ; they have two chil- 
dren — Walter B. and Harry W. 

THOMAS, JOSEPH R., was born in Lancaster Co., 
Penn.. on the 5th of June, 1824; he resided there 
until the age of 14 years ; from there he removed to 
Dauphin Co., where he resided until the year 1851, 
when he removed to this county, where he has since 
resided. Mr. Thomas is, by profession, a shoemaker, 
and is considered by all who claim to be judges to be 
proficient at the business ; he now carries on the busi- 
ness at Ganges ; he manufactures all kinds of boots 
and shoes, warrants his work and sells at prices to suit 
the times. In the year 1854, on the 28th of January, 
he was married to Miss Catharine Cullter ; they have a 
family of four children, two of whom are still living — 
Annie and Joseph C; Jacob died in 1855, aged 8 
months; AVilliam S. died in 1871, aged 6 years; he 
met his death, nearly in front of his father's residence, 
by a horse running over him while the little fellow was 
trying to get his hat, which the wind had taken from 
his head ; Willie was a remarkably smart boy of his 
age, and was beloved and lamented by all. Mr. 
Thomas has been married twice ; by his first wife he 
had two children. In the late war, Mr. Thomas was a 
member of Co. F, 82d 0. V. I. ; he was enrolled in the 
month of September, 1862, and discharged in June, 
1865 ; he participated in all the numerous battles the 
regiment was called upon to engage in. 

THOMAS, JACOB, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., 
March 6, 1804, where he lived until the age of 30 
years, when he removed to this county, where he has 
since resided. He has followed fence-making and 
manufacturing rakes, which vocations he still follows ; 
he claims his rakes meet with a more ready sale than 
any produced in the county. His son Franklin James, 
who resides at home, is a young man who says he is 
bound to be a scholar. 

THOMPSON, JOHN, is the third child of Thomas and 
Mary Thompson, who settled in this township over 
fifty years ago ; Mr. Thompson was born on the ad- 
joining farm he now owns, Dec. 23, 1828, which 
place has been his home ever since, with the exception 
of three years he spent in Wood Co. He was twice 
married ; first to Susan Miller, who bore him one 
child, named Thomas ; he was married to his second 
wife May 19, 1874; her name was Anna Marvin ; she 
was born in England, and came to this country when 15 
years of age, she was born Feb. 16, 1840. ^Ir. 
Thompson is a carpenter by trade, but he has generally 
followed farming as his business, only working at his 
trade from time to time, as occasion demands. 

TOMLINSON, WILLIAM H., was born in this town- 
ship June 11, 1839, where he has since resided; he is 
the eldest child of Joseph and ^Mary Tomlinson ; his 
father came to this township about fifty years ago; his 
mother was born in the township, near Rome. Mr. T.'s 
step-grandfather, William Young, resides in La Faj'ette, 
Butler Township, and says he is 100 years old ; Jie has 



764 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



often seen Gen. Washington ; he first voted for Thomss 
Jefferson, third President ; he says he saw Hamilton 
and Burr fight the duel July 11, 1804, and attended 
Hamilton's funeral, who died from wounds received in 
the duel. Mr. Tomlinson was married, Feb. 12, 1863, 
to Irene M. Turbett, who was born in Cumberland Co., 
Peun., June 18, 1845, where she resided until the age 
of 10 years, when her parents removed to this State 
and located in Crawford Co., about two miles from the 
county seat, where she resided five years, when her 
parents removed to this county, where she has since 
resided; they have two children, one of whom is still 
living — NorrisJ.; the other one died in infancy. Mr. 
Tomlinson has never paid much attention to political 
matters, although he now represents this township as 
Trustee. He has followed different vocations ; at pres- 
ent he is general real-estate and collecting agent, aside 
from having the management of his farm. 

TRESH, ADAM, was born in Germany Oct. 10, 1841 ; 
when at the age of 13 years, his parents removed to 
this county, and located at Newburg, where he resided 
until 1870, when our subject came to this county, 
where he worked getting out staves, dividing his time 
between this and Huron Co. for three years, when he 
bought the farm he now owns, and has since occupied 
it seven years. He was married, March 17, 1870, to 
Phoebe A. Kinsell, who was born in Greenwich Town- 
ship, Huron Co., Aug. 2 1 , 1849 ; they have two children 
— Charles A. and Margaret .J. Mr. Tresh is a cooper 
by trade, but since he bought this farm, he has given 
his attention exclusively to farming. 

VALENTINE, ANDREW, was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn., April 12, 1830, where he resided until the age 
of 7 years, when his parents came to this State, Co- 
shocton Co., where he remained four years, when he 
came to this county and township, where he has re- 
sided the most of his time ; his vocation has been that 
of farming. In 1874, Nov. 5, Mr. Valentine was mar- 
ried to Miss Susan Amanda McCormick ; they have 
two children, one of whom died Sept. 26, 1878, 
the other a little boy, named Henry M., is still liv- 
ing; the little girl, Rebecca Ann, died at the age of 
3 years and 19 days. Mr. Valentine entered the serv- 
ice in the late war Oct. 1, 1862, was a member of Co. 
F, 20th 0. V. I., was discharged July, 1863 ; his time 
had expired, but during service he was seriously af- 
flicted with the fever, besides he received a severe 
wound in the right leg, just below the kneo, while per- 
forming his duty, and carried the bullet for over eigh- 
teen months after his discharge ; after he received the 
wound, Mr. Valentine tells that he escaped to an old 
cedar-tree, where he remained for four days, being un- 
able to move, and that the snow was ten inches deep 
a good part of the lime; during the short time Mr. 
Valentine served, he met with a great many hard- 
ships, and was called upon to perform many acts ; at 
one time while the Confederate Gen. Morgan made 
his famous raid into Ohio, he was called upon while at 
Camp Denison, together with what troops were there, to 
go after him, and as there were but few officers in 
charge, although he was suffering from the wound, he 
did not flinch when duty called, he ofiiciating as Cap- 
fain ; when in sight of the enemy, they not show- 
ing much fight, he took a select body of men and forced 



a surrender of fifteen men, only losing one man killed ; 
he took his men back and reported to headquarters ; 
owing to his disability they would not allow him to go 
out again for a few days, soon after he was called 
upon by the officers in charge to go into Morgan's 
camp as a spy; he went right through Gen. Morgan's 
camp, had a talk with the General and his brother, 
as with many others ; by the information he obtained, 
Morgan and his men were soon put to flight ; soon after 
that Gen. Morgan was killed, and our subject soon came 
home. 

VALENTINE, JACOB, was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn., Jan. 25,1804; he resided there until 1839, 
when he removed to Coshocton Co., where he remained 
four years, when he removed to this township, where 
he has since resided ; he has always paid his attention 
to farming. In the year 1825, on the 12th of May, he 
was married to Miss Rebecca De Vore ; they reared a 
family of nine children, six of whom are still living, and 
named Andrew, Philip, Henry T., William A., Julia, Ann 
and Catherine ; Charity died the 26th of March, 1863 ; 
Martha E. died on the 29th of April, 1873, and one child 
died in infancy. Mr. Valentine also lost his wife on the 
5th of December, 1875, who died at the ripe age of 67 
years 5 months and 14 days ; she was a devoted wife and 
mother; was beloved by all who knew her. His son, 
Henry, who now carries on the farm, was born in Cos- 
hocton Co., this State, on the I4th of April, 1840, and re- 
moved here with his parents when 2 years of age. He, 
with his father, are considered amongst the surviving 
pioneers of the county, and can recall many hardships 
and privations. They, together with others, had to con- 
tend with that the present as well as the future gener- 
ations will never know. 

VANHORN, WILLIAM, was born in Beaver Co., 
Penn., Aug. 17, 1808; lived there until 5 years of 
age, when his parents removed to Washington Co., 
same State, where they lived about four years, when 
they went back to Beaver Co., and stayed there a few 
years, when they removed to this State, and settled in 
Columbiana Co.; they resided there a few years, when 
they came to this county, where Mr. Vanhorn has 
since resided. Mr. Vanhorn is a carpenter by trade, 
which business he followed until about the year 1859, 
since which time he has been in the mercantile busi- 
ness. In the year 1840, he was married to Miss Mary 
Frounfeeter; two children were born to them, named 
Gustavus A. and Mary Hellen ; both are married. Of 
late years, Mr. Vanhorn's health has been somewhat 
impaired. 

VANHORN, BARNARD, was born in Columbiana Co., 
this State, on the 10th of June, 1817 ; he resided there 
until the age of 19, when he removed to this county 
and has lived in this township for a period of thirty- 
seven years, where he has principally been carrying on 
the coopering business. In April, 1843, he was married 
to Miss Sophia Clinesmith ; they have a family of ten 
children, nine of whom are still living— Elizabeth, Ann, 
William F.,Mary A., Almira, Andrew, George, Franklin, 
Charles and Susanah ; the one deceased is Eli, who 
died at the age of 5 years. Mr. Vanhorn can recall 
many privations and hardships that himself with 
many others had to contend with incident to pioneer 
life. 



-^1 



Tv" 



^1 



BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



765 



WALKER, JOSEPH, was born in this township and 
on the farm he now owns Sept. 30, 1824. He has al- 
ways lived in the township. He was married, Sept. 28, 
1852, to Liza M. Warner, wlio was born in New York 
May 1, 1831 ; she has lived in this county since she 
was married ; they have two children, one of whom is 
living — Mary .J.; she is married to William D. Norton; 
Albert died at the age of 16. Mr. Walker has always 
farmed and still follows that as his vocation. His 
father was born in Ireland, and came to this country 
about the year 1812, and located in Harrison Co., 
where he stayed a few years, then came to this county 
and resided here until his death, which occurred in 
1845 or 1846. 

WALTON, GEORGE, was born in England, six miles 
from Seige, April 6, 1820; he resided there until the 
age of 20 years, when he came to the United States and 
located near Painesville, where he remained and worked 
at his trade four years ; then he removed to Mt. Ver- 
non ; stayed there one year ; from there he removed to 
this county, where he has since resided, with the ex- 
ception of three years he was in Ashland Co. Mr. 
Walton by trade is a cloth manufecturer ; he served his 
apprenticeship in England seven years ; he worked at 
his trade in this State seventeen years, but of late years 
he has been farming, now owning the farm he occupies. 
He was married, Jan. 7, 1856, to Margaret Haman,who 
was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 11, 1833; they 
have three children — Anna Mary, Alice M. and Rosa 
May. 

WEAVER, GEORGE (deceased). Maj. Weaver was 
born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 8, 1801. He was 
married to Christina Shafer Dec. 4, 1823 ; he came to 
this county in 1839, remaining till 1860, when he 
removed to Hardin Co., where he died Jan. 22, 1872. 
Through all his life he was a military man — first in the 
Mexican war, and last in the rebellion ; he removed to 
Hardin Co. at the beginning of the war, where he 
raised a company, and was in Columbus by the 19th of 
April, 1861 ; he was commissioned Major of the 4th 0. 
V. I., in which were a few Richland soldiers ; he con- 
tinued to serve with the regiment until 1863, when he 
was compelled to resign, owing to his advanced age and 
impaired health. While a resident of this county, he 
held many offices of trust, and was much respected by 
all. He lost one eye in the Mexican war, and a few 
years before his death the remaining one ; this very 
much depressed him, as it deprived him of his accus- 
tomed activity, and caused him to pass his declining 
days in comparative quiet. 

WEAVER, SHANNON, was born in Wayne Co., 
Ohio, Nov. 1, 1838; when 1| years old, his parents 
removed to this township, where he has since re- 
sided ; he lives on the farm his father first located ; 
his father died March 16, 1873, aged 73 years 9 months 
and 26 days ; his mother died about five years previous 
to his father's death. He was married, Feb. 22, 1865, 
to Eliza*ieth Huston, who was born in Franklin Town- 
ship, May 2, 1842 ; they have one child, James Wilson. 
Mr. Weaver has followed farming from boyhood, and 
has, by industry and strict attention to business, made 
for himself and family a good home. 

WELLING, GEORGE, was born in Harrison Co. 
Nov. 25, 1843, where he resided until the year 1868, 



when he removed to this county, where he has since 
resided. He enlisted in the late war as a member of 
Co. L, 13th 0. V. I., in the three-months service; was 
also a member of Co. G, 74th 0. V. I., then re-enlisted 
in the 4th U. S. Cav., where he served three years, 
making a period of four years ; he participated in all 
the numerous battles the regiment was engaged in ; the 
following are some of the principal battles : Stone 
River, Middleton, Snow Hill, Franklin, Shelbyville, 
Chickamauga, Okalona, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Noonday Creek, Lovejoy's, Jonesboro, Rome; Nashville, j 
Tenn., 16th and 17th of December, 1864 ; Selma, Ala., 
April 2, 1865, where he was wounded ; Columbus, Ga., 
April 15, 1865. He was married, Oct. 23, 1868, to 
Margaret Ann Cleland ; they have had five children, 
three are living — Leanorea, Ada and Lulu ; one died in 
infancy ; one named Grizela J., died Feb. 9, 1870, aged 
15 days. Mr. Welling has always farmed from boy- 
hood, and still carries on that business. 

WHISLER, ISRAEL, was born in Franklin Town- 
ship ; he has resided in the county, with the exception 
of about three and one-half years, which time he 
spent in different States in the West. He was married 
Nov. 14, 1869, to Silvina Kendall, who was born in 
this county Oct. 29, 1852, and has always lived in the 
county ; they have a family of five children — Richard, 
John, Mary, Jacob H. and Francis. Mr. Whisler has 
been a farmer from boyhood, and intends to make that 
his business in the future. 

AVHITE, ELIZABETH, MRS., is the widow of the 
late Philip White, who was born in Sandusky Co. Sep- 
tember 8, 1835 ; he departed this life May 1, 1870, aged 
35 years 8 months and 7 days. Mrs. White was born 
in Cumberland Co., Penn., April 19, 1835; at the age 
of 10 years, her parents removed to this county, where 
she has since lived. 

WIDDERS, ABRAM E. H., was born in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., July 29, 1855, where he lived until 
the age of 3 years, when his parents removed to Car- 
lisle, and stayed there two years; thence they went to 
Middleton, Dauphin Co., where they remained nine 
years : his mother died, and our subject hired himself 
out to a farmer in Lancaster Co. for one year ; after 
his time expired, he went to Lebanon Co., where he re- 
mained three years; thence he went to Franklin Co., 
where he remained four years; from there he went 
back to Dauphin Co., where he remained one year, 
when he came to this county, where he has since re- 
sided ; his business has always been that of a farmer, 
which he now follows ; he has just purchased a part of 
the farm he now occupies. He was married, Feb. 10, 
1878, to Verona Hettler ; they have one child — 
Artemus 0. 

WILSON. JOHN, was born in Huntington Co., 
Penn., Sept. 17, 1819, where he lived until the age of 
3 yeai's, when his parents removed to this county ; 
his father landed in Mansfield in October, 1823, and 
located in Franklin Township ; he remained there one 
winter, then bought 50 acres of land near Shenandoah, 
in the edge of Franklin Township, where he remained 
about six years ; he then bought 80 acres in Blooming 
Grove Township, and resided in the township until his 
death, July 28, 1863, aged about 80 years. His wife died 



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766 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



about 1840; she was born October 21, 1794. John Wil- 
son was married June 2, 1864, to Susan Hubley, who 
was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., July, 1830; they 
have one child — Matilda J., who was born April 8, 
1865, in this township. Mr. Wilson has, from boyhood, 
farmed, and still follows it as his vocation. 

WITT, HORATIO, was born in Somerset Co., Penn., on 
the 16th of March, 1815; he resided thereuntil 20 years 
of age, when he removed to Wayne Co. and stayed about 
eighteen months, when he returned to his native State; 
he remained there six months, and from there went 
to Fort Cumberland, Md., where he remained about two 
yeai's ; from there he removed back to Somerset Co., 
stayed about six months and removed back to this State 
and located in Knox Co., where he lived about two and 
one-halfyears, when he came to this county, where he has 
since resided, although he has taken two trips West to 
Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. He is by profession a 
carpenter, although he has not done much at it for the 
past few years. He was a member of Co. E, 3d 0. V. 
C; enlisted the 27th of August, 1862, and was dis- 
charged about the 6th of June, 1865 ; he participated 
in all the battles which his regiment was called upon 
to engage in. In the year 1840, on the 12th of Feb- 
ruary, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Devore) 
Baker ; they had two children, both of whom are 
dead ; the oldest died at the age of 10 months, and the 
youngest at the age of about 18 years. 

WOLFORD, OZIAS F., was born in Franklin Co., 
Penn., July 1, 1843. At the age of 6 years, his parents 
removed to Wyandot Co., Ohio, where they remained 
three years, when they moved back to Pennsylvania 
and stayed there one year, and then removed to this 
county, where Mr. Wolford has since resided. He was 
married, July 24, 1873, to Emma Wolf, who was born 
in this county and has always lived here ; they have 
one child — Alvin L. Mr. Wolford is by profession a 
carpenter as well as a carriage and wagon maker, and 
followed that as his vocation until he married, since 
which time he has farmed and paid his attention to 
stock and grain raising. 

WOOLLEY, GEORGE W., was born on the line of 
Athens Co. Jan. 19, 1829 ; lived there till the age of 
10 years, when he went to Muskingum Co.; he stayed 
there four years, then lived several years in different 
parts of this State and Indiana, finally settling in 
Franklin Co., where he remained twenty-seven years, 
when became to, this county, and has since resided 
here. He was married to his first wife in Franklin Co. 
in 1851 ; she died July 31, 1876; the fruits of this 
marriage were ten children, all living but one, a 
daughter, named Lola, who died Jan. 19, 1871, aged 
17 years ; the ones living are named Lovina A., Jacob 
F., Wilber, John T., George P., Charles, Clarrie A., 
Liila and Guy. He was married to his second wife, 
Mrs. Susan Lattimore, May 3, 1877, who was born on 
this farm Jan. 27, 1835, and has always lived in the 
county ; she is the second child of Simeon and Rebecca 
Rodgers ; her father died April 24, 1845; her mother 
is still living, and came to this township April 11, 1823. 
Mrs. Woolley's fir^it husband's name was William Latti- 
more ; he died May 20, 1870 ; she had four children 
by him ; three are living, and named Huldah, Laura E. 



and Norris ; the one deceased was named Elmer. Mr. 
Woolley is a contractor and stonemason, although he 
has spent a great portion of his time at farming. 

YOUNG, WILLIAM S., is one of the oldest surviving 
pioneers of Blooming Grove Townshipj in fact of Rich- 
land Co.; he was born in this township May 14, 1821, 
and has always lived here, with the exception of one 
year he lived in Shiloh ; he remembers the time the 
Indians were here, how they used to play with him. 
At that time, it was a wilderness, no wagon roads ; they 
blazed trees as their guide. Beall's trail was the only 
noted highway they had in the township. He can 
recall many hardships and privations he had to contend 
with, that the present as well as the future generations 
will never experience. He was married, Feb. 14, 1849, 
to Margaret Jane Dunlap, who was born in Wayne Co. 
July 2, 1825, where she resided until the age of 9 years, 
when her parents came to this township, where she has 
always lived. They have three children, named James 
Henry, John Benton and Matt ; the two first-named are 
married. Mr. Young, has by strict economy made for 
himself and family a good home. 

YOUNG, JOHN B., was born in this county and 
township April 18, 1855 ; he has always lived in the 
county, and followed farming as his business. He was 
married, Oct. 9, 1878, to Annie Mary AValton ; they 
have one child. 

ZEIGLER, SAMUEL, was born in this township, 
and on the farm he now owns and occupies, Oct. 6, 
1833 ; he has always resided here ; he is the oldest of 
ten children, of Benjamin and Sarah Zeigler. His 
father departed this life Feb. 8, 1875, aged 73 years 
and 24 days ; he was born in the old country, 
came to the United States at the age of 3 years, and 
located in this township about 1820, and lived here 
until his death. Mr. Zeigler's mother is still living, 
aged 68 years. Mr. Zeigler was married, Nov. 25, 
1863, to Elizabeth Ehret ; they have one child still liv- 
ing, named Jarius B.; one died in infancy. He has 
always paid his attention to farming, with the exception 
of about three years, when he moved to town, and fol- 
lowed different vocations. 

ZEIGLER, LIDDIE, MRS., was born in this county, 
in the southeastern part, April 19, 1822, and has since 
resided in the county and township for the last twenty- 
three years. She is the wife of the late John Zeigler, 
who departed this life Sept. 1,1874. They raised one 
child — Mary Alice, who is still living. Mr. Zeigler had 
by his former wife fiv? children, four of whom are 
still living, named Solomon, Martin, Lovina and Cath- 
erine E.; the one dead was named Samuel 0. The mother 
of the last-named children was about 39 years old when 
she died in 1856. Mr. Zeigler, the father of these 
children, was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 
1808 ; about 1820, he removed to this county, where he 
resided till his death. Was one of the old settlers of this 
county. He and his family had many hardships. He 
had by his integrity and strict attention to business 
made for himself and family a good home. 

ZEIGLER, MARTIN, was born in this county and 
township Oct. 21, 1844, where he has since resided, 
and has paid his attention principally to farming ; he 
is the third child of John and Eliza Zeigler, who are 



y]z 



T^ 



BUTLER TOWNSHIP. 



767 



both deceased. In the year 1876, on the 28th of 
June, he waa married to Miss Irene L. Ferrell ; they 
have one child, named Orville Judson. Mr. Zeigler 
has by good management and strict attention to busi- 
ness made for himself and family a good home, he 
now owning a little farm situated both north and south 
of the village of Rome, where he now resides. 

ZEIGLER, EMANUEL, was born in this township 
Aug. 19, 1848, where he has always lived. He was 
married Nov. 13, 1878, to Miss Wealthy Ann Starkey ; 
she was born in Hui'on Co., New Haven Township, 
where she lived until their marriage ; they have one 
child— Lloyd Sherman. Mr. Zeigler has always paid 
his attention to farming and dealing in stock, which oc- 
cupations he still follows. 

ZEIGLER, ALLEN G., was born in this township 
Nov. 16, 1851, where he has since lived; he is the 
youngest child of Jacob and Jane Zeigler, who came to 
this county at an early day. His father was born in 
Germany ; his mother was born in this county Feb. 6, 
1822, and has always lived here. Mr. Zeigler was 
married July 3, 1876, to Sarah C. Ellis, who was born 
in Huron Co., and has resided in this county four 
years ; they have one child — Etta May ; she was born 
April, 1878. Mr. Zeigler has always farmed from boy- 
hood, and still follows that as his vocation. His father 
died July 6, 1853, aged about 40 years. 



ZEIGLER, E. J., was born in Butler Township March 
9, 1848, where he resided until the age of 19 years, 
when he removed to this township, where he has since 
lived, with the exception of about three years, when he 
was at Savannah, attending school. He was married 
April 12, 1877, to Miss Josephine Moore, of Delaware 
Co.; they have two children — Harry A. and Willie A. 
Mr. Zeigler is by profession a school teacher, and has 
generally followed that vocation in the winter season, 
and farming, together with dealing in stock, in the 
summer. 

ZEIGLER, BENJ. F., is the seventh child of Henry 
and Margaret Zeigler, and was born July 10, 1855, in 
Butler Township, and has always lived in the county, 
and followed farming and raising stock as his occupa- 
tion ; having recently sold his farm in Butler Town- 
ship, he now carries on the farm for his mother. His 
father was born in Perry Co., Ohio, and came to this 
county at an early day and lived here until his death, 
which occurred in ^larch, 1874, aged about 69 years ; 
his mother was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., and came 
to this county also at an early day ; they had eight 
children, of whom five are still living, named John M., 
Dorcas, Eli, Minerva E. and Benj. F.; those that are 
dead are William H., Ransom and Eliza Ann. Mr. 
Zeigler' s family are among the surviving pioneers of 
the county. 



BUTLER TOWNSHIP. 



ARNETT, HIRAM, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, 
March 10, 1810 ; he is a son of Samuel and Nancy Ar- 
nett, who moved to xMuskingum Co., near Dresden, 
when the subject of this sketch was about 9 years of 
age ; they afterward moved about ten miles northwest 
of Zanesville in the same county ; they then moved to 
Granville, Licking Co., staying in the latter place about 
eighteen months, then moving to Richland Co. in 1822, 
they settled near Bellville. Mr. Arnett resided with 
his parents until he was about 22 years of age, when 
he was married in the fall of 1832, to Miss Elizabeth 
Kemp, daughter of John and Mary Kemp, who emi- 
grated from Virginia and settled in Stark Co., after- 
ward moving to Richland Co., they settled in Sharon 
Township in 1827 or 1828. After his marriage, Mr. 
Arnett settled about three miles south of Mansfield, 
where he lived until the year 1841, when he moved to 
the town, now city of Mansfield, where he resided until 
1861, when he removed to the country, going on his 
present farm about one mile east of the village of Shen- 
andoah, in the spring of 1862. His wife died Feb. 14, 
1864 ; there were seven children born to them, four 
sons and three daughters ; the two oldest, a son and 
daughter, are now dead ; John H., the oldest son living, 
served during the rebellion in the 1st (independent) 
Ohio Battery, enlisting in 1861, and re-enlisting as a 
veteran, he served until mustered out at the close of 
the war, having been in the following engagements : 
Gauley Bridge, Dec. 31, 1861 ; Frederick City, Sept. 



12, 1862; South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862; Antietam, 
Sept. 17, 1862; Fayetteville, May 17 and 18, 1863; 
Lewisburg, Dec. 12, 1863; Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 
1864 ; New River Bridge, May 10, 1864 ; Newport, May 
12, 1864; Lexington, June 11, 1864; Lynchburg, June 
17 and 18. 1864 ; Salem, June 21, 1864 ; Bunker 
Hill, July 19, 1864 : Stevenson's Point, July 20, 1864 ; 
Winchester, July 24, 1864; Martinsburg, July 25, 
1864. • 

BARNES, G. B., farmer ; P. 0. Adario; he was born 
in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in April 12, 1846 ; he is a son 
of Joshua and Sarah Barnes, who came to Richland 
Co. in 1835, and lived here about one year, then moved 
back to Jefferson Co. The subject of this sketch is the 
fifth of a family of ten children ; he remained at home 
until he was 18 years old, when he went to Harrison 
Co., to clerk in a store, where he remained eighteen 
months ; he then entered a Commercial College at Cin- 
cinnati, but had to leave on account of his health ; he 
traveled in the West a short time, and in the spring of 
1870, came to Richland Co., and settled on a farm 
about one mile southeast of Adario, where he lived four 
years ; he then bought and moved about one-half mile 
north of Adario, where he still lives. He was married 
in 1872, to ^Margaret Crawford, of Ashland Co. Mr. 
and Mrs. Barnes have one child, Charlie R.; Mr. Barnes 
is making a specialty in fine sheep and cattle. 

BEATTIE, RACHEL, MRS., P. 0. Greenwich: she 
was born in Chester Co., Penn., April 1, 1828, and is a 



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768 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



daughter of Isaac and Jane Harcourt, who came to 
Richland Co. (in what is now Ashland Co.) in an early 
day; she is the seventh of a family of eight children. 
She was married in the spring of 1845, to William Beat- 
tie (who died in 1878), who was born in Scotland, and 
came to this country about 18o5 or 1836; after their 
marriage, they settled on the present farm ; Mrs. 
Beattie has three children — Olivia, Isaac C. and James A. 

BEVERIDGE, WILLIAM, farmer, P. 0. Adario ; 
he was born in Scotland May 18, 1838 ; he is a son of 
James and Sarah Beveridge, who came to this country 
and State in 1843. They first settled in the north 
part of Butler Township, where they lived about six 
months, and then bought where the subject of this 
sketch liveS) where they spent the rest of their days. 
The subject of this sketch is the sixth of a family of 
eight children ; he lived at home until the fall of 1862, 
when he enlisted in the 20th 0. V. I., in the war of the 
rebellion ; he served about ten months, and then came 
home and settled on the old homestead, where he still 
resides. 

BROKAW, RUNYAN, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he 
was born in Essex Co., N. J., March 27, 1829 ; he is a 
son of Christian and Margaret Brokaw, and is the 
eighth of a family of eleven children. He remained 
at home until he was married, in 1853, to INIary McCan, 
. who died in 1861. He lived on the old homestead 
about three years after his marriage, and then sold out 
and went to Illinois, where he stayed about two years ; 
he then went back to Pennsylvania, and took charge of 
a gang of men on the broad-gauge railroad that was 
in the course of construction, and worked at that until 
December, 1863, when he went to Nashville, Tenn., 
and worked on the Government works there about 
twelve months. In 1865, he was married to Martha 
Osburn, who died in 1867. After he came back from 
Tennessee, he lived in different parts of the county 
until 1870, when he bought where he now resides. He 
has been married eleven years to Jenny Hawt ; he has 
five children, whose names are Lilly, William, Georgiana, 
George R and Mary J. 

BROWN, GIFFORD, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was 
born in Carroll Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1854, and is a son 
of Norwell and Nancy Brown, who were<¥ormerly of 
Virginia. He is the fifth of a family of six children. 
He remained at home until he was married in the 
spring of 1878, to Mattie Cox, of Columbiana Co., Ohio. 
After his marriage he settled in Harrison Co., Ohio, 
where he lived one year, and in the summer of 1879 
he moved to Richland Co., and is at present living 
three-quarters of a mile west of Adario. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown have one child, Pearl May. 

CHURCH, JAMES, farmer; P. 0. Olivesburg ; he 
was born in Virginia, in 1793 ; when he was about 7 
years old, his parents moved to Wetzel Co., W. Va.; 
his father, Henry Church, was an English soldier un- 
der Lord Cornwallis in the Revolutionary struggle, and 
was taken prisoner by the Light Horse Cavalry while 
he and some others were out on a foraging expedition ; 
he took the oath of allegiance and joined the American 
cause; he lived to be 109 years old. The subject of 
this sketch remained at home until he was married, 
Oct. 3, 1813, to Susanna Helms, of Pennsylvania; 
after his marriage, he settled in Virginia, where he 



lived about five years, and then moved, with his wife 
and two children, to the present site of Windsor, in 
Mifflin Township, where he lived about one year ; he 
then bought a tract of land of Ebenezer Williams, 
which he improved seven years, and then sold out and 
bought where he now resides, in 1831 ; he cleared the 
land, which was very heavily timbered ; Mr. Church 
can recall many of the hardships and privations of 
early pioneer life. Mr. and Mrs. Church have raised 
eight children, five of wliom are dead; he has one 
daughter at home yet — Sarah A., who is in her 52d 
year, and one Mrs. A. J. McCloy, a resident of Mans- 
field. 

CLABERG, ISAAC, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was 
born in this county May 12, 1822; his parents came to 
this county from Fairfield Co., in 1816, and bought the 
tract of land where Mr. Claberg now resides ; they 
moved into the woods and put up a shanty to live in 
until they could build themselves a cabin, after which 
they went to clearing ofl" the timber, which consisted 
principally of oak, beech and sugar. The subject of 
this sketch lived at home until he was 37 years old, 
when he married Harriett Porter, of Butler Township ; 
her parents came to this county from Pennsylvania 
about 1835 ; Mr. and Mrs. Claberg have two boys, who 
are 15 and 17 years old. Mr. Claberg has done a good 
deal of hard work in his time, and has helped to clear 
a good many acres of land ; he is an industrious and 
thriving farmer, who believes in living up to the times. 
He has been hanored with the office of Township Treas- 
urer, and other minor offices in the township ; he is in 
his 58th year, and bids fair to live many years yet. 

CLABERG, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was 
born March 11, 1814, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, and is a 
son of Abraham and Mary Claberg, who came to this 
county in the spring of 1816 ; they were the second 
family that settled in the present boundaries of Butler 
Township ; Abraham entered the first land that was 
entered in the township, but did not move until some 
time after. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a 
a family of seven children ; he remained at home until 
he was married, in the fall of 1839, to Elizabeth Urich, 
of Ashland Co.; she died in 1840, and in the spring of 
1845, he married Susanna Sneer, who was born Oct. 
14, 1819, in what is now Butler Township ; after his 
marriage, he settled on the present farm, which his 
father had entered some time before. Mr. Claberg 
has held some of the minor offices in the township, and 
is at present one of the Commissioners of the county ; 
his chances for an education were very limited, as 
schools were scarce in his day ; he can remember 
many incidents and privations of pioneer life, and is 
respected and honored by all who know him. Mr. and 
Mrs. Claberg have five children — William L., Isaac N., 
E. M., T. J. and Mary E. ; E. M. is yet at home. 

CLINE, CURTIS, farmer ; P. 0. Shenandoah ; he 
was born in Richland Co. Dec. 24, 1847 ; he is a son 
of Alfred and Julia E. Cline, of this county; he lived 
at home until he was 12 years old, when, his mother 
dying, he left home and followed farming a few years, 
and then he went to work in a saw-mill, where he stayed 
about nine years. He was married in February, 1868, 
to Elizabeth Smith, of this county, who died July 4, 
1872 ; he afterward married Margaret Stober, of this 



w _ 



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BUTLER TOWNSHIP. 



769 



county, and at present lives about one mile east of 
Shenandoah. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have four children, 
whose names are Roderick, Catherine, Gracie M. and 
Roll en S. 

COLMAN, .JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Columbia Co., Penn., .June 8, 1831 ; he is a son 
of .Joseph and Diadem Colman, who moved to Richland 
Co. (into what is now Ashland Co.) in 1839. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is the second of a family of four 
children. He lived at home until he was married, Nov. 
18, 1852, to Magdeline Cassall, of Ashland Co., who 
was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Feb. 26, 1830. After 
his marriage, he went to Williams Co., Ohio, where he 
lived about seventeen years, and then sold out and 
bought where he now resides in Butler Township, about 
one and a quarter miles northeast of Adario. Mr. 
Coleman has held several of the minor offices in the 
township. Mr. and Mrs. C. have nine children, whose 
names are Alice S., .John D., Orin S., Diadem H., 
Samantha M., George E., Theodore L., Arthur K. and 
Mary E. 

DANCER, D. S., farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was born 
in Richland Co. Feb. 28, 1837. and is a son of J. B. 
Dancer, of Butler Township, and is the eldest of the 
family now living ; he remained at home until he was 
17 years old, when he went to Indiana, where he re- 
mained one year, when he came home, and, in a few 
years, he went to Illinois, where he lived about five 
years, when he came back to Richland Co., and, in 
1861, enlisted in the 2d 0. V. C, Co. M ; in .June, 
1864, he, with the rest of his company, was taken 
prisoners ; he was in many rebel prisons and was finally 
released on the 28th of April, 1865. He reached home 
on the 7th of June, 1865, where he stayed about five 
years, when he married Margaret Tucker in February, , 
1870, daughter of Thomas Tucker, of Butler Township. 
After his marriage, he moved to the present farm, 
about one and a half miles northeast of Shenandoah. 
Mr. Dancer has held some of the minor offices in the 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Dancer have four children — 
J. B.. G. K., Thomas H. and Martha H. 

DANCER, .J. B., farmer ; P. 0. Adario ; he was born 
in .JelFerson Co. in 1815; his parents came some time 
before the above date from Washington Co., Penn., to 
.Jefferson, and, in 1831, with their family of five chil- 
dren, moved to Richland Co., where they lived about 
twenty-three years ; they then emigrated to De Kalb 
Co., Ind., where they spent the rest of their days. The 
subject of this sketch remained at home until he was 
married in 1838 to Sarah A. Stratton, of Butler Town- 
ship, whose parents came to Richland in 1820 from 
Pennsylvania. After Mr. D.'s marriage, he settled on 
the farm where .James Beveridge now lives, where he 
resided about six years, when he sold out and lived on 
his father's place about three years, and then bought 
and moved on a farm adjoining the Beveridge place, 
where he resided about twelve years ; he then sold out 
and moved on the present farm. Mr. and Mrs. Dancer 
have three children, all of whom are married. His only 
son was in the war of the rebellion three years and 
nine months, ten months of which time he was in rebel 
prisons. Mr. Dancer can recall many incidents and 
privations of pioneer life and has done a great deal of 
hard work in his time. 



DAVIDSON, PETER, farmer ; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Scotland May 10, 1810; he is a son of .John 
and Margaret Davidson; he emigrated to this State 
from Scotland by the way of New York, Buffalo and 
Cleveland, and settled in Huron (in what is now Ash- 
land) Co. in the fall of 1836, where he lived until the 
spring of 1858, when he bought and moved to his 
present farm. Mr. Davidson has always followed farm- 
ing, and is respected by all who know him. He was 
married in 1837 to Margaret Beatfie, who came from 
Scotland in 1836 ; Mr. and Mrs. B. have five children 
—.John, who served in the war of the rebellion ; Sarah 
M., Catharine .J., William and .James L. Mr. Davidson 
has held some of the minor offices in the township and 
is a man who believes in living up to the times. 

DOBBIN, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Adario ; he was born 
in Brook Co., Va., March 31, 1805, and is a son of 
James and Jane Dobbin ; he is the eldest of a family of 
three children ; he remained at home until he was mar- 
ried, in 1839, to Ann Nicholls ; after his marriage, he 
moved to Allegheny Co., Penn., where he lived until 
after the death of his wife, who died in 1854. He was 
married, in the spring of 1857, to Sarah K. McCoy, of 
Pittsburgh, Penn., and, in the same spring, moved to 
Richland Co., to a tract of land in Butler Township, 
which is a part of the present farm Mrs. Dobbin's 
father, A. McCoy, served in the war of 1812. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dobbin have one son — John William. 

EAKIN, R. J., merchant, Adario; he was born in 
Pennsylvania, Oct. 22, 1840, and is a son of James 
and Hannah Eakin ; he remained at home until he was 
21 years old, when he entered school at Coolville, 
Athens Co., Ohio, and was in different parts of the State 
until 1871, when he went to Savannah, where he acted 
as steward in the boarding halls until 1876, when he 
went into the mercantile trade in Adario ; he is now 
doing a thriving business. Mr. and Mrs. Eakin have 
one child — John. 

FACKLER, HENRY, farmer ; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Dauphin Co., Penn., July 8, 1805, and is a son 
of Abram and Elizabeth Fackler : he is the eighth of a 
family of twelve children ; he remained at home until 
he was 23 years old, when he went to learn the tanner's 
trade, and, in 1829, came to Ohio and traveled back, by 
the way of York State, to Dauphin Co., Penn.; in 1831, 
he came to Richland Co., Ohio, and bought a tract of 
land in Weller Township. In the fall of 1831, he mai-- 
ried Catherine Crall, who was born in Dauphin Co., 
Penn., and moved, with her parents, Mathias and Eliza- 
beth Crall, to Richland Co. in 1819, and settled in 
Franklin Township. Mr. Fackler lives on a highly 
improved farm about one mile west of Adario, in But- 
ler Township. Mr. and Mrs. Fackler have ten chil- 
dren, 'all of whom, but one, are married; their names 
are Abram, Hii-am, Mary, Joshua, Mathias C, Cath- 
erine, Henry, Elizabeth, Louisa A. and Alice E. 
Matbias and Henry were in the war of the rebellion ; 
Mathias served in the 1st Ohio Battery; he went 
out in the summer of 1862, and was mustered out the 
26th of June, 1865. 

FORD, G. W., ftirmer ; P. 0. Adario ; he was born in 
Richland Co. Sept. 24, 1836, and is a son of Joshua 
and Elizabeth Ford, who came to this county in the 



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770 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



winter of 1827 and settled in Butler Township, on the 
farm where the subject of this sketch now lives. 
Joshua lived there until the fall of 1865, when he 
moved to Ashland Co., where he still lives. The sub- 
ject of this sketch remained at home until he was mar- 
ried, in 1858, to Jennie Griece, of this county ; she 
died in 1873 ; after his marriage, he settled on a farm 
adjoining the old homestead, where he lived about eight 
jears, and then bought and moved on a farm at Shiloh ; 
about eight years after, he moved on the old homestead, 
where he still resides. He has been married about 
three years to Sarah J. Deilh, of Blooming Grove Town- 
ship. Mr. and Mi"S. Ford have five children — H. H., 
Catherine E., Sarah S., Carrie A. and Charles L. 

FUNK, JACOB M., farmer; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn., Sept. 22, 1812, and is a 
son of Tobias and Mary Funk ; he is the third of a 
family of twelve children. He remained at home until 
1833, when he was married to Susan Wheeler ; after his 
marriage, he went to a place near Nashville, Tenn., 
where he followed his trade, millwrighting. At the 
commencement of the ^lexican war, he entered Gen. 
Taylor's army as scout, where he did some very valu- 
able service, and was with Gen. Scott when he entered 
the City of Mexico ; at the close of the war, he moved 
to New Orleans ; when the cholera broke out, he took 
boat for Pittsburgh, and, his wife and two children 
dying on the way, he remained at Pittsburgh until 
1854, when he married Catherine E. Canly, of Frank- 
lin Co., Penn., when he moved to Ohio, and, at the begin- 
ning of the rebellion, entered as Provost Marshal and 
scouting service, and served during the whole conflict ; 
he was always doing valuable service, and ran some very 
narrow escapes in penetrating the rebel lines ; he was 
at Gen. Lee's headquarters while at Chambersburg ; he 
was wounded several times, having had his left arm 
and right leg broken by minie balls ; he has lived in 
different parts of the State since the close of the war, 
and has been living on the present farm since the spring 
of 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Funk have three children — 
Upton T., Anna E. and David H.; of these, Anna is 
married. 

HANNA, T. WILSON, farmer; P. 0. Savannah; 
he was born in this county June 26, 1826, and is a 
son of William and Rachel C. Hanna. William Hanna 
came to this county about 1824 or 1825, from Harrison 
Co., Ohio, and settled on a tract of land in Blooming 
Grove Township, that his father had entered some time 
before. He was married in 1835, and in 1851 he moved 
to the farm that T. W. Hanna now owns and lives on, 
in the northeast part of Butler Township, where he 
lived until 1874. The subject of this sketch is the eld- 
est of a family of three children. He remained at 
home until the fall of 1857, when he married Amanda 
M. Gault, of Washington Co., Penn., whose father, 
Samuel Gault, came to this county in an early day. 
After jNIr. Hanna' s marriage he settled on his present 
farm. Mr. Hanna has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace five years, and other various offices in the township. 
He is at present engaged quite extensively in raising 
fine-wooled sheep. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have two 
children ; Dwight C, who is a member of the Fresh- 
man Class, at Wooster University, and J. C, who is 
attending the academy at Savannah, Ashland Co. 



HETLER, CHRISTOPHER, farmer; P. 0. Green- 
wich ; he was born in this county July 6, 1842, and is 
a son of Andrew and Mary Hetler, who came from 
Pennsylvania and settled in the south part of Weller 
Township. He is the fourth of a family of seven chil- 
dren. He remained at home until he was married, 
Jan. 17, 1863, to Margaret J. Keller, of Franklin Town- 
ship. After his marriage he settled on his father-in- 
law's farm, where he remained two years, when he 
emigrated to Southern Illinois, where he remained one 
year ; he then removed to Franklin Township, where 
he remained six years, and then to Weller Township, 
and in the spring of 1878, bought and moved on his 
present farm in the north part of Butler Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hetler have three children, Amos M., 
Mary E. and Sadie M. 

HETLER, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; 
he was born in this county Oct. 19, 1839, and is a son 
of Philip and Catherine Hetler. who were of German 
descent, and who removed from Pennsylvania in 1832 
or 1833, and settled in the south part of Weller Town- 
ship. Mr. H. is the eldest of a family of seven chil- 
dren. He remained at home until he was married, in 
the fall of 1860, to Sarah A. Wolf, of Franklin Town- 
ship, daughter of John C. and Hettie Wolf. After his 
marriage he settled on his father-in-law's farm, where 
he lived a few years. In 1869, he bought and moved 
to his present farm, in the west part of Butler Town- 
ship. He is an industrious and thriving farmer, and 
works at his trade in winter, making grain cradles. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hetler have eight children — Verona E., 
Ann E., Sarah J., William E., Oliver J., Rosella M., 
Verona E., is married. 

HUNTER, C. C, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was born 
in Richland Co. Aug. 3, 1852 ; he is a son of Joseph P. 
and Angeline Hunter, of Blooming Grove Township ; 
he is the fourth of a family of ten children ; he re- 
mained at home until he was married, in 1874, to Linda 
Kirk, daughter of M. Kirk, of Butler Township ; in 
the spring of 1875, he settled on the present farm. Mr. 
Hunter is a thorough farmer and a gentleman, and be- 
lieves that it is to the interest of all farmers to be a 
member of the grange, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have 
two children — Lucinda and Lena A. 

KIRK, MICHAEL, farmer ; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Brook, Va., Nov. 30, 1814; he removed with 
his parents, when he was about 2 years of age, to Jef- 
ferson Co., Ohio, where they spent the rest of their 
days. Michael remained at home until he was 30 years 
old, when he moved to Richland Co., in what is now 
Clear Creek Township, Ashland Co., where he lived 
about eighteen years ; he then bought where he now 
resides, in Butler Township, about one-half mile west 
of Adario. He was married on the first day of the 
year 1845, to Lucinda Hickman, of Columbiana Co., 
whose parents were formerly of Pennsylvania ; Mrs. 
Kirk is a daughter of Jeremiah Hickman, one of the 
old pioneer Methodists, and a sister of Judge Hickman, 
of Minnesota ; Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have a family of 
seven children, some of whom are graduates of the 
Berea University. Mr. Kirk has been honored with 
a great many offices of the township, and is also a 
good, faithful granger. He is a pleasant gentleman 
to meet, and has a fine family. 



D V 



BUTLER TOWNSHIP. 



771 



KIRK, JAMES, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was born 
in 1842; he is a son of the late Edward and Mary 
Kirk, of Butler Township, who came to Richland Co. 
in 1841, from Jefferson Co., Ohio, and settled where 
Mr. Kirk now resides, about half a mile southeast of 
Adario. Tlie subject of this sketch remained at home 
until his marriage, in 1864, to Miss Sarah Ford, of 
Butler Township ; previous to his marriage, he had en- 
listed in the 16th N. Y. V. C, and served nine 
months, when he was discharged on account of dis-. 
ability ; after his marriage, he settled on the old home- 
stead until 1871, when his wife died, after which he 
went to Kansas, where he married his second wife, 
and where he lived until 1876, when he returned 
to Richland Co. and settled where he now resides, 
with his mother, on the largest farm in this part 
of the county, which is under a good state of culti- 
vation. 

McKIBBEN, W. C, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was 
born in Beaver Co., Penn.. Aug. 20, 1827 ; he is the 
son of Hugh B. and Isabella McKibben, who moved to 
this county in the spring of 1828, and settled in what 
is now Ashland Co., where they spent the rest of their 
days. The subject of this sketch lived at home until 
the spring of 1853, when his father bought a tract of 
land about three-quarters of a mile northeast of Adario, 
in Butler Township, and where he partly made his 
home until March 31, 1863, when he married Cordelia 
Smith, of Huron Co. In the fall of 1863, after his mar- 
riage, he settled on the farm where he now resides. 
Mr. McKibben tried hard to get an education, when a 
young man. He was an ardent admirer of Gen. Fre- 
mont, and has taken a very active part in politics. Mr. 
and Mrs. McKibben have eight childi-en — Albert A., 
William, Francis, Amanda M., Ernest D., Mary E., 
John H., Nettie J. and Perry. 

McWILLIAMS, J., farmer; P. 0. Savannah ; he was 
born in Richland Co. Jan. 17, 1848; he is a son of 
Charles and Agnes McWilliams, who came from Scot- 
land in 1843, and settled in Butler Township, where 
ihey lived about three years ; they then moved to Ash- 
land Co., where they still live. The subject of this 
sketch lived at home until the spring of 1875, when he 
married Nettie Farquahonson, of Ashland Co.; after his 
marriage, he settled on the farm where he now resides, 
in Butler Township, about two miles northeast of 
Adario. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams have two children 
— James B. and Agnes Irene. 

MORRIS, B. F., lumber dealer; P. 0. Shenandoah ; 
he was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Oct. 18, 1841 ; he is 
a son of Benjamin Morris, of whom mention is made 
elsewhere in this work. The subject of this sketch re- 
mained at home until the call was made for men by Presi- 
dent Lincoln. He enlisted in McLaughlin's squadron of 
cavalry in Manstield,and held the office of Sergeant Dis- 
patcher in the brigade ; while serving in that capacity 
he was wounded by a ball entering at the elbow, and 
coming out at the wrist ; the shot was supposed to have 
been fired at Gen. Stoneman, while forming in line of 
battle ; the wounded were taken prisoners by the rebels 
at that battle, and when the rebel doctors were exam- 
ining them to send all that were able to travel to Rich- 
mond, he called the Union doctor, and told him to 
save him if he could. Mr. Morris crawled in an old 



house that stood near, and pulled some old clothes 
over him, and when they came to him the rebel doctor 
asked the Union doctor what was the matter with this 
fellow. He said he was almost dead. " 1 expect he'll 
die this blessed minute." They passed, and thus he 
saved himself from going into a rebel prison ; he finally 
reached home, and got his discharge in the summer of 
1865. He was married on the 27th of November, 1865, 
to Miss Mary Oberlin, of Butler Township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Morris have four children, whose names are Will- 
iam A., Delia W., Chester and Orphia R. Mr. Morris 
is an energetic business man, and is at present living 
about one-half mile east of Shenandoah. He partly 
owns and operates a steam saw-mill where he lives, and 
has a half-interest in 218 acres of coal land in Colum- 
biana Co. 

MORRIS, G. B., farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; he was 
born in Beaver Co., Penn., Feb. 10, 1845 ; he removed 
with his parents, Benjamin and Jane K. Morris, to 
Richland Co. in 1847. He remained at home until he 
was 24 years old, when he married Eliza J. Urich, of 
Weller Township, Jan. 21, 1869. After his marriage, 
he bought and settled on a farm adjoining the old 
homestead, where he has since lived. Mr. Morris be- 
lieves that the best in the way of stock and farming 
implements is the cheapest, and has a pleasant home. 
They have one child — Charley E., who was born Oct. 26, 
1869. 

MORRIS, BENJAMIN, farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; 
he was born in Washington Co., Penn., Nov. 13, 1811. 
He is a son of Jonathan and Sophia Morris, who moved, 
about 1831, to Beaver Co., where they lived about 
twenty-five years, and then sold out there and moved 
to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where they lived about seven 
years, and moved to Mahoning Co., where they lived 
twelve years. Getting too old to work on a farm, Mr. 
Morris divided his property among his children, intend- 
ing to come to Richland Co. to live with his son, Benja- 
min, but died at his daughter's, in Mahoning Co., at 
the age of 84 years. The subject of this sketch re- 
mained at home until he was 29 years of age, when he 
married Jane R. Black, of Chester Co., Penn. After 
his marriage, he settled in Beaver Co., where he lived 
about six years, when he moved with his wife and four 
children to Butler Township, in the spring of 1846, 
and settled on the farm where he now resides. They 
have raised five boys, whose names are Barcella F., 
Jonathan T., Gideon B., William H. and Isaac P.— all 
of whom are married. Mrs. Morris died Feb. 22. 1871, 
and in 1876 he married Cynthia Spohnhour, of Shelby. 
This has been a remarkable family for longevity ; Jon- 
athan and Sophia Morris, at the age of 80 years, had a 
family gathering of their eleven children, who were all 
living; aggregate time of life in the family, 668 years 
3 months and 18 days. They have been a very patri- 
otic family; five of the family fought in the rebellion, 
and also five in the Revolutionary struggle, some of 
whom lost their lives in both wars. AVilliam H. Morris 
lives with his father on the old farm ; he has been in 
California twice, and can recall many stirring scenes ; 
he was born March 22, 1847. When he was 26 years 
old, he mairied Neotia Cline, Feb. 20, 1873. Mr. and 
Mrs. Morris have three children, whose names are 
Ada J., Effie C. and Hattie P. 



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772 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



MURRAY, EDAVARD, farmer; P. 0. Adario; he 
was born in what is now Ashland Co. Nov. 7, 1824 ; he 
is a son of Edward and Rebecca C. Murray, and is the 
fifth. -of a family of six children. He remained at 
home until he was married, Dec. 23, 1847, to Mary E. 
Colman, of Ashland Co. After his marriage, he settled 
on his father's farm, where he lived six years, and then 
bought and moved where he now resides, in Butler 
Township, about two and a half miles northeast of 
Adario. He is a thriving farmer, who believes that 
the best in the way of stock and firming implements 
is the cheapest, and has his farm under a good state of 
cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have four children 
— John, Diadem, Joseph and William. 

NELSON, ELMORE, farmer ; P. 0. Olivesburg ; he 
was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, April 3, 1839 ; he is a 
son of Andrew and Rachel Nelson, who came to this 
county in 1853, from Wayne Co.; he remained at home 
until he was married, .Jan. 26, 1860, to Angeline Ward, 
of Richland Co.; after his mai-riage, he settled on the 
old homestead, where his wife died June 15, 1861, and 
on Aug. 24, of the same year, his little boy, Charles, 
died. On the 9th of September, 1861, he enlisted in 
the 15th 0. V. L, Company G, and was taken prisoner 
Sept. 20, 1863 ; he was in the Richmond and Ander- 
sonville prisons, and experienced all of the horrors of 
those pens until the 10th of November, 1864:, when he 
and four of his comrades made their escape by giving 
the guard $100 and a silver watch ; while in prison, he 
helped many of his comrades in distress, so that many 
will bless him as long as they live ; he finally reached 
home on the 10th of December, 1864, and on the 28th 
of March, 1865, he married Mary A. Rutt, of Ashland 
Co.; after his marriage, he settled on his father-in-law's 
place, where he lived about three years, and then 
bought the farm where he now resides, of M. Kirk, in 
Butler Township. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have six chil- 
dren, whose names are Henry S., Cora, Alice, Myrtie, 
William A. and Edward T. 

RICHARDSON, JAMES M., farmer; P. 0. Adario; 
he was born in Vermont in 1819, June 29, and is a son 
of Josiah and Anna Richardson, who came to this State 
in the spring of 1834, and settled in Lorain Co. The 
subject of this sketch is the third of a family of six 
children ; he remained at home until he was married, 
in the summer of 1849, to Maria Grimes, of Ashland 
Co.; after his marriage, he moved to Litchfield Co., 
where he lived three years, and in 1853, he moved to 
this county, Butler Township, and has lived on the 
present farm about twenty-six years. Mr. Richardson's 
father, Josiah Richardson, served under Brown about 
three years in the war of 1812. Mr. Richardson has 
four children — Vianna C, A. Clark, Emma and Charles 
A. ; of these, Emma is married. 

ROBISON, G. AV., farmer; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Juniata Co., Penn., Oct. 4, 1832; he is a son 
of James and Rebecca Robison, who qame to this State 
in 1835 and settled in Ashland Co., where they lived 
about two years, and then moved into Richland Co. and 
settled on the farm where .Jackson White now lives, in 
Butler Township, where they resided until the fall of 
1868, and then they moved to Indiana. The subject of 
this sketch is the tenth of a family of thirteen children ; 
he lived at home until the spring of 1861, when he set- 



tled on a farm in Butler Township, where he lived 
about three and a half years, and then moved on the 
old homestead, where he re.sided until the spring of 
1872, when he emigrated to Virginia ; he lived there 
ten months, and not liking the society, he came back to 
Butler Township, and still resides here. Mr. Robi- 
son was married in 1855, to Mary E. Stratton, whose 
mother is still living, at the advanced age of 85 years ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Robison have one child — Thomas R. 

SAMSEL, JACOB, farmer; P. O.Shenandoah; he 
was born in Olivesburg Aug. 6, 1836, and is a son of 
Peter and Mary Samsel, who came from Germany in 
1836; he remained at home until he was 16 years old, 
when he went to learn the cabinet-making trade, which 
he followed one year, and then had to give it up on ac- 
count of his health ; he then went back on the fixrm at 
home, where he remained until he was married, June 
7, 1858, to Sarah J. Oberlin, of this township ; after 
his marriage, he bought where he now resides and has 
since lived. In May, 1872, his wife died, and left him 
two children, whose names are Franklin B. and Emma 
.J. After several years, he was married to Eliza A. 
Glenn, of Weller Township ; they have one child — 
Bertha C. Mr. S. has held the oflSce of District Clerk 
nine years in succession, and other minor offices in the 
township, and has, by his industry and strict attention 
to business, made for himself and family a fine home ; 
he believes that the best, in the way of stock and farm- 
ing implements, are the cheapest. 

SECHRIST, GEORGE B., former; P. 0. Shenan- 
doah ; he was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., June 10, 
1827; he is a son of Peter and Mary Sechrist, who 
came to Richland Co. in the spring of 1839, and bought 
a tract of land in what is now Butler Township, where 
Mrs. Sechrist still resides. The subject of this sketch 
is the second of a family of six children ; he lived at 
home until he was 22 yeai's old, when he married 
Anna L. Taylor, of this county ; after his marriage, he 
moved to Blooming Grove Township, along the Huron 
Co. line, where he lived about one year, when he 
moved to his present home. Mr. S. has never paid 
much attention to politics, but has held some of the 
minor township oflices. Mr. and Mrs. Sechrist have 
two children, whose names are Silas P. and Otto P., 
both of whom are married ; Otto has been married 
about eighteen months, and lives on the farm with his 
father; Silas lives in Cleveland. Mr. Sechrist is a 
breeder of fine Spanish sheep, which he expects to 
make a specialty in the future. 

SHELLER, H. B., farmer; P. 0. Adario; he was 
born in this county Feb. 14, 1837 ; his parents came 
to this county in 1824, from Pennsylvania, and settled 
on a farm in what is now Ashland Co., where his father 
died when he was quite small; he was the only child, 
but, his mother marrying again, he had three half- 
brothers, one of whom was lost in the war of the re- 
bellion ; the other two are living in the West. The 
subject of this sketch lived at home until he was 20 
years old, when he went to learn the mason trade, at 
which he worked three yeai-s ; then he followed thresh- 
ing for seven falls, part of the time in Michigan ; in 
the spring of 1863, he went to Williams Co. and bought 
a farm, where he lived about three months, and then 
came back to Butler Township. He was married in the 



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BUTLER TOWNSHIP. 



773 



fall, and moved on his father-in-law's place, where he 
resided about two years ; he then moved back to his 
farm in Williams Co., where he lived about two years, 
when he sold his farm and bought where he now 
resides. He is at present living with his second wife ; 
he has four children, whose names are Charles Oscar, 
Perry Thomas, Marretta and Addie Eveline. Mr. 
Sheller is an industrious and hard-working man, and 
has a nice home and a good and highly improved farm. 

STARR, ELIZABETH, MRS. She was born in 
Huntingdon Co., Penn., Sept. 12, 1787; she is a 
daughter of Robert and Ann Mitchell, and removed 
with her parents, in 1797, to Beaver Falls, and was 
married, Aug. 27, 1810, to Robert Starr; in the spring 
of 1818, she removed to this county, and settled on her 
present farm in Butler Township. She is of Irish de- 
scent, her grandfather coming from Ireland when he 
was 18 years of age ; she comes of a remarkable fam- 
ily, both for their longevity and patriotism, some of 
her uncles serving in the Revolution under Gen. Wash- 
ington. Mrs. Starr has lived beyond the allotted time 
of mankind ; she is in her 93d year, and has a remark- 
able memory for one of her age ; she has been blind 
for the last fifteen years, yet she can tell any one by 
their voice whom she ever knew before she lost her 
eyesight. 

TUCKER, THOMAS, farmer ; P. 0. Savannah ; he 
was born in Washington Co., Penn., Jan. 12, 1812 ; he 
is a son of John and Catherine Tucker, and removed 
with his parents to Richland Co., in what is now Ash- 
land Co., Orange Township, in 1815. Mr. Tucker is 
one of a family of nine children, of whom he is the 
eighth ; he remained at home on the farm until he was 
married, in December, 1831, to Sarah Vananken, who 
was born in Pike Co., Penn., in 1810, July 24. After 
his marriage, he entered 80 acres of the present farm, 
and moved the ]May following his marriage into a cabin 
that was very poorly built. They lived at the mercy 
of the musquitos about a month, until they could get 
their cabin finished. Mr. Tucker can recall many inci- 
dents of pioneer life, and has cleared a great deal of 
land in his time. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have raised 
eight children, seven of whom are living — James L., 
T. A., Sarah J., J. C, Margaret M., D. Y., Martha and 
Nancy A. D. V. Tucker was born Jan. 7, 1846 ; was mar- 
ried in December, 1877, to ^liss A. C. Fackler, daughter 
of Henry and Catharine Fackler, of Butler Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have one child — F. Tucker. After 
D. V. Tucker's marriage, he settled on the old home- 
stead, now a highly improved farm. 

TUCKER, THOMAS A., farmer; P. 0. Savannah; 
he was born in Richland Co , in 1836, June 26, and is 
a son of Thomas and Sarah Tucker, of Butler Town- 
ship ; he remained at home until he was married in 
August, 1870, to Elizabeth McMillen, of Butler Town- 
ship. The next spring he settled on his present farm, 
in the northeast part of the township. Mr. Tucker 
has paid the most of his attention to farming, although 
he has been to the West a few times to buy stock for the 
market. He has paid some attention to raising heavy 
draft horses, and has some at present that will rank 
among the finest in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker 
have two sons — Charles M. and Robert H. 



VIERS, Q. D., farmer; P. 0. Greenwich; he was 
born in Jefl"erson Co., Ouio, Nov. 22, 1806 ; he is a son 
of Bazil and Anna Viers, and is the fifth of a family of 
twelve children ; he remained at home until he was 
married, in the spring of 1830, to Jane Parker, of Sum- 
'mit Co., near Akron. After his marriage he settled in 
Summit Co., where he lived four years. In the sum- 
mer of 1835, he emigrated to this county and settled 
on his present farm in the north part of Butler Town- 
ship. He has had eight children, seven of whom are 
living — Elizabeth M., Lorain, Martin, Thomas, Nancy, 
]\Iargaret J. and L. Milton. 

TIERS, T. P., farmer; P. 0. Greenwich; he was 
born in Summit Co , Ohio, Feb. 22, 1831, and is a son 
of L. I), and Jane Viers ; he is the third of a family of 
eight children ; he remained at home until he was 24 
years of age, when he married Miss Maria Hall, of Huron 
Co.; after his marriage, he settled in Greenwich Town- 
ship, Huron Co., where he lived two years, when he 
moved to Wood Co., where he lived seven years, and 
then came to Richland Co. and settled on his present 
farm. Mr. and Mrs. Viers have two children — Jacob 
L. and Henry T. 

WHISLER, NATHAN, tile and brick manufacturer; 
P. 0. Shenandoah ; he was born in Richland Co. June 
26, 1846 ; he is a son of Jacob and Nancy Whisler, who 
came from Berks Co., Penn., about the year 1835, and 
settled in Franklin Township, where they still reside. 
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family 
of fifteen children ; he remained at home until he was 
married, in 1867, to Margaret E. Hammond, of this 
county; after his marriage, he moved to Hancock Co., 
Ohio, where he followed farming and lived about three 
and a half years, when he moved to Allen Co., where he 
resided two years, when he moved back to Richland 
Co., and is at present living about three-fourths of a 
mile east of Shenandoah and engaged in the tile busi- 
ness. Mr. and Mrs. AVhisler have five children — Jacob, 
Cora A., Allen, Elva R. and Willard. 

WHITE, MILTON, farmer; P. 0. Adario ; he was 
born in Columbia Co., Penn., Feb. 15, 1833, and is a 
son of John and Elizabeth White, who came to this 
county in the spring of 1838 and settled in what is 
now Cass Township, where they lived until 1867, when 
they moved to Butler Township, where they spent the 
rest of their days. The subject of this sketch is the 
fourth of a family of ten children; he remained at 
home until he was married, in 1857, to Mary A. Mil- 
ler, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Miller, who 
came from Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1839, and settled 
in Blooming Grove Township ; after Mr. White's mar- 
riage, he settled in Cass Township, where he lived 
about seven years, and then he moved, with his family, 
to Michigan, and, in 1866, moved back to Richland Co. 
and at present live in Adario. Mr. White has followed 
farming and milling as a general thing. Mr. and Mrs. 
White have six children — Samuel J., Lily M., Charles 
Grant, Elnora K., Jennetta and John E. Mr. White 
served in Co. H, 163d 0. N. G.; he enlisted May 2, 
1864. 

WOOD, NAMAN ; farmer, P. 0. Adario; he was 
born in Ashland Co. June 26, 1844, and is a son of the 
late John and Maria Wood, of Butler Township ; he re- 
mained at home until June, 1862, when he enlisted in 



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774 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Co. H, 84th 0. V. I., where he served about three 
months, when he came home, and in April, 1864, he 
re-enlisted in Co. A, McLaughlin's squadron, and re- 
turned home in November, 1865. He remained in the 
county until 1873, when he married Elmira Van Horn, 
of Rome, Blooming Grove Township ; after his mar- 
riage, he settled on the present farm, about one and a 
half miles north of Adario, where he now lives. 

WOOD, MARIA, MRS.; P. 0. Adario ; wife of the 
late John Wood ; she was born in Richland Co. Oct. 
2, 1818, and is a sister of .Jacob Clayberg, of Butler 
Township. .John Wood was among the first settlers in 
this township ; he came with his parents, in 1817, 
from Beaver Co., Penn. A short time after .John Wood 
and Maria Clayberg were married, they settled in Ash- 
land Co., where they lived about two years, and then 
bought and moved to the present farm, about two miles 



north of Adario. Mrs. Wood has raised seven children 
— Maman, Mary, Coridan, William, John J., Hulbert 
H. and Lorian ; Hulbert and Lorian are at home yet ; 
the rest of the family are married. 

ZEIGLER, JOHN M., was born in Butler Township 
July 21, 1840; he is the oldest child of Henry and 
Margaret Zeigler, of whom mention is made elsewhere 
in this work. He was married, Feb. 14, 1866, to Eliz- 
abeth Jane Cleland, who was born in Blooming Grove 
Township April 23, 1846 ; they have had two children ; 
one is still living, named Effic M.; the other one died 
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler have always lived in 
the county ;' Mr. Zeigler has paid the most of his at- 
tention to farming, although he is by profession a car- 
penter, and has worked at it some ; he now owns a 
farm in good repair. 



CASS TOWNSHIP. 



ADAMS, DANIEL, pioneer, farmer and stock-raiser, 
was born in Bedford Co., Penn., March 10, 1824; his 
father and mother, with their family of seven children, 
came to Ohio about 1828, and settled in Wayne Co., 
where they lived about ten years, and then moved to 
Blooming Grove Township ; they settled in the woods. 
The subject of this sketch remained at home until he 
was married, and then moved to Huron Co., where he 
stayed two years ; he then came to Cass Township, and 
moved on a farm near Planktown, where he lived two 
years ; he then moved to Planktown, where he lived 
one year, and then moved to where they now reside, in 
the spring of 1855 ; his parents had nine children, five 
of whom are living. He was married to Miss Sarah A. 
Nelson Feb. 21, 1850; she was born in Perry Co., 
Penn., Aug. 22, 1822 ; her mother died in April, 1829 ; 
her father then left Pennsylvania with a family of five 
small children, and came by wagon to the then new 
country of Ohio ; he came to where Shelby now stands, 
at which time there was no town there. He married 
there during the winter, and, in the spring, he moved 
to Blooming Grove Township, where he died in 1866; 
his children are all living but one. Mr. and Mrs. 
Adams have five children, all of whom are living ; 
Catharine J., married to E. B. Rose ; Annie Mary, mar- 
ried to George 0. Dickinson ; Elizabeth, Sarah Alice 
and Charles Ellsworth are at home. 

BACKENSTO, HENRY, pioneer and retired farmer, 
was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Oct. 31, 1825; his 
father came to Ohio about the year 1830; brought his 
family by wagon, and settled in Franklin Township, 
Richland Co., where he remained until he died in 1851. 
Henry was the fourth of eight children ; he received 
his education in the subscription schools of the county ; 
at 16 years of age, he took charge of a thrashing ma- 
chine, which he followed for six years ; his father gave 
him an 80-acre tract of land, which was covered with 
timber ; he built a cabin on it, and moved into it in the 
fall of 1847 ; he, in a few years purchased several other 
tracts ; bought a tract of land near Shiloh, and then 



sold his farm in Blooming Grove Township ; in the 
year 1863, he moved to Shiloh, where he now lives ; in 
1873, he built a brick block in Shiloh, which he still 
owns. He came of a thrifty stock of Pennsylvania 
farmers ; when he paid for his dwelling where he now 
resides, he had $15, which he earned when a boy be- 
tween 8 and 12 years of age, making broom-handles 
and whipstocks. He was married to Miss Sarah Clay- 
burg Oct. 28, 1847; they have nine children, four of 
whom ai-e living. 

BEELMAN, CHRISTIAN, retired farmer ; he was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 10, 1806 ; his 
parents belonged to the class of thrifty people known 
as the Pennsylvania Germans. He spent bis boyhood 
days on the farm ; at 21, he went to learn the trade of 
carpenter with George Beelman, of Pennsylvania ; after 
learning the trade, he worked at it while he remained 
in Pennsylvania. Was married to Fannie Beelman in 
April, 1831 ; had three children ; John A Beelman 
and Eliza Ann are still living; his wife died in Penn- 
sylvania ; he, with a number of his friends and rela- 
tives, viz.: John Beelman and his three sons ; George 
Beelman, wife and two children and Joseph, his 
brother ; Andrew Sheely and his wife, Mrs. Rebecca 
Sheely, and two daughters, started in the year 1836 for 
Ohio ; they embarked in wagons for the wilds of the 
new country, coming via Pittsburgh, and crossing the 
Ohio River at Steubenville : the journey was by way of 
Massillon, Canton, AVooster and Mansfield, thence to 
Bucyrus ; stayed three wee)is, but not liking the 
county, they left, John Beelman purchasing a tract of. 
land in Huron Co., north of Plymouth, where they 
settled; he still follows his trade ; worked in Plymouth, 
where he lived about eleven years ; in the year 1846, 
he purchased the farm he now lives on, and, in 1848, 
moved to it ; he had the usual experience of those who 
purchase in a new country ; he built the present build- 
ings, and otherwise improved the farm, until now it is 
under a high state of cultivation, and a comfortable 
place to enjoy the remaining days of his declining 






^1 



CASS TOWNSHIP. 



775 



years. He was married a second time, to Sarah 
Sheely, in .Tune, 1837, who had six children, viz.: 
Rebecca J. Beelman, living at home ; Henry A. Beel- 
man, now in Michigan ; Ann A., married to William 
Douglas, lives in Shiloh ; Emma A., married to La 
Fayette Davis, lives at home ; Charles and Edward, in 
Michigan. Mrs. Rebecca Sheely, mother of Mrs. Beel- 
man, now lives with her daughter ; she was 8-5 years 
old Nov. 18, 1879. 

BEVIER, LEWIS, farmer and stock-raiser; he was 
born in Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1825 ; his father, 
Andries Bevier, came from Cayuga Co., N. Y., town of 
Owasco, in the year 1824, and settled on the farm on 
which his son now lives ; the farm at the time was but 
little improved, having about 10 acres cleared. The 
subject of this sketch spent his young days on the farm 
with his father, and, after his father's death, which was 
in February, cl 846, he and his brother, Jeremiah E. 
Bevier. took the farm and kept the family together on 
the old homestead ; he bought out the heirs as they be- 
came of age ; he came in full possession of the farm in 
the fall of 1858, and has put the principal part of the 
buildings on the farm and has it under a good state of 
cultivation. His father came to Ohio with his family 
in a two-horse wagon, and endured all the hardships of 
a new country ; had to go many miles to market, but 
by industry and economy he succeeded in making for 
himself and family a comfortable home. Lewis was 
married to Miss Amanda Condon Jan. 18, 1859; they 
have had four children, three of whom are living and 
one dead; .John P. was born Aug. 24, 1860; Annie 
Annette, June 21, 1862; Fredric Lewis, Oct. 2, 1864. 
BRIGGS, MARIA, widow of AVilliam Briggs, was 
born in Lincolnshire, England, Oct. 2, 1829, and emi- 
grated to America in 1849. Was married to William 
Briggs March 23, 1854. William Briggs was born in 
Lincolnshire, England, March 31, 1823, and emigra,ted 
to America with his father, he coming while William 
was young: settled in Richland Co., Plymouth, now 
Cass Township, and was one of the pioneers. William 
Briggs died May 22, 1868; had one child— William R. 
Briggs, born June 2, 1863. The subject of this sketch 
deserves much praise, as she has taken care of the 
farm and raised her boy almost to manhood and has 
been successful to a marked degree. 

BUSHEY, JACOB, farmer and stock-raiser; he was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 6, 1824, and came 
to Ohio with his father, who emigrated with his 
family in 1835; he remained with his father helping 
him to clear up the farm until he was 16 years of age, 
when he learned the carpenter trade with his father 
and worked at it most of the time for nineteen years, 
and then worked at the saw-mill business some nine 
years ; he sold out to his partner, S. Wentz ; he bought 
the farm he now lives on in 1860 ; moved to it the fol- 
lowing year ; remained nine years, then moved to Lon- 
don ; lived there eight years, following his trade, and 
again, in 1878, he moved on the farm where he now 
lives. Was married to ^liss Elizabeth Fireoved Nov. 
25, 1845 ; they have nine children, all of whom are 
living, showing that they have inherited the sound con- 
stitution of their parents ; in fact, it is remarkable to 
see a family of so many and all living and enjoying 
excellent health. 



CRAWFORD, T. &. J. & CO. (Taylor Crawford, John 
Crawford and Porter Crawford), millers and proprietors 
of Shiloh Steam Flouring, Saw and Planing Mills, were 
born in Huron Co., Ohio ; they moved to Richland Co., 
Ohio, when they were boys; they were all raised on a 
farm and received their education in the common 
schools of the county. Taylor Crawford was born Nov. 
28, 1846; John Crawford, Sept. 19, 1848; Porter Craw- 
ford, Dec. 20, 1853. Taylor and his brother John, see- 
ing an opening for a flouring-mill in Shiloh, purchased 
the ground and built the present mill in the fall of 
1872; they cai-ried it on for ten years; they then 
traded it for land in Huron Co.; they purchased the 
saw-mill at Shiloh and removed it to the flouring-mill 
furnishing power for the mill ; in the mean time they 
took in their brother Porter as partner ; in the fall of 
1878, they purchased the flouring-mill, since which 
time they have been doing business under the firm 
name of T. & J. Crawford & Co. 

CLOWES, JOHN Q. A., M. D.; born in Allegheny 
Co., Penn., May 18, 1845. His mother was of Irish and 
his father of French extraction. He spent his boyhood 
days with his father in the cabinet-shop, going to school 
in the winter, and reading medicine and phrenology at 
intervals, and often gave lectures to his school com- 
panions on the science of the mind ; his father and 
mother dying when he was about 17 years old, he then 
devoted his entire time to the study of the "healing 
art," first with B. F. Reynolds, M. D., of Harmarville, 
Penn., then with Dr. G. F. Jacoby, Jr., of Pittsburgh, 
Penn., attending the St. Franciscus Hospital, and did 
all the dispensing of the hospital and Dr. Jacoby's 
private practice, and often, as the Doctor said, won 
laurels for himself in dispensing physic ; in the fall of 
1867, he attended his first course of lectures at the 
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery ; the 
following spring of 1868, he returned from Philadel- 
phia to the city of Pittsburgh, and resumed the study 
of medicine with Dr. Jacoby, and again, in the foUovy- 
ing fall, he returned to Philadelphia and attended his 
second course of lectures, and graduated on the 23d of 
February, 1869 ; he also, while attending lectures, was 
a constant attendant at the Blockley Hospital, of West 
Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Hospital Clinics ; 
after graduating, he returned to his former home at 
Harmarville, and remained until June, 1869 ; got the 
Western emigration fever, and went West as far as 
Bloomington, 111., and stopped a few days at Normal, 
111.; but not being impressed with the idea of success, 
considering the climate of Illinois, he returned East to 
Ohio, landing in the city of Mansfield on the morning 
of the 3d of July, 1869 ; started on foot for the north 
part of the county, stopping frequently at farmers' 
houses, making inquiries what the prospect would be 
for a harvest hand, but, taking his dimensions and his 
general appearance, the farmer's reply would invari- 
ably be, " We don't want hands at the present;" that 
evening found him at the hotel at Olivesburg, supper 
ordered and lodging for the night; next morning, 
walked to Rome, Ohio, and located there for six months, 
and became discouraged at not making more than a 
living practice ; he sought a new field in the eastern 
part of this State; dissatisfied with the prospects, re- 
turned to Rome, and thence to Dunkirk, Ohio ; worse 






776 



EIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



than dissatisfied, returned again to Rome, Ohio, He 
finally took the advice of Mr. Amon Chew, Sr., after 
the fashion of the old legend — 

" Stick to your farm and you'll suffer no loss; 
For a stone that keeps rolling will gather no moss." 

This advice was taken as from one whom he respected 
as a man and a father, and from 1870 to 1874 he had a 
successful career as a country practitioner of medicine. 
In the mean time, Feb. 22, 187], he was married to 
Miss Mary Helen Van Horn, of Rome, Ohio, to whom 
were born twins, Estella and Rosella, Aug. ?, 1872, 
and on Jan. 9, 1874, another daughter, Nellie Florence 
Clowes, was born. Dr. Clowes' biography would be 
incomplete without mentioning, in connection with his 
medical career, the organization of the Clear Grits, in 
Rome, Ohio, a society whose object was the promo- 
tion of the temperance cause ; he being one of eight in 
number who first organized that society, he received 
the appellation of one of the " eight bummers," " John, 
the Doctor," etc., and only through a written prescrip- 
tion on parchment from him was any member allowed 
to drink intoxicating liquors ; in this connection, a 
joint-stock company was organized, and commenced the 
publication of a weekly newspaper at Rome, Ohio, 
called the Ohio Clear Grit ; the publication of this 
newspaper was removed to Shiloh, Ohio, and in 1874, 
the Doctor also removed to Shiloh and started 'the Shi- 
loh Review, with W. H. Gilmore and H. R. Clowes, his 
brother, as senior editors. He sold out his interest in 
the newspaper business, and is giving his undivided 
attention to the practice of medicine, making a specialty 
of chronic diseases. 

DELANEY, JACOB, farmer and stock-raiser ; he 
was born in Perry Co., Penn., Jan. 20, 1821; his 
father came to Ohio about 1828; the subject of this 
sketch attended the schools of the county, but, as the 
county was new, his advantages for education were 
limited ; he was put to work while young, learning the 
carpenter's trade with James Crawford, working at 
this business for nineteen years; he purchased his 
present farm in 1848, where he has since resided ; he 
started in the world without a dollar, and, by economy 
and industry, has a beautiful home, with the comforts 
of life. Mr. Delaney was married to Miss Sarah Craw- 
ford Jan. 4, 1843 ; they have had seven children, six 
living. Mrs. Delaney died March 18, 1876 ; his son 
Merit died June 6, 1878 ; he was a bright and promis- 
ing young man. Mr. Delaney is now married to Mrs. 
Ellen Jane Douglass. 

DELANCY, MARY, MRS., widow of Francis De- 
laney and pioneer, was born in Chester Co., Penn., 
Aug. 18, 1793; when she was about one year old, her 
parents moved to Perry Co., Penn. She was married 
in 1810, and remained in Pennsylvania until 1828, 
when she with her husband and family came to Ohio ; 
they were two years in .Jackson Township ; they then 
removed to where she now lives ; this was about 1831. 
She lives with her son, Peter Delaney ; she is active, 
for such an old lady ; she is one of the oldest residents 
of the township ; she has had nine children, seven of 
whom are living, the youngest being 51 years of age. 

DICK, JOSIAH, fiirmer and stock-raiser; he was 
born in Bedford Co., Penn., in October, 1822; his 
father, George Dick, Sr., emigrated from Pennsylvania 



when Josiah was about 5 years old ; his father be- 
longed to that class known as Pennsylvania Germans, 
who are thrifty and economical, and his son has inher- 
ited that characteristic to a large degree ; he lived at 
home, helping his father, until he was 31 years of age. 
In the mean time lie married Miss Elizabeth Swartz, 
April 29, 1847. He left his father's farm and rented 
one for himself, clearing it up for the wood ; lived on 
this farm seven years and made some money, with 
which he purchased the farm he lives on, and set to 
work to clear up and ditch it and extensively improve 
it ; being successful, he, after a few years, purchased 
a portion of the adjoining farm, known as the Forbot 
farm, and, some years after, purchased the balance of 
the same farm ; he improved it and put it under good 
cultivation, and raised excellent crops of grain on it ; 
he was soon enabled to purchase another tract, and 
now he has some 649 acres of improved ^and in Rich- 
land Co., beside a one-half interest in a farm in Min- 
nesota ; he still carries on farming quite extensively 
in Cass Township. Thus starting in life poor, having 
for his capital perseverance and industry, he has ac- 
quired a handsome fortune and is one of the solid men 
of the county ; his family of seven children are all 
living. 

DICK, GEORGE, Sr., farmer; was born in Bedford 
Co., Penn., Oct. 10, 1796. On the 20th day of March, 
1820, he was married to Miss Sarah Nichols, of Bedford 
Co., Penn., who was born in June, 1797 ; in the fall of 
1827, they immigrated to Stark Co., Ohio, where they 
remained eighteen months, from which place they 
moved to AVayne Co., Ohio, where they lived three 
years, and from there they came to their present 
home, where they have lived forty-eight years ; on the 
20th day of March, 1880, their offspring celebrated the 
sixtieth anniversary of their wedded life ; there were 
born to these parents eleven children, seven sons and 
four daughters ; there are living six sons and one 
daughter ; the living are — Josiah (Cass Township), 
farmer ; Harman, Superintendent of Construction on 
the C, C, C. & I. Railroad; Lew, a farmer (Cass 
Township) ; George, a farmer, in Jackson Township ; 
David, a farmer, in Hancock Co., Ohio, and Hiram, at 
home ; Jacob is dead ; the daughters, Eliza is the wife 
of William Boyd, and lives in Seneca Co., Ohio ; Sarah, 
Mary and Susan are dead ; there were present at the 
anniversary, children, grandchildren and great-grand- 
children, including sons-in-la^ and daughters-in-law. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dick commenced poor in the world, but, 
by honest industry, they succeeded in life; they im 
planted the same principles of honesty and industry in 
the lives of their children, so that they have all suc- 
ceeded, and of whom it is often said: " They are a re- 
markable family." 

DICK, LEVI, farmer and stock-raiser; he was born 
July 3, 1826, in Bedford Co., Penn.; he came of that 
industrious class of people known as Pennsylvania 
Germans; his father moved to Ohio when the subject 
of this notice was young ; he remained at home, work- 
ing on the farm, until he was 21 years of age ; he then 
began the carpenter trade, at which he worked about 
four years ; he then again went to farming, and in 
October, 1852, purchased the farm on which he now 
resides, depending entirely on his own exertions to pay 



>y 



CASS TOWNSHIP. 



777 



for it ; he has acquired a handsome competence, and 
has a pleasant home ; he has the esteem and confidence 
of his neighbors, and exerts a large influence in the 
aifairs of the community ; he is unassuming in his 
manners, and is kind and affable to all with whom he 
comes in contact. He was married to Miss Catharine 
Ann Swartz Sept. 27, 1849; they had six children, 
three of whom are living— Mary Jane (living at home), 
Sarah Ellen (married to D. Malone), and Belle (lives 
at home). There is now on the fai-m of Mr. Dick an 
apple-tree planted by ".Johnny Appleseed." It is 
now seven feet and eight inches in circumference. 

FICKES, WESLEY, farmer and stock-raiser ; he was 
born in Wayne Co., Ohio. May 4, 1834 ; his father, 
Samuel Fickes, moved from Wayne Co. and settled in 
Weller Township, Richland Co., where he now lives. 
The subject of this sketch is the second of five children, 
his sister, th« oldest, being dead ; the others are liv- 
ing ; being the oldest boy, it naturally fell upon him to 
help his father on the farm and such work as is usual 
in a new country ; he moved to the farm on which he 
now lives in 1858, his father then owning it ; he pur- 
chased it in 1867 ; the present buildings were erected 
in 1861, and are beautifully located near the township 
road ; his farm is well improved, and bears the marks 
of care and good cultivation ; the farm was entered in 
1816 by Joseph Holmes, who sold it to Samuel Caroth- 
ers, who sold it to Lewis Lybarger, and he to Samuel 
Fickes. His parents were of German descent, and he 
has the characteristics of that class of industrious peo- 
ple ; honorable in his dealings with his fellow-man, he 
has the respect of his neighbors and acquaintances, ex- 
erting a large influence in his vicinity ; he received a 
common-school education, and is intelligent, having 
quite a library. He married Miss Sarah Miller; they 
have two children— Boyd W., born Oct. 13, 1859 ; Aus- 
tin I. J., born Oct. 29, 1862 ; they are both bright, m- 
telligent boys, and promise to be useful and influential 

men. 

FIREOVED, SOLOMON, pioneer and retired farmer; 
he was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., March 16, 1791 ; 
his father came from Prussia; his mother was an 
American ; when he was about 3 years old, his father 
left Lebanon and moved to Cumberland Co., Penn., 
settling near Carlisle ; at 16 years of age, he went to 
Carlisle to learn the trade of harness-making with 
Joseph Egolf ; he stayed two years and a half, and re- 
turned to the farm ; he remained about a year and a 
half. In the year 1811, he was married to Miss Cath- 
arine Swartz; they had two children — George and, 
Isaac. His wife dying, he enlisted, March, 1814, in 
Carlisle, Penn., in Capt. George Hendel's company, 
86th Rifles ; soon after, he left Carlisle and marched to 
Pittsburgh, Penn., via the old stage route, across t^he 
Alleghanies ; the snow was quite deep on the mountain, 
and the march was very tedious ; from Pittsburgh, they 
marched by way of Erie, Penn.; crossed the Niagara 
River at "Black Rock," July 5, 1814, and was in the 
battle of Chippewa the same day ; he was in the bat- 
tle of Lundy's Lane July 25, 1814; he was wounded 
at the close of the fight by a buckshot, and, on the fol- 
lowing day, was taken to Buff"alo, to the hospital, 
where he remained until Aug. 26, 1814, when he was 
discharged. After returning from the army, he fol- 



lowed his trade for several years, and then went to 
farming. His second wife was Elizabeth Haak, of 
Cumberland Co., Penn.: they had nine children, five 
of whom are dead. In 1837, he left his native State 
for Ohio, and settled in Cass Township, Richland Co., 
where he fiirmed for a number of years, on the farm 
on which his son John now lives. In 1846, he went to 
London, Cass Township, where his wife died Oct. 4, 
1860. He is a remarkable man for his age ; has had 
an excellent constitution and has always been temper- 
ate in his habits, so that he is now hale and hearty, 
and can walk to Shelby, a distance of three miles, and 
return, with apparent ease ; he is the oldest man in 
the township ; he is spending his days with his son-in- 
law, Jacob Bushey. 

FIREOVED, ELIZA ANN, MRS., widow of Levi 
Fireoved ; her maiden name was Eliza Ann Bucher ; 
she was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., March 8, 1828 ; 
her father, Peter Bucher, moved from Pennsylvania in 
1829, and settled in Richland Co., where Eliza spent 
her childhood, with her parents, until she was mar- 
ried to Levi Fireoved, Dec. 21, 1848; they had seven 
children— Solomon P. Fireoved, born Sept. 15, 1850 ; 
John Albert, June 7, 1853 : William Henry, March 6, 
1856; Amos Franklin, Dec. 16, 1858; Levi Orin, July 
14, 1860; two infants, born and died shortly after- 
ward ; Solomon P. Fireoved, died Aug. 5, 1852. Her 
husband, Levi Fireoved, died June 18, 1863 ; Amos 
Franklin Fireoved, died June 27, 1863 ; she has 
thus tasted her cup of sorrow, but has the consolation 
of the remaining children ; her son Levi Orrin is the 
only son at home. 

FIREOVED, JOHN, farmer and stock -raiser ; he 
was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 1824 ; his 
father, Solomon Fireoved, removed from Pennsylvania 
in the year 1838, to Richland Co., Ohio ; he came with 
him ; he remained at home on the farm until he was 
21 years of age. He was married, Dec. 24, 1845, to 
Miss Mary Wentz, a daughter of Henry Wentz ; they 
have seven children, all living— Levi Fireoved, born 
Sept. 5, 1840 (is an engineer and resides at Crestline, 
Ohio) ; Hannah C, born March 6, 1849 (is married to 
Daniel Sanders, and resides in Ft. AVayne, Ind.) ; Sol- 
omon H., born May 1, 1852 (lives in Cass Township) ; 
Mary E., born Aug 14, 1854 ; Sarah A., born July 31, 
1856, and Samantha J., born May 22, 1858. 

GILMORE AV. H., cider manufacturer; he was 
born in Juniata Oo., Penn , June 7, 1841 ; his parentis 
removed from Pennsylvania in April, 1844, and arrived 
in Planktown May 1 of the same year, then to Bloom- 
ino- Grove, where they lived until the fall of the same 
year • moved to Butler Township and purchased a farm 
in the woods. They cleared it up and lived there some 
six years, then sold and moved to Blooming Grove 
Township where they remained six months. In the 
mean time, they purchased the farm in Butler known 
as the "Chapman farm," and moved on it April -1, 
1851 The subject of this sketch remained on the farm 
until December, 1869 ; he took charge of the farm at 
an early age, and in connection with the farm he com- 
menced the manufacture of cider in 1861. He removed 
I to Shiloh in 1869, and in connection with his other 
i business he dealt in hay for two seasons, after which 
i he attended exclusively to the cider business. About 



W 

^ 



778 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the 1st February, 1875, he bought the Shiloh Times, then 
published in Shelby, from Hon. S. S. Bloom, and took 
in as partners Dr. Clowes and Bro., at which time the 
Clear Grit and Times were consolidated, and out of 
which grew the Shiloh Review. They ran together 
under the firm name of W. H. Gilmore cS; Co., about 
one year and a half. He then purchased the interest of 
the Clowes Bros., and published it, as editor, until April, 

1878. He then sold one-half interest. He repurchased 
it Dec. 1, and was editor and proprietor until March, 

1879, when he sold the paper to J. C. Higgins, and 
gave his attention to his other business. He controls 
the stock yards of Shiloh, and is also land and excur- 
sion agent for the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He is what 
might be called a self-made man. Starting in the 
world without material help, he has by industry and 
strict adherence to business principles acquired for 
himself a good business. He is a man of keen business 
tact. He is liberal in his views, and takes hold of any 
enterprise which will add to the interest of the com- 
munity in which he lives. He was married to Miss 
Margaret E. Hammond May 11, 1869. They have one 
child, a bright, promising boy, who was born Jan. 9, 
1873. 

GUTHRIE, N. S., retired farmer and pioneer; was 
born MarchS, 1816, in Harrison Co., Ohio. His father, 
William Guthrie, came to Richland Co., Sept. 25, 1816, 
with his family of eight children. He settled in Bloom- 
ing Grove Township when there were five families 
there, where 'he had entered two quarter-sections of 
land. He built a cabin, and his wife and three oldest 
boys then helped him to clear one acre of land, and 
put it in wheat, which they did. They had no fodder 
for the cattle. They subsisted on browse. His family 
was compelled to live on corn that had been frosted, 
which the cattle refused to eat. The meat they had was 
game. The first thing that he (N. S. Guthrie) recol- 
lects of doing was to gather some basswood-leaves for 
his mother to make a Dutch oven lid. During the 
winter of 1825-26, he went to school barefooted. His 
first book was made out of a shingle, with the alphabet 
on one side and words of two letters on the other. He 
was engaged in farming until he moved to Shiloh, Dec. 
15, 1875, where he now resides. He was married 
to Miss Sarah Turbett April 30, 1840. They had 
twelve children, nine living, viz. : Oliver T., born Aug. 
10, 1844; Ransom F., Oct. 22, 1845; Artimissa, March 
27, 1847; Arkinson B., Aug. 14, 1848; Aberson, Dec. 
27,1849; Lucilia, June 23, 1851; Rebecca A., April 
16,1856; Emma I., April 23, 1858; Frank D., Jan. 
23, 1863. 

GUTHRIE, JAMES, grape and small-fruit grower, 
was born in Richland Co., Ohio, May 31, 1842; he 
spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attending the 
common schools of the district. He enlisted Sept. 7, 
1861, in Co. I, 15th 0. V. I., and served with the Army 
of the Cumberland, being in twenty-seven battles, 
besides a number of minor engagements ; he was taken 
prisoner by John Morgan, at Stone River, Tenn., and 
was paroled on the field ; he came home, but returned 
again about the 1st of April, although he need ttot have 
done so, as there was no exchange of prisoners, but 
wished rather to be in active service than be subject to 
a camp life at Camp Chase ; returned to Murfreesboro, 



but was sent back on account of not being exchanged ; 
he remained at home about one month, and again re- 
turned to his regiment at Murfreesboro and partici- 
pated in all the engagements, never missing duty ; he 
was discharged at the expiration of enlistment ; re- 
turned and rented his father's farm; farmed eight 
years and then bought a tract of land near Shiloh, 
where he now resides ; he put on improvements, build- 
ing a comfortable dwelling; planted a vineyard of 1,350 
vines, which are now in fine bearing condition, besides 
some 600 vines of recent planting ; his farm bears 
marks of good cultivation and careful attention. His 
neighbors, irrespective of party, have kept him in 
offices of trust for the township for eleven years, thus 
showing that he is a man who has the confidence of the 
people ; he is now one of the Trustees of Shiloh Select 
School. He was married Dec. 14, 1866, to Miss Susan 
Ehret; had three children — Amanda Ann; Carrie A., 
born July 4, 1871 ; her twin brother, John, died Oct. 4, 
1871. 

HENCH, SAMUEL, merchant, was born in Perry 
Co., Penn., Aug. 14, 1813; his father died when Sam- 
uel was but a few years old, and the I'aising of the fam- 
ily devolved upon his mother, who was compelled to 
put the children out ; his mother bound him to John 
Bull, of Perry Co., Penn., for five years, to work on a 
farm ; he had but limited advantages to attend school ; 
he was indentured to Jacob Iches, of Perry Co., three 
years, to learn the milling trade ; he followed milling 
at different places for twenty-five years ; he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster at Roseburg, Perry Co., Penn., by 
W. T. Barry, Postmaster General, May 24, 1834; he 
served three years ; he came to Ohio in the fall of 1849 
and settled in Richland Co., Ohio ; he moved to Shiloh 
in the spring of 1861 ; he was appointed Postmaster 
March 22, 1864, by Mr. Blair, Postmaster General, and 
served very acceptably for thirteen years and six 
months. He was married to Miss Eliza Delancy, of 
Perry Co., Penn., Aug. 14,1833; they had one son — 
Peter, born Sept. 26, 1834. 

HENRY, CYRUS, pioneer, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
he was born Dec. 18, 1812, in Stark Co., Ohio ; he is 
of German extraction ; his parents came to Richland 
Co., about 1828, and settled near where the subject of 
this sketch now resides. When about 19 years of age, 
he went to learn the shoemaking trade at Mansfield, 
where he remained about four years ; he again returned 
to where he now lives, and has been farming and work- 
ing at his trade ever since. His parents being poor, he 
was thrown entirely upon his own resources ; h« started 
in the world without a dollar, but by dint of hard labor 
and economy, he was enabled to buy the farm on which 
he lives; at the time he purchased it, it was covered 
with timber ; he has succeeded in making for himself a 
pleasant and comfortable home. He was married to 
Miss Adaline Ensign, March 14, 1833; they had ten 
children, seven now living ; his wife died March 21, 
1874. He was again married, to Mrs. Abbie Gregg, 
Feb. 24, 1876 ; they had one child. He has the esteem 
of his neighbors, and is looked upon as a man of strict 
integrity. 

HERSHISER, JOHN, pioneer ; he was born in Bed- 
ford Co., Penn., Oct. 30, 1791, and is the second oldest 
man in Cass Township. He came to Ohio in 1829, and 



V 



CASS TOWNSHIP. 



779 



settled on the farm where he now lives ; his farm at 
that time was almost entirely covered with forest, but, 
bringing with him the sturdy industry of his native 
State, he soon had considerable cleared, and under cul- 
tivation. He is one of those quiet men who exert an 
influence in the community in which they live. He 
was elected Justice of the Peace, and served for twelve 
years ; he was solicited to serve longer but declined to 
do so, as the interest of his farm required his attention. 
During the time he was .Justice of the Peace, he mar- 
ried forty-two couples. He was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth May, Sept. 14, 1813 ; they had eight children, 
seven of whom are living. His children are well to do ; 
his sons being farmers, except John, who is a carpenter. 
He has survived his wife many years ; she died in 
September, 185.5 ; he lives with his son, Leonard May 
Hershiser, on the old farm, and is passing the closing 
days of his life with that serenity which follows a well- 
spent youth. 

HIGGINS, JOHNC, editor of the Shiloh Review; 
was born in Wayne Co., July 28, 1854. He learned 
printing in Orrville, Ohio, and worked as a journeyman 
on many of the leading papers of the State. Since his 
taking charge of the Review, he has increased its circu- 
lation, and made it a welcome visitor to the households 
of the patrons ; he has brought up the paper in tone, 
and made it one of the leading weeklies of the county. 

HUNTER, ELIZA, MRS., widow of John B. Hunter, 
was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1812 ; her 
maiden name was Ellis ; she spent her youth on her 
father's farm; she was married Oct. 9, 1831; they 
have three children, all living ; her husband died in 
August, 1836 ; she was therefore left alone with three 
small children, for whom she had to provide, but being 
a woman of excellent health, she managed to provide 
plentifully for them ; she remained in New York after 
her husband's death, until 1844, when she came to 
Ohio, being accompanied by her brother, Sydney Ellis, 
and settled in Greenwich Township, Huron Co., where 
she shortly afterward purchased 10 acres of land ; not 
getting possession of the little land for several months, 
she in the mean time worked for her neighbors at what- 
ever she could find to do ; after she moved into her 
home, she followed weaving for many years, and as 
there was plenty of work, she wove during the day, and 
in the evening did her housework ; she thus succeeded 
in making a comfortable living for herself and children. 
She, with her family, went to Kansas, in 1857, and pre- 
empted land and returned to Kansas City, Mo., and 
engaged in hotel-keeping for two years ; thence to 
Leavenworth, Kan., where she kept hotel one year. 
She returned to Ohio about 1860, and moved to Shiloh 
in 1869, where she is now living with her daughter, 
Mrs. Thorp, enjoying good health. 

HUNTER, S. S., foreman and manager of Breneman's 
dry-goods and clothing store, Shiloh. He was born in 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1834 ; about the age of 16 
years, he went to work at the carpenter trade and 
remained at that about six years ; he then went to 
Kansas City, Mo., and was engaged in a hotel about 
two years and a half ; he then resumed his trade for a 
short time in ^lissouri ; he wentto New Oi'leans and 
worked at his trade for about six months ; thence to 
Copiah Co., Miss., where he stayed about two years, 



engaged in contracting and building ; he left Missis- 
sippi for Ohio, March 4, 1861 ; after arriving in Ohio 
he followed his Jtrade up to the close of the war ; he 
then farmed for three years, after which he removed to 
Shiloh, and took charge of the grocery and provision 
store of John Breneman ; he was out of business for 
one year, after which time he took charge of the pres- 
ent business. He was married to Miss Julana C. Brene- 
man Dec. 29, 1864 ; they have six children, five boys 
and one girl, all living. 

HUSTON, TRACY, MRS., widow of Jesse Huston ; 
she was born in Adams Co., Penn , March 4, 1811 ; her 
maiden name was Tracy Miller ; she came of Pennsyl- 
vania German parentage, and inherits the characteris- 
tics of that people ; she came to Ohio with her first 
husband, Adam Louck, about 1839 ; they lived one year 
in Stark Co.; they then came to Richland Co., where 
Mr. Louck died, in 1848 ; she was again married to 
John Clay, and removed to Ashland Co., where she 
remained five years ; Mr. Clay dying, she was again 
married to Jesse Huston, with whom she lived until he 
was killed by a horse running away with him in Shiloh 
in April, 1879 ; having no children, she took Isaac Hol- 
lenback (who now lives on her farm), when he was 
about two months old. He taught school for twelve 
terms, and is highly respected by the community, thus 
showing he was instructed well in his youth. 

LONG, DAVID, an early pioneer and retired farmer; 
was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 1811. When he 
was 4 years old, his father, John Long, came to Rich- 
land Co. and settled where Richland (better known as 
Planktown) is now, about 1815; at that time there 
were no neighbors nearer than three miles, and the 
next nearest were five miles ; he entered the land and 
built the first log cabin in the upper end of the town- 
ship ; he formerly came from York Co., Penn.; the 
first school taught in the township was in the log cabin 
which was built by Mr. John Long, when he had set- 
tled in the county ; he died in 1842, aged about 77 
years. David Long, the subject of this sketch, re- 
mained at home until he was about 20 years of age, 
and then went to farming near Richland ; farmed for 
several years, and then moved to where he now resides — 
this was about the year 1839 — where he has since re- 
mained ; he was the ninth child of a family of ten 
children; he has seen two generations pass away, and 
has experienced the hardships of an early pioneer life. 
He joined the Methodist Church at an early age, and 
has been a consistent member of that denomination 
ever since, taking a lively interest in the work. There 
are six of the family still living — David Long, aged 68 ; 
twin sister, 68 ; W. W. Long, 71 ; Mrs. Murry, 74 ; 
Mary Wooly, 83 ; Hugh Long, 84. David Long was 
married to Miss Emily Rose Oct. 13, 1836; they had 
four children ; his wife died Nov. 4, 1870. 

LYBARGER, LEWIS, pioneer, farmer and stock- 
raiser ; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April 19, 
1819. His father removed from Pennsylvania with his 
family, which consisted of himself and wife and five 
children, leaving one in Pennsylvania, who was mar- 
ried ; this was in 1830; he went to Knox Co., Ohio, 
and remained eighteen months, and then came to Rich- 
land Co. and settled in Cass Township— -then Plymouth 
— and purchased a quarter-section of land, covered 



>^ 



780 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



with timber ; he was therefore compelled to commence 
as an early settler ; he lived and died where he first 
settled. The subject of this sketch lived on his father's 
farm and worked it until he purchased the farm on 
whrch he now resides, January, 1856; he built the 
buildings which are now on the farm ; he is a man of 
quiet demeanor, and has the respect of the community 
in which he lives. He was married to Miss Margaret 
Walkup Feb. 24, 1842; they have ten children— An- 
drew, born Dec. 10, 1842; Valentine, Jan. 19, 1845; 
Oliver, Jan. 3, 1847 ; Barton E., Sept. 8, 1851 ; Lydia 
J., Dec. 13, 1858; Esther Belle, March 8, 1856; Har- 
rison, Sept. 7, 18-58. Margaret Walkup, wife of Lewis 
Lybarger, was born Dec. 10, 1818, in Richland Co., 
Ohio ; her father entered the farm on which they now 
live ; at that time the Indians were numerous, and 
they frequently visited her father's house; they often 
exchanged game for corn-meal, etc.; Mrs. Lybarger re- 
members very well when the Indians left Ganges; she 
was attending school, and remembers seeing thom go 
by on their way West; Mrs. Lybarger relates that one 
of the Indians expressed a desire to live with her 
father, Mr. Walkup, and learn farming; he would hold 
the plow while Mr. Walkup would drive, but when the 
sun would shine very warm he would soon leave for 
the woods. 

McCARRON, FREDERIClv, blacksmith ; he was born 
in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1841 ; his parents 
moved to Knox Co., Ohio, when he was young, and he 
spent his boyhood on the farm ; about the age of 18 years, 
he went to learn the trade of blacksmirh, at Shenan- 
doah, this county; he worked at that about two years 
and a half, and then returned to Knox Co., where he 
stayed about one year and a half; he then returned to 
this county and remained about one year. He enlisted 
in the spring of 1864, in Co. K, i26th 0. V. I., for 
three years ; he was in the battles of the Wilderness, 
Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Fairfax Court House and 
in front of Petersburg, and with the army until the 
surrender of Lee ; he was discharged at Columbus, 
Ohio ; he was hurt on his way home from the army by 
being knocked off the cars by a bridge; this was at 
Wheeling, W. Va.; he suflFers from this accident very 
much, occasionally, as it was a contusion of the head. 
When he returned home, he went to farming ; he, after 
some time, worked at his trade in Morrow Co.; moved 
thence to Shiloh, in 1871, where he has since remained. 
He was married to Miss Percilla Hunter Nov. 28, 1865; 
they have six children, four living — three boys and one 
girl. 

MILLER, SAMUEL, farmer; was born in Blooming 
Grove Township Dec. 16, 1842 ; his father, Samuel 
Miller, immigrated to Ohio from Cumberland Co., 
Penn., in August, 1839 ; he settled in Blooming Grove 
Township, where he remained twenty-one years, and 
then came to Cass Township in September, 1862. He 
was born in 1808, and was married to Miss Catharine 
Shaffer, who was born in 1811 ; they had thirteen chil- 
dren, six sons and seven daughters ; those living are 
John, farmer, lives in Blooming Grove : Mary Ann, 
married to Milton White, and lives in Butler Town- 
ship ; Samuel Miller, the subject of this notice, was 
married to Sarah A. Wentz April 22, 1875 ; Chester C, 
born July 30, 1876; Harry Blaine, born March 10, 1880- 



Catherine, married to Charles Moore, farmer, and lives 
in St. Clair Co., Mo.; Diannah, married Levi S. Wentz, 
farmer, and lives in Cass Township; Elizabeth J., mar- 
ried Solomon Fireoved, lives in Cass Township ; Henry 
T., farmer, lives in Barry Co., Mich.; Adaline, married 
to John J. Shoup, farmer, Huron Co., Ohio; James 
M., Cass Township. Mr. Miller is a reader of good 
books ; he is one of the leading young men of the town- 
ship. 

NEWMAN, JOHN M., farmer; was born in Richland 
Co. ; his father, Henry Newman, was also born in the 
county ; his grandfather, M. Newman, was one of the 
pioneers of this county. Mr. J. M. Newman was 
married to Miss Eva Miller, of Jackson Township, 
Jan. 28, 1880. 

NOBLE, HARVEY, retired farmer ; he was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., May 12, 1806 ; his father died 
when Harvey was about 18 years of age, leaving his 
mother with four children ; his older brother having 
gone to learn his trade just previous to the death of 
their father, it devolved upon him to maintain his 
mother, and he was, therefore, compelled to work at 
anything he could find to do: about the age of 17, 
he started, with some of his neighbors, for Ohio, of 
which he had previously heard a good report ; he re- 
turned home in about three months and remained 
about one year, when he returned to Ohio and entered 
80 acres of land, now owned by N. S. Guthrie, in 
Blooming Grove Township ; he has owned, in diflerent 
places, 850 acres of land ; he has been industrious and 
economical ; was one year without a dollar, but still 
persisted, until at last he accomplished his object — the 
possession of property. He was married to Miss Mar- 
garet Little, of Washington Co., Penn., March 8, 1827. 
They had eight children, six living at the present time ; 
his wife died .July 2, 1865. He was again married, to 
Mary J. Hopkins, September, 1867 ; they had four 
children, three living at the present time. His mother 
died while living with him, at the advanced age of 97 
years. Mr. Noble has a good mind for a man of his 
age, but, meeting with an accident some years ago, he 
is partially disabled from walking. 

OPDYKE, C. L., pioneer, farmer and stock-raiser; 
was born in New Jersey, Hunterdon Co., Sept. 21, 
1827. His father, John Opdyke, came to Ohio in the 
spring of 1836, and settled in Plymouth Township. 
He remained with his father about two years, and then 
returned to New Jersey, where he remained until he 
was about 17 years old ; he then returned to Ohio 
and remained with his father until he was married. 
After he was married, he moved to his own farm, which 
he had bought in 1849. He now owns some 329 acres 
of good land. He is held in high esteem by his neigh- 
bors, who look upon him as a straightforward man. He 
is Township Trustee, and a member of the School Board 
of Shiloh. He was married to Miss Sarah Moss Nov. 
10, 1853 ; they had nine children, eight living and one 
dead. 

OZIER, NELSON, stock-dealer ; was born in Union 
Co., Penn., Jan. 4, 1823. His father, Stephen Ozier, 
came to Richland Co. about 1824 ; he came to Mansfield 
and remained a short time ; he then moved to Peters- 
burg, Richland (now Ashland) Co.; he remained there 
about one year, and then moved to Olivesburg, Rich- 



-f- 



■^r>v 



CASS TOWNSHIP. 



781 



land Co., where he died. After his father's death it 
devolved upon Nelson and his brother, .John Ozier, to 
provide for their mother, two sisters and younger 
brother, who were at home. The subject of this sketch 
worked at anything he could find to do by which he 
could make a living. Some four years after his father's 
death, the entire charge of providing for the home fell 
upon him, as his brother got married and went to work 
for himself. At a very early age, his natural business 
tact commenced to develop, and he, therefore, con- 
ceived the idea of doing business for himself. He ac- 
cordingly bought six barrels of eggs for the Mansfield 
market, and started full of expectation of a handsome 
profit, but he had the misfortune to upset the wagon 
and break the eggs, so that his first investment proved 
a failure. He returned home somewhat disheartened. 
He shortly after had an opportunity of taking charge 
of 100 head of cattle to drive to Lancaster, Penn., 
which he did. After his return to Ohio, he soon found 
an opportunity to buy stock and wool for D. B. Sexton, 
of Cleveland. He remained with him until 1850, when 
he engaged in buying stock on his own account and de- 
livering them to Buffalo and other points East. He 
followed shipping stock of different kinds until 1856, at 
which time he commenced to deal exclusively in sheep 
and wool, buying and selling as many as fifteen thou- 
sand in a year. He has been engaged in the business 
ever since. For a number of years his brother, David 
Ozier, has also been in the same business with him. In 
the fall of 1864, he was nominated for the office of 
Sheriff of Richland Co., by the Republicans, and was 
elected, although the county gave a Democratic majority 
on the State ticket. After his term of office, which he 
filled yery acceptably, he still continued his present 
business. He moved from Rome to Shiloh in 1875, at 
which place he still resides. He was married to Miss 
Margaret Snapp, of Rome, Ohio, March, 1852 ; they 
have two children. 

OZIER, FREDRICK, was born in the town of Rome 
on the 2d of August, 1858, but has resided the most of 
his existence at Shiloh. His occupation principally, 
has been that of a dealer in horses, cattle, sheep and 
hogs; he is considered to be one of Shiloh' s best citi- 
zens. 

PETTIT, MERRIT, farmer and stock-raiser, was 
born in this county Nov. 24, 1835; his father died be- 
fore he was born ; he was with his mother until he was 
10 years of age ; his mother marrying again, he was 
thrown upon his own resources at an early age, but, 
being of a determined mind, he overcame all obstacles. 
In the fall of 1861, he moved to Huron Co., Ohio; he 
stayed eighteen months, then moved to Planktown, 
Richland Co., where he stayed about two years, and 
then went to Huron Co.; he stayed about one year, 
and sold his farm and returned to Cass Township, 
Richland Co.; he stayed one year, and then moved 
to Indiana, bought a farm, stayed two years, and re- 
turned to Richland Co., where he now lives. He was 
married to Miss Mary A. Ruckman Jan. 26, 1861 ; 
they had three children — Christina, born Nov. 21, 
1862; Amelia, born Oct. 12, 1866, and Nancy, born 
March 12, 1868. Christina .Broach, widow of Peter 
Broach, a pioneer of Richland Co., was born in Hamp- 
shire Co., Va., March 27, 1804; her father, Thomas 



Pettit, came from Virginia in 1814, and settled near 
Mansfield, where he died. She was married to Peter 
Broach Aug. .30, 1826 ; they moved, a year afterward, 
to where she now lives; they stayed some time with 
Ephraim Vail, until they built a cabin, which was lo- 
cited about fifteen feet south of where the dwelling 
now stands, in which she and M. Pettit reside ; she 
has good health, and remembers well things which hap- 
pened sixty years ago. 

PITTENGER, M. R., Justice, Shiloh. 

ROSE, MARY M., MRS., widow of Andrew M. Rose; 
was born in Cass, then Plymouth Township, June 29, 
1819; she is one of the oldest citizens living, who was 
born in and still lives in the township ; her maiden 
name was Green ; she spent her youth on her father's 
farm. She was married to Andrew M. Rose, July 18, 
1839, and has lived in the county ever since, except 
two years when she resided in Lorain Co., Ohio. Mr. 
Rose was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Feb. 7, 1817, and 
died in Richland Co., Sept. 5, 1872 ; he came to Rich- 
land Co., when a boy, with his parents; they had six 
children, five of whom are living. 

ROSE, ELMORE Y., farmer, was born in Richland 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 15, 1844 ; he spent his youth on the 
farm ; he enlisted May 2, 1864, for 100 days, in Co. H, 
163d 0. N. G. and served with the command ; he was 
discharged with the regiment, and returned home, 
where he remained until February, 1865, when he 
again enlisted in Co. A, I87th 0. V. I ; he served with 
the regiment and was discharged Jan. 20, 1866 ; on his 
return home he learned the trade of shoemaking, and 
worked at it since, except two years and a half, when 
he was farming. He was married to Miss Dorcas Back- 
ensto March 15, 1868 ; they have one child, Burtie E. 
Rose, born March 11, 1869. 

ROSE, ENSIGN B., farmer; he was born in this 
county, March 28, 1843, and was raised on a farm ; at 
the age of 19, he enlisted in the 2d Heavy Artillery, Co. 
D, July 25, 1863 ; he was with the Army of the Cum- 
berland ; he was in the ordnance department at Knox- 
ville, Tenn., about thirteen months, and the balance of 
the time was with the regiment ; he was discharged 
with his regiment Aug. 23, 1865. After he returned 
he worked for two summers at carding and spinning ; 
he then went to farming, at which he has since been 
engaged. He was married to Miss Catharine J. Adams 
.Jan. 8, 1873. They have three children. 

ROSE, HIR.A.M S., blacksmith; he was born in this 
county, April 23, 1841 ; he was raised on the fiirm ; he 
received a common-school education ; he enlisted in the 
1st Ohio Independent Battery and served with the army 
of the Potomac most of the time ; he was in fifteen 
regular engagements with his company ; he never was 
off duty ; he was discharged with his company ; after 
he returned home, he went to farming and, in 1873, he 
moved to Shiloh, where he has since lived, engaged at 
his trade. He was married to Miss Mary Hunter Nov. 
1, 1866. 

ROSEBOROUGH, J. E., M. D., was born in Wayne 
(^0 , Ohio, Feb. 16, 1834, his father dying when he was 
4 years old : he remained at home, attending the com- 
mon schools until he was 14 years of age ; he attended 
school at Wooster, Ohio, at intervals, for several years ; 



^ 



'.iL 




his means being limited, he taught school, and did any- 
thing by which he could obtain means to pursue his 
studies ; he attended school at Vermillion Institute, at 
Hayesville, for a part of two terms ; he followed teach- 
ing for several years. He went to Iowa in the year 
1857, and taught numbers of terms ; while in Iowa, he 
took up medicine, and read about six months ; he 
spent some time in Prof. Hughes' office, at Keokuk ; 
he taught school again one term, and then went to Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio ; he spent some time in Commercial Hos- 
pital, for medical information ; he then went back to 
Wayne Co., Ohio, and commenced reading medicine as 
though he had never read ; he read with Dr. L. Fire- 
stone, of Wooster, for three years ; he attended lec- 
tures one term at Ann Arbor, Mich. ; while there, he 
graduated in the chemical department ; he went back 
to Iowa and practiced medicine for about one year ; he 
returned to Burlington, Fulton Co., Ohio, and prac- 
ticed one year; he went to Congress, Wayne Co., and 
practiced a short time with Dr. J. Georget; he 
then went to Charity Hospital Medical College, at 
Cleveland ; he graduated there in the spring of 1864, 
and caq^Jjack to Wayne Co., Ohio ; he practiced some 
time with Dr. W. C. Moore, of Wooster. In the spring 
of 186G, he removed to Shiloh,' Richland Co., Ohio, 
where he now resides, and has been in successful prac- 
tice ever since, except two years, when his health 
failed; he went to Henry Co., and engaged in the 
wood, butter and egg business ; he returned to Shiloh 
to resume his practice. Previous to the war, he 
taught school in Kentucky one year, then went to Mis- 
sissippi and sold books for some years. He went into 
the army at the first call for three months ; at the ex- 
piration of his time, he returned to Wooster and re- 
ceived a commission as First Lieutenant ; he raised a 
company and joined Co. C, 120th 0. V. I.; he re- 
mained in the service about one year, and resigned on 
account of ill health. Before going out with his com- 
pany, the citizens of Congress Township presented 
him with a sword and sash, in acknowledgment of his 
saving the township from the impending draft by rais- 
ing the company. After he came home, the citizens 
elected him Captain of militia, and he was after- 
ward elected and commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of 
the same. He was married, Oct. 4, 1870, to Miss Ce- 
lesta Cleland, of Shiloh ; they have had five children, 
four of whom are living. The Doctor is known in the 
north part of the county as the " Happy Compound 
man," on account of a medicine known as " Happy 
Compound," of which he is proprietor. 

SHUPE, J. N., proprietor of Exchange Bank and 
produce dealer, was born in Zoar, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 25, 1836 ; spent his boyhood with his parents ; he 
received a common-school education ; he lived succes- 
sively in Ashland, Ashland Co., Ohio, Sharon Township, 
Richland Co. , and moved with his father to Shelby and 
remained there for some fifteen years ; he clerked in 
the grocery store of J. May, of Shelby, for some time ; 
about the age of 20 years, he moved with his father to 
La Fayette, Ohio, and clerked for him in a dry-goods 
and grocery store ; he remained in La Fayette about 
four years ; removed to Rome with his father ; he 
attended store there two years, and then went to Cleve- 
land ; opened a commission house under the firm name 



of Glenn, Burnham & Shupe ; was one year in business 
there ; he went from Cleveland to New York ; attended 
grocery store one year on commission, and clerked in 
the Western Gleaner newspaper office for six months ; 
he returned to Shiloh and engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness again under the firm of Shupe & Son ; sold out, 
and went into dry goods and groceries ; remained in 
that about three years, but not being successful in store- 
keeping, he was compelled to go into bankruptcy. He 
went into the produce business in the fall of 1867, at 
which he has since been engaged ; seeing an opening 
for banking in Shiloh, he also engaged in that in the 
fall of 1874. He is a self-made man, starting in the 
world without a dollar, he has, by strict adherence to 
the principles of business, built a paying trade. He 
was married to Miss Maggie J. Sarett .Jan. 5, 1864 ; 
they had two children — Minnie May, born Feb. 13, 
1867, and Harry, .Jan. 23, 1876 ; his wife died Feb. 12, 
1876. He was married again, Feb. 26, 1878, to Miss 
Emma R. Little, of Pittstown, N. J. 

SNYDER, CURTIS S., carpenter, contractor and 
builder ; was born in Juniata Co., Penn., Nov. 5, 1850 ; 
attended common schools until he was 17 years old ; 
commenced his trade in 1868, with his brother ; he 
remained three years ; he went to Williamsport, Penn., 
in the spring of 1871, thence to Titusville and thence 
to Oil City, Penn., working at his trade a short time in 
each place ; he returned home a short time, and started 
for the West, arriving in Shiloh Nov. 1, 1871 ; he went 
back to Pennsylvania in the following spring, and was 
married to Miss Nannie E. Orr, of Juniata Co., Penn., 
April 4, 1872, and on the 8th of the same month 
returned to Shiloh, where they have since remained ; 
they had four children — Lizzie Irene was bor^ Dec. 
31, 1872 ; Richard Malvern, Feb. 24, 1875, died May 
27, 1875 ; Maggie May, born June 2, 1876 ; Lathie 
Maud, May 24, 1878. He has built twenty-three houses 
in Shiloh, besides numerous jobs in the surrounding 
country. He can at all times be found ready to con- 
tract work. 

STINE, HENRY, farmer; he was born in Berks Co., 
Penn., May 18, 1818 ; his father, Adam Stine, emi- 
grated from Pennsylvania in the year 1833 ; he went 
to Clark Co., Ohio, but did not like the counti-y or the 
customs of the people, and soon moved his family to 
Richland Co., where he afterward lived; he died Oct. 
4, 1876, aged over 81 years. Henry lived with his par- 
ents, during their lifetime caring for them. His mother 
was confined to her bed eight years, hence there 
devolved upon him more than usually falls to the lot of 
one man who struggles to do his duty. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Amanda Bertorf in the year 1857 ; they 
had eight children, six of whom are living. 

SWARTZ, JACOB, farmer and stock-raiser ; he was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 2, 1820; his 
father came to Ohio Oct. 5, 1835 ; settled in Plymouth, 
now Cass Township ; he remained with his father until 
he was 30 years of age, assisting to clear and improve 
the farm. He married Miss Mary Rasey, of Bucyrus, 
of Crawford Co., Ohio, and then went to farming on 
the farm he now lives on ; farmed nineteen years on it 
as renter; purchased it in 1869; he has, since pur- 
chasing the farm, greatly improved it, putting the 
buildings on some eight years after he bought. He 



->^ 






CASS TOWI^SHIP. 



783 



came of Pennsylvania German descent ; is honest, in- 
dustrious and economical ; his farm is under a good 
state of cultivation ; his wife is an excellent helpmeet, 
ann they have all life's comforts. 

WENTZ, SOLOMON, farmer and stock-raiser; he 
was born in Perry Co., Penn., Nov. 12, 1821 ; he spent 
his boyhood on a farm and in learning the carpenter 
trade, until he was 19 years of age ; he then went to 
Juniata Co., Penn., and remained there one year; he 
then went to Schuylkill Co., Penn., and remained one 
year ; returned to Perry Co. and remained one year, 
and then emigrated to Richland Co., Ohio; walked 
from Perry Co. to Pittsburgh ; took steamboat to Steu- 
benville, Ohio, and thence by foot again ; after arriv- 
ing, he worked at his trade for some five years, and 
then engaged in the saw-mill business, purchasing one- 
third interest, and, the second year, one-half interest; 
worked at that for several years ; the mill finally burn- 
ing, he disposed of the remaining machinery ; pur- 
chased the farm he now resides on in 1865 ; moved the 
house, the same year he bought, from London ; he came 
of German Pennsylvania stock, and is an excellent 
farmer and a good citizen, honest in all his dealings. 
He was married to Miss Catherine Fireoved, of Cass 
Township ; they have seven children — Mary Jane 
Wentz, born July 9, 1851, married Henry J. Sheely ; 
Sarah Catherine Wentz, born Nov. 28, 1853, married to 
Frank Darling ; George F. Wentz, born July 28, 1856, 
lives in Chicago ; Solomon A. Wentz, born Dec. 2, 1857, 
died March 24, 1862; Annie Laura Wentz, born March 
29, 1865; Clara Susan, born Oct. 3, 1867; Charles 
Delbert, born Sept. 15, 1873. The last three yet live 
at home. 

WHITE, SAMUEL, farmer and stock-raiser ; was 
born in Columbia Co., Penn., Feb. 12, 1807 ; spent his 
childhood on his father's farm until his mother's death, 
which was about the year 1830. Was married to Miss 
.Jane Vault Nov. 30, 1830 ; had two children while in 
Pennsylvania — Mary Elizabeth White, born Nov. 18, 
1831 ; Sarah Jane White, born July 4, 1834. Having 
heard of Ohio as a beautiful country, he concluded to 
emigrate and leave his native State for the wilds of 
that new country ; so, having made all the necessary 
arrangements, he, with his wife and one child (Mary 
Elizabeth having died), bade adieu to friends and 
neighbors and started for Ohio, in a two-horse wagon, 
via Pittsburgh, and, after sixteen days' journey, they 
landed in Mansfield, when the town was scarcely as 
large as Shiloh now is, having only $90 in money ; 
being persuaded to go farther West, he started on foot, 
leaving his family near Mansfield, and went as far as 
Indiana, and thence to Michigan ; but, not liking the 
country, the weather being extremely wet, he returned 
to Richland Co., and, having some acquaintance in 
Plymouth (now Cass Township), he took his family 
and started north. Liking the appearance of the 
country, he purchased an 80-acre tract in the northern 
part of the township, living there nearly three years ; 
but, being sickly a good part of the time, he concluded 
to leave that locality and move farther south, which he 
did, settling on the farm he now owns in the year 
1833 ; he experienced all the hardships of a new coun- 
try ; at that time, everything was very scarce, and 
wheat was worth $2.50, oats, $1, potatoes, $1.25, 



and everything in proportion ; this was when he first 
came out. He at first purchased 40 acres, and added 
from time to time such as he could buy of adjoining 
land, until now he has a large farm, well fenced and 
improved. His children are William C, born Oct. 18, 
1836; John F., born May 17, 1840 ; Anna E., born 
Oct. 1, 1842 ; Henry N., born Nov. 2, 1847. 

WILLET, ABRAHAM, retired farmer and an "old 
pioneer; " was born in Columbia Co., Penn., March I, 
1801 ; he lived with his parents until he was married 
to Esther Aikman, of Columbia Co., Penn.; had two 
children, one of whom died in infancy; Margaret mar- 
ried in Pennsylvania. He rented a farm and remained 
on it one year. His wife died in September, 1826 ; 
after the death of his wife, he went back to his 
mother' s farm ; remained there three years; he then 
married Catherine Hazlett, of Columbia Co., Penn.; he 
again rented a farm in Columbia Co., lived one year on 
it, then removed on a farm near Bloomsburg, Penn,, 
and stayed there three years ; hearing favorable reports 
of the then new country of Ohio, and wishing to obtain 
for himself a farm and to gain a competence for his 
declining years, he sold his farming implements, and, 
bidding adieu to friends and neighbors of his native 
county, he started with his little family in a two-horse 
wagon, coming via Pittsburgh, settling in Richland Co., 
Ohio ; he bought an improvement right of a 50-acre 
tract in Plymouth, now Cass ; he paid all the money he 
had except $28 ; the improvements were of the kind 
usually in a new country, consisting of a log house and 
stable ; he went to work with the characteristic energy 
of the most of his class of pioneers, to carve for him- 
self a home and competence ; he soon felt able to buy 
another tract of 68 acres adjoining him, and continued 
from time to time to buy until now his farm is one of 
the best in the township, if not in the county ; the im» 
provements are good and the land under good cultiva- 
tion ; his family are all living near him. His second 
wife died in the year 1843, leaving a family of small 
children. He, after some time, married Miss Leah 
Bevier, of Richland Co.; had one child — Ransom Wil- 
let, who grew to manhood, being 26 years and 10 months 
old when he died. This was a hard blow, as it fell unex- 
pectedly, when the "boy" was in the vigor of his 
youth and had the promise of long life. Mr. W. is 
enjoying good health and spending the closing days of 
his life in happiness and plenty. 

WILLET, HANNAH, MRS., widow of William Wil- 
let. She was born in Columbia Co., Penn., May 5, 
1797, her maiden name was Webb; she is of English 
extraction ; her father was one of the party of survey- 
ors who ran the first State line between Pennsylvania 
and New York State. Her youth was spent upon a 
farm. She was married to William Willet Jan. 29, 
1818, and lived with her husband until the fall of 1834, 
when she emigrated to Ohio, bringing their family of 
five children with them, who are all living ; Mr. Wil- 
let had, however, been to Ohio and purchased the tract 
of land, on which they settled after coming out, and on 
which she still resides ; William AVillet was born May 
24, 1793, and died in 1858; he learned the trade of 
tanning in Bloomsburg, Penn., and while he resided 
there followed it; after he moved to Ohio, he turned 
his attention to farming and tanning ; in 1836, he built 



-^. 



784 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the tannery now occupied by his son, Abram Willet, 
probably the first tannery of any pretensions that was 
in the present limits of Cass Township; the old home 
stood where the present comfortable dwelling now 
stands ; Mrs. Willet is a pleasant and affable lady ; she 



has suffered much from rheumatism, but, notwithstand- 
ing this, she is bright in her mental faculties ; she 
enjoys a large circle of friends, and is spending 
her days in a pleasant home with her son and two 
daughters. 



FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 



BAKER, JOSHUA, farmer ; P. 0. Ganges. He was 
born in Virginia, Rockingham Co., July 10, 1814. 
Married in 1836 to Drusilla Lybarger, who was born in 
Bedford Co., Penn., Feb. 28, 1817 ; they have the fol- 
lowing family : Esther A., born March 24, 1837 ; John 
L., born Nov. 23, 1839; Daniel, born Nov. 2, 1841; 
Josiah, born June 7, 1843; Joshua, born June 1, 1846 ; 
Ann E., born Dec. 25, 1847 ; twins, born Jan. 16, 1850 ; 
Sarah J., born July 16, 1852 ; Louis U., born April 16, 
1854; Hattie, born Aug. 25, 1856; Silas, born Aug. 
14, 1858 ; Ida Belle, born Oct. 22, 1862. The following 
members are deceased: John, died July 1, 1842; Es- 
ther, died Jan. 29, 1867 ; Mary Annetta, died Feb. 24, 
1853. Esther Baker was married to David Kissler ; 
they had two children — Minnie Jane, and Esther, who 
resides with her grandfather, Joshua Baker; Joshua 
Baker's father, .John Baker, came to Richland Co. in 
1817 ; married to Sarah Turner , they had four chil- 
dren — John Baker, died in 1858 ; Sarah Baker, died 
April 17, 1876; they both died in Adams Co., Ind. 
Mr. Joshua Baker was a citizen of this county when it 
was in its state of nature, infested with Indians, 
wolves, deer, etc., in abundance ; his father had sev- 
eral encounters with the Indians ; Mr. John Baker 
was a soldier of the war of 1812. 

BROWNELLER, JOHN, engaged with steam thrash- 
ing-machine ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was born in Virginia, 
July 8, 1836. Married to Anna E. Small, who 
was born June 16, 1840; they have seven children — 
Mary Jane, born Oct. 19, 1859 ; Allie, May 21, 1861 ; 
Charlie, May 11, 1864 ; Samuel, Aug. 10, 1866; Dora 
A. and Carrie E., born June 6, 1870; John W., Nov. 
24, 1872. Mary Jane married Frank Taylor Aug 20, 
1876; they had one son, Fenton E., who died at the 
age of 2 years and 3 months. Mr. Browneller has 
a saw-mill, and is also engaged in that business. He is 
one of the leading men of Franklin Township. 

BELL, SAMUEL, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in the State of Maryland Feb. 20, 1824 ; came to 
Ohio in 1841. He married in 1848, Martha M. Gates, 
who was born in New Jersey Dec. 2, 1825, and who 
emigrated with her parents to Ohio in 1827. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bell have the following family : Harriet, born Aug. 
2,1850; Arminta, .Jan. 27, 1852; Emma, June 6, 1854 ; 
Hubbard, June 30, 1857; Charles, June 24, 1859; 
Byron, Jan. 8, 1861 ; Eudora, .June 6, 1862; Maud, 
Aug. 6, 1868. Arminta died Aug. 29, 1852, and 
Emma, Jan. 6, 1861. Harriet is married to J. D. Lewis. 
Jacob Bell, father of Samuel Bell, was born in Wash- 
ington Co., Md., in 1773. He emigrated to Richland 
Co., in 1841. He was married to Barbara Emerick, 
who was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn., 1780 ; they had 



the following family : Mary B., born in February, 1807 ; 
Anthony, in March, 1808; Jacob, July 4, 1809; Su- 
sannah, June 26, 1811; John, in February, 1813; 
David, April 14, 1815; Peter, Feb. 9, 1821; 
Samuel, Feb. 20, 1824. Jacob Bell died in Richland 
Co. Nov. 17, 1847. Mrs. Bell died Feb. 29, 1848. 
Mary married David Leiter. Anthony died Feb. 16, 
1859 : Jacob died in 1837. Susannah married John 
Shutt. John Bell died in 1859, and Peter Bell in 1875. 
BELL, A. T., farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; he was 
born in Dauphin Co., Penn., June 18, 1821. He was 
married in 1845, to Dorcas Young, who was born in this 
county Dec. 17, 1824 ; they have the following children 
—John H., born June 24, 1846; Mary J., Oct. 13, 
1849 ; Hulda, Nov. 14, 1851 ; George W., Dec. 25, 
1855; Eliza A., Sept-. 29, 1859 ; Albert E., July 28, 
1862 ; Viola May 24, 1867 ; Wesley, born July 30, 
1869. Joseph H. Bell died April 12, 1864, and Hulda, 
Jan. 4, 1873. Mr. Bell owns a well-improved farm in 
this township. 

BRADLEY, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Mercer Co., Penn., May 31, 1809; carae to Ohio 
Feb. 14. 1820; married in 1837 to Sarah Ann McKnabb, 
who was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio; they have five 
children — Margaret .J. (deceased), born May 24, 1838; 
George, March 24, 1840; Mary, Jan. 15, 1842; Sarah, 
May 29, 1844; Eliza, March 7, 1849. Mr. Bradley 
was married the second time to Elenor Winton, who 
was born in Richland Co.; she died April 13, 1879. 
Mr. Bradley has been engaged in farming since he first 
located in this county ; he has always been one of the 
prominent citizens of this township. 

BRICKER, DAVID, farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; he 
was born in Franklin Township Oct. 23, 1839. Mar- 
ried, Dec. 15, 1860, to Susannah Urich, who was born 
in Franklin Township March 24, 1841 ; they have the 
following family: Catharine E., born Feb. 15, 1862; 
George, Sept. 6, 1863 ; Harriet, Dec. 4, 1865 ; Jennie, 
April 10, 1868; Carrie, Feb. 23, 1870; Addie, Sept. 
25, 1873; Mary, Nov. 17, 1875; Charlie Ross, Feb. 22, 
1878. Mr. Bricker owns a well-improved farm with 
good buildings and owns 311 acres. George Bricker, 
brother of David, enlisted in the 20th 0. V. I.; was en- 
gaged in a number of battles and was honorably dis- 
charged. 

CLINE, HENRY, farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; he was 
born in Franklin Township, this county, Sept. 4, 1826. 
He was married in 1856 to Miss H. J. Miller, who was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1830 ; they have five children 
— Neosho, was born in 1857; George F. (deceased); 
Carrie, born in 1862; Frank, in 1864, and Judson, in 



^" 



iz 



FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 



785 



1870. Mr. Cline owns two good farms in this town- 
ship ; he has been elected Commissioner in this county 
two terms, filled the office with credit and is one of the 
enterprising men of the county. 

COOK, GEORGE, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Lancaster Co., Penn., .June 11, 1818; came to 
Ohio with his parents in 182-5, and located in Franklin 
Township. He was married in 1847 to Matilda Jacobs, 
who was born in York Co., Penn., April 7, 1824; they 
had the following children: William W., born Jan. 9, 
1850; Mary E., Feb. 6, 1852; David I., June 14, 1854; 
Emma, Nov. 7, 1858; John G., Jan. 2. 1861. His 
father, George Cook, Sr., was born in Germany in 
1787; came to America in 1800; Mrs. Cook was born 
in 1794; Mr. George Cook, Sr., died Sept. 12, 1868, at 
the age of 81 years 9 months and 17 days ; Mrs. Cook 
died June 22, 1868, at the age of 74 years 10 months 
29 days. William Cook is married to Martha Ralston ; 
they have three children — Emma E.,born in November, 
1875; Etta Jane, March 4, 1877; George, Sept. 23, 
1878. 

COOK, DAVID, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in this township, and has always been engaged in 
farming. 

CRALL, JOHN, deceased ; he was born in Dauphin 
Co., Penn., Nov. 28, 1798. He was married, Aug. 31, 
1824, to Mary Buck, who was born Nov. 30, 1804 ; 
they had one son — Amos Crall, born Dec. 19, 1827, in 
Dauphin Co., Penn.; he was married, June 22, 1853, 
to Catherine Urich, who was born June 22, 1835 ; they 
have two children — Fremont, born July 6, 1856, and 
Sherman, born Nov. 21, 1860. John Crall died March 
8, 1877 ; Mrs. Mary Crall died Sept. 17, 1867. They 
were members of the United Brethren Church for 
twenty-seven years. 

CRUM, HENRY W., Clerk's office, Richland Co., 
Ohio. Was born in Fi-anklin Township, Richland Co., 
Ohio, April 9, 1847 ; Isaac Crum, the Mher of H. ^Y., 
was an old resident of Franklin Township, and came to 
Ohio when a child ; his parents settled in Franklin 
Township, Richland Co., where part of the descend- 
ants yet reside; ^Ir. Isaac Crum, during his long resi- 
dence in Franklin Township, held the office of Town- 
ship Clerk a number of years, and was frequently 
honored by the people to positions of honor and trust ; 
in the year 1857, Mr. Isaac Crum was elected as Clerk 
of the Court of Common Pleas in Richland Co., and 
re-elected in 1860 ; he died March 8, 1861, while serv- 
ing his second term, aged 43 years. He was the 
father of seven children, four of whom are living and 
three dead; the first son, Henry AV., is now engaged 
in the Clerk's office in Mansfield. 

CRUM, JOHN, farmer; P. O.Mansfield; he was 
born, near the site of the big gate on the farm where 
he now resides, March 1, 1820. He was married, 
Nov. 2, 1848. to Catherine Clay, who was born Nov. 25, 
1828, in Franklin Township ; they have the following 
family: Jacob, born Oct. 18, 1849; Elizabeth, born 
June 12, 1851 ; Margaret, born Feb. 15, 1858 ; Bart- 
ley, born April 29, 1854; Mary, born Nov. 25, 1856; 
J. Franklin, born Aug. 2, 1859 ; Lucinda. born Oct. 2, 
1863 ; Ida C, born Sept. 30, 1866. Jacob died Nov. 

2, 1851 ; Margaret, February, 1853, and Franklin, June 

3, 1879. Jacob Crum, John Crum's father, was born 



in Huntingdon Co., Penn., Aug. 14, 1789 : he was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Keith, who was born Feb. 17, 1794; 
they had the following family : Michael, born Oct. 24, 
1814; Isaac, born Oct. 20, 1817: John, born March 1, 
1820; Henry, born Aug. 12, 1822; Silas, born Aug. 
11, 1825 ; Jacob, born Nov. 6, 1827 ; Mary, born June 
6, 1830; Washington, born April 29, 1833. Silas, 
Jacob and John are yet living. 

DUNNAN, SAMUEL (deceased). He was born in 
Scotland in 1800 ; he came to America when he was a 
young man. He was married, in 1833. to Margaret 
Linn, who was born in Augusta Co., Va., in 1810 ; they 
have the following family : John, born in 1835 ; Will- 
iam, born Aug. 20, 1838 ; Anna, born in 1839. Sam- 
uel Dunnan died Dec. 24, 1856. John Dunnan was 
married to Eliza Walters. William Dunnan is engaged 
in farming at the home place, and is residing with his 
family. 

FACKLER, DAVID, farmer ; P. 0. Shenandoah ; he 
was born in 1845, in this township. He was married, 
in 1869, to Elizabeth Baker, who was born in Jackson 
Township, this county ; they have three children — 
Jennie, born Oct. 17, 1873; Joseph, born Aug. 30, 
1875, and Eva, born Oct. 9, 1876. Joseph Fackler, his 
father, was born May 3, 1820 ; he was married to 
Mary Bear, who was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 15, 
1816. Joseph Fackler died in 1849, and Mrs. Mary 
Fackler in 1877. 

FIDLER, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Ganges; he was 
born in Adams Co., Penn., in 1794. Married Elizabeth 
Shull ; they had ten children ; after Mrs. E. Fidler 
died, he married in 1855, Elizabeth Small, who 
was born in Franklin Township, Penn., in 1807. John 
Stoner, grandson of John Fidler, was born Feb. 9, 
1860; he was raised by his grandparents. Mr. Stoner 
is now engaged in study and preparing himself for a 
useful position ; he is destined to make his mark in the 
future. 

FIGHTER, HENRY F., grocerman; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., July 29, 1847. 
Married, in 1872, Mary C. Spade, who was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., April 6, 1847 : they have three 
children— Alice E., born Feb. 23, 1873; John W., Nov. 
16, 1874; Charles F., Sept. 16,1878. Mr. Fighter's 
father, Frederick Fighter, was born in Germany, in 
November, 1804; married to Catherine Hofl', who was 
born in 1805, in Lancaster Co., Penn.; they had three 
children — .John, born in 1840; Hattie, in 1843; Henry, 
in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Fighter are both living ; they 
reside with their son in Franklin Township. Henry 
Fighter has been engaged in the manufacture of boots 
and shoes for some years ; he is a first-class mechanic, 
and has also connected with his mechanical business a 
grocery supplying the community with the necessaries 
in this line ; he is obliging and always ready to meet 
the demand in this class of trade. 

FORBES, LIBEUS, farmer ; P. 0. Ganges ; he was 
born in Springfield Township Aug. 20, 1825. Married 
Jan. 10, 1854, to Hannah Morthland, who was born in 
Cumberland Co., Ohio, Jan. 13, 1834; they have the 
following family: Theodore, born Nov. 14, 1855; Alli- 
son, Sept. 24, 1857, died Aug. 2, 1858 ; William, born 
Nov. 14, 1859 ; Elmer, Jan. 14, 1861 ; Laura, Oct. 20, 
1871. Theodore married Mary A. Brook; they have 



^1 




-±* 



one child — Cora, born Oct. 25, 1879. He is engaged 
in running a saw-mill on a portion of the farm where 
his father resides ; he owns the mill and has been en- 
gaged about six years. Mr. Forbes' mother, Elizabeth 
Higgins, was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Aug. 12, 
1790; in 1808, she married William Stevens ; they had 
three daughters; in 1814, they removed to Ohio, in- 
tending to settle in Licking Co.; when within one days' 
travel of their destination, a terrific storm overtook 
them ; a tree was blown across the wagon, killing the 
husband and father, and leaving the mother with three 
helpless children ; the mother made her home with her 
father in-law, who resided in Mount Vernon ; here she 
remained until she was married to Mr. Libeus Forbes, 
with whom she removed to Springfield Township, where 
she lived until 1867, raising a family of one son and 
eight daughters ; her last removal was with her son, 
Libeus Forbes, near Ganges. She united with the M. 
E. Church in 1820, and lived a consistent Christian 
forty years ; she died Nov. 30, 1875. 

FOULKS, WILLIAM, deceased; he was born in 
Beaver Co., Penn., .June 27, 1800. He was married, Jan. 
1, 1835, to Mary Grimes, who was born in Alleghany 
Co., Penn., Dec. 5, 1818 ; they had six children, viz. 
Benton, born Dec. 4, 1836; Elizabeth, March 21, 1838 
William M., Nov. 13, 1839; John C, Aug. 5, 1842 
Lavina Jane, Jan. 23, 1847; Sarah M., Dec. 5, 1850 
William Foulks died June 3, 1879 ; Lavina Jane, died 
Dec. 4, 1860. Mr. Foulks, after marriage, located on 
a farm which he purchased, in this township, and 
remained there till his death. He was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church for a number of years, and left 
full assurance of a blessed immortality. The family 
still remain on the farm ; .John and Benton are engaged 
in farming the place. 

GIPE, BENJAMIN, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 30, 1813; 
came to Ohio in 1851. Married to Elizabeth Conley, 
who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., May 16, 1813 ; 
they have the following family : Anna, born, Oct. 19, 
1887; Catherine, Dec. 27, 1838; Lydia, Nov. 11, 1840; 
Elizabeth, Sept. 16, 1842; Jacob, Nov. 9,1844; Samuel, 
Aug. 21, 1846; Sarah, July 19, 1848; Barbara, May 
30, 1851; John, April 5, 1854; Polly, Sept. 18, 1857; 
Catherine, died in 1849, and Lydia, in 1843. Mr. 
Gipe owns a well-improved farm in this township. 

HARNLY, JOSEPH G., farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah. 
He Was born, Aug. 27,. 1838, in Franklin Township; 
he was married to Margaret .Jane Ralston, who was 
born Sept. 10, 1835, in Lancaster Co., Penn ; they have 
the following family: Flora, born Feb. 14, 1870; 
Manda, Dec. 29, 1872; Anna, Jan. 27, 1874; Carrie, 
Dec. 4, 1876. Mr. J. Harnly enlisted in the 15th 0. 
V. I., Co. G, under Col. Dickey; he was in the engage- 
ment at Stone River, where he was taken prisoner. 
John Harnly, his father, was boi'n in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., June 21, 1806 ; he came to Ohio in May, 1825; 
located in Franklin Township, He was married. May 
10, 1836, to Catherine A. Gilbert, who was born Oct. 
27, 1814, in Wayne Co. They had the following chil- 
dren : Solomon, born Feb. 2, 1837; Joseph, Aug. 27, 
1838; Martha, Nov. 22, 1841; Manuel, Oct. 1, 1843; 
Eliza. May 7, 1846; Jacob, Oct. 9, 1848; George, Sept. 
18, 1850; Mary, Jan. 3, 1853: Maria. Dec. 12, 183f, 



Solomon was married to Margaret Hughes ; they have 
one son, Omar, born in 1872. Maria married John 
Ralston ; they have two children — Carrie and May 
Bertie. MaVia died in December, 1879, in California. 
Manuel volunteered in the late war, in the IPith 0. V. 
I.; he was drowned, April 27, 1865, during an explosion 
of the boat. Eliza married Dr. Stoner ; they have one 
child, Loulie Frances. George Harnly married Bettie 
Berks; ihey have one child, Wilbert. Mary married 
Amos Boice ; they have one daughter, Ernie. 

HOFFMAN, JOHN G., blacksmith; P. 0. Shenan- 
doah ; he was born in Jackson Township Sept. 6, 1833. 
Married, Oct. 13, 1855, to Catherine Baughman, who 
was born Sept. 5, 1837 ; they have eleven children — 
Emery, born Aug. 9, 1857 ; Mary, July 27, 1859 ; Re- 
becca, Dec. 24, 1861 ; Lester, March 14, 1863. The 
following are all deceased : Charles, born Dec. 8, 1864 ; 
Orie C, April 15, 1866; Annie, Aug. 27, 1868; Lizzie, 
1871; George W., Feb. 22, 1874; Jessie B., June 27, 
1876; Gertie, .June 27, 1879. 

KOHLER, HEZEKIAH, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Adams Co., Penn., April 25, 1825; 
came to Ohio in 1829. Married, in 1854, to Rebecca 
C. Myers, who was born in Greene Township, Ashland 
Co., Nov. 19, 1830; they have the following children: 
Adaline M., born July 15, 1855 ; Marion M., Sept. 14, 
18-56; Mary M., Aug. 24, 1858; Perry B., March 5, 
1860; Sabina B., March 30, 1862 ; Sarah M., Aug. 26, 
1863; Flora B., Oct. 4, 1869 ; Myrtle, Jan. 29, 1876 ; 
Adaline died Jan. 11, 1867, and Sabina, May 8, 1862. 
Marion married Lucretia Osburn Jan. 22, 1880. Mr. 
Kohler has resided in Franklin Township since 1829, 
and owns a well-improved farm with excellent build- 
ings. He has been an energetic man, always ready to 
promote every good cause, and has done much to 
advance the interest of Franklin Township. 

KOHLER, .JOHN M. (deceased); he was born in 
Franklin Township July 22, 1830. Married, Dec. 25, 
1857, to Sarah Orewiler, who was born in Jackson 
Township Oct. 11, 1833 ; they have the following fam- 
ily : Jerome A., born Sept. 27, 1858; Nancy E., Feb. 
5, 1860; Laura E., Oct. 6, 1861; Lucinda, Aug. 2, 
1863; Ida May. May 16, 1866; Cora Otta, April 30, 
1869 ; Lucinda, died Sept. 13, 1865, aged 2 years 1 
month and 10 days ; John M., died Feb. 14, 1375, 
aged 44 years 6 months and 23 days ; Nancy E. is mar- 
ried to Michael Keith. Jerome Kohler is engaged in 
farming the place. He is a young man of energy and 
activity, and is destined to make one of the leading 
citizens of this township. He resides with his mother; 
they own a well-improved farm in this township. 

KOHLER, AMOS, farmer; P. 0. Spring Mills; he 
was born in Franklin Township June 27, 1833. Mar- 
ried, Sept. 21, 1858, to Mary A. Cope, who was born 
July 20, 1840 ; they have two sons — William W., born 
April 7, 1861, and Orrin, Dec. 13, 1863. Mr. Kohler 
owns a well-improved farm with excellent buildings, 
and is one of the active citizens of this township. 

KOHLER, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. Shenandoah , 
he was born in Adams Co., Penn., Feb. 18, 1835, and 
was married in 1857, to Louisa Orewiler, who was born 
in Franklin Township March 16, 1837 ; they have one 
child — Sadie, born April 15, 1864. Mr. Kohler came 
to Ohio Aug. 15, 1853, and has been a citizen of this 



<^ (i 






A- 



FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 



787 



township ever since. He is an enterprising anQ active 
man. 

LANTZ, GEORGE W., farmer; V. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Washington Co., Md., Dec. 9, 1809. Mar- 
ried in ISoO, to Rebecca Pickings, who was born July 
21, 1819; they had the following family — Jacob, born 
Aug. 21, 1840; Catherine, July 6, 1842; John, March 
19,''l844; Susan, .Jan. 20, 1846; Henry, Nov. 9, 1847; 
Leah, April 16, 1849; Margaret, Sept. 8, 1851; Will- 
iam, Oct. 25, 1852 ; George, Sept. 14, 1855 ; Samuel, 
Aug. 2, 1857; James, Sept. 5, 1859. Mr. Lantz came 
to Ohio in 1844, and has become one of the prominent 
citizens of this township. Jacob Lantz enlisted in the 
102 0. V. L, Co. D ; he died in Athens, Ala., Sept. 
8, 1864; Margaret died Nov. 10, 1851; Henry Lantz 
died Nov. 16, 1847; John married LucindaMorthland; 
they reside in Jacl?son Township, this county. 

LANTZ, WILLIAM, farmer;?. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Jackson Township. He was married to 
Jennie Small Dec. 1 7, 1876 ; they have one daughter— 
Mertie L., born [March 24, 1878. Mr. Lantz is engaged 
in farming, and is one of the prominent young men of 
the county. 

LIGHT, IRA, farmer; P. 0. Ganges; he was 
born in Franklin Township Sept. 26, 1844. He was 
married in 1866, to Margaret Jane Bland; she was 
born Dec 22, 18.39, in this county; they have four 
cliildren— Elmore, born April 20, 1867 : Charlie M., 
Nov. 6, 1868; Victor N., Feb. 16, 1870; Urith W., Oct. 
21, 1877. Mr. Light owns a good farm, under a good 
state of cultivation, with good buildings and all modern 
improvements. 

McCORMlCK, E. H., manufacturer of carriages, etc.; 
P. 0. Mansfield ; he was born in Franklin Township in 
18.50. He was married, in 1875, to Catherine Harnish, 
who was born in Pennsylvania. jNIr. McCormick has 
established a good trade in his line, and is an excellent 
mechanic ; he is prepared to meet the demand in his 
business. 

McMEEKEN, JAMES, farmer; P.O.Mansfield; he 
was born in Madison Township Jan. 28, 1840. He 
was married, Feb. 1, 1866, to Martha Hawley, who 
was born in Franklin Township Nov. 22, 1841 ; they 
have the following family: Smith T., born Dec. 9, 
1867; Milo S., born July 22, 1868; Emery A., born 
April 2, 1870; Arthur, born May 9, 1872; Bertha J., 
born July 14. 1874; Walter W., born Sept. 25, 1876; 
C. Roscoe, born Oct. 26, 1878; Arthur died Dec. 19, 
1875, and Bertha Dec. 30, 1875. Mrs. McMeeken, 
mother of James McMeeken, was born in Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield Co., July 22, 1808; she moved to 
Richland Co. in 1815 ; she was married, in 1835, to 
Hugh T. McMeeken. now deceased. James McMeeken 
enlisted in Co. G, 15th O. V. 1.; he was engaged in the 
service four months ; he kept a memorandum from 
January to August. 

MARSH, CLARK, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., March 26, 1842; he 
came to Ohio in 1859, and located in Franklin Town- 
ship : his mother, Elizabeth Marsh, was born in West- 
moreland Co., Penn., Sept. 9, 1797 ; her sister. Nancy 
Cristy, resides with them ; she was born Feb. 14, 
1794. His sister, Uree Ann Marsh, was born in Penn- 
sylvania Feb. 6, 1843. 



MILLER, PETER, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 

born in York Co., Penn., June 5, 1794 ; came to Ohio 
in 1828. He was married, in 1818, to Susan Clay, 
who was born in York Co. Dec. 4, 1796 ; they have the 
following family: Jacob (deceased), Henry, Cather- 
ine, William, Susan, Mary and Eliza; Susan married 
Simon Bricker June 15, 1842 ; they have four children 
— W coster B., born April 8, 1845; Isabelle V., born 
Sept. 14, 1847 ; Mary E., born Aug. 13, 1849 ; William 
H., born Nov. 16, 1854; Simon Bricker died Sept. 23, 
1852, in Fostoria, Seneca Co. Wooster Bricker en- 
listed in the 24th 0. V. I., and was killed in- 
stantly in battle ; Mary Emma died Oct. 24, 1851, at 
the age of 2 years 3 months. Mr. Miller emigrated 
from York Co., Penn., in 1828 ; he bought 100 acres of 
land in Richland Co., and has lived here ever since. 

MONN, JOSEPH C, farmer ; P. 0. Ganges. He was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 19, 1813. Married 
in 1838 to Hannah Trueax, who was born in Bedford 
Co., Penn., Dec. 15, 1815; they had two sons — Abra- 
ham, born May 11, 1848; Joseph, born Jan. 23, 1850; 
Mr. Monn is a landholder, and has the best improve- 
ments and buildings on his farm ; Joseph was married 
to Hattie M. Baker, who was born in Cass Township ; 
they have one son, Levi, born Dec. 14, 1877; he is now 
engaged in farming the home place. 

PIFEa, GEORGE H., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield. He 
was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., April 28, 1838 ; 
came to Ohio when he was quite young. Married, Feb. 
22, 1866, to Anna Dunnan, who was born in Franklin 
Township Jan. 5, 1839 ; they have the following fam- 
ily : Alberta J., born March 12, 1868, and Lizzie M., 
born Aug. 23, 1870. 

SMALL, JOHN W., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield. He 
was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Oct. 24, 1812, and was 
married in 1835 to Margaret Snyder, who was born 
June 1, 1815, in Lancaster Co., Penn.; they have the 
following family : Philip, born July 10, 1836 ; David, 
born Nov. 30, 1837 ; Anna, born June 16, 1840 ; Lydia, 
born Jan. 8, 1843 ; Simon, born March 13, 1848 ; Mar- 
garet, born Oct. 9, 1851 ; Martha, born July, 13, 1854; 
John, born Jan. 16, 1857 ; Allie, born May 31, 1860. 
Martha died at the age of 7 months and 6 days; Philip 
died in November, 1871 ; David SmaU enlisted in the 
late army, Co. D, 102d 0. V. I.; he was engaged in the 
service about three years ; he now resides in Mercer 
Co., Ohio; Anna married John Browneller, they re- 
side in Franklin Township ; Lydia married Thomas 
Taylor, they reside in Mansfield ; Simon married Lizzie 
Taylor, they reside in Mansfield ; John married Lizzie 
AVareham, they reside in Mansfield. 

SIMPSON, SAMUEL, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield. He 
was born in Mifflin Township Nov. 7, 1842. He was 
married in 1869, to Sarah Snyder, who was born in 
Mifflin Township Nov. 19, 1842 ; they have the follow- 
ing family : Emma Estella, born Jan. 8, 1871; John 
Steward, born Nov. 1, 1872; Frank Jenner, born Jan. 
13, 1879. Mr. Simpson has been a citizen of this 
county from infancy; came to Franklin Township in 
1874, purchased a farm, is now residing on it, and is 
one of the enterprising men of this township. 

TAYLOR, ROBERT, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
he was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Jan. 8, 1807 ; came 
to Ohio at the age of 17 years. Married in 1833 to 



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>> 



788 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Elizabeth Bristow ; they had five children — William, 
born July 14, 1834; George, Oct. 18, 1835; Jane, May 
12, 1837; Nancy A., Sept. 8, 1838; John (deceased), 
Oct. 8, 1840; Thomas, Oct. 18, 1842. Mrs. Elizabeth 
Taylor died July 26, 1843. Mr. Taylor married again, 
April 30, 1844, .to Mary A. Robinson, who was born in 
Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1820; they had five children — 
Elizabeth, born Sept. 20, 1852; Franklin, May 17, 
1854; Marion R., May 16, 1856; David A., May 22, 
1859 ; Ida May, Oct. 1, 1865. AVilliam Taylor enlisted 
in the late war in the 3d 0. V. I.; he died at Benton 
Barracks, Mo. Nancy Ann died in January, 1865, at 
the age of 27 years. Mr. Taylor owns a farm in Frank- 
lin and is one of the leading citizens of that township. 

TAYLOR, ANDREW F., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Franklin Township Jan. 6, 1850; he is 
engaged in farming the old homestead and is an active, 
energetic man. His sister, Ellen B. Taylor, was born 
in Cass Township ; T. W. Taylor resides in Madison 
Township, north of the Water Cure. 

THRONE, JACOB, f\irmer ; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Franklin Township Aug. 2, 1835. Married, 



Oct. 20, 1857, to Martha D. Watson, who was born in 
Newton Falls, Trumbull Co., March 5, 1838; they have 
the following family: William, born June 15, 1858; 
Mary A., March 15, 1860; Charles E., Feb. 20, 1862 ; 
Nichlas, Nov. 20, 1864; Ella B., Dec. 3, 1865; Dora 
A., June 28, 1868; Rollie W., Nov. 3, 1870; Oren W., 
June 23, 1872; Anna B., Nov. 3, 1874; Arthur L., 
June 12, 1878. Nichlas died Dec. 17, 1864 ; Martha, 
March 16, 18*11 ; Dora, Dec. 3, 1870. ' Jacob Throne's 
father, Michael Throne, died Aug. 31, 1871, aged 76 
years 11 months and 27 days; his mother, Mrs. Throne, 
died July 22, 1851, aged 61 years and 10 months. 

URICH, DANIEL, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Pennsylvania in August, 1829 ; he came to 
Ohio at the age of 3 years with his parents. He mar- 
ried. Oct. 1, 1859, Maria A. Myers, who was born in 
Richland Co. Oct. 26, 1833 ; they have the following 
family: Sadie E., born Sept. 22, 1862; Foster J., Oct 
15, 1865; David R., Nov. 1, 1867, and Amanda, Jan. 
23, 1873. Mr. Urich has lived in this township since 
his marriage and owns a well-improved farm. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



BARBER, M. M., Justice of the Peace, and farmer; 
he was born in Union Co., Penn., Nov. 8, 1824. At 14 
years of age, he went to learn the trade of printing, 
in New Berlin, Penn., in the oifice of the Evangelical 
Association, which has since been removed to Cleve- 
land, Ohio; he worked at printing some six years, 
learning the various branches of the trade ; the busi- 
ness not agreeing with his health, he left the office, 
and, with his wife and father-in-law, in 1846, started 
for Ohio, and settled near where he now resides. He 
was elected Township Clerk in 1848, which office he 
has held ever since, except one year ; in 1850, he was 
also elected .Justice of the Peace, which office he has 
since held, being elected ten successive times of three 
years each ; he has also been delegate to numerous po- 
litical conventions ; he enjoys the confidence of the 
community, and his decisions are rarely reversed ; he 
is a Director of the Buckeye Fire Insurance Company 
of Shelby. He is a man of quiet demeanor. Politi- 
cally, he is a Democrat. He was married to Mary Ann 
Garret Sept. 0, 1845, in Union Co., Penn.; they had 
ten children, nine of whom are living; Mrs. Barber 
was born in Union Co., Penn., Aug. 3, 1826. 

BARNES, PATRICK, farmer ; he was born in Frank- 
lin Co., Penn., in 1814, and spent his early days there ; 
he was put out to work about the age of 10 years with 
his uncle ; his parents being poor, he was thus com- 
pelled to go out in the world ; he remained with his 
uncle until he was about 19 years of age, when he went 
to work at the carpenter trade with William Mackey, 
of Franklin Co., Penn., and served two years, and then 
at journeyman's work; he followed his trade until he 
came to Ohio, about 1844; he had previously come 
out, however, and worked for several months ; he set- 
tled in Jackson Township, and followed his trade, con- 



tracting and building, until within the last few years. 
He was married to Miss Catharine Picking, in February, 
1843 ; they had ten children, eight of whom are living; 
his wife died in May, 1879. He is spending his re- 
maining days on his pleasant farm, about three miles 
east of Shelby ; he built a number of the buildings in his 
neighborhood, and was considered a reliable workman. 
BRICKER, ISAAC, fai-mer and stock-raiser ; he was 
born in Lebanon Co., Penn., July 24, 1823 ; his father, 
Capt. Henry Bricker, was known by that name from the 
fact that he raised a company of men and started for 
Baltimore, at which place there was a battle going on 
between the American and British armies ; before he 
arrived, however, the fight was over, and he returned 
home with his company ; he still kept his company 
organized, ready for any emergency. He was born in 
Lancaster, Penn., in January, 1790, where he lived 
until the year 1831, when he, with hi? wife and five 
children, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Jackson 
Township, about three and a half miles southeast of 
Shelby, where his son Isaac now resides. After he pur- 
chased the property, he commenced the erection of a 
place to live in ; there was an unfinished building that 
had been intended for a schoolhouse, which he com- 
pleted for a dwelling ; this stood near where the pres- 
ent dwelling now stands ; he then commenced the 
arduous task of clearing up the farm and improving. 
He was active in all the affairs of the county and town- 
ship, which he adopted as his home, but refused all 
oflfers to take any part as an officer in the affairs of the 
community. He had the esteem of the community in 
which he lived, being honest, plain and -blunt, never 
fearing to speak his mind freely. He died in 1855, 
leaving a family of five sons. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Rachel Kneesle, survived him some fifteen 



>y 



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JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



789 



years. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on afarm, 
attending such schools as were in the community at 
that time. In 1849, he was taken with the " gold 
fever," and he, with five others, started, joining a 
party at Independence, Mo.; they crossed the overland 
route. He remained there three years, working in the 
mines, and was successful in accomplishing his pur- 
pose. He returned home by way of the Isthmus ; he 
remained about six months in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 
He again returned to California by way of the same 
route he came, and engaged in the same business, that 
of mining ; he remained three years, and was again 
successful. He returned to Ohio and purchased land ; 
he bought out the heirs of the " old homestead," where 
he spent his youth, and where every scene was dear to 
him. He is a man of public spirit, and fills the posi- 
tion of one of the directors of the National Bank, of 
Shelby ; he is also one of the managers of the Buckeye 
Mutual lire Insurance Company of Shelby ; he super- 
intends quite extensive farming, and is one of the most 
successful in the county. He speaks his mind fully, 
and, while he is strong in his opinions, he is open to 
convictions. He was married to Miss Caroline Sipe in 
April, 1856. They had fourteen children, twelve of 
whom are living. 

BRINER, JOHN, farmer; he was born in Perry Co., 
Penn., May 23, 1813 ; he spent his youth on a farm. 
His father, John Briner, hearing of Ohio, resolved to 
settle there, where land was cheap and where he might 
get each of his children a home ; so, having made all 
necessary arrangements for the trip, he started in his 
wagon for his new home ; he settled on the tarm now 
owned by the widow of Henry Briner, in Jackson 
Township; this was in 183'2 ; he died at an advanced 
age, on the farm. The subject of this sketch remained 
at home until 183-5, when he moved on the farm now 
occupied by him, and built a log house near where the 
present homestead is now located ; he cleared most of 
the farm and built all the present comfortable build- 
ings ; he has been an active worker, a good manager, 
and, as his children get married, he is enabled 
to give each of his sons 80 acres of land and his 
daughters 40. He was married to Miss Sarah 
Henry Dec. 25, 1834 ; they had twelve children, 
nine of whom are living, six of them being in Williams 
Co., Ohio. Mrs. Briner was born in Perry Co., Penn., 
Nov. 25, 1811 ; her father emigrated to Harrison Co., 
Ohio, and, in 1833, moved to Jackson Township ; he 
remained in Ohio for a number of years, but, being 
desirous of seeing the land of his birth, the home of his 
childhood, he resolved to take a trip East, and was on 
that ill-fated train which collided near the village of 
Thompsontown, Juniata Co., Penn., and where so 
many met a quick and certain death ; after the colli- 
sion, the wreck took fire, and it is supposed that he 
was wedged in between some timbers where he could 
not extricate himself, and he, with many others, fell a 
victim to the flames ; the doors of the cars were also 
locked, and this may have prevented the escape of some. 
Mrs. Bi-iner had six sisters and five brothers, all liv- 
ing but one ; the oldest is 70 years and the youngest 50 
years of age. 

CAIRNS, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. 0. Spring Mills ; he 
was born in Mansfield in October, 1837. Some time after, 



his father moved to Jackson, on the farm now occu- 
pied by his three sons. The subject of this notice has 
remained on the farm ever since. He moved to where 
he now resides in 1864; he takes an active interest in 
the affairs of the county and township ; politically, he 
is a Democrat, and is an influential member of his 
party. He has held several offices in the township, 
and, by advice of his friends, he allowed his name to 
go before the people for a prominent office, but his 
father being desirous of receiving the nomination for 
the same ofiice, he withdrew his name. He was married 
to Miss Sarah Kuhn, of Plymouth Township, May, 18G2; 
they have had ten children, seven of whom are living. 

CAIRNS, JOHN G., farmer; P. 0. Spring Mills; he 
was born in Mansfield Jan. 27, 1840. He spent his 
youth on a farm. He enlisted in Co. E, 32d 0. V. I., 
July 27, 1861, for three years. The regiment to which 
he belonged was with the Army of the Tennessee ; he 
participated in all the battles with his regiment, and, 
while in the siege of Vicksbui-g, he was with a party of 
men who were in the trenches in front of the rebel bat- 
teries, where, by order, they were compelled to keep 
up a constant firing ; the guns becoming very dirty 
from constant use during the day, they would rebound 
at each discharge, and as they wei-e so situated against 
the side of the ditch, they had no way by which they 
could protect themselves, but had to stand the rebound 
against their shoulders. He did the firing of two guns, 
while the other man did the loading. From this he re- 
ceived a very serious injury in his shoulder, from 
which he has never fully recovered. He was discharged 
at Chattanooga in September, 1864. After his return 
home, he went to farming. He resided about six years 
in Madison Township. He is a Democrat, and takes 
an active interest in the afi'airs of the party. He has 
held the office of Assessor for two terms. He was mar- 
ried to Helen M. Livensparger March 14, 1865 ; they 
have had eight children, five of whom are living. 

CLARK, CALVIN, farmer; he was born in AY ashing- 
ton Co., Penn., Aug. 23, 1802; his parents emigrated 
1 from Pennsylvania, with their family of sis children, 
in the spring of 1815, and settled two miles south of 
Mansfield, where they took up 160 acres of land ; they 
remained there about three years, and then sold out 
and moved three miles north of Mansfield, where they 
purchased 160 acres; they remained there some seven 
years, and then went to live with their son, Calvin. 
When Calvin was about 20 years of age, he left the 
farm, and he and one of his brothers went to brick- 
making ; he worked at that for some two years, and 
then took a lease of 30 acres of land which is now em- 
braced between First and Fourth streets, in the west- 
ern part of Mansfield, and is now covered with 
residences ; he leased this land in 1822 for the term of 
seven years, getting all he could raise on it during that 
time for clearing and fencing it ; he built a log house, 
which is yet standing ; it has since been weather- 
boarded and somewhat remodeled ; when he first canae 
to Mansfield, there was not a frame building in the vil- 
lage ; after leaving the lease, he moved into Sharon 
Tovvuship, about one mile south of where Shelby now 
stands, where he cleared considerable land ; he pur- 
chased where he now lives in 1829, and, two years 
later, moved on it, where he has since resided. His 






"<.! 



ik^ 



790 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



brothers and sisters are all dead, and he alone is left of 
a large family. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian ; he 
is most agreeable and courteous in manners, and his 
character is unimpeachable ; he enjoys the esteem and 
confidence of all who know him ; he is a man of great 
menial strength for one who has been so active in the 
arduous work of pioneer farming and clearing away the 
forest ; he can recollect dates of a few years ago as 
well as those of his early years ; he is passing the 
evening of his life on his favorite spot, where, forty- 
nine years ago, he settled. He was married to Miss 
Mary Fulton, of Richland, in October, 1824 ; they bad 
seven children, five girls and two sons ; his children 
are all married and living in Richland Co., except 
Mrs. Ritchie, who resides in Williams Co. His wife 
died in October, 1874. 

CLARK, SAMUEL, fiirmer; he was born in Rich- 
land Co., Ohio, in October, 1825; he has spent his life 
upon a farm, and takes an active interest in his chosen 
vocation. He is a Presbyterian in religion, and a 
Republican in politics. He is a man of quiet de- 
meanor, and exerts an influence in the councils of 
party. He was married to Polly Jane King, of Rich- 
land Co.; they had a family of ten children, seven of 
whom are living. He enjoys the respect of his neigh- 
bors, and never intrudes his political opinion upon 
those who differ with him in that respect. Socially, he 
is like his father, Calvin Clark ; he has led a temperate 
life, and has been a hard worker. Shortly after he 
was married, he moved to where he now resides ; he 
lias his farm under excellent cultivation. 

COOPER, DANIEL, pioneer farmer and stock-raiser; 
was born in Sharon (now Jackson) Township Oct. 19, 
18o4 ; he remained with his father until he was 22 
years of age, receiving his education in the district 
schools. Mr. Cooper married Miss Sarah Briner, who 
was born about 1828, in Perry Co.,Penn., and, as a re- 
sult of their union, had thirteen children, eight of 
whom are living — Alvina, Henry, Mary, Franklin, 
Diana, Daniel, Jane and Burgetta. Mr. Cooper, with 
his family, moved to Williams Co., Ohio, about 1846, 
remaining there seven years, when they disposed of 
their farm and moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., purchas- 
ing 240 acres of land ; remaining in Michigan nearly 
four years, he became discouraged with sickness, and 
again disposed of his land and returned to his native 
county, where he still remains, one of the stanch men 
of old Jackson Township, where he has been elected 
Township Treasurer for twelve or thirteen consecutive 
years. 

COOPER, WILLIAM A.,, fruit-grower ; was born in 
Richland Co., in December, 1835 ; his father, Jacob 
Cooper, was born in Connecticut, in 1793, and moved 
to Southern Ohio about 1815 ; he remained there until 
about 1820, when he came to Sharon, now Jackson 
Township, and located on the farm now owned by 
William Kerr. He was married to Miss Lydia Oakley ; 
they had nine children, six of whom are living. His 
wife, who was born in 1800, died in 1866; he died in 
1876, aged 83 years. Mr. Cooper died where he first 
settled. His son, William A., the subject of this notice, 
remained at home until he was about 20 years of age; 
he resided in Shelby about a year ; in the fall of 1863, 
he moved to where he now resides ; he gives his atten- 



tion to fruit-growing. He was married to Miss Sarah 
Jane Swartz, July, 1859 ; they had seven children, 
five of whom are living; Mrs. Cooper died Feb. 16, 
1877, aged about 35 years. 

COOVER, ISAAC, farmer ; he was born in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., Oct. 1828, and spent his youth on 
his father's farm ; he left his native State and came to 
Ohio in 1862, and lived near Ganges for some ten 
years ; he then moved to Jackson Township, where he 
has since been living ; he is a pleasant neighbor and an 
excellent farmer ; he has the respect of all with whom 
he deals, as he is a plain, straightforward man. He 
was married to Mary Dickson, of Cumberland Co., 
Penn.. 1853. 

CRUM, ELIZABETH, widow of Isaac Crum, was 
born in Richland Co., Ohio, February, 1824, in Mifflin 
Township ; her father, John Gates, emigrated to Ohio 
from New Jersey, about the year 1823, and settled in 
Richland Co., where he afterward lived ; he died in 
1860. Isaac Crum was born in Franklin Township, in 
October, 1817, and spent his youth on his father's farm; 
in the fall of 1856, he was elected Clerk of the Court of 
Richland Co., and served three years ; he was re- 
elected in 1859, and served a part of the second term, 
when he died of consumption, in March, 1861, in 
Mansfield, aged about 43 years. He was politically a 
Democrat. Isaac Crum and Elizabeth Gates were mar- 
ried in October, 1844 ; they had seven children, four of 
whom are living. 

DRAKE, JOHN, farmer. He was born in Northum- 
berland Co., Penn., in June, 1806 ; his mother came to 
Ohio in 1825, and remained about one year in Stark 
Co., and then removed to Wayne Co., where she re- 
mained about five years ; she brought her family of 
four children with her — William, John, Elizabeth and 
Jane; two sons having died in Pennsylvania; Nathan- 
iel Drake, her husband, was born, lived and died in 
Pennsylvania; I\lrs. Drake's maiden name was Nancy 
Hougland ; she died in 1855, aged 67 years ; ^^ illiam 
and Elizabeth are dead. While the family were in 
Wayne Co., John and Willinm contracted to clear and 
fence fifty acres of land, and split 5,000 rails for an 
eighty-acre tract in Jackson Township ; this is the 
property now owned by the subject of this sketch, and 
on which he now resides. In 1831, he, with his 
mother, came to this county and began the improvement 
of his land. He had the common experience of most of 
people who came to the frontier settlements. He has 
succeeded in making for himself and family a pleasant 
home. He is of English extraction. His forefathers 
came to America at a very early date. It is known that 
the family in England were very wealthy and influen- 
tial, but on account of political troubles, some of them 
emigrated, and, unfortunately, the family history has 
not been handed down so as to keep up that connection 
which is necessary to establish a claim. There is a 
vast fortune in England for the Drake family, but at 
present it cannot be definitely settled. The family date 
as far back as 1560. Mr. Drake is a man of positive 
opinions and character, and not easily moved from a 
position until he is convinced that he is in error. He 
is a member of the Reformed Church ; in politics, he 
is strongly Democratic. He was married to Miss 
Susannah Henry March 29, 1838, and as the result 






JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



791 



of their union they have ten children, all living — Will- 
iam Drake, the oldest child, is married to Miss Sidney 
Flora, and resides near Montpelier, Williams Co.; the 
second child, Elizabeth, is married to James Wareham, 
and resides in Jackson Township; the third child, 
Sarah Jane, married Aaron Rambo, and resides in East 
Lynn, Vermilion Co., 111.; the fourth child, Daniel, 
married Mary Jane Trist, and resides in Shelby, she 
was born in Sidney, Australia ; the fifth child, James, 
married Miss Eva Roushand, and resides near Bridge- 
water, Williams Co.; the sixth child, Jeremiah, mar- 
ried Miss Roust, of Jackson Township, and resides near 
Bridgewater, Williams Co.; the seventh child, Mary 
Ellen, married George H. Smith, and resides in New- 
ton Co., Ind.; Nancy H. married .Jacob Rowe, and re- 
sides in De Kalb Co., near Butler, Ind.; Susannah is 
at home with her parents; Samuel, the tenth and last 
child, is also at home with his parents. 

FINICLE, GEORGE, farmer; was born in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., Aug. 4, 1818. When about 16 years 
of age, his father, Solomon Finicle, with his family of 
five children, came to Ohio, and settled in Sec. 24, 
northwest quarter, where he lived for a number of 
years ; he then moved to Shelby ; he returned to Jackson 
after remaining in Shelby for a few years. He died at his 
son George's. The subject of this notice left home about 
1843, and moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he re- 
mained about one year, and then returned ; he then 
purchased the farm and improved it, making all the 
present improvements. He was married to Miss Re- 
becca Marks March 10, 1842 ; they had eight children, 
six living : Mrs. Finicle died in July, 1856. He was 
again married, to Miss Minerva Mclntire, Nov. 9, 1856 ; 
they had three children, two of whom are living. He 
is of Pennsylvania-German parentage, and is an ex- 
cellent farmer and respected citizen. 

GUMP, JOSIAH, farmer and stock-raiser ; he was 
born in Bedford Co., Penn., Nov. 29, 1824. His father, 
Benjamin Gump, hearing of Ohio and of its fertile 
lands, resolved to leave his native hills and bring his 
family to the frontier settlements and hew out for him- 
self and family a home ; he entered an 80-acre tract, 
and set to work to clear away the timber on which to 
build his new home ; he hewed the logs, instead of 
leaving them round, as was customary in those early 
days ; he first built the center, and some years after 
added additions to each end ; the west addition was 
occupied as carpenter and cabinet-maker shop for some 
years ; the main part of this building, now occupied 
by Josiah Gump, is perhaps one of the oldest in Jack- 
son Township, having been built fifty-three years ; the 
trees which surround this building were planted by the 
elder Gump, and now they spread their branches far 
and wide ; there is a large and beautiful pear-tree 
standing at the west end of the dwelling which the old 
gentleman raised from the seed, and of which he enjoyed 
the fruit for many seasons ; during the last years of 
his life, he was much afflicted with rheumatism ; he 
spent an active life, worked hard, and was "gathered 
home" in 1870, aged 83 ; his wife, whose maiden name 
was Esther Smith, died some time previous ; three chil- 
dren survive them — Josiah and two sisters. Josiah has 
spent his youth on the farm ; he is a plain, unassuming 
man, honest and industrious. He was married to Ma- 



tilda Cline in 1849 ; they had seven children ; she died 
in 1864. He was again married, to Miss Eve Bushey, 
of Shelby, Dec. 25, 1866 ; they have two children. 

HARTMAN, GEORGE. This pioneer was born in 
Adams Co., Penn., in August, 1801 ; he is of Pennsyl- 
vania-German parentage, and still retains their charac- 
teristics ; was bound out to learn the weaving trade at 
16 years of age ; worked at that for some years ; his 
parents died when he was young, and he was therefore 
thrown out upon the world early in life, which perhaps 
gave him much of that energy which he displayed in 
late years, as h^ has been one of the successful farmers. 
He emigrated to Ohio in 1828, and remained one year 
in Stark Co.; he then came to Richland Co., and en- 
tered an 80-acre tract of land in Sec. 27 ; built his 
first cabin about twenty rods west of his present house, 
in which he lived some eight or ten years, and then 
built the present dwelling ; like most of the early set- 
tlers, he was poor, and was compelled to clear his land 
by his own industry ; he was more fortunate, however, 
than some of his neighbors who came some years after, 
as he brought a wagon with him, one of the first in the 
neighborhood ; was called upon frequently to loan his 
wagon to his less favored neighbors ; he frequently 
would, when called upon, take his own team and go to 
market, not charging a cent for his services. Some 
years since, his son prevailed upon him to make his 
home with him, where he could be better taken care 
of; he remained several years, but the love of his old 
home still clung strongly to him, and he returned to 
his favorite spot which he first selected as his abode. 
He has a retentive memory, and has the full use of his 
mental faculties ; is pleasant in his manner, and has 
the esteem of the community. He was married to Miss 
Catharine Stallsmith, of Adams Co., Penn., March 1, 
• 1827 ; they had one child. 

HARTMAN, JOHN F., farmer; P. 0. Shelly; he is 
the only child of George and Catharine Hartman ; he 
was born March 8, 1830, in Richland Co.; he spent his 
youth on the old homestead ; he is one of the successful 
and solid men of the township ; he is an excellent 
farmer (his farm contains 434 acres) ; he is well in- 
formed upon the general topics of the day, and takes an 
interest in the affairs of the township and county, and is 
an influential citizen. Politically, he is a Democrat. He 
was married to Miss Louisa Kuhn in March, 1853 ; they 
have six children, three sons and three daughters ; after 
he was married, he lived for some years on the old home- 
stead ; he then moved to where he now resides, about 
1860; he lived some years in the old house, and, 
in 1870, he built his beautiful and comfortable brick 
dwelling, which is perhaps the largest brick dwelling 
in the township. 

HAYS, ESTHER C, MRS., widow of Almond Hays; 
she emigrated from Fairfield Co., Conn., in 1821 ; she 
and her husband came by wagon the entire distance ; 
they started on the 18th day of June, and arrived on 
the' 18th day of July ; they settled on the farm where 
she now resides, about three miles southeast from the 
town of Shelby ; they built the first cabin on the north 
part of the land, where the orchard is now located ; the 
county was sparsely settled, there being but eighteen 
voters to six miles square ; there was no clearing or 
opening on the farm at the time ; it was in strong contrast 



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JA 



792 



BIOGRAPPIICAL SKETCHES: 



to the home she left in Connecticut ; wolves howled 
around the cabin, and the red man frequently pre- 
sented himself for johnny cake. Mr. Hayes built a 
blacksmith-shop by driving four stakes in the ground, 
and covering it with elm bark, which remained some 
six months, when he built one of a more substantial 
character ; some years after, he built another shop on 
the site of the present shop where his son now works ; 
it was burnt down some years after ; when they first 
moved into their cabin, they had no door for three weeks ; 
they had no furniture, and when they wanted to warm 
themselves, they sat down on the end of the puncheons 
in front of the log fire. Mr. Hayes died April 15, 
1856. aged 56 years ; Mrs. Hayes was born Oct. 30, 
1798, in Fairfield Co., Conn., and was married to 
Almond Hayes Oct. 9, 1820; they had six children, 
five boys and one girl ; four boys are still living ; she 
is a woman of clear intellect, and had she not been 
stricken with paralysis some years ago, she would be 
active, and could relate her trials much more freely ; 
she is spending her days with her son, Lewis C. Hayes, 
who is a blacksmith, and in connection carries on 
wagon-making of all kinds; he was born in May, 1839, 
and has always lived in the vicinity. He was married 
to Miss Malinda Sanders in 1866; they have two chil- 
dren. 

HESS, REUBEN, farmer ; P. 0. Shelby ; was born 
in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in January, 1841 ; his father 
was a minister of the Reformed Church, and came from 
Bucks Co., Penn., to Columbiana Co., where he re- 
mained some lime and then removed to Trumbull Co., 
where he remained several years ; he then went to 
Delaware, Delaware Co., Ohio, and preached some ten 
years in Delaware and vicinity ; he then removed to 
Gallon, Ohio, and preached one year; he then removed 
to Larue, Marion Co., where he preached one year, and 
then came to the charge in Shelby, where he preached 
two years ; he purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 
28, Jackson Township, where he lived some five years ; 
be moved to Madison ; he also preached several years 
in Pennsylvania ; he died in August, 1875; he spent 
an active life ; he was a man of considerable force. 
The subject of this notice, Reuben Hess, is one of 
Jackson's successful farmers ; he has acquired consid- 
erable land, owning 295 acres in one tract; he is a 
careful farmer. He was married to Miss Margaret 
Leppo Nov. 20, 1862 ; they have a family of interesting 
children. He moved to Springfield Township, where 
he remained one year, and then removed to where he 
now resides on the southwest quarter of Sec. 26. 

HIKES, LEWIS, farmer; he was born in Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, May 4, 1831. His father, Fred- 
eric Hines, emigrated to America in 1840, and remained 
three years, when he returned and brought his family ; 
he settled in Lancaster Co., Penn. ; about the year 1850, 
he and his son Lewis came to Ohio and remained one 
summer and returned to Pennsylvania, where he re- 
mained until 1861, when he emigrated with his family 
and settled two miles and a half east of Shelby, where 
he and his wife still reside ; he is a careful reader, has 
a good memory and takes an active interest in the 
politics of his adopted country ; he has the respect and 
esteem of all his neighbors. The subject of this notice 
remained in Pennsylvania until 1866, when he came to 



Ohio and located in Jackson Township, where he still 
resides ; he, like his father, takes an active interest in 
the affairs of the country as well as the locality in 
which he lives. He is an ardent Democrat, but does 
not let his political preferences blind his reason. He 
was married, Nov. 20, 1854, to Margaret Bleacher, of 
Pennsylvania; they have five ^children, all of whom 
are living. 

HOFFMAN, DANIEL, pioneer farmer; P. 0. Shelby ; 
he was born in York Co., Penn., March 26, 1798 ; about 
seven years after, his father, Frederic Hoffman, moved 
to Adams Co., Penn., and settled ten miles north of 
Gettysburg, where the subject of this notice remained 
until the fall of 1831, when he emigrated to Ohio and 
remained over winter two miles south of Mansfield ; in 
the spring of 1832, he came to settle the southeast 80 
acres of Sec. 23, which he had entered the fall previous ; 
there had been no work done on the land before this time; 
he built his first log house a few rods west of where 
his present house now stands ; it is still standing ; he 
is the oldest man living in the township except one ; 
when he came to Ohio, he had a family of three chil- 
dren. He was married to Miss Sarah Stallsmith, of 
Adams Co., Penn., Aug. 18, 1822; they had eight chil- 
dren, six of whom are living. Mr. Hoffman still re- 
tains his mental fiiculties and remembers things which 
happened recently as well as those of an earlier date. 
Politically, he is a Democrat, from which he never 
has swerved. 

HOFFMAN, J. W., farmery P. 0. Shelby; was born 
in Adams Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1829 ; his parents came 
to Ohio in 1831, so that he is now an early settler, al- 
though he is a comparatively young man. He helped 
his father to clear up the farm, and, about the age of 
21 years, he commenced farming for his father. He 
farmed some five years, and then removed to Sharon 
Township, where he remained two years, and then 
moved on the farm known as the Rogers' farm. He 
then moved to where he now resides, which is a portion 
of the northwest quarter of Sec. 26. Some time after 
his first purchase, he added 11 acres, and, in August, 
1879, he purchased a tract of 25 acres in Sec. 22. Mr. 
Hoffman is what might be called a self-made man. He 
started in the world without a dollar, and, by industry 
and economy, he has been successful. He has aided 
his children in life ; he is considered an excellent 
farmer. He has been entrusted with several offices in the 
township ; he is a member of the Reformed Church, 
and an Elder in that body. He was married to Miss 
Ellen Kulin, of Plymouth, and as a result of their 
union they have had a family of eight children, six of 
whom are living — four daughters and two sons. 

HOLTZ, GEORGE, farmer; P. 0. Shelby; he was 
born in Perry Co., Penn., in April, 1830; his father 
emigrated to Ohio and settled in Jackson when George 
was a child. He spent his young days at home, and 
when he was but a small boy he was put to work, 
and helped clear up his father's farm. He was 
married to Miss Margaret Ott, in January, 1849, who 
was born in Germany in October, 1830. Her father 
emigrated to Ohio when she was a child, and settled in 
Jackson ; they had five children, four of whom are liv- 
ing and married, and reside in Jackson. Benjamin 
Adams Lowe, son-in-law of George Holtz, was born in 



■e^' 



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Ml 



!k. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



79E 



Liverpool, England, Feb. 2, 1852. When he was 17 
years of age, he emigrated to America. He went AVest 
to Miami Co., Kan.; he traveled considerably through 
Kansas, Texas and Indian Territory ; he then returned 
to England to see his parents and returned to the United 
States some few months after. He is a man of general 
knowledge, and is a close observer. He was married 
to Miss Mary Ann Holtz Feb. 19, 1878. 

HORNBEllGER, CATHARINE, MRS., widow of Ben- 
jamin Hornberger ; was born in Lebanon Co., Fenn., 
August, 1819 ; her father, Jacob Snyder, emigrated 
from Pennsylvania with his family of six children and 
settled in Stark Co., near Massillon. about 1829. Mrs. 
Hornberger remained at home until September, 1842, 
when she was married. Some five years after, her hus- 
band came to Richland Co. and purchased 80 acres in 
the northwest quarter of Sec. 27, where Mrs. Horn- 
berger now resides. He died September, 185o, aged 
about 48 years. He was born in Franklin Co., Fenn.; 
they had five children, three of whom are living. The 
children being small at the death of her husband, she 
was compelled to take the management of the farm and 
provide for the wants of her family, for which she 
deserves special credit. She is of Pennsylvania-Ger- 
man parentage. Her oldest son, Hiram, is married j 
to Margaret Cox, and is engaged in railroading at 
Gallon. Samuel, her next son, is married to Sarah 
May, and resides on the farm. Her daughter Sarah is 
married to Simon Shatzer, and resides near her. The 
two deceased were Rebecca and Catharine, aged 14 and 
29 years respectively. 

HUMiMEL, .J. M., farmer and stock-raiser, was born 
in Dauphin Co., Penn., in March, 1818; he spent his 
youth on a farm ; when 18 years of age, he commenced 
the trade of saddlery with his brother in Hummels- 
town, Fenn., and continued to follow that trade twenty- 
five years ; desirous of obtaining a farm, he sold his 
property and emigrated, in 1864, with his family, to 
Ohio, where he purchased a tract of 80 acres in Madi- 
son Township, about two miles north of Mansfield ; he 
remained there about eight years, and sold his farm 
and purchased the southwest quarter of Sec. 12, where 
he now resides ; he came of Pennsylvania-German par- 
entage ; he is an excellent farmer, a pleasant neighbor, 
and has the respect of the community. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Hertzel in December, 1843 ; they 
had eight children, five of whom are living. 

ILER, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Shelby; was born in 
Richland Co. Feb. 26, 1842; when he was about 6 
months old, his father died and left a family of four 
small children to be supported by the mother; being 
poor, she was compelled to put her children out among 
strangers ; she found a pleasant home for them with 
John F. Rice, the " old soldier," of whom a full notice 
will be found elsewhere in this book ; his mother died 
when the subject of this notice was about 6 years old, so 
he was early deprived of the fostering care of a mother; 
he remained at his adopted home until the fall of 1862, 
when he enlisted in Co. C, 20th 0. V. I., for nine 
months ; after he returned home, he resumed farming. 
He is an ardent Democrat, and takes an active interest 
in the affairs of the community. He was married to 
Miss Mary Sheets, of Richland Co.; they have seven 
children. 



KERR, WILLIAM, farmer ; he was born in Wash- 
ington, Penn., Nov. 7, 1810 ; his father, James Kerr, 
came to Ohio about 1810, and entered 160 acres of land 
in Sec. 1, Jackson Township; he then returned to 
Pennsylvania and at different times came to Ohio, en- 
tering some 800 acres; in the year 1820, he, with his 
family, consisting of himself, wife and four children, 
came to Ohio and settled where T. C. Dunlap now lives, 
some four miles east of where Shelby now stands ; he 
cleared up the farm ; in 18-30, he built a grist-mill on 
Richland Run, probably the first water-mill in the lim- 
its of Jackson Township ; it stood several years, and 
did quite a business ; the first miller was Mr. Urie, who ; 
milled for several years, and was followed by William 
Kerr, the subject of this notice; he was followed 
by Mr. Sellers ; the mill stood until 1853, when | 
Mr. Kerr took some of the timber and put it into his 
barn which he was then building ; the mill-race is still i 
to be seen. James Kerr died in May, 1839 ; his wife 
survived him for a number of years and died aged over | 
80 years. William Kerr has resided near where he 
now lives ever since he has been in Ohio ; he has 
always been engaged on the farm except the time he 
was occupied as miller. He was married to Nancy N. 
Crabbs in June, 1849 ; they had five children, four of 
whom are living; his wife died in 1862, and he was 
again married to Sarah Seaton in 1864; they have three 
children. 

KIRKPATRICK, JEREMIAH, farmer ; P. 0. Shelby ; 
he was born in Perry Co., Penn., in June, 1821 ; his 
father, Joseph Kirkpatrick, with his wife and family 
of six children, emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1831, 
and remained over winter in Mansfield ; he moved 
north to Jackson and entered an 80-acre tract of 
land in Sec. 22 ; he died in 1844 ; his wife survived 
him many years, dying in January, 1877, aged about 
85 years. The subject of this notice remained with 
his parents, helping to clear up the farm and do such 
work as is usual in a new country ; he received his 
education in the district schools of the county ; he is 
a man of general information, and has the confidence 
and esteem of his neighbors ; he is a consistent mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church ; he joined that denomina- 
tion at an early age, and has very materially aided in 
building up that body in the community ; he is a care- 
ful farmer, and his farm bears the marks of good man- 
agement. He was married to Miss Catherine Flora 
Nov. 7, 1844; they had eleven children, nine of whom 
are living. „, ,. 

KIRKPATRICK, AMOS, farmer : P. 0. Shelby ; 
was born Aug. 3, 1850, in Jackson Township ; he is a 
son of Jeremiah and Catherine Kirkpatrick ; he re- 
mained with his parents until he arrived at the age of 
manhood ; he worked at home and in the community 
until he was married to Miss Christiana Neal, April 
23, 1874 ; they have three children — Elmer Luther, 
Joseph Lorenzo and Archie Melvin. Mrs. Kirkpatrick 
was born in Jackson Township March 20, 1852 ; she 
has always remained in the vicinity of where she was 
born ; she received her educational training in the com- 
mon school. 

KUHN, MARY, MRS., widow of Jacob Kuhn, was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn., March, 1827 ; her father, 
George Shafer, emigrated to Ohio in 1839, and settled 



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794 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in Springfield Township, where he remained three 
years ; he then purchased the farm on which his 
daughter, Mrs. Kuhn, now resides ; he died in the fall 
of 1864, ; his wife, the mother of Mrs. Kuhn, whose 
maiden name was Mary Deitrich, survived him until 
.June, 1866. Jacob Kuhn and Mary Shafer were mar- 
ried in November, 1851 ; as a result of their marriage 
they had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. 
Kuhn died Aug. 25, 1876 ; he was born in Franklin 
Co., Penn., and emigrated to Ohio, in 1847 ; he was a 
man of great force of character ; he took an active in- 
terest in the Reformed Church, to which he was 
devotedly attached ; he was among the first organizers 
of the church at Shelby, and was a leader in that 
body ; he was a pillar of the church, and by his death 
the church lost one of its most active and influential 
members. 

KING, MARY, MRS., P. 0. Shelby. 

LANDIS, JOHN M., farmer and stock-raiser, and 
also agent for Halliday's Standard Wind-mill, and also 
for farming implements generally ; he was born in this 
county in November, 1837 ; his father emigrated to 
Ohio from Lancaster Co., Penn., about 1836, and set- 
tled in Richland Co. ; he purchased the farm now 
owned by his son; he lived there during his lifetime, 
and died in March, 1874, aged about 63 years. The 
subject of this sketch first purchased a ti-act of land 
north of where he now lives, and in 1870, the tract on 
which he now resides ; he improved the farm, remodel- 
ing the buildings, and has a very comfortable and 
pleasant home. He is one of those men whom nature 
has endowed with a natural mechanical genius ; he can 
lay out a building and erect it without making a mis- 
take, although he never learned any trade; this, per- 
haps, accounts for his love of machinery, which he 
can handle with ease, seeing at a glance how to work 
it to the best advantage; he has been selling ma- 
chinery for eight years, and is widely and favorably 
known ; he is a pleasant man with whom to do busi- 
ness, as he makes it a matter of principle, and states 
what he believes and knows to be true ; he is favorably 
known. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Finicle in 
1859 ; they have four sons, all living. 

LANDIS, ISAAC M., farmer and stock-raiser; he 
was. born in this county Oct. 9, 1842 ; at the age of 19 
years, he enlisted in Company C, 20th 0. Y. I., and 
served for about one year, passing through the battles 
of Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hill and Vicks- 
burg; after he returned home, he resumed farming; 
he farmed for two years, and then went into the hard- 
ware business in New London for three years ; he then 
sold out and went into the saw-mill business, working 
in Wyandot for four years ; thence to Seneca Co., 
where he lived two years ; he sold out and removed to 
where he now lives in April, 1875 ; he had previously 
purchased the farm. He was married to 5liss Ellen 
Finicle, of Richland Co., Dec. 22, 1864 ; they have two 
children — Carrie Ellen and Zuleika Olive. 

LASER, C. C, Justice of the Peace, Infirmary Di- 
rector and farmer ; he was born in this county April 
28, 1832 ; his father, John Laser, emigrated from 
Perry Co., Penn., in the year 1825, and settled in Cass 
Township. Mr. Laser was one of the Trustees of 
Plymouth Township, and when the township was about 



being divided, the name of Cass was proposed by Mr. 
Laser, after the illustrious statesman of that name, and 
of whom Mr. Laser was an ardent admirer ; the name 
was adopted. He died in Cass Township in 1857 ; his 
wife died in the fall of 1877. "Mr. C. C. Laser was 
elected Justice of the Peace in 1869, which office he 
has since held ; he was elected Infirmary Director in 
the fall of 1876, and re-elected in the fall of 1879. He 
is of German extraction ; his great-grandfather emi- 
grated from Germany and located in Northampton Co., 
Penn., and on the breaking-out of the Revolutionary 
war, he enlisted, and was never heard of afterward, 
leaving his wife and son, Christian Laser, grandfather 
of C. C. Laser, who died in Cass Township about the 
year 1846. Mr. Laser makes a very efficient officer; 
he is possessed of good judgment, and is regarded as 
a very judicious and competent man. Politically, he is 
a Democrat, and in the councils of his party exerts a 
large influence. He was mai-ried to Miss Kezia Fesler 
Dec. 19, 1852; they have nine children, six boys and 
three girls. 

MILLER, ISAAC H., farmer; he was born in Lan- 
caster Co., Penn., May 22, 1816; he spent his youth on 
the farm ; at 19 years of age, he commenced to teach 
school, which he followed five winters, working on the 
farm during the summer ; in the spi'ing of 1839, he, 
with his wife, emigrated to Ohio and spent some four 
years near Ganges ; in 1842, he bought 40 acres, which 
is now the south part of his farm, and moved on it the 
following year; there was a cabin on the land when he 
purchased ; he lived there six years, and then pur- 
chased the northern half of the 80 acres, and moved 
into the cabin which stood where his present dwelling 
stands (this was in 1849) ; this is situated about one 
and a quarter miles east of Shelby ; he cleared up most 
of his farm ; he is of Pennsylvania-German parentage, 
and has the characteristics of that people. By his in- 
dustry and economy, he has made for himself and fam- 
ily a pleasant home. He is a close reader, and a man 
of general information. In politics, he is a Republican, 
and adheres closely to his party. He is pleasant in his 
home, hospitable and genial. He was married to Miss 
Catharine Echternach Dec. 25, 1838, who was born in 
the year 1 818 ; her parents emigrated to America about 
the year 1832, and settled in Lancaster, Penn., where 
her father died ; her mother survived him a number of 
years, dying at her daughter's, Mrs. Miller. They 
have had eleven children, seven of whom are living — 
four girls and three boys. 

MILLER, BENJAMIN E., farmer; he was born near 
Ganges Oct. 24, 1839. He was married to Miss S. J. 
Finicle in May, 1862 ; they have seven children, all 
living ; at about the age of 22, he moved near where 
Isaac Landis now lives, and some six months after, he 
moved on the J. M. Landis farm, where he remained 
one year, when he went to where he now lives, in 
Jackson Township. He is a man of general intelli- 
gence, and, like his father, Isaac H. Miller, is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and adheres strictly to the views of 
his party. He is a genial gentleman, and has the entire 
respect of his neighbors. 

MORTHLAND,ELIAS W., farmer, was born in Craw- 
ford Co., Ohio, in December, 1847; his father, Abra- 
ham Morthland, came from Pennsylvania, and settled 



:v 



JACKSOK TOWNSHIP. 



795 



in Crawford Co., Ohio ; he was a minister for many 
years, and left a record of which his children may well 
be proud ; he died June 22, 1876, aged about 85 ; his 
wife still survives him. Elias was married to Miss 
Rachel Wells March 5, 1867; they had two children. 
Mr. Morthland is a man of good social qualities, and 
has the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances. 

MORTHLAND, J. D., was born .July 25, 18:^9, in 
Polk Township, Crawford Co.; he remained with his 
father until September, 1858, receiving his education 
at the district schools. He married Miss Elizabeth H. 
Copeland, Feb. 7, 1860. Mr. Morthland moved from 
Crawford to Richland Co. in September, 1853, where 
he has remained up to the present time, engaging in 
the boot and shoe business for a short time ; becoming 
tired of the close, confining life, he disposed of his 
business and removed with his wife to a more congenial 
life on a farm. Abraham Morthland, his father, was 
born near Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., where he 
followed teaming until he was 18 years of age, when 
he emigrated to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he mar- 
ried Miss Susan Miller, and by their union had six 
children — four of whom are living — Hannah, .John, 
Joseph D. and Susan Lucinda ; he remained in Colum- 
biana Co. about six years, where he continued teaming 
for two years, at the end of which time he disposed of 
his team, doing any work he could find during the re- 
mainder of his stay in Columbiana Co.; he then moved 
to Crawford Co., Ohio, purchasing j^80 acres of land — 
commonly termed the Abraham Morthland homestead 
— where he remained until September, 1853, and from 
there came to Richland Co.; entering the ministry 
about the year 1839, he was always considered one of 
the leaders in the Baptist Church. His life has been 
worthy the imitation of children, relatives and friends. 
J. D.. the subject of this sketch, is a man of more than 
ordinary ability, conscientious, energetic, pleasant and 
honorable. 

MYERS, J. D., farmer; P. 0. Shelby; was born in 
Stark Co., Ohio, April 24, 1828. When he was 6 
months old, his father, Adam Myers, with his wife and 
seven children, came to Richland Co., and settled in 
Sharon, now Jackson Township, where the subject of 
this notice now resides ; at that time, there was not an 
improvement between Spring Mills and where Gen. 
Wilson lived, which is now in the corporate limits of 
Shelby. The subject of this notice, so far as can be 
found, is now the second earliest living settler in what 
is now the territoi-y of Jackson. The elder Myers 
built his log cabin on Sec. 27, about a rod south of the 
present dwelling ; this cabin stood a number of years, 
and in its place was erected a more commodious dwell- 
ing in the shape of a hewed-log house, which was located 
about one rod north of the cabin, and on the site of 
the substantial and fine dwelling which Mr. Myers 
erected in 1875. His father was born in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., and his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza- 
beth Howard, was born in Franklin Co., Penn.; they 
were married in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Stark 
Co., Ohio, in 1824, and then came to this county in 
1829. Mr. Myers, Sr., died in December, 1855, aged 
about 75 years ; his wife died in April, 1859, aged 72 
years. Mr. Myers is an excellent farmer, and fully 
understands the care of land ; is a good citizen. He 



is a member of the Lutheran Church ; politically, he 
is a Democrat. He is also a self-made man, as he com- 
menced life without a dollar, and worked until he was 
25 years of age for his father, considering it his duty, 
and feels that he has been amply repaid for all he has 
done for his parents, as he has been blessed with suc- 
cess in his efforts. He was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Feighner in September, 1853 ; they have had six chil- 
dren, four of whom are living — Sarah C, married to 
William Kirkpatrick, and resides in Shelby ; Adam F., 
is an artist; William H. and Malissa, are at home. 

NILES, ANN, MRS., pioneer, and widow of Eli 
Niles, whose maiden name was Fulton ; was born 
near Bath, in the State of New York, Oct. 11, 1809. 
When she was about 14 years of age, her parents came 
from Ontario Co., N. Y., with a family of eight chil- 
dren, to Mansfield, where they remained over winter ; 
in the spring they moved to Sharon Township, on land 
of Judge Gamble, where they resided about ten years, 
and then removed to Seneca Co., Ohio, where Mr. Ful- 
ton purchased two quarter-sections of land, on which 
they remained during his life. The subject of this no- 
tice was married to John Gelaspie in April, 1836, in 
Seneca Co.; they had one child. George, who was born 
in October, 1888 ; he met with an accident which re- 
sulted in death, by the explosion of a cannon at a 
jollification over the capture of Vicksburg, in Shelby, 
July 8, 1863 ; he died Aug. 1, 1863. Mr. Gelaspie 
died in April, 1839. November, 1848, she was married 
to Eli Niles ; they had no children ; he died in May, 
1875. Mrs. Niles is a consistent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, which she joined when 23 years of 
age. 

PICKING, J. W., carpenter, builder and farmer; 
P. 0. Shelby; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 
April, 1835 ; his father, Henry Picking, with his family 
of six children, emigrated to Ohio in 1845 (three hav- 
ing previously come out), and pui'chased 40 acres of 
the southwest quarter of Sec. 10. Mrs. Picking died 
in the spring of 1873. Mr. Picking survived his wife 
until May, 1879 ; he was some 81 years old. The sub- 
ject of this notice, about the age of 18 years, com- 
menced the trade of carpenter with Patrick Barnes, 
which he has since followed in connection with his 
farm. He is a quiet citizen and a good neighbor. He 
was married to Miss Mary Cutler in February, 1857 ; 
they have five children. He moved to where he now 
resides in 1874. 

ROBERTS, JESSE, pioneer farmer; P. 0. Shelby; 
was born in Beaver Co., Penn., in July, 1806; his 
father, John Roberts, came from Virginia to Pennsyl- 
vania and settled near what is now the village of Frank- 
fort, Beaver Co., at an early date in the history of that 
country ; he died in 1876, aged about 96 years. His 
mother, whose maiden name was Ruth Dungan, died 
some years before. His grandfather served under Gen. 
Washington during the Revolutionary war. The sub- 
ject of this notice remained in Pennsylvania until the 
year 1833, when he emigrated to Ohio and settled in 
Sharon, now Jackson, Township, about two miles south- 
east of Shelby, or which at that time was known as 
Gamble's ISIills. He built a log house on the ground 
on which his present dwelling is now situated ; he had 



-4* 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the usual experience of early settlers. He takes an in- 
terest in the history of his adopted county ; he is hos- 
pitable and genial in his manners. He was married to 
Miss Catharine Feighner in March, 1850 ; they had 
five children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Roberts 
was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in December, 1820 ; 
her father, Jonas Feighner, came to Richland Co. in 
1827; he died in 1860. 

ROUSH, SAMUEL, farmer and stock-raiser; he was 
born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 1, 1806; his father, 
Godfrey Roush, emigrated to Perry Co., Penn., when 
the territory was included in Cumberland Co. He set- 
tled in the western part of the county. On the break- 
ing-out of the war of 1812. he volunteered and marched 
from Carlisle, Penn., to Canada, where he was in the 
assault on Fort Mack and several other minor engage- 
ments. He remained in the army about one year, and 
returned home at the close of the war. He cleared up 
his land and remained in Perry Co. until 1834, when 
he, with his family, emigrated to Ohio and settled about 
one mile south of Shelby on the farm now owned by 
William Wareham, where he and his wife lived and 
died. The subject of this sketch was hired out until 
he was 20 years of age, his father using his wages. 
About the age of 20, he went to learn the trade of 
cooper, at which he served one year for nothing. After 
he worked one year at the trade, he then did anything 
by which he could make some money. He knew full 
well the value of money, and he saved all the money 
he made, except what would buy his clothing, so when 
he found himself able he purchased the 160 acres of 
land where he now lives. The primitive forest covered 
the entire tract, but, nothing daunted, he built a one- 
story log house near his present dwelling and com- 
menced the arduous task of clearing away the timber. 
Some years later, he built another log house of two 
stories, in which he lived until he built his present 
brick residence. He belongs to that honest, hard- 
working class of Pennsylvania Germans. He takes 
just pride in relating his early trials. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Margaret Laser, of this county, in March, 
1834 ; they had twelve children, nine of whom are liv- 
ing ; his wife died in .January, 1863. 

SELLERS, JOHN E., farmer and stock-raiser; he 
was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 3, 1845, and 
spent his young days in the village of St. Thomas, at- 
tending school until about the age of 16, when he en- 
listed in Co. H, 2d Penn. V. I, for three months ; after 
coming home, he went to learn the trade of cabinet- 
making, at which he worked for some time, but, as the 
excitement of war was running high, he quit the trade 
and, in August, 1862, he again enlisted in Co. H, 126th 
Penn. V. I., for nine months ; he participated in the 
battles of South ^lountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg 
and Chancellorsville ; he was discharged, with his regi- 
ment. May 25, 1863 ; he returned home and remained 
till January, 1864, when he the third time enlisted in 
the 20tb Penn. V. C. for three years, and served in the 
Shenandoah Valley ; participated in the battles of that 
memorable time, closing with the battle of South Side 
Railroad, where he was wounded in the right ear and 
side of the neck ; the wound was in a dangerous place, 
and perhaps an eighth of an inch closer would have 
taken his life ; he was taken to the hospital at Wash- 



ington, where he remained some time, and was trans- 
ferred to Philadelphia, Penn., where he was discharged 
in June, 1865 ; he then returned to Franklin Co., Penn., 
where he resided a short time and emigrated to this 
county ; he worked at his trade in Shelby until the 
spring of 1869 ; he then removed to where he now re- 
sides, in Jackson Township, where he is engaged at 
farming. He is a man of positive convictions, and 
does not fear to speak his sentiments fully, but always 
with respect to those with whom he comes in contact. 
He is an ardent Democrat ; is an agreeable and social 
gentleman, and exerts an influence in his neighborhood ; 
he is fond of reading, and is gathering a library of the 
standard books of the day. He was married to Miss 
Susannah Laser in November, 1868 ; they have three 
children. 

SHADE, JEREMIAH, farmer, was born in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., Dec. 9, 1844 ; he spent his youth with 
his parents ; he worked at the carpenter trade for some 
time; he commenced farming in 1868. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Rebecca Hull April 12, 1866 ; they have 
two children — Minnie Adie, born Jan. 28, 1868, and 
E. Wilber, March 14, 1875. Mr. Shade is regarded as 
an excellent farmer. Mrs. Shade was born in Jackson 
Township April 11, 1847, on the farm owned by An- 
drew Snyder. Her father, John Hull, came from 
Adams Co., Penn., in the spring of 1842, and settled 
in the southwestern part of .Jackson ; he died Sept. 15, 
1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Stock, sur- 
vived him until April 5, 1875. Jacob Shade, father of 
Jeremiah, was born in Perry Co., Penn.; he emigrated 
to Ohio in 1855. Mrs. Shade, whose maiden name was 
Mary Ann Messenger, was also born in Perry Co., 
Penn.; they had eleven children, eight of whom are 
living; they have retired from active farming and reside 
in Shelby. 

SHELDON, MARIA, MRS., widow of Alvah Shel- 
don ; she was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 6, 
1801; her maiden name was Cotton; she emigrated, 
with Tier uncle, to Penfield, N. Y., near Rochester, 
when she was about 23 years of age. She was mar- 
ried to Mr. Sheldon in September, 1825, and remained 
near Rochester some twelve years ; they then moved to 
the town of Royalton, Niagara Co., where they re- 
mained nineteen years ; they then emigrated to New 
Philadelphia, Ohio, where they lived three years ; 
thence to Richland Co. in the fall of 1857, where shfe 
has since resided. Mr. Sheldon was born in Vermont 
Aug. 17, 1799; he died in Richland Co. in September, 
1858. Mrs. Sheldon is a lady who stands well in the 
community ; she is the mother of eleven children, seven 
of whom are living — four boys and three girls ; six of 
them live in Richland Co. and one lives in Greene Co., 
N. Y. Her daughter, Mrs. Mary P. Porter, was born 
in September, 1839, in Niagara Co., N. Y.; she was 
married to John Porter in November, 1865. Mr. Por- 
ter died in October, 1866, leaving one son. 

SHERRICH, THOMAS, farmer; he was born in 
Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1842; when he was about 
4 years old his parents left Wayne Co. and settled 
in .Jackson Township ; some three years after his father 
died, and left his mother to take care of the family and 
pay some debts which were against the farm ; and by 
economy and industry the farm was saved and the 






\ 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



r97 



debts all paid ; the subject of this sketch worked upon 
the farm until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Co. 
H, 64th 0. V. I. for the term of three years ; Capt. 
Lord commanded the company. They went into camp 
at Mansfield, and remained about six weeks ; they then 
went to Louisville, Ky., and joined the army of the 
Cumberland, and he was in most of the engagements in 
which his regiment participated ; the regiment belonged 
to the 4th Army Corps, Third Division ; he was dis- 
charged at Cincinnati in February, 1864, having 
served three years and four months. He is an excel- 
lent farmer and an honorable and respected citizen. 
He was married to Miss Catherine A, Briner January, 
1867 ; they had two interesting girls. 

SNYDER, JOHN, farmer; he was born in Richland 
Co., December, 1838 ; he spent his youth in Ohio until 
the year 1854, when his parents went to Adair Co., 
Mo., where they lived and died ; he remained in Mis- 
souri, working at the carpenter trade, until the break- 
ing-out of the war, when he enlisted in the 5th Mo. 
V. I., and served some time ; he then joined the cavalry, 
and then went into a battery of artillery, and was mus- 
tered into the Confederate service in Memphis, Tenn., 
in 1862, and was in several engagements in Missouri, 
including Pea Ridge, Lexington and Corinth, Miss. ; 
he was taken prisoner at Champion Hill, Miss. ; 
he was taken to Young's Point, thence to Camp Morton 
at Indianapolis, thence to Ft. Delaware, thence to Point 
Lookout, where he was paroled ; he then struck north 
to York, Penn., where he worked at his trade on the 
N. C. R. R. for some time, and then returned to Rich- 
land Co., Ohio., his former home, where he worked at 
his trade until December, 1867 ; he has since been 
farming. He is a man of considerable originality ; he 
is quiet in his manner, and does not interfere with the 
opinions of others ; he was married to Miss Lydia A. 
Laser, of Richland Co., December, 1867 ; they had four 
children as the result of their union, three living ; 
Mrs. Snyder was born in Jackson Township, in April, 
1840. 

STOVER, JOHN, pioneer farmer; P. 0. Shelby; he 
was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in May, 1823. His 
father, John Stover, emigrated to Richland Co. with 
his family of six children in 1835, and settled about 
two miles and a half southeast of Shelby, near what is 



now known as Taylortown, where he purchased the 
farm which his son now owns ; he died in January, 
1852. The subject of this notice resides on the old 
homestead, where his father first settled ; he never re- 
ceived any education, but by his natural ability he has 
acquired considerable property, and he is looked upon 
by his neighbors as an honest and reliable man ; his 
ancestors were Pennsylvania Germans, and he has in- 
herited their characteristics, that of honesty and indus- 
try ; he is a careful farmer. He was married to Miss 
Leah Landis in February, 1853 ; three of their chil- 
dren are now living. 

VINSON, J. \V., farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. 
Shelby; was born in Knox Co. June 21, 1833; he 
passed his youth on a farm ; at the age of 21, he went 
to Dayton, where he remained a short time ; he then 
went to Plymouth, Ohio, where he learned the trade of 
marble-cutting ; he then went to Mount Hilliard, 
Knox Co., where he remained one year; then went to 
Shelby and engaged in marble-cutting, under the firm 
name of Hersheiser & Vinson, but the business not be- 
ing profitable, the firm failed, and left considerable 
debts unpaid ; after the failure, he moved to Jackson 
Township, on the farm which is known as the Lantz 
farm, where he remained five years ; he was still strug- 
gling with poverty, and he resolved to make another 
elfort in the marble business ; he sold work for a 
party in Mansfield for a short time, and saved enough 
money to buy a small stock ; he brought it home, and 
succeeded in selling it, soon thereby enabling him to 
purchase more material ; his shop was located near 
where he now resides ; this was about the fall of 1863 ; 
he followed the trade ia Jackson about seven years ; 
he sold work for different parties for about six years ; 
his health failing him, he went to farming; he is a 
careful and successful farmer ; he has a very pleasant 
home, and built one of the most comfortable and sub- 
stantial dwellings in the township. Politically, he is a 
Democrat, and takes an active interest in his party. 
He was married to Miss Catharine Lantz in May, 1858; 
they had one child — Annie S. C, who is married to 
George Hartman ; his wife died in the spring of 1861-!. 
He was again married to Mrs. Catharine Laser ; they 
have one child— Curtis E. Mr. Vinson has, by dint of 
industry, succeeded in making himself a competence. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



ANDERSON, WILLIAM W., clergyman ; he is a son 
of Rev. James Anderson, who was born in Pennsylva- 
nia, and was Pastor of the Lexington (Ohio) Presbyte- 
rian Church from the spring of 1854 to the spring of 
1864. The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield 
Co., Ohio, and was brought up in a village ; during his 
early life, his mother taught a female boarding-school ; 
in 1854, he came with his parents toLexington, Ohio, 
and attended the high school of that place ; in the fall of 
1855, he entered Washington College, Pennsylvania, and 
graduated in 1859, and then entered the theological 
seminary of Allegheny City, Penn., where he finished 



his course in 1862; his first charge was inChestervillei 
Morrow Co., Ohio, where he remained six years and a 
half; his next charge was at Shelby, Ohio, at which 
place he remained eight years, and then came to Bell- 
ville Jan. 1, 1877, and took the pastorate of the Pres- 
byterian Church of that place, which position he now 
fills. Mr. Anderson was born Nov. 6, 1839, and was 
married to Miss Elizabeth H. Urie, of Ashland, Ohio, 
June 29, 1865 ; their children are Urie, born March 
23, 1866, died in infancy ; Clara L., born June 2, 1867 ; 
Dora E., Dec. 4, 1872 ; Mary, July 30, 1879. Mr. 
Anderson is a most estimable citizen, an able minister, 



±1 



'.±. 



798 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



scholarly, selects his expressions with great care, is 
pathetic, modest, refined and mild. 

ALEXANDER, HARRISON, was born in Waldo Co., 
Me.; he worked on a farm and in a saw-mill until he 
came to Bellville, in the fall of 1850 ; here he worked 
in a foundry three years, and then commenced to deal 
in paper, which he continued until 1866 ; since then, 
he has given his attention to farming, and the variety 
of business conducted under the name of Alexander & 
Zents. He was born Feb. 12, 1823, and married, Aug. 
18, 1850, to Amanda Weymouth, who was born July 
27, 1829; children— Miller was born .July 19, 1852; 
Hannah, Dec. 6, 1854; Harry, Nov. 15, 1866. 

ARMSTRONG, HEZEKIAH, farmer, resides on a part 
of Section 29, where he owns over 200 acres of land ; 
he is a son of James Armstrong, who landed in this 
township Dec. 25, 1817; he died Oct. 20, 1850, and 
was almost 75 years old. Mr. H. Armstrong was born 
Nov. 5, 1819, and was brought up on the farm he now 
owns ; his companion, Rosan Flook, was born in Bed- 
ford Co.. Penn., Oct. 17, 1820, and came with her par- 
ents to Ohio inl 828. Mr. Armstrong was married Nov. 
10,1845; children— Alvina, born Sept. 9, 1847; John, 
May 18, 1849; Elizabeth, Aug. 11, 1851 ; Eli C, Aug. 
12,1853; Mariah,Dec.l6,1854; Eliphalet, Feb. 9, 1857 ; 
Sarah, Aug, 1, 1859 ; Leva, April 8, 1862. Mr.Armstrong 
built a fine barn on his premises in 1871, and, in later 
years, remodeled his residence, so that his farm is well 
improved, and by diligence to his avocation, he has 
made himself independent. 

AUNGST, SAMUEL S., farmer. He is the son of 
George Aungst, who was born in Pennsylvania, and in 
bojhood moved to Virginia; here he married Elizabeth 
Zimmerman, and Samuel was born April 11, 1805. 
When 6 months old, his parent moved to Pickaway 
Co., Ohio, and after the war of 1812, moved to Jeffer- 
son Township ; there were two sons and seven daughters 
in the family. Samuel married Catherine Spayde Nov. 9, 

1829, and five sons and seven daughters were born to 
them ; a son died in infancy, the remaining are yet liv- 
ing. Mrs. Aungst was born in Pennsylvania March 26, 
1811. 

AUNGST, GEORGE W., farmer. He resides on a 
part of Sec. 15, Jefferson Township ; he is a son of 
Samuel Aungst, and was born in Richland Co. July 17, 

1830. He was married, Dec. 29, 1859, to Samantha 
Swank, a daughter of John Swank, and was born in 
Jefferson Township May 12, 1840; they have two chil- 
dren — Anna Eliza, born Dec. 11, 1860, and Lewis D., 
born March 20, 1866 ; Mr. Aungst commenced to keep 
house near where he now lives ; he built a barn on his 
farm in 1867, and a neat dwelling-house in 1872-73; 
he was Township Assessor in 1868-69, and Land Assess- 
or in 1880. Mr. Aungst is one of Jefferson Town- 
ship's valuable citizens. 

AUNGST, DANIEL, farmer. He was born on the 
northeast quarter of Sec. 8, and has lived on it since 
birth, excepting eight years that he resided in Bellville ; 
he was born March 5, 1824, and is the only survivor of 
his father's family. He was married, Nov. 7, 1848, to 
Elizabeth Langliam, daughter of Robert Langham and 
Sarah Kinney ; she was born in Bedford Co., Penn., 
Sept. 1, 1820; they had eight children, all of which 
died in infancy but one, Marcellus ; she was born Jan. 



17, 1858. Mr. Aungst held the office of Township 
Trustee one term. 

BEACH, ABIJAH I., M. D., was born in New Haven 
Co., Conn., Oct. 16, 1804, and brought up on a farm ; 
at a proper age he was placed in an academy, and in 
March, 1825, he took the degree of M. D.; he visited 
Ohio in 1820, and in 1826, came to Bellville, and has 
made it his ostensible home since ; he was engaged with 
Judge Jackson in various mercantile enterprises, and 
enterprises on his own responsibility until 1850 ; since 
then he has led an active life in the field of specula- 
tion, and practiced medicine extensively. In 1857, he 
traveled over the most important countries of Europe 
and visited the most noted cities and extensive hospi- 
tals ; in 1868, he opened a hospital in Bellville, and 
enjoyed a good patronage until he retired in 1877. He 
is now leading an active business life, having a large 
grocery and notion store in Bellville, under his super- 
vision, and giving some attention to the practice of 
medicine. He was married to Elizabeth .Jackson May 
15, 1881 ; she was born May 15, 1816, and died Aug. 
5, 1875. 

DAY, CYRUS, retired farmer, Bellville ; his parents 
emigrated from Washington Co., Penn., in the year 
1815, and located in Troy Township Mr. Day is one 
of a family of twelve children, and is the seventh in 
order ; he was born May 18, 1819 ; he received such 
an education as those times afforded, which was quite 
meager. He was married in 1846, and remained one 
year on the home place, when he removed to Jefferson 
Township, on a farm known as the Shultz farm, where 
he remained about four years ; he then moved on the 
farm with his father-in-law, John Markey, and shortly 
after his arrival here, he bought the farm, and re- 
mained on it about five years, when he sold and bought 
a farm of F. M. Fitting, adjoining the corporation of 
Bellville ; he resided here about five years, and then 
sold out and purchased the property where he now 
resides. Mr. Day has raised a family of six children, 
five of whom are living. 

BELL, ROBERT, deceased ; he was a descendant of 
English and Scotch parents, and was born about 1755 ; 
in 1781, he resided in Sussex Co., N. J., and in 1790, 
moved to Belmont Co., Ohio, and between 1813 and 
1815, moved to where Bellville now is, and purchased 
a quarter-section of land of James McCluer. Robert 
Bell, Jr., came the same year, and settled on the site 
of Bellville, whose children, in the order of their 
births are John, William, Zephaniah, Sarah, Mary, 
Nancy, Peter, Robert F., Jonathan W. and Aaron, by 
his first wife, and Frank, by his second wife. William 
Bell was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1805, and came 
to Richland County with his father, and was his 
main assistance in clearing up his farm, a part of Sec- 
tion 7, on which he moved soon after 1815. He was 
married to Susan Strong Dec. 6, 1831 ; he resided in 
Jefferson Township till he moved to Hancock Co., Ohio, 
in 1840, where he died in the fall of 1847 ; the family 
returned to Bellville, and Mrs. Bell died at the resi- 
dence of her daughter, Mrs. Dewey, of Omaha, Neb, in 
1875, while on a visit, aged 66 years; she was born in 
Frederick Co., Md., July 4, 1809; their children are 
George S., born Nov. 14, 1832; Rezin W., Aug. 25, 
1834; Eliza A., July 4, 1837; Sarah Jane, March 14, 






^'- 



JEFFERSO'N' TO Wis SHIP. 



799 



1840; Emeline M., June 2ti, 1843; Susan, May 10, 
1845. George S. followed a mercantile life in Bellville 
till 1875, when he was chosen Clerk in the Ohio Peni- 
tentiary ; in 1876, Steward of the Central Ohio Insane 
Asylum ; in 1877, he resigned this position to accept a 
very important Federal one at Washington. He was 
married to Eliza M. Morrow in 1863, and has one 
child — Gracie. Rezin W. served an apprenticeship at 
the turner's trade in Mansfield, Ohio, and worked two 
years at the trade in Missouri ; he returned to Bell- 
ville in 1858, and went to California, where he worked 
at his trade six months, and then went to mining on 
Moquelumne Hill ; he followed this about three years, 
and spent the remainder of eight years in the hardware 
business ; during the war, he was the leading man in 
raising the Moquelumne Hill Rifle Company, that 
tendered its service to the Federal Government ; in 
1866, he formed a partnership with his brother, in the 
dry-goods business, in Bellville, and continued till 
1876, when they retired. He received an appointment 
as an oflBcer in the United States Senate, which he 
filled till 1879, when the Senate became Democratic ; 
he resided in Bellville in 1880. He was married to 
Catharine Bonor July 31, 1872, and has one child — 
Bertha, who was born Aug. 15, 1874 ; Mrs. Bell was 
born March 31, 1843. The four daughters were all 
school-teachers ; Eliza was Postmistress in Bellville 
over twelve years, which position she resigned in 1877, 
voluntarily. 

CASSEL, HENRY R., farmer; he was born in Mont- 
gomery Co., Penn., in April, 1809, and came to Jeffer- 
son Township in 1842, and has since lived in it. He 
was married to Sarah Price June 25, 1825 ; she was 
born in 1806 ; their children are Abraham, Samuel, 
Yellis, Daniel, Henry, Harrison, Caleb, Sarah and 
Rolandes. Caleb went to the army, in the 13th 0. V. 
C, and was wounded in the right knee at the battle of 
Petersburg, on July 28, 1864, and died in the hos- 
pital Aug. 30, 1864. Mr. Cassel's first wife died when 
quite aged, and he was married to Mary A. Adams 
March 29, 1877. 

CHARLES, WILLIAM F., carpenter and farmer; 
he was born near Cleveland Aug. 7, 1825 ; his father, 
John Charles, was born in Chester Co., Penn., and 
from there moved near Cleveland, where he was mar- 
ried. He moved to Richland Co., in February, 1841, 
and settled in Washington Township ; the subject of 
this sketch commenced to work at the carpenter trade 
in 1847, and followed it more or less of the time to the 
present; he was married March 15, 1849, to Christeann 
Mowry, who was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Feb. 6, 
1828, and came with her parents, Jacob and Catharine 
(Teeter) Mowry, to Richland Co. when 1 year old ; 
her parents diad in Richland Co. Children — Melissa, 
was born Dec. 19, 1849 ; Sarah Frances, July 30, 1852 ; 
Willard Benton, Dec. 1, 1856; Luella May, Nov. 27, 
1859. Sai-ah F. died Sept. 19, 1858. Melissa was mar- 
ried to Theodore Dean .\ug. 22, 1872 ; he was born in 
Jefferson Township, Dec. 19, 1847 ; they have two 
children. In 1857, Mr. Charles moved to Licking Co., 
and kept store in Homer till 1861, when he returned to 
Bellville, and has made it his home since ; he owns a 
farm just south of town, and devotes his time to agri- 
culture, carpenter work, threshing grain in its season. 



and dealing in stock ; the last-named business he com- 
menced about two years ago. 

CRAIN, WILLIAM P., was born in Morris Co., N. 
J., .Jan., 11, 1796, and came to Steubenville, Ohio, in 
1818 ; after remaining about two years he returned to 
his native State, where he lived till 1840, at which date 
he came to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and engaged in coopering ; 
at the end of about five years he moved to Fredericks- 
town and opened a grocery ; he next moved to Palmyra, 
and in the fall of 1853 to Bellville ; in the fall of 1855, 
he moved on a small farm south of Bellville, where he 
has since lived. He was first married to Mary Jane 
Haines, and six children were born to them ; she died 
in 1849, and on Aug. 17, 1851, he was married to 
Lucinda Walker, who was born Jan. 4, 1812: two sons 
were born to them — William L., May 25, 1853, and 
George Edwin, March 31, 1855. Edwin married Jennie 
Garber, daughter of David L. Garber, deceased, Nov. 
13, 1879. 

DIVELBISS, GEORGE WASHINGTON, farmer ; born 
in Jefferson Township Dec. 15, 1850 ; a year or two after 
his birth his father moved into Worthington Township, 
where he grew to manhood. He was married to Mary 
E. Kanaga, third child of John F. Kanaga, Jan. 16, 
1872; she was born Sept. 1, 1851 ; they moved near 
his father's, where they remained one year: then on 
his farm near 'Sit. Carmel Church. Children — Charles 
S., born Jan. 26,1875, died Nov. 21,1875; Harry, born 
Aug. 31,1876; Hattie, July 16, 1878. He united with 
the Evangelical Church in 1872, his wife in early life ; 
Mr. D. at times has held church offices, and superintended 
the Sabbath school ; he built his residence in 1872. 

DONAUGH, WILLIAM, born in Mercer Co., Penn., 
May 22, 1829; he came with his parents to Williams 
Co., Ohio, when yet young ; from there his parents 
moved to Wayne Co., Ohio, where they lived a few 
years and then emigrated to Jefferson Township. He 
was brought up a farmer, which occupation has always 
received his attention. He was united in matrimony 
to Sarah Garber Dec. 21, 1854, she being the oldest 
living child of David Garber, and was born Feb. 20, 
1833 ; their children, in order, are as follows : Amos 
W., born Nov. 26, 1855 ; Samuel Benton, Feb. 16, 
1858; David Milton, Aug. 7, 1860; Susan Samantha, 
Jan. 17, 1863; William Henry, Sept. 17, 1866; John 
Clinton, Feb. 27, 1869; Levi Elroy, Nov. 23, 1871, 
Mr. Donaugh and wife united with the LTnited Brethren 
Church about the year 1861. He commenced house^r 
keeping with a few dollars of his own earnings, and is 
now the owner of a well-improved farm, a part of 
Sec. 27. 

DONAUGH, AMOS WILSON, farmer; was born in 
Jefferson Township Nov. 26, 1855, and brought up on a 
farm. He entered the matrimonial relation with Mary 
Alice Garber Aug. 23, 1876; she is the oldest child of 
Lewis Garber, and her mother's maiden name was Mary 
Mock; she was born in Jefferson Township March 16, 
1858 ; they lived on the farm with her father about two 
years ; they then lived a short time in a building onC" 
half a mile away, and, in October, 1879, moved about 
t^^'0 and a half miles east of Bellville. They remained 
there the following winter, and, in the spring, came 
upon the homestead his father bought, being a part of 
Sec. 26, Jefferson Township. 



800 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



DURBIN, SCOTT (deceased), was born in Washing- 
ton Co., Penn., in 1791, and moved to Fairfield Co., 
Ohio, in 1804, and soon after to Knox Co. and took a 
job of clearing 25 acres for Amos. Rice, near Ankney- 
town, for 160 acres near Bellville. He was married to 
Margaret Davis, in 1812, and moved in a small cabin 
he built about one and a half miles south of Bellville. 
He assisted in driving tlie Greentown Indians and 
served in the war a short time. From this first cabin, 
he built one on his own land and moved into it. He 
next moved southwest of Bellville three miles, then two 
miles south of Mt. Vernon, then near Anknejtown, 
Where he discontinued housekeeping. He died in 
Williams Co., Ohio, in November 186::!. Mrs. Durbin 
was born in Virginia, near the Warm Springs, in 1792, 
and moved to Mt. Vernon when 17 years of age. At 
this date, March, 1880, she is alive and in the 88th year 
of her age. His children are George W., born July 14, 
1813; John, Sept. 10, 1815; Mary H., Oct. 6,1817; 
Samuel, Sept. 17, 1819; Lorenzo, Sept. 7, 1821 ; Eliza- 
beth, Sept. 23, 1824; Simeon, May 19, 1827; Isabel, 
Aug. 14, 1829; Scott, Sept. 5, 1833; Thomas, May 
27, 183-3; William, April, 1837. 

DURBIN, JEHU, was born in Jefferson Township 
Sept. 14, 1824, and is a son of Thomas Durbin ; he was 
brought up on a farm. He was married Feb. 20, 1849, 
to Nancy Aungst ; they commenced to keep house in 
Jefferson Township, and have lived in it to this day ; 
Mrs. Durbin was born in the township also, on Dec. 
17, 1822, and is a daughter of George Aungst, who 
migrated to Jefferson Township in an early day ; their 
children are Lorenzo D., born Dec. 10, 1849 ; Sarah 
Jane, Aug. 6, 1851 ; George W., March 14, 1853; Sam- 
uel, Dec. 26, 1854; Joseph J., Dec. 1, 1856; James C, 
Jan. 28, 1859; Arabella, March 4, 1861 ; Aaron, April 
25, 1863 ; Lorenzo was married to Mary Elizabeth 
Teeter, Dec. 23, 1875, and lias two sons ; George W. 
was married to Elizabeth Garber in 1879. Mr. Durbin 
has held the office of Township Trustee, and other local 
offices. Farming has been his main occupation through 
life ; when young, he did some teaming to and from 
the lake, and of late years has given his attention 
largely to stock-growing. He was in the war of the 
rebellion as a teamster. Samuel, his third son, has 
been successfully teaching school for several years. 

ELLER, JACOB, fiirmer ; was born in Jefferson 
Township Sept. 5, 1851, and was married Jan. 10, 
1875 ; she is a daughter of Samuel Hamilton, and was 
born in Jefferson Township Aug. 5, 1856; their oldest 
child was born Jan. 30, 1876; Almira Ellen was born 
Sept. 22, 1877, and Minnie Alice April 1, 1879. Mr. 
Eller is Joseph EUei-'s oldest child; he has made his 
residence in Jefferson Township since his marriage. 

EVARTS, REUBEN, was born near Hamilton, Can- 
ada, Dec. 12, 1809, and came with his father to Richland 
in February, 1816, who settled in Jefferson Township 
in March, 1817; in 1834, he purchased the east half 
of the northwest quarter of Sec. 16. On April 5, 1840, 
he married Rebecca Howard, who was born in Somer- 
set Co., Penn., April 12, 1818, and made said purchase 
their home during their married life ; the children born 
to them were twelve — Andrew, Cyrus, Eli and Levi, 
Annette, Reuben, Comfort A., Alverda, Robert, Rebecca 
J., John H. and Sarah C; Eli and Levi are twins, the 



former born late in 1843 and the latter early in 1844 ; 
Cyrus died Feb. 8, 1844; Mrs. Evarts died Sept. 21, 
1876. Eli was married to Sarah Lafferty Dec. 22, 
1868; Reuben, Jr., to Annette Rhodes Dec. 22, 1870; 
Andrew to Mariah Stanton Feb. 20, 1871 ; Alverda to 
Peter Horn Sept. 17, 1874; Comfort Ann to James M. 
Reed Sept. 24, 1874 ; Levi to Ella C. Ridenour Dec. 
2, 1874; Annette to Adam H. Zimmers Dec. 28, 1875; 
Robert to Abbie B. Cutting Oct. 10, 1877; Rebecca to 
Joseph Shelly Feb. 20, 1879. Mr. Evarts is a descend- 
ant of two families of Massachusetts ; his grandfathers, 
Gilbert Evarts and Joel Bigelow, moved to Addison Co., 
Vt., in 1755; here Timothy Evarts was born, brought 
up, and married. Before the war of 1812, he was en- 
gaged in the business of transportation on Lakes On- 
tario and Champlain, and had his home near Hamilton, 
in Canada; here Reuben was born. At the opening of 
the war, Timothy Evarts, with others, were requested 
to take the oath of allegiance in support of the British, 
and upon their refusal, were persecuted, arrested and 
paroled ; at the close of the war, he was destitute, by 
confiscation of property and other privations, and he, 
in company with others, procured two row-boats and 
commenced a journey for Ohio ; by mucli tribulation 
and braving many dangers, he succeeded in reach- 
ing the new purchase, and in March, 1817, arrived in 
Jefferson Township ; in 1818, he entered the west half 
of the southeast quarter of Sec. 22. He was the first 
Clerk of Jefferson Township as now constituted, taught 
school, and became a valuable citizen in many respects ; 
he died on the northeast quarter of Sec. 16, in 1846. 
Reuben Evarts, whose name heads this article, com- 
menced to teach school in 1827 or 1828, and taught 
fourteen winter terms in succession, excepting 1836-37, 
when he took a journey to Iowa; in 1828, he com- 
menced to work on the Ohio Canal, and labored on it 
two summers; in 1831, he commenced to make pumps, 
and for twelve years it was his exclusive summer occu- 
pation. Mr. Evarts has filled all the township offices ; 
in 1843, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and con- 
tinued in the office thirty-six years, during which time 
he solemnized over three hundred marriages, settled 
thirty-six estates, wrote many wills in Richland, Knox, 
Morrow, Ashland, Sandusky and Ashtabula Cos., and 
no decision of his was ever reversed on appeal or error; 
he was an agent of the Washington Sanitary Commis- 
sion during its existence. Mr. R. has taken an active 
interest in preserving the pioneer history of Richland 
Co., and is one of the best-informed men on this sub- 
ject. He resides on his farm south of Bellville, and is 
yet vigorous in body and mind, and spending his days 
in the enjoyment of home and social surroundings. 

FARQUHAR, ALBERT G., farmer ; born in Frederick 
Co., Md., May 20, 1804 ; he came with his father to Ohio in 
1805, and the next year to Knox Co., in which he lived 
until after marriage. He was united in matrimony to 
Hannah Gibson on the 11th of December, 1837; she 
was born May 15, 1808, and came with her parents to 
Knox Co. in 1818. He still resided in Knox Co. after 
marriage until December, 1852, when he bought a part 
of Sec. 31, in Jefferson Township, where he has since 
lived. Children — Mary Elizabeth, born Jan. 1, 1832; 
Ruth Ann, July 5, 1834 ; Amanda Malvina, June 19, 
1840. The mother died Dec. 3, 1871. Mr. Farquhar 






■^ 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



801 



was Assessor at one time ; he has always led a harmless 
and peaceable life. 

FISHER, IRWIN D., merchant, Bellville, Ohio; he 
was born in Bellville Dec. 5, 1844, and, during his 
early life, assisted his father in managing a meat 
market ; he received his education in Bellville, with 
the exception of one year at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- 
versity and one year at Elyria, Ohio. He was married 
to Barilla Elston, who was a daughter of William 
Elston, Sr., and she was born in Andover, Mass., Sept. 
11, 1845 ; she came with her parents to Ohio in 1845 ; 
they were married Nov. 14, 1866, and the following are 
the names of their children: Burke, born Aug 26, 
1867; Willie, Jan. 23, 1869; Addie, Sept. 17, 1872; 
Fred, March 3,1874; Rose, May 2, 1876; Mary E., 
Dec. 12, 1878. In 1867, Mr. Fisher formed a business 
relation with .J. Weaver and embarked in the produce 
and grocery business ; after they dissolved partnership, 
one of his brothers became his partner, and this firm in 
turn was succeeded by Fisher & Neily ; in 1876, Mr. 
Fisher assumed control of the business and has success- 
fully conducted it to the present, and the house of Irwin 
D. Fisher is oneof the first groceries in the village; he was 
Village Clerk three years and Councilman four, and is a 
member of the Masonic Lodge. ^Ir. Fisher's father, 
Daniel Fisher, was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn., Oct. 24, 
1816; he learned the tanner's trade; in 1840, he com- 
menced to butcher in Bellville and continued in the 
business about thirty years. He was married, Feb. 13, 
1844, to Mary E. Poppleton, who was born in Knox Co. 
June 18, 1824, and the children born to them were the 
subject of this sketch, Julia, Samuel and Frank. 

FITTING, FREDERICK M , was born in Knox Co., 
one-half a mile south of Ankneytown, Oct. 27, 1810. 
His father came to this place in 1802, and, in 1813, 
moved into Jefferson Township, on Sec. 33 ; a few years 
later, he purchased land adjoining this on the west, on 
which he died. Casper Fitting came from Chester Co., 
Penn., to Knox Co. The subject of this sketch was 
brought up on a farm, and agriculture has been his 
main occupation in life, and he has made Bellville his 
home, with one or two exceptions, to the present ; in 
1830, he commenced to tleal in Western land and has 
given his attention to it ever since ; he now owns about 
1,000 acres; in 1838, he became interested in a dry- 
goods store in Bellville, and continued in this line here 
and in Worthington Township about ten years; in 
1847, he built the mill west of Bellville ; in 1850, he 
took the contract of building the S., M. & N. R. R. 
from Mansfield to Bellville ; he commenced work in 
.January, 1850, and arrived at Bellville in August of the 
same year : he did a greater part of the grading, built 
the bridges and laid the iron ; he also furnished the 
ties for the road six miles below Bellville ; Mr. Fitting 
never received but a small amount of his dues, losing 
about $20,000 ; in 1875, he built an excellent residence 
in Bellville. He was married to Ruth Markey July 28, 
1838, and to them two daughters were born, one of 
whom is living. 

FREDERICK, CHRISTIAN. Mr. Frederick's par- 
ents, Jacob Frederick and Esther Prinkle, moved from 
Bedford Co., Penn., to Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 1813, 
where he was born. In 1828, he came with his parents 
to Knox Co.; his father died in Knox Co., in the 79th 



year of his age, and his mother is yet alive (1880) and 
is 85 years old. Mr. Frederick was brought up on a 
farm, and at the age of 29 began work at carpentering, 
laboring six months under instruction, after which he 
contracted jobs on his own responsibility ; for thirty- 
five years it was his principal employment, during 
which time he constructed ten bridges across the Clear 
Fork, fifteen large barns and a large number of dwell- 
ing-houses and other buildings. After marriage, he re- 
sided sixteen years in Knox Co., and then moved into 
Jefferson Township and assumed control of the Green- 
wood mill, in which he put a carding machine, and in 
connection operated a saw-mill ; in 1865, he bought a 
farm, being a part of Sec. 12, on which he moved and 
has lived to this date. He was born Nov 16, 1817; 
Esther Divelbiss was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Oct. 
30, 1822; her father's name was Michael Divelbiss, 
and her mother's Margaret Swank. Mr. Frederick was 
married Oct. 11, 1840; children — Lydia was born 
Sept. 17, 1847; Eli, born A.ug. 24, 1843; James, born 
Dec. 31, 1845; Thomas, born Oct. 7, 1848; Marilla, 
born March 8, 1851; Mary E., born Jan. 27, 1853; 
Margaret A., born Sept. 1, 1855; Amanda J., born 
March 4, 1858; John M., born May 13, 1860; Calvin 
E., born Oct. 21, 1862 ; Lucinda, born Nov. 12, 1866; 
Marilla died Oct. 4, 1851 : Lydia married John Ware- 
ham ; Mary, William S. Charles ; Margaret, Jacob B. 
Leckron ; Elias, James and Thomas went to the army 
as substitutes ; James was in the Potomac army, and 
the remaining two in the Cumberland ; Elias was in 
many battles, and had eight bullet-holes put through 
his garments and had his hat shot off" once. 

FRY, AMOS, farmer; resides on a part of Sec. 23. 
He was born in York Co., Penn., where he was raised 
and remained until 1850 ; he then moved to Blair Co., 
in which he lived till 1863, when he prepared and came 
to this county, arriving at Bellville the 3d of March ; 
he at once settled on the farm he now owns, and has 
given his attention almost wholly to farming and stock 
growing ; he is a charter member of the JeS'erson 
Grange, and has been an active member of the Order; 
he is also a surveyor of the Patron's Mutual Relief As- 
sociation. Amos Fry was born Feb. 4, 1830 ; Eliza- 
beth Hetrick was born March 10, 1836; they were 
married June 26, 1852; children — Daniel was born 
Feb. 27, 1854; Jacob, born June 15, 1856; Levi, 
born June 10, 1858; Sarah, born April 11, 1860; 
Jonathan, born Nov. 25, 1861 ; Mary Elizabeth, born 
March 23, 1864; Ulysses G., born Jan. 17, 1866; Eli 
C, born Sept. 5, 1868 ; Manda, born July 16, 1870 ; 
Manuel, born April 3, 1874; Yerda May, born Sept. 
4, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are members of the Lu- 
theran Church. 

GARBER, SAMUEL ; the progenitor of an industri- 
ous and well-known family of Garbers. His father 
probably resided in York Co., Penn., when the subject 
of this sketch was born, and possessed an extraordinary 
taste for hunting ; he usually kept a large number of 
horses and hounds, which worked in well with this sort 
of life ; the horses were likely not kept solely for the 
purpose of hunting, as he made a business of purchas 
ing "old skeletons," which he fattened upon a mixture 
made of red-ant hills, and some kind of forage boiled 
together. He enlisted during the war of 1812, and his 



^" 



±1 



'■4* 



803 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 



relatives never again heard from him. He had three 
sons, named respectively John, Samuel and David. 
John moved to Iowa in an early day, where he died. 
David resides in this township, and his biography is 
elsewhere given. Samuel, whose name heads this 
sketch, was born May 8, 1804, and, during his early 
boyhood, his mother moved to Bedford Co., Penn., 
where he was placed in the care of a relative named 
Mock. He was then about 12 years of age, but the 
cruel treatment that he received could not be endured, 
and he returned to the care of his mother, who was 
then married to Samuel Brawlier. He remained in 
Pennsylvania, working on the shoe-bench and teaming 
over the mountains until 1821, when he emigrated with 
.Jacob Mock to Ohio. He worked at shoemaking a short 
time in this country. He finally engaged himself as a 
laborer to John Leedy, and made his home with him, 
where he remained until he was married to Catharine 
Leedy, his daughter. This transpired Sept. 17, 1825. 
Their first years were spent on Sec. 28, Jefiferson 
Township, 80 acres of which he entered. Selling this, 
he bought a part of Sec. 34, on which he lived until 
the fall of 1851, when he moved upon his father-in-law's 
farm. In 1863, he bought 102 acres of the northwestern 
part of Sec. 13, on which he has since lived. His wife, 
Catharine Leedy, was born April 9, 1809. Children — 
John was born Dec. 11, 1826; Levi, March 13, 1828; 
David, April 3, 1881; Lewis, .June 11, 1833; Jehu, 
Oct. 29, 1835; Elizabeth, Jan. 10, 1838; Jackson, Jan. 
17, 1841 ; Washington, April 12, 1843; Theodore, Aug. 
9, 1845; MaryE., Feb. 14, 1848 ; Benton, April 16, 
1850 ; Mina, Sept. 5, 1854. Deaths— Levi died April 
27, 1850, of spotted fever, while attending school in 
Bellville, and was buried before his friends knew of his 
death; Mina, .June 30, 1855 ; David, April 5, 1865. 
The mother died Oct. 24, 1879. Mr. Garber and wife 
passed their lives in industry, and they leave an exem- 
plary record, as citizens and parents. 

GARBER, LEWIS L., farmer; resides on a part of 
Sec. 33, four miles south of Bellville ; he is a son of 
Samuel Garber, ; was brought up a farmer ; worked at 
the carpenter trade from his 21st to his 25th year, and 
in 1873 commenced bricklaying as a trade, in connec- 
tion with farming. He did the brickwork on the Jef- 
ferson Hall, and half on the Town Hall in Bellville ; 
he built a fine residence on his farm in 1863, and re- 
built it in 1878 ; he was born June 11, 1832, and was 
married to Mary, daughter of John Mock, April 24, 
1856; she was born Dec. 17, 1837. Children— Calvin, 
born Feb. 12, 1857, died six days after ; Mary 
Alice, March 16, 1858; Hortense, Feb. 16, 1862; Al- 
wilda, June 4, 1864; Luella, July 4, 1866; Jerry, 
Feb. 12, 1872 ; child not named, July 24, 1879. After 
marriage, they first lived on his father's farm ; in 1860, 
he bought his present homestead. Mr. Garber was a 
charter member of the Jefferson Grange, No. 256. He 
and his wife ai-e communicants of the Universalist 
Church. 

GARBER, JOHN L., farmer: resides on a part of 
Sec. 33 ; he was born in Jefiferson Township, and brought 
up on a farm. At the age of 20 years, he commenced 
to work at the cai-penter trade. In 1848, he went with 
others to Iowa and worked at millwrighting. In 1851, 
he returned, and, in Richland and Knox Cos., built four- 



teen dwelling-houses, besides numerous other buildings. 
Mr. Garber was born Dec. 11, 1826. His companion, 
Mary Swank, was born Oct. 21, 1830 ; they were married 
Aug. 27, 1854; children — Zeruiah was born March 24, 
1855 ; Elizabeth, Feb. 5, 1857 ; a son, Dec. 15, 1858 ; 
Samuel M., Nov. 29, 1859; Catharine E., April 16, 
1861 ; Florence, Feb. 15, 1865 ; Verda, March 6, 1867 ; 
Charles, Feb. 23, 1869 ; Elvyra, April 27. 1871 ; Walter, 
July 11, 1873. Deaths — a son, died Jan. 2, 1859; 
Catharine, March 20, 1862 ; Charles, Dec. 10, 1870 ; 
Elvyra, May 24, 1872. After marriage, Mr. Garber 
bought a farm in AVorthington Township, and moved on 
it in March, 1855. The next fall, he returned to Jef- 
ferson Township, and, in 1856, purchased the farm on 
which he now resides. He has been a successful farmer, 
and is well fixed. He built his dwelling-house in 1861. 
He is a charter member of the Jefiferson Grange. He 
and his wife united with the Universalist Church shortly 
after marriage. 

GARBER, DAVID L., deceased ; he was born April 
3, 1831, in Jefiferson Township, in which he resided till 
death ; he was married to Susan Leedy, April 8, 1852, 
who was a daughter of Abraham Leedy, and was born 
June 7, 1830 ; their children are Aaron, born Jan. 18, 
1853 ; Elihu, Oct. 6, 1854 ; James Franklin, Oct. 12, 
1856; Martha E., .June 17, 1858; .Jennie A., July 19, 
1860; Levi, Sept. 19, 1862; Ezra, Aug. 15, 1864. 
Ezra died .Jan. 10, 1865, and his father April 5, 1865. 
Mr. Garber pursued the avocation of agriculture and 
stock-growing during his life ; he was member of the 
church of Christian Brethren. The four sons cultivate 
the farm known as the John Leedy farm, containing 
over 230 acres, and are the editors and proprietors of 
the Richland Star, published at Bellville. Jennie was 
married to Edwin Grain, Nov. 13, 1879. 

GARBER, JEHU L., was born and brought up in 
Jefiferson Township, on a farm ; in early life he taught 
a few terms of school, and from that time he occupied 
no position to bring his name prominently before the 
public until he arrived at middle age; in 1873, the 
Gi'ange movement commenced to receive the attention 
of farmers, and he became interested and took a prom- 
inent part in establishing Jeflfe^on Grange, and became 
its first Secretary ; he was also the first State Deputy ; 
he was active in the formation of the Patrons' ^Iutual 
Relief Association, prepared its constitution, and the 
success of the institution is largely due to his efforts, 
and to this time he has been its Secretary ; he moved on 
a part of Sec. 34 in 1864, and is giving his attention to 
stock -growing and agriculture. He was born Oct. 29, 
1835, and his wife, Susan Rebecca Wallace, March 20, 
1837 ; she was a daughter of George Wallace, and her 
birthplace was Dauphin Co.; Penn. ; her parents settled 
in Knox Co., Ohio, about the year 1852; they wei'e 
married June 19, 1856, and their children are Ella, 
born Dec. 27, 1856 ; Irene, Dec. 18, 1858 ; Clara 
Alice, Sept. 17, 1860; Ida May, March 27, 1862; 
Horatio S., July 5, 1864; Charles, Oct. 15, 1866; 
William J., March 6, 1868; John M., June 7, 1870; 
George Wallace, .July 7, 1874; Mertie E., April 
16, 1876; Mamie Delia, Sept. 3, 1878. Charles 
died April 16, 1867. Mrs. Garber became a member 
of the United Brethren Church when young ; they 
both became members of the Universalist Church 



^ 



>V 



JEFFERSON TOAVNSHIP. 



803 



about ten years ago ; Mr. Garber erected a large brick 
residence on his fixrm in 187-5. 

GARBER, .JACKSON L., a son of Samuel Garber, 
was born in .Teflferson Township, and brought up on a 
farm; he attended the Bellville High School during the 
winters of 1860 and 1861 ; the following winter, he 
taught school, and, during the summer of 1862, traveled 
in Michigan, Canada West, New York, Pennsylvania, 
Illinois and Indiana ; he kept a gi'ocery and bakery in 
Mt. Gilead a part of 186-5 and 1866 ; he sold out and 
came to Bellville and entered into partnership with 
Markey & Garber, changing the firm name to Markey, 
Garber & Co.; he continued this relation till 1867 ; 
after marriage, he moved to Pierceton, Ind., where he 
opened a shoe store ; after being there a short time, he 
had to contend against a severe spell of the typhoid 
fever, which was followed by ague ; he returned to Ohio 
in December, 1869, and followed school teaching several 
years; in the summer of 1871, he visited Florida in 
search of a home, but without finding a desirable place ; 
in March, 1873, he moved to ISIissouri, and is now cul- 
tivating a fruit and vegetable farm in St. Louis Co.; he 
has taught ten terms of school. ^Ir. Garber was born 
Jan. 17, 1841 ; Mary E. Rummel, daughter of David 
J. Rummel, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1847 ; 
they were married Nov. 24, 1867 ; they have one child 
— Harley D., who was born Feb. 12, 1879. 

GARBER, W. L., was born in Jefferson Township 
April 12, 1843; he grew up on a farm ; when arriving 
to manhood, he attended the high school at Bellville a 
short time; in the winter of 1860-61, he taught school 
in Knox Co.; he kept a few terms afterward ; he con- 
tinued to work at farming till 1866, when he formed a 
partnership with A. .J. Markey and^opened a dry-goods 
store in Bellville ; they continued doing business a 
short time under the name of Markey >l!i Garber, and 
then Jackson Garber entered as a third partner ; the 
firm dissolved in 1868, and the subject of this sketch 
went on his father-in-law's farm and cultivated it four 
years ; Oct. 10, 1872, he embarked as a salesman or 
wholesale agent for a powder house, at which he is yet 
engaged, traveling over the south part of Ohio and a 
portion of Indiana ; he moved his family to Columbus 
in November, 1872. He was married to Ann Amanda 
Rummel, daughter of David J. Rummel and Mary 
Klise, April 7, 1867; she was born June 12, 1841; 
children— Alberta D., born March 1-5, 1869; Edith Z., 
Feb. 13, 1872. Mr. Garber and wife are members of 
the Universalist Church ; he is also a member of the 
^Masonic Fraternity. 

GARBER, THEODORE ; resides about two and a half 
miles east of Bellville, on Sec. 18 ; he was born in Jef- 
ferson Township and brought up on a farm ; he attended 
school at Bellville a few terms and commenced to teach 
in the fall of 1864 and taught five terms. He is an 
active and official member of the Universalist Church. 
He was a charter member of the Jefferson Grange, in 
which he has held vai'ious offices ; and an industrious 
and successful farmer; his house upon bis well-im- 
proved homestead was built in 1870, and the barn in 
1878. Mrs. Garber's maiden name was Martha Celestia 
Lee, and she is a daughter of Ebenezer Lee and .Jane 
C. Long ; her parents lived in Wayne Co. at the time of 
her birth, and removed to Richland Co. in 1852 ; Mr. 



Garber was born Aug. 9, 1845; they were married Oct. 
14, 1869; children — Lee, was born -\pril 14, 1871; 
Elbert Glenn, June 20, 1872; Lloyd M.,in April, 1876; 
a girl, July 24, 1879; Lee died Sept. 10, 1871. Mrs. 
Garber is also a member of the Universalist Church and 
Jefferson Grange. 

GARBER, BENTON L., farmer. He was born and 
brought up in Jefferson Township, and upon a farm ; 
after attending several terms of high school in Bellville, 
he taught during the winter of 1871-72. On Oct. 12, 
1872, he was married, and for some time resided with 
his father ; he then purchased some thirty acres adjoin- 
ing his father's farm, on which he moved and im- 
proved ; in November, 1879, he again moved on his 
father's farm ; he was born April 16, 1850; his wife, 
Lizzie E. Elston, was born June 6, 1854; her birth- 
place is Provincetown, Mass., from which State her 
parents came to Bellville in 1855 ; her father was born 
in England ; their children are Edna, born Aug. 19, 
1873 ; Catharine, boi-n Nov. 22, 1875 ; J. Heber, born 
Nov. 21, 1877. Mr. Garber and wife united with the 
Universalist Church in 1873 ; they are also charter 
members of .Jefferson Grange. 

GARBER, DAVID, farmer; born in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., Sept. 26, 1806, and came to Ohio in 1823 ; he 
worked at the shoe trade some when young. He mar- 
ried Eve Kusard in the fall of 1827 ; she was born 
April 7, 1806, and came from Pennsylvania with Daniel 
Hetrick ; Mr. Garber's firstinvestment in real estate was 
made in Worthington Township, where he bought 70 
acres and paid for it out of earnings made with a hoe 
and ax; after marriage, he moved the first time on a 
one-horse sled ; they were fortunate enough to have a 
bed, a knife and a fork apiece, but no chairs or table ; 
blocks of trees served as chairs, and an old chest as a 
table; he is now well fixed; the greater number of 
their children are dead ; the living are Sarah, born 
Feb. 20, 1833; Samuel K., born March 21, 1842: 
Susan, born July 29, 1845. 

GARBER, SAMUEL K., farmer, was born in Jeffer- 
son Township March 22, 1842. He was married to 
Eunice Carpenter, in Crestline, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1863 ; 
she was born Sept. 16, 1841 ; her parents came to 
Holmes Co., this State, from New York, and lived but a 
short time afterward, and she was brought up by Hugh 
Oldfield, living near Crestline. She united with the 
Baptist Church early in life, and from that she received 
letters to the Evangelical Church, of which she is yet a 
communicant; Mr. Garber is a member of the Univer- 
salist Church, to which he united in the fall of 1870 ; 
he was also a charter member of the Jefferson Grange 
of the Patrons of Husbandry. Children — Mary Celinda 
was born May 5, 1865; David Oliver, born July 28, 
1868 ; an infant born and died in 1875. 

GEDDES, JOHN W. He commenced life as a brick- 
maker and teamster ; in 1852-53, he filled the position 
of an engineer in Indiana. He married Elizabeth Zent 
Nov. 3, 1855, and then went to Noble Co., Ind., where 
they commenced to keep house, and he purchased a 
share in a steam saw-mill, after managing a farm one 
year ; he retained his interest in the mill about three 
years, and then went to farming ; after giving this his 
attention for about thirteen years, he then returned to 
Richland Co., and in 1876 he bought a part of Sec. 22, 



^ 



804 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in Jefferson Township, on which he now lives. Mr. 
Geddes' father was born in New York State. He was 
born March 3, 1837 ; his wife, Elizabeth Zent, was born 
May 22, 1830; children — ^lary Lodema was born Sept. 
2, 1856; Sarah Lovina, born Sept. 16, 1858; Isaac 
Alonzo, born June 13, 1861 ; Susan L., born Sept. 16, 
1864; Emma Louisa, born Feb. 14, 1866; George Or- 
ville, Dec. 28, 1874; he died Sept. 11, 1875. 

GIBSON, HIRAM E., farmer, carpenter and machin- 
ist; he owns a part of Sec. 31, on which his residence 
is located ; he came from Frederick Co., Md., to Jeffer- 
son Co., Ohio, with his parents, in the year 1815; in 
1818, his parents moved to Knox Co., near the Richland 
Co. line, and subsequently bought land in both counties. 
He commenced to work at the carpenter trade about 
the age of 20 years, and made it his exclusive occupation 
for nearly twenty years, and at times employed three 
or four hands ; in the winter season, he gave his atten- 
tion to the manufacture of furniture; in 1849, he took 
a position in a machine-shop in Fredericktown, where 
he remained about three years. Mr. Gibson was born 
Oct. 1, 1812, and was first married to Elizabeth Elliott, 
in the fall of 1835 ; her parents came from Frederick 
Co., Md., and settled in northern Knox Co.; she was 
born in February, 1813 ; they resided first in Richland 
Co. one year, and then in Knox until the death of his 
wife, which occurred July 17, 1843 ; he moved his fam- 
ily to his father's, where it remained until his death, 
he then built a house on his present farm and moved 
in it the fall of 1853 ; he built a steam saw-mill on his 
premises soon after. The second time he was married, 
Feb. 27, 1855, to Hannah Woodward, who was born 
Aug. 1, 1815, in Montgomery Co., Md., and immigrated 
to Richland Co. in 1833 ; his children were five in num- 
ber and none except the youngest one is living ; his 
last wife is a member of the Church of England ; he 
was brought up in the Quaker faith ; Mr. Gibson has 
frequently been Township Trustee, and on jury; he 
was a juror in the famous Lunsford-Robinson murder 
trial. 

GILMORE, ELIZA. She was a daughter of Chris- 
tian Swank ; he was born in Pennsylvania June 9, 
1791; Susannah Downey was born Jan. 4, 1800; they 
were married in March, 1822 ; Mr. Swank came to Knox 
Co., Ohio, in 1818 ; their children are Eliza, born Feb. 
19, 1824; George, born April 13, 1825; H. D., born 
April 9, 1827; Mary, born Jan. 11, 1829; Susannah, 
born Oct. 5, 1835; father died Oct. 19, 1869; mother 
died Oct. 5, 1857. Eliza Swank was married to Na- 
thaniel Gilraore June 9, 1859, and had one child, namely, 
Casper Nathaniel, born July 22, 1860; Nathaniel Gil- 
more died July 22, 1860, at the age of 88 years. 

GURNEY, OLIVER H., was born in Waldo Co., 
Me., and is a son of Samuel Gurney, and his mother's 
name before marriage was Jane Cross ; his parents 
moved to Jefferson Township in 1839 ; at the age of 
16, he commenced to work on the Sandusky, M. & N. 
Railroad as a brakeman, and in three months became a 
baggage-master, and in three years a conductor ; he 
was agent four years at the station of Bellville, and in 
1862 and 1863, he embarked in the manufacture of 
rakes, and again did the station business some time ; 
he again went on the road as conductor, and ran the 
first passenger train out of Chicago on the Baltimore & 



Ohio Railroad ; he retired from the road April 1, 1878. 
In 1876, he and his son opened a hardware store in 
Bellville ; he is now leading rather a retired life, in 
the enjoyment of home and social surroundings; he 
was born June 10, 1835, and was married, May 10, 1855, 
to Louisa E., daughter of George and Betsey (Walkerj 
Howard ; was born in Jefferson Township ; children — 
Howard Worth was born April 23, 1856 ; Leonard B., 
born May 26, 1866; Carrie May, born March 25, 1873; 
Leonard died Dec. 22, 1863, and Carrie ^lay died Dec. 
17, 1879; Wox'th was married to Hattie R. Reed Feb. 
27, 1878 ; she was born Sept. 28, 1857, and is a daughter 
of N. S. Reed and Cordelia (Geddes) ; a son was born 
to them March 29, 1879, and he was named Rexford W. 

HAMILTON, JACOB, farmer ; he is a son of John 
Hamilton and Sarah Colley, and was born in Washing- 
ton Township, Richland Co., July 15, 1835. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Jane Holland, daughter of William Hol- 
land; she was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 24, 
1837. Mr. Hamilton has resided in Jefferson and 
Washington Townships since marriage, which took 
place Nov. 9, 1854. Births — Hannibal V. B. was born 
Feb. 7, 1855; Clarence, April 4, 1856; Abijah, June3, 
1859 ; Angeline, Jan. 8, 1860: Florence, Nov. 9, 1862; 
Sarah, June 30, 1871. 

H ARDESTY, NELSON, farmer ; is a son of Francis H., 
and was born in Knox Co. Ohio, Sept. 27, 1816 ; he was 
brought up a farmer, but worked at brickmaking some 
years afterward. He was married to Mary A. Durbin 
Oct. 9, 1845, and set up housekeeping in Mt. A''ernon ; 
he moved on a part of Sec. 28, in 1852, where he has 
since lived ; one child was born to them — John S., July 

25, 1846, in Knox Co. He was married to Missouri 
Teeter March 4, 1869 ; she was born March 7, 1849 ; 
their children are Scott, born Jan. 26, 1870 ; Albert, 
July 4, 1871 : Eddie, June 11, 1876; Mary Iowa, Feb. 
1, 1879, and died when 15 days old. John S. resides 
on his father's farm, pursuing the avocation of agri- 
culture. 

HARRINGTON, AVILSON S., manufacturer; he was 
born in Bellville June 22, 1838; at the age of 13, his 
father moved on a farm, where the subject of this sketch 
lived, engaging with his father in buying, selling and 
raising sheep until 1864, when he moved to Bellville 
and became a partner in the foundry ; this firm con- 
tinued two and a half years, and was succeeded by L. 
F. & W. S. Harrington ; in 1875, Mr. Harrington 
became the sole proprietor, and to this time has con- 
tinued the manufacture of bells, plows, besides doing a 
general line of casting. Mr. H. is a son of Albert L. 
Harrington, and his mother's maiden name was Han- 
nah Fickle ; they were 'married in Bellville in 1832, 
and are still citizens of the village ; he came to Bell- 
ville in 1827. W. S. Harrington was married, Dec. 

26, 1865, to Ester E. Calhoun, who is a daughter of 
Thomas Calhoun, and was born in Ashland Co. April 
6, 1844. Children— Hallie B. was born Oct. 24, 1867 ; 
Loward W., March 17, 1872. Mr. Harrington built an 
excellent brick residence in Bellville in 1878 ; he has 
held various municipal ofiBces, and was Township 
Treasurer two terms. Mrs. H. taught several terms of 
school before marriage. They are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and worthy and respected citi- 
zens. 



T^ 



^' 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



805 



HINES, PHILIP, deceased; he was born in Frederick 
Co., Md., Dec. 1, 1785 : he was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and in this connection went through Richland Co. 
He settled near Fredericktown after the war, where he 
resided a few years, and then moved into .TetFevson 
Township and remained through life. He was married 
to Lydia Root in 1815. She was born Aug. 20, 1796 ; 
children; Daniel was born Oct. 30, 1817; William, 
June 6, 1820; Thomas, June 2, 1822; George W., Sept. 
9, 1824; Phillip, March 26, 1827; Benjamin F., Sept. 

26, 1829 ; Washington, June 25, 1831 ; Hezekiah, Aug. 

27, 1833: Henry J., Feb. 18. 1836; Joshua, April 2, 
1839 ; Mary Jane, Sept. 6, 1845. 

HINES, BENJAMIN F., farmer and dealer in boots 
and shoes, Bellville, Ohio. He was born in Jefferson 
Township, and bi'ought up on a farm ; he commenced 
to work at the shoe trade in 1840, laboring on a farm 
in the summer and on the bench during the winter. He 
located in Bellville in 1844, where he remained several 
years; he then went to Mansfield and worked on the 
bench about one year, where the First National Bank is 
located ; he finished his trade. He then returned to 
Bellville, and has kept a shoe store a greater part of 
the time since. For years, when he was acquiring a 
competency, he would labor hard upon the farm and 
make boots and shoes about half of the night. He was 
unexcelled as a rapid workman, and could make three 
pairs of common boots in a day, and do it every day in 
the week. He is now doing an extensive business in 
the sale of boots and shoes, andconsiderable manufact- 
uring. Besides the shoe business, he continues to 
give his farm careful attention, and maintains his posi- 
tion as one of the progressive farmers of the commu- 
nity. He commenced life with an industrious hand 
and economical habits, and gathered here and there 
until his property valued many thousand dollars ; being 
economical, he was also generous, and wherever a 
united effort was made to do a charitable work, or a 
work depending upon donations, he was ready to ren- 
der valuable assistance. ^Nlr. Hines was born Sept. 26, 
1829, and was married to Mary Jane Armstrong Aug. 
6, 1850 ; they have one child, C. Burton, who was born 
Feb. 16, 1860. 

HEINDEL, GEORGE MATHIAS, clergyman ; was 
brought up on a farm in York Co., Penn.; he attended 
a union school until the summer of 1869, when he 
entered the Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, and 
finished the classical course in 1874, and graduated in 
the theological department in 1876. In November, 
1876, he came to Bellville and took the Salem Lutheran 
charge, which consists of three congregations, two of 
which are now in this county and one in Morrow. He 
came to Ohio with his parents in 1851, who settled near 
Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Heindel was born Feb. 28, 1851, 
and married June 21, 1877, to Mart hie Wise, who was 
born in Bucyrus, Ohio, and brought up there. They 
have two children, Mary Estella, born March 9, 1878, 
and one in 1879. Mr. Heindel is a lover of study, and 
applies himself diligently to the profession that he has 
chosen. He is logical and argumentaiive in his speak- 
ing, and reverence to the Supreme Being characterizes 
all his religious labor. 

HISKEY, ENOCH, born in Cumberland Co., Penn., 
Sept. 30, 1814 ; he came with his parents to Perry 



Township in 1839, and settled. He was brought up 
on a farm, and gave his attention to agriculture. On 
June 25, 1840, he was united in matrimony to Nancy 
A. Shuler; she was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., 
Aug. 28, 1820, and came to Ohio in 1840: they 
then moved on Sec. 11, Perry Township, where 
they resided until 1875, when they moved into a 
dwelling which he erected near the Salem Lutheran 
Church in Jefferson Township. Mr. Hiskey united 
with the Salem Lutheran Church in 1860, and his wife 
a few years after. Their children, in the order of their 
ages, are Margaret Ann, born April 9, 1841 ; George 
S., Dec. 8, 1842 ; Jeremiah, June 12, 1847 ; Sarah 
Samantha, Jan. 10, 1850; Mary A., March 13, 1853: 
Ann Eliza, Aug. 6, 1855 ; Oliver, Sept. 20, 1858. Jere- 
miah died Oct. 14, 1850; Sarah S., April 21, 1851. 
Mr. Hiskey owns 158 acres of land in Perry Township 
and 181 in Jefferson. In 1879, he erected another 
dwelling-house on his Perry Township farm. 

HOOVER, SIMON, farmer; he owns 218 acres of 
land, which he has under the best cultivation, and is 
well improved. His farm is a part of Sec. 1. He was 
born in Maryland, where his father, Henry H., and 
mother were also born, and when he was 4 years of age 
they migrated to Ohio and settled first in Washington 
Township. They next moved on the land where the 
subject of this sketch now resides, which was then all 
under timber. In an early day, a tree fell upon one of 
his brothers and killed him, which his father had 
chopped off; it was near the present site of his res- 
idence. Mr. Hoover's father was born Sept. 29, 1790, 
and died on his birthday in 1856. Mr. Hoover was 
born Sept. 19, 1828. Louisa Timanus was born in 
Mansfield, Ohio, April 5, 1829. They were married 
March 20, 1851 ; their children are Emeline, who died 
in childhood ; Albert, born Nov. 7, 1852; Hulbert and 
Charles (twins), Sept. 23, 1854 ; Hulda, Aug. 5, 1857 ; 
Lincoln, April 10, 1860; William, May 8, 1862; Sher- 
iden, March 28, 1865; Cyrus, Nov. 22, 1867; Samuel, 
May 29, 1869; Jennie, Sept. 11,1872. Cyrus died 
.June 28, 1868 ; Samuel, Oct. 10, 1873. After marriage, 
Mr. Hoover lived upon his grandfather's farm six years, 
and then upon the farm he now owns. He, his wife 
and two children are members of the Lutheran Church, 
and he is an Elder. Two of his sons attended the Mans- 
field Normal School the winters of 1879-80, and the 
elder one is preparing to teach. Mr. Hooveris a mem- 
ber of a family of eleven children, six boys and five 
girls. His mother died June 20, 1879, aged 79 years 
and 17 days. 

HOWARD, OTIS. Was born ia Walda, Me., March 
23, 1817; he there learned the carpenter trade ; in the 
fall of 1838, he came to .Jefferson Township, and for 
some time worked at wagon-making and house carpen- 
try ; he then engaged in agriculture, and continued at 
it until 1860, when he commenced to manufacture 
churns, which received his attention about five years : 
in the year 1865, he came in possession of the saw-mill 
across the creek from the depot in Bellville, and in con- 
nection operated a planing-mill and turning machinery ; 
he gave this his attention till 1875, when his son suc- 
ceeded him, and lie again took to making churns, and 
doing a line of miscellaneous carpentering. Mr. How- 
ard entered into the matrimonial state with Rebecca 



806 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Whitnah Dec. 25,1844; she was born in Livingston 
Co., N. v., April 5, 1823 ; they commenced to keep 
house in .Jefferson Township and have since lived in it. 
They had two children — Henry W., born Sept 13, 1845 ; 
Emma R. , Feb. 11, 1856. Mr. Howard has held various 
corporation and township offices, and his official career 
has been creditable and straiglitforward ; he was elected 
.Justice of the Peace in his township in 187U; he was 
iilso prominent in the society known as the " Franks," 
which was organized in Uellville by Rev. .John Lamb, 
in 1849 ; he tilled the chair as President during its 
existence, which was till 1855 ; mental improvement 
was the main feature of the body, and it was in this 
society that Congressman .Judge Geddes, now of Mans- 
field, made his tirst adventure as a speaker or debater. 

KANAGA, JOHN F. He was born in Cumberland 
(,o., Penn., and came with his parents to Richland Co. 
when in his 11th year, in the spring of 1834, and set- 
tled where Plank's mills now stand ; he remained there 
until one year after marriage ; milling had been his 
occupation from boyhood up. He was married, March 
2(j, 1846, to Sarah Donaugh, whT was born in Mercer 
Co , Penn., and came to Richland Co. in 1833 ; she is 
the oldest one of the family living, and had three 
brothers and one sister, two half-brothers and two half- 
sisters. After marriage, Mr. Kanaga ran the mill one 
year, and then bought a part of Section 26, on which 
he lias resided since, with the exception of a short time 
in Bellville; in 1849, he built a dwelling-house on his 
farm, and a barn in 1853. Mr. Kanaga and wife 
united with the Evangelical Church in 1849, and have 
done much for the advancement of the cause. One of 
liis sons, Amos, is now a lawyer, and Joseph is prepar- 
iag for the ministry. Mr. Kanaga was born .July 
1, 1824; and Mrs. Kanaga in June, 1822. Chil- 
dren — Nancy Elizabeth, born June 22, 1847 : Elmira 
Jane, Dec. 24, 1849; Mary Emily, Sept. 1, 1851; Will- 
iam Henry, April 18, 1853 ; Amos Ream, Nov. 14, 
1854: John Israel, Jan. 13, 1857; Joseph Benton, 
Jan. 13, 1859 ; Jeremiah Clinton, March 10, 1861, and 
died in the 4th year of his age. 

KELLY, JOSEPH H., tinner, Bellville, Ohio; he 
was born in Indiana Co., Penn., Jan. 20, 1823; before 
his marriage, he worked at various places in Ohio, and 
in 1848, assisted in taking a drove of hogs to Lancas- 
ter Co., Penn. ; in 1849, he returned to Bellville, and 
commenced working in a tinshop ; in 1851, he removed 
to Lexington, where he remained seventeen years, and 
then returned to Bellville. He was married, in Bell- 
ville, May 29, 1852, to Harriet Baker; she was born 
in Windsor Co., Vt., June 12, 1831, and came to Ohio 
when 9 years old. J. Wesley Kelly, Mr. Kelly's old- 
est child was born Sept. 16, 1854. 

LAFFERTY, SAMUEL, farmer; he was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., and brought up on a farm ; he 
came with his parents to Harrison Co., Ohio, where 
they resided from 1816 or 1817 to 1833 ; the subject of 
this sketch worked at the carpenter trade a few years 
in Harrison Co. His father tirst stopped on Sec. 16, 
in Jeflferson Township, and the following year (1834) 
located on a part of Sec. 11. On October 7, 1834, he 
was married to Lovina Johnston, daughter of Joseph 
Johnston; they commenced to keep house about two 
miles south of Bellville, in which locality he lived a 



number of years ; in the spring of 1878, he moved 
near Bellville. His first wife had one child, who was 
named Lovina Melissa, and was born Nov. 7, 1835 ; his 
second marriage was to Margaret Riddle, who was 
a daughter of William Riddle, and was born Jan. 15, 
1818; she became the mother of the folio vving chil- 
dren : .John L.. born Sept. 18, 1840; Sarah E., .Jan. 2, 
1842; Norman S., Sept. 12, 1843; Mary J., March 13, 
1845; Ana M., Jan. 20, 1847; Josephine, Feb. 14, 
1852; Eliza E., June 26, 1857; deaths— Norman died 
Feb. 11, 1852; Eliza E., Dec. 5, 1861, and the mother, 
Aug. 1, 1865; his last marriage was to Rebecca J. 
Miller, daughter of Samuel Miller, March 4, 1867, and 
one child was born, named George, Nov. 7, 1871 ; Mr. 
and Mrs. Lafferty are members of the Seventh Day 
Adventists, and he is an Elder in the church. 

LAFFERTY, JOHN, was born in Washington Co., 
Penn., and remained with his parents till after they 
came to JefiFerson Township in 1833. He first married 
Jane Marshall ; they lived in Washington Township 
three years, and then moved to Marion Co., now Mor- 
row, and remained there nine years. The next move 
brought them back to the old homestead, which he has 
since owned, a part of Sec. 11, Jefferson Township. 
Farming and stock-growing have always been his occu- 
pation. John Lafferty was born Jan. 1, 1815. He was 
married March 4, 1839 ; children — Wilson was born 
March 31, 1846 ; John M., Nov. 28, 1847. Jane Lafferty 
died May 8, 1860. Mr. Lafferty was married, Oct. 7, 1861, 
to Mary L. Anderson, who was born Oct. 30, 1840 ; Abbie 
B. Lafferty was born June 15, 1863. Mr. Lafferty has 
lived in Bellville the past two years. He has filled the 
office of Township Trustee, and is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, in which he now holds official posi- 
tions. His first wife was, and his present wife is, a 
member of the same church. 

LANEHART, WILLIAM A., furniture dealer, of 
Bellville ; is one of the most live business men of Bell- 
ville, and a worthy citizen. At present, he is exten- 
sively engaged in manufacturing furniture of nearly 
every class, and constantly Jias his large storeroom 
packed in both stories. Mr. Lanehart was born in 
Prussia, near the Rhine. He commenced to work at 
cabinet work when 15 years old as an apprentice. His 
employer died when he had been at the trade two years. 
This placed him upon his own responsibilities to find 
work, and he labored in the principal cities of Germany 
— Frankfort, Hamburg, Cologne and other places. In 
the fill of 1847, he left the old country and came 
direct to Mansfield. Failing to find a situation there, 
he came to Bellville, and succeeded in getting work 
with H. Cowen. He remained with him three months, 
and then formed a partnership with J. Philips. This 
arrangement continued one and a half years, at the end 
of which time Mr. Lanehart commenced to manage a 
business for himself. In 1865, he discontinued the fur- 
niture business on account of ill health, and the next 
year moved on a farm about one mile east of Bellville. 
He remained on this farm about six years, and then 
purchased another, a part of Sec. 13, on which he 
lived five years. In 1876, he again opened a furniture 
store in Bellville, and, in 1877, built his fine store- 
room. After Mr. Lanehart arrived in this part of the 
country, he became greatly discouraged, and would 






^- 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



807 



have returned to Europe had money been at his com- 
mand to do 30. Mr. Lanehart has held the ofiBce of 
Township Trustee, and is now Treasurer. William 
Lanehart was born Feb. 19, 1824, and was married to 
Margaret Eggleman Nov. 14, 1850. 

LEEDY, JOHN (deceased). The progenitor of the 
Leedy family now in the United States came from 
Switzerland, and settled in Maryland; his name was 
Abraham Leedy, and there were five children in his 
family ; one son, named Abraham, after his parent, is 
the father of the Leedys residing in Ohio. John, the 
subject of our sketch, was born in Maryland Sept. 10, 
1779, and, when a few years old, his father moved to 
Bedford Co., Penn., and settled in Morrison's Cove; he 
was brought up a farmer, but early learned the art of 
distilling. On March 4, 1806, he was married to Eliz- 
abeth Keith, who was born near CoflFee Run, Penn., 
and she was then 17 years old; her father's name was 
Lewis Keith, and her mother's Mary Saltsman. In 
1810, Mr. Leedy visited Richland Co., and, in 1811, 
moved, landing upon Sec. 35 .June 6 ; his wagon was 
used as a residence until a log cabin was erected ; in 
1812, he set up a still and commenced the manufacture 
of spirits, which was the first one put in operation in 
the county. The excitement caused by the Zimmer 
tragedy prompted him to leave his habitation in 1812, 
and he removed to the block-house at Fredericktown, 
where he remained about nine days. The forest was rap- 
idly cleared away around his dwelling, and the ground 
devoted to agriculture ; the still, which he operated in 
connection, proved a valuable auxiliary, as the grain 
could be converted into liquor, which met with a ready 
sale to the Indians ; he remained upon the farm until 
1836, when he left it and opened a hotel in Bellville, 
occupying the building in which the Exchange Bank is 
quartered ; here he remained about six years, and then 
returned to his farm, and died Sept. 6, 1851. He 
owned 640 acres of land; was one of the first Trustees 
of Jefferson when it embraced three townships; bold 
and resolute, knowing no fear, and, in his years of age, 
weighed 360 pounds. His children are Lewis, Catha- 
rine, Susan, Mary, Abraham, Samuel, Margaret, Rosan, 
John, Sarah and David ; they all grew up and were 
married, except David, who died young ; the daugh- 
ters all moved West after mai-riage, with the exception 
of Catharine, who married Samuel Garber, and died in 
Jefferson Township. Mother Leedy died in Indiana at 
the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Spayd, and was 
interred with the remains of her husband near Ank- 
neytown, Ohio. 

LEEDY, LEWIS K., resides on and owns a part of 
Sec. 35 ; he was born in Bedford Co., Penn., March 12, 
1807; he came with his parents to Jefferson Township 
in 1811, and has made it his place of residence ever 
since ; he participated in the toils and hardships inci* 
dent to a pioneer life, and also enjoyed its pleasures ; 
when he arrived at the age of manhood, he commenced 
to teach music, using the system known as the '• Buck- 
wheat Notes;" he was pre-eminently the pioneer music 
teacher of the southern part of the county. He has 
held the office of Township Trustee several times, has 
been an active member on the Board of Education of 
the township, and a useful man generally. Mr. Leedy 
was married, Aug. 13, 1829. to Hannah Myers; chil- 



dren — Jacob M., born May 9,1830; Catharine Ann, 
Jan. 17, 1834; Samantha, Nov. 5, 1840; Sarah, Dec. 
30, 1842; Simon, .Jan. 26, 1845; Alonzo,Jan. 3, 1847; 
two children not here mentioned died in infancy; Han- 
nah Leedy died June 6, 1849 ; Mr. Leedy was married 
to Delilah Simmons April 24, 1852, and three children 
were born unto them, two of whom are deceased ; 
Delia was born Aug. 7, 1853; Delilah died Feb. 8, 
1879. 

LEEDY, DANIEL (deceased) ; was born in Bedford 
Co., Penn., Aug. 18, 1794. He was married to Susan- 
nah Holsinger April 13, 1817; she was born April 18, 
1798. He emigrated to Richland Co. and settled on 
Sec. 26, Sept. 27, 1824, where he spent the remainder 
of his days. To his first wife five children were born 
— Abraham, born March 1, 1818; Catharine, Dec. 12, 
1819; John, Nov. .30, 1821; Daniel, Aug. 28, 1823 ; 
Susan, Dec. 19, 1825 ; Susannah Leedy died Dec. 21, 
1825, and Mr. Leedy married Saloma Brown March 26, 
1826 ; she was born Oct. 16, 1807 ; her children are 
Isaac, born Dec. 20, 1826; Elizabeth, .Jan. 17,1828; 
Ann, July 2, 1829; Jacob, Aptil 13, 1831 ; Elias, June 
15, 1833; Martin, Nov. 17, 1834; Sarah, Dec. 15, 
1836; Aaron, Oct. 18, 1840: Savilla, Nov. 17, 1842; 
Levi, Sept. 26, 1845; Abraham, John, Jacob, Elias, 
Martin and Savilla are dead ; Isaac, Jacob, Martin and 
Levi were in the late war ; Martin was killed in the 
battle of Shiloh, by a fragment of a shell, April 7, 
1862; Jacob died of disease at Fortress Monroe; Dan- 
iel, Jr., was in the Mexican war. Father Leedy died 
Jan. 16, 1873, and his wife, Saloma, April 7, 1866. 

LEEDY, AARON B., farmer; is a son of Daniel 
Leedy, one of the first settlers of the southern part 'of 
Jefferson Township ; he was born Oct. 18, 1840, and 
brought up on the farm where he now lives. On the 
breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted 
and went to the front with the 102d 0. Y. I., and 
served to the close of the war ; he left home Aug. 11, 
1862, for the battlefield. At the close of the war, he 
returned, and, on March 24, 1867, was married to 
Mary Oldfield, daughter of Richard Oldfield, born the 
23d day of May, 1844 ; they moved on the farm of his 
father ; their children are as follows : Ann Delia, 
born Sept. 18, 1809, and died ten days after ; Elma, 
born Sept. 27, 1871 ; Silas, Oct. 12, 1873; Lieutellas, 
Dec. 23, 1875; Melvin, June 19, 1878. Mr. Leedy as 
yet is noi identified with any religious order or secret 
society ; his companion is a member of the Universal- 
ist Church, having united several years past. 

LEEDY, LEVI B., farmer, is the youngest son of 
Daniel Leedy, and was brought up on his father's farm, 
of which he now owns a part. On the opening of the 
rebellion, he enlisted in the three-years service, and 
went to the front with the lothO. V. C; he belonged 
to the Army of the Potomac, and remained in the serv- 
ice until the close of the war, when he returned to his 
native place, and turned his attention to agriculture. 
He was born Sept. 26, 1845, and was married to Nauty 
Kanaga, daughter of John Kanaga, Nov. 23, 1871 ; chil- 
dren — Perly Ann was born Sept. 13, 1872; Sarah 
Blanch, Dec. 25, 1873 ; Lennia Franklin, Sept. 5, 
1875 ; Bertha Florence, Aug. 7, 1877, aud one May 23, 
1879, not named. Mr. Leedy and wife are living mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Association, she having joined 



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808 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



early in life : in about the year 1866, he became a 
member of the society, and since then has taken a deep 
interest in religious affairs, and has been a devoted 
worker in the Sabbath-school cause. 

LEEDY, AARON A., farmer; resides in the south- 
ern part of the township, near the south line ; besides 
his avocation as a farmer, in former days he gave some 
attention to teaching music, and for years has been at 
times engaged in operating a saw-mill ; in early life, 
he learned the carpenter trade and worked at it sev- 
eral years ; he has been very successful in life, and 
now owns an excellent farm with the best of improve- 
ments; in 1873-74, he built a residence, which is the 
most complete and costly in the township. Mr. Leedy 
is the youngest of Abraham Leedy' s family, and was 
born April 21, ]8o2, and reared near Ankneytown, 
Ohio ; his wife, Elizabeth Garber, was born June 10, 
1838, and they were married the loth of March, 1856. 
Their children in order are as follows : Byron G. was 
born March 1. 1857 ; Elmina, June '28, 1859, and died 
Feb. 22, 1866 ; Eugene,«born Feb. 16, 1861 ; Clement 
L. v., July 5, 1863 ; Albert Odell, Feb. 7, 1867 ; Bertha 
Estelle, March 30, 1871 ; Albert Tennyson, .Tune 2, 
1873; Herbert, Aug. 5, 1875; Maud, Dec. 28, 1877. 
In the spring of 1857, they moved into Knox Co., where 
they remained until 1860, when they returned to this 
township; they united with the Universalist Church 
at Bellville, under the pastorship of the Rev. W. B. 
Woodberry, in the fall of 1866, and have continued 
faithful members of this society ; Mr. Leedy was the 
first Master and a charter member of Jefferson Grange, 
No. 251 ; has been prominent in encouraging societies 
for the intellectual improvement of the young ; at times 
has held township offices ; Mr. L. is also Treasurer of 
the Patrons' Insurance Company. 

LEEDY, BYRON G., was born March 1, 1857, in 
Knox Co., and was brought up a farmer. On Sept. 2, 
1878, he was united in matrimony to Flora Young, 
daughter of D. L. Young ; she was born July 28, 1857 ; 
Rev. Woodberry performed the marriage ceremony ; 
they have one child — Harry Leedy, who was born Nov. 
15, 1879. Mr. Leedy and companion are both mem- 
bers of the Jefferson Grange, in which they have held 
official positions. They are also members of the Uni- 
versalist Church. After marriage, Mr. Leedy moved 
on his father-in-law's place, on which they lived till 
April, 1880, when he moved on the northeast quarter 
of Sec. 23, Perry Township. 

LETT, JACOB, farmer; a son of Jacob Left, an early 
settler of the southern part of Jefferson Township, 
where he entered a part of Sec. 33 Sept. 20, 1824, on 
which he lived until his death. He was married to 
Catharine Linsey, and their children in order are Joanah, 
Jackson, Caroline, Alexander,' Tilitha, David, Ruthanna, 
Jacob and Mary Ellen. The subject of this sketch was 
born April 13, 1838; he gi-ew up on his father's farm, 
and worked at the blacksmith trade two years in Pal- 
myra, Knox Co., 1857 and 1858 ; in the winter of 1862, 
he lived in AVilliams Co., Ohio. He was married, Jan. 
21, 1866, to Lydia Garver; their children are Nancy 
EUeynette, born Sept. 28, 1867; Wilson Monroe, March 
25, 1869; Louis Harry, May 17, 1871. Mr. Lett's 
father was a soldier in the war of 1812. 



LEWIS, J. BRYANT, M. D., physician and surgeon ; 
he came to Bellville April 13, 1875, and commenced 
the practice of medicine, and by close attention to 
business and continual research for medical knowledge, 
he has informed himself to his calling and commenced 
a useful life in his sphere ; successful from the com- 
mencement, his practice is increasing, and in connec- 
tion he teaches the principles of the healing art to 
others ; his first labor in this channel commenced in 
the fall of 1879, when several young men took up med- 
ical studies under him. Mr. Lewis was born Sept. 13, 
1851, in Knox Co., Ohio, and was brought up on a 
farm ; at the age of 17, he commenced to attend school 
with the object of preparing himself for the medical 
profession; in 1871, he began to read under Dr. Hall, 
of Fredericktown, Ohio, and, in the fall of 1872, en- 
tered the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College, 
where he graduated the 17th of February, 1875. He 
was married to Edith Brown Oct. 25, 1876. Mr. Lewis 
united with the Masonic Lodge of Bellville in the year 
1876. 

LONG, ABRAHAM, farmer ; his father, John Long, 
was born in Maryland, near Hagerstown, Jan. 8, 1780, 
and was married to Susan Leedy, in Bedford Co., Penn., 
in 1802. He came to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Knox 
Co. near Ankneytown, where he spent his life. He 
was the father of twenty-one children, ten boys and 
eleven girls, three of whom died when young. Abra- 
ham was born in Bedford Co., Penn., June 9, 1805, and 
came with his parents to Knox Co., and grew up at the 
ax-handle and the grubbing hoe. He was married 
June 14, 1827, to Elizabeth Jamison, who was born Oct. 
23, 1807 ; she had one son named William, born Sept. 
8, 1828, and died May 23, 1830 ; she died Sept. 2H, 
1828. On Nov. 3, 1831, he was married to Catharine 
Teeter, who was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Aug. 9, 
1813 ; they lived in Knox Co. till 1839, when he moved 
on the southeast quarter of Sec. 36, Jefferson Township, 
which has since been his home. Children — Elizabeth, 
born Sept. 19, 1832; Jacob, March 9, 1834; Margaret, 
Jan. 23, 1836; Malinda, March 7. 1838; George W., 
Nov. 28, 1839; Jackson, June 9, 1842; Nancy, Dec. 2, 
1844 ; Edward, April 22, 1847 ; John, July 1, 1849 ; 
Leah C, May 14, 1852. Elizabeth died Dec. 8, 1834 ; 
Nancy, June 18, 1849 ; Margaret, in July, 1875, Jacob 
was first married to Mahala Hammond ; and his second 
wife was Mary Mishey. Margaret married Isaac Shan- 
abarger ; Malinda, Jacob Stickler ; George, Mary Hal- 
ferdy ; Jackson, Sarah Hissong; Edward, Mary Mc- 
Clelland ; John, Mary Fisher; Leah, John Swank. 
Mr. Long and wife have been worthy members of the 
Church of Christian Brethren many years, and are most 
estimable citizens. 

LONG, SAMUEL, deceased ; was a son of George 
Long and Barbara Booth. He was married to Eliza 
McKinney ; her maiden name was Bowersox, being a 
daughter of Jacob Bowersox and Nancy Johnston, and 
was born in Adams Co., Penn., April 22, 1815. Five 
children were born to them : Thomas, born March 14, 
1851 ; Lovina, May 21, 1852; James, Sept. 27, 1853 ; 
Mary Catharine, Dec. 24, 1856 ; Sarah Ann, Nov. 17, 
1859. Thomas was married to Emma Shaffer, in April, 
1872, who was born Feb. 10, 1852 ; she had one child, 
Orion, born Aug. 1, 1874, and died Aug. 9, 1875. 



ai - 



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\^ 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



809 



James was married to Mary Pheil, Oct. 25, 1874 ; she 
was born Jan. 5, 1856. Children — Honorah was born 
Jan. 21, 1875; Bertha Bell, Nov. 11, 1877. Thomas 
and James Long reside on a part of Sees. 19 and 20, and 
follow farming and thrashing, the latter pursuit they 
commenced in 1878. 

LONG, DAVID, deceased. His father, George Long, 
resided within thirty miles of Baltimore, Md., where 
the subj ect of this sketch was probably born ; he was one 
of a family of six children, named, respectively, Samuel, 
Lydia, Hannah, David, Matilda and Sarah. Soon after 
coming to .Jefferson Township, he was married to Cath- 
rine Sowers, who was born in Richland Co.; she be- 
came the mother of eight children — Ezra, William H., 
Samuel, John W., Sarah, Jane, Jeremiah and Anna 
Mary. He was married last to Fanny EUer, and to 
them were born the following children : Joseph, born 
Aug. 17, 1853; Jacob, Sept. 27, 1854; Lorenzo, July 
3, 1856 : Matilda, May 19, 1858; Ellen, Feb. 12, 1861. 
Mr. Long died Aug. 15, 1862, aged 48 years 6 months 
and 27 days ; his first wife died Aug. 2, 1848, aged 28 
years 9 months and 8 days ; his last wife died about 
six years after he died. Mr. Long's records are lost, 
and the births of his first children are not all on 
record. He followed farming as his main occupation 
in life. 

McMAHON, WILLIAM T., physician ; was born in 
Knox Co. Sept. 19, 182.3, and was brought up on a 
farm ; at the age of 18 years, he commenced to go to 
school at Gambler ; when 20, he commenced the study 
of medicine with Dr. Landecker ; after remaining with 
him three years, he commenced practice, having his 
residence in Ankneytown, Knox Co.; this was in 1846 ; 
the next j'ear, he located at Millwood, where he re- 
mained thirty years ; in 1875-76, he took a course of 
lectures in the Ohio Medical College, of Columbus, and 
came to Bellville in 1876 ; he practices the eclectic 
system. Mr. McMahon is a member of the Univer- 
salist Church, the Sons of Temperance and Odd Fellows. 
His parents came from Maryland to Knox Co., about 
1814. He nas married, Oct. 22, 1845, to Mary E. 
Welker. 

McDonald, JOSEPH Z., was born in Berlin Town- 
ship, Knox Co., Oct. 4, 1848, and is a son of Joseph 
and Mary (Zink) McDonald; he was brought up a 
farmer, and has always followed it. He was married 
to Ruth S. Bowman, who was born in Chesterville, 
Ohio, April 16, 1841 ; their first child died in infancy ; 
Morris B. was born July 7, 1872, and died Feb. 19, 
1874 ; Vei'da A. was born Dec. 7, 1874. They are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McDonald 
went in the war with the 121st 0. V. I., and was in the 
battles of Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Perryville, 
Ky., in others, and in the march to Atlanta. Mrs. 
Bowman's father, Jacob Bowman, was born in Stark 
Co., Ohio, .Jan. 16, 181.3, and, at the age of 4 years, 
moved with his father to Mansfield; he followed car- 
pentering till 1861, when he went to farming. He was 
mai'ried, Feb. 27, 1840, to Amanda M. Woodward, who 
was born in New York City Dec. 2, 1818, and came to 
Richland Co. in 1820; they commenced housekeeping 
in Chesterville; they moved to Bellville in 1876; chil- 
dren — Ruth S.; Elizabeth, born Dec. 14, 1843; Horace 



W., born July 1, 1846; Elizabeth died at the age of 9 
months, and Horace at the age of 10 months. 

MEASEL, PETER, nurseryman ; is located upon the 
declivity, a few steps north of Bellville, where he has 
resided since 1860, and given his attention to growing 
nursery stock ; he makes no pretensions of excellency 
in his avocation, but it is a well-known truth that the 
trees he sells are most hardy, and always bear the fruit 
called for on the label. Nicholas Measel, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Frederick Co,, 
Md., and was married to Mary Ann Hoover ; to them 
nine children were born, namely: Elizabeth, Jacob, 
Lyda, Margaret, Peter, Joshua, John, Mary and Susan. 
The second, fourth, seventh and ninth are dead. Peter 
Measel was born in Frederick Co., Md., May 27, 1820; 
at the age of 13 years, he moved with his parents to 
Wayne Co., Ohio, where he remained until 1833 ; in 
December of this year, he removed to Richland Co.; 
in 1846, he commenced coopering, at which he worked 
till 1857, living in Worthington Township ■ in the 
spring of 1857, he turned his attention to the care of a 
nursery, and has continued at it since. He entered the 
connubial relation with Ann Long June 4, 1843; she 
was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1825 or 1826. 
Mr. Measel and wife are members of the Disciple 
Church. 

MASTERS, MARGARET, MRS., daughter of Henry 
Swank, was born in Jefferson Township Feb. 28, 1818; 
in early life she received such an education as the sub- i 
scription and district schools of that time afforded, and I 
remained at home with her parents until her marriage ' 
with Mr. Masters, which occurred March 5, 1839 ; they | 
commenced life in Palmyra, in Knox Co., Ohio, where 
they resided about two years, and then moved to Mount 
Vernon, where they lived about seven years ; then they 
came to Bellville, and shortly after their arrival Mr. 
Masters went to California, where he remained until 
his death, Feb. 6, 1879. Mrs. Masters remained in 
Bellville until the year 1869, when she went to Califor* 
nia to her husband, but, in consequence of her health, 
she returned to Bellville the following year, and took 
care of her father until his death. They had a family 
of five children, one of whom has deceased ; the sur- 
viving ones are all married, and live in California. 

MONTIS, GEORGE, was born in York Co., Penn., 
April 5, 1823 ; he came to Jefferson Township in 1823 ; 
his father's name was Jacob Montis, who was mai'ried 
to Nancy Steel; the subject of this sketch was brought 
up on a farm, which avocation he still pursues. He 
was married, Dec. 5, 1844, to Rosan McGarvey, a 
daughter of Patrick McGarvey and Elizabeth Buter- 
baugh, and she was born .Jan. 10, 1818; children—^ 
Sylvester A., born Jan. 3, 1847 ; John William, Jan, 
22, 1849; Mary Elizabeth, June 22, 18-52; Martha 
Jane, July 28, 1864; the two daughters are deceased ; 
Sylvester married Ellen Drew, a daughter of Joseph 
Drew, and, in 1868, moved to Iowa, where he now, 
resides. 

MOODY, ISRAEL K., dealer in boots and shoes ; he 
was born in Jefferson Township and lived in Bellville 
the greater part of his life ; his grandfather, John 
Moody, came to Bellville in a vei-y early day, and was 
one of the best citizens that ever lived in Jefferson 



>^\(a- 



fe* 



810 



BIOGRAPHICAL SIvETCHES: 



Township, and was a minister in the Church of Disci- 
ples. The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 15, 
1846, and was a son of Miller Moody. In 1861, he 
enlisted and went to the front with the 59th N. Y. V. I., 
and remained in the service three years ; in 1864, he 
re-enlisted and went in the 178th 0. V. I., and served 
to the end of the war. He went to St. Joe, Mo., in 
September, 1865, and secured a position as a clerk in 
a wholesale and retail clothing establishment ; from 
there he went to Allegheny City, Penn., in 1867, and 
learned telegraphy, and followed it at the outer depot 
till 1870, when he moved to Gallitzin, a place in the 
State, where he ran trains through the tunnel at that 
place by telegraph; he went to Terre Haute, Ind., in 
April, 1872, and surveyed the Middleberry Division of 
the C. & T. H. R. R. ; he was called home in March, 
1873, by the death of his mother, and remained, en- 
gaging in the livery business, till October, 1874 ; he 
opened a shoe store in Bellville in March, 1875, and 
did an extensive business till April, 1880, when he 
moved to Upper Sandusky and became its leading busi- 
ness man in this line of trade. Mr. Moody has main- 
tained a reputation for honesty and veracity throughout 
his business career. He was the leading spirit of the 
Bellville Cornet Band during his stay in the village. 
He was married to Miss Regina H. Christy. 

NIMAN, JAMES. He was born in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., and was brought up near Harrisburg, Penn.; 
he remained there till the spring of 1837, when he 
came to Ohio ; he learned the carpenter trade in the 
East ; at the age of 28 years, he was called to the min- 
istry in the United Brethren Church ; when 80 years 
old, he was ordained, and traveled in Maryland and 
Virginia until he left for Ohio ; he filled the position 
of a local preacher for a number of years since residing 
in Jeflerson Township. He settled on a part of Sec. 
17; commenced in the woods, and cleared the farm on 
which he now resides ; he improved his farm, building 
a house in 1853 and a barn in 1852. Mr. Niman was 
born March 7, 1801. His companion, Catherine Shive- 
ly, was born May 20, 1809 ; they were married Sept. 
29, 1833, and had four children — Mary Ann, born 
June 12, 1836; George S., June 7, 1838; Leander J., 
March 5, 1841 ; Sarah C, July 7, 1846 ; deaths- 
Mary died Oct. 12, 1854; George, Aug. 4, 1870, and 
the mother, Aug. 27, 1875. His son Leander was in 
the war of the rebellion ; he went to the army first in 
the three-months service, then with the 102d 0. V. I. 
Leander was married to Sarah C. Rhodes, daughter of 
Samuel Rhodes, Nov. 26, 1868; she was born March 
27, 1848; their children are Cora Vida, born Feb. 18, 
1873. and Ellsworth, July 2, 1878. Father Niman died 
May 7, 1880. 

OLDFIELD, JONATHAN (deceased) ; he was one 
of the first white settlers of Jefferson Township ; he 
camewith James McClure, in 1808, and assisted in 
building the first cabin in the township. He was born 
in Washington Co., N. Y., June 7, 1788, and emigrated 
with his parents to Ross Co., Ohio, in 1803 ; the fam- 
ily, a few years later, moved to Pickaway Co. He was 
married to Elizabeth McClure Feb. 11, 1812, by 
Esquire Coffinbury, which was the first marriage in 
the county with its present boundaries. Births : Mary, 
born Sept. 5, 1814 ; James, July 6, 1816 ; Hugh, Sept. 



26, 1818; Rebecca, Oct. 8, 1820; William, Aug. 8, 
1822. Mother Oldfield died Aug. 4, 1824, and Mr. 
Oldfield married'Nancy Fiddler Oct. 14, 1824. Births: 
Nathan, born March 11, 1827; Noah, Jan. 2, 1829 ; 
John, June 15, 1830; Mary Jane, March 5, 1832 ; Ab- 
ner, Dec. 5, 1834. His father, William Oldfield, was 
born in 1750. 

OLDFIELD, RICHARD (deceased) ; born in Orange 
Co., N. Y., May 14, 1801 ; came with his parents in 
1803, and first to Richland Co., in 1812, and helped to 
pull corn to feed the Greentown Indians. His wife, 
Elmina Phelps, was born in Grafton Co., N. H., and 
came to Richland Co. Aug. 7, 1815 ; they were married 
Dec. 21, 1824, and, in three days after, moved on a 
farm two and one-half miles southeast of Bellville, 
where he lived until his death, Nov. 11, 1872. When 
they moved, they carried all their goods in their arms 
and drove the cow ; their children are David P., born 
Sept. 23, 1825 ; Anna, Jan. 25, 1827 ; Matilda, Sept. 
24, 1828 ; James F., June 4, 1830 ; Reuben, June 27, 
1832; Cordelia, April 17, 1834; Lovina, March 5, 
1836, died May 2, 1830 ; Elizabeth, July 26, 1837 ; 
Martha, April 26, 1839; AVilliam, June 21, 1841; 
Mary and Silas, May 23, 1844. William died in the 
service at Rome, Ga.; Silas was also in the service. 

OLDFIELD, ABNER, farmer ; owns the northwest 
quarter of Sec. 22 ; he was born in Jefferson Town- 
ship, and was brought up on a farm. In 1857, he fol- 
lowed threshing, in connection with farming, \^^hich he 
followed about six years. After marriage, he lived a 
few years in Jefferson Township, and then went to 
Morrow Co.; he remained about two years, and then 
returned to Jeiferson ; he moved on the place he now 
owns in 1874. Mr. Oldfield was born Dec. 5, 1834. 
Ann Tinkey was born Nov. 17, 1831. They were mar- 
ried Aug. 28, 1855. Births : Mary Elizabeth, born 
June 16, 1856; George, Sept. 24, 1860; Susie V., Oct. 
23, 1869. George died July 31, 1879. He united 
with the Presbyterian Church about eight months 
before he was called away ; he was an industrious and 
dutiful son, and exemplary in character. Mr. Oldfield 
has taken an active part in Christian works, and has 
superintended Sabbath schools many terms. He 
united with the church before marriage, and his wife 
did also. Mr. Oldfield is a charter member of the 
.Jeiferson Grange. 

RIDDLE, MARGARET, MRS., daughter of Abram 
and Ann Grosser ; Mr. and Mrs. Grosser were natives 
of Frederick Co., Md., and emigrated to Bellville in 
October, 1827, and occupied a cabin that stood on the 
lot now occupied by the residence of John Zent ; they 
had a family of three children — Henry, Margaret and 
Zillman ; they occupied the cabin home for about one 
year, when they bought a lot and built a more comfort- 
able abode ; ^Ir. Grosser was a carpenter by trade, 
and, while engaged in getting out timber for a res- 
idence for Dr. Beach, he was struck by a limb of a 
falling tree and instantly killed, Dec. 24, 1830. Marga- 
ret was born April 18, 1827, and was married to James 
Riddle April 21, 1861 ; Mr. Riddle was among the 
first to respond to the call for volunteers to suppress 
the rebellion, and enlisted in Co. I, 16th 0. V. I., in the 
three-months service, and was commissioned 2d Lieuten- 
ant ; when his term of service expired, he returned 






^f^ 



\ 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



811 



home, but his patriotic spirit would not allow him to 
long remain ; he enlisted in the three-years service on 
the 7th of August, 1862, in Co. E, 102d 0. V. I., and 
was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of his company, and 
served in that capacity until his death, Sept. 27, 1863 ; 
he was killed by falling from a train that was ti-ans- 
porting troops from Nashville to Murfreesboro, and is 
interred in the National Cemetery at Murfreesboro. 
Mrs. Riddle resides with her mother, who is in her 
77th year. Henry Grosser is engaged in the grocery 
business in Bellville. Her brother, Ziilman Grosser, died 
during the Mexican war, at Puebla, Sept. 3, 1847 ; he 
was a member of Capt. Weaver's company, 16th 0. V. 
I., commanded by Col. Sutton. 

ROBINSON, .JOHN, deceased ; was born Feb. 1, 1782, 
in Ireland, and came across the ocean with his parents 
when 5 years ©f age, and they settled in Westmoreland 
Co., Penn. He was married in this county, to Marga- 
ret Nelson, who was also born in Ireland. In 1809, 
the family removed to Mercer Co., Ohio, and in the 
fall of 1815, to the southwest quarter of Sec. 11, Jeffer- 
son Township ; he entered three quarter-sections for 
himself and brothers. The following children were 
born to his first wife : James, John, Alexander, Will- 
iam, Thomas, Nancy, Ester, Margaret and Hamilton ; 
of whom James, Thomas, Nancy, Ester and Margaret 
are dead. He was married to Jane Stewart after the 
death of his first wife, and four children were born to 
her — Susannah, Ellen, Samuel and Sarah ; the first 
and third are dead. Father Robinson was " the bear- 
hunter" of his day and locality. 

ROBINSON, AVILLIAM, farmer, son of John Robin- 
son, was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Oct. 7, 1807. 
He was married, Dec. 17, 1835, to Mariah LaiFerty, a 
daughter of John LafFerty. She was born in Harrison 
Co., Ohio, May 13, 1817. They resided with his fether 
one year after marriage, then three years on a part of 
Sec. 10, after which they moved on the southeast quar- 
ter of Sec. 22, where they yet reside. Mr. Robinson 
and wife are members of the United Presbyterian 
Church. They have one child, Calvin, who was born 
Jan. 25, 1837. He united in matrimony with Elizabeth 
Leedy, Samuel Leedy's daughter, Jan. 19, 1865. She 
was born in Jefferson Township, Aug. 7, 1845. He 
commenced to keep house near where he now resides, 
which is one and a half miles south of Bellville. He 
was a soldier in the 100-day service, and held the office 
of corporal. He has been Township Trustee two terms. 
Their children are William, born Jan. 3, 1866; Mar- 
garet, Oct. 20, 1867; Mary, Aug. 7, 1869; John, July 
8, 1872; Frederick, Nov. 24, 1879. 

RUMMEL, DAVID J., was born in Frederick Co., 
Md., Aug. 19, 1817; he and two of his brothers set- 
tled in Seneca Co., Ohio, near Tiffin, and engaged in 
clearing land ; some time afterward, he commenced 
milling as an apprentice, and worked at it a few years 
in Seneca, and awhile in Crawford Co. On Sept. 8, 
1840, he entered into matrimonial relations with Mary 
Z. Klise, who was also a native of Frederick Co., Md., 
and was born Feb. 5, 1822; Mr. Rummel also engaged 
in millwrighting more or less before marriage, and 
again engaged at it after, doing an extensive business 
in erecting mills in Seneca and Crawford Cos.; the 
miasmatic air of these counties at last began to tell on 



his health, and to seek a more healthy locality, he 
came to Richland Co. and located near Independence 
in 1850; he soon recovered his health, and built mills 
in this and Seneca Cos.; in 1852, he erected a resi- 
dence about a mile east of Independence, and the next 
year built a mill ; in March, 1854, it was ready to run, 
and for more than a decade he did an extensive busi- 
ness in custom work and shipping flour ; about the 
year 1868, the mill property was sold, and since then 
he gave his attention more to agriculture ; during the 
year 1879, he resided in Bellville, and in the fall he 
again purchased the favorite mill. 'Sir. Rummel's 
childi-en are Ann Amanda, born June 12, 1841 ; 
Albert Josiah, Jan. 5, 1843; Orlandus B., Aug. 18, 
1845; Mary Elizabeth, Oct. 24, 1847 ; Luella Z., Feb. 
29, 1864. The parents united with the Universalist 
Church of Bellville, about the year 1851, and since 
then have taken an active interest in the aflFairs of the 
society. 

RUMMEL, 0. B., dealer in hardware, Bellville ; was 
born in Tiffin, Ohio ; he commenced to work in his 
father's flouring-mill while growing up; in 1867, he 
commenced a business course in the Poughkeepsie Col- 
lege, of New York ; the next year, he took the degree 
of Master of Accounts ; he then traveled some time 
looking for a mill, and not finding one that was satis- 
factory, he returned home and engaged in operating 
his father's mill. In September, 1871, he purchased 
the hardware store then operated by A. J. Markey, 
and has continued at this business till the present ; 
Mr. Rummel was born Aug. 18, 1845, and was married 
Nov. 24, 1867, to Mary E. Garber ; their children are 
Nellie E., born Oct. 25, 1868; Zomara, Aug. 2, 1874; 
and a daughter, Sept. 2, 1879. 

SHAFFER, BENJAMIN, carpenter and farmer ; he 
was a son of George Shaffer and Catharine Fissel, and 
was born in Perry Township, Richland Co. ; he was 
brought up on a farm ; at the age of 17, he commenced 
to work at the carpenter trade, which he made his 
exclusive occupation until 1863 ; he then enlisted, and 
went to the Army of the Potomac ; since his return, 
his attention has principally been given to agriculture. 
During his carpentry, he erected upward of sixty 
houses and forty-five barns, besides numerous smaller 
buildings. Mr. Shaffer was born May 2, 1825. He 
was first married, July 2, 1846, to Julia Ann Albaugh, 
who was a daughter of William Albaugh, and was born 
Jan. 4, 1823; children— Franklin, born April 1, 1849; 
Delphine, May 3, 1854; Mrs. Shaffer died in Septem- 
ber, 1854; he then married Sarah Spayd, a daughter 
of Henry Spayd ; Delphine married Francis Borden ; 
Franklin married Frances Tidd, a daughter of George 
Tidd and Margaret Armstrong, and she was born July 
22, 1855; they were married Dec. 10, 1871 ; children 
— Verda, born Feb. 10, 1872 ; Charles, July 9, 1874 ; 
Margaret, April 11, 1876. Mr. Shaffer lives near his 
father's residence, on a part of Sec. 31. 

SHAFFER, BENJAMIN, carpenter and joiner ; he 
commenced to work at carpentering when 14 years old, 
and has given his attention to it almost wholly since ; 
for several years, he has been doing an extensive work 
in the erection of houses and barns, and at times 
employed eight or ten hands ; during the war, he was 
a teamster a short time in the Cumberland Army. Mr. 



*7: 



ijt 



812 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Shaffer was born in Palmyra, Knox Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 
1845, and, on Feb. 12, 1865, he was married to Albina 
Files, who was born Dec. 9, 1844, and was the daugh- 
ter of Nathan Files, who was born July 12, 1796, and, 
in 1835, settled in Ohio ; he was married to Rebecca 
Walker, and had nine children, five sons and four 
daughters; he died in August, 1878; after marriage, 
Mr. Shaffer lived three years in Jefferson Township 
first ; then in Ferry four years, then in Jefferson 
again ; his children are Oscar Elmer, born May 19, 
1866 : Ettie Senora, May 12, 1873 ; Nettie Olive, Sept. 
16, 1876; Wealthy, July 13, 1879. Mr. Shaffer and 
wife are members of the Disciple Church. 

SHAFFER, MARGARET ; she resides on a part of 
Sec. 18; she was a daughter of Samuel Hoke and Eliza- 
beth Weast ; her father died in Pennsylvania, and she 
came to Jefferson Township with her mother in 1880. 
James Shaffer, her husband, was a son of George Shaffer 
and Catharine Fissel. After marriage, they resided 
two years in Perry Township, and then moved on the 
place where Mrs. Shaffer now lives. Mr. Shaffer went 
to the war in the 102d 0. V. I. and never returned ; he 
left home in September, 1862, and, contracting a dis- 
ease, was sent to Louisville, Ky.,and from there to New 
Albany, Ind., where he died ; he was born in March, 
1821. Margaret Hoke was born June 3, 1826. They 
were married Nov. 80, 1843 ; children — a son was born 
Jan. 22, 1845; Louisa, March 17, 1847; Emanuel, Aug. 
18, 1849; Emma, Feb. 10, 1852; a son, Nov. 28, 1853; 
Franklin, Oct. 25, 1854; Mary, July 12, 1857; a son, 
in June, 1859; William, Aug. 12, 1860; James Sher- 
man, April 19, 1863 ; Mary died when about 4 years 
old; Emma, Aug. 9, 1875: the father, Nov. 15, 1862 
Franklin was married, Nov. 11, 1875, to Charlotte 
Hadesah Pheil, daughter of Abraham Pheil, and was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn.; she was born Sept. 12, 
1857 ; she has one child — Arthur Beach S. Emma was 
married to Thomas Long ; Louisa married Jeremiah 
Long May 2, 1865; he was born Oct 15, 1846; their 
child, Florence C, was born Dec. 27, 1866. James 
and Margaret Shaffer were members of the United 
Brethren Church. 

SHAFER, ADAM, house painter; his father, Adam 
Shafer, came to Jefferson Township in 1816, where he 
was born and brought up a farmer, which occupation 
he followed until 1870, when he turned his attention to 
painting. He formed matrimonial relations with Mar- 
garet Miller, daughter of John Miller, and she was 
born in Washington Co., Md., and came to Richland 
Co. in 1834. Mr. Shafer has made his home in Jeffer- 
son Township since marriage, with the exception of six 
months that he resided in Lexington, Ohio; he was 
born April 20, 1828; Mrs. Shafer was born Feb. 28, 
1880; they were married Nov. 7, 1850; children — 
Henrietta was born Jan. 18, 1853 ; Sarah, Feb. 4, 1855 ; 
Candace B., Sept. 28, 1857 ; Calvin D., Nov. 17, 1859 ; 
Carson M., Jan. 21,1862; Horace M., .July 26, 1864. 
Henrietta was married to J. D. Ranson and lives in 
Le Sueur Co., Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

SCHROEDER, DANIEL, farmer, and has worked at 
chair-making and painting ; was born in Frederick- 
town, Knox Co., Ohio, where he grew up to manhood ; 
he commenced making chairs when about 14 years of 



age. He was married, Oct. 7, 1865, to Susan Garber, 
daughter of David Garber ; she was born July 29, 
1845 ; they first lived in Knox Co. one year, then 
moved to Wood Co. and remained there eighteen 
months; returned to Richland and remained two years, 
then in Knox two years, and then moved on his father- 
in-law's farm. Their children are George William, 
born Sept. 23, 1866 ; Charles Clinton, Dec. 20, 1868 ; 
Sarah Ellen Eve, July 25, 1871 ; Alwilda May, July 
25, 1875; Lenie Nevada, Oct. 14, 1878. 

SPATDE, JOHN, farmer; he was born in Richland 
Co. .June 30, 1830, and commenced to work at cooper- 
ing when about 16 years old, and made it his occupa- 
tion for twenty years ; his father, William Spayde, came 
to the county when a boy ; his mother's maiden name 
was Catharine Huston. He was married, Jan. 2, 1851, 
to Catharine Secrist, a daughter of Henry Secrist, and 
she was born in Richland Co. in 1834 ; they commenced 
to keep house in Washington Township, and lived in 
that and Worthington Township till about 1875, when 
he bought a part of Sec. 5, in Jefferson Township. 
He and part of his family are members of the Evan- 
gelical Church. He was in the late war with the 100- 
day men. and was Second Lieutenant. His children 
are William H., born in 1853; Charles L., in 1856; 
John W., in 1858, died in 1860; Sanford L., born in 
1860; Daniel M., in 1863. William married Mary E. 
Rider in 1874; she was born in the county in 1854, 
and has two children. Mr. Spayde's grandparents 
came to this country in 1808. His mother died in 1877, 
aged 67 years, and his father is still living and is in 
his 72d year. 

STEWART. EDWARD ; his father came from Ire- 
land, and mother was born in Pennsylvania ; they came 
to the north part of Richland Co. in 1812 or 1813. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Richland Co., and 
was brought up a farmer. He was married, Jan. 30, 
1868, to Statira McKinley, daughter of Alexander 
McKinley, a farmer of Perry Township. Mr. Stewart 
was boi-n Feb. 1, 1833, and Mrs. Stewart Feb. 21, 1837 ; 
children — Myrta A., born June 8, 1870; Marcellus A., 
May 31, 1871 ; Nora Bell, Sept. 15, 1877. He now 
resides about two miles south of Bellville, devoting his 
attention to agriculture. In 1879, he was elected 
Trustee of Jefferson Township. 

SWANK, HENRY, deceased ; born in Franklin Co., 
Penn., Jan. 18, 1790; he came to Sec. 34, Jeffers n 
Township, in the spring of 1817, and cleared a small 
spot of ground ; the following fall he moved his family ; 
the log cabin which he built had no door, and for some 
time entered it by crawling under the wall on the lower 
part of the hillside ; he shared the destitute surround- 
ings of pioneer life, and worked his way from abject 
poverty to wealth ; he learned the blacksmith trade in 
Pennsylvania, when 22 years of age, and the old stone 
shop in which he took his first lessons, in Loudonville, 
Penn., is yet standing; he moved to Fredericktown 
three years after settling here, and worked at his trade 
three years, then to his farm again. He was married 
to Elizabeth Study March 22, 1814; she was born in 
the county he was; children — John, born Dec. 11, 
1816, now is the father of twenty-two children ; Mar- 
garet, Feb. 28, 1818; Elizabeth, born Feb. 29, 1820, 
died Sept. 4, 1851; Susan, born May 30, 1822— she 



:^ 



l± 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



813 



became blind in the fall of 1866 — she gave us this 
sketch of her father's life, and dates, all from memory, 
without hesitation; Christian, born April 16, 1824, died 
April 29, 1850; Daniel, born Sept. 22, 1826 ; Hannah, 
born Dec. 20, 1828, died Sept. 13, 1858; Mary, born 
Oct. 27, 1830; Henry, Feb. 3, 1833; Jackson, March 
21, 1835 ; Casper, Nov. 8, 1837. The father died April 
11, 1876, and the mother April 17, 1859. He spent his 
iinal days with his daughter in Bellville. 

SWANK, CASPER, farmer. Was born in Franklin 
Co., Penn., June, 1873, and was a son of Christley 
Swank. He was brought up on a farm, and in April, 
1833, came to this county. On April 23, 1840, he 
united in matrimony with Catharine Leedy, daughter 
of Daniel Leedy, who was born Dec. 12, 1819 ; and, 
after living a short time at several places, in 1849, 
moved on the farm in the Leedy settlement, where they 
now reside. He commenced in the woods, and has 
borne the toil and privations .of a pioneer life, together 
with its romance and pleasure, and now numbers among 
those who, by prudence, perseverance and economy, 
have lifted themselves from a position of poverty to a 
comfortable place and surroundings in life. He never 
made a religious profession, although being possessed 
of a fine moral character ; his wife united with the 
German Baptist Church in the 25th year of her age. 
Their children in order are as follows : Daniel was 
born May 15, 1841, and died as a soldier of the rebell- 
ion, at New Albany, Ind., .Jan. 7, 1865. He and his 
brother Elias went out in the 102d 0. V. I., and were 
connected with the Cumberland Army. Elias L. was 
born Dec. 16, 1842; Jacob L., Nov. 30, 1844; John L., 
Oct. 14, 1846; Christian, June 16, 1851. 

SWANK, ELIAS L., owns and resides on a part of 
Sec. 23. He was born in Knox Co., near Ankneytown, 
and brought up on a farm. He commenced to work at 
carpentering when about 19 years of age, which he has 
continued at, during intervals, to the present lime. He 
enlisted Aug. 11, 1862, and went to the front with the 
102d 0. V. I. He was placed on detached duty, and 
assisted, in building a large block-house in one of the 
Southern States ; and was with Sherman in his march 
to the sea. Mr. Swank was in the hospital about two 
weeks during his soldier life. He was discharged July 
7, 1865. Daniel Swank, a brother of the subject of this 
sketch, enlisted at the same time, and filled the office 
of corporal, in Co. E, 102d 0. V. I. He was seized 
with flux at Decatur, Ala., and after being moved five 
or six times, he was placed in the hospital at New 
Albany, Ind., where he died. After returning, Mr. 
Swank gave his attention to carpentering for some time. 
After marriage, he lived at various places in this town- 
ship, till 1869, when he purchased the farm on which 
he now lives. He was born Dec. 16. 1842. His wife, 
Lovina Lett, was'born May 29, 1839 ; children — Catha- 
rine L. was born Sept. 28, 1867; Lyman, Oct. 12, 
1868; Romilda, Feb. 28, 1870; Wilbert, Oct. 24, 1871; 
Elizabeth, July 8, 1873; Mary Ann, April 14, 1875. 

SWANK, JACOB, farmer ; was born near Ankney- 
town, Nov. 26, 1844. He was married to Mary Yar- 
ger, Oct. 20, 1872; she was born July 31, 1853; chil- 
dren—Harry M., born Dec. 3, 1873 ; Viola E., July 
28, 1875 ; Jessy Bloom, May 2, 1878. In 1867, Mr. 
Swank bought a partial interest in a threshing-machine. 



which he retained three years ; he then went to buying 
butter and eggs ; he continued this two years, and then 
began farming. 

SWANK, JOHN L. Was born in Knox Co., near 
Ankneytown, and was brought up on a farm ; when he 
was yet a young man, he was accidentally shot with a 
pistol, in the hands of William Brown ; the ball en- 
tered his right hip, and came out on the inside of the 
leg ; the ball took a downward course ; Mr. Swank fol- 
lowed threshing a number of years in the employ of 
others, which he commenced when about 20 years of 
age ; in the winter of 1868-69, he taught school ; he 
also taught a term after that ; after marriage, he lived 
on rented farms, until April, 1877, when he moved in 
a house that he erected on a lot he bought in the Leedy 
settlement ; he bought an interest in a saw-mill in Feb- 
ruary, 1877, which is located near his residence. Mr. 
Swank was born Oct. 14, 1846 ; Leah C. Long was born 
May 14, 1852; she is Abraham and Catharine Long's 
daughter; they were married Dec. 31, 1871. Children — 
Edward N., was born Nov. 8, 1872 ; Charlie, Dec. 8, 
1873 ; Sylvia C, Jan. 5, 1875 ; Samuel J. T., June 23, 
1876; Myrta L., Jan. 22, 1878; Alonzo L., Aug. 31, 
1879 ; Charlie died Nov. 27, 1875. 

SWANK, CHRISTIAN L., was born and brought up 
on a farm, and has given his attention to farming most 
of the time since. After marriage, he lived with his 
father one year, then in a house belonging to Mrs. Old- 
field, and, in 1872, he commenced to farm for L. K. 
Leedy ; he lived with him two years, and then pur- 
chased twenty acres of Sec. 23 ; after farming this two 
years, he sold out and bought a few acres of A. B. 
Leedy; after remaining on it a short time, he sold, 
and since then has been renting farms. C. L. Swank 
was born Jan. 17, 1849. Adaline Stealts, his wife, is 
the oldest of Phillip Stealts' daughters, and w.as born 
Nov. 7, 1851; they were married Jan. 22, 1870 ; chil- 
dren — Mariah, born June 24, 1870 ; Elmer, Nov. 26, 
1872 ; Verda, Sept. 29, 1873. 

SWANK, CHRISTIAN GABRIEL, a son of Henry 
Swank ; he was born in Franklin Co., Penn., and 
came with his parents to Jeff'erson Township in 1868, 
where he has to this time lived ; he was born April 19, 
1851, and married Rebecca Hartman, a daughter of 
Daniel Hartman, Feb. 1, 1876 ; children — Leutenny- 
son, born Sept, 3, 1876, and Tency, Aug. 27, 1878. 

SWONGER, GEORGE (deceased) ; was born in Frank- 
lin Co., Penn., July 15, 1808. He came to Richland 
Co. with his parents in 1841, and located in that part 
of Richland that now constitutes a part of Morrow Co., 
where he resided eleven years, and then removed to 
Belleville, where he resided until his death, which 
occurred Jan. 10, 1860. Mr. Swonger was married 
twice ; his first wife died June 8, 1848. He married 
for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Claudy ; they had a 
family of three children, one of whom is deceased. 
After Mr. Swonger's death, the family moved into the 
building they now occupy, and engaged in keeping 
grocery and boarders ; they continued in this business 
about one year, when they closed out the grocery and 
engaged in the hotel business, in which they still con- 
tinue with favorable success, with Thomas A. Swonger 
as proprietor. 



I ^ 



^ 



814 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



TARRES, WILLIAM, farmer; owns the southwest 
quarter of Sec. 11. He was born in Scotland Jan. 14, 
1812. When he was G years old, his parents emigrated 
to this country, and made Washington Co., Penn., their 
place of residence. In 1 826, they moved to Richland 
Co. and purchased a homestead within three miles of 
Mansfield ; there, the subject of our sketch grew up 
and was married, which took place on the 1 1th of Octo- 
ber, 1836. His companion, Jane D. Smith, is a daugh- 
ter of John Smith, and her mother's maiden name was 
Rebecca McAllister; she was born Sept. 18, 1811. 
Children — Nancy Jane was born Aug. 15, 1837 ; Re- 
becca, Oct. 28, 1838; John, April 25, 1840; George, 
Nov. 18, 1841 ; Margaret, Nov. 9, 1844: Isabel, Dec. 
4, 1846 : William, June 25, 1848. Nancy died July 30, 
1838; John, July 26, 1840. Rebecca was married to 
James P. Henderson, and Isabel to Thomas Appleman. 
George went to the army in the 102d Ohio V. I., and 
William in the 196th Ohio V. I. Mr. Tarres commenced 
to keep house in AVorthington Township, where he re- 
mained until 1855. In this year, he moved into JefiFer- 
son ; in 1868, into Monroe ; and, in 1872, on his pres- 
ent homestead. 

WALKER, DANIEL, farmer ; he was born in Seneca 
Co., Ohio, July 18, 1828, and is a son of James Walker, 
who migrated from Elaine to Seneca in 1835 ; his 
mother's maiden name was Sarah Smart. He was 
married, Oct. 21, 1860, to Mary M. Teisley, daughter 
of Henry Teisley, and was born in Jefferson Township 
Feb. 2, 1838 ; they commenced keeping house in Mon- 
roe Township, and have since resided in the county ; 
they moved on a farm about one mile southeast of Bell- 
ville in 1864, and have lived there since ; children — 
Benjamin, born Dec. 28, 1861 ; William, Nov. 20, 
1863; Sherman, .July 15, 1866; Albert H., Nov. 15, 
1867; Lewis, Oct. 19, 1869; Flora, Nov. 9, 1871; 
Lilly, .Tune 6, 1875; Levi, Aug. 27, 1877; Thomas, 
April 20, 1879; Benjamin died Jan. 4, 1878. Mr. 
Walker went into the ai-my with the 178th 0. V. I. He 
and his companion are members of the Universalist 
Church and the .Jefferson Grange. 

WAREHAM, JOHN E., blacksmith ; he was born in 
Summit Co., Ohio, .Jan. 26, 1831, and was brought 
up in Canton, Ohio ; in early life, he worked in a 
printing office; when about 16 years of age, he com- 
menced to work at smithing, which he has followed the 
greater part of his life ; when near 28 years old, he 
learned the molding trade, and worked at that about 
one year. He enlisted and went to the army from 
Loudonville, Ohio, in 1861, in the 23d 0. V. I., and re- 
mained away about one year; in 1862, he again re- 
turned to Richland Co., and was married ; he com- 
menced housekeeping near the Greenwood Mill, 
remaining until 1868, when he bought a few acres of 
land, a part of Sec. 13, on which he now lives. Lyda 
Frederick, his wife, is a daughter of Christian Fred- 
erick, and was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1841 ; 
their oldest child was born and died in 1863, and was 
named Mary; George F. was born Aug. 9, 1864; 
Emma Ettie, Aug. 6, 1866 ; Albert E., Oct. 4, 1868. 
Mr. Wareham was married May 4, 1862. 

WHITCOMB, NILES D., physician ; was born in 
Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, July 23, 1822, and 
was brought up in town ; he worked with his father at 



wagon-making until he commenced studying medicine. 
In 1842, he placed himself under Dr. Tenny, then 
of North Amherst, Ohio, as a student; in 1845, he 
went with Dr. Tenny to Iowa, where he finished his 
course. He located with his brother in Palmyra, Knox 
Co., Ohio, in 1847, and remained there two years. In 
June, 1849, he removed to Bellville, where he re- 
mained, practicing medicine and at times interesting 
himself in other avocations. He purchased the Bell- 
ville Mills in 1864. He was first married to Mary A. 
DeShong, daughter of Stephen A. DeShong, Oct. 2, 
1849; she was born Nov. 1,1832; children — an in- 
fant, died July 26, 1850; Lee, born Sept. 28, 1850; 
Flora, born Feb. 22, 1853 ; Lucy, born Nov. 28, 1855 ; 
May, born Jan. 8, 1859. Mrs. M. A. Whitcomb died 
May 29, 1860. He was again married, to Sarah P. 
Gallaher, daughter of Alexander Mensie, Oct. 2, 1865. 
Lee died March 18, 1852. Mr. Whitcomb practiced 
medicine successfully many years. 

ZENT, JOHN (deceased) ; he was about the third 
settler of Jefferson Township ; he came from Harris- 
burg to Wheeling, then to Fairfield Co., then to Jeff"er- 
son Township, and settled west of Bellville a short dis- 
tance. His children were Jacob, Daniel, John, George, 
Martin, Elizabeth, Catharine and Mary. George Zent 
was the father of a large family. He was born Oct . 
15, 1793. His children are Jacob, born July 28, 
1824; John, Aug. 10, 1825; David, March 9, .1827 ; 
Susan, July 4, 1828; Sarah Ann, Jan. 30, 1830; Mary, 
March 10,1831; Sophrona, Aug. 14, 1832: George, 
Oct. 7, 1833; Sampson, Jan. 23, 1835; Elizabeth, May 
22, 1836; Isaac, Oct. 5, 1837; Emma, April 14, 1839 ; 
Emmina, May 6, 1840; Lodema, Sept. 3, 1841 ; Catha- 
rine, Nov. 3, 1842. 

ZENT, .JOHN W., resides in Bellville, Ohio ; he was 
born in Jeff'erson Township, and worked on a farm 
until 19 years of age ; in the spring of 1844, he went to 
Wellington, Ohio, and engaged himself as a clerk in a 
store, and remained there about five years. On May 
11, 1850, he started to California, taking the overland 
route, and, after a long and perilous journey, arrived 
in the land of precious metals ; he and his company at 
once commenced mining, meeting with only ordinary 
success ; the party opened some of the richest mines in 
the State, but, being impatient and lacking experience, 
they were abandoned too soon to tap the hidden treas- 
ures ; he remained there about four years — working in 
mines three, and owned a hotel the fourth ; during 
his stay, he was poisoned by contact with live-oak, and 
was dangerously ill about two months ; he returned to 
Bellville in 1855, and, the next spring, made a trip 
through Iowa and Missouri ; in 1856, he again went 
to Iowa, for the purpose of dealing in and herding cat- 
tle, but, the state of things not being satisfactory, he 
entered eighty acres of land and returned; in 1857, he 
and his brother David bought the warehouse and com- 
menced to buy grain, and in connection, the next year, 
managed the depot business and express ; he has 
made Bellville his ostensible home since, but, in con- 
nection with David Zent and H. Alexander, has bought 
and sold a large amount of Western land, operated a 
woolen factory east of Independence, and the stone 
quarry at Bellville, and manages the Bellville Ex- 
change Bank. Mr. Zent was born Aug. 10, 1825, and 



n 



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f* 



±1 



k. 



MADISO:?^ TOWNSHIP. 



815 



was married to Helen Ordway Dec. 7, 1865 ; she is a 
daughter of Alpheus Ordway and Caroline Dewey ; 
children — Charles and AVillard, twins, born May 24, 
1869 ; Nellie and .Jennie, twins, March 22, 1874 ; Wil- 
lard died Aug. 9, 1869, and Jennie Dec. 23, 1877. 

ZENT, DAVID, banker ; he was born in .Jefferson 
Township, and labored on a farm until about 21 years 
old; he then went to Wells Co., Ind.; he was one of 
the first four white settlers of the county, and was the 
first Clerk of .Jefferson Township ; he pre-empted land 
in this part of the county, and gave the township its 
name, after Jefferson Township, in Richland ; he re- 
turned in 1849, and worked at carpentering about 
seven years ; he broixght the first telegraphic instru- 
ment to Bellville, and learned to operate it. In 18-57, 
he and his brother John purchased the elevator in 
Bellville, of Taylor Moody, and from that time he has 
made Bellville his home, and his career runs parallel 
with that of his brother, whose sketch precedes this. 
Since the organization of the Exchange Bank, he has 
filled the position of cashier, and has confined himself 
to it closely. Mr. Zent was born March 9, 1824, and 
was married to Mary Ann Olin Dec. 25, 1856^ she was 
born Nov. 6, 18-36, in Manchester, Vt., and came with 
her parents to Richland Co. in 1838; children — Lura, 
born May 28, 1861 ; Schuyler W., Aug. 21, 1863; Wil- 
bur D., Oct. 10, 1867 ; Jessie Gertrude. Sept. 1, 1872. 
Lura died Sept. 11, 1864. 

YEARIAN, THOMAS, farmer ; resides in Bellville ; 
he is a son of George Yearian, who was born in West- 
moreland Co., Penn., married in Belmont Co., and 
came to Bellville, in 1812, for the purpose of buying- 
out James McCluer for Robert Bell ; he went on to 
Mansfield and cut a few logs for a cabin, after which 
he was frightened by the murder of Mr. Jones, and 
returned to Belmont, where he was drafted and went 
into the service ; he moved to Bellville in 1815, and, 
in 1837, died at the age of 82 years; he was the father 
of eleven children, ten of whom grew up and seven 
are now living. Thomas was born in Richland Co. 
Oct. 26, 1821, and has always been a farmer. He was 
married, April 22, 1847, to Mary Ann Lockhart, daugh- 
ter of William Lockhart, who came to Jefferson Town- 
ship in 1822 ; she was born Feb. 8, 1824 ; they set up 
housekeeping in Worthington Township, and then 
moved to Bellville in 1861. He was Justice of the 
Peace and held corporation offices, and is a Deacon in 



the Disciples' Church. His mother's maiden name 
was Elizabeth Bell. 

YOUNG, DAVID LEWIS, was born and brought up 
in Jefferson Township, and worked on his father's farm 
until 1848 ; in this year he went to Iowa and worked 
at millwrighting until 1850 (in the fall), when ho 
commenced to teach school ; at the close of the term, 
he returned home and taught a term of school in Sub- 
District No. 8 ; he assisted in the manufacture of fan^ 
ning-mills and did some work at millwrighting during 
the summer of 1851 ; in 1852, he moved on the place 
he now occupies, which is about two miles south of 
of Bellville ; while he was in Iowa, he entered land, 
and now owns 527 acres in that State and 130 in Jef- 
ferson Township. He is a charter member of .Jefferson 
Grange, a member of the Odd Fellows, has a large in. 
terest in Jefferson Hall, Bellville, and has filled various 
township offices. He went to the rebellion in the 163d 
0. N. G., and was Second Sergeant in Capt. Leedy's 
company. He was born March 31, 1824; Mary Sites, 
a daughter of Robert Sites, was born April 25, 1832 ; 
they were married Jan. 1, 1852; children — John F., 
born May 28, 1853 ; Sarah, Aug. 9, 1855 ; Flora, July 
28, 1857. Deaths— John F. died March 24, 1862; 
Sarah, March 30, 1862 ; mother died March 26, 1878. 
Mr. Young was married to Eliza Watson in 1879, and 
a son was born to them .Jan. 21, 1780. 

YOUNG, A. M., dealer in dry goods ; is a member 
of and has the entire management of the business. con- 
ducted under the firm name of ^laxwell & Young, 
Bellville, Ohio ; the associate, R. B. Maxwell, came 
from Scotland in 1852, to New York, and, in 1872, 
located in Mansfield, where he has an interest in a 
store also ; Mr. Young came to Bellville in January, 
1878, with the object in view to open a dry-goods 
store ; not long after, a store was opened, and from the 
commencement a fair, honest business has been con' 
ducted, and the store is rapidly growing in esteem as a 
place to purchase all kinds of dry goods and notions 
properly belonging to that branch of industry ; Mr. 
Young was brought up a salesman, having been placed 
behind the counter in the city of New York, from 
which place he came to Bellville ; as Mr. Maxwell, of 
this enterprise, is interested in similar business in 
Mansfield, all the articles they offer for sale are 
marked at the same figures as in the city store, thus 
offering unusual advantages to the buying public. 



MADISON TOWNSHIP. 



ANSBAUGH, DAVID R., laborer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Madison Township Sept. 20, 1832. He 
was married in 1865, to Ester Cole ; she was born in 
Lancaster Co., Penn., March 8, 1844; they have six 
children — Cora E., born Oct. 16, 1866; Delbert, Jan. 
8.1872; Orin, Jan. 26, 1875; Oliver P., Sept. 26, 
1878; Clarence, May 25, 1879. 

ANDERS, GEORGE, farmer; P.O. Mansfield; he 
was born June 10, 1818, in England; he came to Amer- 
ica in 1838. He was married. May 2, 1841, to Ann 



Hurlson; they had the following children : Edward V,, 
born March 10, 1845; Elizabeth A., Feb. 28, 1850. 
Mrs. Ann Anders died March 18, 1854. Mr. Anders 
married the second time in 1856, toSophronia Steward, 
who was born in Mansfield in 1826 ; they have two 
children — Philo G., born May 10, 1859, and Olive, born 
Jan. 25, 1862. J. J. Anders was born Oct. 19, 1842. 
He enlisted in the 102d Regt., Co. D, in 1862 ; he ranked 
as Orderly Sergeant ; he died in Bellfont, Ala., Aug. 
27, 1864. 



:£ 



816 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



AW, SAMUEL, farmer; P.O. Mansfield; he was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Nov. 29, 1820; came 
to Ohio in 1840. Married, in 1842, Elizabeth Brick- 
man, who was born in Germany .July 5, 1824; they 
have the following children: Louisa, born Feb. 10, 
1845; Carrie, Dec. 13, 1846; Mary, May 25, 1852; 
Annie, May 15, 1854 ; Ella, March 12, 1856; Frank, 
Nov. 20. 1860: Lola, Feb. 16, 1863. Louisa married 
Richard D. Porter July 7, 1864. Mary married Daniel 
P. Copeland Dec. 18, 1872 Annie married Myran C. 
Burton June 7, 1878; resides in New York City. Ella 
married Martin D. Sloan June 27, 1876. 

BALLIET, STEPHEN, farmer; P. O. Mansfield; he 
was born in 1813 in Carbon Co., Penn.; came to Rich- 
land Co. in 1837. He was married to Catherine Haper- 
man in 1837, who was born in 1815; they have three 
children — George, W. born in 1840: John B., in 1842; 
Joseph L., in 1846. Mr. Balliet resides on his farm in 
this township. 

BARD, JAMES H., miller and engineer ; P. 0. Mans- 
field ; was Ijforn in Columbiana Co., Ohio, July 6, 1844. 
Married, in 1868, to Amy G. Thompson, who was born 
Sept. 18, 1850, in Portage Co., Ohio ; they have the 
following family : Emma J., born April 7, 1871 ; Edwin 
T., July 4, 1874; Homer H., Nov. 10, 1877; Albert 
6., April 1, 1880. Mr. Bard's mother, Margaret 
Thompson, was born in Dutchess Co. N. Y., Nov. 28, 
1825 ; married Samuel H. Thompson, who was born in 
Portage Co., Ohio, in 1826; they had one daughter — 
Amy G. Mr. Thompson died Sept. 7, 1862, in Portage 
Co., Ohio. 

BOYCE,JOSI AH, farmer; P.O. Mansfield; he was 
born in Franklin Township May 15, 1819. He was 
married to Lilly Crooks in 1852 ; she was born in this 
township ; they have eight children — Sarah Jane, born 
July 10, 1853; Benjamin C, Sept. 30, 1854; MaryN., 
Dec. 21, 1855; James E., May 18, 1857; Elisabeth, 
Sept. 22, 1858; Lincoln, Aug. 19, 1860; Emma J., 
Aug. 22, 1862 : Lilly Margaret, Jan. 31, 1865. Sarah 
Jane was married to Jacob Clark in August, 1876; they 
have two children — Gracie Elisabeth, born July 17, 
1877, and Lilly Maud, April, 1879; they reside in 
Madison Township. Mary Ann was married to God- 
frey Gulknecht, Jan. 8, 1874; they have one child — 
Lilly Maud ; they reside in Mansfield. Elisabeth was 
married, Aug. 16, 1877, to Erskine Chambers. Mr. 
Boyce has considerable practical knowledge of the early 
history of this county, with which he was identified 
many years. 

CALHOON, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born Jan. 13, 1813, in Allegheny Co., Penn.; came to 
Ohio in March, 1831. Married to Susan Shelenberger, 
who was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., Aug. 26,1816 ; 
they have five children — Noble P., born Jan. 26,1840; 
William, Sept. 6, 1844; Franklin, Jan. 18, 1849; Sa- 
rah, Feb. 8, 1851 : she resides in Wyandot Co.; John 
C, born Oct. 16, 1853. William was a soldier in the 
late war, in the 0. N. G. Noble P. enlisted in the 
32d 0. V. I., served three years, and was honorably 
discharged at the expiration of enlistment. Noble P. 
Calhoon was married to Sarah S. Irvin ; they have one 
child — Harry, born March 9, 1867 ; Mrs. Sarah Cal- 
hoon died March 16, 1872. John C. Calhoon was mai'- 
ried in 1874, to Mahal ey Butler, who was born in Ohio ; 



they have two children — John, born Jan. 20, 1877 ; 
Barbara May, Feb. 16. 1879. 

CLINE, MICHAEL (deceased) : he was born in Rich- 
land Co. May 22, 1855. Was married, April 16, 1840, 
to Matilda Murphy, who was born in Fayette Co., 
Penn., in 1816; their children are: John, born Dec. 
23, 1841, died in the army; Henry who also died in 
the army; Jackson, born Oct. 22, 1844: Louisa, de- 
ceased ; Jacob, born Jan. 23, 1851 ; Michael L., Jan. 
22, 1857. jMichael Cline, Sr., died in Lawrence Co., 
111., in March, 1868. 

CLINE, JOHN, farmer; he was born Aug 25, 1835, 
in Crawford Co. Married, Feb. 2, 1830, to Elizabeth 
Home; she was born April 1, 1837, in Richland Co.; 
they have the following children: C. Hayden, born 
Dec. 10, 1860; Albert Leroy, Sept. 28, 1864. They 
reside two miles north of Mansfield. 

CLINE, TOBIAS, proprietor of the Colter Cave stone 
quarry, two and one-half miles east of Mansfield ; he 
was born in Germany, and came to America at the age 
of 19. He was married in 1857, in Iowa, to Margaret 
Ann Banks ; they have one daughter — Sarah Melinda. 
She is married to Mathew Donner ; they have two chil- 
dren — Ora and Ethlin. The '-Cline'' stone quarry 
was opened about twenty-two years ago ; it is an inex- 
haustible quarry, and one of the best in the State; 
Mansfield consumes an immense amount of stone for 
building purposes ; it is a place of antiquity ; here can 
be seen the marks of the Indian, the basin cut in the 
rock, also the Indian churn, and the initials of many 
names cut in rock. 

CLINE, ALFRED, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born March 1, 1823, in Franklin Township. Was mar- 
ried in 1847, to Julia E. Taylor; they had five children 
—Curtis F., born Dec. 24, 1847; Alfred, Nov. 23, 
1849; Mary, Feb. 24, 1852; Elizabeth, Nov. 26, 1854; 
Neotia, Feb. 2, 18.58. Mrs. Julia Cline died Aug. 2, 
1861. Mr. Cline was married the second time to Eliz- 
abeth Sonentine, who was born July 30, 1830, in Penn- 
sylvania ; they have two children — Charles L., born 
Feb. 11, 1862, and Minnie, born Oct. 22, 1866. 

COLE, REUBEN, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born July 8, 1820, in Lancaster Co., Penn. He was 
married, Jan. 1, 1844, to Mary Ellen Pollock, who was 
born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1822; they have 
the following family of children: Sadie A., born May 
1, 1846; Elleanor Mary, Oct. 22, 1848; Headley S., 
Sept. 18, 1850; Maggie S., Jan. 2, 1854; Jennie 0., 
July 1, 1857: Robert M., July 8, 1860; Reuben Willis, 
Aug. 11, 1867; Johnston Taylor married Elleanor M. 
Cole April 2, 1868; they have four children — Norton, 
Lavern, Lille and "\''iola ; they reside in Sandusky 
Township, this county; Headly Cole married Viola A. 
Hale; they have two children — Ethel and Ettie ; Will- 
iam B. Eggert married Maggie S. Cole Nov. 23, 1875 ; 
they have two children — Ray C. and Nina; James F. 
Weldon married Jennie E. Cole Nov. 15, 1877 ; they 
have one child — Nina S., born Oct. 11, 1879; they 
reside on West Fourth — 771. Reuben Cole was engaged 
as a miller, formei-ly in the Stubble Mill, in Knox Co., 
about ten years ; he afterward, in company with Mr. 
Stamen, bought the old Beam Mill ; he was engaged in 
this mill for two years, from 1808 to 1870; he then 
moved on his farm, located on the Windsor road, two 




MADISON TOWNSHIP. 



81-; 



miles northeast of Mansfield. Mrs. Mary Cole was the 
daughter of Hugh and EUeanor Pollock ; they came 
from Harrison County to Richland in 1813, entered land 
in Springfield Township, located and remained there 
till the death of Mr. Pollock, June 14, 1822 ; he was 
killed by the falling of a tree ; they were known by the 
pioneers of this county, were fully identified in pioneer 
life, and experienced a great deal of the inconveniences 
of those times ; Mrs. Pollock died very suddenly June 
24, 1868, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Reu- 
ben Cole. 

COLE, HEADLEY, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Fredericktown, Knox Co., Sept. 18, 1851. He 
was married Dec. 17, 1875, to Viola Hale, who was 
born in Mifilin Township, Richland Co., July 10, 1858; 
they have two children — Ethel, born Dec. 1, 1876, and 
Ettie, April 29, 1877. 

DAUM, MICHAEL, dairyman; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Germany, 1844; came to America in 
1847. Married, in 1867, to Lena Beck, who was born 
in 1849, in Germany. They have two children — Willie, 
born Aug. 25, 1868; Amelia, March 24, 1872. Mr. 
Daum is engaged in the Cline stone quarry, near Mans- 
field, and is one of the enterprising citizens of this 
township. He is in partnership with Mr. Cline in the 
stone quarry, and understands this branch of business 
as well as any one in this county. They are supply- 
ing this market with stone for building purposes, and 
it is an established fact that they can produce a superior 
quality of stone, and are always ready to supply the 
demand. 

DENNIS, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Germany, Oct. 12, 1827. He came to America in 
1853; located in Mansfield. He was married July 3, 
1857, to Rachel Smith ; she was born in Cuyahoga Co., 
Ohio, May 7, 1818; came to Mansfield in 1835, where 
she engaged as a teacher in public schools for eighteen 
years. There is a number of citizens of Mansfield who 
attribute their success in advansing so rapidly in edu- 
cation to her adaptation as a teacher. They resided in 
the village of Washington eight years. While there, 
Mr. Dennis was Postmaster for six years : also engaged 
as a wagon-maker ; then moved to a farm in Madison 
Township, where he has since been engaged as a farmer. 
He also served as Trustee of Madison Township for 
three terms. They have one son. Homer H. S. Dennis, 
who was born March 14, 1860, and who now resides 
with his parents and is receiving a liberal education. 

DILLON, CHARLES, farmer ; he was born in 1814, 
in Franklin Co., Penn., and came to Ohio in 1849, and 
located in Ashland Co., where he lived about six years. 
He then removed to this county, where he resided three 
years, and then removed to Logan Co., where he lived 
five years, when he returned to this county, where he 
has since resided. He was married in Chambersburg, 
Penn., Sept. 3, 1839, to Miss Anna Kail, by whom he 
raised twelve children, who lived to maturity ; eleven 
children are yet living ; he is now a resident of Madi- 
son Township, and is honored and respected in the 
community in which he resides. 

DILLON, DAVID, farmer ; he was born .Jan. 7. 1841, 
in Franklin Co., Penn.; came to Ohio at the age of 8 
years. He was married in 1862, to Harriet Swisher; 
she was born in Washington Township, Richland Co., 



in 1836 ; they have the following family : Hattie M., 
born Oct. 3, 1866; Maud, Aug. 31, 1868, and Minnie 
L., March 5, 1872. Mr. Dillon enlisted in the late war 
in Co. E, 64th 0. V. I.; served three years ; was then 
honorably discharged and mustered out of service. 

DILLON, WILLIAM A., farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
he was born in Franklin Co., Penn., April 29, 1842, and 
came to Richland Co. in 1848. In October, 1861, he 
enlisted in the 64th 0. V. I., with which regiment he 
remained until the close of the war, when he was hon- 
orably discharged. While in the army, he participated 
in all the battles and skirmishes in which that regiment 
was engaged, and, since his return home, has been 
almost constantly engaged in farming. He was mar- 
ried in 1867, to Miss Mary F. Newlon, by whom he has 
had three daughters — Emma F., Nancy Ellen, and Min- 
nie M. 

DOOLITTLE, LUCIUS , farmer ; was born Dec. 
27, 1833, in Windham Co., Vt.; came to Richland Co., 
in 1845. Married in 1866, to Martha Watkins, who 
was born in England, in 1839 ; they have seven chil- 
dren — Lucius, born Dec. 30, 1867; Herbert 0., March 
21, 1869 ; Martha, Jan. 2, 1871 ; James Sabine, Oct. 
25, 1872; William Watkinson, March 6, 1874; Rufus 
Percilville, Nov. 13, 1875, and Mary, Aug. 3, 1877. 
Mr. Doolittle enlisted in the late civil war in defense 
of his country, Sept. 1, 1861, in the 15th 0. V. I., in 
Co. 6 ; went as a private. During the time of his ser- 
vice he was promoted to Lieutenant, after which, he was 
commissioned Captain. He remained during the entire 
war, was in some of the greatest battles of the war. 
He was mustered out of service in Columbus, Ohio, 
Dec. 27, 1865 ; then retui-ned to Mansfield and engaged 
in the mercantile business. In 1873, moved on a farm 
in the township. 

DUNNAN, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Scotland in 1813 ; he came to America 
(to Belmont Co.) at 3 years of age; he came to 
Richland Co. in 1821. Was married, in 1852, to Cath- 
arine Campbell, who was born in Wayne Co. in 1817 ; 
they have one son, John Franklin, who was born in 
1857. He was married to Mary Croft, of Mansfield : 
they have one child, Mary, born Nov. 16, 1879. Mr. 
Dunnan has resided in this county fifty-five years, and 
has had some experience of the pioneer life ; he owns 
a well-improved farm, and has good buildings, with all 
the late conveniences and improvements. 

EARNEST, JOHN (deceased); he died in Richland 
Co. Dec. 26, 1872; he resided in this county twenty- 
one years. Was married, in 1838, to Fanny Keever ; 
she was born in Lancaster Co. ; they have the follow- 
ing children : Adam, born Oct. 13, 1839; George W., 
in February, 1841 ; Mary A., Oct. 31, 1842; David 
Henry, July 24, 1844: Fanny, Feb. 22,1849; Alice 
Amanda, Dec. 13, 1858. They reside on the Bellville 
road, south of town. 

FINNEY, JAMES J., farmer; he was born June 10, 
1837, in Madison Township. Was married Aug. 24, 
1864, to Mary McKee ; she was born March 18, 1844, 
in Madison Township ; they have two children — 
Cyrus B., born May 2, 1873 ; Frank M., Jan. 22, 1866. 
They reside on farm, two miles south of Mansfield. 

FISHER, MICHAEL (deceased) ; he was born May 
25, 1816, in Germany ; came to America at the age of 



:^ 



818 



BIOGEAPHI'CAL SKETCHES: 



28, and located in Mansfield. He was married in 
October, 1847, to Rebecca Weaver ; she was born Jan. 
28, 1826, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and came to Ohio 
when 9 years old ; they have the following family : 
Mary, born July 22, 1847 (deceased) ; Jacob, June 18, 
1849 (married to Phebe Cohoeiser April 18, 1878; they 
have one son) ; John Fisher, born Oct. 16, 1851 (mar- 
ried to Catherine Mengert April 18, 1878 ; they have 
one son, Samuel (deceased) : Caroline, born Dec. 12, 
1856 (married Nov. 19, 1879, to Oliver Blacksten) ; 
Elizabeth, born Aug. 20, 1862. 

FRANKELBERGER, WILLIAM (deceased); he was 
born in York Co., Penn.; he came to Washington Town- 
ship in this county, in 1830, where he purchased a 
farm, and on which he passed the remainder of his 
days ; his family consisted of nine children — Eliza, 
John, Hannah, Joseph, Rebecca, William, Levi, Jane 
and Jacob (now dead). Mr. F. died in July, 1870, on 
the old farm ; he had accumulated a competence, 
which he left to the children. 

FRANKELBERGER, LEVI, farmer; P. 0. Mans- 
field; he was born in York Co., Penn., in 1830; he 
came to this county in his youth. He was married in 
1873, to Susan Heist, who was born in Washington 
Township ; they have one child — William, who was 
born Sept. 14, 1875; they reside on the Bellville road, 
one and a half miles from Mansfield. 

GALLAGHER, JOSEPH, farmer ; he was born Feb. 
7, 1821, in Wayne Co. Married .Jan. 7, 1872, to Fran- 
ces Adair ; she was born in 1855, in Wayne Co.; came 
to Richland Co. in August, 1874 ; they have the follow- 
ing children : Leone Cecelia, born July 10, 1876, and 
Joseph Carrel, Sept. 28, 1879. 

GARRISON, JOHN T., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Madison Township July 8, 1849. He 
was married March 2, 1871, to Hannah Rebecca Smith, 
who was born in Williams Co. May 12, 1852 ; they 
have three children — Florence Luella, born Oct. 7, 
1872; Francis William, Sept. 12, 1874; Eva Cynthia, 
July 8, 1876. 

GATES, NAPOLEON, teacher ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born in Franklin Township Feb. 28, 1842. He was 
married in 1867, to Martha Charles ; they have four 
children — Melvin H., born Jan. 27, 1868; Martin, 
Feb. 2, 1870; Artas E., Feb. 16, 1874 ; Dora Maud, 
Jan. 22, 1879; Napoleon Gates is now engaged as a 
school-teacher, at Windsor. He enlisted in the late 
war, in 1862 ; he was a member of Co. D, 102d 0. V. I., 
remaining in the service until mustered out June 30, 
1865. 

GATES, MARTIN L., dairyman; he was born in 
this township June 28, 1835. He was married in 
1857, to Mary Steward, who was also born in this 
township in 1836 ; they have one adopted child — 
Maud Gates, born .Jan. 5, 1876. Mr. Gates has an ex- 
cellent dairy farm, near the city ; from this he fur- 
nishes milk to a large number of its inhabitants. 

GOUDY, HENRY L., miller; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Wayne Co. April 21, 1836; he went to 
Minnesota, and was there nine years ; returned to 
Wooster, and remained there two years ; then went to 
Iowa, and remained there one year ; then came 
to Madison Township in 1872, and has since been en- 
gaged in the mill. He was married to Phebe Ann 



Pennock ; she was born in Hancock Co., 111., in 1842 ; 
they have four children — James M., born March 29, 
1861 ; Minnie Erana, March 23, 1865 ; Jennie Me- 
lissa, Nov. 9, 1870 ; Mary Bird, Nov. 23, 1876. 

HAMILTON, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born April 15, 1838. Was married, in 1871, to 
Mary Swartz, who was born in Mifflin Township, this 
county, April 2, 1841. His mother, Mrs. Sarah Calhoon 
Hamilton, was born Jan. 26, 1809, in Allegheny Co., 
Penn.; she was married to Samuel W. Hamilton in 
December, 1826; they came to Ohio in 1833 ; they had 
ten children — Noble C, Samuel, William P., John, 
George, Joseph, Sarah, Rebecca, Alexander and Edgar. 

HESELDON, HENRY, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born in New York, St. Lawrence Co., April 23, 
1830; he came to Ohio in 1844. and located in Rich- 
land Co. He was married, in 1859, to Catherine Hull ; 
they have the following children ; Savillia, born April 
11, 1855; Sarah, March 28, 1857; John H., Oct. 23, 
1859; George, Nov. 21, 1861 ; Lavina, Nov. 11, 1864 
(deceased); Oliver, April 20, 1870 (deceased) ; Samuel, 
March 12, 1873, and Ermina, July 17, 1876. Mr. 
Heseldon enlisted in the 163d Regt., Co. C, 0. N. G., 
afterward 0. V. I., from which he received an honor, 
able discharge. 

HOUT, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield : he was 
born in Mifflin Township in 1846. Married, Feb. 9, 
1870, Emma Gates, who was born in Madison Town- 
ship ; they have two children — Delmore, born Dec. 9, 
1871; Martin, April 11, 1875. Mr. Hout resides in 
Madison Township, and is engaged in farming and 
threshing. 

HURSH, CHRISTIAN, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
Mr. Hursh was born Jan. 21, 1836, in York Co., Penn.; 
he was brought to this county by hia parents when a 
youth, and has always resided here ; he and his sister, 
Anna, live on the old home farm left them by their 
parents; she was born June 11, 1843, at this place. 

HURSH, HENRY, miller; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born Feb. 21, 1811, in Lancaster Co., Penn.; came to 
Ohio, in 1837, and located in Madison Township. He was 
married to Frances Hursh Oct. 8, 1834 ; she was born 
May 15, 1815, in York Co., Penn.; they have had ten 
children — Mary Hursh, born May 24, 1835 ; Eliza- 
beth, Oct. 25, 1836 ; Fanny, Jan. 25, 1839 ; Martha, 
Dec. 12, 1840; Henry (deceased), April 10, 1843 
Anna, Feb. 10, 1845; Martin Luther, Oct. 14, 1847 
Sarah Jane, Jan. 4, 1851 ; John, March 10, 1857 
Emeline, May 29, 1859. Mary married Christian 
Hoover Nov. 1, 1855; they reside in Mifflin Township. 
Elizabeth married William Gates Dec. 18, 1856 ; they 
reside in Franklin Township. Fanny married Isaac 
Hess Dec. 24, 1857. Anne married Amos Benneman 
Jan. 25, 1866; they reside in Baughman Township, 
Wayne Co. Martin married Elizabeth Bush Nov. 7, 
1872 ; they reside in Madison Township. Sarah mar- 
ried Isaac B. Wise May 5, 1872; they reside in Fort 
Wayne, Ind. Martha married William Noss Dec. 15, 
1872; they reside in Cumberland Co., Penn. Emeline 
married George A. Lenhart Dec. 31, 1879 ; they reside 
in Madison Township. Mr. Hursh has been engaged 
in the milling business, in the Hershey Mill, seven 
years ; he has a beautiful home, and is one of the lead- 
ing and enterprising citizens of this township. He has 






:Rr 



MADISOI^ TOWXSHIP. 



819 



been connected with the milling business about fifty- 
one years. Mr. Hursh's father, Christian Hursh, was 
born Aug. 17, 1776 ; he died July 27, 1823, aged 46 
years 11 months and 10 days ; he lived and died in York 
Co., Penn.; his wife, Frances Hursh, was born .Jan. 2, 
1774, and, after her husband died, she came to Ohio in 
1836, and lived in Wayne Co., where she died Oct. 19, 
1867, aged 88 years 9 months and 17 days. 

JOHNS, DAVID, farmer; P.O. Mansfield; he was 
born in Jefferson Co. in 1808, and came to Madison 
Township in 1814. He was married to tlizabeth Fog- 
lisong in 1832 ; they had twelve children, six sons and 
six daughters. Mrs. Johns died in May, 1861, at the 
age of 48. Mr. Johns was again married in 1862, to 
Amanda Stoutenbarger, by whom he had one son. 
When he came to this county, it was almost a wilder- 
ness, inhabited by Indians and infested by bears, 
wolves and panthers ; the family located at Bean's 
Mills, near the block-house ; here they built a log 
cabin ; it was made after the old style, with a puncheon 
floor, clapboard loft, and was furnished in the plain 
custom of those times; they had split stools for chairs 
and split puncheon for a table; their bedstead was 
made of round poles attached to the wall by boring 
holes in the side of the building and fastening the 
poles in them ; their neighbors were chiefly Indians, 
who were very friendly ; on one occasion, about forty 
Indians came near their cabin and had a great jubilee, 
dancing, thrilling the air with their Indian whoop. 
Mr. Johns had the door barred, on one side of which 
was a loop-hole, while his trusty rifle stood near the 
bed. After the Indians had gone, he came into the 
cabin and said " they would have to move back, or 
they would all be killed." His wife replied "they 
could stand it if 'Daddy Bean' could." Asking the 
chief if they had better move back or stay, he replied, 
" No ; you stay ; you good white man ; you make good 
corn." They raised their first crop of corn in 1815; 
then they sowed buckwheat and raised a good crop ; 
they took it to a mill, where the village of Lexington 
now stands. Mr. Johns formed an acquaintance with 
John Chapman (Appleseed), who visited them very 
frequently ; they have some fruit in their orchard 
which has grown from seed brought by him. Mr. Johns 
had one son — John B., in McLaughlin's squadron of 
cavalry, in the late war; he died April 8, 1862, on the 
Big Sandy River, in Kentucky ; his remains were 
brought home and buried on his father's farm, Gen. 
McLaughlin attending the funeral. 

KEITH, JOHN T., farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born Dec. 11, 1832, in this township ; he was married 
Jan. 3, 1854, to Mary Browneller, who was born Aug. 

1, 1831 ; they have the following family: Linnie, born 
Nov. 10, 1854; James E., Nov. 15, 1856; Laura, March 
5, 1859; Charlie E., Sept. 27, 1863; Anna, June 22, 
1866; Alonzo. July 7,1868; Alverda May, Dec. 12, 
1870; Vinnie Belle, May 6, 1874; Howard Delno, Feb. 

2, 1877. Mr. Keith was elected Commissioner of this 
county in 1867, was re-elected in 1870; filled the oflSce 
satisfactorily ; is now a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion. 

LATIMER, MARTHA, MRS.; she was born Nov. 17, 
1817; was the daughter of John Warden, one of the 
first settlers of Tuscarawas Township, Stark Co., Ohio, 



and is the widow of George Latimer, a native of the 
same county ; they were married March 25, 1845, and 
went to live with Mr. Latimer's father in Osnaburg 
Township, near Canton, where they remained until the 
spring of 1850, when they moved to Mrs. Latimer's 
farm in Tuscarawas Township, near the old home of 
her father and mother, and lived there for the next 
four years. In the fall of 1853, they sold this farm and 
bought another in Butler Township, Richland Co., 
where they moved the following spring, and resided 
there until April 1, 1869, when they moved again to 
their present home, near Mansfield. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Latimer were born six children, all of whom are now 
living; they are Robert Patter, John Warden, Rachel 
Ann, James Parkinson, Mary Caroline and Clark Watt. 
John Warden entered the service of his country during 
the late rebellion, before he was quite 17 years of age; 
was a member of the drum corps in the 18th 0. V. \. 
He is now Professor of Writing and Drawing in the 
public schools of Newark, Ohio. Mr. Latimer died 
Feb. 14, 1873, at the age of 67. 

LONG, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born June 18, 1817, in Germany; came to Ohio at the 
age of 21 years. He married Magdelana Eichhorn, 
who was born June 15, 1848; they have the following 
family: .John, born Aug. 11, 1849; William, Nov. 3(), 
1851 ; Leopold, Nov. 1, 1854 ; Mary, Aug. 24, 185ti ; 
Halena, Jan. 14, 1860; Henry, Nov. 4, 1863; Cathe 
rine, March 23, 1865 ; Ludwig Lone, May 31, 1870. 
Mr. Long was engaged in Mansfield for ten years in 
the brewery business, after which he moved on a farm, 
on which he still resides. 

LONG, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Mansfield Nov. 30, 1852. Married Feb. 15, 
1877, to Susan Elizabeth Mack, who was born Aug. 
28, 1858, in Clyde, Sandusky Co.; they have two chil- 
dren — Lena, born Jan. 29, 1878; John Frederick Sam- 
uel, Oct. 5, 1879. They reside on a farm two miles 
north of Mansfield. 

McKEE, SAMUEL (deceased) ; he was born Sept. 
10, 1812, in Jefi'erson Co.; came to Richland Co. in 
1841 ; settled in Madison Township. Married in 
1839, to Mary Burns; she was born in Belmont Co. 
April 17, 1821; they have the following family: 
Joseph, born Feb. 23, 1840; John, December, 31, 
1841 ; Mary M., March 18, 1844; Sarah J., Aug. Id, 
1846; Samuel, Sept. 7, 1848; Amanda A., Dec. 28,. 
1850; Cyrus B., Jan. 22, 1853; David Collins, April 
22, 1855; Emma Maria, Sept. 15, 1857 ; William Rals- 
ton, Jan. 2, 1860; Laura Bell, Feb. 21, 1864. Of 
these, John, Joseph, David, Emma and Samuel are 
now dead. 

McKINLEY, GEORGE, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
he was born July 13, 1811, in Northumberland Co., 
Penn.; came to Ohio in 1818, and settled near Woos- 
ter. He married, Nov. 21, 1833, Martha McBride, who 
was born in November, 1813, in Westmoreland Co., 
Penn., and who came to Wooster, Ohio, at the age of 
4 years ; they came to Richland Co. in 1852, and 
located in Madison Township : they have four chil- 
dren—Mary A., born July 4, 1836 : Maria P., Dec. 20, 
1838; Alexander H., June 8, 1841 ; Julia C, June 16, 
1847. Mary A. McKinley was married to S. B. Nye 
I Oct. 23, 1855; they have four children — Mattie, born 



■,rw 



^1 



II. 



820 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



July 23, 1857 ; George, Nov. 21, 1862 ; Willie, Feb. 17, 
1871 ; Nettie Maud, .July 7, 1874. Maria McKinley 
married Edward B. Childs ; tliey have two children — 
Willie, born Sept. 10, 1864 ; Nettie Louisa, May 3, 1872. 
Alexander McKinley was married to Dora Fair ; they 
have one child — Harry C, born Oct. 4, 1864. Julia 
McKinley married James Henry Boyden ; they have 
two children — Lizzie, born Feb. 12, 1870; Harry A., 
Jan. 27, 1872. 

McQUILLIN, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
he was born in 1821, in Summit Co., Penn. Married, 
Feb. 26, 1846, Jane Mcllvaine, who was born Dec. 27, 
1826, in Green Township, Ashland Co.; they have the 
following family : Sarah, born April 26, 1847 ; Robert 
A., June 15, 1849; Thomas M., April 28, 1858; Flora 
Jane, May 15, 1860; Ida Belle, Nov. 10, 1862 : Willis 
Howard, May 18, 1870. Sarah A. McQuillin was 
married to Louis Shoup Feb. 6, 1868 ; they have five 
children— Flora, born Oct. 31, 1869 ; Bertha, Oct. 31, 
1871 ; Minnie, Aug. 26, 1873 ; Charlie, Sept. 2, 1875 ; 
Elzie, Sept. 8, 1877. Thomas McQuillin was married 
to Lillie Markwood, of Mansfield, Oct. 6, 1879. Will, 
iam McQuillin purchased the Joseph Simmons farm, 
which is one of the best improved farms in his town- 
ship ; the buildings are a model in every respect. Mr. 
McQuillin is a member of the Board of Education in 
this township ; this is his second term. 

MACE, DAVID, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Luzerne Co., Penn., April 18, 1830; came to 
Ohio in 1858. He married Amanda E. Slepy, who 
was born in Luzerne Co. in 1836 ; they have nine chil- 
dren — Elvyra C. Lester, born June 14, 1859; Araminta, 
Nov. 14, 1860; Emma Jane, Feb. 5, 1863; Ida Agnes, 
Oct. 9, 1865; William Albert, April 5, 1868; Edith 
Alverda, July 23, 1870; Clara, Oct. 14, 1874; Walter, 
March 13, 1875; Barton, Feb. 20, 1879; Charles 
Edgar and Eugene Abananis died in Pennsylvania; 
Elvyra was married, Jan. 1, 1876, lo John Hagerman; 
they reside in Bloomville, Seneca Co., Ohio ; Araminta 
was married, Dec. 25, 1877, to William R. Jones; they 
reside in Mansfield. 

MURPHY, JOHN F., farmer; he was born in Stark 
Co. Nov. 5, 1818 ; came to Richland Co. in 1825. Was 
married, April 8, 1844, to Miss Keith ; they had two 
children — Henry K.,born March 2, 1845, and John A., 
July 7, 1850; after the mother's death, he was married 
the second time to Anna Cline, in 1857 ; they have the 
following children : Mary Ellen, born in August, 1857; 
Charles E., May 17, 1859; Albert R., in March, 1861 ; 
Truman, in October, 1867; Lillie May, Nov. 13, 1871. 

MUSCROFT, S. J.; P.O. Mansfield; author of the 
" Drummer Boy of Shiloh ; " he was born in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1838 ; his parents came from Shef- 
field, England; his father was a cutler by trade ; at the 
death of his parents, he was 4 years old, and was the 
sixth child of a family of seven. He was married to 
Mrs. E. Baker, daughter of John Hull, Sr., May 17, 
1875; they have three daughters — Nellie Maria, Jessie 
Luelle and Georgia May. Mr. S. J. Muscroft is an old 
soldier, who served with credit in the Army of the 
West ; every one remembei's the beautiful story of 
the " Drummer Boy of Shiloh," so pathetically told in 
verse ; how the two little girls found the young body, 
stark and ghastly, upon the battle-field, and, in their 



innocent and childish way, prepared it with their own 
garments for the partial burial which their pigmy 
strength would admit. This afi"ecting story struck a 
sympathetic chord in the heart of Corporal Muscroft, 
and upon it he based the allegory which has delighted 
and amused tens of thousands of people in all sections 
of the couQtry. There are but few among all these 
tens of thousands of people who know that the men 
who have been mainly instrumental in the success of 
the play were soldiers, and that they are familiar with 
all the details of the scenes and incidents which the 
"Drummer Boy of Shiloh" presents. In the first 
place, Mr. Samuel J. Muscroft, the proprietor, is a 
native of Cincinnati ; he enlisted at Mansfield on Aug. 
6, 1862, in the ]02d 0. V. I.,a member of Co. B; he 
served with credit through the campaign, which began 
with Gen. Kirby Smith's raid ; his command became a 
part of the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Rose- 
crans, at the battle of Bowling Green, Ky.; in the fall 
of 1863, he was on duty at the headquarters of Gen. 
Rousseau, and, being eager to join his comrades in the 
struggles which were imminent, he left the headquarters 
and proceeded to " the front" to join his regiment; 
but he was ordered to report back to Gen. Rousseau ; 
he was taken sick, and, with others, was at Athens, 
Ala.; on the morning of Sept. 23, 1863, Muscroft took 
the train to report to Gen. Rousseau, and, at 2 o'clock 
of the same day, Athens was surrendered by Col. Camp- 
bell to Gen. Forrest ; the boys in the hospital, under a 
hospital flag, were fired upon and many of them killed ; 
a few of the brigade from Decatur and the entire com- 
mand were captured at 4 o'clock, by Forrest, the Lieu- 
tenant Colonel and Major being killed ; the prisoners 
were taken to Tuscumbia, Ala., where the officers were 
paroled and the men forwarded to Cahawby, Miss. 
Here they remained as prisoners of war for nine 
months, after the expiration of which they were re- 
moved to Vicksburg and exchanged, all save a few who 
were blown up on the steamer Sultana. It was the 
order of Gen. Rousseau recalling Muscroft that kept 
him out of all this misery and danger. The engage- 
ments in which his command participated were Frank- 
fort, Ky., Clarksville (where Gen. Morgan's celebrated 
skirmish took place), Decatur, Athens, and at Nash- 
ville, at which place the men were taken out of the 
headquarters and put in the trenches. It will thus be 
seen that comrade Muscroft has seen some service. 

NIMAN, WILLIAM G., former ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born in this township June 6, 1823. He was mar- 
ried in 1851, to Deborah Finch, who was born in Bel- 
mont Co.; they have one son, Gaylord, he was born 
Sept. 19, 1854 ; married to Etta 0. Hickcox, who was 
born in 1858, in Medina Co.; they have two children- 
Grace, who was born Sept. 29, 1877, and Arthur, who 
was born Jan. 2, 1879. Mr. Niman resides on the same 
farm on which he was born, and has resided all his life. 
His son Gaylord resides on the same farm. 

NIMAN, ABEL, carpenter ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Madison Township June 21, 1815. Married in 
1856, Barbara Cole, who was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 
17, 1824 ; she came to Ohio at the age of 16 ; they had 
one child which died in infancy. 

PAINTER, ANDREW (deceased) ; he was born in 
1804 ; he came to Richland Co., Madison Township, in 



^ a 



J^j 



MADISON TOWNSHIP. 



821 



1815. He was married in 1825, to Catherine Keith, 
who was born in Pennsylvania ; they had the following 
family : Henry K., born in 1826 ; Jane, in 1828 ; Jacob, 
in 1835 ; Michael, in 1839. Mrs. Catherine Painter 
died in 1844. Mr. Painter afterward married Mary 
Bender, who was born in Franklin Co., Penn.; she 
came to Ohio in 1844 ; they had one daughter, Louisa; 
she was born in 1845. Mr. Painter was engaged manu- 
facturing in woolen mills ; he died Dec. 23, 1878. Mrs. 
Mary Painter died in 1877. Michael Painter enlisted 
in the war in r23d 0. V. I. Engaged in tlie service 
of his country for four years. He was taken prisoner 
at the surrender of Gen. Lee, but was released and 
returned home after close of war. 

PALMER, CHARLES, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born in Weller Township .June 9, 1838. He was 
married to Fanny Ward, who was born Sept. 24, 1839, 
in Weller Township ; they have the following family ; 
Luella, born March 27, 1862; Maud, Sept. 19, 1863, 
and Bessie, March 21, 1867. 

SEAVER, DAVID, millwright ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born Feb. 14, 1822, in Cumberland Co., Penn.; 
came to Richland Co. in 1854. Married to Nancy Dan- 
ner in 1854, who was born Aug. 17, 1833, in Richland 
Co.; they have two children — Viola, born ]\larch 19, 
1855 ; Lula M., Aug. 3, 1869. Mrs. Nancy Seaver died 
Jan. 16, 1878. 

SHULTZ, SANFORD, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born .Fan. 23, 1812, in Sussex Co., N. J. Married, 
March 17, 1836, to Susan Lommerson, who was born 
March 13, 1818; they had the following children: 
Margaret A., born April 9, 1837; William H., Dec. 3, 
1838; Mary, Feb. 9, 1840; Lucy, Aug. 11, 1842; Mar- 
tin, April 1, 1844; Ellen, May 27, 1845; Huldah, Aug. 
27, 1848; Josephine, March 1, 1850: Sanford, April 1, 
1851 ; Ulysses S. G , June 6, 1864 ; Lucy died Oct. 5, 
1843; Josephine, March 1, 1851; William, July 11, 
1854; Ellen, Dec. 8, 1869; Sarah, May 28, 1870. Mar- 
garet was married to Jacob Good ; they reside in Mont- 
pelier, Williams Co. 

SMITH, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born Feb. 22, 1816, in Columbiana Co. Was mar- 
ried to E. A. Freed March 21, 1844; she was born Jan 
10, 1824, also in the same county; they have the fol 
lowing family: Martha Adelia, born Feb. 22, 1845 
Mary, July 14, 1847; Susan Ellen, Oct. 15, 1849 
Franklin P., born April 4, 1852; George Wilson, Feb 
22, 1854; Zellettie, Dec. 14, 1856; Emma, .July 11 
1860 (deceased). They came to Richland Co. April 1 
1866. Martha A. Smith was married to Reason New 
house May 14, 1865 (they reside in Columbiana Co.) 
Mary was married to Clark T. Ludwig Feb. 10, 1870 
(they reside in Bucyrus, Ohio); Franklin P. Smith was 
married to Lizzie Martin (they reside in Jasper Co., 
Mo.); George Wilson Smith was married to Jennie 
Skyles July 16, 1878; Zellettie Smith was married to 
Charlie Caldwell Aug. 28. 1878 (they reside in Hen- 
rietta, Tex.; he is engaged in the mercantile business); 
George and Jennie Smith have one child — Lettie, born 
June 17, 1879. 

SMITH, S. S., farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was born 
in Madison Township Oct. 25, 1832. He was married 
to Miss A. M. Palmer in 1857; she was born in Weller 
Township Oct. 7, 1833 ; they have two children — How- 



ard T., born Aug. 30, 1871, and Ella, April 16, 1873. 
His brother, N. 0. Smith, was born in Madison Town- 
ship Oct. 23, 1834. He enlisted in the late war in 
April, 1861, at the first call for soldiers; he was killed 
at the Cheat River Valley June 29, 1861 ; he was a 
soldier of the 0. V. I.; his remains were brought to 
Mansfield and buried in the Woodhouse Cemetery ; he 
was the first soldier killed from Richland Co. • 

STEWARD, CALVIN, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born July 20, 1811, in Franklin Co., Vt.; came to 
Ohio in 1814; located in Madison Township in 1816. 
He was married in 1833, to Elizabeth C. Garrison, who 
was born Sept. 11, 1811, in Erie Co., Ohio; they have 
nine children — Chauncy Z., born June, 1834; Mercy 
and Mary (twins), in April, 1836 ; Clara Ann, July 6, 
1838 ; Calvin, Jan. 7, 1840 ; Elizabeth, Jan. 9, 1842 ; 
Philo, June 17, 1844; Sophrona, Dec. 7, 1847; William 
C, April 10, 1852. Chauncy, Mercy, Calvin and Philo 
reside in Fulton Co.; Elizabeth in Dallas Co., Iowa. 
Philo and Calvin enlisted in the 164th 0. N. G. 
during the late war. Mr. Steward resides in that 
part of Madison Township called " Yankeetown," set- 
tled by Eastern men, which gave it this name. 

TERM AN, JAMES, farmer ; he was born July 4, 
1823, in Cumberland Co.. Penn.; came to Mansfield in 
1832. Married in November, 1846, to Mary Cline 
they had the following children: John, born in 1847 
Weller (deceased) ; James, Feb. 12, 1852 (deceased) 
Isaiah, 1853 ; William, Aug. 16, 1855; Joseph, Aug. 
2,1859; Mary Elizabeth, Oct. 14, 1861. Mrs. Mary 
Terman died Jan. 30, 1867. Mr. Terman was married 
the second time to ^lary Ann Armstrong; she was born 
in Harrison Co.; they have the following children : 
Margaret Josephine, born March 30, 1869; Thomas 
Armstrong, March 9, 1872; Sarah Eliza, Jan. 8, 1874, 
and Hattie Lenore, Sept. 28, 1876. 

TRIMBLE, DAVID S., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Springfield Township Feb. 4, 1822. He 
was married to Hannah Campbell in 1854, who was 
born in Huntingdon Co., Penn.; they have two daughters 
— Mary M. and Martha T. His father, David Trimble, 
Sr., came to Ohio about 1816 and died in 1837. 

UHLICH, GEORGE, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Madison Township May 22, 1844. He was 
married, in 1863, to Abigal Whetthrow, who was born 
in Virginia in 1845; they have the following children : 
Dora, born April 16, 1864; Joseph, April 4, 1866; 
Jessie, .Jan. 3, 1868; George, April 12, 1876; Rolla R., 
Nov. 16, 1879. 

UHLICH, JOSEPH, retired farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
he was born in Berks Co., Penn., Dec. 27, 1818: he 
came to Ohio May 12, 1830, and located in Madison 
Township. He was married, in 1842, to Catharine 
Fiddler, who was born in Berks Co., Penn., April 3, 
1821; they have the following family of children: 
George, born May 22, 1844; Susannah, Sept. 1, 1848; 
Jonathan, May 14, 1857; Newella, Aug. 10, 1861. 
Mr. Uhlich has resided in Richland Co. ever since he 
landed here, and has practical knowledge of pioneer 
life. 

WALLACE, WASHINGTON G. (deceased); he was 
born Nov. 20, 1808, in Franklin Co., Penn., and came 
to Mansfield in 1811. He was married, in 1834, to 



^ 



823 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Margiiret Ann Peters, who was born in New Jersey Jan. 

0, 1814, and who came to Mansfield in 1828; they had 
the following family: Electa, born March 29, 1835; 
( harles, Dec. 3, 1836; John, June 14, 1841 ; William, 
Dec. 7, 1843; Daniel, Sept. 3, 1846, and Jacob, Aug. 5, 
1849. Charles Wallace enlisted as a private in the late 
war in Co. A, 4^»th 0. V. 1., and died of a wound re- 
ceived at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain June 22, 
1864 ; at the time of his death, he was First Lieutenant. 
William Wallace enlisted in Co. G, 15th 0. V. I., under 
Col. Dickey and Capt. Dawson ; he died from the effects 
of a wound received at the battle of Chickamauga Oct. 

1, 1863; they were both buried at the Chattanooga 
Cemetery. Electa Wallace was married to Franklin 
Lautz; Elizabeth married John D. Bell; John Wallace 
married Amanda Bell ; Daniel Wallace married Lucy 
Johnson; he enlisted at Findlay, Ohio, May 20, 1864, 
in Co. I, 16l8t 0. N. G., and was honorably discharged 
Sept. 2, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of serv- 
ice'. Mr. Washington G. Wallace died July 21, 1852, on 
his home farm in this township. 

WIGLE, J. H., farmer; he was born in February, 
1820, in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn.; he came to 
New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and remained 
there eight years ; came to Mansfield in 1844 ; entered 
into partnership with Mr. Endley, which continued 
till 1857 -, he then engaged in the paymaster's depart- 
ment, in the army, for five yeai's ; he was in the 
theater at Washington City, and witnessed theassassin- 
alion of Abrahaai Lincoln ; he returned to Mansfield 
after the war, and engaged in Aultman & Taylor's ma- 
chine-shops, remained till 1875, then resumed the dry- 
goods business and continued till June, 1879, and then 
moved on a farm adjoining the city of Mansfield. He 
was married, April 9, 1851, to Margaret A. Rowland; 
she was a daughter of Robert Rowland, and was born 
in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 15,1824; they have 
the foRovt'ing children : Mary L., born Aug. 3, 1852 ; 
Fred B., in June, 1854 ; Anne Margaret, Aug. 3, 1856 ; 
Fr.nk Hammer, May 19, 1858 ; John Henry, Jan. 26, 
1860; Sally. M., July 17, 1861 ; Kate Saxton, Feb. 9, 
1865. 

WISE, HENRY, farraer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born Nov. 18, 1819, in Cumberland Co., Penn.; he 
carae to Mansfield Nov. 20, 1825. He was married to 



Mary M. Bosley March 9, 1843 ; she was born May 27, 
1828, in Allegheny Co., Penn.; they had eight children 
-;-Isaac, born Jan. 21, 1849 (now resides in Ft. Wayne, 
Ind.); William, Sept. 3, 1851 (now engaged in black- 
smithing near his father's residence); Franklia P., 
Sept. 18, 1856; Frederick H., Feb. 13, 1859 ; Samuel 
W., June 19, 1867; Martin L., Oct. 29, 1869; Magda- 
lena, Sept. 4, 1852 ; Sarah Catherine, Oct. 2, 1865. 
Mr. Wise has been engaged in farming for a number 
of years, and is a model farmer. He has been a 
member of the Lutheran Church for twenty years. 

WISE, E. M., farmer; P.O. Mansfield; he was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., March 16, 1833; he 
came to Richland Co. in 1836. He was married, in 
1866, to Mary A. Hall, who was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., July 17, 1S34; they have two children — 
U. G. Wise, born Nov. 7, 1867 ; Laura Belle, March 4, 
1873. Mr. Wise went to California in 1860, and re- 
mained there five years ; he then returned to Richland 
Co., and purchased the farm on which he now resides ; 
it is located three and one-half miles north of Mans- 
field. 

WOHLFORT, GEORGE, farmer; P. 0. Lyons, Rice 
Co., Kan.; he was born in Wayne Co. Oct. 31, 1834. 
He was married, in 1855, to Albina Morrison, who was 
born in Worthington Township May 18, 1833 ; they 
have seven children — Ardella E., born April 9, 1859 
Avilla F., Oct. 28, 1862; Sarah C, June 23, 1864 
Alma A., June 20,1866; Morrison, Oct. 17, 1868 
Djr Orpha, June 6, 1871; Harry, March 3, 1875. 
Mr. Wohlfort has been a citizen of Richland Co. for a 
number of years; he has sold his farm here and pur- 
chased land in Kansas ; he will be missed in this town- 
ship. 

YOUNG, JOHN C, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Monroe Township in 1834. He was mar- 
ried, in 1859, to Margaret King, who was bora Nov. 
13, 1839; they have two children — Byron L., born 
May 13, 1860, and Anna, born June 14, 1864. Mr. 
Young has been engaged in farming some years in this 
towQship. 

YOUNG, R. G , farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Monroe Township June 9, 1845. He was 
married, in 1879, to Catherine Ross, who was born in 
1856. Mr. Young is engaged in farming. 



MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 



ABY, ISAAC, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was born 
in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1821 ; came to Ohio in 
1826. Married in 18'j4, to Sarah Clugston, who was 
born in Franklin Township, Penn., in 1885 ; they have 
two children — James B., born in 1857; May, in 1860. 
J. Byron was married in 1879 to Anna E. Keffer, who 
was born in Mansfield in January, 1859. 

AIMSBAUGH, G. RILEY, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Mifllin Township June 24, 1848. Mai-- 
ried, Sept. 19, 1871, to Anna M. Mentzer, who was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 28, 1851; she came, 
with her parents, to Ohio when young ; they have the 



following family: Bertha M., born Miy 3, 1872 ; 
Odessa B., Dec. 15, 1873: infant child, June 25, 1876, 
died Oct. 11, 1876. 

AU, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was born 
in Cumberland Co., Penn., Jan. 8, 1819; came to Ohio 
in 1855. He was married in 1847, to Margaret A. 
Hoch, who was born Dec. 8, 1826, in Cumberland Co., 
Penn.; they had the following family : Zachariah Tay- 
lor, born March 7, 1848; Melissa Jane, April 3, 1850 ; 
Mary Ann, July 28, 1852; Henry George (deceased), 
Sept. 8, 1854; Marinda Z. (deceased), Dec. 9, 1856 ; 
WiUard Sherman, May 29, 1859 ; Marietta C, May 30, 



:f 



MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 



823 



1831 ; Ulysses Grant, Dec. 14, 1863 ; Jacob Sheridan, 
May 26, 1866. Mr. Au is a Republican in politics ; he 
has been living on the farm where he now resides ever 
since he has been in the State. 

BALLIET, .JACOB (deceased) ; he was born in 1800 ; 
came to Ohio in 1822. He was married in April, 1823, 
to Mary Keifer ; they had six children — Mary, born 
Aug. 22, 1825; Eliza, Aug. 21, 1827; Leonard, Aug. 
10, 1829 ; Ester, Oct. 8, 1830 ; Henry, Sept. 4, 1831 ; 
Jacob, Nov. 18, 1833. Mrs. Mary Balliet died Sept. 
10, 1833. Mr. Balliet was afterward married to Sarah 
Gongwer ; they had six children — Solomon, born < 'ct. 
1.5,1835; Hannah, Aug. 13, 1837; Emanuel, Oct. 13, 
1839; Ephraim, April 5, 1842; Louis, Nov. 11, 1847. 
Mrs. Sarah Balliet died July 21, 1848, and Mr. Balliet 
was again married to Margaret Matthes Sept. 6, 1851; 
they had seven children — Frank B., born Aug. 4, 
1852; Melinda, Aug. 13, 1854; Eliza, June 4, 1856 ; 
Joseph, Aug. 13, 1857; Adam, Nov. 9, 1859 ; Amanda, 
Aug. 31, 1861 ; Lvdia, Sept. 18, 1863. Mr. .Jacob Bal- 
liet died Aug. 20,' 1877; Calvin, in March, 1864; Eph- 
raim, in May, 1851 ; Eliza, in Wisconsin. 

BALLIET, HENRY S., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
the subject of this history was born in Northampton 
Co., Penn., on the 26th day of November, A. D. 1817; 
his father's name was Stephen Balliet, and his mother's 
maiden name was Catherine Seiner ; his father was of 
English -German descent, and his mother of German ; 
his father was a farmer by occupation ; he emigrated 
to Ohio, A. D. 1837, and settled on the west half of 
Sec. 30, in Mifflin Township, Richland Co., where he 
continued to reside until the day of his death ; he died 
at the advanced age of 94 years ; his consort died 
about twelve years ago ; they were both interred in 
the Emmanuel Cemetery, near where they had lived 
and died. H. S. Balliet was married to Henrietta 
Lichtie, fifth daughter of Peter and Catherine Lichtie, 
of Delaware Co., Ohio, by Rev. Cope, of the Lutheran 
Church, April 18, A. D. 1844; Mrs. Balliet's father 
and mother subsequently removed to Richland Co., 
and settled in Madison Township, where they contin- 
ued to reside until the day of their death ; they lived 
to the advanced age of 82 years. The subject of this 
biography settled in Mifflin Township soon after his 
marriage, his father presenting him with a deed for 
87J acres off the "old homestead." They have re- 
sided on this farm from that time to the present, culti- 
vating and improving it, and now have it in a highly 
cultivated state. Mr. and Mrs. Balliet, by industry, 
perseverance and economy, have been enabled to ac- 
quire a competence for themselves and children ; they 
have two sons and one daughter living ; the names of 
the sons are Samuel L. and William A.; the name of 
the daughter is Fianna. Samuel married Catherine 
iLanehart; Fianna married William Hess. Mr. and 
Mrs. Balliet have been active and consistent members 
of the Lutheran Church for about forty-six years, and 
are much respected and highly esteemed by all who 
know them. 

BALLIET, SOLOMON, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Mifflin Township in 1832. He was 
married, in 1855, to Amanda Royer, who was born in 
Greene Township, Ashland Co., in 1834; they have the 
following family : Mary Alice, born in 1856 ; Stephen, 



in 1858 ; Oliver, in 1860; Emma, in 1862 ; George, in 
1863 ; Ida, in 1867 ; Loretta Elzina is dead. Mr. Bal- 
liet owns an improved farm, with the latest-improved 
buildings. 

BARK, FREDERICK, farmer; P. 0. Lucas; he 
was born in Bedford Co., Penn., July 10, 1825; he 
came to Ohio in 1831, and was married, in 1851, to 
Catherine Balliet, who was born in Richland Co. Oct. 
31,1830; they have the following children: David 
Henry, born J uly 15, 1852 ; Mary Catherine, Jan. 6, 
1853 ; John Calvin, Sept. 27, 1854 , Harriet Elvina, 
Jan. 8, 1855; Cyrus Melvin, April 29, 1860; Samuel 
Curtis, March 16, 1862; Ira Franklin, Dec. 12, 1864; 
Orville (deceased), born Oct. 18, 1866; Ella Amanda, 
July 12, 1868; Charles Franklin, May 24, 1870; Jen- 
nie S., Nov. 22, 1872 ; Williard, June 27, 1874. Mr. 
Barr has resided in this township twenty-three years, 
and owns a well-improved farm, with good buildings, 
and is an enterprising farmer. 

BEAR, BENJAMIN, agent sewing machines, West 
Windsor ; he was born in Mifflin Township Sept. 27, 
1836. He was married in 18-59, to Catherine Ohl, who 
was born in Ashland Co.; they have two children — 
Savilla, born in 1860, and John, in 1863. Mr. Bear 
has been engaged for a number of years in selling sew- 
ing machines ; is the agent for the White machine for 
Richland and Ashland Cos. ; this machine stands 
at the head of the list, and is a most excellent one and 
needs no comment. Mr. Bear's reputation in this bus- 
iness is extensively known. Those wishing to buy 
sewing machines will do well to call on him. 

BELL, EMERICK, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Mifflin Township, on the farm where he now 
resides, Oct. 11, 1840, and was married in November, 
1867, to Isabella Henry, who was born in Monroe Town- 
ship, .Jan. 26, 1846 ; they have two children — Florence; 
born April 15, 1870, and Gertie, born June 15, 1878. 
Mr. Bell owns a beautiful farm in this township, with 
excellent buildings ; it is under a good state of culti- 
vation. He is an enterprising farmer. 

BERNARD, JOHN, laborer; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born in Belgium April 14, 1828 ; came to Amer- 
ica in 1849. He was married to Jane E. Sibley Nov. 
18, 1856 ; she was born April 10, 1832 ; they have the 
following family: Rosella, born Feb. 18, 1858; Anna 
M., March 30, 1860; William T., March 31, 1862; 
Laura A., May 9, 1868; Mary N., March 31, 1870; 
Mrs. Bernard died April 8, 1872, at the age of 39 years 
11 months and 2 days. Mr. Bernard was again married, 
to Mary Bowie, in 1876 ; they reside in Windsor. 
' BLUST, HENRY, farmer; P. 0. Lucas; he was born 
in Mansfield May 12, 1836. He was married, in May, 
1858, to Magdalena Kaylor, who was born in Monroe 
Township Nov. 27, 1831 ; they have seven children — 
Mary, born in Ashland Co. April 29, 18-59 ; Orla Ben- 
ten, born in Ashland Co. Jan. 12, 1862; Ida, born in 
Richland Co., April 30, 1867 ; Clada, born in this 
county Aug. 20, 1869 ; George Fred, born in this county 
Nov. 26, 1871 ; Charles Austin, born in this county 
June 19, 1875. Clada died Dec. 28, 1872, aged 3 years 
4 months and 8 days. Mr. Blust has served as Justice of 
the Peace in Ashland Co. one term, also in this township 
one term. 



*71 



*:^- 



•k^, 



824 



BIOGRAPPIICAL SKETCHES: 



BOALS, JAMES W., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, June 16, 1825; came 
with his parents to Richland Co. in 1828. He was 
married in 1855, to Elizabeth Parkison, who was born 
in Jefferson Co. in 1834 ; they have the following chil- 
dren : .Jacob (deceased), who was born Sept. 8, 1857; 
Frank Leslie, Jan. 6, 1862 ; Wade Parkison, March 
22, 1864. Mrs. Elizabeth Boals died in 1866. James 
Boals was married again in 1870, to Elenor McElroy, 
who was born in Madison Township. 

BOALS, JOSIAH, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Mifiiin Township Sept. 17, 1829. He was 
married to Mary Snyder April 6, 1864; she was born 
in this township Sept. 9, 1837; they have one son — 
Robert C, born Nov. 9, 1866. Mr. Boals owns one of 
the best improved farms in this township, has excellent 
buildings, and all the modern conveniences. 

BOALS, DAVID, farmer , P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Mifflin Township Dec. 22, 1836. He was mar- 
ried in 1861, to Mai'y Huston, who was born in Frank- 
lin Township ; they have four children — William, born 
Jan. 13, 1862; Ella J., June 26, 1863; John V. (de- 
ceased), Jan. 4, 1870 ; Estella, June 16, 1874. Mr. 
Boals resides on the farm where he was born, and is a 
farmer of the first class, and keeps up with all the im- 
provements. 

BROACH, PETER, shoemaker; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born on the island of Guernsey, Europe, March 
22, 1815 ; came to America in 1835. Married Lydia 
A. Delenbaugh, who was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 13, 
1821 ; they have four children — Peter, born Aug. 26, 
1850; Harriet, Sept. 20, 1855; Fremont, Jan. 11, 
1858; Elmer, April 18, 1861. Mr. Broach is engaged 
in the boot and shoe business, in Windsor. He was 
appointed Postmaster under Fillmore's administration ; 
he held this position six years ; in 1864, the office was 
transferred to William Hagerman, West Windsor, when 
the A. & G. W. Railroad was completed, and is there 
now. 

BURGER, ZACHARIAS, farmer; P. 0. Mifflin, 
Ashland Co.; he was born in Holmes Co. March 6, 
1841. Married Nov. 14, 1867, to Esther Grubb, who 
was born in Pike Township, Knox Co., Dec. 5, 1841; 
they have four children — Nellie L., born Nov. 13, 1870 ; 
Samantha, July 24, 1872 ; Nora A., March 8, 1875 ; 
Theodore, April 8, 1877. Mrs. Burger was afflicted 
April 17, 1877, with an apoplectic stroke, which has 
afflicted her ever since. Sarah Baker, who lives with 
Mr. Burger, was born in Holmes Co., December, 1818. 
Was married to Andrew B. Baker, Feb. 20, 1863. Mr. 
Baker died April 12. 1875. Mrs. Baker is now resid- 
ing in Mifflin Township. 

CHEW, JAMES (deceased) ; he was born in Jeffer- 
son Co.. 1804. Married in 1824, to Rebecca Richey, 
who was born in Jefferson Co. in 1803 ; he came to 
Richland Co. in 1817; they had nine children, viz.: 
Andrew, born in 1827 ; William, in 1825 ; Elizabeth, in 
1829 ; Amon, in 1831 ; Lydia, in 1835 ; Mary, in 
1837 ; Cephias, in 1841 : James, in 1839. 

COLE, DAVID M., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Mifflin Township Sept. 20, 1842. Married 
in 1867. to Julia A. Stevens, who was born in Hays- 
ville, Asldand Co., Jan. 29, 1844; they had the follow- 
ing family: Anna Laura, born Aug. 28, 1868 ; Fran- 



ces A., April 25, 1871 ; William H., Oct. 18, 1874 ; 
Charles S., Feb. 4, 1877 ; Cletus S., April 26, 1879. 
The following children are deceased : Anna Laura died 
June 30, 1870 ; Frances, Dec. 20, 1872 ; William, Oct. 

21, 1875. Mr. Cole has been a resident of this county 
from infancy. 

COTTER, WILLIAM (deceased) ; he was born in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn., Aug. 21, 1808, and came to 
Ohio in 1866 ; he located in Windsor. He was mar- 
ried to Mary J. Baker, who was born in Allegheny Co., 
Penn., Nov. 12, 1821 ; they had a family of eleven 
children — Henry, born Nov. 28, 1840, now resides near 
Lexington; Elizabeth Jane (deceased), born May 29, 
1843 ; Olive, born Nov. 27, 1845 ; Sarah A., born March 
1, 1850 (she married Charles Hagerman; they reside 
in Windsor) ; Alice A., born Sept. 23, 1851 (married 
to Amos Kohler ; they reside in Ashland) ; Charles M., 
born March 13, 1853, died Feb. 24, 1874; Hannah, 
born Feb. 14, 1856, died Dec. 22, 1864; Altha B., born 
May 14, 1858, died Nov. 26, 1864; Walter D., born 
June 11, 1860, died Dec. 23, 1864; Ellen, born March 

22, 1865, and still remains under the parental roof. 
William Cotter died Sept. 7, 1875 ; Mrs. Cotter still 
resides in Windsor. 

CRIDER, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Mifflin, Ashland 
Co.; was born in Franklin Co., Penn.. Feb. 18, 1828. 
Married in 1852, to Barbara Rebok, who was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn., Nov. 23, 1880; they have two 
children— William W., born Oct. 28, 1856 ; Mary Alice, 
Aug. 29, 1863. Mr. Crider is an active and enter- 
prising farmer. His father, John Crider, was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1802, and married Elizabeth SoUen- 
barger ; they had a family of twelve children, five of 
whom are still living — Jacob, Mary, Eliza, John and 
Lydia. They reside with their son Jacob in Mifflin 
Township. 

DILLON, CHARLES P., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born March 12, 1854, in Ashland Co. Married 
in March, 1879, Sarah Ellen Snyder, who was born 
May 10, 1861 ; they have one child — John C, born 
Sept. 13, 1879. 

EBY, JACOB K., farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in- 1826 ; he came to Ohio 
and located in Richland Co. He was married to Mar- 
garet Cediker, who was born in Richland Co.; they 
have two children — May May, born in 1778, and Otis 
Ray, born in 1879. 

ERNSBERGAR, ELIAS N., farmer; he was born in 
this township Feb. 17, 1831. He was married to Cath- 
erine dayman, who was born in Ashland Co. in 1840; 
they have the following family : Minnie Eldora, born 
Sept. 8, 1862; George H.. Dec. 27, 1864; Samuel, 
March 12, 1866 ; Sarah A. Morey, born Jan. 27, 1874, 
has her home with Mr. Ernsbergar. He owns a farm 
under a good state of cultivation, and one of the finest 
and most convenient residences in the township. His 
father, E. N. Ernsbergar, Sr. (deceased), was born in 
Maryland in 1805; came to Ohio in 1813. Was mar- 
ried, May 27, 1827, to Sarah Culler, who was born in 
1803 in Maryland; they had the following children: 
John Jacob, Isaac, Elias. Henry, Luther, William H., 
Christopher M., Mary E., Rebecca J., Cyrus S. Mr. 
Ernsbergar died Dec. 15, 1876. Mrs. Sarah Ernsbergar 
resides with her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Eby. 



TV 



MIFFLIK TOWNSHIP. 



835 



ERNSBERGAR, C. M., farmer; P. 0. Lucas; he was 
born in this township March 14, 1840. He was mar- 
ried, April 2, 1872, to Julia Mowers, who was born in 
Monroe Township Sept. 6, 1847 ; they have five chil- 
dren — Charles, born April 5, 1873 ; Millie, March 26, 
1875; Ralph, Oct. 25, 1876; Cora, March 14, 1878; 
Emma, Aug. 2, 1879. Mr. Ernsbergar owns a farm in 
this township, and is an active and successful farmer. 

GONGWAY, WILLIAM A., farmer; P. 0. Mifflin, 
Ashland Co.; he was born in Mifflin Township in 1853. 
Married, in 1874, to Martha Brindle, who was born in 
Milton Township, Ashland Co., in 1852; they have 
three children — Alice Bell, born Jan. 1, 1875; Dora 
May, Sept. 13, 1877 ; Bessie Florence, Sept. 13, 1879. 
Mr. Gongway is engaged as a teacher in the public 
schools and in farming. 

HALE, JOHN S. (deceased); he was born Jan. 15, 

1814, in Jefferson Co., Ohio; came to Richland Co. in 

1815. He was married, Nov. 5, 1835, to Martha M. 
Peters, who was born Aug. 18, 1817, in Newton Town- 
ship, Sussex Co., N. J.; came to Ohio in 1828; they 
had the following family : James, born June 22, 1837 ; 
Mary Jane, July 11, 1839; Elizabeth, March 25, 1842; 
John, April 30, 1844; Phoebe, Sept. 11, 1846; Cathe- 
rine, March 11, 1848; Willard, Aug. 27, 1850; Samuel 
P., May 18, 1853; Rufus, Oct. 21, 18-55; Cora B., 
March 27, 1856 ; Frank, Feb. 14, 1861 ; John S. Hale 
died Feb. 22, 1872 ; Phoebe died Nov. 26, 1876. Mrs. 
Hale is still residing on the farm with the family. 

HALE, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. West AVindsor; he was 
born in Mifflin Township April 30, 1844. He was mar- 
ried to Artie Berry Oct. 6, 1870; she was born in 
Worthington Township Jan. 10, 1847 ; they have four 
children — Rodney, born April 30, 1872; Minnie, Nov. 
13, 1873 ; Tracy J., June 18, 1876 ; Avery, Sept. 27, 
1879. Mr. Hale is one of the most enterprising farm- 
ers of this township, and is engaged quite extensively 
in buying stock. He takes quite an active part in all 
the public enterprises, and is ever ready to assist every 
good cause ; he works for the highest interest of his 
vicinity. 

HALE, HUGH (deceased), was born Sept. 10, 1791, 
in Washington Co., Penn.; came to Ohio when a boy 
about 8 or 10 years of age. Ee was married, in 1813, 
to Jane Simpson, who was born Oct. 17, 1792, in 
Washington, Penn.; they had the following children : 
John S., born Jan. 15. 1814; Samuel, Feb. 22, 1815; 
Margaret, Jan. 10, 1817; Catherine, Dec. 25, 1818; 
Mary, May 2, 1821; Elizabeth, March 14, 1824; 
Nancy, Jan. 20, 1826; Robert, Jan. 30, 1828 ; Hugh 
Hale, Jr., Oct. 26, 1830; William, Nov. 27, 1832. 
Hugh Hale, Sr., died April 14, 1833; John Hale died 
Feb. — , 1872 ; Robert Hale died .Jan. 17, 1850. Sam- 
uel Hale was married, in 1840, to Margaret J.Starrett, 
who was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio with her 
parents in childhood ; they had seven children — Hugh, 
born Dec. 25, 1840 ; Clarinda, July 26, 1842 ; Casan- 
der (deceased) ; Mary (deceased) ; three died in infancy. 
Hugh Hale was married to Mary Ward ; they had one 
child, Mary, born March 19, 1874. Margaret Hale 
was married, Feb. 12, 1835, to William McA. Flem- 
ing ; they have the following children : Jennie, born 
June 2, 1837 ; David. Aue. 21, 1839 ; Mary A., Sept. 
15, 1841 ; Margaret E., April 28, 1845; John S., Feb. 



18, 1847 ; Robert, Dec. 29, 1849. Catherine was mar- 
ried to George W. Crothers ; they had seven children. 
Mary Hale was married to James M. Boyle ; they had 
four children. Hugh Hale, Jr., was married Jan. 4, 1855, 
to Henrietta Fox ; they had eight children. Elizabeth 
married Joseph B. Holmes ; they have six children ; 
they reside in Mansfield. AVilliam Hale was married 
to Ella Williams ; they have three children. Nancy 
was married to Thomas S. Palmer ; they have four 
children ; they reside in Vinton, Benton Co., Iowa. 
Mother Jane Hale is now residing with her son, Sam. 
uel Hale, on the farm where she has been residing 
since September, 1815; she has a clear conception of 
the past, especially of pioneer life, of which she bore 
her share of burdens and trials ; she can now look 
into the past with pleasure, and has the largest pos- 
terity in Mifflin Township, and, no doubt, Richland 
Co. — eleven children, fifty-six grandchildren, thirty- 
four great-grandchildren — making a grand total of one 
hundred and one. Mrs. Hale has been a member of 
the Presbyterian Church fifty years, and has lived an 
exemplary. Christian life, and still enjoys a lively and 
bright hope to join the society of pioneers that have 
gone before. 

HAUSERMAN, PHILIP, shoemaker. West Windsor ; 
he was born in Germany Nov. 9, 1845 ; came to Amer- 
ica April 1, 1869. Married to Lena Redding, who was 
born in Ashland Co. in 1852 ; they have one son, Will- 
iam F., born Nov. 24, 1879. Mr. Hauserman is en- 
gaged in the boot and shoe business, in Windsor. 

HAVERFIELD, WILLIAM C, farmer; P. 0. West 
Windsor : he was born in Blooming Grove Township, 
June 29, 1840. He was married, Oct. 8, 1868, to Mar- 
garet E. Fleming, who was born April 28, 1845 ; they 
have three children— Stella, born Oct. 28, 1869; Ida 
M., Aug. 9, 1873; Robert W., Feb. 28, 1876. 

HENRY NICHLAS S., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born in Belmont Co. Dec. 16, 1827 ; came to Rich- 
land Co. March 19, 1836, and settled in Monroe Town- 
ship. He was married, Feb. 10, 1853, to Margaret 
Yates, who was born Feb. 28, 1830, in Richland Co. ; 
they had a family of six children — Joseph Patrick 
Henry, was born April 10, 1854 ; Ursula Melissa, 
Jan. 10, 1857; Laura L., Nov. 17, 18-58; Washington 
Alexander, Nov. 22, 1860 ; Mary P., Nov. 25, 1862 ; 
Jessie M., Dec. 18, 1870. Joseph Patrick is attending 
the LaFayette College, Easton, Penn.; will graduate in 
June, 1880, as class orator. Mr. Henry has been Jus- 
tice of the Peace in this township for six years. He 
enlisted in the late war in the 120th 0. V. I., Co. B ; 
he was engaged as teamster for that company ; he was 
in a number vf engagements ; he received an injury at 
Perkins' Plantation, eleven miles from Richmond ; he 
was taken to the hospital, remained there for some 
time, and was honorably discharged at Benton Bar- 
racks, St. Louis, Mo., July 19, 1862. 

HOCK, HARRISON, farmer ; P. 0. West Windsor ; 
he was born in Northampton Co., Penn., Feb. 1, 1823. 
He was married, ]\Iarch 7, 1854, to Susan Unger, who 
born March 11, 1834, in Lancaster Co.. Penn.; they have 
three children — Ephraim, born April 23, 1855; Fannie, 
Aprils, 1857; Matilda, Jan. 1,1859; they came to 
Ohio in 1860, and have been residing here ever since. 



^ 



'k. 



826 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Mr. Hock is engaged in farming, and is an energetic 
and an active man. 

HOSTETTER, DAVID, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Mifflin Township in 1839. Married, in 
1873, to Anna Strickland, who was born in Vermillion 
Township, Ashland Co., in 1851 ; they have two chil- 
dren—William, born Dec. 3, 1874; Jennie, Feb. 9, 
1876. Mr. Hostetter is engaged in farming, and owns 
part of the old homestead. 

HOUT, GEORGE, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was 
born in Mifflin Township, this county, Sept. 30, 1829, 
and was married, in 1856, to Martha Lautz, who was 
born in Franklin Co. April 18,1826; they have two 
children — Byran B., born Feb. 9, 1857, and Bushnell 
C. Hout, born April 28, 1859. Mr. Hout resides on the 
farm where he was born, and has lived there all his 
life. He is a very active and enterprising farmer. 

HOUT, SAMUEL S., farmer ; P.O.Mansfield; he 
was born in Mifflin Township Dec. 18, 1839. He was 
married to Mary A. Eby, who was born Jan. 31, 
1843, also in Mifflin Township; they have the fol- 
lowing children : Letitia, born June 25, 1862; Cath- 
erine Emma, Sept. 6, 1863; Solomon, Sept. 4, 1865; 
Mary J., Feb. 19, 1867; Irene R., March 2, 1869; 
Maud E., July 6, 1871 ; Leno, Dec. 13, 1873; Clinton, 
May 4, 1877; Catherine, died Nov. 10, 1872 ; infant 
died March 13, 1876. Mr. Hout is engaged during the 
winter in buying furs and pelts, and is doing quite an 
extensive trade. 

HOUT, JOSEPH, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was 
born in Mifflin Township April 20, 1824. He was mar- 
ried, to Mary Hoover ; she was born in Mifflin Town- 
ship Oct. 11, 1826; they had the following chil- 
dren : Sarah Jane, born Jan. 29, 1847 ; Almond, May 
8, 1848 ; Libbie, Sept. 1, 1849; Maggie, Feb, 24, 1851 ; 
Henry, Sept. 18, 1857; Francelia, May 5, 1855. Sarah 
J. married George W. Redman ; they reside in Mifflin 
Township, Ashland Co. Libbie married Henry Cotter ; 
they reside in Troy Township. Maggie married M. G. 
Shultz; they reside in Montpelier, Williams Co. Fran- 
celia married H. C. Roads. 

HOUT, D. W., farmer; P. 0. Mifflin, Ashland Co.; 
he was born in Mifflin Township Aug. 17, 1849. Mar- 
ried, in 1873, to Susan Bowie, who was born in Wayne 
Co. Sept. 20, 1850 ; they have two children — Eva May, 
born May 27, 1874 ; Bryant R., Sept. 20, 1878. They 
reside on a farm in Mifflin Township. 

HOOVER, DANIEL (deceased). He was born May 
16, 1796, in Rolinhen Co., Va.; he first came to Fair- 
field Co., Ohio, and remained there about twelve years, 
then came to Mifflin Township, entered land and re- 
mained there till his death. He was married to Sarah 
Sheller, who was born Oct. 9, 1801 ; they had the fol- 
lowing family: Joseph, born March 10, 1824; Mary, 
Oct. 11, 1826; Henry, April 27, 1828; Aaron, Aug. 
4, 1830; Christian, Oct. 13, 1831; Alfred, June 22, 
1833 ; Elizabeth, July 27, 1835 ; Daniel, Sept. 6, 1838. 
Elizabeth died April 25, 1850; Daniel, July 29, 1853 ; 
John, Sept. 28, 1861 ; Sarah, Aug. 26, 1870; Samuel, 
Nov. 16, 1879. Mr. Hoover was one of the pioneers 
of Mifflin Township ; through his industry and frugal- 
ity, he accumulated considerable property. He and 
his wife were members of the Baptist Church about 
forty years ; he was a strong advocate for the doctrines 



of his church ; he had preaching at his residence, and 
was a strong supporter of the ministry. 

HOOVER, CHRISTIAN, farmer; P.O. Mifflin, Ash- 
land Co.; he was born in Mifflin Township Oct. 13, 
1831. Married, in 1855, Mary Hursh, who was born 
in Lancaster Co., Penn., May 24, 1835 ; they have five 
children — Henrietta, born Nov. 2, 1856 ; Sarah, Sept. 
5, 1858; Willis, July 22, 1860; Mary E., May 26, 
1866 ; Charles, Feb. 16, 1873 ; Henrietta was married 
to Martin Swoveland ; they reside in Mifflin Township ; 
Sarah married Willard Hale; they reside in Mifflin 
Township. Mr. Hoover is one of the energetic farmers 
of this county, and has a well-improved farm, with good 
buildings and under a good state of cultivation. 

KAUFFMAN, CHRISTIAN (deceased) ; he was born 
in Lancaster Co., Penn.. Jan. 30, 1807. He was mar- 
ried to Anna Staman in 1830 ; she was born in Lan- 
caster, Penn.; they have the following family: Sarah, 
born Oct. 11, 1832; Anna, July 6, 1834; Jacob, Sept. 

25, 1836; Fanny, Nov. 18, 1838; xMaria, July 4, 1842. 
Sarah was married to Alexander McElroy, and resides 
in Madison Township ; Fanny was married to Manuel 
Charles, and resides in Ashland Co.; Maria was mar- 
ried to Dr. Kendig, and resides in Hayesville, Ohio. 
Christian Kauflfman died May 1, 1875. 

KAYLER, ABRAHAM, laborer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Pennsylvania Aug. 10, 1822; came to 
Ohio when he was young. Married Jane Hemptage ; 
they had eight children — Harry, born Feb. 6, 1846 ; 
Jennie, Aug. 13, 1848; Raymond, Aug. 13, 1850; 
William, Aug. 1, 1852; George, Aug. 24, 1854; Fred 
F., Nov. 6, 1856; Theodore W., Nov. 23, 1858; Fran- 
ces N., April 15, 1860. Mrs. Kayler died in 1866. 
Mr. Kayler married Phoebe Allen Oct. 15, 1875; she 
was born in Mifflin Township, in 1837 ; they reside in 
this township. Harry (conductor on the railroad) 
married Catherine Buck ; they reside in Alliance. 
Jennie married James Boston ; they reside in Upper 
Sandusky. Raymond (conductor on the railroad) mar- 
ried Mary Rodgers ; they reside in Crestline. Will- 
iam C. married Etta Smith; they reside in Nevada, 
Wyandot Co. George (conductor on the railroad) mar- 
ried Hattie Hess ; they reside in Alliance. Fred 
is a fireman on the railroad. Theodore W. married, 
Nov. 18, 1879, Miss Etta McElhany ; she was born in 
Beaver Co., Penn., Nov. 14, 1857 ; they now reside in 
Crestline; he is engaged on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. 
Francis is engaged as a brakemah on the railroad ; his 
home is in Crestline. 

KAYLOR, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Lucas; he was 
born in Monroe Township Nov. 27, 1842. He was 
married in November, 1868. to Rebecca Fisher, who 
was born in Ashland Co. Jan. 29, 1845; they have 
three children — Bernard B., born April 16, 1870; Car- 
rie Ettie, Feb. 12, 1874; Frederick S., Aug. 22, 1877. 
Mr. Kaylor owns a farm in this township. 

KOHLER, DANIEL, Sr., farmer; P. 0. West Wind- 
sor ; he was born in Adams Co., Penn., Aug. 1, 1814. 
Married, Jan. 12, 1837, to Nancy Brubaker, who was 
born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 1, 1817 ; she came, 
with her parents, to Ohio at the age of 7 ; they had 
nine children — Aaon, born Nov. 28, 1837 ; John, Jan. 

26, 1839; Elizabeth, June 19, 1841 ; Henry, Sept. 15, 
1843; Aaon, Jan. 15, 1847; Wesley, Oct. 27, 1848; 



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MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 



837 



Daniel, Nov. 10, 1850; Jacob, Feb. 20, 1853; Aaon 
died May 1, 1838; Wesley, July 8, 1851 ; Jacob, Sept. 
16, 1856 ; Henry, Sept. 26, 1877. Elizabeth Kohler 
was married to John Kagy ; they reside in Ashland Co. 
Amos Kohler married Alice Cotter ; they now reside in 
Ashland. Henry Kohler (deceased) married Harriet 
Brubaker. Daniel married Susan Cole Oct. 30, 1873 ; 
they have two children — Sadie L. and Henry B. John 
Kohler married Mary Hersh Sept. 21, 1865; they have 
the following children : Jacob H., born Sept. 28, 1866 ; 
Allie L., June 7, 1868; John B., Dec. 11, 1869; Delia, 
Sept. 27, 1871; Jennie A., April 24, 1873; Willie H. 
(deceased), March 11, 1876; Mary M., Dec. 11, 1878, 
died .Jan. 29, 1879. 

LANDIS, SAMUEL, farmer: P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 18, 1797. 
He married Maria Oberholtzer, who was born in 1801, 
in Pennsylvania ; they had the following children : 
Nancy, born April 22, 1819; Jacob, Oct. 16, 1820; 
Elizabeth, May 25, 1822 ; John, Dec. 25, 1824 ; Cath- 
erine, Jan. 21, 1826; Maria, Aug. 3,1828; Samuel, 
Oct. 28, 1830. Mrs. Maria Landis died Feb. 11, 1853, 
after which Mr. Landis was married to Mrs. Mary 
(Brubaker) Eby ; she had the following family of chil- 
dren with her first husband : Tobias, deceased ; Amos, 
born Sept. 22, 1844 ; Frances, June 4, 1846 ; Harriet, 
Nov. 22, 1848;; Sarah, Sept. 25, 1850. After Mr. Lan- 
dis' second marriage, they had the following children : 
Susan, born Jan. 25, 1855 ; Anna Maria, Nov. 3, 1857 ; 
Wesley, Feb. 12, 1866. 

McBRIDE, DUNCAN (deceased) ; he was born in 
Hampshire Co., Va., June 11, 1807, and moved with 
his parents to Richland Co. in 1817; they settled one 
mile north of what is now the village of Lucas, in 
their log cabin, which for a time had no floor but the 
earth ; when a floor was had, it was the puncheon floor 
quite common in that day ; a quilt was hung up for a 
door. Duncan McBride was of Scotch and Irish ex- 
traction, his father having emigrated to this country 
from the North of Ireland when but a small boy ; one 
of the anecdotes related by him was concerning their 
experience with porcupines. In those days they put 
bells on their horses and turned them out in the woods. 
In hunting for them they were very apt to run across 
the quadruped aforementioned, and being always ac- 
companied by their dogs (of which the number was not 
small), they were readily tracked; the consequence 
was, the mouths of the dogs would be filled with the 
quills of the porcupines. On their returning home, 
it was their work to take the bullet molds and pull 
out the quills. He used to add that the amount of 
yelling and howling was horrible. At an early age, 
went to Mansfield (then a small village) to learn the 
tanner's trade with a Mr. Pugh. Having learned the 
trade, and taken to himself a wife in the person of 
Miss Elizabeth Chew, in the year 1828 he moved to the 
village of Perrysville, and while there tanned skins for 
the Greentown Indians. In the year 1829, he again 
removed on a farm in Monroe Township, on tl\_e road 
leading from Mansfield to Perrysville, about one and a 
half miles east of Lucas, at (he foot of Mohawk Hill, 
where he continued to carry on his trade, as well as 
till the soil, and where he continued to live till the time 
of his death, Oct. 18, 1862. He and his wife con- 



nected themselves with the Presbyterian Church of 
Perrysville, when rather young in years, and lived and 
died in that faith. He was quite prominent in the 
early history of the county ; he has been heard to say 
that at one time he was acquainted with nearly every 
one in this county. He took an active part in politics, 
and was elected to different offices of public trust ; the 
law of the land and the law of God were his delight 
and study, and it was said by those who knew him 
well, that he was as well versed in the law as the best 
lawyers of Mansfield. To him five children were born 
— Maria, the eldest, was married to James Marlow, 
and resides three miles west of Mansfield ; Thomas 
died at the age of 26 ; Lydia died in infancy ; William 
resides one mile south of Lucas ; Washington resides 
four miles east of Mansfield. Mr. McBride died after 
a brief illness, and lies buried beside his fathers in the 
cemetery one mile west of Lucas, on a part of his 
father's farm reserved for that purpose. His wife, 
Elizabeth, was born Aug. 5, 1808, in Harrison Co., 
Ohio, near Cadiz, and moved with her parents to Rich- 
land Co. when a young girl ; "she died .Ian. 9, 1874, 
and was buried Vjy the side of her husband ; she was a 
loving mother, and died saying that " she had gained 
the victory through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

McBRIDE, WASHINGTON, farmer; P. 0. Mans- 
field ; he was born in Monroe Township April 1, 1840. 
Was married, in 1860, to Mary A. Swann ; they had 
four children — Franklin E., William S., Lilly A., Laura 
E.; Mrs. McBride died Jan. 22, 1873 ; Mr. McBride 
married again, Dec. 17, 1874, to Mary A. Au, who was 
born in Pennsylvania ; they have two children — Mar- 
garet E., , Maria M. Mr. McBride is an intelligent 
man, and is a member of the Congregationalist Church. 

McCLEAF, JOHN, miller; P. 0. Mifflin, Ashland 
Co.; he was born in Adams Co., Penn., April 27, 1820: 
came to Ohio Oct. 19, 1876. He was married, Sept. 5, 
1843, to Sarah A. Reed, who was born in Franklin Co., 
Penn. ; they had six children — William, born in 1859 ; 
Jane, Sept. 4, 1846; Catherine, in August, 1848; Cal- 
vin, Oct. 30, 1850 ; George, March 27,1852; Robert, 
March 31, 1855; Mrs. Sarah A. McCleaf died Nov. 29, 
1859, in Cumberland Co., Penn.; William died in the 
rebel prison at Andersonville, Ga., Oct. 10, 1864, at 
the age of 21 years ; Mr. McCleaf was married the 
second time to Louisa Reed, May 3, 1861 ; they had 
one child — John, born June 13, 1862 ; Mrs. Louisa 
McCleaf died June 2, 1867 ; Mr. McCleaf was married 
the third time to Eliza Gamber, who was born Nov. 4, 
1828, in Cumberland Co., Penn. .lohn McCleaf enlist- 
ed in the late war in the 158th 0. V. I., continued in 
the service, and was honorably discharged. He has 
been engaged in the milling business forty years, and 
is now engaged in the Lewis Mill, in this township. 

McCORMICK, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. West 
Windsor ; he was born in Springfield Township Aug. 25, 
1836. INIarried April 15, 1868, to Mary Irwin ; she 
was born in England ; came to America at 3 years of 
age ; they have four children — Arthur, born April B, 
1870 ; John, March 27, 1872 ; Charles, Nov. 29, 1874 ; 
Jennie, July 17, 1876. 

MATHEWS, DANIEL, farmer ; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born in York Co., Penn., in 1802 ; came to Ohio 
in 1804. He was married to Lois Smith, who was born 



Ik* 



828 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in New Hampshire in 1803 ; they had a family of six 
children — Fannie, Elizabeth, Elmiria, James, Daniel 
and John, Daniel died in the army ; he was a mem- 
ber of Co. D, 102d 0. V. I. Fannie was married to 
Stephen H. Powers in 1866 ; they have three children 
— Sarah Delphine, who was born Oct. 6, 1867 ; Lois 
Rosalia, born Aug. 3, 1874 ; and Docia May, born Dec. 
20, 1875. Mr. Powers enlisted in the late war, in the 
142d Ind. V. I. He was in the service ten months. 

MILLER, GEORGE W., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Mifflin Township Jan. 7, 1840 ; and 
was married in 1868, to Miss L. A. Fish ; they have 
four children — Edward L., born Jan. 21, 1870; David 
E., Sept. 24, 1873 • Mary A., Feb. 4, 1875 ; Samuel A., 
Sept. 19, 1878. Mr. Miller enlisted in the late war as 
a member of Co. D, 102d Regiment, making a good 
soldier. 

• OSBURN, FREEMAN, farmer ; P. 0. AVest Windsor ; 
he was born in Weller Township April 14, 1843. Mar- 
ried Jan. 17, 1872, to Matilda Waldo, who was born in 
Michigan Dec. 28, 1844 ; they have two children — 
Park W., born July 2, 1874; Carl H., March 6, 1875. 
Mr. Osburn enlisted in the late rebellion in August, 
1862. He was a member of Co. D, ]02d 0. V. I. 

SATTLER, GEORGE P., physician. West Windsor ; 
he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., June 7, 1844; 
emigrated with his parents to Ashland Co. ; received 
his preparatory at the Savannah Academy, after which 
he graduated at Cleveland, in the Medical Department 
of the University of Wooster ; he read medicine in the 
otfice of Loughridge & Mitchell, Mansfield, Ohio; he 
then located in Windsor, engaged in the practice of 
medicine. He has a very extensive practice, and is 
meeting with good success in his profession. Dr. Sattler 
was a soldier in the late rebellion, a member of the 
102d 0. V. I., Co. K ; he was engaged during the war, 
and received an honorable discharge. 

SNYDER, JOHN C, farmer; P. O. Mansfield; he 
was born in MifHin Township, Jan. 24, 1821. Married 
to Christina Swartz, who was born Nov. 15, 1823, in 
Schuylkill Co., Penn.; they have six children — Dorsilla, 
born Sept. 24, 1842 ; Abraham, Sept. 28, 1844 ; Sam- 
uel D., March 19,1850; Samantha, July 10, 1853; 
Sarah E., May 10, 1861 ; William, March 11, 1863. 
He has been engaged in farming, and is an enterprising 
citizen. 

SNYDER, CASPER, blacksmith, Mifflin, Ashland 
Co.; he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., April 13, 
1807, and is of German descent ; came to Richland Co., 
Mifflin Township, in October, 1834. He was married, 
Aug. 19, 1828, to Sarah Stuart, who was born in the 
city of Lancaster, Penn., in December, 1807 ; they 
have the following children : Franklin, born Sept. 4, 
1829; Susan, Oct. 9, 1831 ; Leander (deceased). May 
12, 1834 ; Mary, Sept. 9, 1837 ; Emma, Feb. 26, 1840 ; 
Sarah, Nov. 19, 1842; Ann, April 11. 1845. Leander 
died Feb. 20, 1836. Mrs. Snyder died Sept. 2, 1876 ; 
she was buried in Sec. 16 graveyard. Mr. Snyder is 
engaged in blacksmithing, and is regarded as an excel- 
lent mechanic ; he is a man well informed and of more 
than ordinary ability. His work has often been sent to 
diff"erent parts of the United States. 

SNYDER, DANIEL M., Jr., farmer ; P.O.Mansfield; 
he was born in Monroe Township in May, 1847. Mar- 



ried. Oct. 27, 1870, to Alice Balliet, who was born in 
Mifflin Township Dec 4, 1853; they have two children 
— Alden, born May 10, 1873 ; George, Oct. 27, 1876. 
Mr. Snyder is one of the most active farmer of this 
township. 

SWOVELAND, PETER, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; 
he was born in Bedford Co. Feb. 23, 1811; came to 
Ohio at the age of 23 years, and located in Mifflin 
Township. Married, in May, 1888, to Mary Rush, who 
was born in Lancaster Co., Penn.; they have five chil- 
dren — Mary Jane, born May 3, 1849 ; Rebecca, June 
8, 1851; Benjamin F.; Martin L., June 28, 1852; 
Susan, April 5, 1854. Susan married E. Shelles. Mar- 
tin married Etta A. Hover ; they have one child — 
Stella May, born May 30, 1879. Mr. Swoveland was 
an early settler of this township. Through his industry 
and frugality, he has secured an excellent farm ; has 
now retired, and is taking comfort in the decline of life. 

SWOVELAND, BENJAMIN F., farmer; P. 0. Mifflin, 
Ashland Co.; he was born in Mifflin Township July 29, 
1844. Married, in 1868, Elizabeth Simpson, who was 
also born in Mitflin Township in 1846 ; they have six 
children— Walter J., born Aug. 23, 1869 ; Mary Adella, 
Nov. 22, 1870; Ora Jane, May 16, 1872; Frank Mar- 
tin, Feb. 13, 1876; Florence Blanche, Nov. 8, 1878; 
Emery Morris, Sept. 18, 1879. Mr. Swoveland has 
always been a resident of Mifflin Township. He is 
engaged in farming, and has a well-improved farm. He 
has erected a large house, with all the modern improve- 
ments, and has also built one of the most convenient 
barns in Mifflin Township. 

WALTERS, HIRAM, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Mitflin Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, on the 18th day of March, 1825 ; 
his father's name was Solomon Walters, and his mother's 
maiden name was Mary Starrett ; his father was of Ger- 
man and his mother of Irish descent ; he had six 
brothers and four sisters ; has three brothers and two 
sisters now living. His father was one of the early set- 
tlers of the township, having emigrated here from Penn- 
sylvania in 1822 ; his mother was a Virginian by birth ; 
his parents resided on the farm now owned by Henry 
Hoover, in said township, from the time of their mar- 
riage up to the time of their death. His father died 
about 1857, and his mother about 1862. The subject of 
this sketch was married to .Jemima Shaff'er, second 
daughter of Samuel and Ruth Shaffer, of Mercer Co., 
Ohio, at the residence of her father, in 1855. They 
settled first in Mercer Co., where they continued to re- 
side about eleven years, when they removed to Rich- 
land Co. and settled on his father's farm in Mitflin 
Township, which they subsequently purchased. He 
lived on this farm about five years, when he sold it to 
its present owner, and bought the farm on which he 
now resides, it being the southwest quarter of Sec. 29, 
in said township. Mr. Walters has been for about six- 
teen years extensively engaged in buying and shipping 
live stock, and, by paying liberal prices and fair and 
honest dealing, he has been able to gain the confidence 
of the people, and thereby has made this businss, in 
which so many have failed, a success. When Mr. Wal- 
ters was about 25 years old, he took a trip to the 
"Golden State," where he remained for about two 
years. He followed mining while there, and met with 



:%" 



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MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 



829 



good success. It was there that he got his start finau- 
cially. While homeward bound, the ship on which he 
embarked was overtaken by a severe gale, which 
totally dismantled her, and all on board came near find- 
ing a watery grave. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are the 
parents of eight children, seven sons and one daughter. 
By good management and close application to business, 
they have been able to secure a competence for them- 
selves and family. They have a good farm, well im- 
proved and well cultivated. 

WOLFE, T. G., miller; P. 0. Mifflin, Ashland Co.; 
he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn.; came to Ohio 
in the fall of 1878 ; he has two children — Willis T. and 
Sarah E. Mr. Wolfe is engaged as miller at the Snyder 
Mill ; he is a practical mechanic and a first-class miller. 
This mill was built by John Yeaman in 1832. It still 
has the reputation of being one of the best mills in the 
county. They have connected with it an excellent saw- 
mill, using a circular saw manufactured by the Mans- 
field Machine Co. They are doing a very extensive 
business in sawing and lumber of every dimensions for 
building purposes. Mr. Wolfe is an enterprising and 
obliging gentleman, and he is the right man in the 
right place. 

WOODHOUSE, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in England Oct. 20, 1808 ; his parents 
emigrated from there in June, landing in Philadelphia 
in August, 1820; from there they came to Ohio by 
team, arriving in this county in October the same year; 
they then purchased the farm on which he now lives. 
Mr. Woodhouse was married, in 1882, to Elizabeth 
Jackson, who was born in England ; their family con- 
sists of .John J., who was born in 1833, and who now 
resides in California; Isaac N., born in 1838, and now 
resides in Bellville, Nev.; Sarah A., born in 1837, was 
married to William Douglas, who now resides near 
Shelby ; Lydia H., born in 1840, was married to John 
Douglas, and they also reside near Shelby ; Thomas P., 
who died in infancy; Mary, who died at the age of 8 
years, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of 14 years. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Woodhouse died in 1858, at their resi- 
dence. Mr. Woodhouse's second marriage took place 
in 1860, to Ellen Ray, who was born in the State of 
Vermont. Mr. Woodhouse came to this county when 
it was. in a wild state ; he was often sent, when a boy, 
on horseback, to the Newman mill when it was difficult 
to find the road ; he has proved himself to be a worthy 
and excellent citizen. 

YEAMAN, JOHN, sawyer; P. 0. Mifflin, Ashland 
Co.; he was born in Mifflin Township Feb. 13, 1818 ; 
he is a son of John Yeaman, Sr., who was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1779 ; he emigrated to 
Ohio in 1814 ; his father was killed by the Indians in 
Washington Co., Penn. Mr. Yeaman, Sr., was mar- 
ried to Ann McCready June 30, 1807; he entered 
three quarter-sections of land in this township ; he 
cleared a small space and erected a cabin twelve feet 
square, with a clapboard roof and a ground floor ; he 



slept a number of nights in the cabin where the Zim- 
mer family resided and was murdered ; he was a car- 
penter by trade, and built a saw-mill, in 1830, also a 
flouring-mill, in 1832, being the first in this part of 
the country ; the first buhrs were nigger-heads. The 
first miller was a Mr. Cotter ; the next was John Staf- 
ford ; the people came a great distance to this mill. 
John Yeaman, Jr., was born a cripple, and, on this 
account, received a liberal education for those times ; 
he engaged in teaching school at the age of 19; he 
taught thirteen terms; his father gave him a farm, 
where Nicholas Henry now resides ; he now owns a 
small farm and steam saw-mill. Mr. Yeaman has 
been an active and enterprising citizen ; a Republican 
in politics ; also a member of the Presbyterian Church 
for a number of years. 

VANTILBURG, J. B., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield. He 
was born in Mifflin Township Jan. 19, 1825, and was 
married in 1851 to Margaret Jane Boals, who was born 
in Mifflin Township June 5, 1827 ; they have six chil- 
dren — Mary K. was born March 30, 1856 ; John Mel- 
vin, born June 19, 1860 ; Anna Maria, born June 7, 
1862 : Lucilla, born Nov. 15, 1864 ; William Francis, 
born Dec. 19, 1866 ; and Gaylord, born Sept. 20, 1869. 
The following members of the family are deceased : 
Eugenia, Henry, Joseph and Margaret Jane. Mr. and 
Mrs. Vantilburg joined the Presbyterian Church in 1857. 
Mary Vantilburg, Mr. Vantilburg' s mother, was born in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn., Feb. 11, 1798 ; she was mar- 
ried to John Vantilburg May 4, 1819 ; they had a fam- 
ily of children ; she came with her parents from Har- 
rison Co., Ohio, to Richland Co., April 5, 1813; they 
purchased a farm in Mifflin Township, this county, 
March 13, 1818 ; Mrs. Vantilburg has resided on this 
farm for sixty-two years and is still residing on the 
same farm with her son, J. B. Vantilburg; her husband 
was in the war of 1812, was engaged as an officer, con- 
tinued till the close of the war; Mr. John Vantilburg 
died Jan. 9, 1871, at his home in Mifflin Township, this 
county ; since the death of her husband, she has made 
her home with her son, J. B. Vantilburg. She has 
been a member of the Presbyterian Church of Mans- 
field for fifty-seven years, was one of the first members ; 
through her influence and aid has done much to build 
up this society, and has so conducted her life, that she 
is regarded by her neighbors as an exemplary Christian, 
those that know her best respect her most ; she is now 
one of the pioneers of Mifflin Township ; can converse 
of the early settlers, and was acquainted with many of 
them ; her memory is good, she can give dates and cir- 
cumstances the most correct and precise of any one 
now living in this county. It aff"ords much pleasure to 
her to relate reminiscences of the past. When the 
writer visited her in February, 1880, her 82d birthday, 
she was afflicted but her mind was rational, and her 
memory was vigorous, and she gave us much informa- 
tion to assist in making up the history of Mifflin Town- 
ship. 



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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



ANDREWS, JAMES (deceased); he was born near 
Cannonsburg, Penn., Feb. 6, 1796; his father, Col. 
John Andrews, commanded a regiment of Ohio militia 
in the war of 1812 ; among the engagements he partic- 
ipated in was the battle of Fort Meigs. .James An- 
drews was married to Miss Levina Carrick Feb. 11, 
1822; she was born near Gettysburg, Adams Co., 
Penn., Jan. 19, 1797 ; her parents removed to Harri- 
son Co., Ohio, about the year 1806. James Andrews 
and wife removed to Richland Co. in the spring of 
1828 ; he purchased a quarter-section of land in Mon- 
roe Township, which is now owned by his son Samuel. 
James and Levina Andrews are the parents of seven 
children, six sons and one daughter ; .John G., the eld- 
est child, was born in Jeiferson Co. Jan. 29, 1823 ; 
James C, their second son, was born Aug. 4, 182-5 ; he 
and his younger brothers and sister were born in Mon- 
roe Township; William R., their third son, was born 
Oct. 18, 1828 ; Mary Jane was born May 26, 1831 ; 
David, their fourth son, was born .June 18, 1833 ; 
Joseph, their fifth son, was born May 21, 1838 ; Sam- 
uel, their youngest son, was born July 29, 1840. Mr. 
and Mrs. Andrews were consistent members of the 
United Presbyterian Church many years. He was of a 
kind and generous disposition. Mr. Andrews depart- 
ed this life Nov. 18, 1850; his disease was cancer on 
the breast ; he had it removed when it had attained to 
several pounds in weight, but this did not suffice to 
save his life ; after enduring for many days agony the 
most intense and suffering the most intolerable, he was 
finally relieved by death ; he was buried in the Pine 
Run graveyard. .John, their eldest son, married 
Rebecca White ; James, Rebecca Paxton ; AVilliam, 
Elizabeth StaufFer; Mary Jane, Daniel McFarland; 
Joseph, Ella Simpkins. .James and Mary Jane reside 
in Kosciusko Co., Ind.; .John in lowana Co., Mich., 
and Joseph in Pawnee Co., Kan. .Joseph Andrews 
enlisted in Co. C, 64th 0. V. I., in September, 1861, 
and served his country faithfully during the war of the 
rebellion ; he participated in the battles of Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Franklin, Tenn., and 
many other minor engagements ; he was a brave and 
intrepid soldier. David Andrews enlisted in Co. B, 
120th 0. V. I.; he died of disease contracted in the 
service at Milliken's Bend, near Vicksburg, May 5, 
1863. Samuel Andrews enlisted in November, 1861, in 
the 6th Ohio Battery ; he served fourteen months, 
when he was honorably discharged from the service on 
account of general disability. Samuel Andrews was 
married to Miss Amanda C. Wiles June 9, 1864 ; he 
brought his wife home to his mother's house, where 
they continued to reside, caring and providing for his 
aged parent during her declining years, and cultivating 
a portion of the old homestead ; at her decease, he 
became the owner of this farm by purchase, where he 
still continues to reside ; this is one of the best upland 
farms in the township ; it is well watered, well tim- 
bered, and well adapted to the raising of all kinds of 



grain and grasses. Samuel Andrews and wife are the 
parents of seven children, four sons and three daugh- 
ters — Harmon, Cary S., Minnie E., Alta T., Levina C. 
and Samuel L.; one died in infancy ; Harmon is buried 
in the St. John's Cemetery. Mr. Andrews and wife 
have been active members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church for many years, and are much respected for 
their many virtues. 

APPLEGATE, JOHN. His parents were born in 
Washington Co., Penn., and emigrated to Richland Co. 
in ihe year 1820 ;' they located in Monroe Township 
and entered the farm that Mr. Applegate now lives on, 
and his father resided there until his death, which 
occurred Feb. 15, 1878 ; they had a family of eleven 
children. John Applegate was born Feb. 10, 1843 ; in 
getting an education, he went to district school until he 
was 14 years old, when he went to a select school in 
Lucas, taught by Dr. J. E. Strickler. He enlisted Oct. 
15, 1861, in Co. E, 64th 0. V. I., and was in all the 
principal engagements the Army of the Cumberland 
participated in, and re-enlisted .Jan. 1, 1864, as a vet- 
eran, and served until the close of the war ; he was 
mustered out and honorably discharged Jan. 4, 1866, 
having faithfully served his country over four years ; 
after returning home, he rented his father's farm, and 
commenced farming in the spring of 1866. He was 
married to Miss H. C. Winters Feb. 11, 1868, and they 
have a family of three children — George W. and Stiles 
W., who are twins, and were born Jan. 10, 1869 ; Hat- 
,tie E., born July 10, 1874. He moved into Ashland 
Co. April 3, 1869, and resided there until March 17, 
1880, when he moved back to the old homestead (he 
having bought it the fall before), where he, together 
with his family, enjoys the many comforts of life, and 
the esteem of those around them. > 

BARR, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Lucas; was born 
in Bedford Co., Penn., May 25, 1823 ; he is the eldest 
son of David and Mary Barr; his mother's maiden 
name was Kaylor ; his parents were both of German 
descent ; they came to Ohio in the spring of 1830. 
David Barr left his family in Stark Co., during that 
summer, while he came to this county to hunt a loca- 
tion ; he purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 5, in 
Monroe Township ; he removed his family to this 
township in the fiill of the same year, but, their farm 
being unimproved, they did not move thereon till the 
following spring ; in the mean time, they put up a 
house and removed a portion of the dense forest that 
encumbered their lands ; in the spring, they removed 
to their farm and went to work in earnest to improve 
and cultivate.it; by persevering industry on the part 
of all the members of ihe family who were old enough 
to labor, the wilderness disappeared and fruitful fields 
appeared in their stead. David and Mary Barr are 
the parents of seven children, three sons and four 
daughters ; tbey are named in Ihe order of their 
births, as follows : Samuel, Frederick, Nancy, Susan, 
Elizabeth, Ephraim and Mary. Ephraim died when 



If 



:iL 



MOXROE tow:nship. 



831 



about 18 years old. Elizabeth was married to Jeremiah 
Jones; she died Dec. 28, 1878, leaving a family of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters. Sam- 
uel Bar remained with his father, assisting him in im- 
proving and cultivating his farm, till some time prior 
to his marriage. Feb. 16, 1846, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Barbary A. Beasore, eldest daughter 
of Daniel and Mary Beasore, of Monroe Township ; by 
this marriage, he had six children, one son and five 
daughters, named as follows: Mary .Jane, John A., 
Salena A., Martha A., Susan E. and Emma A. Martha 
A. and Emma A. are dead, and buried in the Mount Zion 
Cemetery. Mary J. married William Durbin ; John, 
Susan L. Dillon; Salena A., Charles Swigart ; Susan 
rE., W. S. Kerr. Mrs. Barr was a consistent member 
of the German Reformed Church for many years ; she 
died Jan. 12, 1868, and was buried in the Mount Zion 
Cemetery. Mr. Barr married for his second wife Miss 
Susan M., eldest daughter of Alexander and Ruth J. 
Mc Bride ; they were married Dec. 20, 1868; by this 
marriage he has had four children, two of whom died 
in infancy ; the names of the two living are Hattie and 
Courtney Scott. Soon after his first marriage, Mr. Barr 
rented one of his father's farms ; he lived on this 
farm about five years ; he managed, in that length of 
time, by the most careful management and close appli- 
tion to business, to amass means enough, as he thought, 
to justify him in buying a farm of his own ; he pur- 
chased 120 acres of land in Mifflin Township, and re- 
moved his family thereon ; he subsequently sold 60 
acres of this land ; when Mr. Barr removed to this 
farm, he found it very much out of repair ; the build- 
ings were old and dilapidated, the fences rotten and 
broken down, and the fields covered, to a great extent, 
with briars and brambles ; he immediately set about 
making the necessary improvements ; during his stay 
on this farm, he built a dwelling, bank-barn and other 
outhouses, cleared his fields of the briars and brambles 
that encumbered them, repaired his fences, and made 
many other valuable. improvements ; nor was his labor 
in vain ; he bought the whole farm for $1,920, and sold 
the eighty acres for $5,000 ; after residing on this farm 
about nineteen years, he sold it, as above stated, and 
purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 5, in Monroe 
Township, to which he removed his family and where 
he still continues to reside ; this farm is highly fertile 
and very productive, and Mr. Barr, being a first-class 
farmer, has it under a good state of cultivation ; it is 
well adapted to all kinds of farming purposes. Mr. 
Barr and wife are both active and zealous members of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lucas ; they have 
contributed largely of their means toward the building 
of churches, the support of the ministry, and other re- 
ligious and benevolent enterprises. For the last ten 
years, Mr. Barr has been an active member of Monroe 
Lodge, No. 224, I. 0. 0. F.; he has attained to the high- 
est rank in his lodge. Mrs. Barr is an active and influ- 
ential member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 36, Daugh- 
ters of Rebecca. Mr. Barr has held ofiBces of honor 
and trust, both in Mifflin and Monroe Townships. 

BERRY, PETER, REV. ; P. 0. Hastings ; Henry 
Berry, his father, was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., 
in 1805 ; moved to Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1820, and from 
there to Richland in 1825. Was married to Miss 



Catharine Keller June 11, 1829, by whom he had eleven 
children, six sons and five daughters. Elizabeth, the 
eldest, was born Feb. 11, 1830; married to Zachariah 
Burkirk in 1848 ; died in 1849, and was buried in the 
Hersh Graveyard. Mary, their second daughter, was 
born Sept. 19, 1831 ; was married to John Hersh in 
1850. Her husband died in 1854. Peter, their eldest 
son, was born in Monroe Township Nov. 2, 1833, 
Henry, their second son, was born in 1835 ; was mar- 
ried to Miss E. Hoover, when he was about 20 years 
old. Lived with her about twelve years, when she died. 
He was then married to Miss Hattie Wilcox, of Dela- 
ware Co. He lived with her four years and eight 
months, when he died. He was an itinerant minister 
of the Gospel ; preached for the United Brethren 
Church eight years, and for the Methodist Episcopal 
Church two years. He died of consumption, and was 
buried at East Liberty, Delaware Co. Their third 
daughter, Christina, married C. L. Miller; lived with 
him about four years, when she died of consumption. 
Their fourth daughter, Sarah, married Henry Clever ; 
they removed to Michigan, where they now reside. 
.Their ihird son, .John, enlisted in the army during the 
late war. Went into camp at Mansfield, where he re* 
mained one night, was taken sick, came home and died. 
He was about 20 years old when he died ; was buried 
at the Hersh Graveyard. Their fifth daughter, Harriet, 
married Jerry Snyder. Her husband enlisted in the 
Union army during the late war, where he contracted 
a disease which caused his death. She died in 1877, 
and was buried at Four Corners. Their fourth son, 
William, enlisted in the thirty-day service, and died 
while returning home. Their fifth son, Philip, died at 
Palmyra when about 20 years old. Their youngest son, 
Jacob, died in infancy. Henry Berry, at an early day, 
purchased a small farm in the southwestern part of the 
township, where he continued to reside as long as he 
lived. His widow, who is now quite old and feeble, 
still continues to reside there. Peter Berry was raised 
on this farm. He worked on the farm till he was about 
15, when he engaged to learn the carpenter trade with 
Christ Teeter and Isaac White. He worked with them 
two years, when he entered into partnership with Eli 
Berry, with whom he worked one year. From that 
time to the present, he has carried on the business 
himself. Dec. 12, 1854, he was married to Miss Re- 
becca Teeter of his native county, by whom he had three 
sons and three daughters — Adam, Eli, Sarah Ellen, 
Mary M., Alice and Harvey. Mrs. Berry died at the 
age of 31 years ; she was buried at the Hersh Grave- 
yard. Mr. Berry was married to Miss Nancy J. Hulit, 
of his native township, in 1856. By this marriage, he 
has had seven children, three sons and four daughters 
— Ermina Ercena, the eldest, was born Oct. 18, 1866; 
Lilly Etta, April 3, 1869; Silva Ariminda, Jan. 6, 
1871 ; Olie Catharine, Oct. 25, 1873 ; Albert Pearl, 
Oct. 31, 1875 ; Ernest Everts, Oct. 3, 1877, and Charlie 
Leroy, July 10, 1879. Albert Pearl died April 1, 1877, 
Olie Catharine was killed by a falling tree Nov. 18, 
1879 ; they were both buried at the AVorthington 
Cemetery. Mr. Berry and his first wife united with 
the United Brethren Church in 1853. In 1855, having 
removed to a distance from their church into the vicinity 
of a Lutheran church, they united with the Lutheran 



'7Y. 



832 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Church ; they remained in this church about five years, 
when they re-united with the Brethren Church, in con- 
nection with which Mrs. Berry remained till her death, 
and to which her husband still belongs. Mrs. Nancy 
Berry was a member of the Baptist Church for several 
years before her marriage. Shortly after her marriage 
she united with the church to which her husband be- 
longed. In 1864, Mr. Berry was licensed to preach by 
the Sandusky Conference, of whieh he was a member 
till 1878, when a new conference was formed, called the 
Central Ohio, to which he has since belonged. He took 
charge of Shelby Station part of one year ; the remain- 
der of the time he has occupied a local relation. He is 
quite conservative in his religious views, willing, when- 
ever he has the opportunity, to unite with his brethren 
of other denominations in their eiforts to do good. He 
labors hard at his trade and at farming, to support his 
large family. He attends all the revivals in his section 
of country, and takes an active part wherever permit- 
ted to do so. He has preached at more than fifty dif- 
ferent places. 

BERRY, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Hastings; this 
worthy citizen was born in Center Co., Penn., March 
26, 1800; his father, Peter Berry, Sr., was of English- 
German descent ; he was born in the same place ; he 
followed shoemaking, farming and butchering. He 
married Elizabeth Byerly, by whom he had six chil- 
dren, three sons anS three daughters ; in 1820, he 
came to Wayne Co., Ohio, where he invested §250 in 
land ; he improved it, and sold at an advance of $600 ; 
then came to Richland Co. and bought 160 acres in 
Sec. 23, which he improved. He died here, at 63 years 
of age ; his widow lived on this farm till her death, at 
90 years of age. Jacob, the eldest of the family, was 
stout and hardy, and was taught not to fear hard work ; 
he went with his father to Wayne Co. in 1820, where, 
April 13, 1823, he was married to Ann Mary Albright; 
this family came here from Center Co. a year in ad- 
vance of the Berrys : they located near Canton, Ohio : 
Mrs. Berry was born June 6, 1797 ; her mother died 
when she was G years old ; she had one brother and 
five sisters, four half-sisters and a brother, her father 
being married twice. Frederick Albright, Mr. Berry's 
father-in-law, died near Canton. Mr. Berry and wife 
were schoolmates when young ; they came to Richland 
Co. in 1829, and settled where they now live ; for 
$150, he bought 80 acres of land; twelve years after 
this, he bought the old homestead, for $1,800, ex- 
clusive of his share, and then sold it for $3,000 to his 
sons ; his father died about 18il ; he and Andrew 
Charles then bought 60 acres where the latter now 
lives, for $2,200 ; 40 acres of this belonged to Mr. 
Berry; he then paid $1,000 for 20 acres where D. 
McCready now lives, sold it, and bought the Collins 
farm of 80 acres for $2,2-30 cash ; sold 15 acres to Will- 
iam Clusman and 4 to Mrs. Collins ; he now owns 181 
acres of good land. Mr. Berry and wife have had five 
sons and four daughters ; all became men and women, 
except one boy, who died in infancy ; their names are 
Elizabeth, Adam and Benjamin (twins), Eli, Margaret, 
Sophia and Catherine: Anthony and Samuel, the 
youngest, are dead ; the latter was in the army eleven 
months ; not feeling well, he went into the hospital, 
when a detachment of the enemy came up and fired 



through the window ; he was shot in the head, and 
died instantly. Mr. Berry and wife have been mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church sixty-four years ; belong 
to Hersh's Church ; has been Deacon and Elder a 
number of years ; has also been Trustee. 

BERRY, ELI, farmer; P. 0. Lucas. Eli Berry, 
fourth son of Jacob and Mrs. Berry, was born in Mon- 
roe Township, June 8, 1830. The days of his boyhood 
were spent on a farm ; he was permitted to attend 
school a few months during the year, and succeeded in 
acquiring a fair knowledge of the common English 
branches. About the time he attained his majority, he 
commenced to work at the carpenter trade ; he worked 
at this business about ten years, and became a very 
good mechanic. He was married, April 17, 1859, to 
]Miss Sarah Hays ; Miss Hays was a daughter of Mr. 
John Hays, of Worthington Township, by his first wife, 
and grand-daughter of Capt. Cunningham ; she was 
born Oct. 16, 1838. By this marriage, Mr. Berry had 
two children, a son and a daughter — Ira Sturges, born 
Jan. 19, 1860, and Huldy Maria, April 26, 1862. Mrs. 
Sarah Berry died June 5, 1866, and was buried in the 
St. Johns Cemetery. Mr. Berry was married to Mrs. 
Mary E. Goodale Dec. 10, 1867 ; Mrs. Goodale, whose 
maiden name was Rummel, is the oldest daughter of 
Louis Rummel, by his second wife, Anna Rummel. 
Miss Rummel was born in Wyandot Co., Ohio, May 23, 
1841 : she was married to Mr. Joseph Goodale, of 
Knox Co., Ohio, in December, 1862; her husband was 
a soldier in the late war ; served with credit the full 
term of bis enlistment ; he contracted disease while in 
the army which caused his death ; he lived but a short 
time after his return home ; he was buried in the 
Ebenezer Cemetery, Knox Co. Mr. and Mrs. Berry 
are the parents of three children, one son and two 
daughters — Earl Douglas, born May 23, 1870, died 
Nov. 24, 1871 (is buried in the St. Johns Cemetery) ; 
Anna Zelma, born Sept. 25, 1872 ; Eva Joy, born July 
24, 1877. Mr. Berry was a member of Monroe Lodge, 
No. 224, I. 0. 0. F., for many years. He and his good 
wife have been active and zealous members of the Dis- 
I ciple Church for many years ; they have been very 
j liberal in their contributions for the building of 
churches, the support of the ministry, and other relig- 
i ious and benevolent enterprises. The first land owned 
i by Mr. Berry was the undivided half of the farm now 
owned by his brother, Benjamin, in this township ; 
1870, he sold his interest in this farm to his brother, 
and purchased a farm adjacent to the village of Lucas, 
known as the Marks farm ; in 1873, he traded this 
farm for the one he now owns, it being the northeast 
quarter of Sec. 32, in Monroe Township ; he has ma- 
terially improved this farm since he became the owner 
of it ; he is regarded as a first-class farmer ; Mr. 
Berry has devoted his whole attention to farming for 
many years ; he has made the business a study, and 
has acquired a pretty thorough knowledge of it ; his 
farm is highly fertile and well adapted to most farming 
purposes. In their dispositions, Mr. Berry and wife 
are kind and social : they are ever ready to minister 
to the wants of the needy and distressed. By perse- 
vering industry and careful management, they have 
been enabled to acquire a considerable portion of this 
world's goods, and are now prepared, should they meet 



i!r<. 




with no reverses of fortune, to pass their declining 
years in ease and comfort. 

BOLES, R. S., M. D., Lucas ; was born March 8, 
1843, in Franklin Township, Wayne Co., Ohio ; in 
1853, his parents removed to Ripley Township, Holmes 
Co.; in 1866, he began the study of medicine with Drs. 
Bertolett & Todd, of Shreve, Wayne Co.; he graduated 
at Charity Hospital Medical College during the sessions 
of 1868 and 1869. He began the practice of his pro- 
fession in the spring of 1869, in West Windsor, Rich- 
land Co.; in the spring of 1870, he removed to Lucas, 
where he still resides. He was married to Catharine 
Hale, of West Windsor, Oct. 19,1871. His father, 
William Boles, died March 19, 1867 ; his mother, Mar- 
garet Boles, died March 2, 1871. He has three broth- 
thers and two sisters living. The Doctor is kind, jovial 
and friendly in his disposition, affable and pleasing in 
in his manners. He is well fitted for the profession he 
has chosen. Comparatively speaking, he has a very 
lucrative practice for a man of his age ; in his practice 
he has been remarkably successful, and is now recog- 
nized as one of the prominent physicians of our 
county. 

CHEW, SAMUEL, farmer ; P. 0. Lucas ; he was born 
in Harrison Co., Ohio, near Athens, April 5, 1810; his 
father's name was William Chew; his mother's maiden 
name Lydda Hancher; his father was of Welsh, and 
his mother of English descent ; his father, a farmer, 
emigrated to Richland Co. about the year 1818, a little 
northwest of the present site of Lucas ; he remained on 
this farm four years, when he purchased the west half 
of the southwest quarter of Section 22, in Monroe Town- 
ship, where he spent the remainder of his days. Sam- 
uel Chew was married to Miss Mary McBride, daughter 
of Thomas and Mary McBride, early settlers of Monroe 
Township, April 5, 1832 ; by this marriage he had ten 
children, five sons and five daughters — Archabald, born 
.Jan. 15, 1833, married to Miss Elizabeth Swan Jan. 24, 
1856, died a few years ago ; Lydda, born Nov. 6, 1834, 
married to Newton Hersh Sept. 21, 1858, died in March, 
1863, leaving three children — she was buried in the 
Odd Fellows' Cemetery, near Lucas; Mary Ellen, born 
Oct. 15, 1836, died May 13, 1854— buried in the Odd Fel- 
lows' Cemetery ; Ann, born Oct. 22, 1839, married to 
Washington Gates March 11, 1860, resides in Wyandot 
Co.; William Washington, born July 4, 1841, married to 
Miss Fox, she dying, he married Louisa Fink, of Wyan- 
dot Co., where he now resides; Thomas M., born Nov. 
5, 1843, married Mary Augustine in September, 1862; 
James W., born March 14, 1846, married Isabella 
Hersh in the spring of 1870; Alfred G., born June 3, 
1850, married Susan Eirhart, died in September, 1865, 
and was buried in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery, near Lucas ; 
Arvina E., born Nov. 28, 1851, died May 21, 1860; 
Olive A., born April 2, 1855, married John Eirhart May 
23, 1877. In 1831, Mr. Chew purchased the southeast 
quarter of Section 15, in Monroe Township ; there were 
no improvements on this farm at the time he bought it. 
It is now well improved, and in a very good state of 
cultivation. Mrs. Chew was a consistent member of the 
Lutheran Church for many years ; she died Aug. 25, 
1858, respected by all who knew her, and was buried 
in the Odd Fellows' Cemeteryj near Lucas. June 28, 
1860, Mr. Chew was married to Mrs. Mary A. Wright, 



relict of Moses Wright, formerly of Shelby, Ohio ; her 
father's name was Joseph Gerard, and her mother's 
maiden name Rachel Prosser ; her father was of French, 
and her mother of Welsh descent ; she had one child 
by her first husband — Mary L. Wright. She married 
Alonzo P. Marvin, of Shelby, her native town ; moved 
to Wyandot Co., where she died July 14, 1852, leaving 
one child, a daughter, Mabel ; she was buried at Shelby. 
Mr. Chew has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity 
about thirty years. 

COULTER, MELTZER (deceased), was born in Butler 
Co., Penn.,Oct, 19, 1798 ; his father's name was Thomas 
Coulter, and his mother's maiden name Nancy Tanna- 
hill. Thomas Coulter was born Aug. 8, 1766, Nancy 
Tannahill Jan. 28, 1761 ; they were married Nov. 17, 
1789; they came to Richland Co., in 1811 ; he entered 
a farm about three-fourths of a mile below the present 
site of the village of Perry ville, being the one on which 
the Stringer mill now stands, which farm he culti- 
vated and improved, and on which he continued to re- 
side as long as he lived. He was married three times ; 
his first wife died July 30, 1825. He was married 
to Mrs. Martha Rice Nov. 1, 1825 ; his second wife 
died Sept. 7, 1835. He was married to Mrs. Jane 
Perry Sept. 13, 1836. He died Oct. 28, 1844; he and 
his three wives are buried side by side in the Perrys- 
ville cemetery. Meltzer Coulter was about 13 years old 
when his parents came to Richland Co. He remained 
with his father, assisting him in his labors until he 
attained his majority, when he began business on his 
own account. He was married to Eliza Adzit Nov. 20, 
1823, by whom he had four children, two sons and two 
daughters — Lycurgus, born Aug. 13, 1824, died July 
25, 1835; Clarissa, born April 26, 1826, died Aug. 9, 
1833 ; Samantha, born Nov. 15, 1828 ; Lecenius Milton, 
born March 19, 1831, married to Eliza Archer May 19, 
1853 ; Syremus Newton, born June 15, 1834, married 
to Eliza J. Wilson, Sept. 21, 1854; the last-named son 
is a minister by profession. In the spring of 1826, 
Mr. Coulter entered the southeast quarter of Sec. 19, 
in Monroe Township ; he put up a cabin on his farm, 
and went to work to remove the dense forest from a 
portion in order to prepare it for cultivation. Mr. 
Coulter's first wife died Aug. 8, 1834, and was buried 
at Perrysville ; he married, for his second wife. Miss 
Abigail P. Crawford, second daughter of George and 
Mary Crawford, of Perrysville ; they wei'e married Jan. 
14, 1836 ; by this marriage he had four children, one 
son and three daughters — Eliza R., Mary, Nancy J. 
and Thomas M.; Eliza R. died Sept. 14, 1842; Mary,' 
Sept. 8, 1842; they were both buried at Perrysville. 
Mr. Coulter was an active and consistent mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church about forty years, 
and his last wife was a zealous member of the same 
church about thirty years. Mr. Coulter was one 
of the first men in his township to advocate the 
cause of temperance ; he was also the first man in 
the township to vote the Antislavery ticket, and, 
notwithstanding the scoffs and jeers of fellow-towns- 
men, he continued to vote this ticket several years ; he 
lived, however, to see his party triumphant. He died 
Feb. 28, 1875. and was buried at Perrysville. His 
widow still resides on the old homestead. Thomas M. 
Coulter, only son of Meltzer Coulter by his second wife, 



7" 



V 



li. 



834 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was married to Miss Elizabeth Gardner, daughter of 
George and Elizabeth Gardner, Dec. 25, 1870 ; she is 
of German descent ; her mother's maiden name was 
Mentzer. Thomas M. and Elizabeth Coulter are the 
parents of five children, three of whom are living and 
two dead — Esther A., born Jan. 19, 1872, died May 
17, 1874; Elmer Alonzo, born .Jan. 19, 1874, died Jan. 
21, 1875; Samantha Irena, born Dec. 1, 1875; Char- 
ley C, Feb. 1, 1877, and Mary Jane, Nov. 25, 1878. 

CRAIG, LEMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Lucas. His father, 
John, Craig, was born in Washington Co., Penn., Feb. 
8, 1805 ; was of Irish descent, and a farmer by occu- 
pation ; his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah 
Perry, was a Virginian by birth, was born Aug. 10, 
1805 ; was twice married, married to Samuel Stewart 
Sept. 9, 1823 ; he was of Scotch-Irish descent ; by this 
marriage she had six children — Mary Jane, born Sept. 
14, 1824 ; SamuelP., born Sept. 9, 1825; Susannah, born 
May 15, 1827 ; Mathew D., born Aug. 7, 1828 ; Alvah, 
born Sept. 25, 1829, and John, born Aug. 9, 1831. 
Mr. Stewart came to Richland Co. in 1830, and July 22 
of the same year, purchased the northeabt quarter of 
Sec. 29, in Monroe Township, where he continued to 
reside until the day of his death ; he died Jan. 8, 1831. 
John Craig and Hannah Stewart were married about the 
year 1834 ; they have two sons and three daughters, 
who have lived to be men and women — Lemuel, born 
March 9, 1835 ; Elizabeth, born May 29, 1836 ; Nancy 
and James, twins, born June 29, 1840, and Mary Ann, 
born March 2, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Craig continued 
to reside on the farm where she first settled in the 
township as long as they lived ; he died Jan. 22, 1869, 
and she Aug. 21, 1869. Mr. Craig was a member of 
the Lutheran Church, and was buried in the Pleasant 
Valley Cemetery ; Mrs. Craig was a member of the 
United Presbyterian Church, and was buried in the 
Monroe Cemetery. Lemuel Craig was married to Dru- 
silla Huston March 30, 1858, by Rev. W. A. G. Emer- 
son ; Miss Huston is the second daughter of John 
and Mary Huston ; Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Craig were 
both born and raised in Monroe Township, and have 
lived on or near the farm on which they now reside, 
ever since their marriage ; Mr. Craig now owns 56 
acres of the west side of the old homestead ; has 
erected thereon a very good barn and neat and com- 
fortable dwelling, besides making many other impor- 
tant improvements. Mr. Craig and wife have been act- 
ive and zealous members of the Lutheran Church for 
about twenty-two years. He held the office of Town- 
ship Clerk, and discharged his official duties to the sat- 
isfaction of all concerned. 

CRAWFORD, DAVID (deceased) ; he was born in 
Greene Co., Penn., April 15,1781; his father's name 
was John Crawford ; his mother's maiden name was 
Issabella Parker ; his parents subsequently moved to 
Venango Co., in the same State. He remained with 
them, working on the farm, until he was 25 years of 
age, when he removed to Washington Co., Penn.; he 
came to this county about 1815, and entered a quarter- 
section of laud in the southeast part of Monroe Town- 
ship ; he then returned home. He was married, Oct. 
1, 1818, to Lucy Applegate, second daughter of Aaron 
and Mary Applegate, of Allegheny Co., Penn. In the 
spring of 1819, he again came to this county, erected a 



cabin and cleared a field of 2 or 3 acres, planting it in 
corn and potatoes. He remained here until the 1st of 
July, when he returned to Pennsylvania, and, in Sep- 
tember of the same year, removed his family to his 
home in Monroe Township, the county at that time 
in a wild and unsettled state ; Abrams Baughman, 
Senior and Junior, Adam Wolfe and Solomon Gladden 
were his nearest neighbors. Mr. Crawford was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church originally, as were 
nearly all the old Crawford family. Some difficulties 
arose in the church, and he withdrew his name from 
the church book. About this time, he obtained some of 
the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. Believing the 
doctrine expounded by the founder of the New Jerusa- 
lem, he, together with a number of his neighbors, 
formed an organization in that doctrine. He lived a 
consistent member thereof the remainder of his life. 
He was a great reader, and had a remarkable memory. 
He could relate, with great accuracy, historical events 
of which he had read years before. He withstood the 
privations, hardships and dangers incident to every 
new country — cleared up his farm and reared a family 
of six children, three sons and three daughters. Alter 
cultivating his farm for twenty years, in 1840, he had 
an attack of palsy that made him an invalid the re- 
mainder of his life. He died Feb. 1. 1860, at the age 
of 78 years 9 months and 16 days. His wife, Lucy, 
was born in Allegheny Co., Penn., May 7, 1794; she 
died .Jan. 4, 1870, aged 75 years 7 months and 27 days. 
Their children were Mary, born in 1819 ; A. Harvey, 
in 1820; Issabella, in 1822; William T., in 1825; 
James, in 1827, died in 1850, and Amanda, in 1837. 
Harvey is living in Emlenton, Venango Co., Penn. ; 
Issabella is living in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and the other 
three — Mary, Amanda and William — are living in Mon- 
roe Township. They are all married, except William. 

CRAWFORD, WILLIAM T., former; P. 0. Perrys- 
ville; was born in Monroe Townshiy March 16, 1825 ; he 
is the second son of David and Lucy Crawford, pioneers 
of the township. His boyhood was spent in assisting his 
father on the farm and in attending the district school in 
the winter season when his services were not required 
on the farm ; ere he had attained his majority, his father 
became disabled, when the whole management of the 
farm devolved upon him ; at the death of his parents, 
he bought the interest of two of his sisters and became 
the owner of two-thirds of the homestead, where he 
still continues to reside. He was a private in Co. B, 
163d 0. N. G.; went into camp at Mansfield May 2, 
1864, and served with credit four months and twelve 
days, when he was honorably discharged, having 
served a month more than his term of enlistment. Mr. 
Crawford is passionately fond of music, and in his 
younger days was one of the leading singers of his 
neighborhood. He has been a member of Perrysville 
Division, No. 588, Sons of Temperance, about twenty 
years ; has been a member of the Lutheran Church 
about fourteen years. 

CULLER, GEORGE, farmer: P. 0. Lucas; was 
born in Frederick Co., Md., Jan. 31, 1810; his father's 
name was Jacob Culler ; his mother's maiden name was 
Barbary Long ; they were both of German descent ; 
they came to Richland Co. in the fall of 1825, and pur- 
chased the farm now owned by the heirs of Andrew 



Al 



ihL. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



835 



Culler, deceased ; they continued to reside on this 
farm, cultivating and improving it, as long they lived ; 
they were the parents of rleven children, eight sons I 
and three daughters — Michael L., Margaret, .Sarah, ' 
Elenora, John, George, Jacob S., Isaac, Christopher, j 
Andrew and Philip H., of whom George, Isaac, I'hilip i 
H., Margaret and Sarah are living. They were very 
active and consistent membei's of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church for more than fifty years, and were 
ever liberal in their contributions for the building of 
churches, the support of the Gospel and other religious 
and benevolent enterprises ; they trained their large 
family of children to habits of industry, economy and 
strict integrity, all of whom subsequently became use- 
ful members of society and of the church. Mr. Culler 
died Aug. 2, 1843, aged 70 years 2 months and 8 days; 
Mrs. Culler died Sept. 9, 1856, aged 79 years 3 months 
and 14 days ; they were both buried at Mount Zion. 
George Culler remained with his father, assisting him 
on the farm and occasionally working out at the car- 
penter trade, till ^lay, 1836, when he was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Ernsbarger ; in about a year after his 
marriage, he became the owner of the farm on which 
he now resides, which was, at that time, in a wild and 
uncultivated state ; but, by the persevering industry of 
Mr. Culler, this dense forest was soon transformed into 
fruitful fields. By his first marriage, Mr. Culler had 
three children, all sons — Melancthon, Enoch H. and 
John J.; Enoch died when about 3 years old ; John J. 
died while in the service of his country, at St. Louis, 
Mo., and was buried in Christ Cemetery, in that place. 
His first wife was an active and consistent member of 
the Lutheran Church for about ten years ; phe died 
Nov. 18, 1843, aged 2-5 years 10 months and 8 days, 
and was buried at Blount Zion. Mr. Culler married 
for his second wife INIiss Elizabeth M. Wiles, eldest 
daughter of John and Catharine Wiles ; she was born 
Nov. 6, 1827. in Frederick Co., Md. 

DARLING, WILLIAM, Sr. (deceased), was born in 
Hardy Co., Va., Oct. 6, 1789; his father's name was 
Robert Darling, and his mother's name, Mary Pas- 
sence ; his parents removed with their family, to Mus- 
kingum Co., Ohio, A. D. 1806 ; this part of the State 
was at that time in a wild and uncultivated condition ; 
William Darling remained with his father, assisting 
him in clearing and otherwise improving and cultivat- 
ing his farm, until the breaking-out of the war of 
1812, when he responded to his country's call, and 
served her with credit during the term of his enlist- 
ment. He came to Richland Co. in the spring of 1817, 
and purchased the quarter-section of land on which 
the "block-house" stood, in the fertile valley of the 
Clearfork, about one and one-half miles northeast of 
Newville, and near the site of the Indian village called 
" Helltown." Shortly after his arrival in the county, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ravenscraft, 
a young lady of his neighborhood ; Miss Ravenscraft 
was possessed of a strong constitution and iron nerve, 
which rendered her a fit companion for the energetic 
and hardy pioneer to whom she was united in mar- 
riage, and which also enabled her to endure the toils, 
hardships and privations incident to those early days. 
Mr. Darling was one of the most energetic and enter- 
prising men of his day; when unemployed, he was 



like a fish out of water; he spent his time in cultivat- 
ing and improving his farm, until the accident befel 
him which is hereinafter described, which disqualified 
him for hard manual labor; after meeting with this 
accident, he turned his attention to the feeding, breed- 
ing and driving to the Eastern markets of fine cattle 
and other live stock ; he introduced some excellent 
breeds of cattle into this part of the State, among 
which was the short-horned Durham, which he first 
introduced into this county. By hard labor, fine finan- 
ciering and close application to business on the part of 
both himself and wife, Mr. Darling was enabled, in 
the course of time, to amass a very considerable 
amount of this world's goods ; he was a very extensive 
land-owner; he acquired, by purchase, 1,18-5 acres of 
land in one body, in the rich and alluvial valley of the 
Clear Fork, lands that, for quality, are not surpassed by 
any in the county. Besides this extensive tract, he 
owned several other f=irms, in different parts of the 
county and State. William and Mary Darling were the 
parents of seven children, five sons and two daughter.-i, 
named in the order of their births as follows : l^llca- 
nor, John, William, George Washington, Abraham, 
Catharine and Robert ; all of this large family were 
remembered and richly provided for in the last will 
and testament of their father. The following is a true 
copy of an appendix to the will of William Darling, 
Sr. (deceased) : 

" Having been one of the pioneers of this part of 
Ohio, the maker of this will, having emigrated from 
Hardy Co., Va., in the year 1806, in company with his 
father and family, to iN'uskingum Co., Ohio, and en- 
dured all the hardships, trials and privations incident 
to the settling and improving of a new country. I do 
give and bequeath my love, respect and good will to all 
my old associates, and hope that, by the intelligence, 
energy and untiring industry of growing posterity, the 
prosperity of my beloved country may continue to in 
crease as surely and rapidly as though we old pioneers 
were still here to look after our country's welfare ; fo'-. 
next to my love for my God and my family, is my love 
for my country — these blessed United States. May 
prosperity and peace ever be the lot of our happy, 
happy land." 

The maker of this will settled on the farm where he 
now resides in the year 1817, and, seven years after- 
ward, had the misfortune of having his right leg 
crushed by the falling of a log upon it, and was obliged 
to suffer amputation of the injured member. He then 
turned his attention to the handling of cattle, by 
which, together with his untiring devotion to business, 
his strict integrity and honesty, he became wealihy, 
and was beloved and respected by all who knew him. 
DARLING, Jf>HN, farmer ; P. 0. Perrysville. He 
was born in Washington Township Aug. 14, 1819 ; he 
was the eldest son of William and Mary Darling. As 
will be seen by the t'iography of his father, he came to 
Richland Co. in an ear'y period of its history ; John be- 
ing the eldest son, was inured from infancy to all the 
privations of pioneer life ; his father was an extensive 
land-owner, stock breeder and dealer, so that he had 
plenty of work for his sons to perform ; the burden of 
this work fell on the shoulders of .John ; he was obliged 
to work entirely too hard for his own good ; his father 



l±. 



836 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was a man of great energy ; always on the alert himself, 
he would not tolerate anything like idleness or inactiv- 
ity on the part of his sons. As soon as John was old 
enough to handle a hoe or feed stock, he was put to 
work by his father, and from that day till the day of 
his marriage, he was obliged to toil from day to day, 
but little time being allotted him for literary pursuits 
or for purposes of recreation. He was married .Jan. 
16, 1851, to Miss Mary Jane Rea, the only surviving 
child of William and Eliza Rea ; the marriage was per- 
formed by Rev. Richard Gaily, a minister of the 
United Presbyterian Church ; John Darling's father 
gave him the southeast quarter of Sec. 36 in Monroe 
Township ; Mr. Darling moved on this farm shortly 
after his marriage ; it was then very much out of re- 
pair ; the buildings were old and dilapidated, and the 
fences very much in want of repair; Mr. Darling's 
labors, therefore, did not cease with his marriage, or 
with his becoming the owner of a farm; here a new 
field of labor opened up before him ; he went to work 
in earnest to cultivate and improve his farm, and the 
work of improvement has steadily advanced to this 
day ; he now has one of the most productive and best 
cultivated farms in this section of the country ; the old 
tumble-down buildings have given place to a splendid 
dwelling and large and commodious barn; his fences 
are in good repair, and everything about the premises 
bespeaks for its owner the title of a first-class farmer. 
John and Mary Darling are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Mary Elizabeth, born March 13, 18-52; 
William Washington, born Feb. 2, 1855 ; Irena Jane, 
born Oct. 13, 1857 ; Florella May, born June 4, 1859 ; 
Alfred W., born Oct. 2, 1863; Harman Lewis, born 
May 10, 1868; Emma J., born Oct. 23, 1870. Mary 
E. was married to Charles Culler, June 28, 1873 ; Will- 
iam W. was married to Mary E. Heck, second daughter 
of J. B. and Artemissa Heck, of Newville ; Irena Jane 
died April 2, 1858 ; Florella, in May, 1860 ; both buried 
in St. Johns Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. John Darling have 
both been active and consistent members of the Lutheran 
Church for many years, and have been very liberal in 
their contributions for the support of the Gospel. 

DARLING, GEORGE W., farmer; P. 0. Perryville. 
Geo. Washington Darling, third son of AVilliam and Mary 
Darling, was born in Worthington Township, Richland 
Co., Ohio, near the site of the old block-house, on the 
25th day of December, 1822, just three days after his 
father's leg was amputated. As soon as he was old 
enough to handle a hoe or ride a horse, his father set 
him to work His father was a man who never tolerated 
idleness, or had any sympathy for a lazy person ; his 
word was law, and, when he commanded, he expected 
to be obeyed. His father being an extensive land- 
owner and farmer, as well as a breeder, feeder and 
dealer in live stock, he had plenty of work for his boys 
to do ; so that the Darling boys of that day had but little 
time for idleness or play. Little George Washington 
trained from his boyhood to habits of industry. These 
same habits that attended the boy have attended the 
man through life. Farm labor was much harder to per- 
form then than now. This was before the day of the 
reaper and mower, drill and riding plow ; even thrash- 
ing machines had not then been introduced into this 
country. At that time, they used "Armstrong's" ma- 



chines, and tramped out their grain with horses or 
thrashed it with ilails, so that the Darling boys had to 
work hard at all kinds of farm work during the summer. 
Their father sent them to school in the winter season, 
but very irregularly. They always had a large herd of 
cattle to feed and attend to during this season of the 
year, and had to walk nst less than a mile every morn- 
ing to attend to them; and then the thrashing was all 
done in the winter time, and the boys had to stay out of 
school to ride the horses while tramping it out, so that 
George Washington's facilities for obtaining an educa- 
tion were quite limited. However, notwithstanding all 
these drawbacks, he succeeded, by exercising due dili- 
gence during the time allotted to him for study, in 
obtaining a pretty fair knowledge 'of the common 
branches. G. W. Darling was married to Miss Rebecca 
Jane McCuUough, eldest daughter of Samuel and Nancy 
McCuUough, of Newville, Ohio, on the 25th day of 
January, 1848, at her father's residence, by Francis 
Johnston, Esq. They lived for two years after their 
marriage on a farm owned by his father in Mifilin Town- 
ship, shaking with the ague nearly all the time. From 
there they removed to the "old homestead," where 
they resided two years, when they removed to the farm 
where they now reside, it being the northeast quarter 
of Sec. 36, in Monroe Township. Mr. and Mrs. Darling 
are the parents of three children, two sons and one 
daughter — Robert Benton, born Nov. 10, 1850, mar- 
ried to Miss Amelia Parkison, youngest daughter of 
James Parkison, formerly of Worthington Township, on 
the 15th day of April, 1875, by John H. Jones, Pastor 
of the Presbyterian Church at Plymouth, Ohio ; Samuel 
Franklin, born Nov. 28, 1852, married to Miss Mary 
Leiter, daughter of Lewis and Rachel Leiter, by Rev. 
T. F. Dornblazer, Pastor of the Lutheran Church at 
Lucas, Ohio, on the 18th day of May, 1873; Clara 
Artamissa, born Oct. 15, 1858, married to Harrod 
Judson, of De Kalb Co., Ind., by Rev. C. S. Ernsbarger, 
of the Lutheran Church, on the loth day of .January, 
1878. Mr. Darling is the owner of an excellent farm ; 
it is well improved and well cultivated; his buildings 
and fences are all in good repair, and everything is in 
tiptop order about his ftirm. Mr. Darling united with 
the M. E. Church at Newville in 1851, and remained a 
member of that church till 1853, when he united with 
the Lutheran Church at St. Johns. Mrs. Darling also 
joined the M. E. Church at Newville when quite young. 
She united with the Lutheran Church at the same time 
her husband did. They have been very active and 
zealous members of the church ever since they united 
therewith ; they have contributed largely of their means 
for the building of churches and the support of the 
Gospel, and have the confidence and esteem of all who 
know them. 

DARLING, ABRAHAM, farmer; P. 0. Perryville; 
he was born in Worthington Township May 31, 1824; 
he is the fourth son of William and Mary Darling ; from 
early youth, he was inured to labor and toil ; he never 
owned a pair of boots till he was 18 years old ; he fre- 
quently had to go barefooted till quite late in the fall, 
because it was impossible to get them made sooner, on 
account of the shoemaker's being so thronged during 
this season of the year. In the winter season, he and 
his brothers had to wade through snow to the depth of 



V 



MOJfKOE TOWNSHIP. 



837 



their knees, to feed the stock. Mr. Darling never 
owned a fine suit of clothes till he got his wedding suit. 
His clothing was of home manufacture. His first recol- 
lection of attending church was when he was about 15 
years old, at which time he went to hear Rev. William 
Hughes, of Perrjville. His first teacher was Thomas 
Andrews. This school was taught in a log cabin, in 
SubdistrictNo. 1, of Worthington Township. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Rehecca A. Manchester, youngest daughter 
of Peter and Rebecca Manchester, of Holmes Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 9, 1851. The ceremony was performed by Francis 
Johnston, Esq., of Monroe Township. Soon after their 
marriage, they removed to the farm where they now 
reside. This is one of the best farms in the township, 
and probably as good as any in the county. The first 
dwelling he built thereon was a few years ago, entirely 
destroyed by fire, together with all its contents. Mr. 
Darling had his home and its contents insured in the 
Ohio Farmer, in the sum of $3,300, which amount was 
promptly paid by this company. He now has one of 
the most magnificent farmhouses in the township, and 
it is probably excelled by few in the county. Mr. 
and Mrs. Darling are the parents of seven children, 
four sons and three daughters ; Mary Francis, the eld- 
est, was born Dec. 14, 1851 — married to Thomas 
Beavers, son of Hezekiah and Isabella Beavers, by Rev. 
T. F. Dornblazer, June 6, 1871. At the time of their 
marriage, Mr. Beavers was a druggist ; he is now a 
dealer in live stock. William Allen, eldest son of Abra- 
ham and Rebecca A. Darling, born June 17, 1853, was 
married to Miss Lucetta A., eldest daughter of Emanuel 
and Margaret McMillen, of Ashland Co., Aug. 8, 1878. 
The ceremony was performed by Rev. H. L. Wiles, then 
of Lucas, now Wooster, Ohio. Luther Emmerson, their 
second son, was born March 31, 1857 ; is now engaged in 
teaching. iSIarion Malancthon was born Sept. 15, 1859; 
he is now attending an academy at Smithville. Arena 
May, their second daughter, was born May 1, 1862; she 
died in infancy. Emerilla E., their youngest daughter, 
was born Nov. 16, 1864, and also died in infancy. Wal- 
ter Augustus, youngest of the family, was born Nov. 24, 
1865. Abraham Darling and wife united with the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church at St. Johns about the 
year 1854, and during the ministry of Rev. W. A. G. 
Emmerson. Mrs. Darling formerly belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined that branch 
of the church when she was about 14 years old. 

DARLING, SAMUEL F., farmer; P. 0. Lucas; he 
was born in Monroe Township Nov. 28, 1852 ; he is 
the second son of George W. and Rebecca J. Darling ; 
he was raised on a farm ; he was pretty thoroughly 
educated in the common English branches ; he remained 
with his father, assisting him in his farm work, till 
March 18, 1874, when he was married to Miss Mary, 
daughter of Lewis and Mary Leiter, of his native town- 
ship, March 18, 1856. Feo. 14, 1878, Mr. D. became the 
owner of a farm containing 60 acres, being a part of 
the southeast quarter of Sec. 16, in Monroe Township, 
on which he still continues to reside ; his farm is well 
improved ; his buildings and fences are in good i-epair ; 
Mr. Darling understands his business ; the fertility of 
the soil is kept up, and he rarely fails to raise good 
crops. Mr. and Mrs. Darling are the parents of three 
children — Kitty, born April 20, 1875; Linnie, May 20, 



1877, and Mary, Nov. 29, 1879. In their dispositions 
this couple are kind, social and friendly, and have 
justly merited and won the confidence and esteem of 
all who have become accjuainted with them. 

DOUGLASS, JOHN J. farmer; P. 0. Lucas; he 
was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Dec. 22, 1821. 
His father's name was Samuel Douglass, and his mother' s 

maiden name, McCurdy. He is of Scotch-Irish 

descent. His father removed with his family to Worth- 
ington Township, Richland Co., in November, 1829 ; 
they continued to reside in Worthington till March 1, 
1831, when they removed to Monroe Township, where 
the elder Mr. Douglass purchased the southwest quar- 
ter of Sec. 28, on which he settled with his family. 
Samuel Douglass was a very energetic and industrious 
man. John J., being the only son, was not permitted 
to remain idle. He was naturally gifted with more 
than ordinary intelligence, which he strove to cultivate 
and improve by all the means within his reach. He 
was possessed with iudomitable energy and decision. 
He qualified himself for a school teacher, which pro- 
fession he followed, while a young man, during the win- 
ter season for a number of years with good success. 
He was married to Sophah Schrack. daughter of David 
and Elizabeth Schrack, .Tan. 1, 1850. He removed his 
wife to the " old homestead," which he had then become 
the owner of, where they still continue to reside. Mr. 
Douglass was in the employ of the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company for about 
ten years. He was Auditor of Richland Co. four 
years. He is the owner of a very good farm ; he has 
it under a very good state of cultivation. Mr. Doug- 
lass has been a very active member of Monroe Lodge, 
No. 224, I. 0. 0. F., for many years. He is also a 
member of the Encampment. Some years ago, he 
united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Pleas- 
ant Valley. He is the father of three children, two 
sons and one daughter. His sons are both well educa- 
ted. The eldest has charge of the graded school at 
Shiloh, and the youngest of the graded scliool at Lucas. 
His daughter is married to Samuel J. Hazlet, a teacher 
and farmer of Worthington Township. 

EVERTS, LEVI, school-teacher; P. 0. Hastings; 
he was born on a farm, one mile north of Bellville, in 
this county, Jan. 4, 1844; his father's name is Reuben 
Everts, and his mother's maiden name was Rebecca 
Howard ; he is a twin brother of Eli Everts, of Ft. 
Wayne, Ind.; there is an incident connected with their 
birth which is of very rare occurrence ; they were not 
born the same hour, the same day, the same week, the 
same month or the same year, yet there is but about 
thirty minutes difi"erence in their ages. Levi Everts 
was a soldier in the late war ; he enlisted in Co. 
E, 102d 0. V. I. July 21, 1862; his company was com- 
manded by Capt. A. W. Loback ; he served during the 
war, and was honorably discharged July 7, 1865. He 
was married, Dec. 2, 1874, to Miss EUie, daughter of 
George and Eliza Ridenour; her mothei'"s maiden name 
was Mowry ; her mother died when she was quite 
young; she died in Indiana; EUie was brought back to 
Richland Co., Ohio, and adopted by her uncle, Jacob 
Ridenour, of Washington Township, where she contin- 
ued to reside until her marriage. Levi and Ellie 
Everts are the parents of three sons — Robert William, 



\ 



>> 



838 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



boin July 25, 1875 ; Edgar Lloyd, March 21, 1877, and 
Orlan Anibreg, June 21. 1879. Mr. Everts is a teacher 
and farmer by occupation ; he has taught eighty-four 
months of school ; twenty months of this time he 
taught in Bellville: he taught eight montlis in Williams 
and Fulton Cos. ; the remainder of the time he taught 
in Richland Co.; as a teacher, he has met with very 
good success. 

FHKGUE.StJN, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Newville. John 
Eergueson was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 
Cumberland Co., in 1807 or 1808 ; his father, William 
Fergueson, was a farmer, to which occupation his son 
.John was placed as soon as he was large enough. 
William Fergueson was married to Jane Wilson ; they 
became the parents of nine children ; in the year 
1815, he removed with his family to Worthington 
Township, where he entered a large tract of land, one- 
half mile north of Newville ; he devoted the remainder 
of his life to the clearing and improvement of his 
land ; he, his wife and his wife's father all died here 
and were buried in the .Schrack Graveyard. John Fer- 
gueson was married to Asenath ^lorrell ; she became 
the mother of three daughters and six sons ; Lavina, 
Myra, William, Isaac and Irvin are now living ; George 
Hiram, Leonard and Jemima are dead. Mr. John 
Fergueson owns the old homestead of 220 acres, which 
he has improved; his son Isaac does the farming, 
principally, although he is a remarkably well-preserved 
man, considering his age ; his wife died Nov. 4, 1876, at 
the age of 67 ; two of his daughters remain with him, 
and their care and attention, coupled with tlie consid- 
erate and respectful attention of his sons, tend to make 
the declining vears of his life more pleasant. 

GLADDEN,' SOLOMON (deceased). Solomon Glad- 
den was born in Washington Co., Penn., A. D. 1792; 
when he was 4 years old, his parents removed to Jefferson 
Cii., Ohio; they settled ten miles we^t of Steubenville. 
But little can be gathered concerning his boyhood. He 
served his country in the war of 1812; he enlisted as 
private in Capt. Aban's company of Ohio Militia, and 
w;is advanced to the position of Ensign. His company 
was ordered to rendezvous at Cleveland, where they 
met other companies and were organized and equipped 
for service. Their camp was near where the Union 
Depot now stands ; Cleveland at that early day was a 
small village, composed of a few scattered and inferior 
houses. One month was spent here in making the nec- 
essary arrangements. The troops were then ordered 
on board sail vessels, and sailed to Detroit; they spent 
some time at Fort Gratiot ; they were then ordered to 
march by land to Lake Superior. During this march an 
incident occurred that may be worthy of note : Mr. 
Gladden showed symptoms of an attack of the measles. 
Having a stream to cross, a sturdy Dutchman belong- 
ing to the company proposed that, in consideration of 
a pint of whisky, he would carry Ensign Gladden across 
the stream. The proposition being accepted, the En- 
sign got aboard the Dutchman, and the unwieldy craft 
started for the opposite shore ; when near the middle of 
thestream, the Dutchman capsized, plunging his precious 
cargo headlong into the chilling flood. The Ensign no 
doubt thought his time had come; that a cold bath at 
this stage of his disease must necessarily prove fatal. 
He got to the shore as best he could; the army soon 



went into camp ; the boys built a rousing fire ; the En- 
sign drank a half-pint of whisky, which, at that day, 
was considered an infallible remedy for nearly all the 
diseases that flesh is heir to ; he then wrapped himself 
in his blanket and laid down on a bed of pine boughs. 
In a few hours the measles broke out hopefully, and by 
the time the forces were ready to resume the march, 
he was ready for duty. At Fort Sarnia they went on 
board of transports, destined for Mackinaw Islands. 
Their intentions were to drive the British and Indians 
from their strongholds in this quarter. Their regiment 
was commanded by Col. Crogan, a brave and gallant 
officer. They engaged the enemy on the 10th of Au- 
gust, 1815 ; during this engagement Capt. Aban was 
disabled, and the command of the company devolved 
upon Ensign Gladden. He was but a boy at this time, 
yet his comrades have asserted that he displayed great 
skill and bravery in the management of his company. 
During the engagement, the infantry was ordered to 
lie down, while the artillery played on the stone wall, 
behind which the enemy was intrenched. All obeyed ex- 
cept Ensign Gladden, who continued erect, marching back 
and forth in front of his men, speaking words of cheer and 
encouragement. While thus engaged, he discovered one 
of the boys busily engaged in delving in the earth. 
Upon being asked what he was doing, " py sure," says 
he, '-I'm only getting a few bedaties for tiners." An- 
other poor fellow was crying, "Oh, Lord," at every 
boom of the enemy's guns. The Ensign told him to 
stop his bellowing or he would thrust his sword through 
him. This effectually silenced the timid soldiers. En- 
sign Gladden remained with his company, fearlessly dis- 
charging all the duties assigned to him, till the close of 
the war, when he was honorably discharged from the 
service, and returned to his home and friends. In after 
years, he loved to recount to his listening children and 
grandchildren, the incidents and adventures he wit- 
nessed during his military career. 

In the spring of 1818, he came to this county and 
entered the northeast quarter of Sec. 23, in Monroe 
Township ; he subsequently bought the southeast .quar- 
ter of the same section from his brother William, who 
had inherited it from their father. When he came to the 
county, the nearest mill was at Fredericktowu ; he was 
compelled to wend his way through the woods to get 
his grinding done, there being no roads at that early 
day ; the nearest point where salt could be obtained 
was Zanesville. Gladden's neighbors, on one occasion, 
proposed to work his corn during his absence, if he 
would take his ox team and drive to Zanesville for salt. 
His route lay through the woods, the most of the way ; 
it took him about two weeks to make the round trip. 

Solomon Gladden was married, A. D. 1816, to Miss 
Mary Harlin ; she and their infant son died A. D. 1818, 
and were buried at Perryville, in this county, at which 
time there were but few graves in this now densely 
populated city of the dead. On the 6th of June, 1820. 
Mr. Gladden was united in marriage to Miss Rachel 
Young ; the ceremony was performed by Jonathan 
Coulter, of Perryville ; by this marriage he had nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, viz.; Joseph, 
Kasselas Young, Esther H., Ursula, Madison A., Love- 
zila L., Mai-y J., Lovezenski and William F. Lovezenski 
died, at the age of 17 years, of typhoid fever ; Madison 



:^ 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



839 



® 



A. died of heart-disease, April 30, 1875, in the 46th 
year of his age; they were both buried at Perryville. 
Charles Young, father of Mrs. Rachel Gladden, emigrated 
to Harrison Co. in 1810, and thence to Richland Co. in 
1814, and entered land in Mifflin Township, near 
where Yaman's mill now stands. Mr. Young was of 
English origin ; Mr. Gladden was of Scotch-Irish descent. 
He, in common with all the pioneers of this county, 
passed through many dangers, endured many hardships, 
toils and privations, and surmounted many difficulties. 
The red men had not as yet entirely forsaken this 
favorite hunting-grounds and burial-place of their an- 
cestors. On one occasion, two of their braves, Momus 
and .Jonnycake, came to his cabin and asked for some- 
thing to eat. After partaking of a hearty repast, they 
went on their way rejoicing. Mr. Gladden asked one of 
his little boys, a lad about 3 years old, how he liked the 
looks of those men : " I don't know, they had leather on 
their faces, so that I could not see them," was the inno- 
cent reply. Abraham Baughman, a neighbor of Mr. 
Gladden, bought a calf of an Indian on one occasion. 
The next spring, the Indian came to Baughman's, saw 
that the calf had grown and improved, and remarked, 
"Say, Baughman, calf growed much; want more 
money."' Baughman thought it was best to gratify the 
Indian, and did so. The next spring, the Indian again 
returned, making use of the same language. Baugh- 
man again yielded, but to prevent a like repetition the 
following year, he fatted the calf and killed it. That 
singular and eccentric being familiarly known as 
Johnny Appleseed, but whose real name was John 
Chapman, very frequently called at the cabin of Mr. 
Gladden. He spent many nights under his roof. He 
would never accept of a bed, however, though many 
times urged to do so. He said the floor was good 
enough for him. He came to their cabin on one occa- 
sion, and found Mrs. Gladden assorting bee-bread from 
the honey. He asked her if she had any buttermilk in 
the house, she replied that she had, and, at his request, 
she tilled a coffee-pot with it and gave it to him. He 
then asked her if he might have some of the bee-bread 
to eat with it. " Oh, no," said she, " not that ; I will 
get you some wheat-bread." " No thank you," says 
.Johnny, " I would rather have this," and he actually 
ate a hearty meal of bee-bread and buttermilk. In those 
early times domestic animals, such as cattle, hogs and 
sheep, were very scarce, whilst wild animals were 
numerous ; so that the pioneer farmer had to depend 
upon his rifle for his supply of meat. Many were the 
trials, dangers and difficulties attending i.his manner of 
obtaining food ; for, on one occasion, Mr. Gladden, being 
in need of meat, mounted his horse and started out in 
quest of a deer. He had not proceeded but a short 
distance from his cabin, when he saw a fine large buck. 
He drew up bis gun and fired, when the deer started 
off at a rapid rate through the dense forest. Mr. G. 
struck the trail and knew from the flow of blood that 
the deer was severely wounded. He urged on his steed 
as fast as the nature of the route would permit, hoping 
to keep the animal in view, knowing that the blood 
would cease to flow before the deer would fall, and that 
it most probably would hide, so that he would not be 
able to discover and obtain another and more exact fire. 
In his hurry, he laid his rifle across his horse in front 



of him. The horse made a sudden turn and ran be- 
tween two saplings breaking his rifle and rendering it 
entirely useless for the time being. Owing to this ac- 
cident, he lost his deer, and, for the want of a gun, he 
passed many a hungry day. He had to go to Wooster, 
twenty-five miles distant, to get his gun repaired. 

Mr. Gladden had a military spirit within him ; the 
sound of the fife and drum sounded more pleasantly to 
his ears than the sound of the piano, harp or organ 
would have done. He loved the tented field and the 
study of military tactics ; he therefore raised a rifle 
company, composed of the hardy sons of tjie forest; 
he was elected Captain of this company, and served in 
this capacity for many years. When the threatened 
trouble between Ohio and Michigan called for action, 
he was elected Colonel of a rifle regiment belonging 
to this county. Volunteers were called for, and the 
call was responded to by many of the hardy sons of 
toil. The regiment was ready to move at short notice, 
but, happily for all concerned, Congress adjusted the 
matter in dispute amicably and without the shedding 
of fraternal blood. 

Mr. Gladden served as Justice of the Peace for fifteen 
years in succession ; he served as Commissioner of 
this county six years ; he also served in the General 
Assembly of the State of Ohio one year. A few in- 
stances may here be stated to illustrate the rude and 
uncultivated state of society at that early day : One 
fine day in June, the Esquire was called upon to marry 
a couple of young Dutch folks. He met them at the 
appointed time and place, and proceeded to tie the 
knot. He asked them to arise, which feat they accom- 
plished without much difficulty; but when told to join 
their right hands, the groom, with his left hand, 
grasped the bride by her right. Again they tried to 
obey orders, but succeeded no better. The third at- 
tempt resulted in their joining their left hands. The 
magistrate, seeing that further attempts would be fruit- 
less, proceeded with the ceremony, varying it to suit 
the occasion. After the ceremony had been performed, 
the Justice sought the kitchen tire to light his pipe. 
Here he met a lady guest, who laughingly remarked, 
" Squire, did you notice that the darned Dutch fools 
were married left-handed?" On a similar occasion, 
the wine having flowed so freely that many of the 
guests were in high spirits, a bachelor guest, who had 
indulged pretty freely, undertook to carve the turkey. 
He accomplished the feat in the following scientific 
manner : Grabbing the fowl by its legs, he tore off one 
of these members, and, throwing it on the bride's 
plate, remarked, " There, Sal, that is for you." Then, 
tearing off the other leg, he threw it on the groom's 
plate, with the expression, "There, Bill, take that." 
So much for the etiquette of early times. In those 
early times, wild cats were numerous and troublesome, 
and bears would frequently make a raid on the sheep- 
folds and pig-pens of the settlers. On one occasion, 
Mrs. Isaac Applegate was returning from a visit at the 
cabin of the Gladdens, when she saw a huge bear walk- 
ing leisurely along in front of her with a pig in its 
mouth. She hastened home and told her husband 
what she had seen. Mr. Applegate was not long in 
arousing a few of his nearest neighbors ; David Craw- 
ford, Joseph Applegate, Solomon Gladden, Hugh and 



■1^ 




Samuel Reed were soon in pursuit of the black mon- 
ster. Bruin was soon overtaken by liis pursuers, but, 
night having set in, he had the advantage of them in 
the darkness. When closely pursued, he would climb 
a tree, but before the men could kindle a fire, to en- 
able them to see to shoot him, he would quietly slide 
down and be off again. After pursuing this course 
nearly all night, Mr. Gladden finally shot and killed the 
animal. 

Mr. Gladden never turned a human being away 
hungry from his door; be never refused a night's 
lodging to any one when it was possible for him to ac- 
commodate tlie applicant. He departed this life Jan. 
29, 1873, aged 81 years ; he was buried at Perryville. 
His widow is living at this date ; she is in her 80th 
year ; she is remarkably bright and intelligent for a 
woman of her years ; she is much respected for her 
many virtues. 

GIFFIN, THOMAS, farmer; P. 0. Perryville. El- 
liot Giffiu, father of Thomas Giffin, was born in Cum- 
berland Co., Penn., near the town of Carlisle, on the 
10th day of January, 1805; he was a farmer by occu- 
pation. He was married to Miss Ann Ellen Noble, 
daughter of Francis and Margaret Noble, of his native 
county, in October, 1833, by whom he had five chil- 
dren, four sons and one daughter — Margaret E., born 
Sept. 9, 1835, died Jan. 28, 1837, and was buried at 
Miamisburg, Miami Co., Ohio ; Francis, born April 28, 
1838, died Aug. 4, 1838; Fletcher E., born Jan. 25, 
1840, married to Miss Kate Wheeler, eldest daughter 
of Eli and Louisa Wheeler, of Newville, Ohio ; Thomas, 
born as hereinafter stated in his own biography, and 
Albert, born in Monroe Township, died in infancy. 
Elliot GifBn came to Ohio about A. D. 1836 ; he resided 
in Miami Co. 6,bout six years ; he removed thence to 
near Rowsburg, Ohio ; about the year 1842, he removed 
to Richland Co. and settled on the eastern part of Mon- 
roe Township ; he lived on rented farms till 1851, 
when he purchased 80 acres in the southeastern part 
of the township ; he subsequently purchased 80 acres 
about a mile further north, in the same township ; he 
continued to reside on the farm he first bought, culti- 
vating and improving it, till the day of his death, 
Dec. 19, 1869, respected by all who knew him. Mrs. 
Giffin was well educated and highly accomplished 
for a woman of her day ; a sample of her needle- 
work, which she performed when about 13 years 
old, is a model of beauty and excellence ; she was 
of a kind, gentle and obliging disposition, and a 
loving mother ; she died Jan. 11, 1870; she is buried 
in the St. .Johns Cemetery, and her husband is buried 
by her side. Thos. Giffin, second son of Elliot and Ann E. 
Giffin. was born near Rowsburg, Ashland Co., Ohio, on 
the 15th day of July, 1842. He was married to Miss 
Hannah, fourth daughter of Sarah and ^lary AUenbaugh, 
of Ashland Co., on the 9th day of October, 1873, by Rev. 
Smith, Pastor of the Lutheran Church at Mansfield : 
after their marriage, they settled on the old homestead, 
where they still reside ; their farm is a very good one, 
a little rough but quite fertile; it is well adapted both 
to the raising of stock and grain ; it is well watered, 
well timbered, well improved, and in a good state of 
cultivation. Thomas Gifi&u is possessed of considera- 
able inventive and mechanical genius ; he has invente^j 



some machinery, and, had he turned his attention to 
the mechanical arts early in life, he doubtless would 
have " made his mark " in the world as a mechanic 
and inventor. Mr. and Mrs. Giffin are the parents of 
two children, a son and a daughter — Anna May, born 
Aug. 1, 1876 ; Ira Calvin, Jan. 3, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. 
Giffin are much esteemed in the neighborhood where 
they reside. 

HARTER, NANCY, widow; P. 0. Newville. The 
subject of this biography was born in Ohio Co., Va., 
September, A. D. 1806; she was the third daughter of 
Naaman and Jane Billings ; her mother's maiden name 
was Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Billings were the parents 
of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters ; 
the sons were Solomon, Daniel, William, Ephraim and 
Connell ; the daughters were Artimissa, Rebecca, 
Nancy, Ruth, Jane, Dicy, Caroline and Amanda. Mr. 
Billings emigrated to Richland Co. in the fall of 1823 ; 
he settled on the James Hedges' farm, near the present 
site of the paper-mill, in the city of Mansfield. Nancy 
Billings was married to Samuel McCollough in April, 
1828 ; he was a tailor by occupation ; they lived in 
Mansfield for about one year after their marriage, when 
they removed to Newville, in Worthington Township, 
where they continued to re?ide as long as Mr. McCol- 
lough lived ; he was of a kind, social and friendly 
disposition ; he relished a good joke or a hearty laugh ; 
he had many friends, and but few, if any, enemies ; he 
died of typhoid fever in November, 1851, and was 
buried in the Newville graveyard. Samuel and Nancy 
McCollough were the parents of three children, one 
son and two daughters ; the son was born June 10, 
1830, was christened John Naaman, died July 10, 
1830; Rebecca, the eldest daughter, was born Jan. 25, 
1829, married George W. Darling in December, 1847 ; 
Artimissa was born in August, 1831, married James 
Long July 18, 1851. On the 15th of June, 1858, Mrs. 
McCollough was married to William Harter, of Monroe 
Township. Mr. Harter came to Richland Co. in 1831, 
and purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 32, in 
Monroe Township, which he cleared, cultivated and 
improved, and on which he continued to reside till the 
day of his death, which occurred Dec. 19, 1878. He 
was an honest, industrious man and an earnest Chris- 
tian. At his death, he was possessed of considerable 
property, all of which he acquired by persevering in- 
dustry and strict economy ; Mr. Harter was of German 
descent. He was an active and consistent member of 
the Lutheran Church from his boyhood ; his remains 
are interred in the St. Johns Cemetery. Mrs. Harter 
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church A. D. 
1827, and has been an active and zealous member of 
that branch of the church ever since ; as far as her 
means would permit, she has been very liberal in her 
contributions for the support of the Gospel and other 
Christian and benevolent enterprises. 

HENRY, SAMUEL, farmer ; P. 0. Lucas. Samuel 
Henry, fourth son of .Joseph and Margaret Henry, was 
born in Belmont Co., Ohio, five miles north of St. 
Clairsville, May 22, 1820; his mother's maiden name 
was Zediker; his father was of French and his mother 
of German descent ; his parents were both born in 
Washington Co., Penn.. and removed to Belmont Co., 
Ohio, about the year 1811 ; they raised a family of nine 



*711 






MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



841 



children, five sons and four daughters; they are named 
in the order of their births, as follows : Robert, David 
L., Jonathan, Mary Ann, Samuel, Catharine Jane, Mar- 
garet, Nicholas and Elizabeth ; three of them — Robert, 
Jonathan and Margaret — are dead. Samuel, Mary Ann, 
Catharine .Jane and Elizabeth reside in Monroe Town- 
ship. Nicholas resides in Mifflin Township, and David 
lives in Hardin Co., near Kenton. Joseph and Mar- 
garet Henry removed from Belmont to Richland Co., 
Ohio, in the spring of 1836, and purchased and settled 
upon a portion of Sec. 17, in Monroe Township, where 
they continued to reside as long as they lived. Joseph 
Henry died Aug. 9, 1845; his wife died in February, 
1863 ; they are both buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery in 
this township. They were both members of the Seceder 
Church for many years during their sojourn in Belmont 
Co. After their removal to this county, there being no 
church of their choice in their neighborhood, they never 
again united with any branch of the church. Samuel 
Henry was married to Rachel Marlow Feb. 21, 1843 ; 
she was a daughter of James and Mary Marlow, of 
Springfield Township, in this county ; by this marriage 
he had five children, four of whom are yet living ; they 
are named as follows : Mary Jane, Margaret Issa- 
bella, James Alexander, Norman Nicholas and Samuel 
Marlow. Mary Jane has been twice married ; David 
Smith was the name of her first husband ; he dying, 
she was recently married to Newton Hersh. Margaret 
Issabella married Emerick Bell ; James Alexander, 
Ann Chew, and Samuel M., Mary Collins. Norman N. 
was accidentally drowned May 7, 1853, by falling head 
foremost into a post-hole ; he was buried at Mt. Zion. 
Samuel Henry's first wife died March 12, 1854 ; she 
was buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Mr. Henry was 
married to Miss Margaret Jane Major, of Belmont Co., 
Ohio, March 5, 1855; by this marriage he had two 
children, both daughters ; the youngest died in in- 
fancy ; the eldest, Mary Elizabeth, is attending the 
Haysville Seminary. The second wife of Mr. Henry 
departed this life July 27, 1857, and lies buried by the 
side of his first wife. Mr. Henry selected for his third 
companion Miss Mariah Chancey ; they were united in 
marriage .June 29, 1859 ; by this third wife he has be- 
come the father of three children, all sons, named 
Francis Lincoln, Jonathan Lorenzo and Ulysses Sher- 
man. The first farm Samuel Henry owned is the south 
half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 17, in Monroe 
Township ; he became the owner of this farm in 1843 ; 
he continued to reside thereon till the spring of 1863, 
when he sold it and purchased 120 acres of land in Sec. 
21 of this township. He still continues to reside on 
this farm ; since he became the owner thereof, he has 
made some valuable improvements thereon. In 1863, 
he built a large and commodious barn, and, in 1868, a 
neat and comfortable dwelling. His farm is quite fer- 
tile, and he endeavors to keep it so. It is well adapted 
to the raising of all kinds of grain, and its owner sel- 
dom fails to have good crops when any of his neigh- 
bors have. Mr. Henry's last wife is a daughter of 
William and Mary Chancey, late of Springfield ; her 
mother's maiden 'name was Gordon ; her father at- 
tained to the advanced age of 93 years ; her mother was 
70 years old when she died ; her father was buried at 
New Alexandria, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and her mother 



in the Fairview graveyard, Troy Township, in this 
county. Mr. Henry's facilities for obtaining an edu- 
cation, when a boy, were quite limited ; but, being 
possessed of a taste for useful reading and a very 
retentive memory, he has succeeded in storing his mind 
with a vast amount of useful knowledge. Mr. Henry 
and wife are active members of the Evangelical Lu- 
theran Church at Lucas. In their dispositions they are 
kind, social and friendly, ever ready to bestow a kind- 
ness upon a neighbor, or to lend a helping hand in 
cases of sickness or genuine distress. 

HERZOG, JOHN, stonemason. Newville. He was 
born in Sutzfeldt, Baden, Germany, May 19, 1827 ; 
his father's name was Christian Herzog, and his 
mother's maiden name Christiana Leaman ; he was 
obliged to attend school from the time he was 6 
years old till he was nearly 15 ; at the age of 15, 
he was apprenticed to a stonemason to learn that 
trade ; he served an apprenticeship of three years ; he 
has followed this business from that day to the present. 
In 1828, there was a revolt or insurrection in the State 
of Baden, brought about or occasioned by the nobility 
undertaking to infringe upon the rights of the common 
people. Toung Herzog joined the insurgents, and par- 
ticipated in several battles that ensued. Emperor 
William was compelled send an army to quell the rebell- 
ion. The insurgents were defeated, and young Her- 
zog, acting upon the maxim that " discretion is the bet- 
ter part of valor," made his escape to free America. 
He was in his 23d year when he landed in the United 
States ; he worked about eighteen months at his trade 
in the State of New York; he then spent some time in 
traveling, visiting some of the principal cities in this 
country; he came to Richland Co. in 1853; he worked 
for some considerable length of time for the P., F. W. 
& C. R. R. Co., building the stone work for the bridges 
in this county. He was married to Miss Maria Smith, 
of Lucas, Dec. 4, 1856 ; Miss Smith was born Jan. 23, 
1837 ; her father's name was Peter Smith ; her mother's 
maiden name Catharine Stofle ; her parents were Hes- 
sians by birth ; they emigrated fi'om Germany to this 
country about 1832 ; they are both dead, and buried 
in the Catholic cemetery at Sand Ridge, in Hanover 
Township, Ashland Co.; she is one of a large family of 
children, all of whom are dead save herself and a 
brother named Henry ; she had a brother named 
Peter, who was killed in battle, while serving his coun- 
try in the war of the rebellion. In the year 1866, Mr. 
Herzog purchased a farm, consisting of 80 acres of 
land, in the northeastern part of Monroe Township, 
being the farm formerly owned by an old pioneer 
named Jacob Williams ; he made a very good selec- 
tion in the choice of a farm ; it is what farmers term a 
second bottom ; it is highly fertile and well adapted to 
all kinds of farm purposes; after purchasing this farm, 
Mr. Herzog still continued to work at his trade when he 
had work to do, spending his leisure time in improv- 
ing and cultivating his farm ; when he was engaged in 
working at his trade, his wife carried on the farming. 
John and Maria Herzog are the parents of thirteen 
children, eleven of whom are living, two having died 
in infancv. Christian F., their eldest, was born Aug 
27,1857; Catharine C, Feb. 23, 1^59; Martha J., 
Dec. 7, 1860; Irena M., Oct. 11, 1862; John L., Sept. 






.£ 




9. 1864; Henry W., Aug. 12, 1866 ; Mary F., June 17, 
1868 ; Julia A., April 1, 1870 ; John A., Dec. 9, 1872 ; 
Simon M., Oct. 17, 1874, and Margaret E.. Feb. 12, 
1877. Mr. Herzog has been a member of Sturges 
Lodge, No. 365, I. 0. 0. F., for a number of years. 
He is an honest, upright, hard-working man ; he is a 
good mechanic and a kind and obliging neighbor. 

HOGAN, MICHAEL, (deceased). The subject of this 
biography was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1793; 
when 11 years old, he was sent to an academy at Enis, 
where he remained three years ; he then entered Trinity 
College at Dublin, where he graduated at the age of 17 ; 
he graduated in medicine and surgery at the same 
place, but, not liking the profession, and considering it 
a very responsible business, he never practiced. He 
was married, in 1817, to Ann Oakley, a lady of rare 
qualities of heart and mind ; she possessed indomitable 
energy and perseverance, which rendered her a fit 
companion for one who chose to brave the hardships 
and privations of the New World ; her thorough educa- 
tion and refined manners well fitted her to discharge all 
the duties which devolved upon her as a wife and mother. 
The estate of Michael Hogan's father being confiscated 
to the English crown, he saw the home of his ancestors 
pass into the hands of strangers ; this was gall to his 
proud spirit, and he turned his back upon his dearly 
loved Erin and sought a home and fortune in the wilds 
of free America ; he, with his wife, landed in New 
York in 1818 ; they resided in that city five years, Mr. 
Hogan during that time serving as an officer in the 
regular army of the United States ; from there they 
emigrated to Ohio; they settled, in the first place, in 
Newville, Richland Co., where Mr. Hogan engaged for 
a short time in the mercantile business ; he was the 
owner and proprietor of the first store in Worthington 
Township; he had, however, determined on being a 
farmer ; he, therefore, continued in the mercantile 
business till an opportunity presented itself for him to 
purchase a farm adapted to his taste ; he purchased the 
northwest quarter of Sec. 35 in Monroe Township : he 
moved his family on his farm in 1827 ; he made a very 
good selection in the choice of his farm, it being one of 
the best farms in this region of country ; he continued 
to reside on this farm as long as he lived. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hogan were the parents of a large family of chil- 
dren, all daughters but one ; the daughters were edu- 
cated principally by their father and mother, and were 
trained to habits of industry, economy, morality and 
strict integrity. Misses Ann and Theresa are now the 
owners of the old homestead. Edmund Thomas, the 
son, was educated for the bar, and, while yet a young 
man, emigrated to California, where he has risen to 
eminence in his profession; he has been honored with a 
seat on the judicial bench for many years. Maj. 
Hogan, the subject of this sketch, retained even in old 
age his stately military bearing ; his fondness for liter- 
ary pursuits did not in the least abate with years. He 
was one of the best classical scholars in the country ; 
it was a favorite pastime for him to sit and read his 
much-loved Greek and Latin authors ; be seemed to 
derive great pleasure from their perusal ; it was his 
custom, also, to read the history of the principal nations 
of Europe in their own language. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan 
were active and consistent members of the church from 



their youth, though they belonged to diiferent branches. 
They were noted for their hospitality, generosity and 
Christian charity; no mendicant was ever known to 
leave their door unalmsed. Mr. Hogan lost his amiable, 
accomplished and much-loved consort July 21, 1864. 
He departed this life Jan. 17, 1875; both father and 
mother, with their deceased children, are buried in 
the Catholic Cemetery in the city of Mansfield. 

HUSTON, A. H., farmer; P. 0. Hastings; he was 
born in this township March 7, 1831 ; his father, John 
Huston, was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 22, 
1787 ; while he was quite young, his parents emigrated 
to Maryland ; here he spent his boyhood, on a farm. 
After he had attained his majority, he learned the 
milling business ; he worked in one mill nine years, 
during which time he did not lose a single day. When 
Gen. Baggs burned Washington City, he was drafted 
for sixty days' service. He came to Richland Co. in 
1818, and entered the southeast quarter of Sec. 29, in 
this township ; he erected a cabin and moved on this 
farm Nov. 29, 1820 ; for several years he lived alone 
in the woods, part of the time boarding with John 
Douglas, but most of the time he kept " bachelor's 
hall" and boarded himself. During this time, he was 
busy clearing away the dense forest from a portion of 
his farm, in order to prepare it for cultivation. In 
1826, he was married to Miss Mary Hersh, by whom 
he has had ten children, one of whom died in infancy ; 
all the rest attained to the years of manhood and 
womanhood ; two of his sons lost their lives while en- 
gaged in the service of their country during the late 
war of the rebellion. Mr. Huston died Aug. 30, 1854, 
aged 66 years. The early life of Ai H. Huston was 
spent with his father in clearing away the forest and 
tilling the ground ; from his childhood, he was trained 
to habits of industry, economy, morality and strict in- 
tegrity ; he was also permitted to attend school a small 
portion of the time, and succeeded, by close applica- 
tion, in obtaining a pretty fair knowledge of the com- 
mon English branches. At the age of 19, he com- 
menced working at the carpenter trade, to which 
occupation he applied himself so earnestly and perse- 
veringly that, at the expiration of two years, he be- 
came quite expert at the business. About this time, 
at the solicitation of a young man of his neighbor- 
hood, he determined on making a trip to the State of 
Indiana. The parting advice of his parents on that 
occasion is still fresh in his memory, though many 
years have elapsed since the day it was delivered : 
"Be honest, industrious, and keep out of bad com- 
pany." With this injunction still ringing in his ears, 
he left the home of his childhood, and, in company 
with his friend, he started on foot to seek his fortune 
in what was then considered the " Far West." Soon 
after his return, Mr. Huston met with an accident by 
which he came very near losing his life, and from the 
effects of which he has not entirely recovered to this 
day. While assisting in raising a barn on the farmjof Jacob 
Culler, by some mismanagement on the part of the 
foreman and others, a heavy beam was allowed to fall 
to the ground, after being raised, and Mr. Huston was 
caught under it ; one foot was so badly injured as to 
partially disable him. He continued, however, to work 
at his trade for some years afterward, when he quit 



*:?T7 



^. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



843 



the trade and engaged in farming. Jan. 6, 1859, he 
was married to Mary Jane Mitchell. For the next 
seven years, farming was his chief employment, but 
whenever work was slack on the farm, he would de- 
vote his spare time to working at his trade. His 
mother died Ajjril 10, 1867 ; one of his sisters, having 
married some years previous, now offered to sell him 
her interest in the " old homestead ; " he concluded to 
make the purchase, and try the experiment of going 
in debt ; by being " diligent in business " he soon re- 
moved this indebtedness. About this time, hi» father- 
in-law made a division of his property, by which trans- 
action Mr. Huston became the possessor of considei'a- 
ble means ; and, another sister desiring to sell her 
interest in the home farm, he bought hers also, and 
thus became the owner of 75 acres of land : a good 
part of his farm was in timber. His knowledjre of car- 
pentry was of great service to him ; he laid his own 
plans and did the greater part of the work in the con- 
struction of his buildings. Mr. Huston is now enjoy- 
ing tlie fruit of his labors, and is amply prepared to 
pass his declining years with ease and comfort ; in his 
habits he is strictly temperate; "Moderation in all 
things " is his motto. 

LEITER, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Lucas; was born in 
Washington Co., Md., June 2, 1824. His father's name 
was David Leiter; his mother's maiden name, Nancy 
Bell ; they were both of German descent : they re- 
moved to Ohio in the fall of 1837, and pui'chased a 
farm containing 140 acres, off the northeast corner of 
Sec. 7. in Monroe Township; they subsequently pur- 
chased 85 acres adjoining this farm ; he made many 
valuable and lasting improvements on this farm ; he 
afterward purchased 80 acres in Sec. 8 of this town- 
ship. David Leiter was married twice ; by his first 
wile he had but one child, who is the principal subject 
of this biographical sketch. Mrs. Nancy Leiter died 
about the year 1824, and was buried near Leitersburg, 
Washington Co., Md., in the family graveyard on her 
father s farm ; she was, for many years, a zealous mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Leiter married, for 
his second wife. Miss Mary Bell, of his native county ; 
by this marriage he had twelve children, six sons and 
six daughters, named as follows : Louis, Susan, Bar- 
bary, Ann, Mary, Catharine, Malinda, David, John, 
Samuel and William ; one child died in infancy ; Lewis, 
Barbary and Mary are dead. David Leiter was a zeal- 
ous Christian ; he was an active member of the Lu- 
theran Church for a great many years ; he contributed 
largely of his means for religious and charitable pur- 
poses ; he departed this life in jNlay, 1870 ; he was 
buried in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery near Lucas. Ja- 
cob Leiter remained with his father, assisting him in 
improving and cultivating his farm, till July 2, 1848, 
when he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Ross, 
third daughter of Natcher and Sophia Ross. The first 
farm that Jacob Leiter owned contained 40 acres, and 
was a part of the southwest quarter of Sec. 16, in Mon- 
roe Township ; he resided on this farm about eighteen 
months, when he sold it and rented of his father the 
farm on which Lewis Leiter's widow now resides ; he 
remained on this farm four years ; from there he re- 
moved to Mifllin Township, where he purchased a farm 
consisting of 100 acres, on which he resided three 



years, when he sold it and purchased the farm entered 
by his father-in-law, Natcher Ross, where he still con- 
tinues to reside ; this farm is highly fertile and pro- 
ductive, and well adapted to all kinds of farming 
purposes ; it is well watered and well timbered and 
well improve:! ; since it came into the possession of 
Mr. Leiter, he has improved the dwelling, built a large 
and commodious barn, as also other outbuildings ; his 
fences are in good repair and everything in good shape 
on the premises. Mr. and Mrs. Leiter are the parents 
of nine children, three sons and six daughters, named 
as follows : Clara Ann, born Oct. 25, 1849 ; Mary Alice, 
Dec. 5, 1851; Sophia, May 15, 1853; Nancy Jane, 
Oct. 31, 1855; Natcher Ross, July 21, 1858; David 
Samuel, March 27, 1861 ; Elmer Ellsworth, Oct. 22, 
1863 ; Mary Frances, Jan. 13, 1867, and Dora, Sept. 
24, 1872 ; Mary Alice died June 30, 18-52, and was 
buried at Mt. Zion. Jacob Leiter united with the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church when about 18 years old, 
and has been an active and zealous member of that 
branch of the Christian Church from that time to the 
present ; his wife has been a member of the same 
church for many years ; they have the reputation of 
being very liberal in their contributions for religious 
and benevolent purposes; Mr. Leiter has also been an 
active member of Monroe Lodge, No. 224, 1. 0. 0. F., 
for about eighteen years ; he has attained to the high- 
est position in his lodge ; he is also an active member 
of the Burns Encampment. He and his good wife are 
members of Morning Star Lodge, No. 36, Daughters of 
Rebecca. They are much esteemed for their many vir- 
tues. 

McBRIDE, ALEXANDER, farmer, was born in 
Hampshire Co., Va., April 11, 1798. His father's 
name was Thomas McBride ; his mother's maiden name 
was Mary McVicker. His father was a native of Ire- 
land ; he emigrated to the United States about the year 
1785. His mother was of Scotch-Irish descent. Thomas 
McBride, after his marriage, resided in Hampshire Co., 
Va., till the spring of 1817. In the spring of 1816, he 
came to Ohio, and entered the south half of Sec. 15, in 
Monroe Township. The spring following, he removed 
his family to this farm, which at that time was a dense 
forest. He continued to reside on this fiirm as long as 
he lived. He raised a family of seven children, five 
sons and two daughters ; their names in the order of 
their births are Alexander, Agnes, John, Archibald, 
Duncan, Wilson and Mary ; Alexander and John are 
the sole survivors of this family. Thomas McBride and 
wife were active members of the United Presbyterian 
Church for many years, and were much respected for 
their many virtues. He departed this life April 27, 
1824, and was the first one buried in the Odd Fellows' 
Cemetery, near Lucas ; he died in his 54th year. His 
wife died May 8, 1833, and was buried beside her hus- 
band ; she was 60 years old when she died. Thomas 
McBride's brother, Alexander, who died May 15, 1825, 
in his 77th year, is interred in tlie same cemetery. The 
subject of this sketch being the eldest of his father's 
family, the burden of hard labor fell upon his shoulders 
Being brought up in the woods, he withstood the dan- 
gers, and endured all the hardships, toils and priva- 
tions incident to pioneer life. He had but few facilities 
for acquiring knowledge, but he made good use of those 



__g) 



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844 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



few. He remained with his father, assisting him in 
improving and cultivating his farm, till the 17tli of 
March, 1825, when he was united in marriage to Miss 
Ruth J., eldest daughter of Benjamin and Susannah 
Barnes, of Washington Township. Her mother's maiden 
name was Jones. Her parents were both born in jNIary- 
land, and were of English descent; they came to the 
county at a very early day, and settled in Washington 
Township, on the farm now owned by the heirs of John 
Ford. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. McBride pur- 
chased 50 acres of land in Sec. 7, Monroe Township, 
which farm he improved and cultivated, and, by dint 
of hard labor and rigid economy on the part of himself 
and wife, he was enabled to add piece by piece, until 
he had a farm consisting of 100 acres. He subsequently 
purchased 108 acres, situated in Sees. 7 and 19 of this 
township. Mr. and Mrs. McBride ai-e the parents of 
eleven children. The names of those who survived the 
period of infancy are as follows : Jackson, Thomas, 
Benjamin Franklin, Union, Susan M., John A., James 
J. and Wilson S. Jackson was married to Susan Doug- 
las, by whom he had four children, two sons and two 
daughters. He was a teacher and farmer by occupa- 
tion. He died April 28, 1859, and was buried with the 
honors of Odd Fellowship, in their cemetery near Lucas. 
John A. died Aug. 13, 1841, and is buried in the same 
cemetery. Thomas is one of the most prominent law- 
yers in this county. Mr. McBride, in his younger days, 
was a man of great energy, as also a man of more than 
ordinary intelligence. He took a very active part in the 
improvements that were then being made in his town- 
ship and county. He was one of the leading men of 
that early day. He held the office of Justice of the 
Peace for nine years in his township. He also held 
several other township offices for several terms. At 
that early day. Uncle Sam was not as wealthy as he 
subsequently became. The coifers of the Township 
Treasurer of Monroe were empty. Orders had accumu- 
lated in the hands of her officers, and there was no 
prospect of their beipg paid. A number of these 
officers (among whom was Mr. McBride) assembled at 
Lucas one day, to consult over this financial question. 
It was proposed by one of their number that John Her 
should load their orders in his gun and shoot them 
away. This was accordingly done, and in this sum- 
mary manner the township was freed from debt. Mr. 
McBride served as Township Clerk for eight years, and 
found his own stationery, without any compensation 
whatever. The ninth year he received a very inade- 
quate remuneration for his services. He was a candi- 
date the tenth year, but the office was then beginning 
to pay ; he had competition, and was defeated. Mr. 
McDride united with the United Presbyterian Church 
at Mansfield, in the year 1841. He still retains his 
membership there, though of late years he has not been 
able to attend, owing to his advanced age, aijd the dis- 
tance to be traveled. About twenty-five years ago, Mrs. 
McBride united with the Lutheran Church at Lucas. 
About the year 1870, Mr. McBride sold his real estate, 
and made a distribution of his property among his chil- 
dren, reserving a portion for the support of himself and 
wife during their declining years. From that time till 
the present, they have resided with their children. For 
the last seven years they have lived with their son-in- 



law, Samuel Barr. Mr. McBride hauled the poles to 
make a shed to cover the bricks that were used in build- 
ing the first brick church in Mansfield. This was 
about 1821. His father subscribed |50 and his mother 
$10 to the building of this church. He signed the pros- 
pectus for the first paper printed in the county. It was 
called the Olive, and was published by Robert Cros- 
thwart. It was first published about the close of the year 
1818, or the first of the year 1819. It subsequently 
changed names and proprietors several times, and 
finally passed into the hands of John Y. Glesner, who 
christened it the Shield and Banner. Mr. McBride 
continued to take this paper till the year 1871. There 
is, perhaps, no man living in the county to-day, who 
came as early as Mr. McBride, who had attained man's 
estate when he came here. He and his good wife have 
shared the joys and sorrows of married life for a period 
of fifty-five years. He is 82 years old, quite hard of 
hearing, but intelligent for a man of his years. She is 
73 years old, hale and hearty, and in full possession of 
her mental faculties. 

McDANEL, JOHN R., farmer; P. 0. Newville. AVill- 
iam McDanel, father of John R., was born in Middle- 
sex Co., Del., Oct. 23, 1771; his parents, Archibald and 
Rachel McDanel, were of Scotch-Irish descent. Will- 
iam McDanel was married to Miss Mary Richey, 
daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Richey, of his 
native county, Jan. 27, 1795; Miss Richey was born 
March 18, 1777, in the same county ; her parents were 
of German descent. William McDanel removed to 
Beaver Co., Penn., with his family, in 1806, and from 
there to Richland Co. in 1826 ; he entered the south- 
east quarter of Sec. 26 in Monroe Township ; he la- 
bored very hard to clear and improve this farm, as it 
was covered with a very heavy growth of timber ; when 
he purchased it, Mr. McDanel was possessed of a 
strong constitution and iron nerve, and was naturally 
well-fitted to brave the dangers and endure the toils 
and privations of pioneer life. He and his wife were 
both active members of the Baptist Church for many 
years ; they were quite liberal in their contribiitions 
for religious and benevolent purposes ; they were the 
parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters; 
the sons were named Archabald, Abraham, James, 
William, Simon and John R.; names of daughters, 
Phoebe, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary and Rachel. Will- 
iam McDanel departed this life May 26, 1854; his 
widow died Aug. 20, 1861 ; they were both interred in 
the family graveyard, on the farm. John R., youngest 
son of William and Mary McDanel, was born in Beaver 
Co., Penn., Sept. 8, 1821 ; he was but 5 years old when 
his parents brought him to this county ; he has lived 
on the farm his father entered from that time to the 
present : owing to the limited facilities for obtaining 
knowledge at that early day, his education was some- 
what limited ; he learned to read and write, however, 
and acquired a tolerably fair knowledge of arithmetic ; 
as soon as he was old enough to be of any service to 
his father, he was kept from school the greater part of 
the time to assist on the farm. Jan. 22, 1848, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Dorothy, daughter of Henry 
and Catharine Keller ; Miss Keller was born in Stark 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 10, 1824; her parents were of German 
descent ; they were natives of Pennsylvania ; they re- 



rT* 



moved to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1814, and from there to 
Richland in 1824, where they continued to reside as 
long as they lived. Mrs. Keller died in May, 1862, 
and Mr. Keller in September, 1865; they were buried 
in the St. Johns Cemetery, in Monroe Township. 
John R. and Dorothy McDanel are the parents of nine 
children — five sons and four daughters, two of whom 
died infants ; the names of those who survived the 
period of infancy are as follows : Henry Jasper, Mary, 
William Wallace, Thomas Benton, Simon Judson, Har- 
riet Ann and Jane Catharine ; three of the above-named 
children — Henry J., Harriet A. and Catharine J. are 
living ; the others are all dead ; four of the deceased 
are buried in the Newville graveyard, and two in the 
graveyard on the farm. By the decease of his parents, 
Mr. McDanel became the owner of all the old home- 
stead, save forty acres that his father had previously 
sold to his brother Simon ; he purchased the interests 
of his bi-others and sisters, and thus became the owner 
of the farm ; it is a very good farm, well watered, well 
timbered, and well adapted both to farming and grazing 
purposes. Mr. McDanel has but one brother and one 
sister now living — Simon McDanel, who resides in 
Worthington Township, and Rachel, who lives with 
her brother, John R. ^Irs. Dorothy McDanel departed 
this life Aug. 27, 1878; she, as also her husband, had 
united with the Baptist Church many years previous. 
MARKS, JACOB, cabinet-maker ; P. 0. Lucas ; son 
of Abram and Sallie Marks ; was born in Montgomery 
Township, Ashland Co., Aug. 27, 1828. His father was 
born in Westmorelond Co., Penn.; his mother's maiden 
name was Sallie Young ; they are the parents of twelve 
children, six sons and six daughters ; Abram Marks 
emigrated to Richland Co., with his family, during the 
year 1824 ; he purchased 80 acres of land, a part of 
Sec. 16, in Monroe Township ; this farm being nearly 
all in timber, by dint of hard labor on his part it was 
cleared and otherwise improved ; in 1860, he purchased 
what is now known as the Rummel Mill property, sit- 
uated a short distance east of the village of Lucas, 
where he spent the remainder of his days ; he died in 
1863 ; his widow still lives, near Lucas. Jacob Marks 
and his brotherr Pete are twins ; they are the eldest 
children of their parents ; Jacob followed the peaceful 
pursuits of a farmer till he arrived at the age of 22 
years, when he turned his attention to the mechanical 
arts ; he learned the trade of cabinet-maker with John 
Heck, of Newville, and has continued to follow that 
business from that time to the present ; he has the 
reputation of being a very good workman ; he has re- 
cently increased his facilities for the manufacture of 
almost all kinds of furniture ; he keeps constantly on 
hand a large and well-selected supply of coffins and 
other articles in the line of an undertaker ; as an 
undertaker, he has had an experience of twenty-six 
years, during which time he has averaged not less than 
thirty coffins per year. In his disposition, Mr. Marks 
is kind and obliging ; he is temperate in his habits, 
and honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow- 
men. In 1855, Mr. Marks was united in marriage to 
a young lady of an adjacent township ; by this mar- 
riage he became the father of six children, two sons 
and four daughters. In politics, he has been a lifelong 
Democrat. In 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss 



Reno Robison, eldest daughter of the late William Rob- 
ison, of Monroe Township ; Miss Robison was born in 
Virginia ; her parents removed to Richland Co. about 
the year 1848 ; she is a lady much respected for her 
many virtues. 

MANNER, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Perryville ; he 
was born in Berkeley Co., Va., Dec. 9, 1804. His 
father's name was Joseph Manner; his mother's maiden 
name was Catharine Mentzer ; his parents were both of 
German descent; they were born in Franklin Co., 
Penn.; his parents came to Ohio in the spring of 1827, 
and purchased a farm, then in Richland, now in Green 
Township, Ashland Co.; there was an old grist-mill on 
this farm at the time, which he and his son Jacob re- 
modeled and repaired, and which they ran for many 
years. Joseph Manner continued to reside here as 
long as he lived ; he died in April, 1840, aged about 78 
years ; his wife survived him a short time ; they were 
both interred in the Perryville Cemetery. Jacob 
Manner was married to Miss Jenette Calhoun, second 
daughter of Noble and Sarah Calhoun, of Monroe 
Township, Aug. 8, 1883; her mother's maiden name 
was Taylor ; her parents were both of Irish descent ; 
they settled in Monroe Township in the spring of 1831, 
and continued to reside on the same farm till the day 
of their death. Mr. Manner lived on his father's farm 
a few months after his marriage ; he then purchased 
the farm now owned by John Darling, of Monroe 
Township, where he resided about three years ; he then 
sold his farm and removed to Newville ; he purchased 
the only brick building in the place and engaged in the 
mercantile business ; he subsequently purchased the 
frame dwelling now owned by H. D. Ruth in that place; 
he continued in the mercantile business about four 
months, when he traded his house and lot and stock of 
goods for a farm of 190 acres on the Black Fork, to 
which he removed with his family ; he stayed on this 
farm three or four years, during which time some one 
of the family was almost continually shaking with the 
ague ; from there he removed to Wooster, where he 
kept a hotel about a year; he then sold his hotel, and, 
removing to Worthington Township, purchased the 
farm now owned by Jacob Cate ; he subsequently pur- 
chased an interest in the Herring Mills ; this last in- 
vestment was an unfortunate one, as he lost by the 
operation about $2,500 ; he continued to reside on the 
Cate farm for several years after leaving the mill ; 
about the year 1852, he sold this farm and purchased 
the farm formerly owned by his father-in-law in Mon- 
roe Township; this farm contained 260 acres ; he sub- 
sequently purchased 140 acres adjoining the old 
homestead ; he now owns a farm containing 400 acres 
of as choice land as can be found in the county. Mr. 
Manner was one of the first men in this section of 
country to engage in dealing in live stock ; before the 
days of railroads in the county, he drove his stock 
through to the Eastern markets; he most generally 
drove them over the mountains ; after taking his first 
drove through and selling them, he found, after deduct- 
ing expenses, that he had cleared just $8; he claims to 
be the first man to ship stock by railroad from this 
county ; he was extensively engaged in this business 
for a great many years. His sons, of late years, have 
taken the burden of the business off his hands ; they 






\ 



■k. 



846 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



are among the most extensive live-stock dealers in the 
county ; they are regarded as honest and upright deal- 
ers. Mr. Planner has built three mills in his time and 
remodeled and repaired a fourth ; two of the mills he 
built and the one he repaired are within the original 
boundaries of this county: the other is in Summit Co. 
yir. Manner and wife are the parents of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters : two of these died in in- 
fancy ; the names of those who survived this period 
areas follows: Noble C. Sarah E., Emanuel M., Francis 
M., Margaret .T. and Susan A.; Sarah E. married .James 
Sheehy ; she died March 7, 1879, leaving one child, a 
daughter named Jenette ; she is buried at St. .Johns, in 
Monroe Township. Airs. Manner died Nov. 5, 1879; 
she is buried at Perry ville. About the year 1829, Mr. 
Manner built a flat-boat, and, loading it with flour, 
started down the Black Fork from Perryville en route 
for New Orleans ; in passing over the milldam at 
Loudonville, his boat made a turn, and he, striking 
one of the top logs of the dam, shoved it off and passed 
over it in safety : he passed over several other dams on 
his route ; passed over the falls of the Ohio at Louis- 
ville in safety and landed at New Albany, Ind., where 
he unloaded his cargo ; about the year 1830, he loaded 
a keel-boat with flour and once more started from 
Perryville down the Black Fork ; when he arrived op- 
posite the Loudonville Mills, his vessel sank ; he suc- 
ceeded in raising it, however, but lost by^the accident 
a considerable portion of his cargo ; he was obliged to 
unload and repack it, removing the damaged part; 
when this was done, he reloaded his vessel and once more 
started on his way ; he ran down to Coshocton, where he 
transferred his cargo to a canal-boat, and it was carried 
to New York by way of Cleveland ; he and his assistants 
then shoved the boat back to Loudonville, and thus 
ended his experience in boating ; after this, he hauled 
his flour to Sandusky City in wagons and shipped from 
there to different places 

MECKLEM, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Perryville; 
was born in Beaver Co., Penn., near the town of New 
Brighton, April 8, 1817. Hismother's maiden name was 
Rachel McDanel ; he had seven brothers and four sisters ; 
thi'ee brothers and three sisters, living. His father and 
mother died several years ago ; they are buried in Provi- 
dence Grave-yard, North Sweetly Township, Beaver Co., 
Penn. Samuel Mecklem wasmarriedtoAIiss Alary Gilles- 
pie, eldest daughter of Thomas and Mary Gillespie, of his 
native township, about A. D. 1842 ; after their mar- 
riage they remained in Beaver Co. about nineteen years, 
during which time Mr. Mecklem farmed for different 
individuals for a share of the crops ; at the end of 
this time they removed to Richland Co., and settled 
in Monroe Township, where he farmed for his brother- 
in-law, .Joseph Wolf, and others, till about 1868, when 
he purchased 20 acres oft" the west side of the north- 
east quarter of Sec. 26, in Monroe Township, where he 
has since resided. He has very materially improved 
this farm, and now has it in a highly cultivated state. 
Samuel and Mary Mecklem are the parents of ten chil- 
dren — Eliza Jane, born Thursday, April 5, 1843 ; Mary 
E., born Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1844 ; Thomas G., born Sat- 
urday, Aug. 8, 1846 ; Rachel, born Aug. 8, 1848 ; 
Sarah, born May 3. 18.52 ; Lydda, born May 19. 185-5 ; 
Samuel T., born July 4, 1856; Elzena, born Feb. 5, 



1861, and John E., born May 24, 1863. Of all this 
large family but one is left to comfort and console his 
parents during their declining years ; consumption has 
carried them off one by one. Eliza .Jane died May 17, 
1854, and was buried at Providence, Beaver Co., Penn. 
Mary E. married Eli Pitts, of Lucas, June 6, 1869, by 
whom she had one child, who died in infancy ; she 
died Sept. 5, 1870, she is buried in the Odd Fellow's 
Cemetery, near Lucas. Thomas G. was married to 
Mary Horner Sept. 21, 1876, by whom he one child, a 
daughter, named Elzena ; he died June 6, 1879. Rachel 
married William Ridenour Oct, 18, 1866, died Dec. 27, 
1875; Sarah died Feb. 17, 1874; Lydda died in Janu- 
ary, 1873; Elzena died Aug. 11, 1870. All of the 
above-named children lie buried side by side in the St. 
Johns Cemetery, in Monroe Township, save Eliza Jane. 
John E. is their only surviving child, and he is of 
frail constitution and delicate health. Mr. Mecklem 
has been a member of the Baptist Church for many 
years. As neighbors, Mr. Mecklem and wife are kind, 
social and friendly ; ever ready to lend a helping hand 
in cases of sickness or genuine distress. 

MOWERS, ISAAC, pioneer farmer ; was born in 
Berkeley Co., Va., Aug. 8, 1802 ; his father's name was 
Henry Mowers, and his mother's maiden name Sarah 
Rapp ; his parents were both of German descent ; they 
removed to Richland Co. in 1822. The subject of this 
sketch was then about 20 years old ; they settled in 
Green Township, on the farm now owned by Will- 
iam Jones ; they continued to reside on this farm as 
long as they lived. He died at the age of 70, and his 
wife at the age of 65 years ; they are buried in the 
Shambaugh graveyard. They were active members of 
the Lutheran Church more than forty years. Isaac 
Mowers was married to Miss Mariah, only daughter of 
John and Sarah Kayler, Dec. 29, 1836 ; her mother's 
maiden name was Brown. Miss Kayler was born in 
Cuping, Germany, Oct. 27, 1815; her parents emi- 
grated to the United States when she was but 2 years 
old ; they settled near New Lancaster, Ohio, where 
they remained four years. About the year 1821, tliey 
removed to Richland Co. and entered a quarter-section 
of land in the northeast part of Monroe Township. 
They continued to reside on this farm as long as they 
lived. He died at the age of 57 and bis wife at the age 
of 52 years ; he is buried in the Shambaugh grave- 
yard, and his wife in the Mt. Zion Cemetery ; they 
were both active members of the Lutheran Church for 
many years. Isaac Mowers and wife moved into his 
father's house after his marriage, and continued to 
reside with them as long as his parents lived, being a 
period of eleven years from the date of his marriage. 
He then purchased the " old homestead," where he re- 
mained another year. He then sold it and purchased 
a quarter-section in the northeast part of Monroe Town- 
ship. He continued to reside on this farm, cultivating 
and improving it as long as he lived ; he died July 31, 
1877 ; his death was the result of injuries received by 
his horse becoming frightened at a train of cars and 
running away with him. Isaac Mowers and wife are 
the parents of nine children, five sons and four daugh- 
ters, named in the order of their births — Henry H., 
born July 31, 1838 ; John H., March 22, 1840 : Sarah 
A., Dec. 26, 1841 ; xMartin, Sept. 6, 1843 ; Elizabeth 



^ 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



847 



C, Feb. 4, 184.5; .Julia A., Sept. 9, 1846; George AV., 
Aug. 18, 1850; Mary L., July 21, 1854, and William 
M., Sept. 1, 1856. Henry married Malinda Culler; 
John, Martha Sackman ; Sarah, Herman Fox ; Martin 
L., Nancy J. Kayler ; Elizabeth C, M. L. Culler ; Julia 
A., Christian Ernsberger ; George W., Martha Lee ; 
Mary L., M. C. Culler; William M., Loisa Dome. Mr. 
Mowers and wife united with the Lutheran Church 
early in life ; he continued to be an active and zealous 
member as long as he lived ; his widow still retains her 
membership at Mt. Zion. They were both active work- 
ers in the church, and contributed largely of their 
means toward religious and benevolent enterprises. 
Mrs. Mowers is hale and hearty for a woman of her 
years, and is in the full possession of her mental 
faculties. 

MOWRY, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Perryville. 
Samuel Mowry was born in Chambersburg, Penn., on 
the 12th March, 1825 ; his father's name was Jacob 
Mowry; his mother's maiden name was Catharine 
Teeter ; his father came to Ohio about 1822, and pur- 
chased a farm in tlie southwestern part of Monroe 
Township, it being the farm now occupied by his son 
Adam ; with the assistance of his sons, he cleared, 
cultivated and improved this farm ; he continued to 
reside on the same farm till the day of his death, which 
occurred about 1850 ; he was buried at the Hersh, now 
the Mt. Olive, graveyard ; his wife survived him about 
twenty years ; she was buried by his side ; they were 
the parents of fifteen children, two of whom died in 
infancy ; nine sons and four daughters grew to be men 
and women ; they were named as follows : John, Eliza, 
Philip, .Jacob, Catharine, Daniel, Joseph, Samuel, 
Christina, Sarah, Adam, Mathias and Solomon. John, 
Eliza and Solomon are dead ; all the others live within 
the original boundaries of Richland Co. Samuel, their 
sixth son and the subject of this sketch, remained with 
his father and assisted him on the farm until he at- 
tained his majority ; during this time, he was per- 
mitted to attend the district school a few months during 
the year; his facilities for acquiring an education were 
quite limited ; he, however, succeeded in learning to 
read and write, and in acquiring a tolerably fair knowl- 
edge of arithmetic; soon after he was 21 years old, he 
went to Crestline and engaged to learn the cabinet 
trade with one Michael Hetflefinger, with whom he 
served an apprenticeship of three years ; he worked as 
journeyman in this business for about two years ; he 
then quit this business, thinking it injured his health ; 
he then took up the carpenter trade, and worked at 
this business for about fifteen years ; he was regarded 
by his patrons as a good mechanic, and seldom failed 
to give entire satisfaction to his employers. For the last 
twenty years, he has been engaged in farming ; his farm 
consists of 55 acres, and isapart of the farm entered by 
the old pioneer David Crawford ; it is highly fertile, well 
improved, well watered and well timbered, and there is a 
thrivingyoungorchard thereon. Mr. Mowry was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Smith, second daughter of Henry J. 
and Elizabeth Smith, of Worthington Township, on the 
19th day of February, 1856, by the Rev. W. A. G. Em- 
merson. Pastor of the Lutheran Church at St. .Johns, 
in ^lonroe Township ; Samuel and Elizabeth Mowry are 
the parents of nine children, five sons and four daugh- 



ters—Henry Jacob, born Aug. 27, 1857 ; William 
Franklin, Sept. 1, 1869; Frederick Walter, June 10, 
1863; Olive Alverta, Feb. 1, 1866; Laura Ann, Aug, 
28, 1868; Harmon Lewis, April 16, 1871 ; Allen Har- 
lin. May 25, 1873, and Emeline May, Aug. 12, 1876. 
Mr. Mowry joined the Lutheran Church at St. Johns, 
about twenty-two years ago ; his wife united with the 
German Reformed Church when she was about 16 years 
old; she joined the Lutheran Church at the same time 
her husband did ; they have been active and zealous 
members of the church ever since they became mem- 
bers thereof; in proportion to their means they have, 
perhaps, conti-ibuted as liberally as any others toward 
the building of churches and the support of the Gos- 
pel. They have many warm friends, and few, if any, 
enemies. 

ROSS, NATCHER (deceased); he was born near 
Harrisburg, Penn., Feb. 4, 1790; his fathers name 
was John Ross, and his mother's maiden name Char- 
lotte Natcher ; his father was of Irish and German de^ 
scent, and his mother of German. Natcher Ross was 
married to Sophia Arnold, daughter of Benjamin and 
Mary A. Arnold, of Harrison Co., Ohio; her parents 
were of Scotch-Irish descent ; Mr. Ross came to Rich- 
land Co. Dec. 1, 1819, and entered the northwest quar- 
ter of Sec. 4, in Monroe Township ; in the fall of 1821, 
he removed to this farm with his family ; they made 
this trip in wagons from Harrison Co.; his farm, at 
this time, was an unbroken forest ; the ground was 
covered with snow when they arrived at their destina- 
tion ; Mr. Ross split boards, out of which he built a 
rude shanty, in which they resided till he was able to 
hew timbers and put up a hewed-log house ; in 
this house they resided for many years ; Mr. Cassan 
bought it, some years ago, and removed it to Lucas, 
where it still stands, and is to this day a very com- 
fortable dwelling. He raised a large family of sons 
and daughters, the names of whom are given in the 
order of their births: William, Rezin Arnold, Mary 
Ann, Susan, Rachel, John, James and Nancy Jane ; 
AVilliam, Rezin Arnold and John are dead ; William 
died in California, and is >3uried near Frazer Rivers ; 
Resin Arnold died in Indiana, and is buried at War- 
saw ; John died Feb. 23, 1849, and was buried at 
Mount Zion, in this township. Mr. Ross continued to 
reside on the same farm from the time he came to the 
county till a few years prior to his decease, when he 
sold it to his son-in-law, Jacob Leiter, and removed to 
Lucas ; Mr. Leiter still owns this farm. Mrs, Ross 
died Sept. 20, 1848, and Mr. Ross March 3, 1864 ; they 
are both buried at Mount Zion. 

PETERSON, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. Perryville. 
Among the enterprising and energetic farmers of Mon- 
roe Township, none are entitled to a more prominent 
place in her history than the subject of this biography. 
His father was one of the pioneers of the township, 
and he, too, may be justly termed a pioneer, for he was 
either born in this township or was brought here by 
his parents at a very early day. His father was a 
farmer by occupation and the owner of a large farm in 
the fertile valley of the Black Fork. AVhen he became 
the owner of this farm, it was in a state of mature, 
wild and uncultivated ; but, by persevering energy and 
patient toil on the part of himself and sons, a great 



^^ 



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i^ 



848 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



transformation was soon made, and the frowning forest 
gave place to fruitful fields and flowery meadows. The 
subject of this sketch remained with his father, assist- 
ing the Cultivation and improvement of his farm, till 
some time after he had attained to his majority, when 
he was united in marriage to a very estimable young 
lady of his neighborhood, Miss Esther, eldest daughter 
of Solomon and Rachel Gladen. By persevering in- 
dustry, fine financiering and careful management, Mr. 
Peterson has been very successful in the acquisition of 
this world's goods ; he owns two excellent farms in the 
northeastern part of Monroe Township. He has 
erected, at a great cost, a magnificent dwelling on one 
of these farms. He has also built commodious barns 
on both farms. His farms are highly fertile and pro- 
ductive, and he cultivates them in a very creditable 
manner. Mr. Peteraon and wife have raised and edu- 
cated an interesting family of children. One of their 
sons, named Erasmus, a very promising young man, 
contracted a disease which rendered him a cripple for 
life; he died in 1879, and was buried at Perryville. 

REA, WILLIAM (deceased). Was born in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., June 23, 1772; he subsequently removed 
to Bedford Co., Penn., and about 1816, came to Richland 
Co., Ohio, and entered the north half of the southeast 
quarter of Sec. 35, in Motiroe Township ; he came to 
the county iii company with Jacob Williams, .Joseph 
Friend and William Fergueson ; Mr. Williams entered 
the south half of the same half-section, Mr. Fergueson 
entered the south half of Sec. 34, in the same town- 
ship ; Mr. Friend entered the farm now owned by 
Alexander Freeman, on the eastern boundary of 
AVorthington Township, near the present site of the 
town of Newville. Mr. Ilea, upon his arrival in this 
Western wild, went to work at once and cleared a 
small tract and erected a cabin on his farm ; he kept 
bachelor's hall for a few years, when he rented his 
cabin to one William Wilson, a son-in-law of Jacob 
Williams ; Mr. Wilson lived here a few years, assisting 
Mr. Rea in clearing and cultivating his farm. About 
1821, Mr. Rea was united in marriage to Miss Eliza 
Swendal ; they were married at the residence of John 
Kinton, in Worthington Township, by Rev. William 
Johnson, of Mansfield ; Mrs. Rea was born in the 
County of Down, Ireland, about twenty miles from 
Belfast, Dec. 25, 1792; her father's name was Richard 
Swendal; her mother's maiden name was Susan Fox ; 
Mrs. Rea came to the United States when about 25 
years old ; she had a brother living in this country, but 
she did not know where to find him ; she, without 
money or friends, set about seeking employment at once, 
which she soon was able to find : she worked for some 
time in the city of New York, and in various other 
places ; in a few years, by the assistance of a friend, 
she was enabled to find her brother; when she did find 
him, however, she did not recognize him, and it was 
with no little difficulty that he was enabled to convince 
her of his identity : she subsequently came with her 
brother to Richland Co., and got married as before 
stated. Mr. Rea took his wife immediately with him 
to his cabin and went to housekeeping in the primitive 
style of those days ; they were the parents of four 
children — Martha Ann, born Aug. 9, 1826, died March 
23, 1842 ; Mary Jane, born Sept. 18, 1828 ; Eliza, born 



Dec. 10, 1830, died in the spring of 1839 ; Sarah, born 
Jan. 2, 1832, died in the spring of 1839; all of whom 
were buried in the Pine Run graveyard. Mr. Rea 
united with the United Presbyterian Church early in 
life, and was an active and consistent member thereof 
as long as he lived ; he was very strict in the observ- 
ance of the ordinances of religion ; Mrs. Rea united with 
the same church some years before her marriage and 
still retains her membership therein. AVilliam Rea died 
Oct. 2, 1846, and was buried in Pine Run graveyard. 
Mrs. Rea has resided with her daughter, Mrs. Darling, 
for several years ; she is now 87 years old ; though 
somewhat enfeebled by age, she still retains full pos- 
session of her mental faculties. 

REED, .JOSEPH (deceased), was born in Cross Creek 
Township, Washington Co., Penn., June 5, 1798. His 
father's name was Nicholas Reed; his mother's maiden 
name was Elizabeth Fulton. He was of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. Hewas married to Miss Nancy Miller March 12, 
1829. He came to Richland Co. sooa after his marriage, 
and bought the southwest quarter of Sec. 23, in Monroe 
Township, which he cleared, cultivated and improved, 
and on which he continued to reside till the day of his 
death. Mr. Reed had seven children by his first wife 
— Elizabeth, born Jan. 31, 1830, married to Jacob 
Wigton, Jan. 2, 1851, by Rev. William Hughes ; George, 
born Oct. 3, 1831, married to Miss Mary E. Wigton, 
Sept. 15, 1855, by Rev. Richard Gaily ; Nicholas, born 
Feb. 9, 1834, died March 25, 1834; Mary .Jane, born 
July 18, 1835, died Aug. 9, 1835 ; Eliza, born Aug. 12, 
1836, died Sept. 8, 1836; Hugh F.,born Aug. 13, 1837, 
married to Miss Amanda Wolf, Feb. 17, 1859, by Abra- 
ham Baughman, Esq.; Mary S., born Sept. 23, 1839, 
died Aug. 23, 1842. Mrs. Nancy Reed departed this 
life December 22, 1844. Mr. Reed remained a widower 
until Dec. 29, 1853, when he was united in marriage to 
Miss Clancy E. Crawford, fifth daughter of George and 
Mary Crawford, of Perryville, Ohio. They were united 
in marriage by Rev. William Hughes, Pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Perryville. By his second 
wife, Mr. Reed has had seven children, five sons and 
two daughters — Nancy Jane, born June 27, 1855, mar- 
ried to James A. Coe, in 1876, by Rev. Eddy; Emma 
Melsina, born Feb. 14, 1857; Martha Abigal, Jan. 16, 
1859; Joseph Melancthon, Aug. 21, 1860; James 
jNIarion, Aug. 21, 1860; Alma, Oct. 14, 1863; Mary, 
Oct. 12, 1866. Mr. Reed died respected by all who 
knew him, Oct. 3, 1874. He had six brothers — James, 
Samuel, Hugh, William, John and Robert ; and two sis- 
ters — Eliza and Jane. At the death of her husband, 
the management of the farm and household devolved 
upon his widow. She has been a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Church for about twenty-five years. 

RINEHART, I. S., miller; P. 0. Ada, Hardin Co., 
Ohio. Jacob Rinehart, great-grandfather of I. S. 
Rinehard, came to this country about the year 1736 ; 
he attained to the great age of nearly 100 years ; 
his son, Conrad Rinehart, was born in Maryland, A. D. 
1785 ; he became a member of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion at an early age, and remained an active and zeal- 
ous member of that branch of the Christian Church up 
to the time of his decease ; he was mai-ried to Miss 
Eve Bealy, of his native State ; he and his wife 
were among the original members of the Evangelical 



D "V 



fk 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



849 



Association in this country ; he officiated for some 
years in the capacity of a local preacher ; he died Oct. 
29, 1871 ; he left a widow, 12 children, 80 grand- 
children, 124 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great- 
grandchildren ; he was aged 86 years 8 months and 15 
days; his widow died in June, 1873, aged 88 years 9 
months and 2 days. John B. Rinehart, father of I. S. 
Rinehart, was born in York Co., Penn., June 2, 1813; 
he was married to Miss Mary Stump, eldest daughter of 
Adam and Rebecca Stump, of his native county, in the 
fall of 1834 ; Miss Stump was born in York Co., Penn., 
Aug. 13, 1812. JNIr. Rinehart and wife came to Ohio, 
in company with his father-in-law and family, in the 
spring of 1830 ; they settled in Columbiana Co., where 
they remained till the fall of 1838, when they removed 
to Richland Co., and settled near Woodbury, where 
they continued to reside for several years ; they subse- 
quently removed to Knox Co., where they lived a few 
years ; about the year 1864, they removed to Worth- 
ington Township, in this county. He and his brother, 
C. B. Rinehart, purchased the Rock Point Mills, near 
Newville, which they ran with very good success many 
years ; they subsequently purchased about 60 acres of 
land adjoining this mill property ; in the fall of 1874, 
J. B. Rinehart sold the mill property and removed to 
Ada, Hardin Co., Ohio, and purchased an interest in 
a steam-mill at that place ; he here met with reverses 
of fortune, which nearly stripped him of all he had ac- 
quired by many years of toil ; he continued to reside 
in Ada till the day of his death, Aug. 13, 1879. Mr. 
Rinehart was a man of strong constitution and iron 
nerve ; few men of his day could compete with him in 
feats of strength ; he was a kind, social and obliging 
man. His widow still resides in Ada, and is much 
esteemed by all who know her for her many virtues ; 
she has been an active Christian for many years. 
Adam Stump, the father of Mrs. J. B. Rinehart, was 
born in York Co., Penn., Sept. 15, 1786; he was mar- 
ried, Dec. 24, 1811, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Peter 
and Elizabeth Castelow ; her father was a native of 
Ireland, and her mother was a German by birth ; her 
mother's maiden name was Baker; Mr. Stump re- 
moved to Ohio, as hereinbefore stated ; he was a miller 
by occupation ; he resided in this county many years 
prior to his death ; he and his good wife were zealous 
members of the Lutheran Church ; she was a member 
of this branch of the Christian Church about sixty and 
he about twenty-six years ; he died March 4, 1872 ; 
she died Sept. 1, 1879 ; they lie side by side in the St. 
Johns Cemetery ; they lived to see descendants of the 
third generation ; he died at the age of 85 years 5 
months and 19 days ; she was aged 86 years 2 months 
and 15 days. J. B. and Mary Rinehart were the parents 
of ten children, five sons and five daughters ; five of 
these are dead, two sons and three daughters — one is 
buried at Millwood, in Knox Co. ; three at Frederick, 
in the same county, and one at Woodbury, in Morrow 
Co. ; the names of the living are Eliza, Israel S., Law- 
son, Persa and jMelvin, all of whom are married and 
have families. I. S. Rinehart was born in a mill at Ankney- 
town, Knox Co., Ohio, Sept. 1, 1838 ; his father was 
attending this mill at the time, and, there being no 
dwelling convenient, the family lived in a part of the 
mill ; it can be said of him, that he was born and raised 



in a mill. As soon as he was old enough to be of any 
service, his father taught him the trade, and he has fol- 
lowed that business from that day to this. He has the 
reputation of being a very good miller. He was united 
in marriage to Miss Louisa, daughter of Solomon and 

Painter, then of Woodbury, now of Newville. Miss 

Painter was born in Columbiana Co. Oct. 30, 1839 ; 
her mother is a daughter of Fredrick and Nancy 
Shenfield ; Mr. and Mrs. Senfield were both Penn- 
sylvanians by birth, and were of Irish and German 
descent. Solomon Painter is a son of Adam and 
Mary Painter; his parents were of German descent, 
but natives of Pennsylvania ; he is also a Pennsyl- 
vanian by birth, but has lived in Ohio the greater 
part of his life. He is a physician by profession ; he 
was a soldier in the war of the rebellion. By his first 
marriage, Mr. Rinehart had two children, both daugh- 
ters, and named Lauretta and Myrtle. Their mother 
died Dec. 15, 1866, and was buried in the St. Johns 
Cemetery in Monroe Township. I. S. Rinehart resided 
in Newville and in other parts of this county for several 
years. He was married to Miss Margaret A., second 
daughter of John and Harriet Cole, April 10, 1868. The 
ceremony was performed by John Wigton, Esq., of 
Newville, Ohio. Miss Cole was born in August, 1843 ; 
her father was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn.; he 
was of German descent ; was twice married ; the name 
of his first wife was Harriet Clark ; she was of English 
descent. By this marriage he had four children, one 
son and three daughters — William Henry, Mary Eliza- 
beth, Margaret Ann and Nancy Mariah. Nancy M. 
died when about 4 years old, and was buried at 
Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio ; the others are married and 
have families. Their mother died about the year 1852, 
and was buried at Bryan, Ohio. His second wife was 
the widow of Mr. Williamson Lowry, of Monroe 
Township ; her maiden name was AVilliams ; she was 
the youngest daughter of Jacob and Mary Williams, a 
pioneer family of Monroe Township ; by this marriage 
he had four children — Harriet Irena, Sarah Lauretta, 
Nancy Olive and Allura Mabel ; Harriet Irena died 
young. Mr. Cole died in August, 1874, and is buried 
at Ada, Ohio. By his second wife, Mr. Rinehart has 
three children — Kitty Mabel, John Cloud and an 
infant son. 

SCHRACK, DAVID (deceased); was born in Center 
Co., Penn.; was of Scotch-English descent, anda farmer 
by occupation. He was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Mogle ; she was of German descent. Mr. Schrack re- 
moved to Richland Co. in 1819. He purchased of 
Thomas Pope a quarter-section of land in the southeast 
part of Monroe Township, and moved thereon with his 
family. He subsequently entered the quarter-section 
adjoining his first purchase on the north ; on the Pope 
farm there were about 4 acres cleared and a rude cabin 
built thereon. Mr. Schrack and family lived in this 
cabin till they were able to put up a more comfortable 
and commodious house. His farm was covered with a 
dense and heavy growth of timber, and required a vast 
amount of hard labor to prepare his lands for cultiva- 
tion, and, though the soil was rich and productive, his 
grounds were stony and hilly ; but by hard labor and per- 
severance on the part of himself and sons these difii- 
culties were all overcome. Mr. Schrack lived to see ^ 



^ 



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850 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



massive brick dwelling occupying the place of the rude 
log cabin. He lived to see the dense forest give placej 
to fruitful fields. He lived to rear a large family o 
children, and to become comparatively wealthy. Mr" 
Schrack was a " mighty hunter," and many were the 
deer, wild turkeys and other wild animals that fell be- 
neath his unerring aim. He also shot quite a number 
of bears when he first came to the county. He was 
among the Indians a great deal, with whom he was 
always on friendly terms. Mr. Schrack and wife are 
the parents of fourteen children, three sons and eleven 
daughters ; three of these died in infancy ; the sons 
were named Charles, .John and David ; the daughters 
— Sarah, Catharine, Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Rachel, 
Sophia, Susan and Ann. Sarah married Abraham 
Hersh, and raised a family ; she is now dead. Cath- 
arine married Aaron Baughman, by whom she had a 
large family of sons and daughters ; she and her hus- 
band are both living in Monroe Township. Mary mar- 
ried Pierce JeflFrey ; has a family, and resides in 
Indiana. Margaret married R. Y. Gladden, of her 
native township , raised a family ; they now reside in 
Perryville, Ashland Co. Elizabeth M. married Benja- 
min M. Morrison : Rachel married AVilliam Armentrout. 
Sophia married J. J. Douglass, of her native township. 
Susan married William Wigton, and resides in this 
township. Ann married John S. McDanel, and resides 
in Indiana. 

SCHRACK, CHARLES, farmer ; P. 0. Newville. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Township 
.June 9, 1820 ; he is the eldest son of David and Eliza- 
beth Schrack ; he was born and brought up in the 
woods, and mured from infancy to all the privations 
incident to pioneer life ; being the eldest of the boys, 
the burden of the hard labor fell upon his shoulders. 
As soon as he was old enough to pick brush or handle 
a hoe, he was put to work by his father ; and from that 
time till the day he left the parental roof, he was 
obliged to lead a life of labor and almost incessant toil. 
Mr. Schrack had but little time or opportunity, while 
young, to obtain an education, and yet he succeeded in 
obtaining as much knowledge of the common English 
branches as many young people of the present day. 
He remained with his father, assisting him in clearing 
and improving his farm, until he was about 27 years 
old. He was married, Dec. 30, 1847, to Barbary Ham- 
mon, fifth daughter of George and Catharine Hammon, 
of Worthington Township. Miss Hammon was born 
May 1, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Shrack are the parents of 
five children, three sons and two daughters ; the eldest 
died in infancy ; Marion Hammon Schrack was born 
Sept. 26, 1851 — married to Miss Hattie E. Graber ; 
Harriet Ellen, born Sept. 11, 1854, died in infancy ; 
Elizabeth Catharine, born April 13, 1856, married Hiram 
Sheehy ; Clark Douglas, born April 12, 1859. After 
their marriage, they lived on his father's farm one 
year, when they removed to a farm of 185 acres, for 
which he paid the sum of $7,000. At the time Mr. 
Schrack purchased this farm, it was very much run 
down and out of repair. The buildings were old and 
dilapidated ; the fences very much in need of repair ; 
a large portion of the best land was overgrown with 
briers and brushes, and the fertility of the soil nearly 
destroyed by being over-worked, and other causes. Mr. 



Schrack, with the assistance of his wife and sons, has 
has transformed it into quite a different looking farm. A 
thrifty young orchard of fruit-bearing trees may be seen 
on his farm. The sterility of the soil has been changed to 
great fertility, and to-day Mr. Schrack has one of the 
most productive farms in this region of country. He 
received nothing from his father's estate, notwithstand- 
ing all the hard labor he did on the farm. Mr. Schrack 
donated the ground on which the Pleasant Valley 
Lutheran Church is built, as also the grounds for the 
churchyard and cemetery. He also contributed liber- 
ally of his means toward the building of this and other 
churches, and for the relief of the distressed, and the 
support of the Gospel. A few years ago, he united 
with the Disciple Church. His wife is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

SCHRACK, JOHN, second son of David and Eliza- 
beth Schrack, was born and reared in Monroe Town- 
ship.' The days of his boyhood and early manhood 
were spent in assisting his father in clearing and cul- 
tivating his farm. Some considerable time after he had 
attained his majority, he conceived the idea of becoming 
a lawyer. His education was at that time quite 
limited ; but, being possessed of great energy, by dint 
of hard study and close application this difficulty was 
soon overcome. After attending school till he acquired 
a pretty thorough education, he commenced the study 
of the law. He pursued his studies with such dili- 
gence and energy, that in a short time he was admitted 
to the bar, and entered upon the practice of the law. 
He succeeded admirably well in his profession, and 
soon ranked among the foremost young lawyers of the 
county. He served as Prosecuting Attorney two terms, 
and while engaged in his profession had a very lucra- 
tive practice. On the death of his father, he became 
the owner of the "old homestead," and a few years 
afterward he forsook his profession for the peaceful 
pursuits of the farm. He still continues to practice 
in .Justice's courts, but his chief pursuit is farming. 

STOUT, HIRAM, farmer; P. 0. Lucas. He was 
born in Sussex Co., N. J., on the 16th day of Jan- 
uary, 1819 ; he was the eldest son of .James and 
Eve Stout ; he came to Richland Co. with his par- 
ents when quite young, and endured with them 
the privations incident to pioneer life ; as young as 
he was at that time, he had the honor of grubbing 
the first grub that was taken out on his father's farm ; 
his facilities for obtaining an education were quite lim- 
ited, but notwithstanding all these difficulties, the sub- 
ject of this history succeeded, by industry and appli- 
cation, in acquiring a fair knowledge of the common 
English branches. Mr. Stout, in his younger days, 
was very fond of hunting — in fact, he w'as a regular 
" Nimrod ;" when he was about 15 years old, he heard 
his dogs one morning about daybreak barking fiercely 
in the woods at some distance from the house, and he 
at once shouldered his rifle and started to see what 
they had treed, thinking it was a raccoon or opossum, 
or some other small animal; when he arrived at the 
spot, he saw some large animal, with glittering eyes, 
seated on the branch of a tree ; he took deliberate aim 
and fired, when down came a huge panther and fell 
dead at his feet, shot through the brain ; this was the 
only panther known to have been killed in this region. 



*%^ 



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[XL 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



851 



Mr. Stout, in his younger days, was rather fond of the 
company of the young ladies. He loved, with them, 
" to trip the light ftmtastic toe," yet nevertheless he 
never suifered himself to be entrapped by their " win- 
some wiles and winning smiles ;" but, as a matter of 
choice, has remained a bachelor to this day, living with 
his aged mother, and taking care of and providing for 
her during her declining years. Mr. Stout is the 
owner of the old homestead, and has it under a good 
state of cultivation ; his farm is very productive, and 
well adapted to the raising of all kinds of grain. 

STOUT, JAMES (deceased). AVas born in Sussex Co., 
N. J., April 1-5, 1790. His parents came to the United 
States from the lowlands of Holland. He was married to 
Miss Eve Hupfer, fifth daughter of Jacob and jNIaigaret 
Hupfer, of Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 27, 181.5, by 
whom he had three children, two sons and one daugh- 
ter. Mary Ann, the eldest child, was born July 
17, 1816; she was married to Edward Sheehy ; she 
died Dec. 19, 1858, and was buried at Perry ville. 
Hiram, born .Jan. 16, 1819; Cornelius, Dec. 16, 1822; 
died May 21, 1862; buried at Perry ville. Cornelius 
was married to Miss Mariah Ovseus, by whom he had 
a large family of children. Mr. and Mrs. Stout came 
to Richland Co. in the fall of 1826, and settled near 
Petersburg, in Mifflin Township, where they remained 
about two years, when they removed to Monroe Town- 
ship and bought a farm about one and a half miles 
south of the present site of Lucas, where they re- 
mained about one year, when Mr. Stout entered the 
west half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 22, cleared 
off a spot, erected a cabin and moved his family there ; 
the country, at that time, was still wild ; few settle- 
ments had been made ; a few bears were still to be seen 
in the woods, and wildcats were plenty ; deer and wild 
turkeys were still numerous. Mr. Stout was fond of 
hunting, and many deer and wild turkeys fell victims 
to his unerring aim. By industry and perseverance, 
the wilderness was converted into a "fruitful field," 
and made to " blossom as the rose." Mrs. Stout nar- 
rates that before she came to Ohio, she learned to 
shoot, in order that she might be able to defend herself, 
if necessary, against attacks of the Indians. She says 
that, whenever she wanted a mess of squirrels or other 
small game, when the men were busy, she w'ould shoul- 
der a rifle and go to the woods, and soon succeed in 
getting all she wanted. James Stout still continued to 
reside on this same farm till the day of his death, Aug. 
oO, 1864 ; he was buried at Perryville. His widow still 
resides on the old farm with her son Hiram ; she is 
healthy and intelligent for a woman of her years ; she 
was 84 years old on Chiistmas Day of 1879. 

SWIGART, J. L., wagon-maker, Lucas. Michael 
Swigart, the father of J. L. Swigart, was born in Lan- 
caster Co., Ohio., April 7, 1800; h^ was of German 
descent. He was married to Miss Anna Byers, of Hag- 
erstown, Md., on the 3d day of July. 182.5; they re- 
moved to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1827, and thence to 
Richland in 1832, and purchased 120 acres off the 
northwest corner of Sec. 27 in Monroe Township ; he 
subsequently purchased 80 acres, adjoining the 120 on 
the north ; at the time he came in possession of this 
farm, it was in an uncultivated state, the greater part 
of it being encumbered with a heavy growth of timber 



and underbrush, but, by persevering industry on the 
part of himself and sons, the wilderness was trans- 
formed into fruitful fields. Michael Swigart and wife 
are the parents of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters — Leonard, the eldest, was born Feb. 11, 
1826. He was married to Miss Margaret Schrack Sept. 
14,1844; he served as Commissioner of this county 
two terms ; he now resides in Dickinson Co., Kan. Anna 
Margaret, their eldest daughter, was born Oct. 2, 1827 ; 
she was married to Josiah Switzer Jan. 21, 1847; she 
died Jan. 4, 1857, and was buried in the Pleasant Val- 
ley Cemetery. Elizabeth, their second daughter, was 
born March 27, 1830 ; she was married to George W. 
Chew, who died some years ago, leaving her with a 
family of small children to maintain. George J., their 
second son, was born Dec. 21, 1831 ; he was married 
to Miss Susan Smith ; he died April 26, 1870, and was 
buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery near Lucas. Mary 
A. B., their third daughter, was born Dec. 15, 1834, 
and died March 10, 1840 ; she was buried at Pleasant 
Valley. Elenora, their youngest daughter, was born 
April 6, 1836; she died April 12, 1840, and was buried 
at Pleasant Valley. Peter A., their third sou, was 
born Jan. 1, 1838; he mai-ried Margaret Andrews : he 
served as a private in Co. B, 120th O. V. I., during 
the war of the rebellion ; he contracted a disease while in 
the army which caused his death ; he died Sept. 27, 186'). 
Their youngest son, Jesse L., was born as hereinbefore 
stated. Michael Swigart was a Drum Major in the war 
of 1812 ; he continued to reside on the farm he pur- 
chased when he came to the township till within a few 
years of the date of his decease ; his wife died April 
10, 1867 ; she was of a kind, social and obliging dis- 
position, and much respected by all who knew her ; he, 
too, was jovial and kind-hearted, ever ready to confer 
a favor t n his neighbor when in his power to do so ; 
he died July 16, 1876 ; he and his wife lie side by side 
in the Pleasant Valley t^emetery. Jesse L. Swigart was 
married to Miss Rebecca Jane Henry, third daughter of 
David and .Jane Henry, of his native township, April 26, 
1863; his wife's parents were of German descent ; her 
mother's maiden name was Donelson. Jesse L. and 
Rebecca J. Swgart are the parents of three children — 
Orange, Olive and Cora. He was a soldier in the late 
war; was a private in Co. A, McLaughlin's squadron 
of cavalry ; he served till the close of the war ; he 
was with Sherman in his celebrated march from At- 
lanta to the sea. He and his wife are active members 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lucas : he 
has for many years been an active member of Monroe 
Lodge, No. 224, I. 0. 0. F., and has attained to riie 
highest position in his lodge ; he is also a member of 
Burns JSncampment, No. 131 ; he has been Treasurer 
of his township four or five jears. 

SWIGART, L. M., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; his 
father, John Swigart, was born near Chambersburg, 
Penn., in 1793 ; he came to Ohio with his father, who 
settled on a farm near Canton, Stark Co., now used as 
the county infirmary. He served as a soldier during 
the war of 1812, and fought under Perry at the battle 
of Mackinaw ; when the war was ended, he came to 
Richland Co., and located in Orange Township, now in 
Ashland Co., where he taught school for some time. 
Among his pupils at that time was the lady he after- 



A 



-^ 



852 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ward married. In 1821, he removed to Monroe Town- 
ship, where he built a cabin ; in 1826, he built a two- 
story, hewed-log house, that yet stands, the timber of 
which is in a good condition. The farm is now owned 
by Mr. Cailor. In 1831, he sold his place, and bought 
320 acres south of Lucas, on Switzer's Run, now called 
Pleasant Valley. AVhile clearing his land, he and his 
family occupied a schoolhouse as a residence ; he soon 
after built a house, which then stood where ttie present 
residence of George Swigart now is ; in 1885, he built 
a saw-mill ; in 1860, he moved to Lucas, where he died 
at the age of 76 years. He was married, in 1810, to 
Miss Barbara Young, who survives him, and is now a 
resident of Lucas; she was born in Washington Co., 
Penn., in 1796, and came with her parents to Ohio in 
1804, who first settled on a farm near New Lisbon, Ohio, 
and, in 1814, removed to Orange Township, Richland 
Co., now in Ashland Co. Mrs. Swigart remembers 
meeting Fulton, the inventor, and seeing the first steam- 
boat on the Ohio River. Mr. L. M. Swigart was born 
Dec. 31, 1827, in Monroe Township; when of sufficient 
age, he assisted in clearing land, farming, and hauling 
lumber to Mansfield, mostly with an ox team ; when 27 
years of age, having accumulated $500, he bought a 
farm one mile north of Lucas, which he soon after, with 
some assistance, paid for in full. He lived on this farm 
ten years, when he sold it, and bought the Young farm 
of 240 acres, five miles east of Mansfield, and afterward 
bought the Leiter farm ; he erected the beautiful busi- 
ness house on Main street, Mansfield, known as the L. 
M. Swigart Block, in 1879. He was married to Miss 
Jane Balliet Feb. 12, 1854, by whom he has had five 
children — Martha A., born Jan. 19, 1855; Clora E., 
Dec. 2, 1856; Sarah J., April 13, 1859; John B., April 
7, 1864 ; Mary E., Nov. 21, 1871. Mr. Swigart remem- 
bers seeing the first train of cars that came into Mans- 
field, and recalls many of the early incidents in the 
county's history. 

SWIGART, GEORGE W., farmer ; P. 0. Hastings. 
Was born in Richland Co., A. D 1820; his father, 
John Swigart, was born in Franklin Co., Penn., A. 
D. 1793 ; when he arrived at the age of 13 years, 
his father, John Swigart, Sr., removed to Ohio, and 
settled two miles north of Canton, in Stark Co.; he 
remained with his father till the beginning of the 
war of 1812, when he enlisted in the service of 
the United States, and served his country faithfully 
during the war ; after the close of the war, he came to 
Orange Township, in Richland Co., and taught a three- 
months' term of school. At the close of his school, he 
married Miss Barbary Young ; Miss Young was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., in 1797, and removed with her 
father, Jacob Young, to Richland Co. in 1814 ; she was 
a member of a family of twelve children. Mr. Swigart 
removed to Monroe Township in 1821, and settled on 
the southwest quarter of Sec. 11; he moved in the 
morning in the woods, without any shelter but the trees, 
and in the evening he had a cabin 16x16 feet erected 
and one-half of the roof on : he moved his family into 
this cabin the same evening; again, in 1832, he re- 
moved into the woods, on the farm now owned and oc- 
cupied by his son, George W., it being a part of Sec. 
29 in this township ; he continued to reside on this 
farm, cultivating and improving it, till within a few 



years of his death, when he removed to Lucas; he was 
of German and his wife of German and English descent. 
In his political faith, he was a Democrat of the "Old 
Hickory" persuasion ; he held some offices of honor and 
trust in the township ; he raised a large family of sons 
and daughters, several of whom still reside in the 
county, and are wealthy and enterprising citizens ; Mr. 
Swigart died in 1872 ; his wife is yet living. George 
W. Swigart was reared in the woods, and inured to 
hardships and toil from his boyhood ; he acquired such 
education as was to be obtained in the common schools 
of that day ; he found but little time, however, for lit- 
erary pursuits, but the time allotted him for that pur- 
pose was carefully improved, so that he acquired what 
may be termed a fair common-sciiool education ; being 
possessed of a well-balanced brain, and very retentive 
memory, and extremely fond of reading useful books, 
he has succeeded in storing his mind with a large fund 
of useful information. Mr. Swigart married Miss INlar- 
garet Rider, daughter of Henry Rider, an early set- 
tler of this township ; Miss Rider was born in 1824; 
they are the parents of three children, one son and 
two daughters ; Mr. Swigart has worked some at stone 
masoning and carpentering, but the greater part of his 
life has been devoted to the peaceful pursuits of the 
husbandman, in which business he has succeeded ad- 
mirably well ; of late years he has paid considerable 
attention to politics ; he, like his father, is a Democrat 
of the .Jacksonian school, " Retrenchment and Reform " 
are his favorite themes; he says, "that for thirty years 
he has advocated measures, that if adopted would 
greatly decrease the burden of taxation, and atford a 
much greater protection to society." For the benefit 
of future generations, he desires that his theory or 
plan be inserted in his biography. In the first place, 
he would reduce the number of the members in the 
Legislature one-half, and the salary of the remaining 
members one-half. He claims that when this is done, 
we would have a better class of legislators, as political 
tricksters could not, under such circumstances, atford 
to buy an office for which they were in nowise quali- 
fied. He claims that we now have too much legislation ; 
and that too much is more injurious to society than not 
enough. In the second place he would make some im- 
provement in county affairs. He would dispense with 
the office of Probate Judge, as also of a grand jury. 
He would have the Clerk of the Court attend to the 
civil duties that are now performed by the Probate 
Judge. He would have Justices of the Peace and 
Mayors of cities and incorporate villages, to perform 
the duties now assigned to grand jurors, and would 
also give them exclusive jurisdiction in minor criminal 
cases. Lastly, he recommends sure and severe punish- 
ment to criminals. Mr. Swigart has in his possess;on 
a cast-iron kettle which holds twenty gallons, that his 
grandfather bought in Steubenville in 1808, which has 
remained in the family ever since that period. iNIr. 
Swigart says in regard to roadmaking in his township, 
" Our first roads were made by cutting paths through 
the forest, and piling logs and brush in the muddy 
places. In the course of time, the plow and scraper 
began to be used. Now we use in addition to these 
the cart and wagon to haul gravel." At the instigation 
and through the influence and assistance of Mr. Swi- 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



853 



gart and other enterprising men of Monroe Township, 
many valuable ajicl I'-.sfing public improvements have 
been made in the t-':p within the last five years, 
more especially in roauj and schoolhouses. 

SWITZER, JOSIAH, farmer; P. 0. Lucas. Was 
born on the north bank of the Rocky Fork, in Mifflin 
Township, on the 21st day of July, 1825 ; his father was 
of German and his mother of Scotch-Irish descent ; his 
father's name was Frederick Switzer and his mother's 
maiden name Issabella Steel. His mother was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn., on the 19th day of March, 1800; 
she emigrated to Richland Co., Ohio, in 1815, and set- 
tled on the north bank of the Rocky Fork, in Mifflin 
Township, on the farm now owned by Catharine Ross, 
where she resided for about two years ; from there she 
removed to Monroe Township, on the farm now owned 
by the Widow Glenn, where she resided a short time, 
when she removed to the farm now owned by her son, 
Hiram Switzer ; she continued to reside on this farm 
till the day of her death, which event took place on the 
5th day of July, 1862 ; she was the mother of four 
sons — William, born Jan. 12, 1821 ; Josiah, born as 
hereinbefore stated ; Andrew Jackson, Jan. 29, 1830, 
and Hiram, July 12, 1834. She was a woman of more 
than ordinary intelligence, being passionately fond of 
reading and possessed of a very retentive memory ; 
she was better informed on many subjects of inter- 
est and importance than most women ; she 
was an ultra Democrat of the "Old Hickory" per- 
suasion, and few men of her township were a match 
for her in argument. Josiah, her second son and 
the subject of this biography, remained with his 
mother and was subject to her instructions and con- 
trol until he attained his majority. As soon as he was 
old enough to work, his mother found employment for 
him ; from the time he was 15 till the date of his mar- 
riage, he was obliged to labor very hard ; his work 
consisted principally in grubbing, chopping and mak- 
ing rails through the day, while many nights were 
spent in coon hunting and in fishing ; his facilities for 
obtaining an education were quite limited ; however, 
by close application to his studies during the limited 
time allotted to him for that purpose, he has been able 
to acquire a pretty thorough knowledge of the common 
English branches. ^Ir. Switzer was united by marriage 
to Miss Margaret Swigart, eldest daughter of Michael 
and Nancy Swigart, on the 21st day of January, 1847 ; 
his wife's parents were early settlers of Monroe Town- 
ship and were much respected by their acquaintances ; 
by this marriage Mr. Switzer had six sons, of whom 
only two are now living — George J., his eldest son, was 
born Oct. 31, 1847 ; Michael T., his second son, Dec. 
9, 1850. Mr. Switzer farmed on shares for differ- 
ent persons from the time of his marriage till about 
1862, when he purchased the farm he now owns, being 
the east half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 21, in 
Monroe Township. His first wife died Jan. 6, 1857, 
and was buried at the Hersh (now called the Mt. Olive) 
Cemetery, but was subsequently taken up and removed to 
the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Mr. Switzer married, for 
his second wife Miss Mary M. Cromer, youngest daughter 
of Daniel Cromer ; they were married April 19, 1857 ; 
by this marriage, Mr. Switzer had ten children, tour 
sons and six daughters, all living but one. He is em- 



phatically a self-made man. He was initiated into 
the mysteries of Odd Fellowship and became a mem- 
ber of Monroe Lodge, No. 224, located at Lucas, Ohio, 
about twenty-six years ago, and has been an active 
member of the lodge and a zealous member of the 
order ever since; he has attained to the highest 
position in the lodge. He is also one of the charter 
members of the Burns Encampment, located at Lu- 
cas, Ohio; has been an active member thereof ever 
since it was instituted, and has been the recipient 
of the highest honors the encampment can con- 
fer. He has also had the honor of serving in the 
capacity of District Deputy Grand Master for one 
term. Mr. Switzer has repeatedly been elected to fill 
some of the most important offices of his township, in 
which capacities he gave entire satisfaction. He united 
with the Lutheran Church at Pleasant Valley about 
two years ago, during which time he has been an act- 
ive and zealous member, ilonroe Lodge and the vil- 
lage of Lucas are to some considerable extent indebted 
to Mr. Switzer and a few more of like energy for the 
beautiful hall and schoolhouse they now possess. He 
has, for many years, taken a deep interest in township 
affairs, and more especially in the cause of education ; 
he was, for many years, School Director of his district 
under the old law, and was present at the first meeting 
of the Board of Education under the new law, and 
helped to organize the same ; he presided at the meet- 
ings of said board the last five years, during the last 
two years of which time, four elegant and commodious 
brick schoolhouses have been erected in the township. 
Mr. Switzer' s farm is a very productive one, well 
adapted to the raising of all kinds of grain ; his dwell- 
ing is a large and commodious brick building, and he 
has a good frame bank barn ; his farm is well watered 
and well timbered, and he has a thriving young orch- 
ard thereon. 

SNYDER, DANIEL, pioneer farmer; P. 0. Mans- 
field; familiarly known as the "old pioneer;" was 
born in Washington Co., Penn., March 8, 1808; his 
father's name was Peter Snyder; his mother's maiden 
name was Drusilla Metcalf ; his father was of German 
and his mother of Scotch English descent ; his parents 
came to Richland Co. in the fall of 1815 ; his father 
bought the northeast quarter of Sec. 6, in Mifflin Town- 
ship, on which he settled with his family, consisting of 
his wife and four children, three sons and one daughter ; 
their farm was a dense forest, with the exception of a 
few acres that the timber had been chopped off; there 
was a small cabin thereon, built in the primitive style of 
those early days ; it was destitute of floor and without 
doors, windows or chimney ; an Indian trail ran near 
the cabin of the Snyders ; the children, among whom 
was Daniel, would run and hide when they saw an 
Indian approaching, having, no doubt, frequently heard 
thrilling stories of their cruelty to the whites ; if they 
happened to notice the trepidation of the children, one 
of their number would almost invariably say : "We 
no hurt ; we no hurt.' The Snyders were not in the 
least discouraged by the gloomy prospect before them ; 
both father and sons went to work in earnest to prepare 
their ground for cultivation ; from morning till night 
the sound of their axes was heard, and the mighty 
monarchs of the forest soon gave way before their 



^ 



854 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



sturdy strokes ; in the course of a few years, a great 
iranstbrniaiion had taken place. Peter Snyder and 
wife are tlie parents of seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, named, in the order of their births, 
Vatchel, I'eter, Daniel M., Rachel, Catharine, Thomas 
and .John C: Vatchel married Mary Hull, and raised 
a family of four children, one son and three daughters ; 
I'eier married Elizabeth Good an;! raised a family of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters ; he died 
about the year 1837. Rachel married John Hull, and 
raiseil a family ; she and her husband reside in Wash- 
ington Township. Catharine married Robert Henry ; 
tliey raised a large family of children ; she died five or 
six years ago. .John C. married Christina 8 warts ; 
I liey have a family of children, and reside in Mifflin 
Township. At the time of his decease, Peter Snyder 
was the owner of 2U7 acres of land in Mifflin Township. 
He and his wife were both members of the Methodist 
Episcopal (jhurch, and, like a large majority of the 
jdoneers of our county, they were kind, hospitable and 
generous ; he died about the year ISGO; his wife sur- 
vived him about ten years ; they are buried in the Em- 
manuel Graveyard, in Mifflin Township. Daniel M. 
Snyder was married to Miss Margaret Good, fourth 
daughter of John and Fanny Good, .March 24, 1830; 
Miss Good was born April 8, 1811, in Cumberland Co., 
I'enn.; her mother's maiden name was Rinehart ; her 
parents came to this county in 1822 ; they settled in 
.Mifflin Township ; they lived on a rented farm about 
twelve years, when they purchased a farm in AVashing- 
ton Township, where they continued to reside as long 
as they lived ; they are buried in Piper's graveyard, 
in Washington Township. Soon after his marriage, 
Mr. Snyder rented a farm north of jNlansfield and 
moved thereon ; he resided on this farm about seven 
years ; he then purchased 86 acres in Sec. 6, Monroe 
Township ; at the time he purchased this farm, it was 
unimproved: a great deal of hard labor was required 
to prepare it for cultivation ; but Mr. Snyder was 
equal to the emergency: he built a cabin, into which 
he moved his family, and, by persevering industry, in 
the coui-se of a few years he had his farm in a good 
state of culture : Mr. Snyder has added piece by piece 
to this farm till he now owns 187 acres of choice land : 
being reared in the woods, Mr. Snyder and wife have 
been inured from childhood to toil, hardship and 
privation ; their labors, however, have not been unre- 
warded, for now, in their declining years, they are 
prepared to give over their toils and cares, and pass 
their remaining days in ease and comfort; they 
are the parents of ten children, seven sons and three 
(hiughters. Samuel R., born Oct. 15, 1838, married to 
Drusilla Hull, by whom he had seven children ; he 
died May 17, 1865, and lies buried in Emmanuel 
Graveyard. Peter, born Oct. 27, 1832, married Sarah 
Hamilton, by whom he has three children living and 
two dead. Drusilla, born Dec. 7, 1837, married Joseph 
Richey, by whom she had two children, a son and a 
daughter ; her first husband dying, she married for 
her second husband William Pike, by whom she had 
three children ; they reside in Huron Co., Ohio. John 
C, born June 27, 18:'7 ; married Esther Boals ; have 
one child, and reside in Virginia City, Nev. Rachel J., 
born Nov. 27, 1839, married AVilliam McBride ; have 



five children, and reside in California. Thomas, born 
June 3, 1843, married Mary Millrr, by whom he has 
had three children ; they res' ' .. iluggles Co., Kan. 
Catharine, born March 3, 1, m-j, married David H. 
Bell, reside in Madison Township, and have two chil- 
dren. William H., born Feb. 10. 1850, died in Vir- 
ginia City, Nev., Nov. 20, 1875, and is buried there. 
Franklin P., born June 26, 1852, married Amanda 
Ross, by whom he has had three children ; he lives in 
a part of his father's house. Daniel is one of the lead- 
ing men of his township ; he is a Democrat of the 
" Old Hickory" persuasion ; he has held many offices 
of trust in his township, which positions he filled with 
credit ; he served as Commissioner of this county for 
one term, but, through political trickery, was defeated 
on being a cxndidate for a second term ; he discharged 
the duties of this responsible office to the satisfaction 
of nearly all concerned. Mr. Snyder has been a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Fraternity about twenty years ; he 
and his good wife have been members of the Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Church many years ; tiiey are not only 
hearers of the Word, but doers, as the needy and dis- 
tressed of their neighborhood will testify. 

TUCKER, DAVID. He was born in Merrimack Co., 
N. H., June 15, 1798; his father, John Tucker, was of 
Irish descent, and his mother, whose maiden name 
was Elizabeth Lucas, was of Scotch-Irish descent ; Mr. 
Tucker came to Richland Co. in the fall of 1819, and 
entered the northeast quarter of Sec. 19, in Monroe 
Township ; also the east half of the northwest quarter 
of Sec. 21, in the same township ; also, one half-quar- 
ter where the village of Lucas now stands ; he remained 
in this county seven years, during which time he la- 
bored hard at clearing and cultivating his farm ; he 
erected a cabin on the northeast quarter of Sec. 19, 
where he continued to reside during the seven years he 
remained in the county ; but three fixmilies resided in 
this part of the township at that' time. Mr. Tucker was 
attacked by a pack of hungry wolves, one night while 
returning home from the cabin of his brother ; he 
armed himself with a handspike, by means of which, 
together with loud and repeated yells as they ap- 
proached him, he succeeded in keeping the beasts at 
bay. though they returned to the attack twice before 
they gave it up ; at that time there were but few 
churches and schoolhouses in the county, but in nearly 
every settlement there was a still-house ; whisky was 
considered an indispensable article in those days ; at 
the expiration of seven years, Mr. Tucker returned to 
New Hampshire. He was married to Miss Clarissa, 
daughter of .Jesse and Mary Patten, of his native 
county, Oct. 9, 1829 : her parents were of Scotch- 
Irish descent. He remained in New Hampshire till the 
year 1849, when he removed with his family to hisfVxrm 
in this county, where he still continues to reside. He 
is the father of six children, three sons and three 
daughters — Norman, Alfred G., Clarissa L., David F. 
and Sophronia. Norman married Nancy Williams; 
Alfred, Elizabeth Slosher: Mary, .James M. K. Reed; 
Clarissa L., single; David F. married Mary Welty. 
Mrs. Tucker died March 14, 1872, and was buried at 
the St. .Johns Cemetery ; she was a member of the Con 
gregational' Church for about thirty-five years, and was 
a woman of many rare qualities of heart and mind. 



-■FT 



Mr. Tucker has been a member of the Masonic Fra- 
ternity about fifty years. 

TUCKER, JOHN (deceased) ; he was born in the 
township of Hemmicker, county of Hillsboro, N. H., 
Dec. 20, 1792. His father's name was the same as his 
own and his mot^ier's maiden name Elizabeth Lucas 
He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents, however, 
were both American born. He was pretty thoroughly 
educated in his youth. In 1816, he left the parental 
roof, and started on foot to seek a home and fortune in 
the wilds of Indiana. Terre Haute, which he made 
his stopping place while in the West, at that time 
contained but one house besides the post. While 
he was there, a council was held for the purpose of 
purchasing the land from the Indians. Gens. Taylor 
and Posey, together with five prominent chiefs, consti- 
tuted this council. After the council was concluded, 
the soldiers and Indians had a jubilee, in which fire- 
water flowed freely, and the frolic terminated in a 
drunken row. Gen. Taylor had a leg fractured by be- 
ing tripped while dancing with an Indian. While there, 
Mr. Tucker was almost the constant companion of Gen. 
Taylor. He remained at the fort until the General 
recovered, and was fit for duty, when he started on foot 
through the wilderness on his return. He returned by 
way of Cincinnati. While in that place, he was offered 
10 acres of land, in what is now the heart of that city, 
for §100. In 1818, he came to Richland Co.; made the 
entire trip on foot. He entered the north half of Sec. 
28, in Monroe Township ; he erected a cabin thereon, 
and made some other improvements in the way of clear- 
ino-, when he returned as he came to his native State. 
He was married, April 3, 1821, to Miss Mary Ward, of 
his native town. Soon after their marriage, they 
stowed their scanty wardrobe, with a few indispensable 
articles of household goods, in a one-horse wagon, and 
by this conveyance they made the trip through the 
wilderness, to their future home in this county. They 
finally reached their destination, and commenced house- 
keeping in primitive style. Mr. Tucker was both farmer 
and school teacher. He taught school in winter, and 
labored on his farm during the warm seasons. When 
he first came to the county, there were but few schools, 
and for a year or two he went to Stark Co. to teach. 
He taught in all, about sixty terms of school ; was 
among the first teachers in the county, and was con- 
sidered one of the best ; he was also a skillful surveyor, 
and was engaged to some extent in that business ; prac- 
ticed medicine for some time, on the Thomsonian sys- 
tem, but seldom, if ever, did he charge for his services. 
Besides the feats of pedestrianism already spoken of, he 
took a trip to the Black Swamp region, east of Fort 
Wayne, in 1828. In 1838, he went to Kosciusko Co., 
Ind., where he purchased 1,600 acres of land, which he 
subsequently divided among his children. In 1846, he 
made a trip to Missouri on foot, to see that country, but 
soon became disgusted with it on account of the scarcity 
and bad quality of water. He coatinued to resside in 
Monroe Township till 1853, when he sold his farm to 
his son Aurelius, and removed to Kosciusko Co., Ind., 
where he continued to reside till the death of his wife, 
which took place March 11, 1876; he then made a 
division of his property, and spent the remainder of his 
days in visiting his children. He was the father of 



nine children, six sons and three daughters ; has four 
sons and two daughters living — Aurelius, of Monroe 
Township; Mrs. F. Wager, of Cleveland; Kegulus 
Tucker, of Tennessee ; Horace and Albert Tucker, and 
Mrs. Vandermark, of Kosciusko Co., Ind. Mr.Tucker 
is entitled to credit for introducing good fruit into the 
county at an early day. He never could be prevailed 
upon to assist in butchering hogs, or any other animals ; 
never fired a gun at a living creature, nor with a leaden 
missile in it. In his political views, he was an Old Line 
Whig, and subsequently a Republican. In his religion 
he was a firm believer in the Swedenborgian doctrine. 
He departed this life Dec. 25, 1879. His remains were 
sent to Palestine, Ind., and interred alongside of those 
of his wife. 

TUCKER, D. F., farmer ; P. 0. Lucas ; he was born 
in Merrimack Co., N. II., Nov. 2, 1841 : he is the young- 
est son of David and Clarissa Tucker ; when he was 
about 8 years old, his father removed with his family 
to the farm on which he now resides in Monroe Town- 
ship ; he was trained by his parents to excellent hab- 
its : his education was about as thorough as is usually 
acquired in the common schools ; he remained with 
his father, assisting him in his farm work, till the 10th 
day of November, 1864, when he was married to Miss 
Mary, only daughter of Christian and Mary Welty ; 
the marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. H. 
L. Wiles, a Lutheran minister ; since his marriage, :Mr. 
Tucker has continued to reside on the old farm, and 
has been engaged chiefly in farming ; he is an excel- 
lent farmer ; during the last few years, he has dealt 
considerably in hogs, and has met with pretty fair suc- 
cess. He is now one of the Justices of the Peace of his 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are the parents of 
six children, three sons and three daughters— John Al- 
fred, born Nov. 17, 1865 ; Norman Webster, May 29, 
1867; Eceum Sophronia, June 25, 1869: Clinton 
Welty, Jan. 7, 1872; Clarissa Euphemia. April 3, 1874 ; 
Mary Etta, Sept. 11, 1877. Their mother was born 
Nov. 10, 1846; she was trained by her parents to hab- 
its of industry and economy. 

TUCKER, AURELIUS, farmer ; P.O. Lucas ; he was 
born in Monroe Township, Sept. 11, 1826: he is the 
second son of John and Mary Tucker, pioneers of this 
township ; he received, in his youth, a pretty thorough 
education in the common English branches, and was 
trained by his parents to habits of industry, sobriety 
and strict integrity ; he assisted his father very ma- 
terially in cultivating and improving his farm ; while a 
young man. he taught several terms of school, and was 
well liked as a teacher. He was married to Miss Isa- 
bella Alexander, youngest daughter of Peter and Jane 
Alexander, of Worthington Township, April 5, 1849 ; 
his wife's parents came to Ohio while it was yet a 
Territory : they settled first in Belmont Co.: about 
the year 1827, they removed to Richland and bought a 
large farm, adjoining Newville on the northeast ; here 
they continued to reside as long as they lived, and on 
this farm their remains lie buried in the family grave- 
yard, on the hill east of the Clear Fork : Mr. Tucker 
farmed on shares with his father for a number of years. 
By industry and careful management on the part of 
himself and wife, he was enabled, in a few years, to 
amass considerable means. His father desiring t© go 



-^ 




further West, where he could purchase farms for all 
of his sons, sold his farm to Aurelius at a reduced 
price. He has very materially improved the appear- 
ance of this farm since he became the owner of it; a 
few years ago his dwelling was destroyed by fire ; he 
subsequently erected a splendid mansion in its stead. 
Of late years, he has paid considerable attention to the 
raising of live stock ; as a breeder of fine horses and 
cattle, he has few if any equals in the county ; he has 
been awarded many of the highest prizes, both at the 
State and county fairs, on horses and cattle of his own 
raising ; he has also been awarded prizes on grain, fruit 
and vegetables. Ilis wife has been awarded prizes on 
flowers of her own culture. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are 
the parents of five daughters — Laura, wlio died in in- 
fancy ; Jane, who was married to John C. Ohler, Jan. 
16, 1870; Lilly Margaret, who died when 11 months 
old ; Emma J., married Dr. C. W. Skegs, of Lucas, Nov. 
11,1877; Alice, died when about 6 years old ; their de- 
ceased children were all buried in the Schrack grave- 
yard. Mr. Tucker and wife are active members of the 
Lutheran Church, at Pleasant Valley. 

TUCKER, GOULD, farmer; P. 0. Perryville ; was 
born in Merrimack Co., N. H., Oct. 16, 1823. His 
father, Daniel Tucker, was born July 13, 1794; his 
mother, whose maiden name was ^lary Philips, was 
born July 19, 1799 ; they were both born in Merrimack 
Co.; they were married March 6, 1823 ; they were the 
parents of four sons, of whom Gould is the eldest ; 
John, their second son, was born April 9, 1826 ; Moses 
P., April 21, 1833; Harrison, Jan. 1, 1837 (he died 
March 13, 1855, and was buried at St. Johns). Daniel 
Tucker owned a farm containing 340 acres, in Merri- 
mack Co. ; he lived on this farm about twenty-six years, 
when he sold it and removed to Richland Co. and pur- 
chased the north half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 
26, in Monroe Township, where he lived the remainder 
of his days ; his wife died Feb. 16, 1867 ; he died July 
19, 1871 ; they were buried at St. Johns. Gould Tucker 
was married to Elizabeth Duston, daughter of John 
Duston, of his native county, about the year 1852; by 
this marriage he had five children, two of whom died 
in infancy ; those who lived to man's estate are named 
as follows: John D. G., born Nov. 21, 1851 ; Wooster, 
Aug. 14, 1853 : Orin T., May 25, 1855; their mother 
died May 18. 1859, in the 26th year of her age; she 
was buried at St. Johns. Mr. Tucker was married, 
March 28, 1867, to Mary Ann McDanel, daughter of 
Archibald and Margaret McDanel, of Beaver Co., 
Penn., and grand-daughter of William and Mary Mc- 
Danel, pioneers of Richland Co.; by this marriage h* 
has had one child, James Monroe, a bright, intelligent 
lad. Mr. Tucker learned the trade of stone-cutting 
when a young man ; he worked at this trade a few 
years ; he came to Richland Co. with his father ; 
farmed for him till he died, when he bought his 
brother's interest and became the owner of the " old 
homestead ;" he has very materially improved this 
farm, and now has it in a high state of cultivation; it 
is well calculated both for tho raising of grain and 
stock ; ^Ir. Tucker has, of late years, dealt to some 
considerable extent in hogs, and is regarded as an 
honest dealer. His sons are well educated ; three of 
them are engaged in teaching. He is a man of con- 



siderable energy ; is temperate in his habits, and honest 
and upright in his dealings. 

WELTY, CHRISTIAN, farmer ; P. 0/ Lucas ; he 
was born in the State of Maryland in 1814; his 
first years were spent on a farm ; at 18 years of age, 
engaged as an apprentice for three years to learn 
the house-joining and carpenter trade; his wages were 
$24 per year and two weeks in harvest ; at the expira- 
tion of the term he had saved $2(1 ; he earned $10 
more by doing odd jobs for his neighbors ; with $-')0 in 
his pocket, he started from Washington Co., Md., on 
foot to Ohio ; after visiting relatives in Carroll, Stark 
Co., he commenced work as a jour carpenter in Mas- 
sillon ; remaining there a few months, he set out to see 
more of the world ; he traveled down the Ohio Canal 
to tlie Ohio River at Cincinnati, where he assisted in 
building steamboats ; the first summer, having replen- 
ished his funds and procui'ed a small kit of tools, he 
set out to travel and obtain work by the way ; he left 
Cincinnati in the fall, went lo Natchez, Miss., where 
he remained till the next spring, when he visited New 
Orleans, Mobile, and from there to New York via the 
Atlantic Ocean ; he then went to Philadelphia and Bal- 
timore ; then crossed the mountains to Cleveland, and 
back to Cincinnati, and down to Natchez, where he 
worked the second winter ; he returned by way of 
Massillon, having worked at most of the principal 
places which he passed through ; he landed in Monroe 
Township, this county, in 1837; he worked at the car- 
penter trade here for twelve years; times being dull 
and prices low, profits were small; he made about $150 
per year ; quite a number of houses and barns are to- 
day standing to testify it took much hard labor, as it 
had to be worked out of the rough. He was married 
to Mary Crawford in 1840. In 1846, he purchased an 
eighty-acre farm, 40 acres a few years after, and an- 
other 80 acres in 1861, having then a farm of 200 
acres ; it being the commencement of the war, farming 
proved a profitable business, a good time to pay debts 
and lay in store, as prices for farm produce ran high. 
Mrs. Welty was born in 1819, in Allegheny Co., Penn.; 
was brought to the township the same year by her par- 
ents, hence is one of the "pioneers ; " David Crawford 
was one of the original settlers ; he was strictly moral 
and temperate in habits ; drunkenness becoming prev- 
alent, he and Solomon Gladden, his neighbor, resolved 
to abstain from all intoxicating liquors on all occasions 
while they lived, hence formed the first temperance 
society in the county ; the family of C. and M. Welty 
consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter ; 
the two elder sons volunteered in the service of our 
country, and died from disease contracted there, one 
serving fifteen months, the other nearly three years; one 
son lives in Kansas, and one is at home ; the daughter 
married D. F. Tucker, of this township. Mr. Welty 
belonged to the old Whig party ; since the organization 
of the Republican party has belonged to it. He has 
held nearly all the township oihces at different times, 
and been Justice of the Peace twice. Has always en- 
joyed excellent health, which he attributes to temper- 
ate habits ; used tobacco twenty years, but for thirty 
years has abstained from its use ; has abstained from 
liquor for forty years. The subject of this history has 
never engaged in speculation ; what he has he accumu- 



^: 



^- 



MONEOE TOWNSHIP. 



857 



lated by industry, frugality and economy. He and his 
entire family are Lutherans. Mr. Welty pays more 
tax than any man in Monroe Township, hence is the 
wealthiest ; he never failed to meet a pecuniary obliga- 
tion, or suffered a note to run over time unless he was 
creditor ; never made a store bill ; he is a stockholder 
of Mansfield Savings Bank. 

WELTY, MARY, MRS. She was born in Allegheny 
Co., Penn., .Jnly 10, 1819 ; her father's name was 
David Crawford, her mother's name Lucy (Applegate) 
Crawford. When she was about 2 months old, her 
parents removed to this county, where she has lived 
ever since. She went to school in Perryville when she 
was 8 years old, and the next summer she went to a 
schoolhouse near Newville, in which James Wolfe 
was teacher. Most of her time was spent at home do- 
ing house work, and from the time she was 14 until 
she was 20, she did all the family spinning and 
weaving. In October, 1839, she went to Allegheny 
Co., Penn., to work for her grandfather ; she remained 
there until September of the next year, when she 
again returned to Richland Co., and in October she was 
mai'ried to ( "hristian Welty ; in the year 18-56, she, 
with her husband, united with the General Synod Lu- 
theran Church at St. John's Church, in this township, 
of which denomination they have been consistent mem- 
bers ever since. She is the mother of five children, 
four boys and one girl — John, born in 1841 ; Heni-y, 
born in 1843 ; Mary, born in 1846 ; James, born in 
1849, and Gary, born in 1860. John and Henry en- 
listed in the 64th Regiment, 0. V. I., and contracted 
serious diseases ; John returned the 4th day of August, 
1864, died the 17th of the next month; Henry re- 
turned tlie 8th of January, 1864, and died the V2ih. 
Mary was married to D. F. Tucker, of this township, 
in November, 1864; James was married to M. E.Scott, 
of Ashland Co., he now lives in Barton Co., Kan.; 
Gary is still at home. 

WILES, T. B., farmer; P. 0. Lucas. T. B. Wiles 
was born in Frederick Co., Md., about eight miles from 
Frederick City, March 9, 1821. His father, .John Wiles, 
was born in the same county April 14, 1785; his 
mother was also born in Frederick Co., May 7, 1798; 
his father was of English and his mother of German 
descent ; his parents were married about the year 1817. 
Soon after his marriage, Mr. John Wiles purchased a 
farm containing 100 acres, in his native county ; he 
continued to reside on this farm until his death, which 
occurred Oct. 10, 1844 ; he was buried in the Lutheran 
Cemetery at Middletown, in his native county. T. B. 
AViles was married to Miss Susan, second daughter of 
Jacob and Hannah Baker, of his native county, March 
22, 1849; by this marriage, Mr. Wiles had two chil- 
dren — a son whom they christened Edward Calvin, and 
a daughter named Susan Alice ; Edward C. was born 
March 18, 1850, and Susan A. July 14, 1852; their 
mother died Feb. 4, 1853, and was buried in the Mid- 
dletown Cemetery ; she was a consistent member of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Wiles removed to 
Richland Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1860; he pur- 
chased the east half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 
20, in Monroe Township, where he has since resided. 
On Jan. 1, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Emily, youngest daughter of John and Elizabeth Crowe, 



of Monroe Township, Rev. F. J. Ruth officiating ; Miss 
Crowe's pai-ents were of German descent; they were 
among the first settlers of Monroe Township, having 
emigrated here from Pennsylvania about the year 1829. 
Mr. Wiles is the father of ten children by his second 
wife, eight sons and two daughters, named as follows : 
Mary 0., born Nov. 4, 1863; George B. M., Dec. 9, 
1864; John H., Dec. 3, 1865; Charlie 0., March 18, 
1867; William 0., March 19, 1868; Norman B., .July 
9,1869; Scott B., March 18, 1871; Elmer 0., Aug. 
31, 1872; Effie G., March 30, 1875; Walter L.. April 
6, 1879. George B. M. died Dec. 25, 1864; Scott B. 
Jan. 22, 1872 ; Norman B. March 2, 1872 ; Elmer A. 
Jan. 2, 1875 ; they are buried in the Mt. Zion Ceme- 
tery. Mr. and Mrs. Wiles, by persevering industry 
and careful management, have been able to maintain 
and educate, in a very creditable manner, their large 
family of children. Mr. Wiles has been an active and 
leading member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church 
for about forty years ; his wife has been a consistent 
church member for about twenty-eight years ; she first 
united with the German Reformed, and subsequently 
with the church to which her husband belonged. Mr. 
Wiles became a member of Monroe Lodge, No. 224, I. 
0. 0. F., in 1860, and has been a very active and ener- 
getic member of his lodge and of the order, from that 
time to the present ; he has attained to the highest rank 
in his lodge; he is also a member of the Burns En- 
campment located at Lucas, and has taken all the de- 
grees therein. Mr. Wiles is one of the leading Demo- 
crats of his township, and has repeatedly been elected 
to fill offices of honor and trust by the members of his 
party. Mr. Wiles and his good wife are liberal, almost 
to a fault, in their contributions for religious and char- 
itable purposes ; in their dispositions they are kind, 
social and friendly. 

WIGTON, SUS.IN, widow ; P. 0. Perryville. Will- 
iam Wigton, deceased husband of Susan Wigton, was 
born in a log cabin, on the north bank of the Clear Fork, 
in Monroe Township, on the 3d day of July, 1827 ; his 
father's name was AVilliam Wigton, and his mother's 
maiden name was .Jane Williams. While he was quite 
young, his father purchased the east half of the north- 
west quarter of Sec. 26, in Monroe Township, and re- 
moved his family thereon. The farm at this day was 
in a wild and uncultivated state, and was but little 
cleared ; the dwelling was a log cabin constructed in 
the primitive style of the early pioneers. As soon as 
William arrived at the proper age, his father sent him 
to school; as soon as he was old enough to labor, how- 
ever, his assistance was required on the farm, and he 
was permitted to attend school but a few months dur- 
ing the winter season ; his father, however, was a 
teacher, and one of the best mathematicians in the 
county at that time, so that with his assistance and his 
other limited facilities for obtaining knowledge, Will- 
iam was enabled to acquire a pretty fjiir knowledge of 
the common English branches ; he was trained by his 
father to habits of industry and morality, which early 
training proved highly beneficial to him in later life. 
Feb. 4, 1850, was married to Miss Susan Schrack, eighth 
daughter of David and Elizabeth Schrack ; ^liss Schrack, 
was born in Monroe Township May 25, 1832 ; after 
their marriage they moved to his father's farm, where 



*7: 



M. 



j^ 




they continued to reside as long as William lived, and 
where his widow still resides ; at his father's death, 
he purchased the interests of his brothers and sisters 
in the old homestead and became the owner of the 
same. This is one of the best fixrms in that section of 
country : the soil is highly fertile, it is well watered, 
well timbered and well improved ; there is no better 
spring of water in the county than the one on this farm. 
Mr. Wigton was an excellent farmer and never failed 
to have good crops when there were any in his section 
of country. Mr. and Mrs. Wigton were the par- 
ents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters ; 
two of the daughters died in infancy ; James Frank- 
lin, their second son lived to become a man of great 
promise. In order to assist his mother in paying her 
indebtedness, he left home and engaged labor in the oil 
regions, where he was suddenly stricken with disease, 
and cut off in the prime of life and the vigor of early 
manhood. William Wigton was an active and ener- 
getic member of Sturges lodge No. 327, I. 0. 0. F., 
for many years prior to his death ; he attained to the 
highest position in the lodge, and was highly esteemed 
and respected by all its members. He united with the 
Luthei'an Church at St. Johns, a short time before his 
death ; early in the winter of 1867, he was attacked 
with typhoid pnumonia, from which he partially re- 
covered, when a fever sore set in, which eventually con- 
sumed the bone in one of his thighs ; he lingered till 
spring, enduring in the mean-while, pain the most in- 
tense and agony the most intolerable ; he departed this 
life May 27, 1868 ; he was buried in the St. Johns Cem- 
etery ; his deceased children were buried here also. 
Mrs. Wigton being thus thrown ypon her own resources, 
with a large family of small children to support and edu- 
cate, proved herself equal to the emergency; her husband 
was considerably in debt when he died, but by persever- 
ing industry, economy and careful management, on the 
part of herself and elder children, she was enabled in a 
few years to liquidate the entire debt. She has also been 
able to clothe and educate her large family in a very 
creditable manner ; in this she was very materially as- 
sisted by her children themselves, having been trained 
from infancy to habits of industry and morality by 
their parents. Mrs. Wigton has for several years been 
a member of the Lutheran Church. 

WOLF, ADAM (deceased); he was born in Beaver 
Co., Penn., Dec. 16, 1760; served in the Continental 
army during the war of the Revolution. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Rachel Oldham, of his native county, Jan. 
16, 1790, by whom he had ten children, four sons and 
six daughters — Mary, born in Beaver Co. Nov. 21, 
1790; Easter, Feb. 5, 1793; John, Aug. 16, 1794; 
Robert, Jan. 31. 1796; William 0., Dec. 21, 1797; 
Elizabeth, Nov. 4, 1799; Joseph, Nov. 26, 1801 ; Re- 
becca, Sept. 19, 1804; Asenath, Aug. 28, 1806, and 
Rachel, April 29, 1809. Mary married Hiram White- 
cotten April 10, 1816; John, Margaret Baughman Aug. 
0, 1825; Robert, Rachel Shiver Jan. 13, 1825; Eliza- 
beth, John Clark May 31, 1827; Rachel, Charles Young 
Jan. 15, 1829; William 0., Sarah Kent Sept. 10, 1829; 
Rebecca, David Baughman July 15, 1832; Asenath, 
Jacob Ridenour Nov. 8, 1832, and Joseph, Sarah Mech- 
lem Dec. 1, 1846. Ruth Ann Whitecotten, daughter ojf 
Hiram and Mary v\ hitecotten, was married to Joel 



Smith Oct. 8, 1835. Adam Wolf removed to Richland 
Co. in 1816, and entered the southeast quarter of Sec. 
26, in Monroe Township. His farm, at the time he 
took possession of it, was a frowning forest ; he and 
his sons soon transformed it into fruitful fields. He 
continued to reside on this farm as long as he lived. 
He and his wife were both zealous members of the 
Baptist Church for many years. His wife died April 
19, 1836 ; he departed this life April 24, 1845. They 
were both buried at Newville. 

WOLFE, JOHN, Jr., farmer; P. 0. Lucas. John 
Wolfe, Sr., was born in the State of Pennsylvania Aug. 
13, 1794 ; he was a school teacher in early life, but he 
was by occupation a farmer ; in the spring of 1816, he 
came to the State of Ohio with his father, Adam Wolfe. 
The Wolfes entered a quarter-section of land where 
Gould Tucker now lives. John was married to Mar- 
garet Baughman in 1825 ; they were the parents of ten 
children. Mr. Wolfe bought 160 acres of land near 
Pinhook, for f200, which he cleared and cultivated. 
His wife died on July 19, 1850. Mr. Wolfe was mar- 
ried to Mrs. Ann Force on March 23, 1854 ; his second 
wife had six children by her first husband, Mathew 
Force, and two sons by her second marriage — Perry 
and John Wolfe. Mrs. Ann Wolfe was a daughter of 
William Hunter. Mr. Wolfe died Feb. 22, 1876 ; his 
widow still resides on the old homestead ; she is 08 
years of age, being born Aug. 13, 1811 ; her daughter, 
Elizabeth, and her two youngest sons live with her, and 
care for her as her advancing years demand. John 
Wolfe, Sr., served in the war of 1812. Abraham and 
Solomon Wolfe and Oscar and .James Force served in 
the late war. James died at Milliken's Bend and Solo- 
mon after he had started for home ; the others came 
home safe. 

WOLFE, SARAH, widow ; P. 0. Perryville. Joseph 
Wolfe, her husband, was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Nov. 
26, 1801 ; he was the youngest son of Adam and Rachel 
Wolfe. When Joseph was 15 years old, his father 
removed, with his family, to Richland Co.; when about 
16, he was thrown from a horse, which injured one of 
his thighs to such an extent as to make him a cripple 
for life; owing to this accident, he doubtless received 
a better education than he otherwise would have done;- 
he qualified himself for a teacher, which profession he 
followed many years ; he taught the first term of school 
in what is now known as Subdistrict No. 5, in Monroe 
Township ; he taught ten terms of one year each, and 
several shorter terms ; as a teacher, he met with very 
good success. Some years prior to the death of his 
father, he purchased the north half of the old home- 
stead ; about the year 1842, he sold this farm to his 
brother-in-law, Charles Young ; he then went to "Slis- 
souri, where he purchased 200 acres of land ; return- 
ing in about a year, he traded with Mr. Young and got 
his first farm back again ; shortly after his father's 
death, he again traded with Mr. Young for his Mis- 
souri land; in 1846, he traded his Missouri land to 
David Baughman for a portion of Sec. 27, in this town- 
ship ; besides what has been enumerated, he pur- 
chased various other tracts of land in the township, 
and owned, at the time of his decease, 180 acres in 
Sec. 27. Sept. 1, 1846, he was married to Miss Sarah 
Mecklem, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Mecklem, of 



"e) 



^ 



aL 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



859 



Beaver Co., Penn. Her father was born in Ireland, 
and emigrated to the eastern part of Pennsylvania, 
with his parents, when he was young. Was married 
to Rachel McDanel about the year 1803; moved to 
Beaver Co. in 1806, where he spent the remainder of 
his days ; he died Oct. 23, 1832, aged 65 years. Rachel 
McDanel was born near Wilmington, Penn., July 6, 
1873 ; was married to Samuel Mecklem as before 
stated; they were the parents of twelve children, eight 
sons and four daughters. Mr. Mecklem was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, but his wife was a Bap- 
tist; she died Aug. 13, 1847, aged 64 years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wolfe are the parents of four children, three sons 
and one daughter ; their daughter died at the age of 5 
years and 7 months, and was buried near Lucas. 
Charles C, their eldest son, was born Aug. 26, 1847 ; 
graduated at Amherst College in the year 1876 ; united 
with the Baptist Church at Perrysville, at the age of 19 ; 
went to Kansas in the winter of 1878, purchased a 
farm, and is now engaged in farming. Norman M., 
their second son, was born July 6, 1849 ; he received a 
pretty thorough education ; attended the Wooster Uni- 



versity a year or more ; he then entered a law office ; 
was admitted to the bar, and is now practicing his pro- 
fession in the city of Mansfield. He was married to 
Jennie Leiter Sept. 22, 1877 ; became a member of the 
Presbyterian Church at Wooster, at the age of 2-5. 
Loram L., their youngest son, was born March 23, 
1851 ; became a member of the Baptist Church at Per- 
ryville, at the age of 17 ; was married to Miss Mattie 
L. Baughman Sept. 27, 1875; purchased a portion of 
the old homestead in 1876, which he is now engaged 
in cultivating. Joseph Wolfe united with the Baptist 
Church at Newville July 3, 1829, and remained an 
active and consistent member of this branch of the 
church as long as he lived ; he died Jan. 28, 1875, and 
was buried in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery at Lucas. 
Mrs. Wolfe became a member of the Baptist Church at 
the age of 20, and has been a member in good stand- 
ing in that church up to the present time ; they were 
both ever ready to contribute of their means for the 
support of the Gospel, and for the relief of the indi- 
gent and distressed. Mrs. Wolfe still resides on the 
old homestead. 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



ALGIRE, JACOB (deceased). He was born in Bed- 
ford Co., Penn., July 15, 1799; he came to Ohio and 
settled in Perry Township in 1827 ; he located on a 
part of Sec. 22, and lived on it till death. His com- 
panion, Mary McFerren, was born March 1, 1802; they 
were married May 10, 1827 ; children — John, was 
born in 1823 ; Catharine, Aug. 26, 1825 ; Barbara, 
March 7, 1828; William, Jan. 30, 1831 ; Mary, Nov. 6, 
1833; Samuel, Sept. 7, 1836; Almira, April 27, 1839; 
Henrv F., March 20, 1842: Jacob, March 25, 1848. 
The father died July 7, 1874 ; mother, Sept. 27, 1865. 
Henry H. went to the army in the 102d 0. V. I., and 
died with disease in Clarksville, Tenn., -Jan. 4, 1868. 
.Jacob Algire, Jr., now resides on the old farm; he 
commenced to lay brick in 1871 and made it his occupa- 
tion for seven years. He was married. May 25, 1878, 
to Clara Reese Qrowden ; she was born Oct. 20, 1857, 
and was a daughter of Thomas L. Growden and Rebecca 
(Simmons) Growden ; she was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn.; her folks came to Perry Township in 1866. 
Father Algire filled the office of Township Trustee 
several terms ; and he and his wife were members of 
the Lutheran Church. 

BOWERS, ISAAC, was brought up a farmer; at an 
early age, he came with his parents to Jefferson Town- 
ship, Richland Co., who first settled on a part of Sec. 
5; he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., April 26, 
1825, and, on April 18, 1848, was married to Sarah 
Bowman, who was born May 4, 1824. They lived 
north of Bellville about two years, north of Lexingtoh 
a year, on the old homestead, and, in 1867, he moved 
on a part of Sec. 12, Perry Township, where he has 
since remained ; soon after moving last, he commenced 
to operate a saw-mill ; he ran it several years, and 
then took a partial interest in a steam saw-mill. Chil- 



dren—David S., was born Feb. 13, 1849; Mary E.' 
Aug. 25, 1850; Catharine, Feb. 24, 1852; Amelia J.' 
April 26, 1854 ; Albert A., Feb. 13, 1856 ; Sarah E.' 
July 10, 1858 ; Laura E., Sept. 15, 1860; Huldah, Decj 
10, 1862 ; Ruthie, .Jan. 14, 1865 ; Margaret H., Apri 
23, 1867; Dora Alice, Sept. 9, 1868; deaths— Laura 
E., July 14, 1862; Mary, July 21, 1862; Sarah, July 
28, 1862; David, July 28, 1862; Catharine, Aug. 27, 
1862 ; Mirgaret, April 9, 1873 ; the four children who 
departed in one month died of diphtheria. Mrs. Bowers 
came to Ohio with her brother and sister. Mr. Bowers 
was a charter member of the Richland Grange, and its 
Master in 1879. 

BUCKINGHAM, DAVID, farmer and carpenter, and 
a partner in the drug store of R. Buckingham & Co., of 
Bellville ; he was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Nov. 28, 
1823, and came with his parents to Perry Township in 
the year 1832, and ihe next year moved on a part of 
Sec. 3, where he yet lives ; he commenced the carpen- 
ter trade in the fall of 1840, and worked at it more or 
less till 1852. On the 29th of March, 1846, assumed 
conjugal relations with Eliza Broadbeck, who was born 
in York Co., Penn., in July, 1827, and came to Richland 
Co. with her uncle, John Shaucks. Their eldest child, 
Manerva, was born Dec. 28, 1846; Rezin, Oct. 3, 1848 : 
Almira, Feb. 2, 1851; Silas, Dec. 20, 1853; John Ben- 
jamin, Aug. 1, 1858; Curtis Monroe, April 7, 1864. 
Mr. Buckingham and wife united with the Baptist 
Church in 1860, and are prominent members. 

CORNWALL, CHARLES, farmer ; he was born about 
two miles north of Mansfield, and was brought up on a 
farm. After marriage, he lived a short distance south 
of Mansfield ; after remaining there one year, he moved 
to West Perry Township, where he lived a year ; he 
next resided in Jefferson Township five years, at the 



'^7 

^ 



1£ 



860 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



end of which he moved to Huron Co.; in the spring of 
1870, he moved on a part of Sec. 22, in Perry Township, 
where he now resides; he was born Sept. 14, 1831. He 
united in matrimony with Nancy Poorman Dec. 11, 
1856 ; she was a daughter of Peter Poorman and Eliza- 
beth Graham, and was born June 15, 1835; children — 
William M., born July 5, 1860; Clara Viola, Nov. 18, 
1863; Mary A., July 1, 1870; William died Jan. 29. 
1878. Mr. Cornwall and wife are members of the M. 
E. Church. He is a Class-leader in the church. 

CRAVEN, BICKLEY, was born in Perry Township, 
and lived on a farm until 21 years of age ; he then 
took up the carpenter trade, and worked at it about 
fifteen years, during which time he erected a large 
number of farm buildings ; in 1861, he bought the farm 
on which he now lives, and since then has given his at- 
tention largely to managing it; he was born Aug. 26, 1823. 
He married Sarah Woodrow, John Woodrow's daughter, 
Nov. 4, I860 ; she was born June 6, 1836 ; their children 
are Malancton, was born Nov. 3, 1861, and Virgil Stew- 
art, Jan. 3, 1865 ; Malancton died Dec. 2, 1 864. Mr. C. 
and his wife became members of the Clear Fork Grange 
soon after it was organized, and he has held the offices 
of Gate Keeper and Assistant Steward. 

EBY, JACKSON and SAMUEL, were born in Frank- 
lin Co., Penn., and brought up as millers ; the family 
emigrated to Ohio and settled two and one-half miles 
north of Mansfield, in April, 1831 ; after two years, 
they bought a part of the southwest quarter of Sec. 2, 
Perry Township, where the subjects of this sketch still 
reside. A farm was cleared, and a saw-mill built in 
1836, and the next year a grist-mill was erected, which 
took the name of Perry Mills ; they ran this mill thirty- 
seven years. They are consistent and zealous members 
of the Clear Fork United Brethren Church, and valu- 
able Sabbath-school workers ; Jackson has held official 
positions in the church, and has been Township Clerk. 
Father Eby was born Dec. 27, 1774, and died May 16, 
1857; Samuel was born Aug. 19, 1801, and Jackson, 
March 15, 1815; the latter was married to Barbara 
Shuler, by Rev. George Hiskey, Aug. 30, 1822; they had 
three children — William W., born .July 21, 1842; Anna 
M., Aug. 8, 1844; Jennie E., Oct. 22, 1847. William 
enlisted and went to the front with the 64th 0. V. I., 
in the Cumberland army ; he was wounded in the battle 
of Stone River, a minie ball breaking both bones of his 
left leg below the knee. Jackson Eby's wife died March 
19, 1868. 

EROW, JACOB, farmer; was born in Greene Co., 
Ohio ; he came with his parents to Perry Township in 
1857. His father, Joseph Erow, died Dec. 15, 1869, 
and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth 
Swadener, died March 30, 1872. The subject of this 
sketch enlisted and went into the rebellion with the 
178th 0. V. I.; he was in the battles of Cedar Flats and 
Shelbyville Pike. In one of the battles, he became sep- 
arated from the ranks and came near losing his life ; 
he was obliged to run across an open field, and, as he 
arrived at the thicket on the other side, many bullets 
cut the brush around him. Mr. Erow has held town- 
ship offices, and is an Elder in the Disciple Church. 
Mr. Erow was born Nov. 29, 18^9 ; Adaline Cary was 
born Oct. 4, 1840 ; they were married Nov. 7, 1858 ; 
births — Joseph was born May 31, 1860; John, Sept. 



17, 1862; Mary E., April 8, 1867 ; Samuel W., March 
24, 1869 ; Marcellas H., June 28, 1874 ; an infant, Aug. 
8, 1876. 

GARVER, JOHN. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Lancaster Co., Penn.; he came with his parents 
to Perry Township in 1834 or 1835, and they settled 
near Darlington. After marriage, he moved from place 
to place, until he purchased a part of Sec. 35, which 
was in 1868. He was brought up on a farm. He com- 
menced to go with a thrashing machine when 18 years 
old, and has given it more or less attention since. At 
present, his time is principally devoted to farming. His 
wife is a daughter of Jacob Hardman, who came to 
Perry Township in 1847 or 1848. John Garver was 
born June 27, 1881 ; Emeline Hardman was born Aug. 
4, 1835 ; they were married Oct. 14, 1852 ; children — 
Elizabeth Ann was born April 24, 1854 ; Jacob Allen, 
Jan. 13, 1856; George Henry, June 1, 1858; Emma 
Agnes, Sept. 18, 1860; Amanda Jane, Feb. 23, 1864; 
Artie Arvilla, Oct. 10, 1867 ; Joseph Wilbert, Oct. 10, 
1869; Chancy Clyde, June 17, 1872; Marion Walter, 
June 27, 1875; Bertha May, Jan. 20, 1869. Deaths- 
Jacob A. died Sept 21, 1859, and Emma March 5, 1862. 
Henry was married to Sarah M. Oyster .July 29, 1869. 

HANI WALT, JOHN, a resident of Sec. 11, Perry 
Township, and a farmer and miller ; he was born in 
Baltimore, Md., Oct. 8, 1803 ; about the year 1818, he 
went to Virginia and lived a year, and, in 1819, to 
York Co., Penn., where he was married and remained 
until he came to Ohio, leading a farmer's life. On 
April 7, 1825, he was united in matrimony to Susan 
Klinefelter, who was born Jan. 14, 1803 ; the ceremony 
was performed by Rev. Stecker; in 1831, he moved 
near Galion, Ohio, where lie remained on a farm until 
1833, when he came to Perry Township and located on 
his present premises; he purchased the Herrin Mill 
property, and the next year tore the old log structure 
away and erected a frame one, and put in two runs of 
buhrs and a corn-crusher ; this burned March 20, 
1855, and the next fall, Mr. H. had a new one in oper- 
ation. Mr. Hanivvalt held township offices several 
years ; he is a charter member of Richland Grange 
and very faithful in his devotion to the interests of the 
order. As an example of his zeal, he built an addition 
to one of his dwelling-houses, and arranged the second 
story for a hall, at his own expense ; he has been 
Treasurer of the lodge for years. His wife is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church ; their children, in the 
order of their ages, are Sarah Mariah, born April 1, 
1826 ; Elizabeth .Jane, May 13, 1828 ; Rebecca Ann, 
Aug. 11, 1830; Joseph Lewis, Feb. 26, 1833 ; Leah A., 
Dec. 23, 1835 ; Mary Ellen, Nov. 25, 1838 ; Rebecca, 
died Oct. 10, 1857. 

HUNTSMAN, JONATHAN, was born in Northum- 
berland Co., Penn., and was brought up in Washington 
Co. He was married to Nancy Wherry, and in 1816 
came to Perry Township ; the next year they entered 
land in Sec. 22, which he cleared and lived on till death. 
He was born March 8, 1792; Mrs. H. was born Nov. 
30, 1795 ; they were married March 14, 1816 ; children 
—William, born Jan. 25, 1817 ; Israel, Aug. 24, 1819 ; 
Josiah, April 6, 1821 ; James W., May 5, 1824 ; John 
H., April 1, 1826; Noah, March 28, 1828; Amariah, 
C, June 25, 1830 ; Mary Jane, Dec. 24, 1833 : Sarah 



" ^ a 



:^ 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



861 



Ann, Dec. 30, 1837. Deaths— the father died Jan. 30, 
1866; mother, Feb. 19, 18-59; John, when small; 
Mary J., .Jan. 23, 1862 ; Sarah A., Jan. 25, 18S0. 

HUNTSMAN, WILLIAM, farmer ; resides on a part 
of Sec. 21, Perry Township ; he was born in Perry 
Township, and brought up on a farm ; when arriving at 
manhood, he commenced to work at the carpenter 
trade ; he moved on the place he now owns after mar- 
riage, where he has since remained ; he has filled the 
offices of Township Trustee and Treasurer, Elder in the 
Lutheran Church, and Superintendent of the Sabbath 
school. Mr. Huntsman was born Jan. 25, 1817 ; Cath- 
arine Bechtel, daughter of Martin Bechtel, was born 
Jan. 2, 1819. They were married June 25, 1840; chil- 
dren — Theodore, born Feb. 1, 1842 ; Nancy Jane, July 
14, 1844: Mary E., March 11, 1847 ; Clancy, Dec. 6, 
1848; Lydia A., May 17, 1851 ; Minerva C, March 9, 
1855 ; Catharine, Feb. 12, 1858; Theodore died July 21, 
1844. 

HUNTSMAN, JAMES W., was born May 5, 1824; 
Catharine J. Baker was born March 28, 1832. They 
were married June 7, 1859. Children — Warran A., born 
Aprils, 1860; Lyndon H., Feb. 2, 1868 ; Charlie A., 
Oct. 3, 1874. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Perry Township, and brought up on a farm ; when 24 
years of age, he commenced the harness trade in Wood- 
berry, and worked at it six years ; at the end of this 
time, he returned to the farm, and has given it his at- 
tention since ; he now owns the north half of the north- 
east quarter of Sec. 22, on which he resides, and land 
in another part of the township. 

HUNTSMAN, AMARIAH C, was born and brought 
up on the northwest quarter of Sec. 22, Perry Town- 
ship, and has always resided there. He was married 
to Mary Culp, a daughter of George Gulp, who came 
from Maryland and settled in Troy Township in a very 
early day. Mr. Huntsman is a member of the M. E. 
Church, and a Class-leader ; his wife was also a mem- 
ber of the same church. He was born June 25, 1830 ; 
Mary Culp was born Sept. 9, 1833 ; they were married 
Sept. 29, 1857 ; children— Cassius, born Oct. 13, 1859; 
Wellington, Feb. 22, 1864; mother died Jan. 11, 1879. 
He was married to Maggie Isenberg Nov. 25, 1879 ; 
she was born May 14, 1849. 

LANTZ, SAMUEL, farmer; owns and resides upon 
the southeast quarter of Sec. 11 ; he was born in Lan- 
caster Co., Penn., and came with his father's family to 
Richland Co. in 1833, and settled in Madison Town- 
ship. His father, Abraham Lantz, was born in the 
same county in Pennsylvania, on May 4, 1791, and 
died at the age of 79 years and 17 days; he was a 
minister of the Reformed Mennonite Church, and a 
carpenter by trade, which he gave up for an agricult- 
ural life after he arrived in this county ; his wife was 
born May 5, 1795, and died Aug. 29, 1862. Samuel 
commenced to learn the blacksmith trade when 16 
years old, and set up for himself when 22 years old, 
working nine years ; he then commenced farming in 
AVeller Township ; in 1858, he removed to Ashland Co., 
where he lived eight years, and then on the farm he 
now owns. He was born July 3, 1821 ; Leah Brubaker 
was born in Ashland Co., July 24, 1825; they were 
married April 20, 1843; children — Henry B., born 
July 7, 1844; Catharine Ann, Jan. 4, 1846; Harriet, 



Oct. 1, 1847; Benjamin Franklin, Sept. 17, 1850; 
Mary M., March 29, 1853 ; Albert W., Sept. 5, 1855 ; 
Fanny Elizabeth, April 7, 1859; Abraham S., Aug. 29, 
1862 ; Sarah Jane, Aug. 5, 1865. Harriet died Oct. 
27, 1848. Mr. Lantz is a member of the Reformed 
Mennonite Church. 

LANTZ, HENRY B., farmer; was born in Weller 
Township, Richland Co., July 7, 1844; he was brought 
up on a farm, and moved with his father, to Perry 
Township in February, 1866. He was married Dec. 
19, 1872, to Mary E. Steel, daughter of John Steel, 
who was born Aug. 13, 1851 ; her mother's maiden 
name was Mary Knox ; they have one child, Arthur 
Milton, who was born Aug. 10, 1879. Mrs. Lantz 
united with the Evangelical Church when young in 
years ; Mr. Lantz united soon after marriage. 

McKINLEY, ALEXANDER, resides in Sec. 1, Perry 
Township; he was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., 
and moved with his parents to Wayne Co., Ohio, in 
1814; after marriage, he resided in Wayne Co. until 
February, 1827, when he moved near Perryville, Ohio ; 
he remained there about three years, and then moved 
on a farm near Springmills, this county ; on the 20th 
of December, 1864, he bought the place on which he 
now resides. Father McKinley was born in April, 
1800; Jerush Runyan, his wife, was born in Beaver Co., 
Penn., Jan. 2, 1807. They were married Feb. 5, 1829 ; 
children — Mariah, was born March 20, 1830 ; Eliza- 
beth, Aug. 6, 1832 ; Sarah, Oct. 26, 1834; Stetari, Feb. 
27, 1837 ; Caroline died at the age of 4 years, April 
3, 1839; Joseph was born Oct. 3. 1841 ; .James K. P., 
July 31, 1844; Prudence, June 24, 1847. 

OLIN, BENJAMIN, deceased; he came to Perry 
Township in 1866, and lived one year upon a farm 
owned by Nathaniel Olin, and the next year purchased 
the northwest quarter of Sec. 14, on which he ended his 
life. His father, Gideon Olin, was Major in Col. Her- 
rick's regiment in the Revolution; was Representative 
from Shaftsbury, Vt., fifteen years, seven of which he 
was Speaker; was Judge at Bennington some twelve 
years, and Chief Judge four years ; Member of Congress 
from 1808 to 1807. He died in 1833. Benjamin Olin 
was born in Bennington Co., Vt., Dec. 2, 1802. He 
commenced to read law at an early age, and was Judge 
of the County Court before marriage, and about ten 
years after. He was married, Oct. 12, 1842, to Betsey 
McCowen. Children — Catharine S., was born March 7, 
1844 ; Gideon, Aug. 8, 1845 ; Mary D., March 20, 
1847 ; Elizabeth, Sept. 8, 1849. Mary died March 12, 
1848. Father died Aug. 15, 1874. Catharine married 
George Hill Sept. 24, 1866. Gideon married Mary E. 
Amos Aug. 17, 1807 ; she was born in May, 1848, and 
died Aug. 30, 1872. 

PAINTER, GEORGE, owns and resides on the ex- 
treme southeast 80 acres of Perry Township ; he is a 
son of John Painter, who was born in Frederick Co., 
Va., July 18, 1775; in 1811, John Painter moved to 
Belmont Co.," and to Perry Township in 1813, and en- 
tered a quarter of Sec. 36 ; his neighbors were David 
and Robert Ewers, Philip Zolomon, Amos Hartly, Will- 
iam Mahagan, Moses Parker and Samuel Devoe ; George 
Painter was born in Perry Township on the farm of his 
present residence, Feb. 4, 1822. He was married to 
Mary Thumb, daughter of Christopher Thumb, Oct. 8, 



'4< 



862 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1846; she was born June 10, 1822; their children 
were Robert E., was born June 24, 1847 ; Melvina, 
May 26, 1849; Wilson, Sept. 17, 1850; Elizabeth, May 
10, 1852. Robert E. died Oct. 23, 1854; Elizabeth died 
Dec. 27, 1852, and the mother May 4, 1853. Mr. 
Painter was married to Amelia French June 17, 1860 ; 
she was born Nov. 13, 1839 ; three children were born 
unto them, namely: Albert F., May 17, 1861 ; Nettie, 
Oct. 3, 1863 ; and an infant in 1865 ; Amelia Painter 
died in 1866. Mr. Painter went with the 163d National 
Guards in the service. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Church, and his first wife also was. 

PARKER, ROBERT (deceased), was born in Mary- 
land, Baltimore Co., in 1786, and came to Perry Town- 
ship in 1827, in a one-horse wagon ; he entered 80 acres 
of the northeast quarter of Sec. 15. He was married 
to Elizabeth Shultz, and they had eleven children, 
namely: Susannah, Mary, Henry, James, Elizabeth, 
Catharine, Caroline, Ellen, Anna, George and John ; 
three of the brothers and four sisters are dead ; Mr. 
Parker died May 7, 1852, and his wife Aug. 6, 1877, 
aged 77 years 9 months and 23 days. George, the re- 
maining brother, lives on a part of Sec. 14, and was 
born in the township July 17, 1838 ; he commenced to 
teach school in 1861 ; he is now Township Clerk. 

PHILLIPS, THOMAS, was born in Dorchester Co., 
Md.; he came with his parents to Ohio in 1812, and 
they settled in Jefferson Co., and, in 1819, moved to 
Jackson Co. The subject of this sketch came to Perry 
Township in 1824, alone, to visit his sister, married to 
Joseph Pumphrey. He married one of Abraham Ilet- 
rick's daughters. Mr. Hetrick came from York Co., 
Penn., and settled in Perry Township in 1814. Mr. 
Phillips began his career as a citizen and farmer on Sec. 
8, where he resided four years. In 1829, he purchased 
a part of Sec. 10, and, in 1830, built a part of the mill 
now known as Frairie's or Corbett's factory. In 1835, 
a grist-mill was attached, and two sets of buhrs run. It 
continued under his management till 184f<, when he 
sold to Frairie, and for a time thereafter gave his en- 
tire attention to farming. In 1858, he erected a saw- 
mill on his possession, and has operated it up to this 
time. Mr. Phillips is in possession of great mechanical 
genius, and is able to perform almost any work he 
turns his hand to do. He has been a person of great 
muscular strength and physical endurance, and has left 
his mark upon the pioneer wilderness of Perry Town- 
ship, during his residence of sixty-five year-<. He was 
a Trustee of his township many years. Mr. Phillips 
was born Jan. 13, 1800. His first wife, Sarah Hetrick, 
was born Nov. 16, 1807. They were married March 3, 
1825. Childrep — Temperance, born Nov. 29, 1825; 
George Washington, July 19, 1827 ; Sarah Ann, April 
22,1829; ]Mary, Jan. 22, 1831 ; Caroline, Oct. 11, 1833; 
Darius, Jan. 13, 1835; Elizabeth, Feb. 10, 1840; Will- 
iam H , Jan. 11, 1842; Martha, Feb. 5, 1844; Loviua, 
Feb. 12, 1846 ; Margaret Ann, Nov. 28, 1850. Sarah 
Phillips died June 19, 1851; married Jacintha Cook 
Feb. 26, 1862 ; she was John Cook's daughter, who 
came to Perry Township in 1812 ; she was born Sept. 
1, 1813. Deaths— George, died March 1, 1874; Darius, 
Feb. 8, 1851 ; William went to the war of the rebellion 
in the 64th 0. V. I., and was killed at the battle of 



Stone River Dec. 31, 1862 ; Thomas M. went to the war 
in the 83d 0. V. I., and was at the capture of Harpers 
Ferry, 

POORMAN, SAMUEL, farmer; he was born in Perry 
Township, Richland Co., and brought up on a farm; 
after marriage, he moved to Morrow Co.; after remain- 
ing a few years, he moved to Fulton Co., which was in 
the spring of 1864 ; since then, he has lived in Morrow 
Co., and, in the spring of 1876, returned to Perry 
Township. Mrs. Poorman was a daughter of John 
Dillon Burke, and her mother's name before marriage 
was Elizabeth Arbuckle. Samuel Poorman was born 
Feb. 20, 1831; Sarah Burke was born July 4, 1835; 
they were married March 8, 1857; children — lone, was 
born Jan. 17, 1858; Clinton, May 29, 1861; Martha, 
Sept. 26, 1865. Mrs. Poorman is a member of the M. 
E. Church. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania and 
father in Virginia. 

RUHLE, HENRY, farmer; resides near the western 
line of Perry, now in Morrow Co., where his father and 
he commenced in the woods, and cleared a farm. He 
was born in York Co., Penn., April 14, 1808, and 
brought up on a farm. His father came to Perry Town- 
ship in the month of May, 1833, He was married to 
Catharine A. Patterson March 20, 1834, who came to 
Richland Co, from Maryland with her parents in 1825 ; 
their children are Helen Elizabeth, born Feb. 28, 1835, 
and died in infancy ; Kate, born Sept. 10, 1837 ; Leah, 
born Dec, 15, 1839. Leah was married to Byron Laver- 
ing; Kate married Jacob Rule April 23, 1865, who is 
a farmer and grain thrasher, and was born in Ohio ; 
Eva is their oldest child, born Sept. 24, 1866; Herma, 
born April 21, 1871 : Idella, born Nov. 17, 1874. Mr. 
Ruble and his wife are members of the Lutheran 
Church ; he united when 24 years af age, and she, 
about 1849. Mr. Ruble is an estimable citizen, and 
filled the oifice of Township Trustee for eleven years. 

RUHL, JOHN, farmer, resides on a part of Sec 23, 
which he owns ; his father, George Ruhl, was born 
about the year 1788, in Pennsylvania, and migrated to 
Richland Co., and settled on Sec. 13, Perry Township, 
in the fall of 1812 ; he had seventeen children — Wash- 
ington, Levi, Amos, Jeremiah, Adam, Charles, Isaac, 
David, William, Sarah, Hannah, John, George, Henry, 
Elias, Elizabeth and Elijah. He entered the land upon 
which his son now resides ; he came from York Co., 
Penn., in a wagon, and was obliged to cut his road 
from Bellville to the place he settled. The Indians 
frequently visited his cabin, and borrowed cooking pots, 
dishes and other things, which they always returned 
according to promise. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Perry Township, and has always followed farm- 
ing as an occupation ; he commenced to keep house in 
Congress Township, Morrow Co., where he resided until 
he moved to the place he now owns ; he was born Oct. 28, 
1824. Elizabeth Bisel, daughter of Emanuel Bisel and 
Catherine Black, was born April 18, 1825 ; they were 
married Aug. 4, 1846; children — Charlotte was born 
June 9, 1847; Jonas W., July 27, 1849; .Jason J.. 
April 15, 1851 ; Benjamin F., June 27, 1853 ; Davis 
M., June 11, 1855. 

SHIVELY, JACOB; thesubjectofthissketvh was born 
in Franklin Co., Penn.; he came with his parents to Perry 






■>K* 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



863 



Township in the spring of 1836. He formed a matrimo- 
nial union with Adaline Lamb April 25, 1850, after which 
he moved on a part of Sec. 3, where he now resides ; they 
had three children: John was born .June 20, 1851 ; 
Frank, Nov. 30, 1852; Martha A., April 16, 1856. 
John died Oct. 2, 1854, and his mother died July 26, 
1856. He then left his farm and lived with his father 
until the commencement of the war. He enlisted in 
1861, went to the front, and was in the battles of Chick- 
amauga, Missionary Ridge, accompanied Gen. Sherman 
in his southern campaign, and was wounded in the left 
thigh near the knee, at Dallas, Ga. This happened in 
June, 1864, and he was discharged from the hospital 
.Jan. 1, 1865. He returned, and on Oct. 24, 1865, 
united in matrimony with Mary A. Croft : she was 
born Nov. 15, 1840, and tad two children : Lewis was 
born May 13, 1867, and Benjamin April 26, 1868 ; their 
mother died July 12, 1873. He married Cindrilla 
Craven March 21, 1878 ; she was born Aug. 17, 1826. 
:\[r. Shively has held the office of Township Trustee 
several years, likewise the offices of Assessor, Clerk 
and Land Appraiser. He is a member of the Richland 
Grange, in which he has filled the position of Master, 
Chaplain and other offices ; he is also a member of the 
Johnsville L 0. 0. F. society. 

SNYDER, HENRY, farmer ; born in York Co., Penn., 
Sept. 9, 1811, and came with his father to Ohio in 1832. 
He remained two and a half years, and then returned 
to Pennsylvania, and, in 1835, was married to Eliza 
Steffy ; one child was born Sept. 2, 1836, named Ed- 
ward. Mrs. S. soon after died. He married Catharine 
SteflFy, who was born in Pennsylvania June 17, 1821, 
in June, 1839. They resided in Pennsylvania till 1849, 
when they came to Perry, and settled on his father's 
farm in the extreme northwest corner of the township, 
and yet lives there. They are members of the German 
Reformed Church. His children by his second wife are 
Elizabeth, born July 3, 1840 ; Sarah, died in infancy ; 
Mary Ann, Dec. 17, 1843; .Julie Ann, Oct. 24, 1846 ; 
Daniel, Jan. 4, 1848; Catharine, March 10, 1850; 
John, July 10, 1852 ; Henry, Feb. 4, 1854 ; Eliza, May 
6, 1856; George, May 7, 1858; Jacob, July 16, 1860. 
John died in infancy, and Mary Ann when 14 years 
and 11 months old. 

STEEL, JOHN, is a son of James Steel, who was 
born June 15, 1789, and was married to Elizabeth Fis- 
sel; he came to Richland Co. in the spring of 1818, 
and settled on Sec. 13, Perry Township ; his children 
are Catharine, Elizabeth, Mary, John, Alexander,' Car- 
oline, Julia Ann, Rebecca. John, whose name heads 
this sketch, was born in Perry Township Sept. 10, 
1818. He was married to Margaret M. Knox Jan. 18, 
1848; she was born Dec. 25, 1825, and died Oct. 11, 
1852; hei* children are James, born April 1, 1849; 
Mary E., Aug. 13, 1851. Mr. Steel was married to 
Mary A. Campbell May 9, 1854, who was born March 
29, 1831 ; her children are Caroline, born March 17, 
1855; John S., Jan. 11, 1857; Horace C, Sept. 28, 
1858; William H., Sept. 26, 1860; Samuel C, March 
13, 1862; Charlie, Jan. 28. 1864; Laura, Dec. 28, 1865; 
Frank, March 28, 1867 ; Cora, March 22, 1869 ; Jud- 
son, Feb. 18, 1871 ; Jessie, Jan. 28, 1873 ; Emma, Feb. 



22, 1875 ; Caroline and Laura are deceased. Mr. Steel 
is an estimable citizen and a consistent Christian. 

STROME, SAMUEL (deceased), was born in Lebanon 
Co., Penn., in 1803, and was united in matrimony in 
1826, to Mary Ann Eckerd, who was born in October, 
1805; they removed to Cumberland Co., Penn., in 
1838, and bought a part of Sec. 11, on which the re- 
mainder of his days were passed. He was a local 
minister in the Evangelical Church. Children — Jonas, 
born in 1828; Malinda, in 1830; Cyrus, Aug. 30, 
1831 ; Daniel, Oct. 4, 1833. Jonas was married to 
Mary A. Hurna,,and now resides in Nebraska. He 
commenced to preach for the Evangelical Association 
when 21 years of age. and for many years has been a 
circuit preacher. Malinda was married to David 
Marks, and resides in Iowa ; Daniel married Sarah 
Eckerd ; Cyrus resides upon the old homestead. 

STREBY, JOHN, farmer; born in York Co., Penn., 
Jan. 3, 1816, and came with his parents to Sec. 3, 
where they cleared a farm, and he has since lived ; they 
migrated in 1834. He was married to Lucy Grimes, 
Nov. 26, 1840, who came with her parents from Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., to Washington Township. They are 
members of the Lutheran Church, and united in 1849 ; 
their children are Catharine, born Dec. 3, 1841 ; Eliza- 
beth, born Jan. 1, 1843; Mary .Jane, born Sept. 15, 
1844; Franklin, born March 17, 1847, died June 9, 
1850; George, born July 14, 1848; John Lewis, born 
Dec. 19, 1852, died Sept. 3, 1854; Albert, born May 
21, 1855. Father George Streby, died at the age of 
73 years and 23 days, Dec. 16, 1866, and his wife, Eliza- 
beth, at the age of 77 years 6 months and 3 days. May 
19, 1867. 

THUMA, SARAH, born in Virginia July 13, 1823, 
and when about 5 years old, she moved, with her par- 
ents, to Martinsburgh, or near, then to Delaware Co., 
Ohio, in 1833. At the age of 22, she moved into Mor- 
row Co., Ohio, and was there married to Peter Thuma 
Sept. 27, 1866 ; they moved on his homestead in Sec, 
2, where she has since lived. Her husband died Jan. 
6, 1874. Mrs. Thuma has been a member of the 
United Brethren Church since 1866 ; she commenced 
to teach school when 22 years of age, and taught eight 
terms ; she concluded her studies at the Central Ohio 
College. 

WALTERS, JACOB, was born three miles west of 
Mansfield and brought up a farmer ; he commenced to 
work at the carpenter trade in 1847, taking it up on 
his own accord, and followed the business three years ; 
in 1851, he bought a quarter of Sec. 12 and has made 
his home on it ever since ; he bought an interest in a 
thrashing machine the same year, and has given his 
attention, in the season, to operating a machine of this 
kind almost evei-y year since; he became partner in the 
ownership of a saw-mill in 1872 and is yet interested 
in one ; by the failure of Henry Faus, he came in pos- 
session of a shoe store in Bellville, which he now man- 
ages. On Dec. 11, 1878, a nail flew as he was driving 
it into a board, and struck one of his eyes and put it 
out. Mr. Walters was born June 28, 1825; Susan 



^ 



864 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Coon was born Aug. 26, 1825 ; they were married Oc- 
tober 17, 1848 ; births — Mary Ellen, was born July 12, 
1849; Margaret Ann, Aug. 16, 1851 ; Martin, July 22, 
1853; Freemont, April 28, 1855; William D., Aug. 1, 
1856; Elizabeth A., Jan. 16, 1859; Lorana, April 11, 
1861 ; Moses L., June 14, 1864; John Lewis, July 10, 



1866; Laura, Sept. 22, 1869; deaths— Elizabeth A. 
died Feb. 11, 1864; Freemont, J.an. 21,1868 John 
Coon, Mrs. Walters' grandfather, came from Belmont 
Co. and settled on Sec. 12, in Perry Township in 1812 : 
he moved in an old Pennsylvania wagon, which he used 
as a dwelling while he erected a cabin. 



PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 



BEELMAN, M. B., manufacturer and dealer in mold- 
ings, frames, etc., etc., Plymouth; was born Dec. 6, 
1846, in Plymouth Township ; when but 8 years of age 
the family moved to town, where he received his educa- 
tion; he afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed for eight years; in 1870, he became one of 
the proprietors of the Plymouth Novelty Works ; they 
found a ready sale for their wares — manufactured mold- 
ings, picture frames, etc., in all styles and varieties. 
In October, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Meeker; 
they have two children — Calvin, born Sept. 27, 1870 ; 
Ethel, born April 4, 1876. Mr. Beelman's shop is on 
Plymouth street. In February, 1865, he enlisted in 
Co. G, 191st 0. V. I. ; the regiment spent most of the 
time in Virginia. 

BEELMAN, B. F., he was born April 14, 1849, in 
this township ; in his 9th year, the family moved to 
Plymouth, where he received his education ; being a 
natural-born mechanic, he learned the carpenter's 
trade at the age of 16, and originated the Plymouth 
Novelty Works, also the first to patent a miter machine 
of which he sold thousands ; after the novelty works 
were under headway, he took the road to sell and in- 
troduce their work, which consists of brackets, stands, 
all manner of toilet and fancy work, picture frames, 
moldings, etc.; he now has a large assortment of goods 
on hand, and is shipping to nearly every State in the 
Union. Mr. Beelman was married in 1870 to Miss 
Smith, daughter of Dr. S. S. Smith, of Plymouth, whom 
he has greatly aided in the preparation and sale of the 
Doctor's " King of Cure," one of the best family medi- 
cines made. 

BEELMAN, J. FRANK, editor and proprietor of the 
V\jmouth. Advertiser ; was born in Plymouth July 31, 
1847; raised and educated here, and grew up with the 
town. In 1869, he, together with a Mr. Webber, 
opened a book and notion store under the firm name of 
Webber & Beelman. In August, 1872, he disposed of 
his interest in the bookstore, and became associated 
with and in the Plymouth Advertiser oflBce. In April, 
1876, he sold his interest, and in December following, 
he purchased the office and became sole proprietor, 
since which time the Advertiser has been on a solid 
and firm basis, and has a circulation and support sec- 
ond to no other paper in the county, with the jobbing 
department complete, which does credit and honor to 
the proprietor. Mr. Beelman is one of the first and 
foremost men in town, as the success of the Advertiser 
would indicate. lie is Secretary of the Plymouth 
Agricultural Society, Township Clerk, and has occupied 
other offices in the gift of the people with marked satis- 



faction to all, and withal is a man well worthy the 
position he holds in society. He was married, Oct. 8, 
1874, to Miss Frank Gipson, of Plymouth ; they have 
one child — Grace W., born Oct. 10, 1876. Mr. B. was 
taken from school when 14 years of age, and served as 
apprentice in the printing business three and a half 
years. Finishing this, he engaged as clerk in the store 
of S. M. Robinson & Co., with whom he remained four 
years, until he formed partnership with Mr. Webber. 

BEVIER, CALEB, farmer and stock-dealer; P.O. 
Plymouth ; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1820 ; 
moved to Plymouth Township in 1824 ; the family first 
settled near where the village of Shiloh now stands ; they 
lived in an old log schoolhouse ; in October, they moved 
into their own house, where Mr. Bevier spent most of 
his life to the time of his marriage, which occurred in 
1845 ; his lady's name was Miss Cornelia Brinkerhoff", 
of New Haven Township, Huron Co.; in 1846, they 
moved on the present farm ; they commenced in the 
woods, and fully understand what the name of 
"pioneer" means; the first team he ever owned was 
an ox team ; used to drive them when they went to 
church or visiting. ^Ir. Bevier has one of the finest 
farms and residences in the township, and has every 
improvement and building that is necessary, or that he 
could wish for. The farm consists of 203 acres, 150 
acres well improved. Mr. Bevier is one of the reliable 
and influential men of the county ; has served as 
Treasurer of Plymouth Township for thirteen years, 
and is now serving his third term as Justice of the 
Peace ; his farm and residence is five miles south of 
Plymouth, near the Bucyrus road. Mrs. Bevier was 
born in Owasco in 1820 ; in 1837, her folks moved to 
Ohio; she died June 23, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Bevier 
were both born in the same town ; they have had 
nine children, seven of whom are now living. 

BODLEY, JOHN J., farmer; P. 0. Plymouth; was 
born July 8, 1829. He has always been at home, and 
now owns and occupies the old homestead. Was mar- 
ried April 11, 1831, to Mary W. Livingston, of Auburn, 
Cayuga Co., N. Y., where she was educated and lived 
until their removal to Plymouth, April 18, 1860 ; she 
was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 14, 1838; they 
have an adopted son, George McLelland Bodley ; he is 
about 15 years of age. The old house, a frame, was 
built in 1834, and is one of the oldest frames in the 
township ; they have a table made out of the wagon- 
box that they moved to Plymouth in, made in 1818 or 
1819 ; they also have a sword, a relic of the war of 
1812. His father, Jesse Bodley, and family, came to 
Plymouth in 1818; they started from Owasco., N. Y., 



7" 



-Al 



PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 



865 



Sept. 15, and landed here one month after, Oct. 
15, 1818; they traveled all the way with an ox 
team. The names of the children are as follows : Di- 
nah, born May 8, 1816 (she married George Kellogg, 
April 24, 1834, and lives in Fulton Co., Ohio); Will- 
iam E., born Feb. 1, 1819 (he was the first white child 
born in this vicinity ; married Sarah A. Shaw, who 
died May 1, 18r)l, and he died June 29, 1857); Sam- 
uel, born Nov. 17, 1821 (married Harriet Richardson, 
April 9, 1846) ; Wilson, born April 10, 1825 (married, 
Feb. 3, 1848, to Orlena Richardson ; they had six chil- 
dren, five of whom are now living) ; .John J., subject 
of this sketch; Enocif Conger, born Nov. 30, 1831 (he 
graduated at Mansfield ; was married May 6, 1860, to 
Martha A. Case, of Bodino, N. Y., and now resides in 
San .Jose, Cal.; in the mercantile trade) ; Nancy Ma- 
riah, born March 14, 1835 (she lives with John J.). A 
brother of Jesse, William W., came to Richland Co. at 
the same time ; he was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., April 
2, 1797 ; they first came here in 1817, and, getting their 
land, returned to New York, and the next year moved 
here; he was married May 8, 1823, to Margaret H. 
Brink ; they had five children ; he died Nov. 11, 1849 ; 
his widow married James Ralston April 6, 1850; she 
died April 27, 1868. 

BRIGGS, ROBERT, farmer ; P. 0. Plymouth ; was 
born in Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 1, 1830; the fam- 
ily landed in Richland Co. when Mr. Briggs was but 3 
years of age, and has lived in the county ever since, 
except one year that he lived in Hardin Co., Ohio, and 
has seen this country when it was very wild and but 
very little improvements were then made ; he has 
grown up with the country ; he now has a very fine 
farm only a few miles south of Plymouth. Was mar- 
ried in 1859, to Miss Martha Doty, of Richland Co. ; 
they have one child, a daughter. When Mr. Briggs' 
father came here, he had to stand up in the saddle on 
the back of his horse and tie a knot in the limbs of a 
tree to mark the place for his farm, as the land was 
covered with a dense forest. 

BRINKERHOFF, JOSIAH, banker. Plymouth ; was 
born in December, 1815, in Cayuga Co., N. Y.; the 
family came West in 1834, to Plymouth Township; was 
raised a farmer, and, some twenty-one years ago, he 
moved to town. Mr. B. has been one of the prominent 
men of Plymouth, and ever ready to lend a helping 
hand to any improvement or enterprise for the benefit 
of the town or community ; in the spring of 1874, he 
was elected President of the First National Bank, 
which position he now holds to the satisfaction of all 
concerned. 

BROWN, OLIVER G., farmer and stock-dealer; 
P. 0. Shelby ; was born in Virginia, in 1833 ; his 
father, Mr. James Brown, came with his family to 
Plymouth in 1885, and from there moved to their pres- 
ent farm ; there were six girls and two sons, three of 
the girls having died ; when they bought ihe farm, 
there was but very little improvement: — only a log 
house and, perhaps, twenty acres of cleared land, and, 
by hard work, they have now as fine a farm as there is 
in this part of the township ; Mr. Oliver G. Brown now 
is living on the old homestead where he was raised. 
He was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth M. Castor, 
of Plymouth Township ; soon after their marriage, 



they moved to Iowa, where they resided for nineteen 
years ; he was engaged in farming and stock-dealing, 
buying and shipping. In 1876, they came back to 
their old home, where they are now living; they have 
five children now living, two sons at Salina, Kan., 
and one daughter married, and now lives at East Woolf, 
Russell Co., Kan., and two at home. Mr. James 
Brown was at one time in business at Shelby : 
was in the hotel business for about two years, 
when he went into business as a partner of Mr. 
Mickey; about the year 1843, he moved back to the 
old farm, where he has since lived ; Mrs. Brown died 
Sept. 16, 1869. Mr. Brown and his family are highly 
respected citizens, and are well known throughout the 
community. Farm and residence south of Plymouth, 
on the northwest quarter of Sec. 31, about three miles 
northwest of Shelby. 

BRUBAKEll, J. C, merchant, Plymouth; was born 
Nov. 26, 1846, in Huron Co., Ohio; lived on the farm 
until 1869, when he came to Plymouth to attend school, 
and afterward was engaged as salesman in a groceiy 
store till April 11, 1874, when he engaged in the 
business for himself, and has been very successful, and 
has a trade second to no other est.ablishment of the 
kind in town. He was married to ^liss Ellen Tyson 
March 11, 1872; they have three children — Loita, 
born Sept. 25, 1878; May, April 17, 1876; Anna. Feb. 
15, 1878. 

CHANNING, J. R., farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. 
Plymouth ; was born and educated in England, and the 
family came to this country in 1851, and to Plymouth 
Township in 1870; he has one of the finest farms lo 
be found in the county, and the buildings that he is 
putting up surpass anything of the kind in the county ; 
he has just completed a barn 42x70 feet, being a bank 
barn and stabling under the whole of it, and for con- 
venience and stability is far ahead of his neighbors': 
when he put the roof on, he would paint each course of 
shingles with lead and oil, and has consumed in tl)e 
building eighty-three gallons linseed oil, and l,20i> 
pounds best white lead ; the whole building is put up 
in a workmanlike manner, and has cost him not far 
from $3,000. Mr. Channing is one of the successful 
men in the county, having made his money by hard and 
honest labor ; residence and farm on Shiloh road, one 
and one-half miles south of Plymouth. Was married 
in October, 1864, to Miss Margaret Fulmer, of Ashland 
Co., Ohio; they have four children, all boys — W. G., 
born Sept. 1, 1865; A. J., born April 19, 1867; J. H., 
born March 28, 1873 ; Edward J., born Nov. 28, 1874. 

CLARK, ANDREW, proprietor planing-milland sash, 
blind and door factory ; was born in 1833, in Connecti- 
cut ; was raised a farmer ; when 22 years of age, went 
to California ; he was there engaged in mining for 
nearly ten years ; in 1869, he moved to Plymouth ; has 
been engaged in man^lf^^cturing washing machines ; in 
1872, Mr. Clark built a planing-mill and sash, door and 
blind factory ; he also is quite an extensive lumber 
dealer, and constantly has on hand a good stock of lum- 
ber, lath, shingles, and everything pertaining to his 
business. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Margaret 
Coe, of Ashland Co.; they have two children — Emma 
Grace, born Nov. 9, 1871 ; Charles Walter, May 28, 



k. 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1877. Residence and factory on High street, near the 
B. & 0. R. R. 

CLARK, ELI, farmer, and owns a saw-mill ; P. 0. 
Plymouth ; was born in 1824, in Connecticut ; in the 
spring of 1846, the family came to Plymouth Township ; 
they purchased a farm that was somewhat improved, 
but, generally speaking, it was very wild. His farm 
lies about three miles southwest of Plymouth. In 1848, 
he purchased the first saw-mill that was brought into 
the country. It was brought here during the building 
of the railroad ; after the road was built, ]\Ir. Clark 
bought the mill, and moved it to his farm, about four 
miles south of Plymouth. He has remodeled and re- 
built it, until it is all of modern style and improve- 
ments, and turns out work second to none. Was mar- 
ried, in 1850, to Miss BoUes, of Connecticut ; they have 
three sons. His father bought the farm where Mr. 
Clark now lives, where he resided till his death, which 
occurred in 1871. His sous, Eli and John, bought the 
farm. 

DRONBERGER, L. R., druggist's traveling salesman, 
Plymouth ; was born Feb. 18, 1850, in Homer, Medina 
Co., Ohio. Mr. E. Dronberger, his father, moved to 
Richland Co. in the spring of 1853 ; bought a farm in 
the northwest corner of Plymouth Township, where the 
family lived till April, 1870, when they moved to 
Plymouth and engaged in the drug business, under the 
firm name of E. Dronberger & Son, where they did a 
profitable business and had a trade second to no other 
establishment of the kind in the town; in May, 1873, 
they met with a severe loss by fire, which consumed 
nearly everything they had ; not long after the fire, 
Mr. L. R. Dronberger moved to Newark, Ohio, where 
they again purchased a stock of drugs and medicines 
and ran business for some time ; when they sold out 
their business, he moved to Flint, Mich., and was en- 
gaged as head clerk in a large retail drug and prescrip- 
tion store for a year or more, when he engaged to a 
wholesale drug house of Detroit as traveling salesman, 
and has continued in this business for the past three 
years with marked saccess, as he makes many friends 
wherever he goes ; he has made several changes in em- 
ployers, and every time for the better, and now is with 
a New York firm, and he holds a good and increasing 
trade for himself and employers by his general good- 
will and manliness. Was married, June 10, 1873, to 
Miss Frank Gunsaullus, of Plymouth. 

FACKLER, Dr. J. M., homoeopathic physician, Ply- 
mouth ; was born in Weller Township, Richland Co., 
Ohio, April 7, 1838 ; raised a farmer until he com- 
menced the study of medicine ; attended the schools 
of Haysville, Ohio, and Academy of Savannah, Ohio ; 
commenced the study of medicine in 1859 ; attended 
the Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College in 1863-64; 
received the degree of M. D. at the Pulte Homoeopathic 
Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1877 ; he has 
been practicing medicine for seventeen years, with 
marked success, and the last ten years at Plymouth ; 
the doctor fully understands his profession, and is 
regarded throughout the country as one of the best, 
and has a large and inci-easing practice, so much so 
that he was compelled to take a partner, and both 
are now kept busy. He was married to Miss Martha 
N. Fancher in 1862 ; they had two children— Nellie, 



born July 28, 1864; Clauda Blanche, May 28, 1873; 
died Dec. 12, 1878. 

DRENNAN, JAMES (deceased); he was born in 
Carlisle, Penn., Feb. 18, 1783. When about 4 years of 
age, his father, David Drennan, moved from Carlisle to 
Beaver Co , making the journey across the mountains 
with pack-horses. Mrs. D. carried James on her knee, 
while she rode a horse. His father became Judge of 
Common Pleas Court there, and lived there until his 
death. When James was about 17 years of age, he was 
bound out to a cabinet-maker to learn the trade. After 
serving three years, he bought his time on credit of his 
master, and came to Stfeubenville, Ohio, where he took 
a job of carpenter work on bridges, at which he earned 
enough to pay his master for his time. He worked 
at his trade in Steubenville,Chillicothe, New Lisbon and 
Canton, settling in the latter place late in January, 1 810. 
He married here Jane Patten, who bore him four chil- 
dren ; she died Feb. 7, 1818. Sept. 27, 1819, he mar- 
ried Eliza Wolf, the first schoolmistress in Mansfield, 
and, in 1821, moved to the latter place, where he re- 
sided till 1825, when he removed to Plymouth. He 
lived in Plymouth until his death, which occurred Dec. 
23, 1859. During the war of 1812, Mr. D. served as 
Lieutenant until he recruited two companies, when he 
was given a captain's commission, and was ordered to 
the front, where he served under Gen. Harrison. His 
eldest son, David Armstrong, was licensed as a Meth- 
odist preacher at the age of 22, and died soon after at 
Sandusky City. The second son that grew to manhood, 
John P., was a merchant in Mansfield till the late war, 
when, in 1861, he enlisted. After the war closed, he 
settled in Roodhouse, 111., where he is now living. The 
third son, William W., has been a merchant andfarmer, 
and now resides in Plymouth. The fourth son, James P., 
was a lawyer ; he unfortunately lost his life by a steam- 
boat accident on the Mississippi River when he was 23 
years old. The fifth son, Jacob Manuel, is a Presby- 
terian clergyman in New York City. Two daughters ' 
and one son died while young. Two daughters are now 
married — Mrs. Robert McDonough, now living in Plym- 
outh, and Mrs. B. A. Cash, in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

DRENNAN, William W., lawyer. He was born in 
Canton July 18, 1820 ; when he was about 1 year old, 
his parents moved to Mansfield, and four years after, to 
Plymouth ; since then Mr. Drennan has always lived 
in this county, save four years, when he was residing 
in Muskingum Co.; three years in Cincinnati, and a 
temporary residence in the South. When he was 12 
years old, he was apprenticed to a dry-goods merchant 
to learn the business ; the terms of his indenture were 
service and obedience on his part, and boarding and a 
monthly payment in money on the master's part, in- 
stead of "clothing, schooling and freedom suit," as was 
customary in binding boys in those days ; he was not 
out of employment until he was 25 years old. At that 
age, he went into business for himself, succeeding 
Messrs. Barker, in Plymouth ; since then he has been 
engaged in mercantile, produce and commission busi- 
ness and dealing in real estate, and in practicing law. 
He was married March 28, 1850, to Hannah Brinker- 
hoS, of Cayuga (^o., N. Y.; they are the par- 
ents of six children, three of whom died in infancy, 



^ 



Al: 




and three (one son and two daughters) are now growing 
into manhood and womanhood. 

FENNER, FELIX (deceased), was born near Bethle- 
hem, Penn., and raised a farmer ; he located about 
1813, on a small farm, and carried on blacksmithiug; 
in 1825, moved to Lansing Township, Tompkins Co., 
N. Y., where he worked at his trade; in 1831, went to 
Ohio to look up a home for his already large family ; 
he soon after returned, having been much encouraged 
by his visit, and in 1832 moved to Ohio, and soon after 
bought 122 acres of land in the woods, with a little 
log house on it, and about half an acre cleared. On 
Jan. 12, 1813, was married to Miss Elizabeth Trauger ; 
they had twelve children, nine of whom are living. Mr. 
Fenner died Dec. 7, 1877 ; he left a good farm with all 
good buildings and 75 acres cleared and fenced. He 
had filled many of the township offices in the gift of 
the people. He was quite a musician in his younger 
days, and at one time had the honor of being the organ- 
ist in the large Moravian Church of Bethlehem, Penn. 

FENNER, F. T., farmer and stock-raiser ; was born 
in August, 1825, in Tompkins Co., N. Y.; the family 
came West when Mr. Fenner was quite small ; he was 
raised a farmer, and from the manner in. which he does 
business, one is led to the belief that he fully under- 
stands every thing that he undertakes ; he has, perhaps, 
as nice a farm as there is in the township, and his 
judgment on matters pertaining to the farm or stock- 
raising is considered solid. He was elected Township 
Trustee in 1866, and has held the office ever since, ex- 
cept one year, and has been Judge of Election at the 
three last Presidential elections ; he has, perhaps, 
threshed more grain than any other man in the county, 
as he has followed it for twenty-eight years ; he has 
come up from almost nothing to be a very wealthy man. 
Was married in 1848 to Miss Mary E. Hills ; they have 
four children — Sarah J., born September, 1849; Clara 
E., born July, 1854; Henry L., born October, 1856; 
Ida Adora, born in 1863. Mr. Fenner has been en- 
gaged in the manufacture of sorghum molasses for the 
past eighteen years, and, like his farming, has made 
it a success. 

FENNER, CORNELIUS, farmer and stock-raiser, 
P. 0. Plymouth; was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y.; 
April 11, 1831 ; the family came VVestwhen Mr. Fenner 
was but 1 year old, landing in New Haven, Ohio. One 
year after this, his father, Mr. Felix Fenner, bought 
the present farm, there being but half an acre cleared 
and a small log house, he building the present house 
and the old barns on the homestead, consisting of 122 
acres. Mr. Fenner died in November, 1856. Soon 
after his death, his son, Mr. C. Fenner, took charge of 
the farm, and now, together with what he has added to 
it and improvements made, makes it a premium farm. 
Mr. Fenner lived in Iowa four years, and came back 
after the death of his father. In 1863, he bought the 
farm, which is situated on the Columbus State road, 
one-half mile from the Huron Co. line. His principal 
farming is grain raising, and he raises and keeps stock 
enough to be profitable, and it is safe to say that Mr. 
Fenner is one of the first men in the county, and of 
good business principles. He has served a number of 
terms each as School Director and Supervisor. Was 
married, Dec. 29, 1863, to Miss Sarah A. Sheeley ; 



they have three children — Frank C, born Jan. 8, 1868 ; 
Anna Bertha, Nov. 6, 1870 ; Charlie W., Dec. 22, 1873. 
Mr. Fenner' s mother now lives with him ; she is nearly 
87 years old, and very active and smart for a person of 
such advanced years. Mr. Fenner has one of the finest 
barns in the country. It is finished up in good style, 
and has all the modern improvements ; he has storage 
for 1,500 bushels of grain, with nearly all the con- 
veniences that a well-informed man could make. The 
building is 40x66 feet, with stabling under the whole 
building, with " shoots " for grain and hay, so that his 
feeding can be done without going out of the stable ; he 
has every facility for keeping stock, as his farm 
abounds with living water and a " spring- fed " creek. 
The farm now, with what he has added to it, makes it 
153 acres of the choicest kind of land. 

GETMAN, J. B., druggist, Plymouth; was born in 
Columbia, Herkimer'Co., N. Y.; received his education 
at Whitestown. March 30, 1857, came to Plymouth, 
where he was engaged to teach in the public schools, 
which position he held for seven years without inter- 
ruption. On the 5th day of December, 1863, he en- 
gaged in the drug business, and has been known 
throughout the country as a reliable and proficient 
druggist. He has been a member of the School Board 
twelve years, and has done much to elevate the schools 
to their present condition ; has been a member of the 
Council four years. Was married, July, 1859, to Miss 
Helen M. Wicks, who was born at Genoa, Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., and who came to Ohio when 4 years old ; they 
have three children — -Ida C, born in June, 1860 ; grad- 
uated at Ohio Wesleyan Female College when she was 
17 years old, and is now a teacher in the Plymouth 
schools ; Walter Wix, born Sept. 30, 1867 ; Mable 
Helen, born in January, 1877. 

GUNSAULLUS, F. DORR, attorney and counselor 
at law, Plymouth ; was born Aug. 22, 1854, in Plym- 
outh Township, receiving his education at the high 
schools of Plymouth. At the age of 15, he went into 
the foundry and machine-shops to learn the business, 
where he worked till .July, 1872 (during this time, he 
attended school during the winters) ; in 1872, he ac- 
cepted a position in the First National Bank as Teller, 
which position he held for two years, and had the con- 
fidence of all with whom he did business; in 1875, 
he began reading law, after which he attended the 
law school of the Cincinnati College ; was admitted to 
practice April 18, 1877. Was married in October, 

1877, to Miss .Jennie E. Qettings, and on the evening 
of their wedding he and his bride started for the West, 
and landed at Aurora, Hamilton Co., Neb., Dec. 18, 
1877 ; he was admitted to the District Court of the 
Fourth Judicial District of the State ; May 6, 1878, 
was admitted as a counselor at law and solicitor in 
chancery of the United States Circuit Court for the 
District of Nebraska at Omaha. While at Hamilton, 
Neb., he organized a building association and was 
elected its President, he having the privilege of seeing 
built, by the aid of this association, the finest building 
in the county. At the earnest solicitation of his mother, 
and sickness of his father, he was induced to return 
to Plymouth, which he did in May, 1878 ; Juue 20, 

1878, he opened a law office, and has been amply re- 
paid for it, having the patronage of most of the 



ik* 




business men, and the confidence of the community at 
large ; he being a man of integrity and good business 
principles, his clients always feel that he does his duty 
for them. 

HOFFMAN, G. W., jeweler and watchmaker, Plym- 
outh, was born Oct. 18, 1832, in Mansfield, Ohio. In 
1844, the family moved to Plymouth, which then had a 
population of about four hundred. Soon after their 
arrival, Mr. Hoflman's father engaged in the jewelry 
and watch business, and for more than thirty-five years 
this business has been carried on by some member of 
the fiimily, and latterly by Mr. G. \V. Hotfman, who 
now has one of the finest jeweh'y establishments to be 
found anywhere. His stock consists of watches, clocks, 
jewelry, in endless variety, guns and revolvers, also, 
watch repairing in all its branches. Store, south side 
of public square. Was married April, 1858, to Miss 
Frye ; they have two daughters — Bell, born in January, 
1859; Maud, born in July, 1861. 

HOLTZ, DR. SAMUEL S., homoeopathic physician, 
Plymouth, was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 24, 
1850 ; was raised a farmer.,, In 1870, he attended the 
"Baldwin University," of Berea,.Ohio; graduated in 
pharmacy March 14, 1873 ; subsequent to graduating 
he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. M. Fackler, 
and received the degree of M. D. Jan. 17, 1877, at 
Pulte Homoeopathic Medical College, of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, after attending one term of lectures at Hahne- 
mann Homceopathic Medical College, of Chicago, 111., 
since which time he has been practicing with Dr. 
Fackler. Was married July 4, 1878, to Miss Mattie A. 
Flora; they have one child, born Aug. 8, 1879. The 
Doctor is a man of integrity, and an excellent physician. 
Office on Sandusky street. 

KIEL, J. E., confectionery and grocery, was born in 
Philadelphia, Penn. In the spring of 1872, came to 
Plymouth and engaged in the manufacture of candies 
of all descriptions for the wholesale trade, which has 
proved to be a very profitable business. Mr. Kiel came 
from Mansfield to Plymouth ; the family came to Rich- 
land Co. thirty years ago, and they have seen old Rich- 
land when it was pretty wild, and are numbered aniong 
the early-settlers. His bakery and confectionery are 
on the north side of the square. Was married in 
March, 1872, to Miss Mary McCormick ; they have one 
child, Maud, born Feb. 1, 1876. Mr. Kiel is numbei'ed 
as one of Plymouth's reliable business men. 

KIRKPATRICK, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Plymouth ; was born May 25, 1822, in Plymoutjh 
Township, where he has always lived ; he has traveled 
considerably, having visited most of the large cities of 
the United States ; his father came to Plymouth Town- 
ship in 1815 ; it was then almost an unbroken wilder- 
ness, there being only six families in the township, and 
but six little log cabins ; he entered his quarter-section 
of land from the Government, where his brother and 
mother now live ; after entering his land, he cleared 
ten acres and built a log cabin and then returned to 
Washington Co., N. Y., and was married in 1818, and 
moved, together with two or tl^ree other families, to 
Ohio ; they came by wagons ; they had two ox teams 
and two horse teams ; they came through part of Penn- 
sylvania, crossing the Alleghany Mountains ; were six 
weeks on the way from the time they started till they 



arrived in Richland Co. Mr, Kirkpatrick remembers 
hearing his father tell of the spring after they came 
here ; how and when he first got potatoes for seed, 
there being none in Plymouth Township, he and a 
neighbor concluded to go to Mansfield for some, and 
they started on foot, there being no roads, only a 
"trail" blazed through on the trees — by way of 
Truxville (now Ganges) then containing two or three 
houses ; they arrived in Mansfield, which then had 
only six houses, and a block-house for protection against 
the Indians, at that time very numerous in the county. 
They bought a bushel of potatoes, for which they paid 
$2, and shouldered their bushel of potatoes, and 
started for home, AVhen night overtook them, they lost 
their trail and had to lay out all night. They protected 
themselves from the wolves by building a fire of logs 
and brush, and laying by the side of the fire, the wolves 
would howl around them all night. But the worst of 
all was they had no supper, and nothing to eat but the 
potatoes, so. they roasted about a peck of them for their 
supper and breakfast. By hunting around for some lit- 
tle time, they succeeded in finding the trail for home, 
and arrived home in the evening. He remembers 
another incident of his father killing a big deer with a 
club. He was out hunting his cows as they ran in the 
^oods with a bell on, as was the custom, and his dog 
started a deer which he chased till he got tired, when 
he turned to fight the dog, when Kirkpatrick came up 
and the buck came at him, and he told the dog to "take 
him," which he did, while Mr. K. killed him with a 
club, by a well-directed blow on the head. They 
used to go to church or to meetings held in an 
old log church, and would ride behind their ox 
teams. The first schoolhouse that was built in the 
township was on their old farm, it being built of 
logs, and the first teacher was Robert Mackelvey. Mr. 
Kirkpatrick attended his school, together with an older 
sister. In 1848, he moved to his present farm, three- 
quarters of a mile west of the old homestead. He has 
been Township Trustee two terms, and is now Land 
Appraiser for the township, and is perhaps one of the 
oldest citizens living in the township, who was born 
and raised in it, and is one of the best mfen in the 
county. Was married, in 1847, to Miss Elizabeth 
Emmerson, of Richland Co.; they have six children — 
Emaline, born Oct. 81, 1850 ; Harriet, March 30, 1853; 
John Albert, Dec. 8, 1856; Mary Elizabeth, Dec. 8, 
1858 ; William Henry, Dec. 10, 1860 ; Franklin Ells- 
worth, Feb. 6, 1863. 

LOCKWOOD, I. L., Agent B, & 0. R. R., Ply- 
mouth ; was born in Cincinnati in 1847 ; educated 
in Kentucky. He was connected with the general office 
of the B. & 0. R. R.; he commenced for the company 
in 1872, at Columbus, Ohio, where he remained about 
one year, when he went to Toledo, as Chief Clerk 
of the "Globe Line" offices, the B. & 0. R. R. Co. 
being at the head of the line, which position he held 
up to the time that he was appointed to the agency at 
Plymouth to take charge of their ofiBces, Dec. 1, 1874, 
the position he still holds to the satisfaction of the 
railroad company and the citizens generally. Mr. 
Lockwood is called one of the most gentlemanly agents 
on the railroad, and the company gave him credit for 
an increase of freight of over $14,000 in the last two 



^ 



PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 



869 



years ; the company highly appreciate his services, as 
he is a No. 1 man in every particular. Was married, 
May 18, 1876, to Miss Lilla A. Bowlby, of Plymouth ; 
their residence is on Trux street. 

LOVELAND, G. W., farmer; P. 0. Plymouth; was 
born in New Haven, Ohio, in 1832 ; has always lived 
on the farm there until 1861, when he bought a part of 
what was then the Ammerman farm, which had been 
settled and improved for many years, he making the 
present improvements in the shape of buildings ; he 
has perhaps one of the finest residences in the town- 
ship, and everything around him to make home and 
life comfortable ; he used to teach school in an old 
schoolhouse that was situated on the northeast corner 
of his farm ; there was an old house and barn on the 
place when Mr. L. came here ; five or six years after 
he moved here, he built his present handsome build- 
ings. Mr. Loveland has served three years as Town- 
ship Treasurer, and one term as Township Trustee ; he 
is a man who well deserves the position which he holds 
in society. Was married in 1857 to Miss Delila H. 
Parker, daughter of Samuel Parker, Esq.; they have 
two children — Jessie Eugenia, born Aug. 18, 1861, and 
Polly, born Feb. 17, 1878. 

Mcdonough, ROBERT, jr., furniture and under- 
taking, Plymouth ; he was educated at Kenyon Col- 
lege, Gambler, Knox Co., Ohio; May 1, 1879, he bought 
out the firm of Kaylor & Sweet, furniture dealers ; 
Mr. McDonough has one of the best selections of fur- 
niture, etc., to be found in town, and, although one of 
the youngest firms in town, yet he has a fine prospect 
before him, and tries to gain the confidence of the pub- 
lic. February 7, 1879, he was married to Miss Bell 
Hofl^man, of Plymouth. Mr. McDonough's father, 
Robert, Sr., was born in Washington Co., Penn., Feb. 9, 
1811 ; when but 9 years of age, he came, with his 
parents, to Millersburg, Ohio, where they remained 
until he was 18 years of age ; thence he removed to 
Mansfield, Ohio, where he remained until 1832, when 
he came to Plymouth, where he resided until his 
death, which occurred May 17, 1873, he having been a 
resident of Plymouth forty-one years, consequently 
one of the earliest settlers in the town. Mr. McDon- 
ough was born of Scotch-Irish parentage, and, at the 
age of 23, he united with the Presbyterian' Church ; 
was engaged in the mercantile business thirty-eight 
years, and the two last years of his life he was in the 
banking business, with general favor and success, as 
had been shown him by the confidence of the business 
and farming community ; in respect to his memory, all 
the business houses were closed, appropriately draped 
in mourning. 

NIMMONS, E. H., farmer ; P. 0. Plymouth ; was 
born in Plymouth Township in 1846 ; his parents came 
from Binghamton, N. Y , to Plymouth at a very early 
day; his father died in April, 1857; his mother now 
lives in town. Mr. Niinmons bought his present farm 
in 1872; has always lived within one and one-half miles 
of Plymouth till he came to his present farm. In Janu- 
ary, 1865, he enlisted in Company G, 191st 0. V. I., 
where he served till he was discharged, which was on 
Aug. 27, 1865, at Winchester, Va.; he went out under 
Thomas Kinney, as Captain. Was married in January, 
1870, to Miss Brumback, of Plymouth; they have four 



children, two boys and two girls — James K., born Dec. 
21, 1870; Frank, born Jan. 9, 1872; Edessa, born 
July 2, 1874; Mary E., born July 19, 1876. Mr. 
Nimmons has a nice farm and a very pleasant home, 
only three miles south of Plymouth, on the Shelbv road. 

PARKER, HURON M, merchant, Plymouth; was 
born in West Haven, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1845; in 1857 the 
family came to Plymouth ; he learned the wagon and 
carriage trade of his father, and has since been in other 
branches of business ; has been connected with the 
dry-goods trade of Plymouth for several years ; on 
July 17, 1875, he opened his present business, which 
comprises dry goods, notions, and in fact everything 
pertaining to a first-class establishment. Mr. Parker 
is regarded as one of Plymouth's reliable men ; is on 
the north side of the public square. 

PARKER, SAMUEL, proprietor carriage and wagon 
factory, Plymouth ; was born in Meriden, Conn., in 
1803 ; in 1833, be came to New Haven, Ohio, and 
opened up a wagon and carriage shop, having learned 
the trade in 1821. In 1857, moved to Plymouth, and 
there carried on the above-named business. Mr. 
Parker is one of the successful business men of his day, 
and is counted as one of the best of citizens. He has 
been a stanch member and support of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church here for over thirty-nine years, hav- 
ing become a member in March, 1840. Mr. Parker has 
raised a family of children that he may well feel proud 
of, as they are all industrious, hard-working and hon- 
orable citizens. About nine years ago, Mr. Parker 
turned his business over to his son, Samuel R. 

PARKER, SAMUEL R., carriage and wagon man- 
ufacturer, Plymouth ; was born Jan. 24, 1848, in New 
Haven, Huron Co.; he came to Plymouth with the fam- 
ily in 1857 ; he learned his trade and business of his 
father : he took great pains while learning it, and fully 
understands it in all of its branches, besides being the 
largest and best establishment in town ; he keeps con- 
stantly on hand other and cheaper work from the large 
factories in the cities, and can accommodate his patrons 
with all the popular styles and prices ; his own work 
recommends itself wherever used. He is regarded by 
his many friends and patrons as a reliable and good 
business man, and as a successor to his father will do 
credit to the business which he represents. AVare- 
house and shops corner of Plymouth and High streets. 

PACKER, J. H., school teacher, farmer and stock- 
raiser; P. 0. Plymouth ; was born in 1847, in the State 
of Pennsylvania ; in 1849, the family came to Ohio ; he 
lived on the old homestead, on the Bucyrus road near the 
B. & 0. R. R., in Plymouth Township, till he was about 
8 years old, when he went to Shelby, where he attended 
school for several years, after which he attended the 
Savannah Academy for a period of four years, when he 
entered the University of Wooster, Ohio, where he gradu- 
ated in 1871^ soon after graduating, he was engaged 
by the School Board of Gallon as Principal of the high 
schools of the town, which position he held for two 
years, when his health failing made it necessary for 
him to seek outdoor exercise, and he came back to 
Plymouth Township, and in the spring of 1876 pur- 
chased his present farm, about one mile south of Plym- 
outh, on the Bucyrus road. He is a member of the 
Township School Board, and a good and. efficient 



■^ 



870 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



member of the Presbyterian Church in Plymouth. Mr. 
Packer is a thorough-going business man, and has one 
of the finest farms in Plymouth Township, and as a 
farmer is a success, as also a successful school teacher. 
He was married in 1872, to Miss Mary L. Ammerman ; 
they have one child, Mildred E., born in .January, 1875. 

RALSTON, JAMES, farmer ; P. 0. Plymouth ; was 
born in Washington Co., Penn., in January, 1799 ; came 
to Richland Co. April 13, 1814; he lived twenty years 
in the vicinity of Ashland ; in 1884 he removed to his 
present farm about three miles west of Plymouth ; there 
was but little improvement on the farm when he came 
here, and by hard and honest labor he has succeeded in 
making for himself a fine farm and a pleasant . home ; 
Mr. Ralston is perhaps the oldest settler in the town- 
ship now living, having been in the county over sixty- 
five years ; he has never been out of the county since 
he moved here, more than four weeks at a time ; he has 
lived through the "pioneer" days, and fully under- 
stands the term "pioneer ;" they first settled in Mont- 
gomery Township ; there were but seven other families 
in the township when they moved in ; the first thing 
that they could get money for was "ginseng" ; about 
1819 they began to find a cash market for their corn by 
selling it to distilleries that had come into the county ; 
they paid from 2C. to 25 cents per bushel for it ; Mr. 
Ralston at one time sold 160 bushels of wheat at 3 shil- 
lings per bushel, and waited a year for his pay, to get 
the cash for it ; they used to trade wheat, rye and corn 
to the distilleries for whisky, and then trade whisky 
for other merchandise at the lakes, and sometimes got 
money enough out of it to pay their taxes with ; they 
were not high, only about $2 ; they could realize about 
50 cents for wheat in trade; had to go to Knox Co. to 
mill, on horseback ; he did the milling in this way for 
twelve of the family; usually took five days to go and 
come ; they came soon after the war, and were com- 
pelled to move into a little log cabin about thirteen feet 
square, with no chimney or chamber ; the first coffin 
that was made in the neighborhood Mr. Ralston's 
father helped make ; they split a walnut log, hewed and 
planed it, and made a box, which they thought was 
pretty nice ; he well remembered old Johnny Apple- 
seed ; he had a nursery near where Mr. Ralston lived. 
Mr. R. was married first in 1824, to Miss Murray ; they 
had two children ; she died in the spring of 1827 ; he 
was married again in December, 1828, to Miss Lincoln; 
they have eight children now living — one son in Ten- 
nessee, one in Texas, one in Illinois, and one in West 
Virginia ; one son was accidentally killed in Montana 
Territory ; he was Sheriff of the county where he 
lived, and went out to quell a riot, and was shot by- 
mistake ; one daughter in Indiana, and two in Rich- 
land County. The first salt they got he and a neighbor 
took maple sugar in sacks and went down to Huron, 
following an Indian trail down the river, And traded it 
for salt and carried it home, nearly fifty miles ; there 
were no houses till they reached what is now called 
Milan. 

REYNOLDS, BENJAMIN, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Plymouth ; was born Jan. 26, 1820; at an early 
day the family lived near Mansfield ; the country was very 
wild, and the woods full of game, such as deer, turkeys, 
bears and wild hogs ; they moved near where the town 



of Shiloh now is; Mr. Reynolds remembers well when 
the land that Shiloh now stands on was an entire wilder- 
ness, and the brush and timber were so thick that they 
could scarcely see through it, and the wolves would 
make night hideous with their deafening howls; he first 
moved to Plymouth in 1854 ; his first purchase of real 
estate was in Ripley Township, Huron Co.; he bought 
50 acres at $8 per acre ; he now has a very fine farm 
and residence only three-fourths of a mile south of the 
town, which makes it a desirable location, both as to 
church and school privileges. He was married in 1834 
to Miss Sarah Jane De Witt, of Huron Co., Ohio ; they 
have five children now living. Mr Reynolds is one of 
the solid men of the township, and has been a member 
of the M. E. Church in town for fourteen years ; their 
children are all grown up, and they are a fine and re- 
spectable family. When Mr. Ptcynolds first started out 
for himself, it was with his ax, to cut and split rails, 
and thus got a start in this world by hard and honest 
labor. His son, W. G., now lives about two miles south 
of his father's, and has a nice little home of 25 acres, 
all well improved. In 1870, he was married to a Miss 
Parsel, of Plymouth Township ; they have oiie child-^ 
AVilliam Orrin, born June. 1879. 

ROGERS, WELLS, boot and shoe dealer, Plymouth ; 
was born in Delaware Co., N. Y.; came to Ohio in 1832 ; 
moved to Plymouth in 1851, and opened a grocery 
store and continued in this business till 1863, when he 
retired for a short time. In 1864, he enlisted and 
commanded Co. H, 163d 0. N. G., and did sei-vice 
under Gen. Butler, in and around City Point and Peters- 
burg; in the fall of 1864, he returned home, and the 
following year engaged in the boot and shoe business, 
and has remained in it to the present time. He has 
occupied nearly all offices of trust in the gift of the 
people, from Mayor to Councilman, and has been a mem 
ber of the School Board for more than twelve years, 
and perhaps has done as much toward making the 
schools of the town what they are as any other man in 
Plymouth. He was married first in 1854, to Miss Bra- 
ven, who', a few years after, died, when he married for 
his second wife a Miss Day, in 1862, daughter of Esq. 
B. F. Day, of Plymouth ; they have four children — 
Hattie, born in 1855 ; Mack, born in 1859 ; May, born 
in 1867; Nellie, born in 1877. Mr. Rogers' store is 
situated on the north side of the public square. He is 
regarded as a good, reliable and thorough-going business 
man. 

RUCKMAN, JOSEPH, farmer; P. 0. Plymouth; 
was born in Hampshire Co., Va., in 1811. The family 
came to Plymouth Township in 1817, and entered three 
quarter-sections of land under the dollar and a half 
per acre act; there were only one or two other families 
in the township when they moved here. The Indians 
were very numerous, and used to camp near where 
they now live. He tells a story of a squaw who came 
to the house one very cold day to warm herself, and 
had her "pappoose" tied to a board. As she came 
into the house, she left it standing up against the house, 
out of doors, in the cold and snow, and an old sow 
that belonged to Mr. Ruckman came along and rooted 
it over, and was in the act of making a dinner of the 
pappoose, when the old squaw heard a noise and went 
out in time to rescue her little one. He tells about 






->■ 



PLYMOUTH TOWjS'SHIP. 



871 



going to Coal Creek to mill, some, thirty miles distant, 
where they had a water mill ; they would have to go on 
horseback, and would take two days for the trip; they had 
their horses trained so they would carry a sack of corn 
on their backs through the woods and not brush it off. 
There wasn't an acre cleared between his house and 
town, and he remembers well when Plymouth was first 
laid out for a town. He owns a part of the old home- 
stead. His father was the first to propose to establish 
a Baptist society, and the first meetings were held in 
what is now Auburn Township : the society was or- 
ganized about 1820, and the Presbyterian Church was 
built near their land ; built of logs ; the following lines 
were found tacked up on the church-door : 
" Rusty-looking church, wiiliout any steeple ; 

Money-catching priest and a scurvey sett of people." 
At one time, when the people of Plymouth wanted 
guide-boards, the Supervisor put up some rather rude- 
looking ones in town, and the citizens thought they 
would better the first ones, and they therefore put up 
a new set ; .John Webber came along and saw the 
boards, and went into a store and wrote these lines and 
put them on the " guide-boards : " 

"If finger-boards direct the way 
To hell or Tartaris, 
Ob, great God, we all must say, 
'Twill go hard with Paris." 

Mr. Ruckman has lived and grown up with the country, 
so to speak. Was married, Nov. 28, 1840, to Miss 
Elizabeth Young; they have ten children — Alzina, born 
July 29, 1842 ; Peter, Feb. 20, 1844 ; .Josephine, April 
25,1846; Lavinia, Nov. 8, 1848; Dolisca, Aug. 27, 
1850; Emma, Dec. 3, 1852; Laura, March 26, 1855; 
Benton H., Aug. 21, 1857; Ethan A., Dec. 13, 1859; 
Nora P., Jan. 31, 1862; they have lost three children, 
as follows: Alzina, died July 9, 1850 ; Dora, April 14, 
1866 ; Laura, Dec. 21, 1877. Mr. Ruckman and his 
family are well known throughout the country, and 
they have all seen as hard times in their day as any one ; 
he now lives to enjoy his fine farm and pleasant home. 
The farm was in Auburn Township, but now, since the 
change of boundaries, is in Plymouth Township. 

SEILER, M. K., harness-maker, Plymouth; was 
born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Sept. 18, 1842 ; the family 
came to Ohio when Mr. S. was quite young ; he re- 
ceived his education at Plymouth ; in 1858, commenced 
to learn his trade. In September, 1861, he enlisted in 
Co. D, o2d 0. V. I.; he remained in this company till 
September, 1864, and participated in the following 
battles: Green Briar, W. Va., Alleghany Mountains, 
McDowell and Cross Keys, after which they returned 
to Winchester, Va., thence to Harper's Ferry, where 
they were captured on Sept. 15, 1862. (See history of 
the regiment.) Mr. Seiler endured many privations 
and hardships incident to war, and was a brave and 
valiant soldier; on their return up the Mississippi 
River, they had orders not to stop at Ft. Pillow, or 
they would all suffer the same fate as did the brave 
boys who were there; he was with Sherman's army 
during the battles and siege of Atlanta, he receiving a 
shot in the shoulder which laid him up for a time ; 
after his discharge, he went to Little Rock, Ark., where 
he worked in the Government harness-shop till June, 
1865, when he returned to Richland Co., where he 
has lived ever since, and to-day is numbered as one of 



the business men of the town, and his work gives sat- 
isfaction wherever used. .June 6, 1866, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Clara E. Hull ; they have three children — 
Charles, born Dec. 6, 1869 ; Ross, Feb. 23, 1876 ; Grace, 
Feb. 25, 1878. 

SCHEAFFER, J. E., Plymouth; was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1845. April 13, 1861, he enlisted in Co. 
E, 1st Penn. Battery ; there remained until Aug. 21, 
1863, and participated in the following battles : Green 
Briar, W. Va., and Bull Run, where he was wounded 
on the 30th day of August, 1862 ; then he returned to 
Pennsylvania, and, in 1864, started West; in Septem- 
ber, 1864, he hired to the Government to pack pro- 
visions, with headquarters at Leavenworth, Kan., 
where he traveled all througli the territory and crossed 
the Rocky Mountains twice ; was in Salt Lake t ity for 
ten days ; in February, 1867, he returned to Pennsyl- 
vania ; in December of the same year, he went to Crest- 
line, Ohio. Was married, Dec. 22, 1868, to Miss Clara 
McKean, of Leesville, Ohio, whence he moved to Plym- 
outh, Ohio, and began to work at his trade, manu- 
facturing harness, saddles, etc., where he now lives, 
and is regarded by his numerous friends and patrons 
as a reliable and worthy man ; they have two children 
—Frederick, born Sept. 29, 1869; Cora May, Aug. 10. 
1873. Mr. A. McKean is a harness-maker with Mr. 
Scheaffer. 

SHOUP, JOHN J., farmer; P. 0. Shelby; was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1844 ; he has always lived at home 
and has helped to make the farm what it is to-day. 
Was married, Oct. 3, 1871, to Miss Adaline Miller, of 
Cass Township ; they have one child — Martha J., born 
Sept. 2, 1873. His father, John Shoup, was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn., within nine miles of Hagerstown, 
Md., Oct. 31, 1812; was raised on the farm till about 
14 years of age; he then commenced to learn the 
carpenter's trade ; in June, 1833, came to Richland Co., 
where he remained two years, and returned to Penn- 
sylvania ; in 1845, moved back and located near his 
present fjirm, and, about one year after, he bought his 
farm; the old log house still stands there that was built 
nearly fifty years ago ; the land was wild and very wet ; 
his corn-field is now where what was known as the 
"big marsh," and used to be considered worthless. 
They have quite a curiosity in the shape of a dirk- 
knife, which they found in a limb of a large tree, 
about seventy feet from the ground ; they cut it down 
for rails, and, on trimming it up, they cut the limb and 
split it, and there lay the dirk-knife inside of the limb, 
and how it came there is a mystery yet unsolved, as the 
limb had the appearance of being nearly solid. They 
have a very productive farm ; have raised eighty bushels 
of shelled corn to the acre, nnd thirty-six bushels 
of wheat to the acre. Was married, Nov. 16, 1837, 
to Miss Logue ; they had ten children, four of whom 
are now living. Mr. Shoup remembers well wheii 
the old log court house and jail was standing in Mans- 
field, and when they held court in it; his family all 
live with and around him ; they moved from Pennsyl- 
vania in A'agons ; were three weeks coming through; 
his farm is five miles south of Plymouth and is as fine 
and productive a farm as there is in the township. 

SMITH, S. S.. DR..manufacturerof Dr. Smith's King 
of Cure; was born in (panada Dec. 12, 1822; the 



872 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Doctor came to Ohioin 1850, and to Plymouth in August, 
1864 ; commenced the study of medicine when quite 
young, and in 1861 commenced the practice; he has 
read a great many medical works, and is pretty well 
posted in medicine of both schools, having spent many 
yeai's in the study of each, and finally settled down on 
Horaivopathy; he attended the Western Homoeopathic 
College, of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1862-03, since which 
time he has been following his profession ; at the com- 
mencement of his practice, he found the need of a re- 
liable agent to act upon the secretions, and not finding 
it in the general catalogue, he began to study up a rem- 
edy. As a result of his years of study and practice, 
has succeeded in placing before the public and profes- 
sion his "King of Cure," which is well known where 
the Doctor has been making and prescribing it to his 
patients, improving and testing its merits for over ten 
years before putting it into market, except within the 
bounds of his practice, where it has won for itself a 
reputation at home never before equaled by any other 
remedy, as is shown by the thousands of testimonials 
which it has received. The Doctor is well known 
throughout the community, and has been very success- 
ful. 

SYKES, W. H., Dr., physician and surgeon, Plym- 
outh ; he was born in June, 1836, in Genesee Co., N. 
v., and was raised a farmer;, the family moved West 
when the Doctor was quite young, landing in Huron 
Co., Ohio. In 1857, he attended the University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, receiving the degree of M. 
1) in 1858 ; nfter practicing some eight years, he again 
took another college course, this time at the Cleveland 
Medical College, and received again the degree of M. 
D. In 1865, the Doctor came to Plymouth and has 
practiced medicine here ever since, and, it is safe to 
saj', with marked success, he being well known 
throughout the country as a good and reliable physi- 
cian, and the only one in town who makes a specialty 
of surgery, consequently he gets the graater portion 
of this branch of the profession. He was Assistant 
Surgeon in the 166th 0. N. G.; was in the hospital 
service for a long time. In 1860, he became a member 
of the Delamater Medical Society, and, in 1870, of the 
Ohio State Medical Society; also, in 1874, of the Amer- 
ican Medical Society. Was married first Sept. 30, 
1860, to Miss Sarah A. Stewart, of Bergen, Genesee 
Co., N. Y.', they had three children — Ellen Ida, born 
.June 18, 1863; Royal D., June 9, 1866; William S., 
March 15, 1876. Oct. 10, 1876, Mrs. Sykes died. 
Jan. 12, 1878, the Doctor was married to Miss Eliza 
Bevier, of Plymouth. 

TRANGER, SAMUEL H., Sr. (deceased) ; he was 
barn on the west bank of the Delaware River, forty 
miles north by northeast of Philadelphia, Penn., on 
Oct. 2, 1795 ; he was raised a farmer, and fully under- 
stood it in all its branches, as his prosperity and after- 
life would indicate ; in his youthful days, all farmers 
of that vicinity did all their marketing and trading 
at that city ; he always did a great deal of teaming to 
Philadelphia with four, and sometimes a six-horse 
team. In 1825, he was married to Miss Susannah 
Maust, with whom he lived happily for a period of 
more than fifty-four years; but in May, 1879, she was 



called from his side by death, at the advanced age of 80 
years 3 months and 2 days, preceding him to the grave 
a little over five months ; on Nov. 7, 1879, he was 
called to the spirit-world at the age of 84 years 1 month 
and 5 days ; he said he was ready : he had no regrets ; 
he had done all the good he could, and was ready to go 
to the Father. There were born to Mr. and INIrs. Trau- 
ger five sons and four daughters ; two of the latter 
died in early life; the remaining seven children were 
present and cared for them in their last aflliction and 
death ; they lie side by side in Green Lawn Cemetery. 
In 1835, he and a cousin went West to buy land ; his 
cousin bought near Toledo, but Mr. Trauger returned 
and bought in Plymouth Township, three miles south- 
west of the village, of Col. Woolf, the best quarter- 
section of land in the vicinity ; it was all heavy forest. 
In April, 1836, he moved his family of nine persons, 
by wagon, from the place of his birth, over bad roads, 
swamps, rivers, hills and mountains, about 600 miles 
by the route traveled, to the farm on which he resided 
for forty-three years; he then in May erected his first 
cabin, near the "big spring;" the neighbors all worked 
till the house was ready to be occupied, and then for 
about twenty years the destruction of timber went on ; 
it was the heaviest-timbered land in this vicinity ; there 
was one poplar-tree from which was sawed 13,000 feet 
of lumber, by accurate measurement of the owner of 
saw-mill ; the largest oak-tree measured twenty-two 
feet around at eight feet above the ground, and was fifty 
feet without a knot or limb, and many other trees 
nearly as large, 'lliis farm is one of the be^t in the 
State, having been awarded the first premium at three 
different contests for the best farms in Richland Co., 
in the years 1853-55. He was an experienced farmer ; 
he raised a field of 8 acres of wheat that averaged 64| 
bushels to the acre, and has produced over 100 bushels 
of corn to the acre. In the forty-three years he -lived 
on the aforesaid farm, he lived well, and contributed 
liberally to many charitable institutions, and the poor 
never failed to be noticed by him ; every Thanksgiving 
Day he donated a grist of flour to them ; he also gave 
much to churches; at one donation, about thirty years 
ago, he gave $600, which, with the other subscriptions 
to the same church, amounted to over $1,000 for the 
building of this church ; besides all his liberal dona- 
tions to charitable purposes, he distributed over $20,000 
among his children. He was the first to be ca led, out of 
a family of six, two older and three younger than he — 
the oldest being 89. When young, he was a very prom- 
inent man in the community ; at the age of 21, was 
chosen Chaplain of a militia company, which commission 
he held till he moved to Ohio. In his death the com- 
munity sustained a great loss. He was a good citizen — 
honest as the day was long ; was a kind neighbor ; 
obliging, friendly, warm-hearted and true ; every one 
who knew him esteemed him. 

TRAUGER, SAMUEL, Jr., manufacturer of agri- 
cultural implements, Plymouth ; was born near Phila- 
delphia, Penn., on the 26th day of February, 1832. 
In April, 1836, he, with his father's family, came to 
Ohio, the whole distance about six hundred miles, by 
wagons, and settled on a farm three miles southwest 
of Plymouth. When 18 years of age, he began for 
himself by teaching school in the winter and carpen- 



^-. 



TV 



PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 



873 



tering ia the summer. This mode of life he continued 
for seven years in the States of Ohio, Illinois and Iowa. 
In the spring of 1855, he bought of the Government 
olO acres of land in Boone Co., Iowa, about twenty miles 
from the capital of the State. Mr. Tranger then re- 
turned to Ohio and taught school the fallowing winter, 
and in June he started for Lake Superior, but at Detroit, 
Mich., he learned unfavorable news which changed his 
course, and he there took a boat for Chicago ; he after- 
ward went to Iowa and \vas engaged in various busi- 
ness. In May, 1860, he in company with forty others 
outfitted near Des Moines, Iowa, and traveled by wagon 
to what was then called Pike's Peak gold regions, a 
distance of about eight hundred miles, camping on the 
plains at night and doing their own cooking. They 
arrived at Denver, Colo., June 20. He and twenty 
others went on an exploring trip about eighty miles 
into the mountains, passing among and through the 
snow drifts larger than houses, crossing the range at 
Long's Peak, from which a magnificent view was had 
of mountains, valleys, plains, groves and cities, for a 
distance of more than a hundred miles. In the mines 
every foot of paying ground was claimed and held at 
fabulous prices. After searching a month for something 
that would pay, he and others purchased ranch claims 
in the valley and bought stock of emigrants and at the 
auctions in Denver, and drove it from the ranch to the 
mines : they pastured the year round, cattle getting fat 
in the winter ; snow never lies on the ground more 
than two days at a time until there will be places where 
stock can graze again. While snow is on the ground, 
the stock have to live on "sage-wood" bushes and 
brush along the creeks. They also marketed hay and 
vegetables in the mines. While there, he descended a 
shaft where quartz was being mined, wishing to see 
one of the miners that was 125 feet under the ground. 
It appeared to him as though he had climbed a thousand 
feet and causes an unpleasant feeling to go into these 
places. Yet thousands go deeper every day. The 
mines in this country are mostly quartz mines. There 
being but little rainfall, and the main dependence for 
moisture is snow, which falls in the spring ; people have 
to irrigate their land to raise crops. It consists of dig- 
ging long ditches fi'om the streams that come out of the 
mountains. In the spring of 1864, Indian troubles 
having begun, Mr. Trauger returned home. In 1865, 
he purchased 150 acres of land on the New Haven 
Prairie, intending to raise stock, but the war closed at 
that time and prices of stock declined. Then he, in 
company with a brother and S. B. Day, now of Mans- 
field, bought the " Plymouth Foundry and Machine 
Shops." After running them successfully for more 
than a year, they sold out to parties who moved the 
shops away. Then a joint stock company was organized, 
with a capital of $10,000, and built a new foundry ; 
he being a Director, Treasurer, and a member of the 
executive committee. After two years, he sold out his 
stock and retired from the company. He then made a 
trip to Iowa and sold his lands at about $10 per acre ; 
also sold 200 acres in Crawford Co., Iowa, that he and 
his brother had taken on a debt. In 1872, he engaged 
in manufacturing ^agricultural implements, and has 
built up a prosperous and increasing business. He was 
married May 13, 1875, to Miss Sarah E. Hutchinson, 



of Plymouth Township ; they have one child, Grace 
Ann, born Feb 8, 1878. 

TRAUGER, HENRY, farmer; was born April 25, 
1829, in Pennsylvania; the family came to Plymouth 
Township in 18 i6, and purchased the farm that he now 
owns. In 1853, Mr. Trauger took a trip to California, 
Panama, and many other places of interest; has traveled 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, and, as a con- 
sequence, is a well-informed man ; his trip to the 
Isthmus, etc., took him a period of six months ; when 
he returned he lived six years in Iowa, going there in 
the fall of 1854, as a farmer, and various other trades; 
run a thrashing machine for several years ; in 1860, 
came back to the old homestead and has there remained 
ever since, buying the old farm of his father. Mr. 
Trauger raises a large amount of grain, and keeps a 
fine lot of stock; theirs used to be the "premium" 
farm of the county. Was married Sept. 28, 1876, to 
Miss Stoutnour, of Mansfield ; they have one child, a 
little girl. 

WAITE, T. D., blacksmith and agricultural imple- 
ment dealer, Plymouth; residence, warehouse and shop 
on Sundusky street ; was born in Soutli Wellingham, 
Lincolnshire, England, April 11, 1825. A brother of 
his, Mr. William Waite, came to Plymouth in 1853, 
their being six children in the family ; their father, 
Thomas Waite, together with Mrs. Waite, and the 
balance of the children, came the following year, 1854, 
and all located in Plymouth and vicinity. The follow- 
ing are the names of the families and their occupation : 
William, a farmer; T. D., blacksmith and implement 
dealer ; John, carpenter ; Charles, carpenter ; Sarah, 
the only daughter, married William Loffland ; George, 
butcher, at Shelby. The old folks are still living in 
New Haven Township; they follow farming ; three of 
the boys, .John, Charley and George, were in the army ; 
John enlisted in Co. H, 163d 0. N.G.; Charley enlisted 
in the spring of 1861, in Co. D, 32d 0. V. I.; George 
was in the 11th 0. V. C, and was all through the 
Western States and Territories, where he hoped to 
fight Indians and doing scout duty. Mr. T. D. Waite, 
the subject of this sketch, learned the blacksmith 
trade of his father and older brother, when quite a 
small boy, and has worked at his trade for twenty-five 
years, and it is safe to say that he is one of the best in 
the country, as he fully understands it in all branches; 
in the spring of 1879, he added a full line of agricul- 
tural implements to his shop, consisting of wagons, 
carriages, sleighs and all kinds of farming implements, 
and the business has been very satisfactory to him ; 
he being well-known as a reliable man in every way, 
and people have confidence in him. Was married, in 
1872, to Miss E. Ladow, of Auburn Township, Craw- 
ford Co.; they have one child — Jesse, born November, 
1865. 

WEBBER, FRED. H., farmer ; P. 0. Plymouth ; he 
was born Dec. 29, 1853 ; was raised and always lived 
at home on the farm ; the balance of the family have 
all left, and leaves him at home to take care of his 
mother, who is quite an old lady, and to look after the 
interests of the farm. He was married in 1876 to Miss Har- 
riet Kirkpatrick, of Plymouth Township ; they have 
one little boy— Frank, born in 1877. Mr. Webber now 
owns the old farm where they live, it being the old 



^ 



•k^ 



874 



BIOGRAPPIICAL SKETCHES: 



homestead. His father, Mr. David B. Webber, was 
born in the State of Maine in 1800 ; came to Plymouth 
Township in 1817 ; the family located south of Plym- 
outh about two miles ; the county was but thinly set- 
tled at that time, and they were numbered among the 
pioneers of Richland Co., and have passed through all 
the hardships, privations, etc., incident to pioneer life 
and a new and unimproved country ; he has always 
been a farmer and a highly respected citizen. He was 
married in 1824 to Miss Lucy Conkling, of Plymouth 
Township; in 1837, they moved to their present farm, 
now owned by their son, Fred H., about three miles 
southwest of Plymouth ; when they came on to it, it was 
a dense forest, and, by hard and faithful labor, he suc- 
ceeded in making one of the finest farms in the Town- 
ship, and a very pleasant home. There were thirteen 
children in their family, and they are scattered from 
Plymouth to California; one son, Mr. M. Webber, is 
Postmaster at Plymouth, and another, Mr. T. J. Web- 
ber, druggist, in the same building. Mr. Webber died 
Nov. 5, 1874. Mrs. Webber is living at home with her 
son as above mentioned ; they have everything around 
them to make home pleasant and comfortable. 

WESTFALL, HANEY, was born in Beverly, W. 
Va. May 27, 1796 ; in his early youth, he came 
West to Lancaster, Ohio, to live with his uncle, David 
Pugh, and with him served an apprenticeship at the 
tanning business; upon the breaking-out of the war 
of 1812, he enlisted in Capt. Housker's company, Ohio 
militia, and served until the close of the war; after the 
close of the war, he came to Man-field and worked in 
the tan-yard of his uncle, John Pugh, which was locat- 
ed just north of where the European Hotel now stands. 
He afterward removed to Plymouth, then- known as 
Paris, and engaged in the tanning business there for a 
number of years. Pie was married there to Hannah 
Concklin, who now resides with her daughter, Mrs. D. 
W. Gibbs, at Toledo ; he died Aug. 25, 1869, on his 
farm, one-half mile west of Plymouth. Mr. Westfall was 
a man of sterling integrity and most exemplary habits, 
and honest and upright in all his business relations. 
Politically, he was a Democrat of the old .Jackson kind, 
but, during the late civil war, differed from his old party 
on the question of the conduct of the war, but returned 
to the party at the close of the war and died in the 
political faith in which he was reared ; at the time of 
his death, he was a member of the Lutheran Church at 
Plymouth : he was a warm and intimate friend all his 
life of Father John Wiler and very seldom came to 



Mansfield without calling on his old friend. He left 
one son, Jacob Westfall, who resides on the old farm, 
and four daughters, all of whom are married and now 
living and located as follows : Mrs. Starr and Mrs. D. 
W. Gibbs at Toledo; Mrs. Nimmons at Butler, Ind., and 
Mrs. Whitehead at Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Westfall 
always took great pride in the growth and prosperity 
of the city of Mansfiehl ; the following taken from the 
fly leaf of his family Bible was penned by him a few 
years before his death and just at the close of the war 
of the rebellion, viz.: "I love my family and this Holy 
Book first, and my beloved Government of the United 
States second ; I hope to stand by her as long as I 
live ; I hope she will come out of her present trouble in 
triumph, and the Stars and Stripes wave over every 
foot of her territory, and that this blamed and wicked 
rebelling shall be put down never to rise again. May 

1, 1864. H. WE.STFALL." 

WOLF, M. L., miller, Plymouth; he was born in 
Ashland Co., Ohio, near Haysville, in 1854 ; he learned 
the trade when a very small boy ; he commenced when 
he had to stand on a half-bushel measure to pack flour 
in a barrel ; he came to Plymouth with his father, 
something over four years ago, and he and his father 
are counted as good ^en at their business as there is in 
the country, and their large business shows them to be 
men who thoroughly understand milling in all its 
branches. He was married in 1873 to Miss Messamore, 
of Wyandot Co.; they have two children — Florence 
Lulu, born Sept. 2, 1874 ; Charley, Sept. 20, 1879. 

WOLF, HENRY, proprietor flouring mills, Plymouth ; 
he was born in York Co., Penn., near Little York, in 
1831 ; came to Ohio in the spring of 1849 ; he learned 
the trade of milling, near Haysville, Ashland Co., Nov. 1, 
1875; became to Plymouth, and first purchased and con- 
ducted a hotel in town, and, in April, 1876, he bought 
the mill ; it has four run of stones, and his mills are 
known throughout the community as turning out the 
best of flour ; the mill has been built nearly fifty years, 
and is perhaps one of the oldest mills in the county ; it 
has been rebuilt and remodeled, and does not look like 
the same old mill. Mr. Wolf was married in 1851, to 
Miss Carpenter, of Ashland Co.; they have three chil- 
dren — M. L., born in 1854; Barbara, in 1856. 

WOLF, WILLIAM H., engineer and miller, Plym- 
outh ; he was born in 1858, and has always been in 
the mill with his father, and has learned the business, 
from engineering to milling, and is a steady, industri- 
ous young man. 



SANDUSKY TOWNSHIP. 



BAILEV, JAMES H., farmer; P.O.Corsica; was 
born near Shelby, in this county, on July 4, 1830 ; his 
father removed from Adams Co., Penn., to Hamilton 
Co., Ohio, in 1819, and thence to this county in 1826, 
and, with his sons and other pioneers, aided in clearing 



up the forest and making old Richland what it now is. 
James H., when quite young, had earned enough by hard 
labor to purchase 7G acres near his father's farm, which 
he improved, and after the death of his father, in 1869, 
bought the old homestead ; in 1871, he sold both farms 



rv 



*# 



SANDUSKY TOWNSHIP. 



875 



and paid $12,570 for the elegant farm of 229 acres on 
which he now resides in Sandusky Township. His im- 
provements on the farm have made it one of the best in 
the township, and he is acknowledged to be one of our 
most successful farmers. He was married April 6, 
186.5, to Miss Amanda, daughter of the late John Root, 
who then lived on the farm adjoining the one now occu- 
pied by Mr. Baily. Mr. Root died Oct. 21, 1869. 

BAKER, EMMAUS, farmer; P. 0. Corsica; was 
born on the farm where he now resides in Sandusky 
Township, on .Jan. 30, 1822; his father, Joseph Baker, 
was born in Vermont in 1789; removed to this county 
in 1820, and died in 1833. Emmaus and his brothers 
were among the pioneers who assisted in clearing up 
the forests, and converting the wilderness into fertile 
fields; he owns the old homestead, embracing 160 acres 
of well-improved land, and is well fixed for enjoying 
life. He was married in 1847 to Matilda, daughter of 
James Dunlap, of Morrow Co.; she died in 1862. On 
March 12, 1863, he was married to his present wife, 
Amanda, daughter of the late Daniel Logan. 

BENNETT, MARCUS W., farmer; was born in Can- 
ada West on July 11, 1817, and came to this county in 
1838, settled in the vicinity of Blooming Grove Village. 
Was married May 20, 1841, to Miss Mary Maranda, 
daughter of the late Tryan Harding, and has continued 
to reside in tlie same neighborhood ever since. Tryan 
Harding was one of the sons of Amos Harding, who 
removed from Susquehanna Co., Penn., to this county 
in 1819, and the family were among the pioneers who 
took an active part in clearing up the forest and making 
Richland Co. what it now is — one of the best agricul- 
tural counties in the State. 

BOOKWALTER, JOHN, Jr. (deceased). He was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Sept. 16, 1826 : came 
to Ohio in 1835. Was married Aug. 30, 1849, to Abi- 
gail M. Crothswaite, who was born March 24, 1823 ; 
they had the following family: Alexander, born July 
6, 1850 ; Elvira, born May 26, 1852 ; John, born Dec. 
12, 1853 ; Samuel T. and Washington S.. born Sept. 14, 
1859; Leroy F., born Nov. 26, 1862; Eva May, born 
May 6, 1868. .John, Jr., died Sept. 17, 1872; Samuel 
T. died Oct. 2, 1855. John Bookwalter came to San- 
dusky Township in 1865; resided here till his death. 
Alexander is engaged in the study of law with James 
Colter; Elvira married Wm. Sherry; Mrs. Bookwalter 
resides with her children on the home farm in this 
township. 

CASSEL,JOHN, P. 0. Crestline; was born in Frank- 
lin Co., Penn., Aug. 26, 1815, and removed to the 
vicinity of Ontario, in this county, in 1833, and from 
thence to the farm on which he now resides in San- 
dusky Township, in 1843 ; the improvements on his 
land at that time consisted of a cabin house, log barn, 
and about 15 acres partly cleared. He has since, by 
industry and perseverance, made it one of the best im- 
proved farms in the country, with an orchard of choice 
fruit, fine buildings, etc.; it is thought he raises the 
best horses and pigs in the county ; the old gentleman 
says he has all of this world's goods he needs, and feels 
thankful that God has blessed him and his family ; he 



has raised ten children, nine of whom are married and 

doing well, and has twenty-three grandchildren. 

CATON, ANDREW T., farmer; was born in Sandusky 
Township, this county, Oct. 17, 1844, and was married 
to Martha J., daughter of Philip Gorman, of the same 
township, on Dec. 25, 1865 ; Mr. Caton has resided all 
his life in this county, and for the last six years has 
been the only Justice of the Peace in Sandusky Town- 
ship, and one of the leading citizens of that part of the 
county. 

COOK. SILAS, farmer ; P. 0. Gallon ; was born in 
Richland Co., on Feb. 19, 1821 ; his father, Hiram 
Cook, was the proprietor of Ontario, and owned con- 
siderable land around the village. In 1846, Silas be- 
came a volunteer in the war with Mexico, being a mem- 
ber of Co. A, commanded by Capt. McLaughlin, of 
Mansfield. At the close of the war, he returned to this 
county, and was married on .Tan. 2, 1848, to Miss Mary 
Ann, daughter of the late John H. Evans, of Ontario. 
He afterward owned, improved and sold one farm in 
Wyandot Co.; his father at Ontario, two in Crawford 
Co., and was six months in California ; he now owns 
and occupies 125 acres of excellent land, well improved, 
in Sandusky Township, where he is well fixed for living 
in comfort, having by his untiring energy succeeded in 
clearing up the forest and making it "blossom as the 
rose." 

CRISPIN. STEPHEN, farmer: was born in Colum- 
biana Co., Ohio, on Dec. 24, 1818, and removed with 
his father, Silas Crispin, to the vicinity of his present 
residence in 1837. He was married in 1838, to Miss 
Lona, daughter of the late Levi Logan, who then lived 
on the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Crispin in 
Sandusky Township ; Mr. Logan was one of the early 
settlers, and died in October, 1845, at the age of 75 
years; Mr. Crispin's father was born in New Jersey, 
near Philadelphia in 1788 ; removed to Washington Co., 
Penn., in 1806, thence to Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1815. 
His grandfather came from England with Wm. Penn in 
1682; the family were among the early pioneers, who, 
by their energy and perseverance, aided their comrades 
in clearing up the forest and making the country the 
best land in the world. 

FLOWERS, WILLIAM (deceased) ; he was born in 
Lancaster Co., Penn., Oct. 8, 1796 ; married Aug. 1, 
1819, to Fanny Leiter, who was born in Perry Co., 
Penn., Nov. 14, 1800; they had the following family: 
Catherine, born May 12, 1820; Frances, .Jan. 23, 1822 ; 
Elizabeth, May 31, 1824 ; Susan, April 22, 1826 ; Sarah, , 
Feb. 20, 1828; Anna, March 15, 1829; John, Oct. 10, 
1831 ; Mary, March 31, 1834 ; William, July 27, 1836 ; 
Barbara, Dec. 3, 1838 ; Samuel, Feb. 2, 1841 ; Jacob, 
Nov. 2, 1845 ; the following are deceased : William, 
died Sept. 29, 1878 ; Frances, Feb. 3, 1874 ; Catherine, 
March 18. 1821 : Elizabeth, July 9, 1825 ; Susan, 1871 ; 
Sarah, Sept. 29, 1874; Barbara,^ Nov. 29, 1879; Jacob 
was married Nov. 15, 1866, to Mary E. Helfrich, who 
was born Dec. 14. 1847, in Newcastle, Springfield 
Township ; they reside in Sandusky Township. 

JOHNSON, TAYLOR, former; P. 0. Crestline; he 
was born in Madison Township, in 1843 ; married in 



"TH 



-^ 



876 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1868, to Eleanor M. Cole, who was born in Frederick- 
town, Knox Co., in 1847 ; they have the following fam- 
ily : Norton T., born June 4, 1869 ; Laverne, March 2, 
1871; Johnson L., July 15, 1874; Oro Viola, Jan 14, 
1878. Mr. Taylor came toSanrlusky Township in 1872; 
he owns a well-improved farm with good buildings ; he 
is one of the active and energetic men of the town- 
ship. He enlisted in the 3d 0. V. C , Co. E ; he re- 
mained in the service three years and one month, and 
Was honorably discharged. 

McCULLY, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. Crestline ; he 
was born July 8, 1817, on the farm owned by his 
grandfather, James McDermott, in Mifflin Township, 
in this county; he had removed from Mercer Co., 
Penn., and settled upon it about the year 1812 ; he 
died there in 1859, aged neai-ly 100 years. Mr. Mc- 
Cully was married June 9, 1840, to May, daughter of 
the late Samuel Simpson, of Mifflin Township ; she was 
born March 16, 1819. Mr. McCully removed from 
Mifflin to Sandusky Township April 3, 1843, where he 
erected his cabin and commenced clearing the beauti- 
ful farm upon which he now lives. He says: "Our 
first house had but one room, which answered for 
kitchen, bedroom and parlor — one corner, carpeted, 
was called the parlor." He began in the woods with 
140 acres of land, but by his indomitable energy and 
industrious habits, he afterward added to his farm till 
he became the owner of 500 acres of most excellent 
land, all well improved; he is now one of the most 
extensive and successful farmers in the county. His 
children — three sons and one daughter — are all mar- 
ried and living in the immediate vicinity ; like their 
parents, they are much respected by all. In pioneer 
times, the Indian trail from Greeutown to Upper San- 
dusky passed over the land now owned by Mr. McCully, 
and a mound, together with many Indian relics, has 
been found on the premises. Among these is a stone 
skinning-knife and a red dart. At different places in 
the vicinity of the mound, the earth had evidently been 
excavated for lead or something of value to the " red 
men of the forest." 

MILLER, CHARLES, farmer, was born in Union 
Co., Penn., on Aug. 9, 1815, and removed, with his 
father, Christian Miller, to Orange Township, then in 
Richland Co., in 1829. He was married, Sept. 23, 
1841, to Miss Mary M., daughter of the late Daniel 
Riblet, and settled in Sandusky Township in 18.53, 
where he now resides, and is much respected by all 
who have forr^ied his acquaintance. 

MORKEL, CHRISTIAN, farmer; P. 0. Crestline; 
he was born in Germany in 1823 ; came to America 
when 5 years of age. He was married to Mary Ann 
Purky, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn.; they 
had the following family — John F., born Dec. 7, 1853; 
George A., Sept. 13, 1855; Sarah A., Oct. 29, 1857; 
Matilda M., Aug. 26, 18-59; Anna R., March 12, 1861 ; 
Jacob E., Jan. 24, 1864; Mary E., Feb. 7, 1866; Caro- 
line E., .Jan. 28, 1868; Leah E., March 22, 1870; 
Maria M., Dec. 24, 1871; Harriet S., Jan. 26, 1874; 
Charles E., April 29, 1876. Matilda M., died Sept. 1, 
1861. Mr. Morkel came to this township in 1855; he 
is one of its leading and enterprising citizens. 



MORTHLAND, JOHN, farmer, was born in Colum- 
biana Co., Ohio, on Jan. 4, 1836, and removed with his 
father's family to this county in the fall of the same 
year, settling in the vicinity of his present residence in 
Sandusky Township. He was married in 1858 to Miss 
Abby, daughter of Hiram Stevens. Abraham Morth- 
land, the father of John, was born in Adams Co., Penn., 
on January 17, 1811, removed to Columbiana Co., Ohio, 
in 1830, and to this county in 1836; he not only aided 
in clearing up the forest, but devoted thirty years of 
his life as an active minister of the Baptist Church, and 
died at Shelby in 1876. 

PARAMOUR, MORDECAI B., farmer; P. 0. Crest- 
line ; was born in Springfield Township, in this county, 
on July 16, 1823 ; his father, John Pai'amour, having 
removed from Jefferson Co., Ohio, about the year 1813, 
was one of the original pioneers who aided in con- 
verting the forests of Springfield Township into beauti- 
ful farms; M. B. Paramour, possessing the energy and 
perseverance which characterized the old settlers, has 
earned by his own labor and good management the 
means which have enabled him to own the farm on which 
he now resides, containing 254 acres of well improved 
land, from the sale of the products of which he real- 
izes annually about $1,600, and is considered one of the 
most successful farmers in the county. He was married 
on Oct. 13, 1849, to Susan R., daughter of Joseph Cox, 
then living near the village of Shelby ; they have raised 
a large and respectable family of children, and are well 
fixed for the enjoyment of all the happiness this world 
can afford. 

SCOTT, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. Crestline: was 
born on the farm then owned by Gov. Snyder, in Union 
Co., Penn., on Sept. 15, 1815, and removed to San- 
dusky Township, in this county, in 1835 ; he paid |150 
for 40 acres in the woods, and commenced clearing off 
the timber ; the next day after his cabin was raised, it 
was thrown down by a falling tree, but it was soon 
rebuilt and occupied ; he afterward sold his 40 acres, 
with the improvements he had made upon it, for f 350, 
which enabled him to purchase an unimproved 80- 
acre tract, in the immediate vicinity, to which he has 
since added the adjoining 80-acre tract, making a farm 
of 160 acres, now well improved, and considered one 
of the best farms in the neighborhood. Mr. Scott was 
first married to Mary Ann, daughter of the late Daniel 
Riblet ; she was born in 1817, and died June 3, 1858 ; 
his second wife, Eliza, daughter of the late John Book- 
waiter and widow of Samuel Freed, died in 1869. He 
was married to his present wife. Charity, daughter of 
.Jacob Sprow, and widow of the late David L. Chambers, 
in March, 1876 ; she was born July 10, 1828. 

SCOTT, JOSIAH, farmer; P. 0. Gallon; he was 
born in Sandusky Township May 4, 1843. Married, in 
1869, to Mary Brown, who was born in Wayne Co., Ind.; 
they have the following family : Mary Alice, deceased ; 
Lydia Idella, born June 17, 1871 ; Katy Ann, May 22, 
1873 ; Sylvia Rosetta, Aug. 13, 1875 ; William Frank- 
lin, Jan. 3, 1878 ; Cora Elca, Dec. 24, 1879. Mr. Scott 
enlisted in the late war, in 1861, in the 1st 0. Inde- 
pendent Battery ; he was engaged during the entire 



Tf" 



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SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



877 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



*7 



ADAMS, ANDREW, retired farmer ; he was born in 
Bedford Co., Penn., June 15, 1820; Andrew was the 
fourth of nine children ; Mr. Adams spent his youth 
on a farm ; he came with his parents to Ohio, and did 
such work as was usual with young men of that day. 
He was united in matrimony to Miss Ann Zeigler, 
April 7, 1842 ; she was born near Somerset, Perry Co., 
Ohio, and came with her parents to Blooming Grove 
Township, Richland Co., about 1817, being among the 
first settlers of that county ; they have had five chil- 
dren, three of whom are living, viz.: Wil.iam H., far- 
mer, in Plymouth Township ; John A., farmer in Plym- 
outh ; Sarah M., married to George Souders, farmer, 
and lives in De Kalb Co., Ind. Mr. Adams started 
with small means. He helped to clear up a large 
amount of land in the county, and, by diligence and 
economy, he has acquired considerable property. . 

BALLARD, ASA N., A. B., M. D., one of the prac- 
ticing physicians of Shelby ; he was born in Clinton 
Co., Ohio, Oct. 17, 1842; he spent his younger days 
on the farm. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 
48th 0. V. I.; served four years and eight months, 
being retained six months after the close of the war 
for garrison duty in Texas, during which long period 
he missed but few days' duty ; he took part in four 
sieges, ten hard-fought battles, besides many skir- 
mishes, a full share of marching, etc. ; the principal 
engagements were Shiloh, Corinth, Holly Springs, 
Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Sabine Cross Roads, La., Pensacola, Fla., Fort Blakely, 
and Mobile; he re-enlisted in February, 1864, but, 
before getting his furlough, was captured in the battle 
of Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8, 1864 ; matched 
about two hundred miles to Tyler, Texas, wjiere he, 
with over three thousand others, were kept for six and 
a half months almost exclusively on Indian meal and 
beef diet, in a stockade inclosure, with mother earth 
for a bed and a Texan sky for a covering ; after his 
release, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 
December, 186-5, and at once detailed for staff duty, in 
which capacity he traveled through Texas, but most of 
the time was Acting Ordnance Officer of the Eastern 
District of Texas, with headquarters at Galveston; 
upon arriving at Columbus for final muster-out. May 
22, 1866, he was commissioned Captain by brevet. He 
then attended and taught school alternately until he 
completed the classical course at the National Normal 
School, .in 1871 ; for a few years following, he superin- 
tended public schools, closing his labors in that direc- 
tion as Principal of the Eighth Ward, Indianapolis. 
He married Miss Mary Harrison, of Mori-ow Co., Ohio, 
in 1873. While in Indianapolis, he began the study of 
medicine under Dr. J. B. Hurd, but resided in Cincin- 
nati while attending medical lectures, practicing in the 
Free Dispensary during vacations, until he graduated 
at Pulte Medical College in 1876 ; in March of the 
same year located in Shelby, where he enjoys a good 
practice. 

BARGAHISER, JACOB L., farmer; was Born m 
Richland Co. Nov. 29, 1834 ; his father, Levi Bargahi- 
ser, was born Dec. 5, 1791, in Pennsylvania. When he 



was 12 years of age, he came to Ohio with Martin Ruff- 
ner ; he remained in the cabin when Ruffner went to 
the Zimmer family and was killed by the Indians, 
of which a full account will be found in another part 
of this work. He entered the southeast quarter of Sec. 
6 in 1815, and about 1818 or 1819 he commenced the 
first clearing. He was married to Susanna Eshelman, 
of Licking Co.; they had five children, three of whom 
are living, the subject of this sketch being the youngest ; 
he died Dec. 26, 1868 : his wife survived him until 
May 25, 1878. Jacob was married to Sarah E. Price 
Sept. 4, 1856 ; they have seven children — Andrew, Le^ 
vina D., Lorenzo D. and Susanna, living ; Levi, Isaac 
M. and Frankie are dead. Mr. Bargahiser is a Director 
of the Buckeye Insurance Company, and is what is 
termed a solid farmer. 

BLOOM, S. S., attorney at law. He was born in 
Waterford, Juniata Co., Penn., March 11, 1834; he 
never knew a mother's fostering care, and at her death, 
quickly following his birth, was moved to his grand- 
father's family, Mr. John Stambaugh, near Blain, Perry 
Co., Penn., where he spent his entire youth on the 
farm. His grandfather dying when he was 19 years 
of age, he soon came to Shelby, Richland Co., where 
his father had settled in 1836, but where he died in 
1843. He was married to Miss Anna M. Stambaugh, a 
lady of the same name but not the same family as his 
grandfather. In March, 1856, moved with her to 
Shelby ; his wife and infant son dying in August, 1867, 
he was again left alone in the world, but this gloom cast 
so early upon his life, did not deter him from pursuing 
the even tenor of his way. In 1859, he was again raar. 
ried to Mrs. Jennie M. Smily, daughter of the late 
Robert Mickey, with whom he is still living, happy and 
contented, surrounded by the children which have 
blessed their union— a son and two daughters. In 
1858, Mr. Bloom was elected Mayor of Shelby by the 
votes of both parties, for, though a Democrat, his party 
has always been in a large minority in his village and 
township. He continued to be re-elected until the 
spring of 1863, when the party lines* were closely 
drawn, and he was defeated for a sixth term by a few 
votes. During this time he also held the office of town- 
ship clerk for five years, and Justice of the Peace for 
three years; in 1863, he was nominated without opposi- 
tion to the Legislature, and was one of the few who 
were that year elected upon the Democratic ticket in 
the county. He served two years in the House of Rep- 
resentatives, with only eighteen Democratic colleagues. 
In 1865, he was re- elected by a handsome majority, 
During the two terms he served on the Committee of 
Agriculture (being then a farmer), and also on the 
Committee on Benevolent Institutions. During his 
second term, having been admitted to the bar, he served 
on the Judiciary Committee ; he also raised on his mQ- 
tion a special joint committee on insurance, of which 
he was made chairman, to which committee all bills re- 
lating to insurance were referred. His labors on the 
last-named committee were untiring, and finally culmi- 
nated in State supervision of insurance, and soon after, 
the creation of the present insurance department m 



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878 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



'the State government, so fraught with good results to 
the people of the State. During the war, he was a 
warm advocate of its vigorous prosecution, and, as a 
friend of the soldiers, he may well be proud of his rec- 
ord. In 1866, he first introduced House Bill No. 3, to 
provide a bounty for veteran volunteers, who had not 
heretofore received a local bounty, and, later in the ses- 
sion, House Bill No. 200, requiring Assessors to make 
returns of necessitous soldiers' families, and estimate 
the amount required for their relief. In addition to 
this, he had a resolution passed for the investigation of 
the condition of soldiers in the hospitals, and in his 
own counties he encouraged enlistments by speeches 
and otlierwise. While at Columbus, all business pass- 
ing through his hands, for soldiers or their families, 
and at home, in the distribution of relief funds, was 
performed gratuitously. His entire life throughout the 
war period bears the record of a true patriot, and of a 
man who felt the importance of the issues involved in 
the vexed questions growing out of our internecine 
conflict. In public life, Mr. Bloom has never shrunk 
from avowing the moral sentiment which governed his 
private actions, being a member of the Lutheran 
Church. In 1864, he was admitted to the bar. and had 
built up a good and growing practice in the State and 
United States Courts, until he was again elected to the 
Legislature, Nov. 11, 1868; hebecame the founder of the 
Shelby Independent Neivs, which has remained under his 
editorial control ever since, in connection with his other 
business. In 1875, he was President of the Democratic 
District Congressional Convention in Mansfield, and by 
his skill and ability in managing that body through a 
two-days turbulent session, won distinction as a pre- 
siding officer. In 1877, lie was nominated against 
strong competitors for a third term in the Ohio House of 
Representatives, a distinction granted to no other candi- 
date in the county for the past fifty years, and subse- 
quently elected by an overwhelming majority, and in 
January, 1878, took a seat in the Sixty-fifth General As- 
sembly, a body which had the great work before it of 
completing the codification and consolidation of the 
laws of Ohio since the organization of the State, of 
which project lie had always been an ardent and enthu- 
siastic supporter. Of his course during this session we 
find the following, cut from a Columbus paper pub- 
lished at the time, which is all that need be here said on 
that subject. The writer says: 

" If there is one member deserving of more credit 
for actual labor and industry in pushing forward the 
business of the House than another, that gentleman is 
the Hon. S. S. Bloom, of Richland Co. You will al- 
ways find him occupying his chair, which is just in 
front of the Speaker's stand, in the front row of seats, 
generally employed, with pen in hand, busily engaged 
in writing, and if not, paying the strictest attention to 
the business before the House. He is among the first of 
the members who puts in an appearance in the morning, 
and the last at leaving on an adjournment in the even- 
ing ; nor does he merely come to be seen and to put in 
his time reading newspapers or in frivolous conversa- 
tion, as do too many of the people's representatives. 
Mr. Bloom, on the contrary, is a worker; he is never 
idle. He is either engaged in the committee-rooms, or 
participating in the discussions on the floor. Having 



been a worker all his life, he has illustrated the in- 
junction, ' Whatsoever thy hands find to do, do it with 
all thy might,' and he knows no abatement of energy 
in the public service. He examines, with scrutiny, 
every topic of legislation, and is always ready with 
his strong reasons and sound arguments, to defend 
or enforce any course of action he has decided on 
pursuing. He has made the codification of the laws 
a specialty, and, being a member of the .Joint Commit- 
tee on Consolidated Laws, he has rendered valuable 
service toward the completion and perfection of this 
important undertaking. The Democracy of old Rich- 
land need not blush to own her representative, for his 
standing on the floor, in all the elements that go to 
make up a good legislator, is second to none in the 
House." 

At the close of that session, on June 23, 1879, he 
had the great satisfaction of seeing his object fully 
completed, and the Revised Statutes of Ohio became 
an accomplished fact. During this session and without 
any e&brt on his part, he was again nominated for the 
same position, against strong competitors, who made 
an active canvass (which public duty forbade him do- 
ing). He was again elected for a fourth term, and, 
upon the assembling of the Sixty-fourth General As- 
sembly, was nominated by acclamation by the Demo- 
cratic minority as their candidate for Speaker, and was 
at once recognized as the leader of the Democracy in 
that body. His knowledge of parliamentary law and 
the rules of the body in which he had so long served, 
and his knowledge of the new code of Ohio, made his 
services invaluable to his fellow-members, of which all 
the members of the House freely availed themselves on 
all occasions. His candor, earnestness and courteous 
treatment of all his fellow-members won their united 
esteem, and, aside from political questions, he wielded, 
perhaps., more influence than any other member of the 
House. His enlarged experience and general knowl- 
edge of men and things, coupled with a broad and lib- 
eral mind, gave him a great influence in shaping legis- 
lation, and, as the laws now stand, we doubt whether 
any other member of the Legislature has more gen- 
erally stamped the impress of his views upon the laws 
of the State than has the subject of this sketch. He 
has still one session to serve of the eight-years serv- 
ice in the House of Representatives of Ohio, of which 
he has so long been a valuable and honored member. 

BRICKLEY, D. V., boot and shoe dealer, and one of 
Shelby's successful young men ; was born in Perry Co., 
Penn., and spent his youth on a farm. At the age of 21 
years he enlisted in Co. F, 208th Penn. V. I. for one 
year ; on his return home, he attended school for some 
time ; in 1868, he went to BuflTalo, N. Y.; was there one 
year, and then went West to Illinois and Missouri, 
where he remained for three years ; he returned to 
Bufi"alp and remained two years, being engaged in the 
grocery business; in 1874, he came to Shelby, and took 
charge of the shoe store of S. F. Stambaugh ; in 1876, 
he purchased the stock, and has been successful, and 
purchased the property known as the Davis corner, and 
for many years occupied by Mr. Lybarger. Mr. Brick- 
ley is Well and favorably known, and by honesty and 
fair dealing he has established for himself an enviable 
reputation. 



-?r. 



i> "v 



^'. 




BRICKER, W. R., M. D., was born in Lebanon Co., 
Penn., in 1820; his youth was spent on a farm ; he read 
medicine with his uncle, Dr. Jonathan Bricker, of 
Euphrata, Penn., who moved to Mansfield, where the 
Doctor fiinished his course of reading ; he then attended 
the Willoughby MedicaJ School, afterward graduating 
in the Western Reserve College, of Cleveland, Ohio ; he 
commenced the practice of medicine, September, 1845 ; 
he has been eminently successful in his practice ; he is a 
man of sound judgment and close observation, and is 
regarded by the profession as a good counselor ; he has 
also been identified with the interests of Shelby, and is 
now President of the First National Bank, and for a 
number of years Treasurer of the Buckeye Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company of Shelby. He was married 
to Miss Esther E. Taylor Dec. 12, 1848, and as a result 
of their marriage they had four daughters, two of whom 
are living. 

BROWN, DANFORTH, farmer ; was born in Brook 
Co., W. Ya., May 7, 1829; his father, .James Brown, 
was born Feb. 19, 1794, and his grandfather, Capt. Oliver 
Brown, was born in Lexington, Mass., and served with 
distinction in the war of the Revolution ; he was per- 
sonally acquainted with George Washington ; he was in 
ten different engagements. His ancestors were among 
thefirst settlers of the Massachusetts colony ; in 1835, 
James Brown emigrated from Virginia and settled in 
Plymouth, where he remained for some time and then 
moved to Shelby, where he kept hotel, and was in the 
drug business for some time ; he was the first partner 
of the late Thomas Mickey. He was married to Miss 
Jane McGuire in 1814 ; they had ten children, five 
of whom are living. The subject of this notice is a 
man of force of character ; he is an advocate of any 
measure which will improve the community in any way. 
He is Township Trustee, and makes an efficient officer. 
He was married to Miss Emiline Cornwall, of Rich- 
land Co., Feb. 6, 1856 ; they had four children, three 
of whom are living; they are a happy family. 

BRUBAKER, HARRISON, farmer, was born in this 
county, Oct. 30, 1840, on the old homestead, where he 
still lives. He spent his youth on the farm. He at- 
tended the schools of the district. He enlisted in Co. 
H, 84th Regiment, 0. V. I., for three months. He is 
an intelligent farmer, social, industrious and reliable. 
He was married to Miss Mary Wills April 16, 1863 ; 
they have four children, one daughter and three sons 
— Burton D., born Aug. 10, 1865; .James, born Aug. 
29, 1867 ; Harry E., born Nov. 9, 1873 ; daughter, 
born Dec. 1, 1879. His father, Jacob Brubaker, was 
born Dec. 16, 1789, in Somerset Co., Penn. He was 
married to Miss Christina Huffman, June 13, 1816, in 
Washington Co., Penn. She was born June 5, 1798. 
He died March 30, 1870; she died May 7, 1872. 
They had a family of ten children, five of whom are 
living, and all well to do, showing that they implanted 
the same industry and economy in the lives of their 
children which they possessed. He was the first man 
to cut a stick of timber in what is now the public 
square of Mansfield, and he helped to build the first 
cabin there. He was engaged with a surveying party 
about six weeks in Richland County. He entered the 
land on which Harrison, his son, now lives, March 16, 
1816. When he was with the surveying party, he had 



no shoes, and as they remained until the weather was 
cold, he suffered very much. Canton was where the 
land office was located. The surveying party's head- 
quarters were located there, and when cold weather 
came they returned there. The night previous to their 
going, there was a fall of snow several inches deep, 
through which Mr. Brubaker was compelled to go 
without any covering for his feet. The first day's 
travel brought the party to where Olivesburg now stands, 
where there was an Indian camp. The party remained 
over night. The chief, seeing that Mr. Brubaker had 
no covering for his feet, took compassion on him and 
gave him a pair of moccasins to wear, so he could reach 
his destination. 

BUSHEY, ABRAHAM, carpenter and builder, was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Feb. 14, 1819; he 
learned his trade with his father ; he came to Ohio with 
his parents, in 1836 ; they settled in Cass Township ; 
Mr. Bushey followed his trade for a number of years 
in the county ; in 1864, he came to Shelby, where he has 
since resided ; he has been a successful business man, 
and by industry and honesty he has obtained a com- 
petence ; he is one of the Directors of the Under- 
writei's' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Shelby. 
He was married to Miss Barbara Fireoved Nov. 24, 
1840, who was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Aug. 
26, 1820; she had two children — Sarah A., born Nov. 
14, 1841, and married Henry Wentz, Jr.; Mary J., born 
March 21, 1846, and married to W. S. Finecle. 

BYRER, H. J., furniture dealer and undertaker is 
one of Shelby's successful men ; he was born in West- 
moreland Co., Penn., October, 1841 ; until about the age 
of 17, he remained on the farm, working for his widowed 
mother; he then went to Uniontown, Penn., to learn 
the trade of cabinet-making by hand; he remained 
two years, and then went to Pittsburgh, Penn., to 
work under instructions by machinery, and remained 
about six months. He enlisted in the 12th Penn. V. 
I. for three months; after his return, he worked at his 
trade seven years, five years under instructions, and 
during the early oil excitement of Pennsylvania he 
went to the oil regions, where, with other business, he 
carried on his trade, making undertaking a specialty ; 
his first impressions of undertaking were made when 
quite a child; he accompanied his mother to a funeral, 
and there was implanted a desire to follow the business 
which he never lost sight of; Mr. Byrer's first business 
enterprise in furniture and undertaking combined was 
commenced in Apollo, Penn., in 1867 ; he commenced 
life without aid, and it was a struggle for him to obtain 
a foothold, but once started, he succeeded by punctual- 
ity and good business habits in establishing himself ; he 
remained in Apollo for about six years, and then emi- 
grated to Ohio, and settled in Shelby, where he has 
since been engaged in successful business ; he built his 
present handsome -business rooms in 1879; the build- 
ing is of brick, 25.^x80 feet, three stories ; the first 
floor is occupied as a furniture room, it is fourteen feet 
in the clear; the front contains two plate glass, each 
68x138 inches; the second story is eleven feet in the 
clear, and in this story coffin trimming is done ; the 
third floor is twelve feet in the clear ; there is a No. 5 
H. J. Reedy elevator which runs to the third floor; the 
front of the building presents a neat and substantial 



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880 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



appearance; this building is a credit to tlie projector 
and an ornament to tlie town. As a professional under- 
taker, Mr. Byrer has few rivals and no superiors, con- 
sequently the recipient of many favors from patrons 
all over this section of the country. It seems to be 
his special object of favoring the public in Shelby and 
surrounding country with all of the newest appliances, 
, and goods known in his profession with his sterling 
qualities, as an undertaker, he is much better prepared 
to take care of the dead than any other of his profes- 
sion in the county. He has two hearses, and seems to 
take peculiar care in all things to merit the support and 
confidence of those calling upon him for the sad duty 
of burying their loved ones. In all things Mr. Byrer 
has shown the straightforward, energetic, honest busi- 
ness man, and has worked himself to the front rank as 
one of the solid men of Shelby. In common with all 
others, the writer can only wish him abundant and com- 
plete success in his business. 

CLAPPER, SAMUEL, was born in what is now Blair 
Co., Penn., Nov. 7, 1814. When he was a child, his 
parents came to Ogdensburg, Stark Co., Ohio, where 
they lived for some time, and moved to Dover, Wayne 
Co., where they remained awhile and then removed to 
Newville, Richland Co. Mr. Clapper died a compara- 
tive young man. After his death, Samuel was taken 
by Mr. Herring to work in a woolen factory and learn 
the trade ; he remained there until the spring of 1834; 
he then went to Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, and fol- 
lowed his trade for several years ; in the spring of 
1843, he associated himself in business with A. M. 
Jones, his capital being the sum of $5.75 ; he continued 
in partnership for three years, and succeeded in making 
some money ; he then purchased the interest of Mr. 
.Jones, and continued business there until 1866, when 
he sold out and purchased at Delphos, Ohio, where he 
remained one year ; he sold at Delphos and purchased 
a building in Independence, Richland Co., and con- 
verted it into a woolen factory; in the spring of 1872, 
he sold his factory at Independence and came to Shelby, 
where he erected the two-story brick factory on Main 
street, and run it for several years. Mr. Clapper has 
been in the business fifty-four years ; lie commenced 
in the world without a dollar, and, in fact, he helped 
to maintain his younger sisters and brothers, his father 
being unfortunate in the loss of his property ; he has 
succeeded, by economy and industry, in gaining a 
competence. On his father's side he sprang from Ger- 
man, and on his mother's side of Scotch, extraction. 
He was married to Miss Susan Parcher Jan. 7, 1846 ; 
they have four children, three daughters and one son — 
Sylvania (married to Mr. Orweiler), Martha (married 
to Mr. Phillips), Mary (married to J. C. Sutter) and 
John, who reside in Shelby ; Henry Clapper, first and 
only son, married Addie Austin, of Huron Co., Ohio. 

COBLE, MARY, MRS., was born* in L'^ncaster Co., 
Penn., July 17, 1814. Her father, Peter Gortner, was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., in November, 1806, 
and emigrated with his family to Wayne Co., Ohio, 
about 1833, where he remained about three years and 
then went to Crawford Co. She was married to Chris- 
tian Coble Nov. 10, 1833, in Wayne Co., Ohio, and, 
about a year afterward, moved to Sharon, where Mr. 
Coble had previously entered the southwest quarter of 



Sec. 13. It was heavily timbered and required time 
and work to clear it up ; he succeeded in making for 
himself a pleasant home ; he died April 15, 1870 ; they 
had nine children, eight of whom are living — Susan 
(married to John Nicolieu, farmer, and resides in Will- 
iams Co., Ohio), Martha (married to Marion Keith, 
carpenter, and lives in Isabella Co., Mich.), John (re- 
sides at Chicago .Junctiun, Ohio), Fannie (married to 
George Bargahiser, farmer, Sharon Township), Eliza- 
beth (married to Michael Crum, farmer, Sharon), Israel 
(farmer, Sharon), Levi (farmer, at home), Mary (at 
home). 

COOK, GEORGE, farmer ; P. 0. Vernon .Junction ; 
he was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, 
May 10, 1802; he, with his present wife and only 
sister, Mrs. Valentine Will, left their native place near 
Heidelberg on the 17th of May, 1838, traveling over 
land to Havre, where they embarked June 7 on the 
sailing vessel Burgundy, landing at New York about 
July 9, going up the Hudson River to Albany and down 
the Erie Canal to Buifalo, where they embarked on a 
steamer and arrived at Sandusky the latter part of July 
and at his present home Aug. 1, 1838. George Couk, 
Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born- about 
the year 1770, and married a Miss Catharine Eick about 
1795, and by their union had three children — George, 
Elizabeth and Philip, the latter dying when 2 years 
of age at his birthplace, about 1826 or 1827. Mr. Cook 
has some very old relics, among them a large family 
Bible, printed in German, said to have been in the 
family several hundred years and in an excellent state 
of preservation. He married a Miss Schumann, who 
was born January, 1811, near Heidelberg, and by their 
marriage had eight children, seven of whom are living 
— Charlotte, George, Maria, Elizabeth, Margaret, Abra- 
ham and John. He is a member of the Reformed 
Church ; was confirmed and became a member in 1816 
He owns 60 acres of land, on which remain some of the 
old log houses built in a very early day. He is a man 
of a very retentive memory, honorable and upright, and 
has a pleasant home. 

CRALL, DAVID, farmer ; P. 0. Shelby; he was born 
in Dauphin Co., Susquehanna Township, Penn., Nov. 
25, 1821 ; he remained with his parents on the farm 
until the spring of 1844, when he, with his elder 
brother, Simon, came to Ohio on horseback, and pur- 
chased his present farm of about 235 acres : he returned 
to Pensylvania and remained until 1845, when he again 
came to Ohio, where he has improved his farm and has 
become one of " Old Richland's " most esteemed farm- 
ers. He married Miss Mariah Stentz April 12, 1846 ; 
they have nine children — Elizabeth, John, Sophronia, 
William Rbineiiart, Susnn, Mary Sophia, Emily, Alice, 
Henry Nelson and Ann Eliza. Henry Crall, father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born near Harrisburg, Penn., 
about 1779, and married Miss Elizabeth Henshaw ; they 
became the parents of six children —Simon, John, 
Elizabeth, Susannah, Henry, Jr., and David. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is one of the leading members of the 
United Brethren Church, where he has exhibited that 
fidelity that has made him a man of mark in his com- 
munity. 

CULLEN, GARVIS, retired farmer ; was born in Lin- 
colnshire, England, July 14, 1803 ; he spent his time 






M_ 






SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



881 



working on a farm in England; about 1831, he emi- 
grated to the United States and remained a few months 
in New York ; he then came to :Man8field, where he 
remained until the following spring, and went to Plym- 
outh Township, where he worked on a farm for a year; 
he entered some land in Plymouth Township, and, some 
time afterward, sold it and purchased the farm where 
his son, John W., now resides ; at the time he purchased, 
it was almost entirely covered with timber ; he cleared 
the farm and improved it with handsome farm build- 
ings. He is a good citizen, a man of quiet turn, and 
honest in all his dealings. He was married to Miss 
Mary Jackson, of Richland County, :May 18^ 1845; 
they have one son, John W., born Aug. 10, 1848; he 
resides on the old homestead ; he was married to Sarah 
I. Myers Oct. 3, 1872. 

DAUGHARTY, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Shelby ; was born in Burlington Co., N. J., Sept. 
22, 1831 ; his father, Daniel D., moved to Crawford 
Co! in 1832. For fifteen years before the rebellion he 
followed farming and thrashing. He enlisted in Co. H, 
64th 0. V. I., and served eleven months, when he was 
discharged on account of disability. After recruiting 
until Feb. 10, 1865, he enlisted again in Co. C, 82d 0. 
V. I., and was again discharged May 24, 1865. He 
was married to Miss Mariah E. Hann Feb. 1, 1866. 
Since the war, he has been farming in Richland and 
Crawford counties. His father lived with him several 
years, and died there at the age of 98. His mother 
died in the 84th year of her age. His wife wa9 born 
in Perry Co., Penn., Sept. 17, 1848. 

. DAVIS, HENRY, grain and produce dealer, Shelby. 
He was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1822, and 
moved, with his father's family, to Crawford Co. in 
1832, where they settled on an unimproved heavily 
timbered farm. Their means were limited ; land had 
to be cleared and buildings erected, and all hands had 
to work to make a living. School advantages were 
very few and poor. At the age of 21, he set out to do 
for himself with no money and but very little educa- 
tion ; after looking over the ground and fully taking in 
the situation, formed a resolution to try and get an 
education sufficient to transact any business that he 
might be fortunate enough to get to do, take a fair 
position in society and qualify himself to teach school, 
that he might make wages in the winter as well as in 
the summer, hoping, at some future time, to be able to 
purchase a farm and become a farmer ; by diligent 
study, he soon succeeded in getting a certificate to 
teach school, and, by teaching in the winter, he was 
able to attend school in the summer at Ashland Acad- 
emy under instruction of that celebrated teacher, Lorin 
Andrews, to whom he is much indebted for giving him 
correct ideas as to teaching and governing a school ; 
he remained in this school three summer sessions and 
paid his way by teaching in the winter; in 1847, Mr. 
Henry Leyman, of Shelby, offered him a situation in 
his store, which he accepted. This circumstance threw 
him into a channel, and from that time up to the pres- 
ent he has had the confidence of the business commu- 
nity so far as he was acquainted, and a very liberal 
patronage from the public ; he has had many offices of 
trust and profit, which he would not accept, for all of 

which he has always felt very grateful. In 1848, he 



was married to Margaret A. Stone, with whom he has 
lived up to the present time ; they have been blessed 
with five children, two of whom are dead and three 
living, at home, constituting a happy family. He has 
had quite a number of partners, and has done a large 
business and never had a misunderstanding or difficulty 
with any of them. Among the most noted of his part- 
ners were Mr. David Anderson and Mr. Thomas 
^lickey. He was connected in some way with Mr. 
Mickey for twenty-five years, most of the time in gen- 
eral merchandising, but for the last ten years of Mr. 
Mickey's life, they were exclusively engaged in the 
produce and grain trade, and, had Mr. Mickey lived, 
they would probably have continued much longer. So 
great was his attachment for his friend that, when Mr. 
Mickey died, he felt like retiring from business, but 
has since associated with himself the firm of Fish & 
Stour in the produce business, under the firm name of 
H. Davis & Co. He has lived in Shelby over thirty 
years, and has been identified with her growth, pros- 
perity and interest all this time, advocating and voting 
for nearly every public improvement in both the town 
and county. He has always been a strong advocate of 
education, but believed it should be broad enough to 
develop the muscle and energy as well as the reasoning 
powers of the mind. 

DEMPSEY, JOHN, was born in Ireland in 1829, where 
he remained until 1848, when he emigrated to Ohio ; he 
came to Shelby in 1854 ; prior to coming to Shelby, he 
sold dry goods for four years ; he commenced the gro- 
cery business shortly after coming to Shelby, and by 
strict attention to business, he soon had a large and 
growing trade, adding with the retail a wholesale 
department, in which he was very successful. He was 
well known throughout the surrounding country as a 
reliable business man, and succeeded in bringing to 
Shelby a large amount of business, which had usually 
gone to other towns ; in 1874, he sold his business and 
turned his attention to his farms in the vicinity. Upon 
all questions of improvement, he has been an advocate 
of advancement. He has aided in improving the town 
by building several of the substantial business blocks 
of the place. He is a Director of the First National 
Bank ; he was Lieutenant Colonel of the 4Sth 0. N. 
G.. and also held the same position, subsequently, in 
the 163d 0. N. G. Mr. Dempsey is a man of few 
words in business matters. He is decided in his views 
and is regarded as a man of sound judgment. He 
is entrusted with a large amount of business in the com- 
munity. 

DICK, HIRAM W., Superintendent of Construction 
on the C, C, C. & I. R. R.; was born in Bedford Co.. 
Penn., October, 1824; he spent his youth on a farm 
with his parents ; at about 22 years of age, he learned 
the carpenter trade, and, in the year 1850, he first com- 
menced to work on the railroad, as a hand at his trade; 
his steady and industrious habits were soon noticed by 
the officials of the company ; they recognized in him 
a man who was qualified to take charge of their inter- 
est, and they gave a position, since which time he has 
risen to the position of Superintendent of Construc- 
tion ; he has relied upon his own exertions, and has 
been successful, not only as a railroad man, but as a 
business man ; he is the possessor of several farms, and 



"TT 



liV 



882 



BJOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



has always aided in improving Shelby ; he built an 
addition to the Mickey Block, which he had previously 
purchased. He is an advocate of advancement, and 
gives his influence to the improvement of the town. 
He was married to Miss Swanner, daughter of .John 
and Agnes Swanner, nee Waugh, in 1855, and to them 
three children were born. Mrs. Dick was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1833 ; her father was born 
in Chester Co., Penn., Oct. 11, 1800, and was married 
to Agnes Waugh, by whom he had nine children, three 
of whom are living ; in 1834, he emigrated to Mans- 
tield, Ohio, where he remained about eleven years, and 
where he carried on the trade of blacksmithing ; he 
came to .Jackson Township about 1845 ; his wife is 
dead ; he now resides in Shelby. 

DOUGLAS, WILLIAM, farmer, was born in Stark 
Co., Ohio, Nov. 25, 1835 ; he spent his young days on 
the farm with his parents, and attended such schools 
as were then taught in the winter ; when he was about 
19 years of age, he went to California, where he was 
engaged principally in mining about one year, when, 
on account of sickness, he returned to Ohio, and 
engaged in farming ; he is a man of force of charac- 
ter, and exerts an influence in the community ; his 
parents were English. They were married in West- 
moreland, and emigrated to Stark Co., Ohio ; remained 
there for some years, and then moved to Richland 
Co., and settled in Sharon Township, about three 
miles west of Shelby, where they died. The subject 
of this notice was married to Miss Annie Woodhouse 
March 20, 1860 ; she was born in Mifflin Township 
June 8, 1837 ; there were born to these parents eight 
children, seven of whom are living; they have a pleas- 
ant and happy home. 

DUBOIS, F. A., M. D., was born in Richland Co., 
Ohio, May 23, 1843 ; his youth was spent in the coun- 
try, and attending school at Mount Gilead and Woos- 
ter ; when he was about 18 years of age, he enlisted in 
Co. H, 15th O. V. I , for three months; on his return 
home, he re- enlisted in the 86th 0. V. I., and was in 
service four months as hospital steward ; shortly after 
his return from the four-months service, he recruited 
Co. A, of the 12th 0. V. C, and was commissioned 
Captain, and commanded the company until the close 
of the war ; the regiment was with the Army of the 
Cumberland ; at the close of the war he took up the 
study of medicine, and read with Dr. Baker, of Woos- 
ter, and Dr. Mitchell, of Mansfield ; he graduated at 
the Brooklyn Medical College, of New York ; he 
shortly after came to Shelby, where he began the prac- 
tice of medicine, and in connection carried on 'a drug 
store ; seeing a remunerative opening, he disposed of 
the drug business and gave his attention to dealing in 
lumber, in which he has been eminently successful ; he 
deals principally in hard lumber, and ships to Liver- 
pool, London and Hull, England, Glasgow, Scotland, 
and to Hamburg and Bremen, Germany ; he was asso- 
ciated with Thomas Mickey in the grain business for 
about ten years, and during this time he purchased the 
two warehouses on the B. & 0. R. R. on Main street : 
he was successful in business with Mr. Mickey, making 
considerable money for the firm ; he is a Director in the 
First National Bank of Shelby, and of the Underwrit- 
ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and President of 



the Good Samaritan Aid Association of Shelby ; he is 
an active business man, prompt in his dealings, and 
liberal in his views. He was married to Miss Sarah 
R. Mickey, only daughter of Thomas Mickey, deceased, 
Dec. 19, 1867. 

EVANS, D. B., farmer; P. 0. Shelby ; he was born 
in Richland Co. Jan. 15, 1828, and was married to 
Sarah A. Kerr in 1850 ; he formerly worked on a farm ; 
about sixteen years ago he began the hardware trade 
in Shelby, Ohio ; this he discontinued recently ; his 
wife was born in Beaver Co., Penn., October, 1830 ; she 
came the same year to Richland Co. with her parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Jessa Kerr. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the 
parents of six children — Wilba Kerr, Cara Alvaretta, 
RoUa B., Frank Seigal, Clara Bell and Emma Dell. 

FLETCHER, HENRY, monumental works, Second 
street. East Shelby. He was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn., June 15, 1845 ; moved with his father, Jacob 
Fletcher, to Shelby, Ohio, in 1855; in 1856, he moved 
with his father to the farm now owned by Mr. Bloom, 
and remained there until the commencement of the 
war of the rebellion, when he enlisted as a private in 
the 84th 0. V. I.; he served three months, was dis- 
charged and remained at home one year, when he en- 
listed in Co. I, 15th 0. V. I., and served until the close 
of the war ; he was in the severe battles of Chattanooga, 
Mission Ridge and Nashville ; he went from Nashville 
to San Antonio, Tex., at which place he was discharged 
and came home, engaging with the B. & 0. R. R. Co., 
as carpenter; he was with this company for four years. 
On the 3d day of September, 1868, he was married to 
Eliza Hershiser, who was born in London, Richland 
Co., June 2, 1846 ; by this marriage he had four chil- 
dren—Joseph A., born Sept. 28, 1869; Nella A., Nov. 
1, 1871 ; Lavern, Dec. 15, 1875, and Fanny Fern, July 
19, 1878. The subject of this sketch, for the past five 
years, has been woi'king at the marble business in East 
Shelby, Ohio, where he may be found at all times. 

FEIGHNER, JONAS, sewing-machine agent. Shelby ; 
was born in Jackson Township Oct. 22, 1846 ; his 
youth was spent on a farm ; he enlisted in Co. H, 64th 
0. V. I., for three years; his regiment was with the 
Army of the Cumberland and the Army of the Gulf; 
he participated in many of the battles of that memorable 
campaign, such as Dallas, Ga , Columbia, Tenn., Spring 
Hill, Franklin and Nashville and others ; he sprained 
his ankle at Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., and was taken to 
the hospital at Camp Dennison, Ohio ; he returned to 
his regiment in the fall of 1864, and remained on duty 
until Jan. 16, 1866, when he was discharged with his 
regiment at Columbus, Ohio. 

GAMBLE, HUGH, was born in Saratoga Co , N. Y., 
Oct. 21, 1789. His father, James Gamble, was a 
farmer, and Hugh received his early education as 
farmers' sons of those days usually did. He immi- 
grated to Richland Co. in 1823 and entered the farm 
on which he now resides ; he returned to New York 
some time afterward, and remained until 1828, when 
he returned ; his brother John came about 1823, and 
his father about 1825. Mr. Gamble has held very 
many trusts, and was honored with inany positions in 
the State and neighborhood ; he was elected Justice of 
the Peace in 1834 ; this office he filled nine years ; he 
was elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1835, and re- 



V 



SHARON TOAVNSHIP. 



883 



elected in 1838 and 1839 ; he was on several important 
committees ; he was appointed by the Legislature Asso- 
ciate Judge of Richland Co., in which capacity he 
served seven years, presiding as President Judge for 
five terms ; he was one of the Board of Directors of 
the Sandusky & Mansfield R. R , and was appointed a 
committee by that board to receive the transfer of the 
Sandusky & ^lonroeville R. R. to the Sandusky & 
Mansfield road ; he was appointed by the Legislature 
to lay out numerous State roads, and has helped to lay ! 
out many of the county and township roads. He was [ 
a man of muscle as well as brain, as he cleared a large ! 
part of the farm he occupies. He was an enthusiastic j 
agriculturist ; he has also given horticulture consider- j 
able attention and study, and a number of the ladies 
of Shelby remember the beautiful flowers he brought | 
to the town ; he was the third President of the Agri- j 
cultural Society of Richland Co. He has been three ' 
times married, and has several daughters who are 
married, and who reside in the neighborhood. 

GARNHART, JACOB, farmer ; was born in Perry 
Co., Penn., July 29, 1830; he came to Ohio with his 
parents, who came about 1833, and settled finally in 
Sharon Township in 1835 ; he spent his time on the 
farm until 1852, when he, with a party of his neigh- 
bors from Shelby and vicinity, went by team to Cali- 
fornia, where he remained for two years and nine 
months, being engaged principally during that time in 
mining ; he took passage on the steamship Yankee 
Blade home, and when some fifteen miles from Point 
Concepcion, on the coast of California, the ship was 
wrecked, and he, with numerous others, came near \ 
losing his life ; but after some fourteen days' delay at 
San Diego, Cal., he again got passage and returned [ 
to Shelby ; he then purchased the farm on which he 
now lives, about two and one-half miles northwest of 
Shelby ; the improvements were poor on the farm when 
he purchased, but he has succeeded in making for him- 
self and family a beautiful home ; he built the present 
comfortable dwelling in 1862 ; he keeps his farm under 
good cultivation. ^Ir. Garnhart is in all respects a 
self-made man ; he started in life without a dollar, but 
by industry and economy he has been successful in life ; 
he is a man of force of character, and has the esteem 
and confidence of the community. He was married to 
Miss Catharine Myers Jan. 29, 1856 ; they have been 
blessed with a family of two children — George F., born 
March 12, 1858 ; Amanda E., June 21, 1861. 

HAWN, DANIEL, was born in Perry Co., Penn., 
Sept. 12, 1824; his father, Mathias Hawn, removed to 
Cumberland Co., Penn., when Daniel was about 9 
years of age ; early in life he learned the trade of car- 
penter, and, coming to Ohio in 1844, followed his trade 
for a time ; later he engaged in the business which he 
has pursued to the present time; in 1853, he removed 
to Crestline, Ohio, where he remained three years, and 
at the expiration of that time returned to Shelby, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Hawn has been twice 
married, first to Miss Magdalena Bloom in 1847 ; they 
had three children, two sons and one daughter ; his 
wife dying, he was again married, to Miss Mary Bloom, 
by whom he had five children. He brought his parents 
from Pennsylvania, and kindly cared for them in their 
old age ; he is a man of generous impulses and good 



business qualifications; has a fine family of children, 
who are noted for their activity and intelligence ; the 
eldest at home, Linda M., is by choice a teacher in the 
public schools, also a teacher of music ; the second 
daughter, Eva, died in her 23d year, respected by all 
who knew her ; Bertha and Georgia are the remaining 
children at home; Mrs. H. E. Kendall, a resident ol 
Mansfield, Ohio, is the only surviving child of his first 
marriage ; the present Mrs. Hawn is a daughter of 
Jacob Bloom, deceased, who was one of Richland's pio- 
neers, a man of unusual prominence and intelligence 
in the community. 

HAWK, JACOB, farmer and stock-raiser, was born 
in Franklin Co., Penn., Sept. 17, 1837 ; moved to 
Sharon Township (Sec. 19), November, 1851. Was 
married to Miss Sarah AVill on the 31st day of May, 
1868, when he moved to the farm he now occupies (Sec. 
20). His father, William Hawk, was born in Lebanon 
Co., Penn., Jan. 12, 1812 ; moved to Richland Co. in 
1851; died Nov. 16,1873; Mrs. Hawk died Aug. 9, 
1866. The subject of this sketch is the father of six 
children — William, Edgar E., Burton W., George, Daisy, 
Elizabeth and Clara S. 

HILL, J. G., editor and proprietor of the Shelby 
Times. The Times, which has recently come into Mr. 
Hill's control, is proving to be one of the best papers 
in the county ; Mr. Hill fully understands his business 
and makes an excellent paper. 

HOCKENSMITH, ADAM, farmer, was born in Fred- 
erick Co., Md., Dec. 21, 1801 ; when he was 12 years 
of age, his parents moved to Miifiin Co., Penn., where 
they remained for some years, and emigrated to Stark 
Co., Ohio, where they lived and died. Adam was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Myers Oct. 9, 1828, in Stark (.'o., 
and, in 1830, they came to Vernon Township, Crawford 
Co., where he entered a 40-acre tract of land ; they now 
reside on the southwest quarter of Sec. 14, Sharon 
Township. Mrs. Hockensmith was born in Adams Co., 
Penn., April 6, 1806 ; her parents finally moved to 
Richland Co., where they died. As a result of the 
marriage, there were born four children, three daugh- 
ters and one son, two of whom are living. Sarah Ann 
is married to .John Sutter. Ervilia Ann married to 
William Smith. 

HOLGATE, ELISABETH, MRS., Shelby ; she was 
born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1821 ; she moved 
to Steuben Co., N. Y., at the age of 16 years, and re- 
mained there seventeen years, then moved to Shelby, 
Ohio. In 1837, she was married to William Reynolds, 
who was born in 1813, in Otsego Co., N. Y. ; had by 
this marriage six children ; Miss Josie, William and 
Altha, who are now living in Richland Co.; three died 
when infants. Her first husband was killed on his 
farm in 1842. She was married to Reuben Holgate 
Sept. 23, 1876, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1795, 
and died near Shelby, Richland Co., Ohio, April 24, 
1879; she was Mr. Holgate's third wife; he was a 
Mason in good standing and a man respected by all. 

HOLLENBAUGH, ISAAC, farmer, was born in Rich- 
land Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1840; his father was born Nov. 
15, 1803 ; emigrated to Ohio in 1834, and was engaged 
in farming. He was married to Miss Mary Stroup, of 
Perry Co., Penn.; they had eleven children, ten sons 
and one daughter; seven living, the subject of this 



•^ rv 



_s)\2- 



884 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



notice being the seventh child. He was married to 
Miss Emily Roush, of Richland Co., Jan. 4, 1866 ; they 
have two children — Cora D., born Oct. 19, 1868; Ira 
Burton, .July 19, 1872. Mr. Hollenbaugh was a mem- 
ber of Co. F, 163d 0. N. G., and was with the regiment 
during the time it was in service. 

HOUPT, W. H., proprietor of Shelby Marble Works, 
importer, and wholesale dealer in all kinds of marble 
and granite ; was born in Seneca Co., Ohio ; his parents 
removed to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he spent his 
youth on a farm ; at the age of 26, he went to Somerset 
Co., Penn., and engaged in the marble business for 
some two years and a half; he then came to Ohio and 
purchased an interest in the works and ran in part- 
nership for about a year; in the spring of 1872, he 
purchased his partner's interest and took control him- 
self; he has superior advantages in the purchase of 
material ; he buys directly from the quarries of Eng- 
land, Scotland, Ireland and Canada; he purchases 
American granite and marble from all quarries in the 
United States ; he has recently purchased the marble 
works of Plymouth, Ohio, and opened works in Bucy- 
rus, Ohio ; from the long experience of Mr. Houpt in 
his business, and his well-known and honorable deal- 
ing, coupled with first class material and workmanship, 
he has established a large and increasing trade. 

HUSS, .JOHN A., stonemason, Shelby, Ohio ; he was 
born in Lancaster, Penn., Aug. 16, 1844; became to 
Richland Co. in 1867. He was married to Sarah E. 
Craiglow Nov. 25, 1869, who was born in Jackson 
Township June 4, 1850; they are the parents of five 
children — Clara S., born April 30, 1871 ; Eva L., Oct. 
21, 1872; Ida M., July 12, 1875; Ursa L., March 4, 
1877; Daisy H. A., Feb. 11, 1879. Mr. Huss volun- 
teered in the service of the United States at the com- 
mencement of the civil war, and remained in the army 
during the entire struggle; he was in thirteen hard- 
fought battles, and for his bravery had the office of Lieu- 
tenant conferred upon him. 

KERR, ROBERT, farmer and stock-raiser ; lives on 
Sec. 18, Sharon Township; he was born in the last 
year of the eighteenth century, the last month but one, 
and the last day but four, in Beaver Co., Penn.; in May, 
1821, he moved to Mansfield, Ohio, and hired with 
Robert Bowlan, to make brick ; he worked for him 
eighteen months, and never lost a day's time, a part at 
$7, part at ?8, and the remainder of the time at §10 per 
month, taking one-half out in store goods. In the year 
1831, he entered 160 acres of land on Sec. 25, built a 
hewed-log house, cleared up and commenced farming. 
Nov. 20, 1832, was married to Abigale King, and 
moved to his home April 2, 1833. By his industry and 
economy, he has purchased the pleasant home he now 
ocupies. Mr. Kerr, though an old man, is in good 
health, does his own choring, and can do an ordinary 
day's work. His wife was born in Union Co., Penn., 
April 2, 1811, and is living and in good health. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kerr are the parents of thirteen children — 
Catherine, born Sept. 11,1833; Matilda, died an infant; 
William H., born Oct. 1, 1836, and died Dec. 18, 1836 ; 
Cornelia A., born Jan. 11, 1838; Sarah A., Feb. 3, 
1840; Isaiah, Oct. 13, 1841, was a member in Co. 1, 
loth 0. V. I.; he was killed at Dallas, Ga., May 27, 
1861 ; Mariah, born Dec. 8, 1842 ; Benjamin, born Jan. 



6, 1846, was a member of Co. I, loth 0. V. I., and died 
April 8, 1866; Rebecca E. and Joseph N., born Aug. 9, 
1848: Sophronia, born Oct. 15, 1850, died Aug. 25, 
1855 ; Abigale Y., born Feb. 10, 1853 ; Robert C, born 
April 22, 1855. 

LOWE, J. S., PROF., Superintendent of Shelby 
Schools, and a minister in the Disiciple Church ; he was 
born in Virginia in -Januai-y, 1839, and has been teach- 
ing and preaching since he was 17 years of age, except 
while he attended Bethany College in Virginia. He had 
charge of the normal school at Geneva, Ohio, where he 
was very successful. He was President of the Farmers' 
College, College Hill, near Cincinnati, four years; he 
then came to Shelby, where he has resided most of the 
time since. He is regarded as an educator of excellent 
ability, and a minister of fine talents. 

LYBARCiER, H. R., was born in Richland Co., near 
where Gallon now stands, July, 1820. His father, 
Lewis Lybarger, emigrated from Bedford Co., Penn. 
about 1815 or 1816, and settled near where Gallon is 
located ; at that time it was on the frontier settlements ; 
he helped to build the block-house at ^lansfield, and 
also the jail. Harrison first commenced in Ganges, in 
1844, and remained there until 1854, when he moved 
to Shelby, and commenced business on the corner on 
which Bowman's Hall now stands ; he remained there 
for about ten years, and sold his business and went to 
" AVest Town " and opened business on the corner now 
occupied by Farrar & Seltzer, where he remained 
until the spring of 1880, when he again went to East 
Side and opened the dry-goods business in the Bowman 
building, under the firm name of H. R. Lybarger & 
Son. He is the oldest business man in Shelby ; he has 
been associated in business in the firm name of Ly- 
barger, Anderson & Co., and J. F. Saiger & Co., and 
Lybarger, Farrar & Co.; he is a thorough, practical 
business man, and from his long experience he is well 
qualified to give satisfaction to his customers. 

MACK, ANDREW J., attorney at law, Shelby; was 
born INIarch 15, 1845; his parents are Dr. John and 
Sophronia B. Mack, of Shelby. He attended the 
schools of his native village until he arrived at the 
age of 18 years, when he entered the prepai-atory 
department of the Western Reserve College, Hudson, 
Ohio ; he spent one year in the preparatory depart- 
ment, and then entered the freshman class in 1864, 
and graduated in 1868, having taken a full and com- 
plete collegiate course ; soon after graduating, he en- 
tered the law office of .Jenner & Jenner, in Mansfield, 
Ohio, and commenced the study of law ; he spent the 
year 1869-70 in the Law Department of Ann Arbor 
University, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1870, 
beginning the practice as a partner of Jenner & Jen- 
ner, the firm being Jenner, .Jenner & Mack. In the 
fall of 1871, Mr. J. K. Cowan was elected Prosecuting 
Attorney of Richland Co., but resigned soon after his 
induction into the office, as he had a very favorable and 
flattering offer from the B. & 0. R. R. Co.; Mr. INIack 
was appointed to fill the vacancy ; in September, 1873, 
he associated himself with Judge Joel Myers in the 
purchase of the Ohio Stati'sman, of Columbus, and re- 
moved to that city ; Air. Myers assumed the business 
and Mr. Mack the editorial control of said paper; this 
partnership lasted until the spring of 1876, when they 



1^ 



-v 



SHAROX TOWNSHIP. 



885 



sold their interest, and Mr. Mack returned to Shelby 
and immediately entered into a law partnership with 
T. H. Wiggins, Esq., under the firm name of Wiggins 
& Mack ; this partnership lasted until .lune, 1878, 
when, by mutual consent, the firm was dissolved, and 
Mr. Mack opened a law oiBce of his own, where he 
has since been engaged in a lucrative practice. As will 
be noticed, Mr. Mack has an extended business experi- 
ence ; he has had good opportunities to become ac- 
quainted with the various " dealings of men," and from 
his naturally quick and ready discernment, he has laid 
a foundation which will be of great benefit in his pro- 
fession; his classical education and his experience in 
the editorial sanctum have qualified him fully in the 
presentation of his cases ; he is a ready and impressive 
pleader, logical in his conclusions and earnest in his 
efforts — points essential to the success of a lawyer; he 
is prompt in his business, and few young men of " the 
bar" have a brighter future. 

MARVIN, STEPHEN, is the second son of Isaac 
and Hannah Hoyet Marvin, born Jan. 8, 1797, in Fair- 
field Co., Conn.; he was of a family of fourteen chil- 
dren — eight brothers and six sisters ; the Marvin 
family are of English descent ; the original ancestral 
emigration to this country is believed to be about 1700. 
At the outbreak of the Revolution, there was quite a 
numerous family; with a single exception, all em- 
braced the patriot side of the question, and several 
enlisted in the army of the Revolution ; one Charles 
rose to the rank of Colonel. The principal inheritance 
of the subject of this sketch was a good ancestral name 
and a vigorous constitution — a will to encounter the 
difficulties incident to pioneer life and successfully 
overcome them ; his father being blessed with only a 
small share of this world's goods, necessitated that the 
boy should be placed upon his own footing; accord- 
ingly, at the age of 14 he was duly apprenticed to one 
Ebenezer Scribner, to learn the tanner and currier 
business ; a service of seven years completed this 
compact, and the "boy was his own man " With the 
wide world all before him, blessed with health, courage 
and a business vocation, the West presented to him an 
attraction — a field suited to his purpose. April 5, 
1818, he was married to Sarah Burr Sherwood ; this 
young couple, with love in their hearts, soon took up 
the line of march to the then far ofi" Ohio ; other fami- 
lies accompanied them in their journey, among whom 
were his father and the father of Eli Wilson, making a 
company of over twenty persons ; a single wagon, 
drawn by one horse, was sufficient to contain the outfit 
of this newly wedded couple, with their faces turned 
to the west, intent upon spending their honeymoon in 
purposing more than mere travel and recr.eation. De- 
borah Moyer, mother of Mrs. Marvin, then a widow, 
accompanied these people, and when, after many 
weary days, a home of 50 acres was located and pur- 
chased in Sharon Township, Richland Co., Ohio, the 
cabin home was erected and life in earnest entered 
upon ; from a wilderness home, with the log cabin 
and its usual accompaniments, to one of modern ele- 
gance and convenience, is a triumph for a lifetime; 
yet this much was vouchsafed to this worthy couple in 
the sear and yellow leaf of their lives. As a citizen, 
few men were more useful than Stephen Marvin ; he 



established himself at his business by first tanning in 
tubs and vessels, pounding the bark as fine as possible, 
that the strength might be extracted ; with years of 
industry came a well-established business of tanning 
and shoemaking, all carried tm with care and profit. 
To Stephen and Sarah B. Marvin thirteen children 
were born, as follows : Angeline, Burr, Charles W., 
Daniel S., Edward, Hiram, Elanor, John J., Jane, 
Ellen, Laura L., George F. and Emily A.; ten of them 
survive at this writing. May 1, 1880; two died in 
infancy, and one (Ellen ^I. Conover) died July 21, 
1866 ; Angeline, the eldest of the family, was married 
to Downing H. Young Sept. 4, 1837, and now resides 
at Norwalk, Ohio ; Burr Marvin was married to Lucy 
Thomas Sept. 2, 184-3 ; Charles W. Marvin to Martha 
Brooks Dec. 17, 1857 ; Hiram Marvin to Maria Hin- 
man Oct. 22, 1854; Ellen Jennette Marvin married W. 
W. Conover Oct. 15, 1862; John J. Marvin manned 
Harriet Eliza Guilford April 21, 1863; Daniel Sher- 
wood Marvin married Caroline Sherman Dec. 21, 1863; 
Isabel Jane married Fritz A. Ott March 8, 1864; 
George F. Marvin married Harriet E. Riggs Oct. 28, 
1860. In religious sentiments, Mr. Marvin was lib- 
eral, believing in the final salvation of all of God's peo- 
ple; he was an active member of the Universalist 
Society of Shelby : in politics, he was an Old-Line 
Henry Clay Whig, with decided antislavery convic- 
tions ; hence it was that, when the Whig party did 
not keep pace with the public sentiment of distrust of 
the demands made in the interests of slavery, he was 
found doing battle in the front ranks of the newly 
formed Republican party, never swerving in his devo- 
tion to the Union, watching with earnest anxiety the 
results of the terrible conflict, whereby slavery sought 
to establish itself permanently in a government of the 
people. Too old to enlist in the army himself, for the 
overthrow of the rebellion, he had four sons who stood 
ready to discharge such duty ; two of them — Daniel S. 
and George F. — joined the Sherman Brigade, and each 
testified full faith, and attested their devotion to the 
Union ; Daniel was seriously wounded at the battle of 
Stone River, owing to the character of which he was 
soon discharged from the army ; George F. was 
wounded at the same battle, although not so seriously ; 
his services were continued to the close of the war, 
during which time he received five different wounds, 
from the effects of which neither Daniel nor George will 
ever recover; Charles W. was mustered into the serv- 
ice as surgeon of a Michigan regiment, and served with 
distinction; John J. enlisted in an Ohio regiment, and 
was down on the Potomac. 

As the log cabins of Eli AVilson and Stephen Marvin 
were the first erected in the vicinity of where Shelby 
now stands, so, too, were their new, comfortable home 
structures the first to take the place of the log cabins, 
that of Mr. Wilson being erected during the summer 
of 1833. April 5, 1868, they celebrated their golden 
wedding, where children, grandchildren and numerous 
other friends assembled .to pay their respects, and 
where many testimonials of sincere regard were ten- 
dered ; this was truly the season of fruition that 
crowned Stephen and Sarah Marvin with joy and sat- 
isfaction that their lives, though frought with pioneer 
hardships and privations, had not been in vain ; a 



j<\: 



±L 



886 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



large family had grown up around them, the wilder- 
ness had disappeared, and in its stead a thriving vil- 
lage of 2,000 inhabitants, with churches, schools, and 
all the accessories to make life comfortable, and be- 
loved hy all, because they were the friends of all. Lit- 
tle is left for the writer to chronicle here b'ut the 
deaths of this venerable couple ; Stephen Marvin died, 
after a brief but painful illness, Aug. 18, 1868, aged 
81 years 7 months and 2 days; Sarah B. survived 
him nearly ten years, she departed this life March 
31, 1878, aged 77 years 8 months and 5 days. Most 
of the children of the deceased have taken up their 
residences in different parts of the country ; one — 
Jennie M. Ott — is married and has at present a family 
of four children, and is living near the old home, 
while Laura and Emily A. are unmarried, and own 
and occupy a part of the old homestead,] where the an- 
nual thanksgivings of the family are held ; Hiram 
Marvin, the only son resident in the vicinity, after the 
death of his grandfather, Isaac Marvin, Oct. 12, 1850, 
located upon the old farm in Jackson Township, re- 
siding with his grandmother until her death, March 
27, 1858; he married Maria Hinman Oct. 22, 1854, 
and removed to Shelby in April, 1865; he engaged in 
the drug business with John Kerr, under the firm 
name of Kerr & Marvin, the said firm building the 
block they now occupy, in 1869, having carried on a 
successful business and earned an enviable reputation. 
Hiram and Maria Marvin have four children living, 
viz., Sarah Malinda, Laura Caroline, Hubbard Orton 
and Wilbur Hiram. 

MICKEV, HARRISON, retired blacksmith, was born 
in Orange Township, Richland (now Ashland) Co., 
Dec. 1, 1819; he is the third son of Robert and Mary 
Mickey, who emigrated from Westmoreland Co., Penn., 
in 1817; he experienced all the trials of pioneer life 
from infancy, and especially so in his case, as there 
was a family of thirteen children, five daughters and 
eight sons, all of whom are living except Nicholas, who 
died in California in 1876, aged 58 years, and have 
raised families, and deserve especial mention for integ- 
rity and industry ; in 1834, the "old farm" was sold ; 
on the 14th of May the family started for their new 
home, and arrived next day; this farm was located in 
Madison Township, adjoining the Michael Newman 
farm on the east ; there, as in earlier years, Harrison 
helped to clear the farm, and attended school for a short 
time during the winter; he knew well the value of 
time, and during the short sessions applied himself with 
diligence ; a friend visiting the family when Harrison 
was about 8 years old, as a token of esteem gave 
him 12i cents, which was his first money, and with 
which he purchased a spelling book : at the age of 17, 
he left the farm, and was apprenticed to John Swan- 
ner, of Mansfield, to learn the blacksmith trade ; dur- 
ing his apprenticeship he associated himself with a 
reading club, where he spent his leisure time obtaining 
useful information and increasing his limited educa- 
tion ; to use his own term, he graduated in Swanner's 
blacksmith-shop, with the highest honors of his trade, 
when 21 years of age ; on Dec. 1, 1840, the day he was 
21 years old, he commenced to work in the employ of 
Albert Minerly and Downing H. Young, in Shelby, in 
which place he has since resided ; he some time after- 



ward started for himself, but had the misfortune, about 
the time he was fairly under way, to lose his shop by 
fire, consuming two sets of tools ; by the aid and kind- 
ness of his neighbors he was set at work in a short 
time ; he worked at his trade until the fall of 1852, 
when on account of physical disability he quit the 
shop ; after the election of Franklin Pierce, and through 
the advice of Dr. John Mack, Thomas Mickey and 
other friends, he applied for the appointment of Post- 
master of Shelby ; he received the indorsement of 
every county official, and his application was numer- 
ously signed by his neighbors, with several prominent 
men from other States ; this was necessary, as he had 
rabid opposition from the friends of the acting Post- 
master ; he was appointed Postmaster about June 1, 
1853; he filled the same acceptably to Oct. 1,1860; 
during this time he acted as Mayor, for nine months, 
filling an unexpired term ; during the campaign of 
1860, the Breckenridge and Lane committee asked him 
to contribute the sum of $10 for political purposes, but 
being a Douglas Democrat he wrote a scathing letter, 
which lost him the position ; the following is the reply, 
and at the time it probably was more circulated than 
any document of the campaign : 

" Shelbv, Ohio, July 24, 1860. 

" Sirs : In answer to yournote of yesterday, demand- 
ing -f 10 in consideraiton of my official position as Post- 
master, to aid in making a political canvass in favor of 
Breckenridge and Lane, I will say that it can in no way 
be acceded to by me. 

" Under the present circumstances, and the manner in 
which you make the demand, I deem it an insult and 
an outrage upon every principle of honor, integrity 
and independence, that ought to characterize the con- 
duct and actions of every American citizen, be he high 
or low, rich or poor ; and I cannot do otherwise than 
treat it as such, without a total sacrifice of the rights 
of conscience, and a cowardly submission of every prin- 
ciple of manly independence. 

" / therefore spurn your demand as an offered bribe for 
the paltry place of a few official crumbs. 

"I wear no official halter around my neck. I learned 
the principles of Democracy from my mother's knee ; 
I have been a Democrat all my life, and expect to die 
one. 

" In 1852, to the extent of my humble ability, I did 
what I could in contributing to the election of Franklin 
Pierce and sustaining the compromise measures of 1850. 

" To carry out the same principles and measures in 
1856, I again did ^hat I could to aid in the election of 
James Buchanan, to maintain those principles and 
measures, so just to all sections of the country. 

" And now again in 1860, if God spares my life, when 
a still more dangerous and formidable attack is made 
upon those time-honored principles of the Democratic 
party by fanatical disunion factionists, both North and 
South, and an unholy attempt is made to break up and 
crush out the only national conservative party — and to 
that end I am invited to contribute aid. 

" I will do all I am able in any honorable way to sus- 
tain and carry out those principles, and uphold the na- 
tionality of the Democratic party, in the election of our 
noble standard-bearers, Stephen A. Douglas and Her- 
schel V. Johnston. If I cannot do this and longer hold 






,v^- 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



887 



my official position as Postmaster of the little village 
of Shelby without offending the powers that be, then I 
no longer desire the position — they may cut off my 
Douglas head. • If this be treason,, then let it come ! — 
let it come 1 may we profit by the example! 

MORTON, N. S., farmer and an early settler; was 
born in Massachusetts Aug. 12, 1808 ; his parents were 
farmers; they emigrated to New York about 1817, 
where young Morton remained until he was 21 years of 
age; he then emigrated to Richland Co., and entered 
an 80-acre tract of land, now known as the .Jacob Clark 
farm; after being on the farm for ten years, and clear- 
ing a considerable portion of it, he sold and purchased 
the farm on which he now resides ; he is an intelligent, 
comprehensive man. He was twice married i his first 
wife was Eliza Ann Gamble, of Sharon Township, to 
whom he was married Aug. 16, 1830 ; they had six 
children, all living, five sons and one daughter ; his sec- 
ond wife was Mrs. Ann E. Douling ; they had nine 
children, three of whom are living. 

MOYER, HENRY, of the firm of Brubaker & Moyer, 
clothiers ; was born in Berks Co., Penn., in 1839 ; he 
spent his youth in the country, and, at the age of 16, 
he went to the ti-ade of stonemason; in 1863, he came 
to Ohio and settled in Shelby, where he followed his 
trade, contracting stone and brick work until Feb. 1, 
1879, when he purchased a third interest in the store 
of .J. H. Brubaker; Mr. Moyer conducts the sales 
department and the cutting and fitting is conducted by 
Daniel Sipe ; the firm carry a large and well-selected 
stock of ready-made clothing, and, also, a full line of 
cassimere and furnishing goods. Mr. Moyer is a sales- 
man of no mean ability ; he is an upright business man 
and takes especial pride in suiting the public. He was 
married to Miss Angeline Garber, daughter of Joseph 
Garber, of Perry Co., Penn., July 20, 1864; they have 
two children. 

MYERS, ISAAC A., physician; he was born of 
religious parents, in Allegheny City, Allegheny Co., 
Penn., in August, 1839 ; he was the oldest son of Sam- 
uel and Maria C. Myers; about 1849, his parents re- 
moved to Ohio and settled in Ashland, where his father 
carried on painting ; subsequently they moved to Rich- 
land Co. and located in Shelby, where the subject of 
this sketch now resides. At an early age, he united 
with the Methodist Church, and continued as such till 
dissensions arose in the church in Shelby, when he 
withdrew his membership and united with the Re- 
formed Church, then in charge of Rev. N. H. Loose. 
While in Shelby, he became an apprentice to his father 
in painting and worked at that till 1859, when he com- 
menced the study of anatomy and physiology, and, in 
1860, entered the office of Dr. W. R. Bricker, in Shelby, 
Ohio, where he remained till the 18th of April, 1861, 
when he entered the service and was enrolled in Co. I 
(Capt. A. C. Cummins), 15th 0. V. I., serving in the 
capacity of private, nurse and steward in hospital until 
discharged from the service Aug. 29, 1861 : again en- 
listed as a private in Co. I, 15th 0. V. I., Sept. 7, 1861, 
and served in various departments until discharged 
under special field order No. 32, Department of the 
Cumberland, for promotion, Feb. 4, 1863; eight days 
later, he received a commission and was ordered on 
duty at Hospital No. 23, Nashville, Tenn.; after serv- 



ing in the capacity of Ward Surgeon for several 
months, was ordered to take charge of the U. S. gene- 
ral hospital train, running from Nashville to all points 
in the rear of the army ; in this connection, he served 
till Aug. 4, 1864, when he was transferred to the De- 
partment of the East, by order of the Surgeon General, 
and, on Aug. 29, 1864, was ordered on duty at Grant 
General Hospital, Willet's Point, New York Harbor, by 
the Medical Director of the Department of the East ; 
at this hospital, there were 1,500 patients and twelve 
assistant surgeons, under charge of Surgeon A. H. 
Thurston, of New York City ; during the time he was 
here, his promotions were rapid, till he was made exec- 
utive officer, Treasurer, etc.; in 1865, he resigned and 
came home to Shelby, and again entered the office of 
Dr. W. R. Bricker, where he remained till fall, and 
then went to attend the University of Michigan at 
Ann Arbor, where he remained six months (having 
attended the University of Nashville Medical Depart- 
ment in 1862 and 1863) ; returning from Michigan in 
1866, continued on in the office with Dr. Bricker till 
the fall, and then went to Cleveland and graduated at 
the Western Reserve College in 1867 ; in the same year, 
entered into partnership with Dr. Brickee and contin- 
ued as such for over a year, when he went West, then 
returned and located in Shelby in the fall of 1868. In 
October, 1869, the Doctor was married, by the Rev. N. 
H. Loose, to Miss Vince A. JNIatson, daughter of Uriah 
and Elizabeth B. Matson, and, at present writing, have 
two children living— E. Roy and R. Guizott. In No- 
vember, 1872, went into partnership with Dr. McMil- 
lan and dissolved the same March 31, 1874. Politi- 
cally, he has always been a Republican, advancing the 
interests of the cause and maintaining the principles 
of the party. In December, 1862, he became con- 
nected as a local correspondent with the Herald at 
Mansfield, Ohio, and also with the Shelby papers and 
others, writing up all points of local and general inter- 
est, as well as those of a religious, historical and scien- 
tific character. 

OVERDEAR, MICHAEL, farmer, Shelby,; he was 
born in July, 1821, southeast of Mansfield, on the farm 
now owned by Mr. Campbell ; he has always lived in 
Richland Co., and for the past twenty years, one an(J 
one-half miles south of Shelby. In 1840, he was mar- 
ried to Ellis Deardoff; they have had but one child — 
John, who was born in 1842, and who died in 1847 ; 
he has reared three girls and one boy for other people. 
His wife died Dec. 24, 1876. Mr. Overdear is one of 
the early settlers of Richland Co., and can tell of the 
many hardships of pioneer life. 

PITTINGER, J. L., was born in Blooming Grove 
Township June 29, 1839 ; his youth was spent on a 
farm; when he was about 15 years of age, he went to 
the village of Ganges, and clerked in a store about one 
year ; he then came to Shelby, and clerked for Mr. 
Lybarger for about five years ; he was in the grocery 
and provision business, also in the lumber and in the 
shoe trade, in which latter business he was engaged six 
years. He is a Director of the First National Bank of 
Shelby. Mr. Pittinger is a men of quiet demeanor ; he 
is a correct business man, and weighs matters fully 
before deciding upon a course to be pursued. He was 



^ 



^ v: 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



married to Miss Gibson Nov. 16, 1861 ; they have had 
two children, both of whom are dead. 

POST, DAVID, farmer ; was born in Ricliland Co. 
March 11, 1820; his father, Daniel Post, was one of 
the early settlers ; he emigrated from Washington Co., 
Penn., about 1817, and settlednear Lexington ; he came 
to Sharon about 1830, where he lived until he died in 
the spring of 1876. He TjiCas married, in Pennsylvania, 
to Miss Hannah Martin ; they had four sons and three 
daughters. The subject of this sketch came to Shelby 
in 1840, and worked at blacksmithing until 1848, when 
he moved to the farm he now occupies, which was en- 
tirely covered with heavy timber ; by hard, persistent 
work he has cleared his farm, and has a pleasant home. 
He was married to Miss Elisabeth Bargaheiser Dec. 4, 
1845 ; they have four sons and two daughters. His 
wife died, and he was again married to Christina H. 
Hopp Oct. 16, 1861 ; they have three children, one 
daughter and two sons. Mr. Post is a good farmer, and 
has the esteem of his acquaintances. 

POST, L. B., farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Shelby ; 
he was born in Sharon Township Aug. 26, 1846. He 
was married to Hattie L. Lewis on the 28th day of 
Dec. 1869; had by this marriage two children — Frank 
Ida, and Charles L. Mr. Post was born and reared 
on a farm, and is one of the enterprising farmers of 
Richland Co. His wife was born and reared in Rich- 
land Co. His father is one of the early settlers, and 
now lives in Sharon Township ; his mother died in 
June, 1861. 

RAYNOLDS, WILLIAM F., farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Shelby ; he was born in Sharon Township Sept. 
14, 1857 ; his thither died when he was but 10 years of 
age, and, as he was the oldest of the family, it left him 
with considerable responsibility. In 1866. his mother 
married her second husband, Robert Holgate. .June 

29, 1877, the subject of this sketch married Miss Lib- 
bie Feighner, daughter of Solomon Feighner, who was 
born in Richland Co. in October, 1858 ; by this mar- 
riage they are the parents of one child — ^lirtle, born 
Feb. 13, 1879. Mr. Raynolds is an enterprising young 
farmer. 

ROBERTS, ANNA, MRS., was born in Fairfjix Court 
House, W. Va., March 11, 1787. AVas married to Rich- 
ard Roberts June 11,1807; moved to Ohio in 1828; 
she had by this marriage eleven children, all living — 
John, born July 22, 1808; Polina, May 18, 1811; 
George, May 2, 1815; Benjamin, Aug. 19, 1817; 
Thomas, Aug. 14, 1819; Nancy Ann, Sept. 21, 1821 ; 
AVilliam, Aug. 5, 1823; Richard, Aug. 5, 1825; David, 
Nov. 25, 1827; Obadiah. .July 23, 1829. Mr. Richard 
Roberts was born in Culpeper Court House, Va , June 

30, 1782; he died Dec. 8, 1838. Mr.s. Roberts is now 
over 93 years of age, is in reasonable good health, and 
lives with her son and daughter, Richard and Nancy, 
on the old homestead south of Shelby. 

ROCKWELL, MARY P., widow of Samuel M. Rock- 
well, was born in Perry Co., Penn., Nov. 14, 1814; 
her father. Gen. Leiby, removed from Pennsylvania to 
New York, where he remained for some time, and, in 
Sept., 1834, came to Ohio and settled near Mansfield, 
where he remained two years, and then removed to 
what is now Jackson Township, where he resided some 
five ycMrs. In 1840, he moved to Indiana, where he 



died, in 1859, aged about 73 years. Mr. Rockwell was 
born in Norwalk, Conn., Dec. 2, 1811; when he was 
4 years old, he was left an orphan ; he was taken 
by his grandfather, Joseph R. Rockwell, who came to 
Ohio and brought Samuel with him ; Mr. Rockwell took 
an interest in the history of Richland County, and was 
instrumental in having a series of articles pub- 
lished in the Independent News, Shelby, on the " History 
of Sharon and .Jackson Townships." It was his inten- 
tion to have a full and complete work of the county 
compiled. Miss Leiby and Samuel M. Rockwell were 
married March 24, 1836 ; they had nine children, six 
of whom are living. 

SKILES & SKILES, attorneys at law, Shelby. W. 
W. and G. M. Skiles were born in Stoughton, Cumber- 
land Co., Penn. W. W. Skiles was born Dec. 12, 1849 ; 
G. M., Feb. 25, 1852. Their father, John G. Skiles, 
was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., and is of Irish 
descent. He was married to Sarah Jane Martin, of the 
same county, who is of Scotch descent. John G. is a 
cabinet-maker by trade, but has been engaged at farm- 
ing for some years. As a result of the union of the 
couple, there were born seven children, four daughters 
and three sons, all living. They emigrated to Ohio in 
1854. W. W. and G. M. were raised on a farm with 
their parents, attending the common schools of the dis- 
trict, about two and one-half months in a year, but by 
close application they became sufficiently qualified to 
teach common school in the winter, and thereby save 
the necessary means to enter the preparatory depart- 
ment of the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. They 
attended seven or eight months a year, and during the 
remainder of the year they taught school and worked 
in the harvest field, in order to pay their way. They 
kept up with their class the year round, and graduated 
June 18, 1876, being among the first in a class of twenty- 
six. As they intended entering the legal profession, 
they lost no time, and at once commenced to read with 
the well-known law firm of Matson, Dirlam & Leyman, 
of Mansfield. They were admitted to the bar, July 
24, 1878, and shortly afterward opened an office in 
Shelby, where, by strict attention to the business which 
is intrusted to them, they have succeeded in obtaining 
quite a lucrative and growing practice. William M. 
Skiles was married to Miss E. Dora ]Matson,only child of 
John S. B. .Matson, Oct. 3, 1878. G. M. Skiles was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Clark, eldest daughter of 
Samuel Clark, of Jackson Township, Aug. 22, 1878. 

SLAYBAUGH, WILLIAM, bricklayer and stone- 
mason ; was born in Adams Co., Penn., Sept. 5, 1813 ; 
his youth was spent on a farm ; when about 18 years 
of age, he commenced the trade of stonemason and 
bricklaying ; his parents, George and Magdalena Slay- 
baugh, whose maiden name was Starry, came to Ohio 
in the spring of 1834, and settled about three miles 
south of Shelby. Mrs. Slaybaugh is still residing on 
the farm she and her husband first settled. Mr. Slay- 
baugh died in January, 1865. The subject of this 
notice came to Shelby in 1845. He was married to 
Miss Sarah Rank May 16, 1837 ; she was born in Cum- 
berland Co., Penn., March 8, 1820 ; came to Ohio with 
her parents in 1833. Mrs. and Mr. Slaybaugh had six 
children, five living — D. B. Slaybaugh resides in Shelby; 
George E., at home; Ida Salome, married to James 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



889 



Shultz, and lives in Crestline ; W. R., farmer in Rich- 
land : Lizzie, at home. Alice L. died in infancy. 

SLAYBAUGH, D. B , was born in Richland Co. Feb. 
8, 1846 ; he is engaged in the manufacture of brick, in 
which he has been successful. He first commenced the 
business with his father, and, after continuing with him 
for some time, he purchased his father's interest, and 
has since been sole proprietor. He has furnished most 
of the brick for the town and surrounding country. He 
was married to Miss Alice J. Curran July 27, 1871 ; 
she was born in Indiana Jan. 6, 1855. 

SOTZEN, HENRY, merchant tailor, Shelby, was 
born in Canton Basil, Switzerland; he remained 
with his parents on the farm till the age of 16 ; he 
was bound to his trade, having to pay $^40 and work 
two and one-half years to learn it ; at the expiration 
of one-half the time, he left his employer, for the pur- 
pose of coming to America ; his employer bringing 
suit against him for balance of his time, the court de- 
cided that any one wishing to emigrate to America was 
at liberty to go at will ; he left Canton Basil in April, 
1844, in company with his brother, Jacob Sotzen, Sam- 
uel and Crist Sutter, traveling in wagons to Havre de 
Grace, embarking about the 1st of May ; they sailed 
for New York, making the voyage in thirty-six days ; 
he came direct to Shelby, remaining about three years. 
He then went to Olney, 111., having to go to Sandusky, 
from there to Toledo, by steamer, and to Terre 
Haute, Ind., by way of Maumee Canal, and thence to 
Olney by stage. He worked at his trade about two 
years. He married Miss Nancy Ross in December, 
1847, who died in November, 1848. About this time, 
the gold excitement reached Olney, when he, with a 
party of twelve, started across the Plains INIarch 15, 
1849, arriving at Sacramento, being Just 100 days 
crossing. The party traveled with three wagons, four 
men and as many mules to each wagon. After be- 
ing on the Plains about eight days, Henry Raust (an 
old resident of Shelby, and one of the party,) sickened 
and died, after an illness of about three days, the re- 
mainder of the party digging a grave. Nothing fur- 
ther of importance occurred until they reached the 
Humboldt River, in Nevada. As they were in camp 
one evening (at the west side of the river), they dis- 
covered a hot spring on the opposite side, and those 
who could swim crossed to see the curiosity. One Dr. 
Eckley, a former citizen of Richland Co., going too 
close, the sod gave way and he was precipitated into 
the boiling water nearly to his waist, which confined 
him to his wagon until they reached California. August 
15, they disposed of four mules and a wagon, 
and started for the mines ; taking sick a few days after 
his arrival at the mines, he returned to Sacramento 
and went to the hospital, where he remained three 
days, for which he paid $75. He then contracted with 
the Government of the Territory to carry provisions 
to emigrants who were destitute. In this he was engag- 
ed about a month. He then went to Auburn, Cal., and, 
in the spring of 1850, he went to the Middle Fork of 
the American River, where he took up a mining claim, 
and remained about in six weeks. He then left the 
mines, first casting his vote for the Territory to be 
admitted into the Union as a free State. Embarking at 
San Francisco for Panama, C. A., he crossed the Isth- 



mus on foot, where he remained one week. He em- 
barked at Chagres for New York, from where he came 
direct to Shelby. He was the first to open a inerchant 
tailor shop in Shelby, where he remained until 1852. 
He married Miss Julia Whitmore March 15, 1852. He, 
with twelve others, started in wagons for Sacramento, 
He settled in Cold Springs, Eldorado Co., five miles 
from where the first specimen of gold was found in 
California, and engaged in general merchandise ; in 
connection with the above business, he, with his part- 
ner, Mr. Goodnow, built a saw-mill, and followed lum- 
bering ; in 1857, they formed a stock company and 
built a quartz-mill, by which they lost heavily. In 
1859, the court granted him a divorce and his chil- 
dren, which he sent to Shelby to be cared for by 
friends. In 1860, he, with his partner, engaged 
in freighting across the Sierra Nevada Mountains ; 
in November, 1862, he disposed of his entire interest, 
and embarked, at San Francisco, for New York, by 
way of Panama and Aspinwall ; the steamer Ariel, on 
which he came home, was captured on his return trip 
between New York and Aspinwall, by the rebel pirate 
Simms ; he again reached Shelby Jan. 1,1863, and 
purchased the interest of T. Mickey, in a merchant 
tailoring establishment, and remained five years, dur- 
ing which time he married Miss Lou Garnhart ; they 
have three children — George, Harry and Walter. In 
March, 1858, he again went to Olney, 111., where he 
spent two years handling eggs, and two years under 
the firm name of King & Hotzen, as merchant tailors ; 
he again returned to Shelby, and, since the spring of 
1873, he has been engaged in the business of a mer- 
chant tailor, iu which he has been very successful. 

STEFFEY, EMILY A., was born in Franklin Co., 
Penn. Her father, Jonathan Stefi'ey, was born in 
Washington Co., Md., Sept. 21, 1800, and when a young 
man he came to Franklin Co., Penn., where he was 
married in 1830, to Miss Rebecca Maybury, who was 
born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Dec. 22, 1806. They had 
seven children, six living. In 1838, they came to Ohio 
and settled in Ganges, where he followed the carpenter 
trade for some years. He i-emained in Ganges for 
thirty-six years, and then moved to Shelby, where he 
died Aug. 1, 1876. 

SUTTER, GEORGE F., farmer ; was born in Craw- 
ford Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 1854. He attended the dis- 
trict schools of the county during the winter months, 
and in the summer worked on the farm. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Nora Boner, of Richland Co., July 6, 1875. 
His father, John Sutter, was born in Canton Basil, 
Switzerland, June 22, 1818. He was the son of a far- 
mer, and he spent his youth on a farm. He emigrated 
to America in 1840, and remained in New York for 
some time, and then came to Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio, 
and from there to Richland Co. He was married to 
Miss Sarah Ann Hockensmith Nov. 9, 1847. They 
had seven children, three daughters and four sons; one 
daughter and three sons living. Sarah A. was married 
to Butler Albertson, farmer ; Henry F., farmer ; AVill- 
iam J., at home, and George F., the subject of this 
notice. The elder Sutter,began life poor, but by indus- 
try, economy and honesty he obtained a fair competence, 
He died March 8, 1876, mourned by all who knew him. 
His wife still survives him. 




-^ 



SUTTER, SAMUEL, is one of the few business men 
left who have seen Shelby grow from small beginnings 
to its present prosperous condition. Mr. Sutter was 
born in the Canton of Basil, Switzerland, in May, 
1823, where he remained until he was 4 years 
of age, when, with his mother, his father having died, 
he went to OrisdorfF, in Basil, and remained there until 
1841. There he learned his trade, that of cabinet- 
maker. It is a wjsU-known fact that throughout Europe, 
and especially in Germany and Switzerland, learning a 
trade means more than it does in this country. 
Mr. Sutter, after having served his apprenticeship, 
spent two years, after the manner of his country- 
men, in traveling through his native country, work- 
ing at his trade ; in April, 1844, he started from 
Basil to come to this country, having heard that 
here skilled labor was more generously rewarded than 
In fatherland ; about the 26th of April, 1844, he em- 
barked at Havre for America, and after a pleasant voy- 
age, landed in New York about June 1 ; he went up 
the Hudson to Albany by steamer, and from there to 
Buffalo, where he took steamer for Port Huron, on 
Lake Erie, and "from there he came to Shelby, arriving 
here about the 11th day of June, 1844 ; in the spring 
of 1846 he purchased an interest with a Mr. Row in 
that portion of Shelby known as Texas, where he re- 
mained for about two years ; about this time Robert 
Mickey, with others, began to lay out and build up 
East Shelby ; Mr. Sutter came to Shelby an entire 
stranger, being the first European German to locate in 
this place, and at this time could neither speak nor 
write a word of English ; this was not an enviable po- 
sition in which to be placed, to say the least ; a 
stranger in a strange land, unacquainted with its 
language and customs, and yet dependent upon the re- 
sources of his own brain and muscle to hew out a path 
to future comfort and a competency for old age ; in Mr. 
Sutter's vocabulary there was no such word as fail ; he 
had, as all who are acquainted with him know, under a 
quiet exterior an indomitable will, that would bend be- 
fore no obstacle, and overcome all opposition ; he 
could not but succeed ; Mr. Sutter commenced business 
for himself as a cabinet-maker in 1848, in the present 
Samuel Clapper house, where he manufactured furni- 
ture by hand for the home trade ; so well had he 
learned his trade in Switzerland, that the finish and 
strength of his work commended itself to all, and 
orders poured in so rapidly that he had no idle hours ; 
he continued to manufacture furniture by hand up to 
1863, when his business became so extensive as to 
compel him to bring steam and machinery to his aid in 
manufacturing for home trade ; in 1875, he largely ex- 
tended his facilities, and began to manufacture on a 
large scale, supplying numerous orders, not only 
throughout Ohio, but also having an extensive trade in 
adjoining States ; he is now extensively engaged in the 
manufacture of furniture, employing many hands, and 
supplying the trade with a class of goods not excelled 
by any manufacturer in the country ; Mr. Sutter has 
long been identified with the interests and growth of 
Shelby ; he erected all the buildings on the north side 
of Main street, from the dwelling of L. Clapper to the 
Black Fork. He also built and ran the first steam saw- 
mill in the village, and beside all this, erected five 



dwelling-houses in diflFerent parts of Shelby ; thus 
Mr. Sutter has, without doubt, done more to build 
up his adopted place than any other within its limits ; 
Mr. Sutter was married, Dec. 24, 1846, to Miss 
Elizabeth Will, who was born in the Grand Duchy 
of Baden in 1825, and by whom he has had nine chil- 
dren, eight of whom are now living ; their names are 
V. W., Lovina, Elizabeth, John Calvin, Margaretta, 
Samuel Zwingly, George Koch, Sarah Rebecca and Fred- 
erick. It is well for our country that there are such 
men as Mr. Sutter, who leave the crowded marts and 
workshops of the Old World, and, emigrating to this 
country, add so largely of their skill in advancing and 
developing its resources. 

SUTTER, SAMUEL J., furniture and undertaking; 
is a son of Samuel Sutter, mentioned above, and pos- 
sesses in a remarkable degree his characteristic pluck 
and energy ; he was born in Shelby, Ohio, Sept. 20, 
1856 ; he remained with his parents until he was 20 
years old, attending school in Shelby until he was 
16 years of age, when he went to Zanesville and took a 
thorough business course in the business college of 
that place, and the thoroughness of the instruction and 
aptness of the pupil are well exemplified in his splendid 
business ; Mr. Sutter learned thoroughly every depart- 
ment of the furniture and undertaking business, under 
the tuition of his father, who has no superior in this 
country in either branch ; thus making him an ex- 
cellent judge in the selection and purchase of furniture 
with which to supply the market ; as to the other 
branch, undertaking, though young in years he is old 
in experience, having served a long apprenticeship 
under his father, and learned thoroughly every branch 
of the business ; he has a magnificent hearse, and is 
bountifully supplied with the very latest and best ap- 
pliances for properly taking care of the dead ; Mr. 
Sutter only commenced business a little over two years 
ago, yet such are his energy, pluck, perseverance and 
business ability, that he has already built up a retail 
trade in Shelby and surrounding country never before 
equaled by any other furniture dealer in the place ; 
his fame has gone abroad, until he now does a 
large business in retailing to citizens of neighboring 
towns and cities, who come to him to buy in preference 
to purchasing at home, on account of the superior 
quality as well as the extremely low price at which he 
offers his goods. In the undertaking branch of Mr. 
Sutter's business, he has become deservedly popular ; 
Mr. Sutter possesses qualities that fit him in an eminent 
degree to perform these duties, and the greatly in- 
creasing demand for his services in this department of 
his business testifies the high esteem in which he is 
held by the citizens of Shelby and ' the surrounding 
country. Mr. S. J. Sutter was married to a Miss 
Shiffer on the 16th day of January, 1877. 

TAYLOR, JOHN W., machinist, Shelby ; was born in 
Weller Township, Richland Co., Dec. 18, 1820; 
remained there on a farm until he was 22 years of age, 
when he went with Hoy & Williams to Lexington, 
Mo., and engaged in the fanning-mill business ; stayed 
there two years and then went to Kentucky. In 1846, 
enlisted in the Louisville Legion and served as a private 
soldier under Zachary Taylor, in the Mexican war, and 
was discharged at Vera Cruz ; from there he moved to 






SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



891 



California, where he remained until 18-50, then returned 
to Kentucky by way of Isthmus of Panama. In 1859, 
he went to Missouri and went to raising cotton, which 
business he followed until the war broke out. He vol- 
unteered as Captain in the Confederate service under 
Gen. Forrest ; was in all the principal battles of the 
Army of the Cumberland, and at the close of the war 
surrendered with Joseph E. Johnston to Maj. Gen. 
Sherman at Jonesboro, N. C; after the war closed, he 
came to Kentucky and engaged in the fanning-mill 
business again. In 1875, came to Shelby, where he 
now lives. Was married to Amanda Killingsworth, of 
Georgia, in 1850. Had by this wife two children, one 
of which is now living. His first wife died in 1854; in 
1856, was married to Sarah C. Thurman. Had by this 
marriage four children — Alonzo, Cleopatra, John T. and 
Lena. His second wife died May 1, 1870. Married as 
his thirdjWife Mary A. Nunamaker, Sept. 28^ 1875. Mr. 
Taylor is a man of good moral habits, neither drinks, 
chews nor smokes. Both of his grandfathers were 
Revolutionary soldiers, and his father a soldier of the 
war of 1812. His father, John Taylor, a noted pioneer 
of Weller Township, Richland Co., was born in Greene 
Co., Penn., in 1788; moved to Weller Township in 
1818, where he entered his land from the Government. 
He remained on this farm until July 26, 1875, when he 
died. 

TUCKER, BENJAMIN, farmer ; lives in Sec. 20 ; P. 
0. Shelby; was born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1812; 
he moved to Shelby in 1819. He was married to Nancy 
Wentz in 1844, and moved to Crawford Co. in 1850 ; 
he lived there as a farmer eight years, when he returned 
and located on a fai'm near Shelby, where he now lives; 
his wife was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 4, 1820 ; 
she came to Richland Co. in 1821; Mr. Tucker by this 
marriage was the father of eight children — Samuel H., 
Mary E., Jos. W., Margaret J. (died July SI, 1867, at 
the age of 15 years), Paulina, Sarah, Christopher and 
William A.; Samuel H. was a soldier in the late war of 
the rebellion. The subject of this sketch is a man of 
feeble health, in consequence of many hardships of his 
pioneer life in Sharon Township ; his wife is in good 
health. 

URICH, ISAAC, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O.Shelby; 
he wks born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 20, 1808 ; he 
moved to Sharon Township in an early day, and entered 
80 acres of land, where he now lives; he built a house, 
and on the 28th day of November, 1848, was married ; 
by this marriage he had six children — David G., born 
July 15, 1849; Elizabeth Mary, born Dec. 18,18-50; 
Amos C, born Sept. 27, 1853; Sarah A., born Nov. 4, 
1855; infant son born July 11, 1858 (died soon after 
its birth); Isaac N., July 14, 1859; Mr. Urich's 
first wife died Sept. 1, 1860. He was married to his sec- 
ond wife, Mrs. John Hersh, June 24, 1861 ; by this 
marriage he had four children, three are living — Wm. 
Riley, born March 7, 1862 ; Ezra C, born June 6, 1864; 
Mattie E., born May 8, 1867, and a daughter who died 
in infancy. The subject of this sketch is one of the 
enterprising farmers in Sharon Township, a careful bus- 
iness man and an excellent neighbor. 

WARD, J. L., proprietor Beverstock House, Shelby, 
Ohio ; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1837. His 
father, J. W. Ward, moved to Richland Co. about 1847. 



About the age of 15 years he began clerking, which 
he followed for a number of years; he also taught for 
a number of terms ; he engaged in several business 
enterprises, furniture and undertaking being the prin- 
cipal ; he has lately taken charge of the Beverstock 
House. This house was built in 1847, and is well cal- 
culated for the business. Mr. Ward is gentlemanly 
and accommodating ; he and his wife fully understand 
the wants of the traveling public. He was married to 
Mrs. Ann E. Kline Feb. 22, 1880, and has settled in 
Shelby. 

WEBER, SOLOMON, was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., September, 1820; when he was about 2 years of 
age his parents died. He then went to live with his aunt, 
INIrs. Weber, with whom he stayed about five years and 
then went to his brother's, who was a wagon-maker, and 
with whom Solomon learned his trade ; when he left 
Pennsylvania he came to Jeiferson Co., Ohio, and in 1840, 
he came to Richland Co. ; he followed his trade until 
1849, when he went to farming, which he followed until 
1870, when he moved to Shelby. He has been following 
his trade mostly since he has resided in Shelby ; Mr. We- 
ber has been a successful man ; he started poor, but by 
industry and perseverance he has made a competence ; 
he is well informed although his educational advantages 
were limited ; he is a comprehensive man, and takes 
an interest in^the affairs of the country. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Miller, Feb. 27, 1844 ; they had 
four sons — two of whom are living — George A., a minis- 
ter in the M. E. Church, John L., farmer. Mr. Miller, 
father of Mrs. Weber, was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., 
in 1792, and came to Ohio about 1815. He some time 
afterward returned to Pennsylvania, and married Cath- 
erine Bricker, and returned about 1823; he settled per- 
manently in what is now Jackson Township. He died in 
1863; his wife still survives him and resides with her 
daughter, ^Irs. Weber. 

WENTZ, HENRY, Jr.; fourth son of Henry Wentz, 
Sr., who moved from Perry Co., Penn., in April, 1834, 
and settled in Cass Township, was born Dec. 9, 1839 ; 
lived with and aided his father on his farm until the 
age of 18 years, when he went to Crestline, Ohio, 
as an apprentice to the carpenter trade; served 
an apprenticeship of three years ; when attaining 
his freedom he went to Fort Wayne, Ind., and ob- 
tained employment in the car-shops of the P., Ft. W. 
& C. R. W. Co.- at that place, and remained until the 
breaking-out of the late war, when he, on July 11, 
1861, enlisted as a private in Co. E, 11th Ind. V. I. 
(Lew Wallace's Zouave Regiment), and immediately 
entered upon his duties as a soldier ; the arrival, by 
express, of his trunk, tool-chest, etc., at Shelby, Ohio, 
was the first intimation his parents and friends had of 
his enlistment ; from Fort Wayne, his company was 
sent to Indianapolis for drill, where it remained at 
Camps Morton and Robinson until Aug. 6, 1861, when 
the regiment was sent to Benton Barracks near St. 
Louis ; in September of the same year the regiment was 
sent to Paducah, Ky., where it was made a part of the 
force under Gen. Grant, styled the Army of West 
Tennessee; on Feb. 5, 1862, Mr. Wentz accompanied 
his regiment, and took part in the capture of Fort 
Henry; also participated in the siege and capture of 
Fort Donelson, Feb. 14, 15 and 16, 1862, and in the 






893 



BIOGEAPHICAL SI^TCHES: 



battle of Shiloh in April 6 and 7, same year ; in the 
siege of Corinth, captm-e of Memphis, and in the 
campaigns through Arkansas under Gen. Fred Steele ; in 
the flank movement on Vicksburg, viz.. Atchafalaya, in 
the movement on Vicksburg, viz., Milliken's Bend; 
was present at the running of the blockade by Com- 
modore Porter's fleet ; participated in the battles inci- 
dent to the approaches to Vicksburg, viz., Grand Gulf, 
Port Gibson, Beaver Station, Raymond, Jackson and 
Champion Hills; the latter one of the severest, for the 
number engaged, of the war; Mr. Wentz at this time 
held the rank of First Lieutenant ; his company entered 
the fight with forty-five men and came out with twenty- 
three, but had the satisfaction to capture, aided by the 
regiment, four guns in this engagement ; the boys used 
the bayonetand butt of the gun at close quarters ; Lieut. 
Wentz coming out without harm except that caused by a 
minie ball that carried away the heel of his boot and an- 
other passing through his cap, received while aiding 
the Colonel in changing the position of the regiment ; 
participated in the siege of Vickburg, and was present 
at its surrender, and was with Gen. Sherman on his 
Jackson (^liss.) campaign ; in August, 1863, his regi- 
ment was transferred to the Gulf Department, where 
Mr. AVentz took part in the campaigns under Gens. W. B. 
Franklin and Nathaniel Banks ; re-enlisted as a veteran 
in 1864, after which his regiment was transferred to 
the Shenandoah Valley, reaching Washington Aug. 4, 
1864, and Harper's Ferry, Va., on the 10th ; took part 
in the skirmish at Halltown, battle of Winchester, Sept. 
18, Fisher's Hill, Sept. Tl, and Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 
1864, where Gen. Phil. Sheridan so greatly distin- 
guished himself by taking command of a defeated army 
and winning one of the most brilliant victories of the 
war, after making his fiimous ride from Winchester, 
twenty miles away ; although Mr. Wentz was a perfect 
stranger to all in his regiment, he, by his faithfulness 
to duty, won the confidence of his superiors, and 
thereby promotion, he having held all the subordinate 
positions from the command of his company down to 
private ; was also at difi"erent times detailed on staff 
duty and acted as Adjutant of his regiment. After the 
war, Mr. Wentz returned to his home, afterward en- 
gaged in the lumber business at Crestline, but after one 
year, finding that his health would not permit him to con- 
tinue, he sold out his interests and engaged in the hard- 
ware business, which business he followed until Septem- 
ber 1874, when he sold out and entered the fire insur- 
ance field ; since then he has been engaged at Dayton, 
Cleveland, Cincinnati and Shelby, Ohio ; in the spring 
of 1880 a new fire association was formed at Shelby, 
and Mr. Wentz was ofi'ered the secretaryship, which he 
accepted and now holds. Mr. Wentz married Miss 
Sarah A. Bushey .^une 8, 1865 ; the fruits of this union 
were two sons and one daughter — one daughter and one 
son now living. Although a strong Eepublican, Mr. 
Wentz was three times elected a member of the City 
Council at Crestline, Ohio, the usual Democratic major- 
ity being about two to one. 

WHEELER, ISAAC S., was born in Plymouth Town- 
ship, Feb. 11, 1822; his father, Oliver Wheeler; immi- 
grated from Connecticut to Ohio at an early day, and 
settled two miles northwest of Shelby. His father served 
in the war of 1812 ; his mother, whose maiden name was 



Rebecca Holston, was born in Pennsylvania ; she died 
when Isaac was 13 years old, and his father died when 
he was 14, thus leaving him to take care of the younger 
children, as he was oldest son, and second child. He 
thus at an early age was deprived of the fostering care 
of his parents, and had the charge of his younger brothers 
and sister, who depended on him in a great measure for 
their raising. He managed the farm and kept the 
family together until they could do for themselves, for 
which he certainly ought to take a just pride. He is 
Vice President of the Shelby National Bank, and Treas- 
urer of the Buckeye Mutual Insurance Company ; he is 
a practical business man, and considers well any enter- 
prise he undertakes ; he is a self-made man ; his educa- 
tional privileges were poor, as he was compelled to work 
when young, but he has acquired suflBcient education to 
see to his business properly conducted, and is a close ob- 
server of the issues of the times. Mr. AVheeler was mar- 
ried in 1851, to Mrs. Martha Moore, whose maiden name 
was Rambo ; they are the parents of six children. 

WHITE, WILLIAM C, farmer, was born in Richland 
Co., Oct. 18, 1836; he has lived in Cass and Sharon 
Townships all his life except five years he resided in Mar- 
shall Co., Ind.; he sold his farm in Indiana, and on 
his return to Ohio, purchased the farm known as the 
" John Snyder" farm, where he has since resided. He 
was married to Miss Susan Snyder Feb. '23, 1860; she 
was born Oct. 3, 1840; they are blessed with five 
children, four living, namely : Mary E., married to Lau- 
rence Lake, farmer; Dorali Matilda, Irene Jane and 
Minnie May, at home. Mr. White started in life with- 
out material assistance, but by industry has made for 
himself a comfortable home. Mrs. AVhite's mother, Mrs. 
Mary E. Snyder, whose maiden name was Magner, was 
born in Greene Co., April 30, 1818 ; her parents, 
Samuel and Catharine Magner, immigrated to Columbi- 
ana Co., Ohio, where they lived for some years, and then 
came to Richland Co., in April, 1829, and settled on the 
farm now occupied by Mr. White. This farm was en- 
tered in 1827. Mary E. Magner was married to John 
Snyder April 28, 1837 ; he was born Sept. 4, 1804 ; they 
had four children, all of whom are living. 

WILL, PETER, farmer and stock grower; he was 
born in Bedford Co., Penn., March 19, 1833; his par- 
ents emigrating to Richland Co., Ohio, in May of the 
same year, purchasing what is familiarly known as the 
Will homestead, composed of 155 acres, where he re- 
ceived his education, remaining with his parents until 
December, 1860. He married Miss Humphrey, Jan- 
uary, 1857. They have six children— Ivin E., John 
Sherman, Franklin E., Jennie E., Sarah E., and 
George B. His father, Vallentine, was born in the 
Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, about 1802, and 
married Elizabeth Cook, who was born in the same 
place about 1805, and had twelve children, nine of 
whom are living — Elizabeth, Henry, Peter, Mar- 
garet, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, John A. and Lottie, 
Peter, the subject of this sketch, was elected Assessor 
in 1874, and has been re-elected six consecutive years ; 
he also was elected Land Appraiser in October, 1879 ; 
on leaving the homestead, in 1860, he moved to Shelby, 
where he purchased an interest in the Sutter saw-mill, 
remaining until October, 1867, when he disposed of his 
interest, and went to Marshall Co., Ind., remaining 






^ 



SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



893 



there about four years, when he returned to his native 
county, and purchased 75 acres of Sec. 11, Range 20, 
in Sharon Township. Politically, he is a Republican, 
and possesses the confidence of the community ; he 
enlisted in Co. F, of 163d 0. V. I., May 2, 1864, 
and was mustered out of service at Columbus, Ohio, in 
September of the same year. 

WIRTZ, HENRY, Sr.' father of Henry, Jr., and John; 
was born near Heidelberg, Germany, in the Grand 
Duchy of Baden, in April, 1806 ; he married Miss Bow- 
man about 1828; they had thirteen children; they 
emigrated to Ohio about 1840, with three children, 
locating on what is known as the Wirtz homestead; he 
lived to the age of 72, his wife and two sons surviving 
him ; he died in the faith of the Reformed Church, 
of which the remainder of his family are members. 

WIRTZ, HENRY, farmer; P. 0. Shelby; he was 
born on the Wirtz homestead in March, 1844 ; he re- 
ceived his education at the district schools, remaining 
with his parents until he was 20 years of age, when he 



married Miss Mary Frank, of Sharon Township ; they 
have quite an interesting family of children — John 
Henry, Lewis Philip, George Adam, Charles William, 
Francis Marion, Allen Willard, Oliver Wesley and 
Sherman Edward. Mr. Wirtz was elected Trustee of 
Sharon Township in the spring of 1876, and has been 
re-elected four consecutive years, having the confidence 
of the community at large ; he owns 80 acres of land, 
under a splendid state of cultivation, and erected a 
fine brick building in 1875; he is a member of the 
Reformed Church at Shelby. 

WIRTZ, JOHN W., farmer; P. 0. Shelby; he was 
born in Sharon Township Aug. 29, 1849 ; he remained 
with his parents until 1872, receiving his education in 
the district schools. He married Caroline Beach Nov. 
16, 1872. They have three children — Mattie Florence, 
Mary Etta and Birdy Hortense. The subject of this 
sketch has erected an elegant residence, the finest in 
his immediate vicinity, on his 80-acre farm, which is 
under a high state of cultivation. 



SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. 






ANDREWS, HARRISON, is a resident of Ontario ; 
his father at one time lived in Brooke Co., Va., but 
moved to Washington Co., where Mr Andrews was 
born May 3, 1818. He was married, Jan. 14, 1841, to 
Mary Ann Rankin ; he lived in Washington Co. until 
the year 1867, when he came to this county. Mrs. 
Andrews died Jan. 14, 1878. Mr. Andrews has six 
children living and one dead. 

AU, HENRY, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was born 
in Cumberland Co., Penn., Aug. 16, 1817; he came to 
this county, in 1839. He was married in 1850 to 
Eliza Blower, who was born in England Sept. 9, 1832; 
she came to America in childhood ; they had nine chil- 
dren — John F., born May 19, 1851; William H., Jan. 
31, 1853; Samuel A., Sept. 9, 1855 ; Thomas J., March 
12, 1857; Charles H., March 22, 1858; Theodore L., 
Feb. 18, 1860; Mary E., March 31, 1862; Robert E., 
Feb. 16, 1866; George W., March 24, 1868. The fol- 
lowing are deceased: William H., died April 23, 1864; 
Thomas J., March 23, 1857. Mr. Au resided in Mans- 
field 13 years; in 1851 moved to Mifflin Township; 
remained till 1855, then bought a farm in this town- 
ship ; has resided here since. 

AU, CHRISTOPHER ; merchant, Ontario ; he was 
born in Cuinberland Co., Penn., in 1824, and came to 
Ohio in 1843. He was married June 27, 1848, to Laura 
J. Greenfield, who was born Nov. 16, 1829, in the State 
of New York ; they have the following family : John 
H., born May 2, 1852; Mary E., March 27, 18-54; 
Martha A., April 8, 1856 ; Sherman G., July 10, 1858 ; 
Abraham Hamlin, Sept. 1, 1860; Laura F., Nov. 15, 
1862; Christopher Sheriden, Oct. 25, 1865. Mr. Au 
resided in Mansfield for one year and a half ; then 
spent six years in the Western States ; returned to 



Mansfield and remained till 1855, then removed to 
Springfield Township, and engaged in farming till 
1869, when he located in Ontario, and engaged in the 
mercantile business ; he also has been Postmaster for 
eleven years. Mr. Au recruited a company for the 
120th 0. Y. T., of which he was Captain, during the 
war. John H. Au was married, April 18, 1878, to 
Miss E. M. Hartupee; they have one daughter, Minnie 
L., born Feb. 8, 1879. He is now a partner in the 
mercantile business with his father. 

BRANDT, DAVID, resides on the southeast quarter 
of Sec. 5; he was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in the 
year 1805 ; at 20 years of age, he moved with, his father 
into Maryland, and married the next year ; from 
jNIaryland he came to this county in 1837, and lived 
on the fai'm now owned by J. W. Niman twelve years, 
when he removed to his present place ; Mr. Brandt 
lost his first wife, July 30, 1865 ; he was mar- 
ried a second time to Margaret Augustine, a sister of 
his former wife, in the fall of 1866 ; he has nine 
children living and two dead. His trade has been that 
of a carpenter and builder, in which he was one of the 
best; all over the township and in those adjoining are 
evidences of his skill ; so successfully has he followed 
his business that he has now a small improved farm 
and a hanilsome competence besides. Mr. Brandt is 
a member of the Lutheran Church ; is highly respect- 
ed, and widely known as an able, honest, and, in times 
past, a most useful man. 

CAMPBELL, DENNIS, farmer ; he was born in Berk- 
shire, Vt., Aug. 29, 1825; he came to Richland 
County with his parents in the spring of 1840 ; his 
father, Shepard Campbell, resided for many years in 
this township ; in 1863, he removed to Fayette Co., 



k^ 



894 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Iowa, where he was killed by a falling limb while en- 
gaged in cutting timber ; his family consisted of seven 
children, five of whom are living. Dennis is the oldest 
son and resides near the southeast corner of Springfield 
Township; he was married April 24, 1861, to Miss 
Sarah Sweeney ; she died July 8, 1875. - 

CONDON, J. M., lives on the southeast quarter of 
Sec. 29 ; his grandfather, Richard Condon, came into 
the county in 1814, from Westmoreland Co., Penn.; he 
entered a body of land at Spring Mills. J. M. Condon 
was born at this place in 1828, and, when 2 years of 
age, his father, .John, moved to Plymouth, thence to the 
farm now owned by Mr. Condon, two years later. He 
was married on the first day of 1858 to Maria Walters, 
and has a family of eight children. Mr. Condon comes 
of a hardy stock of people, who knew well what hard- 
ships, privations and dangers the early settlers were 
obliged to endure while clearing their farms and 
making the improvements which the present generation 
now enjoy. 

COURTNEY, AVILLTAM, sawyer; P. 0. Ontario ; he 
was born in Troy Township March 26, 1846. He was 
married in 1873 to Anna Lindsey, who was born in 
this township June 12, 1852 ; they have two children — 
Elmer, born Sept. 25, 1874, and Carrie A., Oct. 6, 1876. 

CRAIG, WM. N., was born in Jacksnn Township in 
the year 1828 ; his father came from Belmont Co., Ohio, 
and settled in the above mentioned township (then 
Sharon) in 1826; Mr. Craig describes the country as 
being very wild and unimproved, when he was a boy 
going to school ; the first teacher he had of whom he 
can remember, was an old Irishman, named Wm. Bai- 
ley, who taught in a log schoolhouse near his father's 
farm ; the scholars were large boys and girls not far 
advanced, and their illustrious teacher made frequent 
use of the rod as a means of advancement. There 
were plenty of wolves and deer, but the more danger- 
ous wild animals were scarce; they were, however, oc- 
casionally met with, as will be seen from the following 
incident which Mr. Craig relates : He and another boy 
were sent one day to carry a bucket of water for the 
school ; when they had gone some distance from the 
house, they met some wild animal, which he now thinks 
was a panther ; they did not then know what it was ; 
it sat in the road watching them and lashing its tail 
against its sides ; presently it jumped behind a tree, 
and the boys went on unharmed ; Mr. Craig remem- 
bers when the first railroad train came through the 
county, his father was some distance from the house at 
the time, and mistaking the noise for that of a storm 
coming upon them, ran home with all speed to close 
the house. Mr. Craig was married in 1857, and has 
two children ; his wife died in 1875 ; he owns and 
resides on the northwest quarter of Sec. 8. He is a 
member of the United Presbyterian Church at Ontario. 

CHRISTMAN, CHARLES, farmer; P. 0.* Crestline. 
He was born in Germany in 1832 ; he came to America 
in 1849. He was married in 1855 to Mary Elizabeth 
Delph, who was born in Germany ; they have ten 
children, Frederick, was born Jan. 1, 1857; Peter, 
Nov. 14, 1858; George, Sept. 19, 1860; Mary Jane, 
Feb. 14, 1862; Charlie, July 25, 1864; Louis, Sept. 9, 
1866 ; Elizabeth, July 27, 1868 ; Catherine, March 20, 
1872 ; John, Nov. 28, 1878 ; Caroline, July 16, 1878. 



Mr. Christman came to Springfield Township twenty-five 
years ago, and still resides here, owns a good farm. 

CROW, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. 0. Ontario. 

DAY, MARCUS, came to this county with his father 
when he was 8 years old. His father came from 
Washington Co., Penn., where he lived previous to his 
removal to this State, to this county in 1814, and 
cleared a small piece of ground in the north part of 
Troy Township, which he planted in vegetables of dif- 
ferent kinds, and then returned to Pennsylvania. The 
next year, he brought his family out, and they moved 
into a log cabin on his farm. Mr. Day was born in 
1808, in Washington Co., Penn. He was married, Sept. 
15, 1830, to Mary Ann, daughter of John Young. He 
united with the Methodist Church when in his 80th 
year. He has held the offices of Township Trustee and 
Justice of 'the Peace, the duties of which he discharged 
with ability and with satisfaction to all. Mr. Day was 
very fond of hunting when a young man and found 
plenty of game in the then thickly wooded forests. He 
tells of the following occurrence which took place when 
he was still a boy living with his father in their cabin : 
" His father had started from the house and had gone 
twenty or thirty rods, when he came running back 
saying he had heard a rattlesnake and that it was 
somewhere near the house. On looking they found one 
which had just crawled from under the cabin. It 
sported seventeen rattles." Mr. Day moved into 
Springfield Township in 1830, and now lives on the 
northwest Quarter of Sec. 36. 

EVERITT, PETER, ; P. 0. Ontario. He was born 
in Westmoreland Co., Penn., July 16, 1838; he came 
to Ohio in 1865, and was married the same year, 
to Elzora D. Evans, who was born in Cattaraugus 
Co., N. Y., March 6, 1848; they have the following 
family of children : Thomas Miles, was born Oct. 7, 
1866; Angelia, July 21, 1868; William M., Sept. 2, 
1870; Ella iSIay, June 14, 1873, and Cornelia Maud, 
Dec. 12, 1874. Angelia died March 16, 1873. Mr Ev- 
eritt enlisted at the first call for soldiers, for three 
months, and served his time ; he then enlisted for three 
years ; he was a member of Co. K, 53d Penn. V. I. ; he 
was wounded June 1, 1862, in the battle of Fair Oaks, 
East Virginia ; lost bis left limb; also shot through the 
right limb ; he received four balls ; after being wounded, 
he laid on the field of battle four days, without any at- 
tention, and sutfered intensely ; at the expiration of 
four days, was put on an ambulance and taken to Savage 
Station ; he lay there one night, and next morning was 
put on a freight car with other wounded soldiers, taken 
to Whitehouse Landing, and from there to a boat (called 
the State of Maine), and was taken to Fortress Monroe 
and thence to New York City, then up the Long Island 
Sound to New Haven, Conn., to the State Hospital; he 
then at the expiration of nine days, received medical 
treatment ; he lay nine weeks before his limb was ampu- 
tated ; three weeks after the amputation, the main 
artery ruptured, from which bled till his bed was com- 
pletely saturated ; he was attended by seven nurses, 
taken from among the soldiers ; the main artery was 
closely compressed three months, by which process, 
hi.s life was saved. After the war, Mr. Everitt 
located in Ontario ; is receiving a pension, and is a 
worthy citizen. 



v3 



J^. 



SPRII^GFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



895 



FINNEY, JOHN, a resident, of Springfield Township, 
and well known throughout the county, came into Ohio 
in 1804. He was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in the year 
1801 ; three years later, his father constructed a flat- 
boat, and with his family and possessions, floated down 
the river to Wellsburg, bought a section of land in 
Harrison Co., Ohio, and put up a cabin 18x20 feet ; there 
Mr. Finney had his first experience in pioneer life. 
The country was wild and unimproved ; wild animals 
and game of all kinds were plenty, and the comforts 
and conveniences of life scarce ; especially was this the 
case with schools ; Mr. Finney at one time went to live 
with his grandfather, six miles from home, that he 
might go to school ; but, as he was the oldest one of 
the children, he was needed at home, and his educa- 
tion was neglected to such a degree, that when at the 
age of 24, he was married, he could not read a news- 
paper. His father moved to Richland Co. in 1820, 
and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Finney ; in 
1823, the family moved to Madison Township, but con- 
tinued to farm the place in this township ; three years 
afterward, they returned to Springfield Township, where 
Mr. Finney has continued to reside since. On the 26th 
of September, 1825, he was married to Elenor Marshal ; 
by this union he had twelve children, only four of whom 
are now living; Mr. Finney was married, the second 
time, to Isabelle Alban, July 14, 1858, his first wife 
having died Dec. 22, 1857 ; his second wife died Jan. 9, 
1874. Mr. Finney has heen a great reader in his life, 
and an active worker in such causes as he conceived 
were for the public good. He signed the first temperance 
pledge in the township, and in company with David 
Trimbal inaugurated the first temperance movement. 
He was an active Antislavery man, and has labored con- 
tinually in opposition to secret societies. As a member 
of the United Presbyterian Church, he has always en- 
deavored to live consistent with his professions. A more 
extended account of his work may be found in the his- 
tory of this township. 

FREED, JOSEPH, deceased, came to this county in 
1833 ; formerly lived in Pennsylvania, where he was born 
1808. In 1827, he married Hanna Snider; they had 
fifteen children, seven of whom are dead. The young- 
est son, Isaac Freed, was born in 1849, and lives on a 
farm of 123 acres, a pari of the southwest quarter of 
Sec. 19. Joseph Freed died Feb. 6, 1873. 

FURGESON, JOHN P., farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield. 

HOUT, CHARLES, farmer; P. 0. Crestline; he was 
born in Springfield Township March 22, 1841. He was 
married in 1872 to Hester S. Barnes, who was born in 
this county. They have the following family : Harlon 
Wesley, born May 25, 1875, and one infant child. He 
owns an improved farm with good buildings. 

HOUT, JOSEPH, farmer; P. 0. Crestline; he was 
born in Mifflin Township Feb. 9, 1845. He was mar- 
ried in 1866, to Amanda Kurtz ; they had the following 
family : Eddie C.,Ellie,Levi and Charles. Mrs. Amanda 
Hout died in 1878. Mr. Hout married Jennie Pool, 
who was born in this county. 

LAMBERT, WILLIAM, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, 
in 1850 ; in the spring of 1879, he removed to the south- 
ern part of Springfield Township. He was married in 
the year 1877, to Caroline Jackson ; they have three 
children. 



HOUT, JOHN (deceased) ; he was born in Jeflferson 
Co., Ohio ; he came to Mifflin Township April 4, 1820, 
Married, April 30, 1844, to Fanny Boals, who was born 
in Harrison Co. Oct. 30, 1816. They have a family of 
three children— Joseph, born Feb. 9, 1845 ; Charles, 
born March 22, 1847; John, born .Jan. 2, 1855, Mr, 
Hout died April 3, 1878, in Springfield Township, at 
his residence ; in the spring of 1846 he removed to 
Springfield Township, and remained there until his 
death. His sou, John Hout, Jr., remains with his 
mother, and is engaged in farming ; during the winter 
season, he is engaged in teaching. 

McCONNELL, CURTIS, farmer ; P. 0. Ontario. 

MATSON, J HN, S. B., was born in the year 1828 
in Jackson Township, one half mile north of his present 
residence. His father, Uriah Matson, was one of the 
early pioneers, having come into the county in 1815. 
He was of Scotch-Irish descent. He came from AVest- 
moreland Co., Penn., to the vicinity of Lebanon, Ohio, 
in 1812, and three years later to Richland Co., where 
he spent the remainder of his life. As a woodsman 
he had, probably, no equal in the county, and did a 
great deal of work at chopping and clearing. It ia 
said to have been the custom of a firm of Mansfield, 
which manufactured axes, to give, at meetings of the 
citizens of the county, an ax as a premium to the oldest 
man, the oldest pioneer, etc. At one of these meetings, 
it was suggested that an ax be given to the man who 
had done the most work with an ax. It was decided 
that Uriah Matson was entitled to the award, which he 
accordingly received. Although he was a great worker, 
he was very fond of books, and did a great deal of 
reading. He was born in 1793, and died in 1873, 
His wife was Elizabeth Beech, whom he married in 
1822. She is still living at the age of 81 years. Their 
children were six in number and were born as follows ; 
Albert F., in 1824 ; U. J., in 1826; John S. B., in 
1828 ; Araminta, in 1831 ; Charles C, in 1833 ; Mel. 
vina, in 1836. Albert, Araminta and Charles are now 
dead. John S. B. Matson was brought up in the 
neighborhood of where he now lives ; and when 21 years 
of age, began work on the railroad. In 1856, he 
married Mary A. Finfrock, and moved on his farm in 
1860. In 1862, he enlisted in the 120th 0. V. I., and 
was out nearly three years, over one year of which time 
he lay in a rebel prison. He has one daughter who is 
now married. Mr. Matson has taken great pains in 
collecting archaelogical specimens and Indian relios, 
and has a large, rare and valuable collection, of which 
he may justly be proud. Many of his best specimens 
were on exhibition at the Centennial, in the archtg- 
logical exhibit from this State. 

MARSHALL, JAMES, Sr. (deceased). He was born 
Feb. 22, 1796, in Pennsylvania. He was married June, 
18, 1828, to Jane Edgington, who was born July 28, 
1805 ; in Jefferson Co ; they had the following family ; 
David, born April 6, 1830; Thomas, 1832; Alexander 
T. 1834; John, March 22, 1835; George, Nov. 7, 
1837; James, June 21, 1839; William Franklin, 
April 16, 1842; Samuel, April 22, 1844; Gilbert, 
Feb. 1, 1847; Amanda Jane (deceased), 1849, 
James Marshall, Sr., died Feb. 11, 1877; Mrs. Jane 
Marshall, Jan. 21, 1876; Thomas, died in 1833: 
Alexander T., died in 1856. David Marshall was 



■^c 



^ 



J- 




married to Mary Gray (now deceased), they had six 
children; John Marhall married Mary A. Cookston. 
George Marshall married Sue Finfrock, they have one 
child, Harry. James Marshall married Hattie Patter- 
son, they have one daughter, Nora. William F. Mar- 
shall married Rebecca Will, they have two children. 
Flora and Hermon Roy. Samuel ^larshall was mar- 
ried to Maggie A Cook Feb. 14, 1878 ; she was born 
in Wyandot Co. April 3, 1859 ; they have one 
daughter, Arvada, born Jan. 29, 1879 ; they reside 
on the home farm. Gilbert Marshall was married to 
Ellie Hann Dec. 29, 1875; they also reside on the 
the home farm. David, John, George and James Mar- 
shall, Jr., were in the late war. David Marshall 
(father of Jarpes), was one of early settlers of this 
county. , He came from Pennsylvania, also the parents 
of Mrs. Jane Marshall. Thomas Edgington and wife 
emigrated from Jetferson Co. to this county, at an early 
day, and were among the pioneers of Richland Co. 

MAY, LYMAN A., farmer ; P. 0. Crestline; he was 
born in Huron Co. Nov. 31, 1837; married April 17, 
1866, to Sarah A. Seamon, who was born in Spring- 
field Township March 30, 1845 ; they have the follow- 
ing family: Jennie E., born March 31, 1867; Dora F., 
June 4, 1868; Hattie E., Sept. 11, 1870; Ella, March 15, 
1872; Annie, Oct. 1, 1874; William A. and Francis J., 
Oct. 22,1877; George, Feb. 25, 1880. Mr. May en- 
listed in the late war. He was first a member of the 25th 
0. V. I. ; served in this capacity for one year, then 
was transferred to 12th Independent Ohio Battery ; re- 
mained in the service during the war and was honor- 
ably discharged. 

MILLIKIN, WILLIAM B., resides one mile and a 
half southwest of Ontario. His grandfather was one 
of the first settlers in this part of the county. He 
came from Washington Co., Penn.,and entered the south- 
east quarter of Sec. 33. Mr. Millikin's father was born 
in 1812; was married to a daughter of Jeremiah Bow- 
ers, who was a pioneer of this county. He moved to 
Allen Co., Ohio, in 1836, where William was born Dec. 2, 
1837. He lived with his father until he had reached 
his 19th year, when he came to this county. In 
1861, March 13, he was united in marriage to Eliza- 
beth Walker. The next year, a call for volunteers was 
made. Mr. Millikin enlisted Aug. 11, in the 120th 0. 
V. I., and marched South asa private, but subsequently 
rose to therank of Second, thenFirst Lieutenant. He was 
along with the disastrous Red River expedition, and 
was captured and taken to Camp Ford, Texas, where 
he was held as a prisoner twenty-four days. At the close 
of the war, ]\Ir. Millikin returned and moved to Ontario. 
He was engaged in teaching for awhile and, in the 
spring of 1866, formed a partnership with J. T. Woods 
and S. A. Walker, and kept a store in Ontario about 
six months. About this time, he purchased a piece of 
land in Sec. 29, known as the old Mitchell farm, where 
he moved, Nov. 7, 1866. This place was in very poor 
repair when it came into his possession. A small log 
house and log barn constituted the farm buildi ngs. 
The farm is now in good condition, and has all the 
buildings necessary to a farm, built with particular 
reference to convenience and durability, and at the 
same time presenting a vei-y fine appearance. It is 
such men of enterprise and energy as Mr. Millikin, 



who improve our lands, bring up the market value of 
property, and exert about them a prosperous influence. 
He has two sisters living and one dead. A brother 
died Feb. 27, 1862, at Lebanon, Ky. He was 16 years 
old, and at the time of his death, was a member of the 
64th 0. V. I. Mr. Millikin's children are named 
Luemma, Mary, Laura and Stella. His father is still 
living in Allen Co., Ohio, at the age of 67 years. His 
land consists of his home farm and 120 acres of im- 
proved land in Shelby Co., Ohio. 

MUNNELL, JOSEPH H., farmer; P. O.Ontario; 
he was born in Sharon Township in 1840. Was mar- 
ried in 1863 to Rosetta Nazor, who was born in this 
township March 7, 1844. They have the following 
children: Edward, born Aug. 3, 1861; John, Jan. 1, 
1865 ; Kittle May, born in Wells Co., Ind., July 17, 
1871 ; Claudy C, born in Jefferson Township, Wells 
Co., Ind., April 7, 1874. Harry was born in Shreve, 
Wayne Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1877 ; died on the 25th of 
March, at the age of 3 years 1 month and 11 days. 

RACE, JOHN, L., harness-maker, Ontario. He was 
born in Columbiana Co. in 1833, and came to this county 
in 1853. He was married, June, 2, 1866, to Urilla J. 
Hackedorn, who was born in this township in 1846 ; 
they have the following family : Olive L. born Sept. 
4, 1867 ; Emma G., March 18, 1869 ; Lizzie G., May 20, 
1872; AValter H., Sept. 10, 1876; Delia B., Oct. 25, 
1877; Howard C, Nov. 27, 1879. Mr. Race enlisted 
in the late war in the 2d 0. H. A; remained till the 
close of the war, after which he located in Ontario, and 
engaged in the harness business. He is a practical 
mechanic, is doing an extensive business, and is one of 
the leading and enterprising men of this township. 

REINHART, WM. H., Sr, came with his father, 
from Greene, Co., Penn., in 1830. He is of German 
descent, his great-grandfather, it is thought, having 
come from Germany. His father lived for many years 
in Greene, Co., Penn. In 1829, he came out and pur- 
chased a farm in Green Township, Ashland Co. (then 
Richland). The next year, he moved his family to this 
state, and settled on a farm in Mohican Township, 
which he leased for a term of seven years. At the 
expiration of this lease, he moved to his farm in Green 
Township, at which time Mr. Reinhart was 14 years 
old ; and as that township was then in Richland Co., 
he came into this county in 1837. His father's 
family sustained all the hardships incident to pioneer 
life after their removal to this State. The part in 
which they settled was heavily timbered, and many 
years of hard labor at clearing were spent, and that, 
too, with but poor accommodations in the way of living. 
When Mr. Reinhart was about 20 years of age, he 
left home to learn the carpenter trade with an older 
brother. After working four or five years at the trade, 
he was married, Nov. 8, 1848, to Rebecca Ewalt, and 
began housekeeping in Loudonville in the spring of 
1849. He lived there one year; he then bought his 
wife's old homestead, in Lake Township, Ashland Co., 
and lived on that farm four years. Having sold this 
place he removed to Wooster, and worked while in that 
town at his trade ; but soon after going there he pur- 
chased a farm east of Wooster, one mile, and lived there 
two years. His next removal was to the vicinity of 
Shreve, Wayne Co. He purchased a farm there which 



:f- 



:4^ 



SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



897 



he held until the year 1862, when he came to Mansfield, 
soon after coming to Mansfield, he purchased a farm in 
the eastern part of Springfield Township, on the Galion 
road, but continued to reside in Mansfield until the 
year 1867 ; at this date, he removed his family to that 
place, and lived there until the fall of 1879, when he 
made another exchange, and removed to the vicinity of 
Spring Mills, where he still resides. In all of these 
removals, Mr. Reinhart has invariably taken property 
in exceeding poor repair, and left it well improved, 
and with the value greatly enhanced. He is known as 
a skillful workman as a carpenter and builder. He is 
the seventh one of a family of nine children. Four of 
these are still living : J. Hughes Reinhart, still retains 
the old home in Green Township, Ashland Co.; B. F. 
Reinhart, a younger brother, has attained to high emi- 
nence in art circles as a portrait and landscape painter; 
and an aged sister, Mrs. Eliza Dalley, resides in Han- 
cock Co., Ohio. 

RINGER, ELIAS, merchant, Ontario. He was born 
in Stark Co. .Jan. 28, 18'25. He was married in 1849 
to Mary A. Hohenshil, who was born Oct. 7, 1826. 
They have the following family : Caroline, born Feb. 1 8, 
1850; Parven M., Oct. 30, 1852 ; Lydia R., March 14, 
1861. Mr. Ringer came to this township in 1853, 
engaged in farming till 1878, then engaged in the 
mercantile business in Ontario, where he is doing a 
prosperous and successful business. 

ROE, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. 0. Ontario. His parents, 
Thomas D. and Elizabeth Roe, were married in Orange 
Co., N. Y., in November 1802. His father's ancestors 
emigrated from England some generations previous ; 
on his mother's side from Holland. His mother's 
father, .Judge Holmes, was from Ireland and settled in 
Newton, N. .J., and his mother was a native of 
New .Jersey. His parents came from Jeiferson Co., 
Ohio, 1804, and lived a few years about seven miles 
west of Steubenville. When the war of 1812 com- 
menced, his father was drafted, and went to Mackinaw 
and other points under Col. Cotgrove ; William Alban 
was his Captain, and Lieut. Solomon Gladden, late 
of Monroe Township in this county, his Orderly 
Sergeant ; he went for six months, and while absent 
Joseph was born. May 18, 1814; when his father 
returned from the army, the family moved to Richland 
Co. in .July, 1815, and settled in Vermillion Township, 
two miles northeast of Hayesville. In .July, 1835, the 
subject of this sketch was married to Miss .Jane Woods, 
and moved to Springfield Township, where he commenced 
improving a new farm, then in the woods, the south- 
east quarter of Sec. 19, one and a half miles 
west of the village of Ontario. After many years of 
toil, he succeeded in getting this land under a good 
state of cultivation. His wife died in April, 1838, leav- 
ing a daughter who survived her but a few years ; he 
was again married in December, 1839, to ^liss [Margaret 
Chambers, who died in August, 1840. In October, 1848, 
he was married to Miss Martha Ann Lorimor, of Guern- 
sey Co., Ohio. They have been permitted to rai^e nine 
children; the oldest, J. A., married ]\Iiss Crooks, and is 
a farmer ; the second, Maggie M. .J., married A. F. 
Sawhill, a druggist, and lives in Pittsburgh, Penn. ; the 
third, J. C, is a minister and lives in Beaver Co., 
Penn. ; the fourth, Sarah M., married .J. Q. Codding, 



an attorney, and lives in Marion, Ohio ; the fifth, T. S., 
married Miss Gibson, is a farmer, and lives in Madison 
Co., Iowa; the sixth, C. M., is a dentist in Mansfield ; 
the seventh, Susannah L., the eighth, Lewis W., the 
ninth, Lillian May — the three younger — are at home. 
Mr. Roe has been active and prominent in his neighbor- 
hood both politically, and otherwise. In an early day 
he was prominently identified with the "underground 
railway," and with his hands, his infiuence and vote, 
worked against slavery until it went down in the great 
war of the rebellion. In the history of Springfield 
Township, his movements in this and all public interests 
are fully given. 

ROE, G. W., was born in Ashland Co. Aug 16, 1825, 
and came to Richland Co. wken a boy 7 or 8 years old: 
soon afterward he went to Sandusky, where he lived two 
years with a brother ; he then rettirned to this county, 
and lived with his brother, Joseph Roe. until he became 
of age. He married Susanna Otfineer, and by 
this marriage had nine children, one of whom is 
dead. They are members of the Methodist Church Mr. 
Roe owns a part of the southwest quarter of Sec. 80 ; he 
has been engaged for some years in selling medicine*, 
prepared by Dr. U. C. Roe, for which he claims superior 
healing properties, especially for chronic diseases. 

SEIBERT & BRO., blacksmiths; are following their 
trade, two miles south of Ontario, where they are ready 
to do all kinds of repairing, whenever wanted ; horse- 
shoeing is made a specialty. They are of German des- 
cent, their father, Adam, having been born in Germany, 
in the year 1812 ; he came over in 1830, and settled in 
Washington Co., Penn.; removed to Mansfield in 1839, 
and, in the fall of 1879, to Springfield Township, when 
his sons erected their shop, and began work at their 
trade, which they had previously followed in Mansfield. 

SHAFER, J. M., an emigrant from Bavaria, Ger- 
many, Sept. 29, 1823; his parents were wealthy, and 
gave him an education necessary for a veterinary sur- 
geon. After attending the public schools for some time, 
he continued his studies at home, under the instruction 
of a tutor; when he was 24 years of age. he obtained 
permission from his father to visit the United States, 
promising to return in two years; he came herein 1847, 
and worked one year at blacksmithing in a carriage-shop 
at Mansfield. In' 1848, he was married to Verone Divel, 
and removed to Washington Township, where he lived 
a short time, when he bought a piece of land in the 
southern part of Springfield Township, and moved there ; 
he soon sold this place, and purchased the southwest 
quarter of Sec. 9, where he now lives. Mr. Shafer has 
living nine boys and six girls; four of whom are mar- 
ried. Farming and stock-raising are his occupations. 

STEWART, ROBERT, resides in the south part of 
Sec. 3, on a farm of 143 acres ; he was born in Jeiferson 
Co., Ohio, and came into this county in 1816, with his 
father, who settled on a piece of land near where Mr. 
Stewart now lives. The land was, at that time, almost 
entirely covered with timber. The mill to which they 
carried their corn — on horseback at first — was thirty 
or forty miles distant. Mr. Stewart was married in 
1844, and now lives with his family, on the farm he 
cleared, and in the county whose varied steps of improve- 
ment he has observed since the days of the early pio- 
neers. 



IT. 



-^ 




WALKER, ROBERT; he was born in Knox Co. 
(now Morrow) in 1809, on tlie John Walker farm, 
one-half mile north from Chesterville ; remained there 
till he was 25 years of age. He was married, May 1, 
1834, to Mary Mettler, who was born in Northumber- 
land Co., Penn., Dec. 13, 1813 ; they had the following 
family: Elizabeth, born .July 18, 1835; Smith A , born 
Aug. 15, 1838; William W., born March 17, 1841; 
John L., born July 10, 1844; S. Findley, born Sept. 11, 
1848; MaryE., Feb. 13, 1851; Robert Miles, Aug. 26, 
1854. Elizabeth married AVilliam B. Millikin; Smith 
A. Walker married Sarah Gass ; William W., died 
near Pana, 111., Feb. 16, 1873; John L. Walker 
married Laura Brown ; S. Findley married Anges 
E. Mitchell ; Mary Walker resides with her par- 
ents ; Robert Miles died March 11, 1858. Mr. 
Robert Walker came to Richland Co. in May, 1 834 ; 
located in Springfield Township, and engaged in the 
tannery business ; continued till within a few years. 
His father, John Walker, settled in Knox Co. in 1807 ; 
settled seven miles west of Fredericktown ; his nearest 
neighbor resided three and a-half miles ; they were 
surrounded by Indians ; Mr. Walker was drafted in the 
war of 1812; the night after the 21'^™^'' family 
slaughter, Mrs. Walker took up her family of small 
children and went to the block house for shelter ; she 
took three children on horseback, and wrapped them up 
in blankets ; they were compelled to make this retreat 
for their safety ; the country, at that time, was a dense 
forest, infested with wolves, bears, panthers and wild 



cats. Robert Walker's grandmother was taken prisoner 
at one time by the Indians, and made a Very narrow 
escape. Smith A. Walker enlisted in the 15th 0. V. I., 
under Capt. Dawson, in 1861 ; he was taken prisoner 
at Stone River ; was held by the rebels sixteen days ; 
he then came home ; was exchanged and returned to his 
regiment on the march to Atlanta, Ga. ; he was wounded 
in the left arm ; when his time expired he returned 
home ; he afterward went as substitute and remained 
during the war. 

WALKER, JAMES P., farmer ; P. 0. Ontario ; he was 
born near Iberia, Morrow Co., Jan. 6, 1851; married Sept. 
3, 1872, to Margaret H. Sipes, who was born in Mor- 
row Co. March 4, 1850 ; they have two daughters — 
Ella, born Oct. 22, 1875 ; Ada, born Aug. 16, 1879 ; 
Mr. Walker has been engaged in farming, is the owner 
of a good farm and is an enterprising and active man. 

WARK, R. F., physician, Ontario ; he was born Dec. 
25, 1831, in Zanesville, Ohio. He was educated in Dis- 
trict No. 1, Highland Township, Muskingum Co. ; he 
commenced teaching school at the age of 16 years, in 
Sub-District No. 3, same township, and continued teach- 
ing in the same neighborhood thirteen years. He studied 
medicine with Dr. J. W. Craig, of Mansfield, and 
attended the Cleveland Medical College in the winters 
of 1862-63, and graduated in 1864 ; then went to Sago, 
Muskingum Co., Ohio, and remained there for ten years 
engaged in the practice of medicine. He then returned 
to Ontario and resumed his practice, has a family of 
two daughters and two sons. 



TROY TOWNSHIP. 



ABERNETHY, ALEXANDER, M. D., Lexington; Dr. 
Abernethy is the oldest resident physician of Troy Town- 
ship. He was born in Pennsylvania in the year 
1810; graduated at Jefferson College in Philadelphia 
in 1831 ; preached in Ferry Co., Penn., for six years ; he 
then came to Ohio and settled in Lexington in 1836 ; 
at that time, Lexington had about fifty dwellings, three 
churches, two stores, one mill and one hotel ; the 
country was sparsely settled, the roads in a bad con- 
dition, and the Doctor visited most of his patients on 
horseback, riding many weary miles through the 
country for small compensation. In 1843, he married 
Katharine Fulton, by whom he had four children. 
AVhen the gold fever of California struck the Eastern 
States in 1850, the Doctor, like thousands of others, 
started for the Pacific coast ; he arrived safely, lie 
stayed in Cilifornia about eighteen months, when he 
again returned to his home in Lexington. Previous to 
his trip to California in 1850, he served two terms in the 
Ohio State Legislature. The 'Doctor according to his 
quaint expression, has "seen much of the dark as 
well as the light side of life," his medical practice 
having extended over a period of more than thirty 
years ; he is now living a retired life in the vil- 
lage of Lexington, known and respected by all. 



BEVERSTOCK, A. B., retired merchant, P. 0. 
Lexington. Allen B. Beverstock was born in the State 
of Vermont in the year 1804 ; in 1819, he removed to 
New York, remained there until 1821, when he 
turned his face westward and emigrated to Ohio, 
settling in Monroeville, Huron Co. ; here he clerked 
for the Hollister Company ; trading for furs and 
pelts from the Indians was a large source of in- 
come to this company ; he remained in Monroeville 
until 1832, when he removed to Lexington, "Richland 
Co. ; here he engaged in the dry-goods business and 
also other business enterprises, by which he amassed a 
goodly fortune. Mr. B. was married in 1828 to Miss 
Reed of Monroeville, by whom he had one child ; his 
first wife having died, he married Miss Underbill in 
1837, by whom he had six children ; Mr. B. continued 
in business until 1864, when he retired. When the late 
rebellion broke out, two of Mr. B.'s sons, Frank and Bar- 
ney, went to the war; Frank served the interests of his 
country faithfully, sharing in all the marches, battles 
and skirmishes for nearly two years, when he was cap- 
tured and languished in the rebel prison-pens for fifteen 
weary months ; he escaped once, but was recaptured, 
and was finally exchanged through the influence and 
money of his father. Barney's experience wa^ not so 



r 






TROY TOWNSHIP. 



varied ; he enlisted in the three-months service, and 
died at Fortress Monroe in 1864. Mr. Beverstock 
lives in his pleasant residence in the village of Lex- 
ington. 

BOWSER, GEORGE, laborer, Lexngton ; born in Troy 
Township, May 6, 1833 ; he is the second son of 
John Bowser, and was born on his father's farm, in 
the southeast quarter of Sec. 36 ; he lived on the 
old homestead until 1872, when he married Virginia, 
McWharter, of Marion, Ohio, by whom he has had one 
child — an interesting little girl, born in the centennial 
year, and named Ida May Bowser; immediately upon his 
marriage, Mr. removed to a small piece of land, con- 
taining 20 acres, in Sec. 35 ; remained about three years ; 
from there he again removed to the southwest quarter 
of same section, where he bought a tract, containing 10 
acres, on which he now resides . Mr. Bowser is one of 
the honest laboring men of Richland Co. A consistent 
member of the United Brethren Church, of which his 
wife is also a member. 

BULL, EPHRAIM, farmer ; P. 0. Lexington. Mr. 
Bull is one of the oldest residents of Richland Co.; he 
was born near the city of Baltimore, Md., on the 7th day 
of April, 1806 ; his father removed to Pennsylvania.while 
Ephraim was quite young, and in a few years again 
returned to Maryland ; in 1817, he turned his face 
westward, and emigrated to Ohio, settling in AVashington 
Township, Richland Co. Ephraim lived in this town- 
ship until his marriage to Elizabeth Ridenour, in Sep- 
tember of 1829 ; he then removed to Troy Township ; he is 
the father of seven children, six of whom are living. 
When the rebellion broke out, two of his sons went to the 
war as wagonmasters. On the 10th of September 1879, 
Mr. Bull and his estimable wife, surrounded by child- 
dren and friends, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of 
their wedded life. Mr. Bull's home is situated on part 
of southeast quarter of Sec. 35. 

COCKLEY, W. W., merchant, Lexington; dealer in 
all kinds of staple goods. A full assortment constantly 
kept on hand. 

CUSTER, GEORGE AV., hotel keeper, Lexington ; 
born in Allen Co., Ohio, in the year 1842. During his 
early life, his father made several removals : first to 
Auglaize Co., then to Morrow Co. ; then to Richland Co. 
While living in this county, the rebellion broke out and 
George enlisted in Co. D, 26th 0. V. I., May 21, 1861, 
responding to the first call for troops to defend the 
honor of the nation ; Mr. Custer enlisted for the term 
of three years, but after thirteen months of active ser- 
vice, most of which was spent marching from place to 
place, he took sick at Nashville, was honorably dis- 
charged from service and sent home. In 1864, he 
married Fidelia AVorcester, of Morrow Co., where he 
again became a resident until 1872, when he returned 
to Richland Co.. settling in the village of Lexington, 
and purchased the old hotel building on the southeast 
corner of the public square. Mr. Custer is the father 
of three children. Inl878, he served as Councilman, 
and in 1879 was elected by his townsmen as Justice of 
the Peace. He has repaired the old hotel to a gr.eat ex- 
tent where now can be obtained ample accommodations 
for man and beast. 

DAUGHERTY, AV. C, dealer in stoves, tinware, etc., 
Lexington. 



DOUGLAS, SAMUEL, farmer;, P. 0. Livingston; 
born in Richland Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 1821. His father 
emigrated to Ohio in 1818 and located in Monroe Town- 
ship, Richland Co., where Samuel was born ; he lived 
with his father until after his marriage to Harriet Fin- 
ney, Nov. 20, 1845; she was born Aug. 31, 1826, in 
Richland Co. In 1852, Mr. Douglas and family re- 
moved to Troy Township, where he purchased a farm 
of 210 acres, owned by the heirs of the Hisky estate ; 
he paid about |21 per acre for this valuable farm, sit- 
uated in Sees. 22 and 27 ; it is now worth probably 
three times that amount. Mr. Douglas and family are 
members of the Congregational Church. He divides his 
farming operations between raising stock and grain. He 
is the father of five children, three of whom are dead. 

GASS, WILLIAM (deceased), who entered the first 
land in Troy Township, in A. D. 1811, was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn., on Feb. 14, 1769; removed with 
his parents to Western Pennsylvania when a youth ; 
worked there a few years, assisting his father, then re- 
turned to his native county, and in 1793 was married to 
Mrs. Jane McClain ; soon after their marriage, they 
moved to Brooke Co., Va., where he bought a small 
farm ; sold out there in June, 1800, and emigrated to 
the Northwest Territory, squatting on land which he 
bought as soon as opened for sale, near New Lancaster, 
now Fairfield Co., Ohio ; in the spring of 1806, he sold 
out there and removed to Knox Co., Ohio, entering a 
quarter-section, one mile east of Mt. Vernon, where he 
resided until the spring of 1812, when he sold it and re- 
moved to his land in what is now Troy Township, Rich- 
land Co., where he remained during his life, reaching 
his log cabin the 23d of April. His family was then 
four sons, in the following order: Benjamin, James R.\ 
John, and AVilliam ; their mother died in March of 
1817. In July, 1818, he was married to Mrs. Rebecca 
Meredith, mother of Judge John Meredith, by whom he 
had one son, Isaac Gass ; Mr. Gass was Representative 
of Fair-field County in the Legislature of 1803-04, sitting 
at Chillicothe ; he was also frequently a member, both 
from Knox and Richland Cos., until he, became quite 
aged ; was said to be the oldest man in the Legislature 
during the last winter that he served, to wit : 1832-33 ; 
though of rather limited education, and making but lit- 
tle show, he was quite popular, and esteemed as a good 
reliable statesman. Religiously he was of the Baptist 
order, and died in that faith, in March of 1846, a little 
over 77 years old. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 
September, 1800, while the family resided in Fairfield 
Co. ; she lived to be about 5 years old and losther life 
from the efi'ects of the kick of a colt. 

GASS, JAMES R., farmer ; second son of AVilliam 
and Jane Gass, was born in Brooke Co., A''a., on the 
8th of August, 1796; was brought by his parents to 
Fairfield Co., Ohio, in the summer of 1800, and to Knox 
Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1806, and thence to what is 
now Troy Township, in the spring of 1812, arriving 
at their cabin on the 23d of April, where he has 
resided continuously ever since, never having been 
absent from the township six weeks at one time, 
since the family first settled in it. AVas marrie(i in the 
fall of 1822, to Miss Jane AA'. Burns ; they raised four 
sons and three daughters ; have now living, three sons 
and two daughters ; his sons are now all settled on 



■^1 



900 



BIOGEAPHIGAL SKETCHES: 



farms, in Grundy Co., Mo.; all served awhile in the 
late rebellion, and escaped uninjured ; his daughters, 
now living, are Mrs. Samuel Wilcox, of Delaware Co., 
Ohio, and Mrs. S. A. Walker, of Troy Township, Rich- 
land Co., Ohio ; his first companion, and mother of all 
his children, died on the 28th of August, 1843 ; he was 
again married to Mrs. Mary Ann Coates, on the 5th of 
June, 1845, who died on the 29th of August, 1857 ; after 
living a widower more than eleven years, he was mar- 
ried, the third time, to his present companion, Mrs. 0. 
S. Campbell, on the 3d of November, 1863 ; .James was 
more slender and weakly than any of his four brothers, 
but is now the only survivor of the family ; he still owns 
and occupies a part of the land first entered by his 
father, in Troy Township, in 1812 ; he has resided 
longer in the township than any other person ; taught 
school a little in his youthful days ; practiced surveying 
some, and served as .Justice of the Peace, in all, thirty 
years ; during all these thirty years he has never had a 
jury trial. 

GASS, WILLIAM (deceased), fourth son of AVilliam 
and Jane Gass) ; was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, on the 
25th of September, 1803 ; removed with his parents 
and their family to Knox Co., Ohio, in the spring of 
1806, and thence to Troy Township, Richland Co., Ohio, 
where they arrived on the 23d day of April, 1812; 
William was a studious boy, and apt to learn, but had 
only means and opportunity to acquire a common-school 
education : labored on the farm with his father until 
the summer of 182'.l, when he was married to Miss Vio- 
let Davis, and settled on the farm in said township, 
which he owned and occupied nearly all the time until 
his decease, which occurred after about five days' sick- 
ness, on the 17th of May, 1876; his first companion 
died in the summer of 1852 ; they had four children, all 
of whom died in infancy except Benjamin R. Gass, who 
has been for some years Superintendent of Public 
Schools in Michigan ; in the spring of 1853, William was 
married to Mrs. Sarah Young, who still survives him ; 
there were no children of that marriage but R. F. Gass, 
who still resides on the farm owned by his father; in 
1836, William became a preacher of the Disciple, or 
Campbellite order, and continued to proclaim that Gos- 
pel until his death ; he was a pious, zealous man, much 
respected and esteemed by all his acquaintances. 

GASS, JOEN (deceased), third son of William and 
Jane Gass; he was born in BrookeCo., Va., on thel2th 
of June, A. D. 1798; was brought by his parents to 
Fairfield Co., Ohio, in June, 1800; then to Knox Co., 
Ohio, in the spring of 1806, and to Troy Township, 
Ohio, on the 23d of April, 1812; he lived and labored 
hard with his father and family on their farm, until 
March of 1821, when he was married to Miss Ann 
McCluer ; he built his log cabin, and commenced busi- 
ness on their own farm. Their children were five sons 
and three daughters, all of whom are living except one 
son and one daughter; those living are William R., 
now of Illinois; S. A., of Troy Township; P. P., of 
Plattsmouth, Neb.; Octavius D., of Arizona; Mrs. Ches- 
ter Wilcox, of Troy, and Mrs. Dr. McKinly, of Kansas. 
John was an industrious, sober, honest man, and much 
respected by his acquaintances; he departed this life 
on the 30th of January, 1859, at his home in Troy, and 
in his 61st year. 



GAILEY, RICHARD, REV. (deceased). Among the 
prominent educators of Richland Co., there are none 
who deserve a more extended notice of their worth and 
ability than Rev. Richard Gailey ; he was born in 
Letterkenny, Ireland, Oct. 31, 1806; at the age of 21, 
he emigrated to the United States ; being a man of 
some education, he engaged in teaching, for one year 
near Washington, Penn.; he then came to Mansfield 
Ohio, and entered the Academy of Father Rowland, 
laking up the classical studies ; one year later, he en- 
tered the Sophomore Class of Jefferson College, Can- 
nonsburg, Penn., and graduated in 1835; immediately on 
his graduation, he entered the Theological Seminary of 
the Associate Reformed Church at Allegheny, Penn., and 
was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Monongahela 
Presbytery, April 11,1838; after serving as Pastor of 
Mt. Pleasant and Sewickly Churches in Westmoreland 
Co., Penn., for one year, he was ordained in 1839. On 
July 17, 1838, he was married to Miss Catharine Thorn- 
ton, near Savannah, Ohio, and was called to take 
charge of three congregations in Richland Co., viz., 
Troy, Monroe and Pine Run ; he took charge of these 
congregations in 1849; making his home at Monroe ; 
he established a male and female seminary, in which 
he labored in connection with his duties as minister. 
In 1860,the seminary was removed to Lexington, Ohio, 
at which place he lived until the time of his death, 
April 2, 1875, after a very short illness. He was 
.Pastor of Troy congregation nearly twenty-six years, 
and since his ordination, thirty-six years before, he 
had missed but three Sabbaths on account of sick- 
enss. Mrs. Catharine Gailey, wife of Rev. Gailey, 
survived him about four years ; her death occurred 
Nov. 10, 1879, at the residence of her son, Richard 
Gailey, in Lexington ; she was a most estimable 
woman, and was widely and most favorably known. 
After the death of Rev. Gailey, the seminary was con- 
ducted by his daughter, .Jane Gailey, until her mar- 
riage, March 26, 1880 ; she proved herself fully com- 
petent for the position she held. 

GEORGE, AVILLIAM, stock dealer, Lexington. 
Mr. George has been a resident of Troy Township for 
many years, being engaged for a greater part of his life 
in cattle and stock dealing, and other business. 

GRUBB, G. W., painter, Lexington ; was born in the 
village of Lexington, Richland Co., in 1840; learned 
the trade of painting in the year 1856. Immediately on 
the breaking-out of the rebellion, Mr. Grubb volun- 
teered his services to sustain the honor of his country, 
being Ihefint man in Troy Township to respond to the 
Presidential call for 75,000 troops, and the fifth man in 
Richland Co.; he enlisted for the term of four months ; 
was in several skirmishes, and finally took part in the 
memorable battle of Bull Run ; the night following the 
final ending of that disastrous battle, when the boys 
in blue were demoralized and flying in all directions 
before the victorious rebels, Mr. G. piloted Capt. Mc- 
Laughlin thirty miles across the country to Camp Up- 
ton, sharing his rations and sustaining the old veteran 
in the long and weary tramp. While he lived, Captt 
McLaughlin ever regarded Private Grubb with highes. 
esteem and gratitude, believing he was the means of 
saving him from capture, and perhaps death. Return- 
ing to Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Grubb again enlisted in the 



yr,. 



:V 



^1 




Sixth Ohio Light Artillery, in which he served until 
the end of the war, passing through twenty-three heavy 
engagements and a great many skirmishes, sharing all 
the battles and marches of the Army of the Cumberland, 
mustered out of service at Columbus, Ohio, September, 
1865, serving four years and five months, during which 
time he never lost a day from sickness, wounds or any 
other cause. It was a frequent remark of his Captain, 
that he need never look for Grubb any place else than 
at his post. Mr. G. was married in the spring of 1866, 
to Miss Elizabeth Keister, of Ashland, Ohio, and is now 
the father of a family of four interesting children. 

KILGORE, JAMES, farmer ; he was born in Greene 
Co., Penn., May 22, 1824. He came to Ohio in 1846, 
and first settled in Morrow Co., where he resided until 
1863, when he removed to the northwest corner of Troy 
Township, where he at present resides. He was married 
in Morrow Co., in 1847, to Hannah Kilgore, by whom 
he raised a family of four children, all of whom are 
living — Nehemiah Harvey, Catherine Jane, Andrew 
Mitchell and John Marshall. Mrs. Hannah Kilgore 
died Aug. 27, 1858. Mr. Kilgore was married April 7, 
1859, to Miss Joanna Larimer, a daughter of James 
Larimer, one of the early settlers of this county. 

MANSFIELD, GILEAD. Mr. Mansfield was born on 
his father's farm, near Lexington, Dec. 2, 1823 ; he re- 
mained upon the homestead until of age ; soon there- 
after he went to Detroit, Mich., via Massillon and 
Cleveland ; from Detroit he went to Hancock Co., Ohio, 
to visit an uncle, Mr. Ohio Dally ; while there, he went 
upon his first deer hunt with good success; in company 
with his uncle he found a deer lick and arranged to 
meet his game there; an Indian ladder was made by 
cutting a sapling and trimming otf the limbs within 
eight or ten inches of the trunk ; by means of this the 
hunters climbed into a large tree, and in a large fork or 
crotch built a rest by weaving bark across, where they 
sat awaiting their game ; about dusk a large deer came 
to the lick ; the hunter fired from his ambush ; it fell, 
rolled over three times, jumped up and disappeared; 
the hunters, with dog, pursued, and soon came upon 
the wounded stag; it was soon killed, dressed, and 
hung up on a sapling; when the chase ended, it was 
carried to Mr. Daily's cabin with great rejoicing, where 
ensued feasting and congratulations ; soon after, Mr. 
Mansfield returned to the homestead, where he re- 
mained for a term of years : about 1848, he began read- 
ing medicine with his brother at Mt. Blanchard, Ohio ; 
soon thereafter he returned to the farm again with his 
wife, Miss M. C. Lafi'erty. of Mt. Blanchard ; they were 
married in 1850. In 1852, Mr. Mansfield opened a 
photograph gallery in Lexington, where he has resided 
ever since ; he is quite skillful as a hunter ; he made 
several trips to the Western countries in quest of deer 
and other large game, killing on one occasion seven or 
eight deer ; in his parlor may be seen a large sketch 
representing one of these scenes in Van Wert Co. Mr. 
and Mrs. Mansfield have but one child — a son, who is a 
harness-maker by trade, aged 28. Mrs. Mansfield is a 
daughter of an early pioneer of Hancock Co., Mr. Laf- 
ferty, a man of high standing; he served as Squire 
thirty-two years in succession ; he bought trees from 
Johnny Appleseed's nursery. 

MEIER, H. GEORGE, farmer; P. 0. Lexington; 



born in Meishausen, county of Shaffhausen, Switzer- 
land, in the year 1849 ; he is the second child of Mar- 
tin Meier; at the age of 23, Mr. Meier concluded he 
would try his fortunes in the New World, and accord- 
ingly he set sail from his native land on board the 
steamer " Montreal," on the 3d day of March, 1872, 
and landed at Castle Garden, New York, May 12, 1872; 
started to Toledo, Ohio, but when he got to Mansfield 
concluded to stop ; got employment and worked for 
about two years ; he then went to Crestline, Ohio, and 
remained there three years; in 1877, removed to Troy 
Township, to the farm now owned by Martin Warnes. 
In 1878, Mr. Meier married Lydia Kenser, of 
Richland Co. Mr. Meier is one of the sturdy em- 
igrants who come frora the overcrowded countries 
of Europe to the United States of America, whose 
free soil and free institutions continually extend a 
welcoming hand to all honest men and women of all 
countries and nations. 

McENTRE, J. W., farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Lexington. John W. McEntre was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., in the year 1819 ; removed with his father's 
family to Troy Township, Richland Co., in 1833 ; set- 
tled on the northeast quarter of Sec. 36 ; his father 
built a cabin in the woods, and there John received his 
first experience in pioneer life ; he helped clear the 
farm on which he now resides. Mr. McEntre married 
in the year 1854 ; has had eight children ; his life has 
been spent in agricultural pursuits and raising stock ; 
he is known far and near as one of the honest yeomanry 
of Richland Co. 

POST, HENRY, farmer ; P. 0. Ontario ; he was born 
in Washington Co., Penn., Sept. 8, 1805 ; came to Ohio 
in 1819. Married to Anna Andrews, who was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., March 26, 1807; they have the 
following family: William B., born Jan. 9, 1838; 
Nancy Ann, Sept. 19, 1839 ; James H., Aug. 22, 1841; 
Almeda, born Aug. 18, 1846. Mrs. Anna Post died 
Sept. 24, 1868. Nancy Ann married Wm. Palmer (de- 
ceased) ; they had two children. Mr. Post's father, 
Benjamin Post, was born in New .Jersey in 1776 ; mar- 
ried to Nancy Pool, also born in New Jersey ; Mr. 
Benjamin Post died in August 1830 ; Mrs. Nancy Post 
died in 1823 ; they came with their family to this 
county and located in 1819 in Troy Township ; they 
both died on the home place ; James H. Post now re- 
sides with his father, and is engaged in farming the 
homestead. 

ROPP, JACOB, carpenter, Lexington. Jacob 
Ropp was born in Frederick Co., Md., in the year 
1817 ; removed to Stark Co., Ohio, with his father's 
family, when he was 5 years of age, remained there 
nine years, and then removed to Richland Co. in 
1831 ; he was the first child of Michael Ropp ; in the 
year 1840, he began the carpenter trade ; two years 
later — 1842 — he married Mary A. Summers, daughter 
of James Summers, of Richland Co., a gentleman well 
known throughout the county, having occupied a posi- 
tion of trust for several years ; Miss Summers was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1819. removed with 
her father to Richland Co., Ohio, in 1833 : Mr. and 
Mrs. Ropp have had a family of four children, but have 
I been sadly bereaved by losing them all ; they have been 
1 members of the United Brethren Church for many 



«<^ 



.^_ 



902 



BIOGKAPHI€AL SKETCHES: 



years, and by consistent and orderly lives are prepar- 
ing to join their children in the house not made with 
hands ; their little home, consisting of 20 acres, is situ- 
ated on the southwest quarter of Sec. 35. It is hardly 
necessary to add that this worthy old couple are known 
and respected by all their neighbors as kind and 
Christian people. 

SCOTT, DANIEL, farmer; P.O.Ontario; he was 
born in Sandusky Township Dec. 31, 1837. Married 
in 1862 to Nancy Jane Lindley, who was born in Troy 
Township Aug. 10, 1836 ; they have the following fam- 
ily : Rosa Dell, born July 4, 1863 ; Maggie Bell, Dec. 
24, 1864; Charlie R., Sept. 1, 1866; Ida C, Feb. 5, 
1868 ; Florence E., Dec. 18, 1869 ; Alice lona, Dec. 1, 
1871 ; William E., July 16, 1873 ; Clarence A., Sept. 
21, 1875 ; Emma A., Aug. 24, 1877. 

SCOTT, JOHN, (deceased), was the second child 
of Thomas Scott, one of Ohio's earliest pioneers ; 
he was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Aug. 23, 1809. 
In the year 1834, he was married to Miss Jane 
Cantwell, of Richland Co., and two years later (1886), 
he with his wife removed to Troy Township and 
bought a tract of land containing 40 acres ; to this 
he added by purchase from time to time, until he owned 
about 177 acres situated on Sec. 2; on this farm, Mr. 
Scott and wife spent the greater part of their lives and 
raised a family of nine children, all of whom are still 
living in diflFerent parts of this State. But a few weeks 
previous to his death, Mr. Scott had a social family re- 
union, all his children coming home to the old homestead 
to greet their aged parents and make glad their hearts 
in their declining years ; this re-union followed so soon 
by the death of the father seemed almost providential 
in its character, giving all his children the opportunity 
of bidding their parent a final farewell. Mr. Scott 
died Jan. 19, 1880, aged 70 years 4 months and 26 days. 
He was an affectionate husband, a kind father and a 
devout Christian, having united with the Methodist 
Protestant Church in his 21st year. 

SOWERS, MOSES (deceased). Among the names of 



the earliest emigrants who followed in the footsteps of 
the first pioneers of Ohio is that of Moses Sowers; 
he was born in York Co., Penn., July 22, 1791. His 
father emigrated to Ohio in 1811 and located in Fair- 
field Co., remaining there until 1815 ; Moses removed to 
Huron Co., and settled near where Monroeville now 
stands. Here he built the first grist and saw mill ever 
built in the county, and also hauled the first load of 
lumber to Norwalk. While living there, he became 
acquainted with Miss Susan Bloomer, whose parents had 
also come to Monroeville from Dorset, Vt. ; he married 
her Oct. 18, 1829; she was born in Dorset, Vt., Nov. 25, 
1802. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers were among the first to locate 
and may be said to be among the pioneers of the "fire 
lands;" in 1832, Mr. S. and family removed to Lexing- 
ton, Richland Co.; he was accompanied to this place by 
A. B. Beverstock, with whom he formed a business 
partnership, and engaged in the dry-goods business for 
twelve years. He continued aresident of Lexington until 
his death, 16th of February, 1875. He had been a 
resident of Lexington over forty-two years and was 
esteemed as one of the county's best citizens ; his aged 
wife and two sons are still residents of Lexington. 

TINKEY, JOHN, farmer ; he was born in Washington 
Co., Penn., May 31, 1834 ; he came to this county with 
his parents who first settled in Jefferson Township in 
1856. He was married in 1858, to Miss Laura Ann 
Culver, by whom he raised a family of six children, 
five of whom are living — Monroe, Sarena, Susan Lodena, 
Mary Ellen, Anna May and Perry Burr. Mrs. Laura 
Ann^Tinkey died Oct. 7, 1870. He was married in June, 
1872, to Miss Caroline Davey ; they are the parents [of 
five children — Homer E., Rosa Alice, Abner Edwin, 
Gracie Edna, Lutenoa Edith ; he removed to the north- 
west corner of Troy Township, in November, 1872, 
where in addition to farming he is engaged in the mill 
business. George Tinkey, his father, died Sept. 6, 1875, 
at the residence of his son in Washington Township. 
His mother, Elizabeth (Swickart) Tinkey, died July 
17, 1872. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



ANDREWS, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Bellville ; he 
was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., March 18, 1803 ; he 
came to this county with his parents Aug. 1, 1823 ; 
they settled in Jefferson Township ; he remained with 
them until the age of 28 years. He was then married to 
Miss Christina Baker in December, 1830; she was born 
in Franklin Co., Penn., April 17, 1807; she came to 
this county in April, 1823. After his marriage he 
moved on the farm he bought, formerly owned by 
Thomas Andrews, for which he paid, at that time, $1 
per acre, where he has ever since resided ; they have 
seven children, three sons and four daughters, named 
John, Jacob, Andrew, Susannah, Nancy and Catherine, 
one died in infancy ; John was married to Miss Anna 
Deadwiler ; they had five children ; his first wife died 



several years ago ; he was lately married to his second 
wife, Miss Malinda Hoover, they have one child. 
Jacob, who is married to a daughter of William Spade, 
they have three children ; Susannah was married to 
Anthony Clever, they have nine children ; Catherine 
was married to John Riggie, they have eight children. 
Mr. Andrews has, by strict attention to farming and 
hard work, made for himself and family a good home. 

ANDREWS, LYMAN AV., farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Bellville; he was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 7, 1818; Mr. Andrews came to this county with his 
parents, at the age of 5 years, Aug. 1, 1823 ; he entered 
a quarter-section of the Government land, where he now 
resides. Mr. Andrews was married to Anna Oldfield 
March 12, 1845 ; she was born in this county Jan. 25, 






^ 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



903 



1827, they have six children, two sons and four daugh- 
ters — Richard E., William W., Mary, Sarah, Esther M. 
and Lucy Bell ; Mary A. was married to James H. 
Palm, in 1872; they have two children. 

BAKER, HIRAM, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Barnes; he was born in this county March 9, 1828. 
When 24 years of age, he was -married to Isabella, 
daughter of John Hull ; she was also born in this county 
Dec. 25, 1831 ; they were married Nov. 20, 1851 ; they 
have four children, three sons and one daughter — 
Albert, Ira Allen, Charles W. and Sadie M.; Albert 
was married to Hattie Meek in 1875. He is a car- 
penter. 

BENTLEY, ROBERT H., Gen., farmer. He was born 
at Mansfield, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1835. His father, Bald- 
win Bentley, was a prosperous merchant in Mansfield, 
but died at the early age of 26, leaving two children, 
viz : the subject of this sketch, then only a year old ; a 
daughter, Mary Lake Bentley, subsequently the 
wife of Gen. R. BrinkerhofF. When 12 years old, 
Robert entered the dry-goods store of James Weldon 
then the principal merchant in Mansfield, and re- 
mained in the store until he went into partnership 
with his brother-in-law, Gen. R. BrinkerhofF, in the 
publication of the Mansfield Herald. Subsequently, he 
sold his share in the Herald establishment and went 
into partnership with James Weldon, his old employer 
in the dry-goods business, and remained with him 
several years. His grandfather. Gen. Robert Bent- 
ley, was one of the early settlers of Richland Co.; 
was an Officer in the war of 1812, and subsequently a 
Major General of militia, an Associate Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas, and a member of the Ohio State 
Senate. Robert, his grandson and namesake, inherited 
his military tastes, and when the war of the rebellion 
broke out, he was among the first to volunteer. He 
went into service April 16, 1861, as a private in Capt. 
iSIcLaughlin's company of the 1st Ohio Infantry. He 
came out of the service a Second Sergeant, and was 
soon after appointed Regimental Quartermaster, of the 
32d Ohio Infantry. After the capture of Harper's 
Ferry, the regiment was re-organized, and he was made 
Lieutenant Colonel. With this regiment he went 
through the Vicksburg campaign, and in the battles 
which preceded the capture of the city won the special 
commendation of Gen. Logan, his division comman- 
der. After the capture of Vicksburg, he, resigned 
his position in the 32d Infantry, and was appointed 
Lieutenant Colonel of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and 
remained with the regiment until the close of the war. 
In the raid upon Virginia Saltworks, and in the great 
Stoneman raid through Alabama, Georgia and the 
Carolinas, he was in the command of the regiment, 
and for serv ces thus rendered, was brevetted a Briga- 
dier General of volunteers. He was also tendered a 
position in the regular army, by the Secretary of War, 
but declined to accept it. In July, 1865, he resigned 
his position in the army. He remained for a time in 
business in Washington City, and then returned to 
Richland Co., where he engaged in farming and 
stock-raising near Mansfield. He was married, Aug. 3, 
1876, to Elizabeth A. Lee ; she was born in Licking 
>Co., Ohio, Aug. 3, 1837. 

BROWN, R. C, farmer ; P. 0. Lexington. He was 



born in Brooke Co., Va., Nov. 13, 1834; in October, 
1835, his parents moved back to Washington Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, to the farm they had left seven 
years before, and upon which Robert and his aged 
mother still live. After receiving the ordinary pi-e- 
paratory education, he entered Franklin College, and 
graduated in the year 1860. Enlisted for three months 
as a private soldier in the 1.5th 0. V. I. April 22, 1861, 
and served in Western Virginia until mustered out ; 
same autumn, assisted in recruiting Co. C, 64th 0. 
V. I., and, when the regiment was organized, was 
mustered in as Captain, and commanded Co. C in the 
various battles in which the regiment was engaged, 
including the battle of Stone River, after which he 
received a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel ; holding 
that rank he served with the regiment in the battles of 
Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and Rocky Face Ridge, at 
which Col. Mcllvaine was killed May 9, 1864; the 
command then fell to R. C. Brown, and June 17, 1864, 
he was commissioned Colonel ; he commanded the regi- 
ment in the various skirmishes intervening, besides the 
battles of Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Spring Hill, Franklin and 
Nashville ; except at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain 
(when he was in hospital), he was with the regiment 
in all its engagements and on all its marches ; was dis- 
charged from the service of the United States, Feb. 23, 
1865, at Huntsville, Ala., by reason of expiration of term 
of service. (For full military service see chapter on 
"Richland County in the War," part of which was 
written by the Colonel.) In company with Maj. S. 
L. Coulter he then rented a cotton plantation near 
Mooresville, Ala., where he remained during the 
years of 1865 and 1866 ; then returned to Richland 
Co., Ohio. Was married, Sept. 22, 1868, to Mary E. 
Galley, a native of Westmoreland Co., Penn., and has 
two children — Helen T. and Charles G. Religion, 
United Presbyterian. 

CAMPBELL, JAMES, farmer and stock-raiser: 
P. 0. Lexington ; he was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 
1829, and came to this county in 1837. Was married 
to Malinda A. Bell in 1852 ; she was born in this 
county in 1834 ; they have six children, two sons and 
four daughters, viz., John M., Lacyette, Catherine J., 
Bertie A., Jessie, and one who died at birth ; two are 
married, and three are single. Mr. Campbell was In- 
firmary Director of this county for six years ; he was 
a good and faithful officer. 

CHARLES, C. C, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Cuyahoga Co., June 26, 1824 : he remained 
there until he was 16 years old, when he came to this 
county with his parents ; he stayed with them until he 
was 25 years old ; from the time he was 18 to 24, he 
worked out bj» the month. He then got married to 
Miss Ruthan Enlow, April 27, 1874; she was born in 
AVashington Co., Penn., in March, 1822 ; she came to 
this county in 1830 ; they have eight children, four sons 
and four daughters, named William P., John J., George 
M., David H., Emeline A., Anna D., Alice M. and Lil- 
lie E. William P. and Emeline A. are dead. Mr. 
Charles has, by industry and strict attention to busi- 
ness, made for himself and family a good home ; he 
first bought a small home of 20 acres from John Fox, 
and afterward bought 27 acres adjoining, from Peter 



J^ 



904 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



W. Kohiser, where he resided six years ; he then sold lo 
John Wagner and bought the farm formerly owned by 
.Jacob Beany, where he moved and resided three years, 
when he sold again to Anthony Kestetter, and then re- 
moved to his brother's place, where he remained a short 
time, and from there moved on the farm where he now 
lives and has resided ever since. 

CLEVER, ANTHONY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 
{"). Bellville ; he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., in 
1S2.5 ; he came to this county with his parents in 1834 ; 
his father bought the farm formerly owned by Con- 
rad Strickler. Mr. Clever was married to Susanna An- 
drews, in 18.53; she was born in this county in 1833. 
Mr. Clever bought the farm formerly owned by C. Van- 
dorn ; he also bought the farm formerly owned by 
Jacob Neply, where he now resides. They have nine 
children, five sons and four daughters — John, Henry, 
Willis, Andrew, George, Sophroa, Cora, Rosa and Mary. 
Sophroa C. was married to Hiram Spitler in 1875. 
He was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio; they have three 
children. Henry Clever is living at present in Barry 
Co., Mich. 

CONRAD, JOHN, farmer and carpenter; P. 0. Lex- 
ington ; he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Sept. 8, 
IftOS. He was married to Susan Kissel in July, 1829; 
she was born in the same county ; they came to this 
county in 1848 ; they remained here three years, then 
they moved to Iowa, where they lived four years ; they 
then returned to this county, and bought the home for- 
merly owned by Conrad Houser, where they now re- 
f-iile ; they now have ten chiidren, two sons and eight 
daughters — John P., Elizabeth C, RuannaH., Mary 
A., Sarah J., Sophia, Flora A. and Levi P. (dead). 
Ruanna H. was married to Henry Mansfield Sept. 16, 
18-55; they have one child ; they resided in Warsaw, 
Ind. ; in 1869, her husband died, leaving her a widow 
wiih one child ; she remained a widow about one year, 
then she was married to Z. C. Bratt, June 26, 1870; 
tliey have one child. Elizabeth C. was married to Levi 
McLaughlin Sept. 28, 1852 ; they have eight chil- 
dren. Mary A., was married to David C. Smith Nov. 
25, 1865 ; they live in Akron. Sarah J. was married 
to F. M. Hooper June 10. 1861; they have four chil- 
den ; they reside in Clarke Co., 111. ; Sophia was mar- 
ried to William A. Rodocher Jan. 14, 1868 ; they have 
two children ; they reside in Akron, Summit Co. 

FAUST, LEWIS W., farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 
Mansfield . Mr. Faust was born in this county in 1848 ; 
he remained with his parents until he was 22 years 
old, when he was married to Amanda Gribling, in 1871 : 
she was born in this county in 1852 ; they have four chil- 
dren, one son and three daughters; William N., Eify M., 
Laura B. and Alice A. Mr. Faust left this county in 1871, 
and moved to Iowa, whei-e he remained four months ; 
he then returned to his present home, where he has re- 
mained ever since ; Mr. Faust now lives on the old 
homestead. His father was born in Germany in the 
year 1821 ; he came to this county in 1847 ; he died in 
1872, at the age of 51. His mother is still living and is 
56 years old ; she resides ia Mansfield. 

FERGUSON, JAMES farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 
0. Mansfield ; he was born in Allegheny Co., Penn., 
Sept. 27, 1826. He was married to Nancy Geiger 
Dec. 2, 1847 ; she was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., 



March 17, 1830 ; he came to this county May 22, 1852, 
Mr. James F. lives on the farm called the old home- 
stead ; they have eight children, four sons and four 
daughters ; Samuel L., Joseph G., James C, Thomas 
B., Mary M., Jane E., Malissa W. and Ellen ; of these 
Joseph G. and James C, are dead. Samuel L. 
Ferguson was married to Francis Burnett in 1873 ; she 
was born in York State; they have three children. 
Mary M. Ferguson was married to Daniel Butterfield in 
1874; he was born in Carroll Co., Ohio; they have two 
children. Malissa W. Ferguson was married to Samuel 
B. Traxler April 12, 1874. James C. Ferguson enlisted 
in the late war Aug. 14, 1862, and was discharged July 
1, 1865. Mr. Samuel Ferguson, the father of James F., 
died in the fall of 1863, at the age of 98 years ; Mrs. 
Ferguson, the mother of James F., is living at the pres- 
ent time ; she is now at the age of 90 years ; she lives in 
Allegheny Co., Penn. 

FLEMING, JOHN, shoemaker, Barnes. Mr. 
Fleming was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 1803, he 
remained with his parents until he was about 18 years 
old; then he served as an apprentice to the shoemaker's 
trade for the term of three years, at the expiration of his 
apprenticeship, he remained at home a short time ; he 
then left home and came to this county in 1824 ; he 
made his home at that time in the village of Newville ; 
he remained there about six months, then he started for 
his old home in Pennsylvania, and went as far as AVoos- 
ter, and got a job, and remained there about six months ; 
he then made another start for home, where he arrived 
in the spring of 1826 ; he remained at home about eight 
years, then married Margery A. Trindle, in 1831 ; 
she was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1802. 
About three years after his marriage, he started for this 
county ; he traveled with team and wagon ; he landed 
in this county in 1834 ; he remained but a few days, 
then left for Urbana, where he remained about one year ; 
He then returned to this county, and lived at Newville 
three years and six months, then came to the village of 
Washington and bought 20 acres of land from Harman 
Newton, and also 5 acres adjoining from Eli McGregor, 
where he now resides, and where he expects to remain 
the rest of his life ; they have five children, three sons 
and two daughters — Joseph, Mary Ann, George, Jane E. 
and Thompson are dead ; Mary Ann was married to Sam- 
uel McFarland ; they have nine children. Joseph was 
married to Acictha Day ; they have six children. Mr. 
Fleming is a very temperate man ; he has never used any 
spirits or tobbacco in his life. 

FORD, W. E., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he was born 
in Washington Township March 18, 1851. He was 
married to Miss Susie Oberlin April 18, 1872 ; she was 
born in this township; they have two children, one son 
and one daugher, named John E., and Kitty V. Mr. 
Ford bought 65 acres off the west side of the Oberlin 
quarter-section, where he now resides. 

FULTON, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, and ex- 
.Justice of the Peace of Washington Township ; P. 0. 
Bellville ; he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., 
June 20, 1821 ; came to this county in the spring 
of 1843. Was married to Jane Duncan in 1851 ; 
she was born, in this county ; they have one child. 
John Fulton was married to his second wife, Rachael 
J. Campbell, in December 1854 ; she was born 



\ 




in Wayne Co. Nov. 13, 1825 ; they have four children, 
two sons and two daughters — -William C., John, Jane E. 
and Sarah R. John Fulton's fii'st wife died in Nov- 
ember, 1853 at the age of 20 years. 

GARBER, EMANUEL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Lexington ; he was born Sept. 28, 1824, in Lancaster 
Co., Penn.; came to this county in 1835. Was married to 
Emaline Diegle Feb. G, 1849 ; she was born in Philadel- 
phia, Penn., September 1830. They have ten children, 
five sons and five daughters, viz., George F., William H., 
Isaac H. John W., Henry D., Eliza J., Mary A. Martha 
E. Anna S. and Emma R.; all living. Eliza J. Garber 
was married to George W. Wert in February 1879. 

GERHARD, JOHN F., farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Bellville. Mr. Gerhard was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., Oct. 3, 1835 ; he came to this county with 
his parents when he was 2 years old (1837). He 
remained with his parents until he was 23 years old, 
when he was married to Elizabeth Chronister in 1858 ; 
she was born in this county March 13, 1837; they have 
eight children, five sons and three daughters — William 
F., Andrew S., Charley S., John 0., Mary E., Daisy B., 
and Rosha A. J. ; Daniel W. is dead ; Mary E. was 
married to John Timmerman April 29, 1876 ; he was 
born in Holland in 1852 ; they have two children ; he 
resides in this county. Mr. Gerhard has always 
remained on the old homestead from his child- 
hood up to this time ; he was Township Clerk 
six years ; at the expiration of his clerkship he was 
elected County Commissioner of this county ; his first 
term expires in the fall of 1880 ; his father was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 14, 1810; he is still living 
and is now 70 years old ; Mrs. Gerhard was born in 
Harrisburg, Penn., June 9, 1813, and died July 10, 
1871 ; she was 58 years old. 

GRIZE, CALEB F., farmer ; P. 0. Bellville ; he 
was born in Fayette Co., Penn., March 14, 1831 ; he 
came to this county with his parents in 1840 ; he re- 
mained with them until he was about 18 years old, 
when he started out in life for himself ; he worked at 
painting and turning for about, five years ; he then left 
this county and went to Indiana where he remiins I one 
year ; he then left and went to Wisconsin, and resided 
about one year, then returned to this township and was 
here about one year, when he was married to Miss Mary 
Ann Gerhart, Oct. 1, 1857 ; she was born in Lancaster 
Co., Penn., Nov. 8, 1841 ; they had two children, one is 
living named Alice. In 1861, his first wife died, 
leaving him with one child ; about six years after, he was 
married to his second wife. Miss Margaret Ann Miller, 
Oct. 23, 1867; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., 
Sept. 13, 1843; they have five children, four sons and 
one daughter, named Ulysses S., Oliver J., Charles A., 
Milton Jay and Ella May ; Alice, the daughter of his 
first wife, was married to Isaac W. Dwire, Feb. 27, 
1874 ; they have one child. Mr. Grize bought the 
farm formerly owned by John Miller, where he now 
resides and where he expects to remain the rest of his 
days. He enlisted in the late war in 1861 for three 
months, served his time and was discharged, when he 
enlisted in September, 1862, in Co. E, 102d 0. V. I. 
and was discharged in July, 1865 ; he served three 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Grize are members of the Evan- 
gelical Church. 



HAMMETT, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Mansfield. Mr. Hammett was born in Maryland in 
1825 ; his parents came to this county in 1832 ; he 
remained with his parents until he was 22 years old. He 
was married to Lydia Newton in 1848 ; she was born in 
this county; they have ten children, three sons and 
seven daughters — William B., John H., Arthur C, 
Maggie F., Alice R., Elizabeth U., Ida C. and Etta 
W. ; Amelia L. and Alevilda A. are dead. Maggie F. 
was married to J. W. Bowden in 1872, they have two 
children. Alice R. was married to Harry Day in 1873 ; 
they naire three children; Elizabeth U., was married 
to S. B. Swisher in 1878; they have one child. Mr. 
Hammett bought the farm formerly owned by John 
Stewart, where he now resides; he has built a fine resi- 
dence and is also well provided for the future ; his farm 
is well improved and everything in good condition ; he 
is proud of his home. He has a nice family of children 
and all are well raised to good habits. 

HANELY, MOSES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. 
Lexington ; he was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1 819; 
he came to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1833. He was married 
to Lydia Stump in 1844 ; he then came to this county in 
1858, and bought the farm formerly owned by Anthony 
Cate ; they have ten children, six sons and four daugh- 
ters — Samuel, Joseph, Alfred, Franklin, John, Michael, 
Sevilla, Jemima, Almira and Lucia ; of these, John, 
Michael and Lucia are dead. SeviUa Hanely was 
married to Josiah Stoner in 1877 ; he was born in 
Stark Co. ; they have one child ; they live in Stark 
County. 

HEYSER, ELIAS, blacksmith; (P. 0. Barnes). 
Mr. Heyser was born in Washington Co., Md., 
Feb. 27, 1827. He remained there until he was 
3 years old, when his parents moved to Franklin Co.. 
Penn., where he remained until June 19, 1845, when 
they moved to this county. Mr. Heyser was then at 
the age of 17 years; he hired out to work at farming 
for two years, when he went to learn the blacksmith 
trade with Samuel Lance ; he served three years as 
apprentice. At expiration of his term, he was married 
to Elenor Furgeson in 1848; he moved to Ashland 
Co. in 1849, where he remained until the spring of 
1857, when he moved to Iowa, where he remained un- 
til about Nov. 2. About this time, he lost his wife. He 
returned to this county some time in the same year, 
where he has remained ever since. They had three chil- 
dren, one son and two daughters — William F., Mary E., 
and Rachel R. Mary E. was married to Elmore Miller ; 
they have three children. Rachel R. was married to 
John Lorow ; they have five children. Mr. Heyser was 
married to Arabell Lickliter in November 1858; she 
was born in Hampshire Co., Va., Feb. 16, 1834; they* 
have six children, three sons and three daughters — John 
H., Ulysses G., Elias G. (deceased), Martha S., Flora B. 
and Eifa E. Mrs. Lickliter, the mother of Mrs. Heyser, 
is still living and resides with the family of Mr. 
Heyser ; she is now 79 years old. Mr. Heyser enlisted 
in the late war, Oct. 21, 1861, and was discharged 
Dec. 14, 1864, served his full time; he was First 
Sargeant in Co. I., 65th 0. V. I. 

HULL, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield. Mr. Hull 
was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., March 8, 1804; his 
parents came to this county in fall of 1822; Mr. Hull's 



^ (s r- 



.£ 



906 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



parents settled in Mansfield at that time. At the age of 
19, he apprenticed himself to Abraham Diller in Mans- 
field to learn the carpenter trade, where he served three 
years ; at the expiration of that time, he commenced 
business for himself; at this time a poor boy without 
money, he worked at his trade about six years ; during 
this time he bought 30 acres of land from Samuel 
Smith, where he built himself a cabin, and remained 
about five years ; he then sold out to John K. Barnes, 
and bought a farm of 60 acres owned by Henry T. ^Man- 
ners ; a short time afterward he also bought 80 acres 
from the Hamilton estate adjoining in Madison Town- 
ship, and 62J acres from John Smith, and 11 acres 
from Mack Gray, which makes 21 3 J acres, all in one 
body ; this is the farm where Mr. Hull now resides ; 
this farm Mr. Hull has made by hard work, he had not 
a dollar when he commenced. He was married to Miss 
Rachel Snyder June 10, 1828 ; she was born in Wash- 
ington Co., Penn., Sept. 12, 1811 ; she came to this 
county in 1815 with her parents ; they had ten chil- 
dren, four sons and six daughters, named Drusila, Is- 
abella, Catherine, Elizabeth, John C, Daniel M. and 
Ann Louisa, Peter, Rachel and one child died in 
infancy. Drusila was married to Samuel R. Sny- 
der May 27, 1851 ; they had six children ; he died 
leaving her a widow with her children ; she after- 
ward married her second husband, George Tarris, 
Aug. 30, 1876. Isabella was married to Hiram Baker 
Nov. 10, 1851 ; they have four children. Catherine was 
married to Henry Hesselton March 30, 1854 ; they 
have six children. Elizabeth was married to .John 
Baker Nov. 10, 1851 ; they had one child ; Mr. Baker 
died leaving her a widow with one child ; she married 
her second husband, Samuel Muscraft, May 17, 1875; 
they have three children. .John C. was married to 
Sarah F. Leppo Jan. 24, 1867 ; they have six children. 
Daniel M. was married to Mary A. Newlon April 3, 
1873 ; they have three children. Ann Louisa was 
married to John M. Hammett Oct. 6, 1870 ; they have 
two children. Mr. and Mrs. Hull have raised a large 
family to good habits ; they are all married and doing 
well. Mr. Hull has, by hard work and good manage- 
ment, put himself in good circumstances ; himself and 
wife expect to make this their home the rest of their 
days. Mr. and Mrs. Hull have been members of the 
Disciples' Church for thirty years. Mr. Hull has been 
Deacon of that church nineteen years. John C. Hull 
was enrolled in the late war as a private soldier, in Co. 
C ,163d 0. V. I., 100-days service, May 2, 1864, and was 
discharged Sept. 12, 1864. 

KELL, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. 
Bellville. Mr. Kell was born in this county in 1842; 
at the age of 15 years, he went to Morrow Co., where he 
remained three years ; he then returned to this county, 
and bought out the interest of the heirs of the family in 
the old homestead, where he has built himself a fine res- 
idence. He was married to Elizabeth Shafer in 1862 ; 
she was born in Troy Township, in 1845 ; they have 
three children, two sons and one daughter — T. D., 
Adam M. and Elizabeth M. Mr. and Mrs. Kell, 
the parents of Mr. Kell, were born in Pennsyl- 
vania ; they came to this county in 1821 ; they entered 
80 acres of land ; Mr. Kell lived on his farm until his 
death; in 1846, at the age of 58 years; Mrs. Kell 



is still living, she resides with her son William, on 
the old homestead ; she is now 80 years of age. Mr, 
Kell's occupation was a stonemason; he helped to lay 
the foundation of the old court house of Richland Co., 
and also the court house and infirmary of Knox Co. 

KOHISER, LEWIS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. 
Bellville ; he was born in Germany, in 1833 ; he 
came to this county in 1847. He was married 
to Margaret Rummel in 1853 ; she was born in 
Konich, Germany, in 1831. Lewis Kohiser bought the 
farm formerly owned by James Marshall, where he now 
resides ; they have five children, three sons and two 
daughters — Peter W., John, Peter L., Mary C. and 
Lissa F.; Peter L. and Lissa F. were born in Ashland 
Co., and Mary was born in Morrow Co. 

LAWRENCE, CHARLES, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Lexington ; he was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 
1803. He was married to EUenor Bailey in December 
1828; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio; came to this 
county in 1830 ; they had ten children, six sons and four 
daughters ; four are married, five are dead, and one is 
yet at home. Mrs. L. died March 11, 1851, at the age of 
40 years. Mr. L. married his second wife, Sarah McCune, 
April 10, 1856 ; she was born in Pennsylvania ; they 
have five children, two living and three dead. Mrs. 
Sarah L. died in March, 1872, at the age of 40 years. 

LEPPO, DAVID (deceased). Mr. L. was born near 
Hagerstown, Md., Nov. 29, 1813; he died Nov. 30, 1860, 
at the age of 47. He was married to Eliza J. Pollock 
March 7, 1843 ; she was born Dec. 6, 1818, in Harrison 
Co., Ohio ; they had ten children, six boys and four 
girls — John S., William D., Franklin P., James B,, 
Daniel M., Albert, Sarah F., Margaret E., Lyda J. and 
Mary A.; John, William, Albert and Mary are dead. 
John was married to Susan C. Johnston Jan. 28, 1864 ; 
they had three children ; the widow is yet living in this 
township. Susan was married to John C. Hull Jan. 28, 
1867; they have six children. Margaret was married to 
Alonzo Schlosser Oct. 2, 1867 ; they have three chil- 
dren. Franklin was married to Anna Deems Dec. 26, 
1876; they have one child." James B. was married to 
Mary Hoss Nov. 17, 1878 ; they have one child. Lyda 
was married to Louis K. Pierce in September, 1868; 
they have four children. 

McBRIDE, AUGUSTUS (deceased) ; born Nov. 2, 
1819, in Cumberland Co., Penn. He was married 
in this county, May 20, 1841, to Martha Ann Barnes ; 
she was born in this county April 7, 1821. They 
have four children, three sons and one daughter — 
Robert W., James N., Thomas H. and Mary J. Robert 
W. McBride was married to Ida S. Chamberlin Sept. 
27, 1867 ; she was born in Harrison Co., Ohio ; they 
have five children. James N. McBride was married to 
Ellen R. Roott July 21, 1865 ; she was born in Penn- 
sylvania ; they have five children. Thomas H. McBride 
enlisted in the late war, Sept. 9, 1863, and died 
May 12, 1864 : Mary J. McBride was married to R. S. 
McFarland Nov. 26, 1863, he was born in the county; 
they have four children. Mrs. Martha Ann McBride was 
married to her second husband, James Sirpless, Nov. 
10, 1850; he was born in Washington Co., Penn., 
March 30, 1794, and died May 27, 1878; they had five 
children, three sons and two daughters — Albert B., 
William E., Curtis A., Eudolphia H. and Samantha. 






Eudolphia H. Sirpless was married to Rowlan N. Pitten- 
ger Oct. 26, 1876; she was married in this county; they 
have two children. Samantha E. Sirpless was married 
to John W. BeelerNov. 26, 1877 ; he was born in Illinois. 

McFARLAND, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Barnes; he 
was born in this township April 21, 1832 ; he remained 
with his parents until he was 20 years old. He was then 
married to Miss ^lary Ann Fleming March 9, 1852 ; she 
was born in Franklin Co., Penn., March 21, 1832 ; they 
have nine children, four sons and five daughters — Joseph 
0., John H., George W., Frank B., Sarreta A., Mary 
E., Catherine D., Martha E. and Lilly B., all living. 
Sarreta was married to Charles W. Stone Aug. 6, 1871 ; 
they have three children ; they reside in this township. 
Mr. McFarland remained on the old homestead after his 
marriage until 1870 ; then he bought the farm formerly 
owned by David McFarland, where he then removed and 
where he has ever since resided, and where he expects 
to remain the rest of his days. Mr. McFarland has by 
hard work and strict attention to business made for 
himself and family a good home, he i? also the present 
Postmaster of Barnes Post Office, and has been for 
several years. He also served four months as a private 
soldier in the late war. 

McFARLAND, GEORGE, farmer and fruit-dealer ; P. 
0. Barnes. Mr. McFarland was born in Frederick Co., 
Md., Oct. 29, 1805; he came to this county in 1827, 
and remained about one year when he returned to Mary- 
land, and remained about eight months; he then return- 
ed to this county and has lived here ever since. Mr. 
McFarland worked at the shoemaking trade for several 
years when he first came to this county ; he then 
bought 30 acres of land from his father ; he resided 
there about twenty-three years, when he bought 5 acres 
from John K. Barnes, and also 30 acres from Daniel 
Zetinger ; then he bought 10 acres more from James 
Chew, then he had 75 acres in one body ; this land he 
sold to his son Samuel ; about the year 1853, bought 70 
acres from James Marshal, in Monroe Township, where 
he moved in 1853, and remained until 1872; then he 
again sold and returned to this township and bought 9 
acres from his son Samuel, where has built a fine resi- 
dence and where he expects to remain the rest of his 
days. Mr. McFarland was married to Mary Schlosser 
May 9,1831 ; she was born in Frederick Co.,Md.,in 1812, 
they have eleven children, seven sons and four daugh- 
ters — Samuel, Andrew, Robert, John, Mark, George, 
David, Rosetta, Catharine, Elizabeth and Mary 
(deceased). Samuel was married to Mary Fleming, 
they have nine children. Andrew was married to Lydia 
A. Johnson ; they have two children. Robert was mar- 
ried to Mary Norris ; they have six children ; they reside 
in Mansfield. John was married to Rosina Applegate ; 
they have five children. Mark was married to Sadie 
Ohler ; they have three sons ; reside in Illinois ; George 
was married to Jane Hesten. David was married to 
Maranda McConky ; they have one child. Rosetta was 
married to Samuel Mentzer. Catherine was married to 
George Wilson ; they have eight children. Elizabeth 
was married to Ezra Davis ; they have three children ; 
they reside in Kansas. Mr. McFarland's children were 
all raised to good habits ; they are all married and doing 
well. He has always been a strict member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



McGREGGOR, LANDON, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Hastings. Mr. McGreggor was born in Columbi- 
ana Co., Ohio, in 1823 ; he remained with his parents 
until about the year 1840 ; he then left home and came 
to this county and worked by day's labor ; he saved his 
money till he got enough to buy a home in the village 
of Washington ; he remained there about four years ; he 
then sold and bought 38 acres from Christian Gribling, 
and five years afterward sold again and bought 180 
acres from John Snyder, where he now resides ; when 
he came to this county, he had not one penny to his 
name ; by being industrous and economical, he has got 
to be quite wealthy ; he has a fine residence and his 
farm is well improved. Mr. McGreggor was married to 
Elizabeth Pearce in 1853 ; she was born in Wooster, 
Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1813 ; they had three children, all 
of whom are dead. Mr. McGreggor' s parents came to 
this county about the year 1856 ; about four years after- 
ward his father died ; they were living in the village 
of Washington at that time. After the death of his 
father ; his mother remained in this county about ten 
years, then returned to Cumberland Co., Ohio, where 
she now resides with her daughter ; she is 83 years 
old ; Mr. McGreggor' s father was 75 years old when 
he died. 

McPHERREN, JOHN, blacksmith ; Washington Vil- 
lage, P. 0. Barnes, he was born in Franklin Co., Penn,, 
in 1831. He remained with his parents until he was 
26 years old, when he was married to Rosanna Snyder, 
in May, 1846; he remained there until 1868; he then 
came to this county, where he has remained ever since ; 
they have eleven children ; six sons and five daughters 
— Samuel, John, Thomas W., Jacob L., Harriet J., 
Mary E., Anna M. and Luemma; Daniel L., James H., 
and one infant are dead. Samuel was married to Cath- 
rine Fitz in 1873; they have three children. John was 
married to Mary Stone in 1875. Thomas was married 
to Mattie Pluck in 1874; they have three children. 
Mary J. was married to Cyrus Rydenour in 1867 ; they 
have two children. Anna M. was married to James 
Purdy; they have one child. The parents of Mr. 
Mc Pherren were born in Pennsylvania; his father was 
born in 1775, and died in 1848 ; he was 73 years old ; 
his mother was born in 1782 and died in 1850; she 
was 68 years old ; they died in Pennsylvania. 

MAGLATT, PHILIP, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield. Mr. 
Maglatt was born in Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 24, 
1823 ; he left his native home with his parents June 
17, 1838, and sailed for this country ; they landed at 
New York Sept. 19 of the same year: they remained 
there three days, then went by river to Albany ; from 
there to Buffalo by canal, from there to Cleveland by 
steamer on the lake, where they remained about two 
months prospecting ; they then left Cleveland and came 
to this township by wagons, where they landed Dec. 
25, 1838, and stayed with Conrad Englehart about three 
weeks ; during this time his father bought a farm 
owned by Jacob Farr, where they then moved. He 
stayed with his parents about ten years, when he was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Remy, April 19, 1849 ; after 
his marriage, he remained with his parents about three 
years, when he bought the farm owned by Alfred Hed- 
rick's father, where he then moved with his family, 
and where he now resides ; they had nine children. 






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908 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



four sons and five daughters, named John, Philip, 
Peter AV., Frederick W., Catharine, Margaret and Mary 
S. Joan and Elizabeth are dead, Phil is in Kansas. 
John was married to Miss Louisa Kohiser ; they have 
three children. Catharine was married to William Kohi- 
ser ; they have four children. Mr. Maglatt has, by good 
management and strict atten'iou to farming, made for 
himself and family a good home ; has a good farm, and 
has it well improved ; Mr. and Mrs. Maglatt are mem- 
bers of the German Reformed Church. 

MAGLATT, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Bellville. Mr. 
Maglatt was born in this township, Feb. 16, 1852; he 
was the second child of Philip and Elizabeth Maglatt ; 
he remained with his parents until he was 21 years old ; 
he then hired out to work on a farm for William Kohi- 
ser, where he remained about one year ; he then hired 
to work for William Algeld, where he stayed about 
eight months ; then from there he returned to his 
parents, and remained a short time, when he was mar- 
ried to Miss Louisa Kohiser, Dec, 17, 1874; she was 
born in this township Dec. 6, 1852: they have three 
children, all living. Mr. Maglatt has, by industry and 
strict attention to business, placed himself in good cir- 
cumstances, and is well provided for the future life of 
himself and family. 

MANSFIELD, MANSIR (deceased). Mr. Mansfield 
was born at Stockbridge, Mass., Nov. 27, 1793 ; he 
removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio, in early life, where he 
met his wife. Miss Eleanor Dally, formerly of New 
Jersey; they were married May 3, 1813. Mr. Mans- 
field was a man of considerable mechanical genius, 
though a farmer by vocation. He removed to Richland 
Co. in 1848, and located one and a half miles northwest 
of Bellville, in the vicinity of Laagum's Mill, where 
he lived about two years ; then removed to the farm in 
Washington Town<ihip, now owned by his son and J. 
McLaughlin ; the farm embraces about 132 acres and 
the greater part he cleared with his own hands ; his 
family, consisting of six children, four sons and two 
daughters, of whom only two survive — Gilead Mans- 
field, of Lexington, and Mrs. Fringal, now living near 
Crestline. He was a member of the Baptist Church ; 
he resided upon his farm until his death, April 20, 
1858, being in the 65th year of his age. 

MILLER. THOMAS K. (deceased) ; he was born in 
Center Co., Penn., Sept. 5, 1812. Was married to 
Mary A. Greatz Feb. 24, 1842; she was born in York 
Co., Penn., July 3, 1816; they came to this county 
April, 1852; thiy had three children, one son and 
two daughters — Henry B., Manda, J. and Dillia A., 
all living. Henry B. Miller was married to Sarah 
Ann Creig Oct. 17, 1876 ; she was born in this county 
May 25, 1852 ; they have one child. Thomas K. 
Miller died at the age of 53 years. 

MILLER, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. 
Bellville; he was born in Franklin Co., Penn., 
Sept. 27, 1816; came to this county in 1849; he 
was married to Mary Detwiler in 1851 ; she was born 
in Franklin Co., Penn , in 1826. Mr. Miller bought the 
farm formerly owned by Odas Howard ; he also bought 
40acres of B. Hersh ; they have thirteen children, six 
sons and seven daughters — John, Odas, William, Jere- 
miah, Samuel and Burdis (both deceased), Anna, Catha- 
rine, ^lary, Margaret and Susan (both deceased), Emma 



and Rosella. Anna M. was married to Samuel Oberlin 
in 1874 ; they have three children. Catharine M. was 
married to Levi Sell in 1870 ; they have two children. 
Mary M. was married to Samuel Mowery in 1875 ; 
they also have two children. 

MITCHEL, GAVIN (deceased); he was born in 
Bedford Co., Penn., in 1778. He came to this county 
in its early settlement, but remained only a few years, 
when he went to Knox Co.; while in this county, he 
was married to Miss Ann Boner. Some time after his 
marriage, he returned to this county and settled on his 
farm. They became the parents of six children — three 
sons and three daughters— three of whom are now liv- 
ing. His first wife departed this life May 23, 1839. He 
was again married, to Mrs. Sarah Linley, the widow of 
Byron C. Linley. They have seven children — five sons 
and two daughters — four of whom are still living. Mr. 
Mitchel died at the age of 70 years. The last wife of 
Mr. M. departed this life during the last winter. 

OBERLIN, SAMUEL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Bellville. Mr. Oberlin was born in Stark Co., 
in 1837: he remained in Stark Co., until he was 
12 years old, when he came to this county, and has 
remained here up to this time. He was first married 
to Anna Eliza Ritter in 1861 ; she was born in Pennsyl- 
vania they had seven children. Mrs. Oberlin died in 
1874, at the age of 32 years. He remained a widower 
until 1875, when he was married to Anna Miller ; she 
was born in this county in 1849 ; they have three 
children. Mr. Oberlin bought the farm formerly 
owned by Joseph Carr, where he has built him a fine 
residence where he now resides. Mr. Oberlin's parents 
came to this county in 1849; they remained here 
until their death. Mrs. Oberlin died in the fall of 
1874 ; she was 58 years old. Mr. Oberlin died in 
1876, at the age of 65 years, 
the German Lutheran Church. 

PALM, JAMES (deceased), 
berland County, Penn., July 
this county in the spring of 1841 ; he remained with 
his parents about seven years. He then married Miss 
Margaret Bowman Nov. 9, 1848 ; she was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., Jan. 4, 1827. Mr. Palm's 
vocation principally was farming during his life. He 
enlisted in the late war. May 2, 1864, in the 163d 0. 
v. I., and died in the hospital at Wilson's Landing, Va., 
Aug. 2, 1864, from a disease contracted in the army, 
called " camp diarrhea." They had two sons, named 
James H. and Alvin M., both living. James H. was 
married to Miss Mary Andrews Feb. 11, 1873; they 
have two children, one son and one daughter. — Arthur 
born Dec. 30, 1878; Lottie May, Feb. 3, 1874. Mrs. 
Palm, the mother, is still living and is now 53 years 
old; she resides with her son on the old homestead; 
they have a good farm and it is well improved. Mr. 
Palm bought the farm formerly owned by his father, 
where they now reside. Alvin M., the other son, has 
been afflicted with a long spell of sickness, which has 
entirely destroyed his mind. 

PFEIFER, ANDREW, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Mansfield ; he was born in the old country ; he 
came to this county in 1854. He was married to Mas- 
cida Zwvear Nov. 27, 1857; she was born Dec. 5, 1831, 
in Berks Co., Penn. ; they have six children, three sons 



They were members of 

He was born in Cum- 
26, 1823 ; he came to 



\ 



AVASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



909 



and three daughters — Charles, William, Andrew, Mary, 
Sophia and Lena, all living. 

PIPER, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Mansfield; he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., 
Dec. 9, 1811; came to this county in 1824. He was 
married to Martha C. Carr Dec. 20, 1836 ; she was 
born in Oct, 1818, in this county ; they have seven 
children, five sons and two daughters, viz., Hugh K., 
John, C, Joseph W., .Tames C, William W., Margaret 
J., and one who died at birth. Wil iam W. and James 
C. are both dead. Hugh K. was married to Hannah 
Ayreley in 1868 ; she was born in Franklin Co., Penn.; 
they have four children. John C. was married to 
Sarah Jackson in 1873 ; she was born in Morrow Co., 
Ohio ; they have two children. Margaret J. was mar- 
ried to Israel Fribler in 1878; he was born in Ashland 
Co., Ohio ; they have two children. Joseph W. was 
married to Sarah Gerhart in 1879. Martha C. Piper, 
the wife of William Piper, died Sept. 9, 1876, at the 
age of 61 ; she was a member of the Disciple Church 
for twenty-five years. 

POLLOCK, THOMAS, farmer; P. 0. Barnes. Mr. 
Pollock was born in layette Co., Penn., in 1802; he 
left his native State in 1808, with his parents, and came 
to Columbiana Co., Ohio, the same year ; he remained 
in that county until 1817 ; that year, they came to this 
county ; he was 14 years old when they landed here ; 
his father had traded for a quarter-section of Virginia 
school lands, where he remained until 23 years old, 
with his parents, at which time his father gave him 80 
acres of the Virginia school lands, and told him to go 
to work and do for himself ; at that time, he had a wife 
and one child ; the first start he made was to get Mr. 
Barnes to go with him and show him where to find his 
land, they started out in search and found it through 
the course of the day ; the first that Mr. Pollock did 
was to find a location for his cabin, which he did be- 
fore he returned back to his family ; the next day he 
went back to his land and took some help with him and 
commenced to cut the logs for his cabin, size 16x16; 
next day he got his neighbors together and raised his 
cabin, clapboard roof and ground floor : he moved into 
it and commenced house- keeping ; the first bedstead he 
slept on was two forks driven in the ground and poles 
laid across, upon which Mrs. Pollock made her first 
bed ; after the family was provided for, Mr. Pollock 
commenced to cut away the forest ; the first year he 
cleared land and raised corn and potatoes enough to 
keep his family; Mr. Pollock never got discouraged, but 
kept right on year after year and prospering all the 
time, and adding more land to his small farm until it 
has grown to more than 200 acres ; this has all been 
done through good management and strict attention to 
business ; he has placed himself and his children in 
good circumstances. Thomas Pollock was married to 
Miss Mary Morrell April 1, 1824 ; she was born in Hunt- 
ingdon Co., Penn., in 1801 ; she came to this county in 
1821 ; they had twelve children, seven sons and five 
daughters, named William, .John, Joseph, Andre w, James, 
Laban, Thomas M., Elizabeth, Caroline, and Saman- 
tha, one of whom, Joseph, is dead. Caroline was mar- 
ried to Hiram Johnson in October 1845 ; they have 
five children ; they live in Logan Co., Ohio. William 
was married to Margaret Armstrong in 1849 ; they have 



eight children ; they live in this township. Elizabeth 
was married to Peter Strausbaugh in 1849 ; they 
have three children. John was married to Jane C. 
Vandorn in 1850; they reside in California. Andrew 
was married to Catharine McFarland in 1858 ; they 
have three children and reside in Mount Gilead, Mor- 
row Co. Laban was married to Elizabeth McCready 
in 1863, they have three children. Samantha was 
married to David McCready in 1868 ; they have three 
children. Milton was married to Louisa Lawrence in 
1872; they have four children. Joseph was married to 
Martha Janer in 1S62 ; they had two children ; their 
parents are both dead and the children are taken care 
of by their grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock have 
raised a large family to good habits and all are mar- 
ried and doing well ; Mr. Pollock's father was a regu- 
lar soldier in the war of 1812 ; he was in Gen. Beall's 
command at the time he was on his march to the West, 
he went as far as " Camp Council," where they met 
Gen. Harrison, and heard the address to the soldiers 
regarding their meeting. 

PULVER, ISAAC, carpenter and joiner, P. 0. 
Barnes. Mr. Pulver was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., 
in 1801 ; and remained with his parents until he 
was 19 years old, when he was apprenticed to his 
trade ; he served three years. At the age of 25 years, 
he was married to Balinda Brown, May 1, 1826 ; she 
was born Oct. 27, 1801, in New York ; they had one son, 
James M. Pulver; he was married to Jane Alexander ; 
they have six children. Mr. Pulver came to this coun- 
ty Oct. 24, 1826 ; Mr. Pulver's first wife died July 19, 
1834, at the age of 45 years ; Mr. Pulver remained a 
widower till the year 1840, when he was married to 
his second wife, Hannah Armstrong, April 27, 1840 ; 
she was born in this township April 21, 1819; they 
have eleven children, eight sons and three daughters — 
James M., Isaac L., Simon C, Louis K., Alfred B., 
Aaron A., Charley E., Wilard A., Sarah E., Margaret 
J. and Olive E. James M. Pulver was married to 
Mary E. Hunter; they have five children; they reside in 
Illinois. Isaac L. Pulver was married to Sarah E. Lutz ; 
they have four children ; they reside in Iowa. Sarah 
E. Pulver was married to David Banks ; they have 
seven sons ; they reside in this township. Simon C. 
Pulver was married to Mary C. McFarland ; they have 
one child. Alfred B. Pulver was married to Catharine 
Marks ; they have one child. Margaret J. Pulver was 
married to George Bott ; they have no children. 

RITCHIE, JOSEPH J., farmer, stock-raiser and pres- 
ent Justice of the Peace of this township ; P. 0. BelL 
ville ; he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 22, 
1817 ; came to this county in March, 1833. Was mar- 
ried to Margaret A. Patterson Nov. 19, 1857 ; she was 
born in this county Jan. 27, 1837 ; they have eight 
children, six sons and two daughters, viz., Charles, 
William F., Joseph H., Linn A. (deceased), Henry, 
Thomas, Elizabeth C, and Maria; seven children are 
living, and all single. 

RODOCKER, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. ( ' 
Lexington ; he was born in Stark Co. Aug. 25, 1815 : 
came to this county in March, 1854. He was marrie<l 
to Christeen Hoverstock June 14, 1840 ; she was born 
in Hagerstown, Md., March 12, 1820 ; they have twelve 
children, three sons and nine daughters, viz., William 



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ii^ 



'.^ 




A , Calvin, Franklin, Magdeleine, Sarah J., Mary, Ma- 
linda, Adeline, Claresa, Queentilla, Laura A. and Har- 
riett. William A. was married to Sophia Conrad Jan. 
20, 1867; they have two children. Magdeleine was 
married to Cyrus Shilling July 4, 1867; they have 
two children. Sarah J. was married to William H. 
Keller Dec. 24, 1874. Mary was married to D. M. 
Cook in 1870; they have one child. Elizabeth was 
married to Mordica Butler Sept. 12, 1874 ; they have 
two children. Malinda was' married to John Killenbeck 
December, 186S; they have two children. Adeline was 
married to Benjamin F. Palm in December, 1876 ; they 
have one child. Laura was married to David Schackler 
Nov. 28, 1878 ; they have two children. William Rod- 
ocker enlisted in the late war in 1863, and was dis- 
charged in 1864. 

RUSK, W. A., farmer and stock-raiser ; P.O.Mans- 
field. Mr. Rusk was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 
1824; he remained with his parents until he was 23 
years old ; he then went to Belmont Co., where he re- 
mained six years ; while he was in Belmont Co. he was 
married to Mary Ann Wiley in 1851 ; she was born in 
Belmont Co., in 1832; after his marriage, about the 
year 1853, he came to this county, and has remained 
here ever since ; they have ten children, seven sons 
and three daughters — John W., Austin W., James G., 
William J., Samuel A., Charles C, Ross A., Anna S., 
Ella J. and Rhoda B.; all living and all single. The 
father of Mr. Rusk was born in Washington Co., Penn., 
in 1795 ; he moved with his family to to this county in 
1833, and settled in the woods ; by hard labor he 
cleared up a farm, made a home, and brought up a 
large family to good habits ; he was a kind husband, 
an affectionate father, and a good neighbor ; in the 
spring of 1872, he removed to Lexington to be near the 
church, for which he had an ardent attachment ; after 
months of illness and gradual decay, his spirit was 
released. Mr. Rusk was one of the founders of the 
Congregational Church of Lexington, and was an earn- 
est and faithful member to the last ; he died on the 
26th day of January, 1873 ; he has left a devoted wife, 
seven children, and a large number of friends to mourn 
his loss. Mrs. Rusk, the wife of the above, is still 
living, and is now 78 years old ; she resides with her 
children. 

SECRIST, HENRY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Bellville ; he was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 18, 1818 ; 
his parents came to Wayne Co. in 1826, where they re- 
mained for two years, then came to this county in 1828 ; 
his father bought a quarter-section of the Virginia 
School Lands, formerly leased by Mr. Lepper ; the 
same farm is now owned by Henry Secrist. He was 
married to Elizabeth Sintz Sept. 10, 1841 ; she was 
born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 28, 1814 ; they had five 
children, one son and four daughters — Jacob, deceased ; 
Mary A., deceased ; Eliza J. ; Catharine, deceased ; and 
Rachel A., deceased. Eliza J. Secrist was married to 
Samuel Spade in the fall of 1862 ; they have six child- 
ren. Henry Secrist enlisted in the late war, May 2, 
1864, and was discharged Sept. 15, 1864. 

SHECKLER, FREDERICK, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Bellville; he was born in this county May 11, 
1823. Was married to Elizabeth Heffleinger Aug. 25, 
1849; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Oct. 28, 



1820; they have eight children, seven sons and one 
daughter —David S., John R., Benjamin F., Daniel M., 
Alonzo M., William F., George L. and Sarah M. 
John R., Benjamin F., Samuel M., Alonzo M.and Will- 
iam F are dead. David was married to Laura Ann Ro- 
docker Nov. 27, 1878 ; they have two children. 

SLOANE, J. W., farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Mansfield ; he was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Nov. 24, 
1805 ; came to this county in May, 1826. Was married 
to Rosella Bushnell April 24, 1828 ; she was born in 
Trumbull Co., Ohio ; they have eleven children, six sons 
and five daughters — Oliver, dead ; Sterling, Sidney, 
dead ; William,Oscar,Martin, Huldah ; Elizabeth, dead; 
Pursylla, dead; Martha, dead, and Rosella. William 
Sloane was married to Jennie Partage in 1877 ; they 
have one child. Oscar Sloane was married to Adia Hal- 
abaugh ; they live in Kansas, and have one child. Mar- 
tin Sloane was married to Ella Au June 7, 1876 ; they 
have one child. Sterling Sloane was married to Mary 
A. Dorland Jan. 15, 1859 ; they have six children. 
Elizabeth Sloane was married to William Rowland Oct. 
6, 1859 ; they have one child. Huldah Sloane was mar- 
ried to Martin Brown July 4, 1853. 

SMITH, JOHN S., farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Mansfield. Mr. S. was born in Washington Co., Penn., 
Sept. 17, 1813; came to Richland Co., in April, 
1816. He was married to Electa Ann Barnes Sept. 24, 
1867 ; she was born in this county May 6, 1838 ; they 
have four children two sons and two daughters — Newel 
E., Jedadia, Leunyn and Blanche E. Mrs. Elenor 
Smith lives with Mr. Smith ; she was born in Washing- 
ton Co., Penn., Feb. 26, 1807 ; came to Richland Co. 
April 17, 1817; she was married to John K. Barnes 
March 1,1827; he was born in the State of Virginia 
Oct. 1, 1801. John K. Barnes went to the late war 
and never returned ; she has been a member, in good 
standing, of the Methodist Church for forty-six 
years. 

STEWARD, JOHN (deceased). He was a farmer, 
stock-raiser, surveyor and Justice of the Peace for 
several years in this township ; he was born Nov. 4, 
1787, near Washington, W. Va. He was married to 
Margaret Thompson Oct. 5, 1809 ; she was born in York 
Co., Penn., April 7, 1787 ; came to this county in April, 
1815 ; they had ten children, three sons and seven 
daughters — Samuel, William, Robert, Sarah, Susannah, 
Harriett, Maria, Margretta, Julia Ann and Moranda. 
Robert Steward was married to Christena Irick ; she 
was born in Wayne Co. ; they have two children. 
Samuel Steward was married to Eliza Fletcher ; they 
have four children. Susannah Steward was married to 
John Farmer ; they have two children. Harriett Stew- 
ard was married to Adam Case ; they have ten children. 
Margretta Steward was married to Ephraim Newton ; 
they have two children. Moranda Steward was married 
to John B. Colwell ; they have four children. Sarah 
Steward was married to John B. Ramsey; they have 
nine children. 

STEWARD, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Mansfield ; was born in this county May 16, 1815. 
Was married to Martha I. Law Dec. 13, 1866 ; she was 
born in this county Aug. 27, 1826. John Steward died 
March 21, 1866, at the age of 78 years 4 months and 
17 days. Mrs. Margaret Steward is living with her son. 



WELLER TOWNSHIP. 



911 



William ; she is now 93 years of age ; she has been a 
member of the United Presbyterian Church for fifty-four 
years. 

WAGNER, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. 
Bellville. Mr. Wagner was born in Waide Selders, 
Prussian Germany, in 1819 ; he came to this county 
in the spring of 1848; his occupation at that time 
was tailoring, which business he carried on several 
years ; he then bought 10 acres of land from John 
Workman, where he remained three years ; then he sold 
out to John Clever, and moved to Morrow Co. and re- 
mained six months, then he returned to this county, 
and bought 20 acres of land from Thomas Pollock, 
where he lived three years, then sold to Simon Arm- 
strong, and at the same time he bought 40 acres from 
Philip Wise, where he remained five years. Not satis- 
fied, he sold to William Foss, and bought 80 acres 
from George Woodruff ; stayed there about two and a 
half years, and sold to John Faust, and bought 64 
acres, where he remained one year and a half; 
he then sold 16 acres for cash, and moved to Mans- 
field and commenced the saloon business ; remained in 
this business six months, sold out and returned to his 
farm. Stayed there a short time, and sold to Jacob 
Sower, and bought 48 acres from C. C. Charles, 
where he remained nine years, and sold to Jacob Remy ; 
he again bought 82 acres from Christian Bare, 
where he now resides. He was married to Mary C. 
Remy in 1850; she was born in Germany in 1826; 
they have six children, two sons and four daughters — 
Theodore, Mina, Mary and Louisa ; William and Emma 
are dead. Mina was married to John Yunker in 1872 ; 
they have four children. Mrs. Wagner, the wife of 
John Wagner, died in October 1879, at the age of 54 
years. She was a member of the German Reform 
Church during the main part of her life. 

WILKINSON. WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Bellville ; he was born in Kentucky in 1809 ; 
Mr. Wilkinson's parents came to this county in the fall 
of 1817 ; when he was 8 years of age, his father 
entered a half-section of land from the Government. 
Mr. Wilkinson was married to Caroline Collins in 1831. 
She was born in Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., 



in 1813. Mr. Wilkinson now resides on one quarter- 
section of the land his father entered. They have 
four children, two sons and two daughters — James 
W., George M., Flora E., and one dead at birth. 
George M. was married to Kate Coleman in May, 
1866. Flora E. was married to John Campbell in 1858 ; 
they moved to California in 1861, where he died ; she 
then returned to this county in 1865 ; she was again 
married to Mr. William Zay in 1867 ; they have two 
children. 

WOODRUF, B. F., farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. 
Bellville ; he was born in this county Aug. 7, 1830 ; 
his parents came to this county about the year 1825 ; 
they bought the farm formerly owned by Mr. Foster, 
where Mr. W. was born. He has married to Miss J. M. 
Trump May 8, 1856 ; she was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., in 1833. Mr. W. bought the farm formerly 
owned by his father, being part of the old homestead, 
where he now resides. They have six children, two sons 
and four daughters, — Rollin W., Frank A., Rachel E , 
Allis R., Lois L. and Rosa B., all living and single. 
Mr. Andrew Woodruff was born Oct. 9, 1787. He died 
Aug. 17, 1849, at the age of 61 years 10 months and 
8 days. Rebecca, his wife, was born Oct. 28, 1789. 
She died Nov. 2, 1875, at the age of 86 years and 5 
days. They moved from New York to this county 
about the year 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff were 
members of the Presbyterian Church in good standing 
for many years, and they remained active Christians 
until death. 

YOUNG, PHILIP, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in Brisen, Germany, in 1826. He came to 
this country, and landed at New York City in 1853, 
where he remained until he was married. He was 
united to Miss Helana Rummel in August, 1854 ; she was 
born in Brisen, Germany, in 1828. After his marriage 
he left New York City, and came to this county ; he 
resided in Mansfield four years ; he then moved to 
Washington Township, and bought the farm owned by 
Lewis Kohiser, where he now resides ; they have six 
children, three sons and three daughters, named Christ, 
John, Philip, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Helana, of 
whom John is dead. 



WELLER TOWNSHIP. 



CHARLES, NEWTON, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born on his present farm in March, 1845, and is 
a son of Elijah and Hannah Charles; he remained at 
home until he was married in 1870, to Miss Carrie 
Crabbs, daughter of Dr. Crabbs, of Olivesburg ; after 
his marriage he settled on the old homestead. He en- 
tered the late war in March, 1864, in Co. D, 102d 0. V. 
I., and served until the close of the war. Mr. C. is a 
good farmer and a breeder of fine sheep and cattle. 

CLINE, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Olivesburg ; he was 
born in this county March 13, 1839, and is a son of John 
(deceased) and Nancy Cline. Mrs. Cline was a daughter 



of Joseph and Rachel Flora, who removed from Vir- 
ginia in the spring ^ 1801 to Belmont Co., and in 1814 
removed to this county and settled about five miles north 
of Mansfield ; they were among the first settlers that came 
in the county. Nancy was married in August, 1818, to 
John Cline; at her marriage her father gave her her 
choice of a horse or the priqe of it ; she concluded to take 
the horse, as her husband had none ; they moved to the 
farm on which Jacob Backinsto now lives, in the north- 
west part of Weller Township ; they had no beds, no 
chairs, tables or anything of the kind to keep house 
with, or even a house to live in ; they drove sticks in 



^ < 



-4* 



912 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the ground, laid poles across, then brush over the top, 
and in that way lived until they could build their 
cabin ; they have raised eight children, four boys and 
four girls. 

FECKUS, SAMUEL, farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; his 
father came from Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1817, and 
located in Wayne Co., where he afterward lived. Mr. 
F. was married here in the fall of 1831, and moved to 
the site of Ganges, where he lived only six weeks; hesold 
out at tlie end of that time, and returned to Wayne Co.; 
purchased a farm and lived there twenty-eight years ; 
in 1859, he sold the farm in Wayne, and again moved to 
this county, settling in Weller Township, and pur- 
chased the farm he now owns ; he has been a Justice of 
the Peace three years ; he has raised a family of three 
children, all of whom are married and settled. 

FICKUS, JOHN W., farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; his 
parents came to this township from Wayne Co., in 1846, 
and settled where Mr. F. now lives ; he remained at 
home until the opening of the late war, when he en- 
listed in McLaughlin's Squadron of cavalry, and passed 
through the war with that regiment; he was through 
the Atlanta campaign, serving in all thirty-four months. 
After coming home, he married and settled on the old 
homestead, where he now resides; he is now 33 years 
old, in the prime of manhood. 

GATES, M. M., Superintendent of the county infirm- 
ary ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he was born in this county Nov. 
16, 1840, and is a son of Geo. and Elizabeth Gates, who 
came from Passaic Co., N. .1., in 1828, and settled in 
Mifflin Township ; they afterward moved to Williams 
and then Licking Co., and finally to Richland Co. 
again. The subject of this sketch is the eleventh of a 
family of twelve children ; he remained at home until 
lie was 19 years old, when he went to work on the Pan 
Handle R. R.. and, at the breaking-out of the rebellion, 
enlisted in .July, 1861, in Co. E, 12th 0. V. I., where he 
served thirty-seven months ; he took part in the follow- 
ing battles : Second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, 
Antietam, Hunter's raid to Lynchburg, Scary Creek, 
with Gov. Wise of Virginia, Fayetteville,Pincton,Cloyd's 
Mountain, and many others ; and at the close of the 
war he went back to railroading, where he worked three 
years ; he was two years in Iowa, and in 1873 took charge 
of the Richland County Infirmary, which position he 
has filled with honor and credit both to himself and the 
county. He was married in 1874, to Lydia A. Ger- 
man, whose parents were formerly of New York. 

HALE, .JAMES C, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor. Mr. 
Hale was born in Jeff'erson Co. in 1812; his parents 
came to this county when he was quite small ; his father 
was a hard-working, industrious man, who cared more 
for the comforts of life, and who remained closely at 
home. The subject of this sketch" remained with his 
father until he was 32 years old, when he was married, 
and settled on the farm on which he now resides ; he 
has accumulated the conveniences and comforts of life, 
and now begins to enjoy the fruits of his work. 

HAGERMAN, JAMES 0., farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
he was born in Belmont County in 1811, four years 
after his parents came to this county ; he remained at 
home until 18 years old, when he went away to learn 
the carpenter trade ; he followed that occupation until 
about two years ago, when his age prevented him from 



pursuing it farther. He is now 69 years old, and has 
raised a family of eleven children, four of whom are 
married ; he sent two sons to the army in the late war, 
one of whom died there of typhoid fever ; the other 
served his full term of three years ; he was wounded in 
the arm while in the service; botli the boys were in the 
15th 0. V. I.; Mr. Hagerman's ftither served in the war 
of 1812, under Gen. Harrison; in following an old In- 
dian trail that led to Fort Mackinaw, he thought at one 
time, while on the march, if he had 100 acres of land 
as fine as he then viewed, it would be all he would 
want; in 1815, he entered that same land, and built his 
cabin there; Mr. H.'s house now occupies the site; this 
same year his fiither brought his family out ; he died 
in 1822, leaving the family in the care of his wife and 
James ; he aided his mother in their care, and now, in 
his old age, sees with pleasure the work of a long and 
busy life. 

HAGERMAN, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. West AVind- 
sor. The parents of Mr. Hagerman emigrated to Har- 
rison Co., Ohio, from Virginia in 1815; soon after that, 
they came to this county, where they continue to re- 
side. His father, Joseph Hagerman, served in the war 
of 1812, under Gen. Harrison ; Mr. Hagerman was 
born the same year his parents came West ; his father 
died when he was but 3 years of age, and he was 
in consequence deprived of his care, and could get but 
little time to attend schools. He was always in school 
when he could attend, and enjoyed the sports of the 
juveniles then with a hearty relish. He had often par- 
ticipated in " barring out " the teacher, a practice then 
much in vogue. He was also qui'e a hunter in his day, 
and could trap and hunt with any one. His mother 
brought up the family as well as the circumstances of 
the times and her situation would permit. He had 
five brothers and sisters ; he remembers an incident of 
his brothers which is worth preserving: Coming home 
from one of the neighbors one day, he saw in a clear- 
ing an old chestnut stump, thirty or forty feet high, one 
of whose topmost snags had been set on fire by some 
means. The boy imagined the fire (o be the devil, and 
ran home as fast as his legs could carry him, to narrate 
the news and get the gun, with which to dispatch his 
majesty; his mother, however, quieted him and dispelled 
the illusion, though the boy stoutly affirmed for some 
time he was not mistaken. When Mr. Hagerman was IS 
years old, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade; 
after learning it, he married Mary Bealby in 1844 ; her 
parents emigrated to this county from England in 1824; 
soon after he married, Mr. Hagerman moved to the 
farm he now owns, which he has highly improved, and 
made a comfortable and convenient home; Mr. and Mrs. 
Hagerman have raised six children, five boys and one 
girl, of whom four are married ; one son, Oliver Hager- 
man, was in the war of the late rebellion, in the 
100-days service. William Hagerman has been honored 
with the office of Justice of the Peace twice, and with 
the Treasurer of the township. 

HAVERFIELD, JOSEPH, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; 
his parents came from Harrison Co., and settled on or 
entered the land Mr. H. now owns. His father served 
in the war of 1812, under Gen. Harrison, and was in 
the battle of Mackinaw. Mr. H. lived at home until he 
was 34 years old, when he married and settled on the 



■f^ 



WELLER TOWJN'SHIP. 



913 



homestead on which he yet lives. He enlisted in the 
Second Ohio Cavalry, Co. G. and was in the battles of ! 
Cumberland Gap and Knoxville, and was also in the 
pursuit of Morgan, when that person made his famous 
Ohio raid. Since his return home, Mr. H. has quietly 
pursued his vocation as a farmer. He has held the oiBce 
of Assessor two terms, 1875 and 1876, as well as other 
minor offices in the township. 

HAVERFIELD, ALLEN, farmer; P. 0. AVest Wind- 
sor. Jlr. H.'s parents came to this county from Harrison 
Co. in 1814, and settled on the tract of land now owned 
by Joseph Haverfield ; they were among the earliest 
settlers of this township. Allen was born in 1826; he 
remained at home until 1855, when he was married and 
settled where he now resides. He served in the 100- 
days service in the late war. He was Assessor of the 
township in 1863 and 1864, and has held other offices 
of trust in the township. 

MILLER, E. P., farmer; P. 0. Shenandoah; his 
parents came from Dauphin Co., Penn., in 1832, and 
located on the farm on which Mr. M. now lives. He 
was born here in 1839, and remained at home until he 
was 21 years old ; he then went to California and spent 
ten years in the gold mines in that State; at the end 
of that time he returned home, was married, and 
settled on the homestead, whei'e he has since resided. 

MOTTAYAW, JACOB, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield, Mr. 
M.'s parents emigrated to this county from Baltimore, 
in 1834, when he was 4 years of age ; he remained at 
home until he was 17 years old, when he went to Mans- 
field to learn the blacksmith's trade ; he followed that 
thirteen years, when he came home and worked on the 
farm three years ; at the end of that time he married 
and settled on the farm adjoining his parents' place ; he 
has since made that his home. He is now 50 years of 
age, and in the full vigor of life. He has acquired a fine 
home for himself and his family. 

OSBUN, ALFRED, farmer; P. 0. Mansfield; he 
was born in this county, and has always remained a 
resident here ; he lived with his parents until he was 35 
years old, when he married and settled on a farm 
near them ; when his father settled in this county, it 
was three miles to his nearest neighbors ; the mills 
built on Mr. O.'s farm are among the early ones of the 
county ; the grist-mill is now abandoned, but the saw- 
mill is yet used ; the former was erected by his father, 
when Mr. 0. was a boy, about 1834 or 183.5. Mr. 0. is 
now about 56 years old, and in the best of health. 

OSBUN, CHARLES, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born in Mansfield Dec. 25, 1821, and is a son 
of Isaac and Emelia Osbun, who emigrated from Wash- 
ington Co., Penn., to this county in 1816; he (Isaac) had 
entered a tract of land in Weller Township in 1814, 
but owing to the unsettled condition of the times he 
did not move until 1816, when he settled in Mansfield, 
where he lived until the fall of 1821, when he moved to 
his farm in Weller Township ; he erected the first farm- 
house in the then village of Mansfield ; he held various 
offices in the township and county, and in 1821 he was 
appointed Associate Judge, which office he filled, with 
honor and credit, two terms of seven years each. The sub- 
ject of this sketch remained at home until he was mar- 
ried, Oct. 2, 1843, to Ann E. Hand, who was born in 
Wooster Dec. 30, 1826 ; she is the daughter of Samuel 



H. and Fredricka Hand, the former of whom came from 
England, and the latter from Holland, about the year 
1800. After his marriage, Mr. Osbun settled on part of 
the old homestead and present farm ; Mr. and Mrs. 
Osbun have raised seven children — Walter A., Alfred 
R., Edwin K., Laura C, Cary L., Hanz W. and Carrie 
May Third, who was named after the day of the month 
on which she was born ; Walter A. was lost in the war 
of the rebellion. 

PITTENGER, H. 0., farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. 
West Windsor ; was born in Franklin Township, in 
1839 ; was raised a farmer. His father, Mr. Isaac Pit- 
tenger, came into the county about 1830, there being 
but little improvement at that time; there were five 
children in the family, four boys and one daughter ; two 
of the boys have since died ; the daughter lives in Stark 
Co., Ohio, and both sons live in Richland Co. ; Mr. H. 
0. Pittenger has always lived in the county. He enlisted 
August, 1862, in Co. D, 102d 0. V. I. he served till the 
war was over, and was discharged May 31, 1865. "Was 
married, April 23, 1871, to Miss Sarah Mary Morgan, of 
Weller Township, and daughter of Mrs. Mary Mor- 
gan ; they have two children now living. Mr. Pit- 
tenger is one of the substantial men of the county ; 
he was elected Township Trustee in the spring of 
1879 ; he has as fine a farm and pleasant home 
as there is in Weller Township ; his farm consists, 
in all, of 400 acres of land, and he has some of the 
finest stock to be found in the county ; he has some 
thorough-bred short-horns, one that weighs over 2,200 
pounds, and a two-year-old that weighs 1,230 pounds, 
both have pedigrees ; he also has some of the best sheep 
in the county ; has one ewe that clipped 16 pounds of 
wool and cleansed 8 pounds of nice clean wool. Mr. 
Pittenger has every facility needed for raising and 
keeping fine stock. 

ROBINSON, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. West Wind- 
sor ; his parents came to this county from England in 
1821 ; they located in what is now Franklin Township, 
where William was born ; he remained at home until the 
death of his father, in 1850. In 1859, he was married 
and settled in the old homestead, where he now lives. 
One of his brothers enlisted in the army, as a Lieutenant, 
and rose to the rank of a Major General ; he was 
severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, but 
recovered, and is now occupying a responsible position. 
When William's parents came, they were a novelty to 
the average Yankee, who, full of curiosity and inquisi- 
tiveness, was not slow to find their good qualities, and 
always held them in great esteem. 

RUTAN, ABRAHAM, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor; 
his parents came from Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 
1822, and settled in what is now Ashland Co., then a 
part of this county. ^Ir. R. was then about 8 years 
of age; he remained there until 1851, when he came 
to Weller Township, and bought the land on which he 
now lives; he kept "bachelor's hall" until 1860, 
when he was married ; when he came to this county he 
had to haul his produce to the lake, his nearest mar- 
ket ; now he has a good home and a market in a few 
miles for everything he can raise. 

STEVENSON, MINERVA, MRS.; P. 0. West Wind- 
sor ; she was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1813 ; sh® 
removed with her parents, William and Elizabeth Foulks* 



^ 



.12£ 



914 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



to this county in 1825, and settled in Franklin Township , 
about one mile south of Shenandoah ; her father, \Viiliam 
Foulks is of German descent; he came from Germany 
with his parents when small, and settled in Beaver Co., 
I'enn. Mrs. S. was married to Samuel Stevenson, in the 
spring of 1835. He died in 18G4 ; after their marriage, 
they settled on the present farm in VVeller Township ; 
Mrs Stevenson has raised eleven children ; she had 
two sons, Levi and William, who served in the rebel- 
lion in the 163d 0. H. G ; her father, William Foulks, 
served in the war of 1812 as Captain under Gen. Beall. 

URICH, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Shenandoah ; he was 
born in Dauphin Co., Penn ; in 1831, he removed with his 
parents to this county and settled inFranklin Township ; 
he remained at home until 1848, when he married and 
settled on his present fiirm. His farm comprises about 
425 acres, and is admirably arranged in every particu- 
lar : there are no better fences in the county than are on 
his farm, and everything about him is in perfect trim. 
He keeps the best of stock, believing that it is far better 
to pay a big price for something good thau to be bur- 
doned with an inferior grade ; his buildings' are neat, 
commodious and arranged with a view to convenience. 
He is a close observer of the times in which he lives, 
and always profits by any suggestion of value, whether 
it be social, educational or agricultural. Above all, he 
exercises special diligence in the proper education of his 
family in its broadest sense ; he is, in fact, the living 
ideal of a true American farmer. 

WARD. CHRISTIAN, farmer; P. 0. Olivesburg ; he 
was born in Lancester Co., Penn., in 1818; he lived at 
home on the farm until 1849, when he was married, 
and in the same year he came to this county to look 
after some land that his father had entered some time 
before in Weller Township ; he leased it out for a few 
years, and then moved on it and went to farming, him- 
self ; ^Ir. Ward has been honored with the office of 
Justice of the Peace nine years, and Infirmary Director 
and other minor offices in the township ; he has, by 
his industry and strict attention to business, put him- 
self in such a position that he can give each of his chil- 
dren a farm when they become of age. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ward have raised eight children, three of whom are 
dead ; he lost one son, Jacob, in the late war. He en- 
listed in Co. G, 15th 0. V. I., and was killed at the battle 
of Nashville, Tenn. 

WARD, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor; was 
born in England in 1816. His father, together with 
his family, came to this country in 1819, and located 
where Mr. Ward now lives ; his father, Mr. .Joseph 
Wjird, was the first school teacher, and taught the first 



school in this part of the township ; the first school- 
house was built of logs, in 1823, near Olivesburg ; the 
one built near West Windsor was built about 1826. 
There were a few settlements around, within a mile or 
two, when they came here, and very little improve- 
ments made in the shape of buildings and clearing up 
the farms. They now have a very fine farm and a 
pleasant home. Mr. Ward has always lived here, with 
the exception of one year that he lived in South Car- 
olina ; while there he, together with a brother, were 
engaged in staging and carrying the mails over the 
route from Washington City to New Orleans ; they run 
from Columbia, S. C, to Augusta, Ga. The manner and 
habits of the people there were not becoming to Mr. 
Ward's idea of living and thinking, and at the expira- 
tion of one year, he returned home, where he has since 
lived ; he has occupied several offices in the gift of the 
people, such as Township Trustee, which he held for 
several years, also Township Clerk, etc., and is one of 
the first men in the township. He was married in 
1844, to Miss Mary N. Condon, of Mifflin Township. 
Her father was one of the first settlers of Springfield 
Township ; came in 1815 ; was SheriiF of the county at 
one time. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are highly respected 
citizens, and have a nice and intelligent family ; they 
have a steam saw-mill in connection with the farm, 
owned and operated by his sons, C. C. and C. P. Ward, 
which has been in successful operation over one year. 

WOLFORD, DAVID, farmer ; P. 0. Mansfield ; he 
was born in 1825, and is a son of George and Esther 
Wolford,who emigrated from Dauphin Co., Penn., in the 
fall of 1829, to Mansfield, where they stayed about one 
week, when they bought and moved to the farm that 
David now lives on, in Weller Township ; Mr. Wolford 
is the third of a family of eight children. He remained 
at home until he was married, in the fall of 1849, to 
Leah M. Kohler, of Franklin Township, daughter of 
Jacob and Elizabeth Kohler ; after his marriage, he 
settled on the old homestead, where he still resides ; 
he is at present an Infirmary Director, and has held 
other minor offices in the township ; he is an indus- 
trious and thriving farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Wolford 
have seven children — Maria, A. F., Sarah E., Darius 
K., Allen H., Henry E. and William B. 

ZIGLER, JAMES, farmer; P. 0. West Windsor; 
he was born in Franklin Co., Penn.; he came to this 
county in 1878 ; the same year he was married to Miss 
Rebecca Roberts, of this county. Mr. Zigler is now 
steadily engaged on his farm, which, in time, will fur- 
nish him a pleasant home, and surround him with the 
comforts and conveniences of life. 









:T 



WORTHINCTON TOWNSHIP 



ALEXANDER, EGBERT (deceased); was born in 
Belmont Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1820 ; his father, Peter Al- 
exander, was born in 1742, and was of Scotch-Irish 
descent. He married Jane Mitchell, who afterward 
became the mother of six sons and six daughters ; they 
removed to Belmont Co. from Maryland, and to 
Worthington Township in 1826 ; he owned three quar- 
ter-sections of land north and east of Newville, where 
he and wife s-pent the rest of their lives, and finally 
were buiied ; Mr. Alexander was 86 and his wife 77 
when they died, having lived together sixty-two years. 
Robert was the fourth son. He was married to Sophia 
Stimley Feb. 15, 1848. Benjamin Stimley.her father,was 
born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 29, 1798 ; married Rebecca 
Boling, by whom he had a son and four daughters ; the 
Stimleys were Germans, and owned 80 acres of land ; 
they removed toUnion Co. where the father died Septem- 
ber 1826,and the mother February, 1828. Robert Alexan- 
der and wife settled on a part of the home farm, which 
they afterward owned; they have had ten children, six 
are living— Harriett, born March 13, 1850 ; Charles S., 
April 28, 1852 ; Dayton, Jan. 6, 1859 ; Eda, March 5, 
1861 ; Sarah L., Aug. 27, 1867; George A., Dec. 18, 
1848: Jane, Aug. 28, 1854; Mary Ann, Sept. 10, 1856 ; 
Nancy, July 6, 1865. Robert Alexander, at the time of 
his death, owned 240 acres of fine land on which was a 
good saw-mill. Mr. Alexander's death suddenly occurred 
Feb. 17, 1879, aged 59 years 1 month and 16 days ; his 
widow still lives on the old homestead, and with the aid 
of her children manages the estate. 

ALLEN, JAMES, farmer; P. 0. Butler; Mr. Allen 
was born in 1808; his father, John Allen, was born 
near Baltimore, Ya., and was a farmer and blacksmith ; 
was married to Rosilla Jane AViles ; they were the 
parents of seven children ; the last account of them is 
they had removed to Illinois. His fourth son, James, 
was raised a farmer ; came to Ohio in 1842 and settled 
near Independence, Richland Co. ; was married to 
Eliza Morris, by whom he had two daughters and five 
sons ; one daughter is now dead ; his first wife died in 
1844 ; was married to Julian Worley, in 1846, daughter 
of David Worley, a former resident of the township ; he 
and wife both are now dead. The fruits of this mar- 
riage were three daughters and five sons ; except three 
they are alive and married ; the family live on John 
Ramsey's farm in Sec. 35 ; their eldest son was in the 
3d 0. V. C. during the rebellion, and returned home in 
safety. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been connected with 
the Evangelical Church for sixteen years. 

AMES, OLIVER, stonemason ; Newville; was born 
in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1824; his father's 
name was AVilliam B. Ames; his mother's maiden 
name Malenda Farwell; his father was a Scotchman 
by birth ; his mother was born in England ; his father 
was a stone mason by occupation ; he was also an hon- 
ored member of the Ancient Order of Free and Accept- 
1 ed Masons ; he was a member of this fraternity for 



about sixty years ; "William B. Ames was twice mar- 
ried ; by his first wife he had sixteen children, twelve 
sons and four daughters, all save one of whom lived to 
be married and to have children ; his first wife died 
about the year 1839, in Geauga Co., Ohio, at a place 
called the " Head Lands," about thirty miles below 
Cleveland ; about two years subsequent to his first 
wife's death, Mr. Ames was married to his second wife ; 
by this marriage he had four children, two sons and 
two daughters ; they removed to Ohio in 183.S, and 
settled in Geauga Co., near Plainville ; he resided here 
about ten years, when he removed to Huron Co., where 
he resided till his death, which occurred Dec. 12, 
1866, aged 93 years; he was buried with the honors 
of the Ancient Order to which he belonged, in Town- 
send, Huron Co. ; "William B. Ames was a soldier in 
the war of 1812 ; he participated in the battle of 
Lundy's Lane, as also in many smaller engagements. 
Oliver Ames, when but 13 years old, conceived the idea 
that his parents made him work too hard, and fail- 
ed to provide him with such food and clothing as 
he thought he ought to have, and as he felt cer- 
tain he could get, were he freed from their con- 
trol; he therefore forsook the home of his childhood 
to seek his fortune among strangers ; he journeyed 
to Stark County, where he engaged with a farmer 
to labor four years on the following conditions, 
viz. : this employer was to feed and clothe him, send 
him to school two months each winter season he was 
there, and at the end of his term of service, he was to 
give him a horse, saddle and bridle, and $100 in mon- 
ey ; young Ames soon found, however, that he had 
fallen into the hands of a hard master, who treated him 
with great severity; he received neither horse, saddle, 
bridle nor $100, but was turned adrift without a cent ; 
he went to Columbiana Co., where he got employment 
with a farmer who treated him kindly, and with whom 
he remained until his marriage. Jan. 4, 1845, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Rachel, seventh daughter 
of Abram and Abigal Gant, of Columbiana Co.; Miss 
Gant was born in Gloucester Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1824; 
her parents were both of English descent ; they emi- 
grted to Ohio in 1830, and settled in Columbiana Co., 
where they continued to reside as long as they lived: 
they were parents of eight children, who lived beyond 
the period of infancy, one son and seven daughters; 
Mr. Gant departed this life in the winter of 1847, 
aged about 70 years ; Mrs. Gant Mas about the same 
age when she died, January, 1856 : two years after 
his marriage, Oliver Ames commenced working at the 
stonemason's trade ; he followed this business 
about twenty-three years, and met with very good 
success. By careful management and close- application 
to business, he has beenable to support a very large family 
of children, and to secure a competence for his declining 
years ; Mr. Ames removed to Richland Co. with his 
family, in 1866 ; he purchased a farm of 80 acres near 



-*^—^ 



916 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Bunker Hill, in Worthington Township ; in 1874, he 
sold this farm and bought one containing 84 acres, sit- 
uated about three-fourths of a mile east of Newville, 
on which farm he still resides ; this farm is a little 
rough but highly productive, and Mr. Ames has it in a 
very good state of cultivation ; they have a family of 
ten children, five sons and five daughters ; named in 
the order, Abigal, born Aug. 11, 1846; Francis 
Marion, Oct. 1, 1849 ; William W., Dec. 9, 18)1 ; Edwin 
Oliver, Oct. 5, 1854 ; Rachel Ellen, Oct. 14, 1856 ; 
George Curtis, Jan. 2, 1859 ; Almira and Alvira 
(twins), .July 26, 1861 ; Alfaretta, April 1, 1863; and 
Clark, Nov. 6, 1866 ; Alvira died in infancy. Mrs. Ames 
died April 7, 1880; she was an invalid for many 
months ; she died in the 56th year of her age and in 
thirty-sixth year of her married life. 

ANDREWS, THOMAS B., farmer; P. 0. Lexington ; 
was born May 17, 1807, near Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, 
of Scotch-English parentage ; raised and schooled in 
the common schools of that day in Canton, the county 
seat of Stark Co. up to 1821 ; removed to Wayne Co. in 
that year, and in 1823 removed to Richland Co., and 
settled on the northwest quarter of Sec. 24, Township 
21, of Range 17. Removed to Mansfield, Ohio, in 1827, 
and where, on the 22d day of January, 1829, he was 
married to ^liss Marilla Pollard, a native of the State 
of Vermont, and in the fall of that year removed to 
Knox Co., Ohio, and remained there until the loth day 
of November, 1833, the day after that great phenome- 
non, the falling of the stars, occurred, when he moved 
back to Richland Co., and settled on the southeast 
quarter of Sec. 19, Township 21, of Range 17, where he 
has continued to reside until the present time, 
this couple have had eleven children, sixty-two 
grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. 
Moses Andrews, father of Thomas B., was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., on the 6th day of January 1789; 
and the mother, whose, maiden name was Patience 
Capes, was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in the 13th day 
of April, 1784 ; they were married Aug. 12, 1806 ; they 
then removed to Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, immediately 
thereafter, where the said Moses Andrews worked at 
the carpenter's trade, until he was called by the voice of 
the people into public life ; he built the first frame 
house, and put on the first shingle roof in that town : 
he was the first Coroner, and the second Sheriff of that 
county. Moses Andrews died Jan. 15, 1857; Patience 
Andrews died April 23, 1868. 

ANDREWS, JOHN, carpenter and farmer ; P. O. 
Butler. John Andrews was born in Clarke Co., Ohio, 
April 14, 1821 ; being of English on his mother's, and 
Ii'ish extraction on his father's, side; he was compelled 
to work on a farm in early life ; at the age of 14 years 
he commenced to learn the carpenter's ti-ade, under 
Moses Andrews, Sr.; he has worked at it and forming 
alternately, ever since. In 1843, he was married to 
J as. Cunningham's daughter, Sally ; the result of this 
union was two sons and five daughters ; three are at pres- 
ent alive. He came to Washington Township in 1823, 
and settled near Bunker Hill, on the Hazelett farm, in 
Sec. 24. His first wife died in 1855 ; was married to 
Marinda Mix, daughter of Justus Mix, in 1856, by whom 
he had two sons and five daughters ; five are living. Mr. 
Andrews first and second wives, had the same number of 



sons and daughters, and each presented him with twins, 
In 1869, he bought 21 acres, in Section 31, of this 
township, on which he has since lived ; he has held sev- 
eral minor offices, is a member of the Masonic Fratern- 
ity, also the Patrons of Husbandry In 1862, he en- 
listed in Co. E, 3d 0. V. C; in May, 1863, he was dis- 
charged, on account of disabilty ; was drafted in 1864, 
served till the close of the war in April, 1865, when 
he again was discharged, sick ; he returned, after his 
recovery, to his work-bench and plow. 

BEVERIDGE, JOHN, tailor, Newville. He was 
was born in Clare Co., Scotland, March 27, 1831 ; he 
is the eldest son of John and Catharine Beveridge ; when 
he was about 7 years old, his parents emigrated to this 
country, and settled near Savannah, at that time in this 
county. He remained with his parents till his father 
died ; one year after his father's death, he was appren- 
ticed by his mother to Leaben Burgen of Ashland, to 
learn the tailor's trade ; served an apprenticeship of five 
years; he then worked journey-work for about two 
years, when he rented a shop in Petersburg, where 
he worked for about three years. In September, 1853, 
he was married to Miss Julia, eldest daughter of John 
IMcKahan of Jeromeville, Ashland Co.; by this marriage 
he had two children, twins, both of whom died in in- 
fancy. Their mother died soon after their birth, and 
in the eleventh month of her married life; they were 
all buried at Petersburg. About the year 1854, Mr. 
Beveridge removed to Lucas, Monroe Township, and 
rented a shop, and continued to work at his trade. 
Aug. 23, 1855, he was married to Miss Fayetta Graff, 
of Green Township; by this marriage he had one 
child, a daughter, named Catharine, who died when 
about 19 months old ; his second wife died Feb. 15, 
1858; both mother and daughter are buried at Mount 
Zion. In September of the same year, Mr. Beveridge 
removed to Newville, where he engaged in the same 
occupation. March 15, 1859, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Bunton, daughter of Joseph and Jane Bun- 
ton, formerly of Washington Township. Miss Bunton 
was born in Washington Township June 11, 1835; she 
was raised by Alexander Freeman and wife, having 
been taken into their family, when about 7 years old, 
her mother dying when she was about 5 ; she continued 
to live with Freemans till her marriage ; they have 
continued to reside in Newville from that time to the 
present. Mr. Beveridge enlisted as a private in Co. H, 
120th 0. V. I., Aug. 21, 1862. A month or two later, his 
regiment was ordered to the front. He toolc an active 
part in the fight at Chickasaw Bluffs, in the rear of 
Yicksburg, capture of Arkansas Post, siege of Vicks- 
burg and the engagement at Jackson, Miss. His regi- 
ment was subsequently transferred to the Department 
of the Gulf; he was with his regiment when that memo- 
rable disaster occurred on Red River, on which occasion 
their Colonel was killed, and nearly the entire regiment 
captured. Mr. Beveridge was captured with the rest, 
and marched to Tyler, Tex., where he was held as a 
prisoner till the close of the war ; he was in prison 
thirteen months, when he was exchanged, returned 
North, and was honorably discharged from the service. 
Mr. Beveridge and wife are the parents of four chil- 
dren ; three sons and one daughter — Oliver, born 
Dec. 12, 1860 ; Ira, Nov. 12, 1867 ; Maud, May 81, 1870, 



-^r 



^ 



WOKTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



917 



and Lewie, Jan. 8, 1873. Lewie died Oct. 22, 1873, and 
was buried at St. Johns. Mr. Beveridge became a 
member of Monroe Lodge, No. 224, I. 0. 0. F., in 18-56. 
After liis return from the army, he united witli Sturges 
Lodge, No. 357, at Newville, of which lodge he is at 
the present time an active and energetic member ; he 
has attained to the highest rank in his lodge, and is 
assiduous in the discharge of all his duties. , He has 
been a very active and zealous member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church about sixteen years. 

CALHOON, NOBLE, farmer; P. 0. Newville : was 
born in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Richland 
Co.; he g^ettled on the farm one mile north of New- 
ville along with his father, where he stayed till his 
marriage; .John Stanton his boyhood friend relates this, 
and says he (John) came to this county in 1835, and 
settled at Newville ; Mr. Calhoon has been very success- 
ful financially in life, as his broad acres and well-filled 
granary will prove ; he and wife have raised a family 
of children who are doing business on their own account, 
being well started in life. 
' CARLISLE, FREEMAN, farmer; P. 0. Newville. 
Mr. Carlisle's grandfather was of German descent ; his 
father came from Holland at a very early pei-iod of our 
country's history; Freeman's grandfather was a farmer, 
he served through the Revolutionary war on the 
American side ; he served as a Captain, afterward is 
supposed to have been promoted to a colonelship before 
the close of the war, he was at the battle of Bunker 
Hill and many other engagements ; he was the sire of 
two sons and two daughters, his wife's name being 
Darvis ; his eldest son, James C. (Freeman'a father), 
was born in 1780 ; he lived in the State of New Jersey, 
and was by occupation a farmer ; was married to Lydia 
Hart in 1807, they had six sons and five daughters : they 
removed to Columbiana Co., Ohio, 1809, when he teamed 
over the mountains between Pittsburgh and New York ; 
when the war of 1812 broke out, he enlisted under Gen. 
Harrison and seiwed till the close of that sanguinary 
conflict; he helped to erect the block-house at Jerome- 
ville, also the one on the Clear Fork, near the present 
site of Robert Darling's house; he removed to Richland 
Co. in the fall of 1832, and bought 80 acres in Sec. 
4, which he and his sons proceeded to clear and farm 
till his death, which occurred May 27, 1865 ; his fifth 
son, Freeman, was boi-n June 5, 1829 ; stayed at home 
till his majority. Was married to Margaret Baughman 
in 1851 by Esq. Kile ; the only fruit of this union was 
one son, Albert, when the mother died; in 1854, was again 
married to Sarah Ellen Brookings, whose father is a 
shoemaker and owner of a farm; by his second marriage, 
Freeman had four children viz.: first, Lydia C, whodied 
Jan. 14th, 1877; second, Chas. E. C: third, Mary Ellen 
C; fourth, Sarah E. C; MrCarlisle has held several minor 
oflBces; he owns the old homestead on which he has lately 
erected an elegant house and other improvements ; he 
and wife united with the U. B. Church in 1874, of 
which they have since been bright and shining lights. 
His brother James was in the Mexican war, and died at 
Point Isabel ; also has a brother who went to California 
where he saw many ups and downs, became an honored 
and respected citizen. 

GATE, ANTHONY, farmer ; P. 0. Butler ; Anthony 
Gates was born in Germany Jan. 6, 1825; his father, 



John Gate, Sr., was a German ; became to Richland Co. 
and settled in Washington Township, in 1831, where 
he bought 160 acres of land ; Anthony was raised to 
farm work. On 1846, he was married to Margaret 
Baker, daughter of Christian Baker, who was a citizen 
of Jefferson Township; he and wife are the parents of three 
sons and five daughters, all of them are alive, viz., Cyrus, 
Lecta, Mary, Sanford, Jemima, Anthony, Nora, Alwilda. 
Cyrus married to Elizabeth Freeh efer. Lecta married 
to Albert Zelliner. Mary married to George Freehefer, 
and Jemima married to William Mickey. Mr. Gate 
bought 120 acres of land in Wyandot Co.; sold it and 
bought 80 acres near Lexington ; sold this and pur- 
chased 120 acres below Darlington ; sold out, removed 
to Wood Co., and bought 280 acres, sold and bought 
240 acres where he now lives in Sec. 26, northeast 
quarter Range 17, Township 21; afterward sold to his 
son-in-law, William Mickey, 55 acres, he now owns 185 
acres in the same section ; Mr. Gate has always been 
a hard-working man, who has accumulated the most of 
his wealth by hard labor ; he followed grain thrashing 
for sixteen years (his son is now engaged in the same 
business), he is also a member of the Clear Fork Grange. 
His brother, William Gate, entered the 100-day service 
during the late war at 19 years of age ; contracted dis- 
ease, of which he died shortly after he was brought 
home. Mr. Gate's farm is especially adapted to the pro- 
duction of wheat, and is beautifully located. 

GATE, JACOB, farmer; P. 0. Newville ; was born in 
Germany Sept. 27, 1832 ; he is the second son of John 
and Catharine Gate ; his mother's maiden name was 
Doup ; his parents came to this country when he was 
but 2 years old ; his father entered a quarter-section 
of land in the southeast part of Washington Township, 
Richland Co., where he still continues to reside. He is 
the father of ten children by one wife, five sons and 
five daughters ; four sons and three daughters of whom 
are living and have children. Mrs. Gate died in 1862, 
and is buried on the farm. Mr. Gate is now about 84 
years old ; he is quite hale and hearty for one of his years, 
and bids fair to live several years longer; he has perform- 
ed a great deal of hard labor, and witnessed many solemn 
changes in his time. Jacob Gate was married to Miss 
Catharine, second daughter of Henry Groun, of Jeffer- 
son Township, in this county, in 1854; she was a Peun- 
sylvanian by birth, and was born in 1830. Jacob Cate 
farmed for his father for a share of the crops, for sev- 
eral years ; May 8, 1865, he purchased, of his father, 
the northeast quarter of Sec. 15, in Worthington Town- 
ship, where he has since resided ; this is a choice farm, 
and Mr. Cate is a model farmer; he seldom fails to raise 
good crops ; ^Slr. Cate and wife are the parents of eleven 
children, all living, save one who died in infancy; of 
the living there are six sons and four daughters, named 
in the order of their births, as follows : Elizabeth, David, 
Mary, Jacob, John, Charles, Margaret, Isadora, Philip 
and William ; the eldest is about 28, and the youngest 
5 years old. 

CRAMER, REUBEN, farmer; P. 0. Butler. George 
Cramer, father of Reuben Cramer, was born in Berks 
Co., Penn., in 1798; he was of German descent; his 
ancestors were among the first settlers of Pennsyl- 
vania ; in the days of his boyhood and early manhood, 
he followed teaming for about eleven years, between 



? y 



i»18 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Lehigh and Philadelphia. He was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Henry; he moved to Ohio in about 1835, he 
stopped in Wayne Co., near Smithville, about two 
years; from there he removed to Richlind Co.; he 
purchased 40 acres of land in Sec. 22, in AVorthington 
Township, on which he removed with his family, and 
on which he continued to reside as long as he lived ; 
after coming to this township, he assisted in clearing a 
great deal of land besides his own ; he died in 1870. in 
the 72d year of his age. His widow is living at this 
date, and has attained to the advanced age of 75 years. 
George and Elizabeth Cramer are the parents of eight 
children ; six of whom are now living. Reuben, their 
eldest son, while a young man, learned the carpenter's 
trade; he followed this occupation until 1874. He was 
married to Miss Julia A. Fike Nov. 21, 1855; they 
are the parents of ten children, six sons and four daugh- 
ters, named in the order of their births as follows : 
Daniel, born March 5, 1857; Malinda, Nov. 25, 1858; 
Samuel, June 10, 1860; George, May 15,1862; John, 
Nov. 27, 1863; Samantha A., Oct. 20, 1865; Mary 
E., July 27, 1867; Jefferson, July 7, 1869; Franklin, 
May 24, 1871, and Ellen, Dec. 10, 1875; all of whom 
are living save JetFerson, who died young. Mrs Cra- 
mer, who was born May 29, 1834, in VVorthington Town- 
ship, was a daughter of Tobias Fike, who was of Ger- 
man descent, and a farmer by occupation. Aug. 20, 
1855, Mr. Cramer purchased 40 acres of the north- 
east quarter of Sec. 21, in Worthington Township, for 
SI, 015, where he has since resided; he has very ma- 
terially improved this farm since it came into his pos- 
session ; he has erected buildings thereon which are 
both elegant and commodious; April 23, 1855, Mr. 
Cramer bought of Jackson Nichols, for $500, 20 acres 
of the west half of Sec. 28, in this township ; March 7, 
1872, he bought 40 acres of the same section, of Jona- 
than Divelbiss, for which he paid $2,000; he also 
bought the farm owned by his father at his decease, but 
has since disposed of it ; he is now the owner of 100 
acres of land which he and his sons cultivate ; he takes 
a deep interest in the cause of education ; more especi- 
ally in the education of his own children. His son 
Daniel is a teacher by profession and has been engaged 
in the business for some time. Mr. Cramer joined the 
Lutheran Church at the early age of 14 years ; he and 
his good wife are respected members of the community 
in which they reside. 

CUNNINGHAM, JAMES CAPT., deceased ; he was 
born in Baltimore, Md., in 1780, and in 1786 emigrated 
with his parents to Westmoreland Co., Penn., and after- 
ward to Monongalia Co., Ya., where his father died ; in 
1803, he eloped with Hannah Stateler, to Pennsylvania, 
where they were married; returning home, they re- 
ceived the forgiveness and blessing of their parents ; 
in 1804, in company with his wife's pai-ents, they re- 
moved to the vicinity of the Black Hand, Licking Co., 
Ohio ; in the autumn of 1805 his wife died, leaving 
one child, that child is Mrs. Elizabeth Baughman; 
she now resides with her children in Mansfield. 
In 18<?8, Capt. Cunningham was married to Mar- 
garet Myers, and in May, 1809, came to Rich- 
land Co., and located on the Black Fork of the Mohican, 
near Perry ville, where he put out a crop of corn ; then 
went back, brought out his wife, and put her down in 



the woods, alongside a camp-fire, and commenced to 
build a log shanty over her head, which he completed 
in three days, with the assistance of three men ; later 
in the season, he removed into the only log cabin then 
standing in Mansfield, which had been built a few 
months previously, by one Samuel Martin ; the cabin 
stood on the lot known as the Sturges corner, now 
ornamented by the handsome three-story brick build- 
ing of H. H. Sturges. He removed there to board Gen. 
Mansfield's surveying party, and to " keep tavern," to 
entertain persons who came here to purchase Virginia 
military school lands, which were then offered for sale. 
His wife at first objected to the project of removing to 
Mansfield to keep boarders ; provisions were scarce, 
and hard to obtain, and she expected in a few months 
to become a mother ; her consent was finally given, and 
the captain shelled a few bushels of corn, packed the 
grist on two horses to mill at Clinton, Knox Co.; the 
next day, he returned home with the meal, and the day 
following removed to the cabin above mentioned, where, 
on the 23d of August, 1809, his wife gave birth to a 
daughter (Matilda) who was afterward married to Will- 
iam Perry. In the spring of 1810, they removed from 
Mansfield to the Clear Fork Valley, near St. John's 
Church, where he rented a patch of cleared land and 
put out a crop of corn. The next year, he removed to 
the Black Fork, a mile south of Greentown, where he 
remained until after the murder of the Zimmer family. 
At the commencement of the war of 1812, he began 
raising a company of volunteers ; he called the settlers 
together at his house, and after stating to them the 
condition of the country, succeeded in raising a com- 
pany of men for active duty, the remainder being left 
to guard the settlement from the incursions of maraud- 
ing savages ; he marched his men to Mansfield, and 
camped on the public square, where they remained for 
a few days, and were joined by other volunteers, and 
then marched to Detroit. At the end of the war, ho 
entered a farm in Worthington Township ; cleared, im- 
proved, and then sold it, with the intention of remov- 
ing to Missouri ; but, reconsidering the matter, he pur- 
chased the farm adjoining his former home, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred in August, 
1870. Capt. Cunningham cut the first crop of grain 
ever harvested in Richland Co.; he was active and en- 
ergetic, taking a leading part in public affairs, and was 
the first acting Sheriff of the county ; he was an excel- 
lent marksman, and often tried his skill upon the 
different wild animals which then infested the forests. 
During the time of his captaincy, Mr. Cunningham at- 
tended an officers' muster at Berkshire, Delaware 
Co., Ohio; just as the company was about to 
break up, three suspicious-looking soldiers made 
their appearance on the parade ground ; they were 
immediately arrested as deserters, and subjected 
to a critical examination, separately ; they each 
protested their innocence, and declared that they 
had been out on duty as a fatigue party under 
Col. Root, and on hearing that Hull had surrendered 
his army, they had determined to make good their 
escape, which they did ; and in order to approve what 
they affirmed, they told the examining officers that Col. 
Root was now at home, a distance of about nine miles 
from Berkshire ; Col. Kratzer then called around him 






^ 



WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



919 



his ofl&cers, told them the story of the soldiers, whose 
intelligence concerning Hull's surrender made them 
almost frenzied with anxiety, and asked the services of 
some one to carry a message from him to Col. Root ; 
but one would comply ; at this time, Elm Creek, near 
whose banks the officers were parading, had swollen 
from recent heavy rains ; the waters had overflowed 
the banks, and covered the bottoms on either side ; it 
was necessary to cross the stream to go to the residence 
of Col. Root ; again Kratzer called upon his officers ; 
" Who," said he, " will cross that creek, and bear a 
a message to Col. Root?" A moment's pause waited 
their reply, when several voices almost simultaneously 
responded, " I will." About six or eight immediately 
mounted their horses and plunged into the rolling flood. 
Timber and rubbish were floating down the stream, of- 
fering dangerous obstacles. The company had not pro- 
ceeded far until they retreated, declaring that no man 
could cross that stream in safety. " Yes, there is," 
said Capt. Cunningham, and snatching the message 
from the hands of the officer, he mounted his char- 
ger and plunged into the flood. He gained the 
opposite shore, however, in safety, and proceeded 
nine miles through a dense wilderness to the 
residence of Col. Root. The Colonel verified the state- 
ment of the soldiers, and dispatched forthwith an an- 
swer to Col. Kratzer, requesting him to dismiss the 
prisoners. On receiving this, Capt. Cunningham re- 
traced his steps to the banks of the stream, which he 
recrossed the next morning and arrived safely in camp, 
amid the cheers and congratulations of Kratzer and 
his officers. 

DARLING, JONATHAN (deceased) ; he was born in 
Virginia March 7, 1793 ; his father's name was Joseph 
Darling ; his father was a farmer by occupation ; he 
came to Ohio at a very early day and settled in Co- 
shocton Co., where he continued to reside till the day of 
his death. He died while on a visit to his children in 
this county ; his widow came to this county and lived 
with her son .Jonathan the remainder of her days. They 
were both interred in the St. Johns Cemetery, in Mon- 
roe Township. Jonathan Darling was married to Miss 
Catharine Butler June 24, 1816 ; they came to this county 
at an early day, and he purchased a quarter-section of 
land in the fertile valley of the Clear Fork. His farm 
adjoined that of his brother William, on which the old 
block-house stood, being situated in the eastern part of 
Worthington Township ; he subsequently purchased an- 
other quarter-section adjoining his first purchase ; he 
then owned a farm of 300 acres of as choice land, perhaps, 
as there is in the county. He continued to reside on this 
farm as long as he lived, and with the aid of his sons 
made many lasting and valuable improvements thereon. 
Mr. Darling was a quiet, inoft'ensive, sober and indus- 
trious man ; kind and indulgent to his children, and social 
and friendly in his intercourse with the world at large. 
He and his good wife were members of the Lutheran 
Church at St. Johns for many years ; they were by no 
means slack in their contributions for religious and be- 
nevolent purposes. Mr. Darling and wife are the par- 
ents often children, named in the order of their births, 
as follows ; Robert, Joseph, Rebecca, Squire, Vincent, 
Abigal, Jane, Sophia, John, Editha and Jonathan 
Passence ; Rebecca, died Dec. 22, 1847, aged 27 years 



and 10 months ; Abigal J., March 29, 1872, aged 46 
years 7 months and 24 days ; all their other children 
are living, and all are married and have families but 
Sophia, who is unmarried. Mrs. Darling died April 
18, 1859; Mr. Darling departed this life July 25, 
1863. He died in the 71st year of his age ; and she was 
in her 66th year when she died ; they are both, also 
her deceased daughters, interred in the St. Johns 
Cemetery in Monroe Township. 

DARLING, JOHN M.; farmer; P. 0. Perryville. 
John M. Darling, fifth son of of Jonathan and Catha- 
rine Darling, was born in Worthington Township, Feb. 
25, 1829 ; the days of his boyhood and early manhood 
were spent on his father's farm, in assisting him in the 
cultivation and improvement thereof. March 21, 1856, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, eldest daugh- 
ter of Jonathan and Eve Henry, of Knox Co., Ohio; Mary 
Henry was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., .July 9, 
1837 ; her mother's maiden name was Brolian ; her 
parents were both of German descent ; she had one 
brother, named Thomas, and one sister, named Vashti ; 
her brother died when about 14 years old ; her sister 
married Martin Haas, and resides in Jackson Co., 
Kan.; her mother died in 18.53, and is buried in the 
Dunkard graveyard near Ankneytown in Knox Co. 
John M. and Mary Darling are the parents of thirteen 
children, six sons and seven daughters, named in the 
order of their births as follows : Oliver Cromwell, born 
Dec. 30, 1858 ; Hulda Ann, Feb. 1, 1860 ; Mary Alice, 
Oct. 25, 1861 ; Emma Idessa, Sept. 25, 1863 ; Elvy Cath- 
arine, Feb. 23, 1865; Jonathan Homer, .Jan. 18, 1867: 
John Ryley, Oct. 4, 1868 ; Milly, Aug. 30, 1870 ; Otto 
French, Sept. 12, 1871 ; Matty, March 20, 1873; Myrtle, 
Nov. 20, 1877 ; and Dennis, Feb.lO, 1880. Einma Idessa 
died Feb. 3, 1864 ; Oliver Cromwell, Feb. 7, 1864; and 
an nfant son July 20, 1874; the first two died of scarlet 
fever ; they are buried in the St. Johns Cemetery. After 
his marriage, Mr. Darling farmed for his father on 
shares for a number of years ; at his father's death he 
bought the interests of his brothers and sisters in that 
part of the old homestead first purchased by his father ; 
he still continues to reside on this farm ; his farming 
operations are conducted in a workmanlike manner, and 
his crops, as a general thing, are most abundant ; he 
and his good wife are' respected members of the com- 
munity in which they reside. 

DARLING, F. M., farmer; P. 0. Perryville. Hia 
father, William Darling, was the second son of William 
and Mary Darling, who were among the earliest 
settlers of this county ; Mr. D. was born April 5, 1820. 
In 1844, he married Avis Manchester, who was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., in 1818 ; soon after their mar- 
riage, William Darling, Sr., presented them with 160 
acres of land in Sec. 2, where he always lived ; their 
children were George, Marion and Thomas Jefferson 
Darling (the latter deceased). June 29, 1851, the 
mother was called away, and May 11, 1853, he married 
Elizabeth McBride ; she became the mother of three 
sons and four daughters, viz.: Mary Ann, Salena, Jane, 
Annette, John Franklin (deceased), Elwilda Winfred 
McClellan and Harry Elvin ; the spring after hi^ last 
marriage, he bought the Jacob Norrick farm for $2,525, 
and sold 72 acres to G. M. Alexander for §5,000, and 
still had 50 acres left; then bought 40 acres of the 



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920 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



William Garret farm for $2,000, and 160 acres in Indi- 
ana, sold, and cleared $1,000; then bought 80 acres in 
Missouri; then the Stake farm, which in two years he 
sold at an advance ; at his death, he owned 250 acres of 
the best land in the township ; his death occurred July 
17, 1876 ; the following was the notice that appeared : 
" William Darling was the iirst of two brothers and five 
sisters to pass over the river of death. In triumph of 
living in that, he was entei'ing upon a new life He 
advised all to meet him in heaven. Before his death, 
he called his children to his bedside, and begged them 
to be faithful to God. He made no complaint during 
his long illness. '•^ hen he felt he was entering the 
river of death, and his feet were pressing the silent 
shore, he declared his hope and faith of a better life 
beyond. He passed to rest calmly and gently as 
Christians do." F. M. Darling, the second son, in 
early life had a fair education, physically and mentally. 
November 5, 1872, he married Robert Alexander's 
daughter, Harriet ; she has had one son and one 
daughter — Robert Ezra Darling and Lilly Avis Darling ; 
they lived two years on Robert Alexander's place, where 
he was run over by a horse and nearly killed ; his 
father bought him the James Edgar farm of 56 acres of 
fine land ; he has erected elegant and commodious 
buildings on it ; Mr. Darling was caught in the shaft 
of a threshing machine in the fall of 1877 ; he sustained 
internal injuries, had his arm broken in three places, 
and dislocated at the elbow, but finally recovered. 

DAUGHERTY, CHARLES, farmer; P. 0. Butler. 
Among the hardy, hard-working yeomen of our county 
may be named Charles Daugherty, of Worthington 
Township. He was born in Washington Co., Penn., 
May 11, 1806 ; his father, Roderick Daugherty, was of 
Irish descent and a shoemaker by occupation ; he joined 
a light horse company of volunteers during the war of 
1812, and started at once for the seat of action ; by the 
time they arrived at Pittsburgh, however, peace was 
declared, and they were obliged to return to their 
homes without getting even one shot at the "red coats." 
Mr. Daugherty then returned to his trade, which he 
continued to follow as long as he lived ; he was the 
father of three sons and four daughters ; Charles 
Daugherty, early in life, was initiated by his father into 
the mysteries of shoemaking ; he continued to work at 
this trade, with pretty good success, till 1855, when 
he purchased a farm in the southwest corner of Sec. 6, 
in Worthington Township, to which he removed with 
his family ; he has continued to follow the peaceful 
pursuits of a farmer from that day to the present, and 
has met with very good success. Nov. 27, 1827, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary McCoUough ; his 
first child was born in 1828 ; his wife died in the spring 
of 1877, and was buried at Four Corners. 

DAUGHERTY, J. M., wagon-maker ; P. 0. Butler ; 
J. M. Daugherty was born near the village of Clays- 
ville, Washington Co., Penn., June 29, 1827 ; at the age 
of 18, he thought best to apprentice himself to a wagon- 
maker to learn the trade ; with this in view he (in the 
year 1845), removed to Burgettstown in the same 
county where his uncle lived, and commenced learning 
his trade ; he stayed there three years and six months, 
serving the full time of his apprenticeship ; during 
his sojourn there, he married Rebecca McCready, at 



her home in Allegheny City on the 24th of 
August, 1849; he continued working at his trade 
in Claysville until July 15, 1855, when he re- 
moved to Ohio, and settled in Newville, Richland Co.; 
he stayed there nearly three years working at his trade, 
and then removed to Independence, where he now 
resides ; during his residence there, Mr. D. has seryed 
nine years as Deputy Sheriif. Mrs. J. M. Daugherty 
was born in Washington Co., Penn., May 14, 1826 ; they 
have raised a family of children, one, N. C. Daugherty, 
living in Lexington, Richland Co., where he is engaged 
in the tin and stove business. 

EMMOUS, JESSIE, farmer; P. 0. Newville. J. 
Emmous was born on the State road, five miles south- 
east of Mansfield, Oct. 16, 1838 ; his father, Allen 
Emmous, was born in the State of New Jersey, about 
1801 ; he was a shoemaker, came to Ohio in 1816, and 
settled near Zanesville. He married Catharine Lime ; 
they I'aised a daughter and five sons. Catharine Lime 
was a daughter of Michael Lime, a Pennsylvanian by 
birth ; they owned a ti-act of land near Bellville, Ohio. 
Allen Emmous died near Bellville in 1838 ; his widow 
married John Lineweaver, of Morrow Co., five and one 
half years after his death ; she lived thirty years with 
him ; he died in July, 1875, since then she has lived 
with her son Jessie, who, at 21, commenced to farm 
on shares. In 1870, he was married to Mary C. 
Klusman, a daughter of George Reed, who was born 
in Adams Co., Penn., about 1791. By trade a fuller, 
he was married to Nancy London ; they had four 
daughters and two sons; he died at 82 years of age; 
his wife was twelve years his junior and died six 
months later ; they were members of the German Re- 
form Church. He was a soldier in 1812; his daughter 
Mary was born in 1833; she married William Klus- 
man, at 18 years of age; he was a shoemaker by 
trade, and a Lutheran in religion. They owned 2 
acres, now S. Snyder's, then 40, now George Byerly's, 
then, 50 in Knox Co., where he died sixteen years after 
his marriage. Two years after, Jessie Emmous mar- 
ried his widow ; they owned a house and lot in New- 
ville, then 55i acres of the Buzzard farm, which cost 
$1,900; traded the town property and $500 for the 
William Herring farm of 66 acres ; the view from the 
house is very romantic. Mr. Emmous was in the 
Quartermaster's department during the late war, under 
Lieut. Drake, of the 1st Michigan Regiment. His 
brother Albert served three and Michael about two 
years ; he died shortly after he came home from disease 
contracted while there. 

FILLOON, DAVID, farmer; P. 0. Newville; he 
was born in Indiana Co., Penn., Oct. 14, 1795 ; his 
father, Daniel Filloon, was born in the county of Down, 
Ireland ; he was a farmer and weaver ; he married 
Elizabeth Luther, and raised a family of twelve chil- 
dren ; they came to America before the war between 
our country and Great Britian ; he fought on the Amer- 
ican side during the entire war ; he was the owner of 
a plantation in Indiana Co., Penn. ; he died about 1809, 
but his widow lived a number of years after this. 
David Filloon was bred a farmer ; he was married to 
Rachel Luther, who subsequently became the mother 
of seven daughters; of these but two are living; became 
to Richland Co. in 1822, and settled on Joseph Lewis' 



:7: 



■,^ 



farm, now known as the Frease farm ; afterward set- 
tled in Sec. 2S ; here he entered 80 acres of land, af- 
terward 40 acres more. Mr. Filloon had a grandson 
who served in the late war; .Jonathan Luther, his 
brother-in-law, had seven sons who served in this war; 
one died, another laid in Libby Prison and died after 
he got out, of disease contracted while there. Harriet 
Filloon, the fourth daughter, was born in 1824 ; at 31 
years of age, she was married to William Stewart ; Mr. 
Stewart's ftither was a farmer, born in Pennsylvania, 
and removed to West Virginia in 1810, came to ]Belmont 
Co., Ohio ; he married Rebecca Craig, and was the parent 
of ten children ; after living awhile in Belmont Co., 
they removed to Guernsey Co.; and thence to Muskingum 
Co., and finally came to Richland Co.; he died in Indi- 
ana, his wife's death occurring before his own. Will- 
iam Stewart was born in Belmont Co. in 1810, and was 
raised a farmer ; he married .Jane AVatt, by whom he 
had six children ; she died in Morgan Co. ; he after- 
ward married Rhoda Steward, who bore him three 
children ; after her death he married Harriet Filloon, 
who bore him four children. Rachel Filloon has never 
married, but lived with her now aged father all her 
life. Mr. David Filloon is tall and commanding in ap- 
pearance ; although in his 85th year he does not ap- 
pear to be more than 60 ; his hair and beard are yet 
dark, and his step remarkably firm considering his age. 
GREER, ALEXANDER, farmer ; P. 0. Butler ; was 
born in Allegheny Co., Penn., .July 16,1805 ; his father's 
name was James Greer, and his mother's maiden name 
Mary Kearns ; his father was of Irish and his mother 
of Irish and Swede descent ; he was raised on a farm ; he 
came to Ohio wiih his parents in 1820 ; his father settled 
in Mohican Township, Wayne Co.; he remained there 
till the fall of 1853, when he removed to Worth- 
ington Township, Richland Co. ; he purchased a farm 
near the present site of Independence, where he 
stayed till 1862, when he sold his farm and spent 
the remainder of his days at the home of his daughter 
Lydda, and his son Alexander ; he died, at the 
house of the latter, inl868, aged about 86 years; his 
wife died two years previous, also aged 86 years ; they 
were buried in Independence Cemetery. Oct. 28., 1864, 
Alexander Greer was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- 
beth, third daughter of Henry and Margaret Amarine ; 
her mother's maiden name was Lybarger ; her parents 
were both of German descent ; she was born Oct. 2, 
1802, in Bedford Co., Penn.; her parents came to this 
country in 1816 ; they settled in Vermillion Township 
near the east county line, on a quarter-section of land ; 
the father died in the fall of the same year, and was 
buried on the farm ; his wife survived him some years ; 
she died in Hancock Co. and was buried there. .James 
Greer married Elizabeth Van Scoik ; Mary, Edward 
Sheehy ; Henry, Rachel Waters ; John, Elizabeth Waters ; 
Lydda, unmarried ; Samuel married Maria Schrader 
and William, Lydda Wagoner. All of Mr. Greer's 
children reside in this township ; Alexander Greer came 
to this township in the fall of 1836, and purchased 
80 acres of land about a mile west of Independence; 
he has continued to reside on this farm from that time 
to the present ; he may be ranked among the honest, 
upright men of his township ; he served as .Justice of the 
Peace three terms, to the satisfaction of all concerned ; 



he is now near 75 years old, and his good wife near 
78 ; they are quite hale and hearty for people of their 
age, and willing, at least, to do more work in a day than 
many young people of the present generation. 

HAZLETT, R. W., farmer; P. 0. Butler. Robert 
Wilson Ilazlett, second son of Samuel and Mary Haz- 
lett, was born in VVorthington Township June 13, 
1828. His father was of Irish and his mother of 
Scotch-Irish descent ; they were born and raised in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn; they were married in the 
spring of 1823, and during the same spring emigrated to 
Richland Co. Mr. Hazlett entered the east half of the 
southeast quarter of Sec. 14, in Worthington Town- 
ship ; he immediately constructed a rude hut or cabin 
on his farm, into which he moved with his family ; his 
farm was a dense and unbroken forest. Samuel and 
Mary Hazlett are the parents of eight children ; five 
sons and three daughters — Nancy Jane, Robert Wil- 
son, Claranah, Calvin, Mary Ann, Andrew H., and 
Labanah W. ; Nancy .Jane and Labanah W. are dead ; 
they are buried in the Bunker Hill graveyard. Mr. 
Hazlett and wife united with the Presbyterian Church 
at Perryville, at a very early day. He remained an 
active and zealous member of this branch of the Chris- 
tian Church, up to the time of his decease ; his widow 
still retains her membership therein ; they both sus- 
tained a high character among their neighbors and 
acquaintances. Mr. Hazlett died Aug. 17, 1870, aged 
73 years ; his widow still survives him ; she resides 
with her son Robert W., on the old homestead ; she has 
attained to the advanced age of 81 years ; she is quite 
hale and hearty for a lady of such advanced age, and is 
in full possession of her reasoning faculties. R. W. 
Hazlett was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of 
Makiah and Barbary Hill, of Bellville, Nov. 29, 1855. 
Miss Hill was born July 1, 1834, in Bellville; after 
his marriage, Mr. Hazlett settled on the farm now 
owned by William McConkie, where he remained two 
years ; be removed from there to Bellville, where he 
purchased a tannery, which business he followed 
about six years ; he then sold his tannery, and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, which he followed 
for' a short time ; in 1867, he purchased 100 acres of 
land in Worthington Township ; being a part of the 
northwest quarter of Sec. 24, in said township, and re- 
moved thereon with his family ; he continued to reside 
on this farm till 1871, when he purchased the "old 
homestead," where he has since continued to reside ; 
he is now the owner of 180 acres of choice land in one 
body ; his buildings are good ; his farm well tilled, 
and his fences in good repair ; he is also the owner of 
a farm of 7o acres in the southwestern part of this town- 
ship. Mr. Hazlett and wife are the parents of six 
children, of whom four are living, two of their children 
having died in infancy ; the names of the living are 
Edmund, Ida May, Cora and Myrtie. Mr. Hazlett 
has been a member of Bellville Lodge, No. 306, 1. 0. 0. F., 
about twenty years, and has attained to the highest 
position in his lodge ; he is also a member of Indepen- 
dence Lodge, No. 256, Knights of Honor. He and his 
good wife are both active and zealous members of the 
Presbyterian Church at Bunker Hill, and have been 
about ten years ; they are ever ready to contribute 
their portion toward the building of churches, the 






'^1 



^ 



922 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



support of the Gospel, and the relief of the indigent and 
distressed. 

HEIN, JOHN, hotel-keeper and grocer, Newville. 
John Hein was born in Wormeldingen, Luxemburg, 
Germany, April 28, 1844. His father's name was Peter 
Hein, his mother's maiden name Margaret Becker; his 
parents were both born in the same town as he ; they 
were married in 1831 ; his father was a tailor by oc- 
cupation ; his parents were zealous Catholics ; they 
were the parents of five children, four sons and one 
daughter, named as follows: Peter, born Oct. 11, 1833; 
Nicholas, Oct. 4, 1835 ; Mathias, September, 1837, and 
Anna, in 1838 ; Anna died when about 4 months old. 
Peter Hein departed this life in October, 1851 ; on the 
death of the father, the family, who were entirely depend- 
ent on his exertions for their support, were reduced to the 
most abject poverty, and it was only by the most stren- 
uous exertions on the part of the mother and children 
that they were saved from utter want. Nicholas Hein 
was the first of the family to emigrate to the United 
States ; he landed in Castle Garden, New York, in the 
spring of 1854; he remained in this city, working at 
the tailor trade, about eleven years; in 1872, he re- 
turned to his native land, and during the same year in 
company with his mother, came again to tliis country. 
John Hein left the home of his childhood Feb. 20, 
1867 ; he landed in New York March 22, 1867 ; from 
New York he proceeded to Chicago, where he remained 
a few days ; from there he traveled to Wisconsin ; he 
stopped awhile with an uncle residing there ; he then 
came back to Chicago, where he got employment, and 
remained about four months, when he again returned to 
his uncle's ; about this time, he received a letter from his 
brother Nicholas, who was carrying on a tailor-shop in 
Loudonville, Ashland Co., Ohio ; on receiving this wel- 
come intelligence, he lost no time in proceeding to the 
home of his brother ; he tarried with his brother during 
the winter of 1868; during the spring and summer of 
1869, he labored on a farm, and received for his services 
the sum of $16 per month. Nov. 25, 1869, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Catharine, eldest daughter of Michael 
a,nd Mary Schwire, of Ashland Co.. Ohio. Catharine 
Schwire was born in Shildersdorf, Alzes-Lothingen, 
France, Oct. 13, 1832 ; her parents came to this country 
when she was about 8 years old, and settled in the north- 
east part of Ashland Co., where they have resided until 
the present time ; her mother's maiden name was Mary 
Merklinger ; her parents are Protestants and have been 
connected with the church for many years; her father 
belongs to the Evangelcal Association, and her mother 
to the German Reformed Church ; her father was a shoe- 
maker by occupation, but has not worked at his trade 
for several years. Mr. Schwire and wife are the parents 
of five children, three sons and two daughters, named 
as follows: Catharine, Michael, Barbary, John and 
David ; David died in 1854, aged 7 years, and is buried 
in the graveyard, at the German Reformed Church. 
Father Schwire is aged 74 years, and his wife 73 years. 
Catharine Hein was inured to hai'dship and toil from 
her childhood ; at the early age of 8 years, she was put 
out to service by her parents, since which time she has 
led a life of incessant toil ; by persevering industry and 
the most rigid economy, she succeeded in acquiring a 
pretty snug portion of this world's goods ; at the time 



of her marriage, she was engaged in keeping a hotel in 
Loudonville ; soon after their marriage, her husband en- 
gaged in the saloon business in Loudonville, which 
business he followed in that place for about one year ; 
on the 2d day of January, 1871, they purchased property 
in Newville, Richland Co., to which they removed ; they 
here engaged in the grocery and saloon business, and 
met with very good success, during their sojourn here ; 
his mother lived with them about four years ; and though 
she was treated with great deference and respect, she 
was not content, but longed for the home of her child- 
hood ; in August, 1876, she returned to Germany; she 
died in November, 1877, and is buried with her husband ; 
John and Catharine Hein have very materially improved 
the appearance as well as the capacity of their Newville 
property, since they became the owners of it; in 1875, 
they opened up a hotel in connection with their other 
business ; in this branch of their business they have suc- 
ceeded admirably well ; as neighbors,, Mr. Hein and his 
gooa wife are social and kind. Ezra Schwire, only child 
of Catharine Schwire (now Catharine Hein), was born in 
Ashland Co. May 11, 1855. In the spring of 1876, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Louisa, daughter of 
Simon and Louisa Bolly, of Loudonville, Ashland Co., 
Ohio, by whom he has had two children, named Ger- 
trude and Mary Catharine. 

HENDERSON, JAMES P., M. D., Newville. His 
great-grandfather was a tenant farmer in Fifeshire, 
Scotland. His grandfather, Matthew Henderson, Sr., 
emigrated from that country in 1858. He was the 
third prominent missionary sent by the Associate 
Church to these, then British, colonies ; and for 
years the only settled minister of that denomination 
west of the Alleghany Mountains. He was an earnest 
friend of education ; and had an important agency in 
those incipient measures which resulted in the estab- 
lishment of Washington and Jefferson Colleges, now 
happily united. He was killed by the falling of a bee- 
tree, in 1796. The Doctor's father, Matthew Hender- 
son, Jr., was a minister of the Associate Reformed 
Church ; and occupied the charge of a congregation in 
the "Forks of Yough," and its connections, in Western 
Pennsylvania, with eminent success, and for a period of 
forty-four years. On the maternal side, the Doctor's 
great-grandfather, Arthur Patterson, emigrated from the 
North of Ireland in 1724, and settled on the banks of Big 
Chiquesabungo in Lancaster County, Penn., then a 
wilderness ; he purchased and located a large ti-act of 
land, and commenced farming ; having acquired in the 
old country the trade of blacksmithing, he also carried 
on this business very extensively in connection with 
his farming. The Doctor's grandfather, Samuel Pat- 
terson, was a farmer, and lived on the Little Chiquesa- 
bungo, to the advanced age of 93. He, and his brothers, 
James and William, served their country in the war of 
the Revolution ; and the latter was taken prisoner by the 
British, and died while held a prisoner in the prison- 
ship, on Delaware Bay. The Doctor was born near the 
borough of Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., Jan. 
17, 1803. His classical and scientific education was 
received at Jefferson and Washington Colleges ; he was 
graduated at the latter in 1825, and afterward re- 
ceived the degree of A. M. from the same institution ; 
he read medicine with Dr. David Porter, of Uniontown, 



-,^ 



WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



923 



Penn.; attended lectures at the Washington Medical 
College, Baltimore in 1823, and the Ohio Medical Col- 
lege, in Cincinnati, in 1833 ; and received the honorary 
degree of M. D. from the AVilloughby University of 
Lake Erie, in 1842. He located himself first in 
Shanesville, Tuscarawas Co., in the spring of 1830 ; and 
removed to Newville, in this county, in November, of 
the same year. Shortly after, and under the former 
Dfiilitia system, he received the appointment of Regi- 
mental Surgeon successively from Cols. Carpenter, 
Rowland and Martin ; and has in his possession com- 
missions signed by Govs. Mc Arthur, Lucas and Cor- 
win ; he was, under a law now repealed, elected one 
of the two school examiners of teachers for Worthing- 
ton Township ; he was a member of the old Richland 
County Medical Society, and he became a member of 
the Medical Convention of Ohio, in 1838, and one of 
its Vice Presidents in 1847 ; and is the author of a pa- 
per on " Professional Taxation" published in its trans- 
actions for 1850. He was elected a member of the 
State Medical Society in 1850 ; one of its Vice Pres- 
idents in 1868 ; and in 1856 became a permanent mem- 
ber of the American Medical Association. He was ap- 
pointed one of the Medical Censors of the Western 
Reserve College, Cleveland, in 1851. In 1841, and in 
1842, he was elected a member of the House of Rep- 
resentatives from this county; and in 1850, in con- 
junction with Crawford County and part of Morrow, 
of the Constitutional Convention, which framed the 
existing State Constitution. He is also a member of 
the State Archajological Association ; has been one of 
its Vice Presidents, and possesses one of the best col- 
lections of Indian relics in Northern Ohio. At the 
early settlement of this county, the roads were not as 
good, nor the streams bi'idged as they are now ; of 
this the Doctor had some experience ; once, when 
riding at night and in darkness, his breast struck 
against the overhanging branch of a tree, and again, 
against the body of a tree broken oif above, and its 
top resting on the ground, and the first thing he knew, 
on both occasions, he was behind his horse, and per- 
haps on his feet ; again, when riding at full speed to 
escape a falling tree, a limb detached in the crash 
from a neighboring tree, as large as a man's thigh, 
fell from a height, grazing his horse's tail ; twice, 
on swimming the Clear Fork on horseback, his saddle 
bags were swept from under him, such and so great 
was the force of the current, and so imminent his peril ; 
again, on visiting a patient at night, and on the public 
highway, he was shot at, the ball cutting through the 
leaves of a tree above his head ; it afterward transpired 
that the shot was fired by mistake, for parties suspected 
of stealing corn, and for whom an old Hessian was 
lying in wait in the fence-corner, in front of his 
house, and with gun loaded and in hand. Last .June, 
when engaged in business from home, he was bitten by 
a large and ferocious dog, on the left arm, inflammation 
and extensive sloughing supervened, and for some time 
his life was despaired of; and now, though his health is 
improved and partially restored, his arm is still numb, 
stiff and enfeebled. It may be here added, that there 
is not a man, woman or child living in Newville, that 
was living there when he came to the village, they hav- 
ing one and all removed, or descended to the grave. 



In medicine, the Doctor is a general and regular prac- 
titioner ; in politics, a Democrat, but since the repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise in 1854, he has co-operated 
with the Republican party ; and in religion, he is con- 
servative, adhering to the principles and the faith of 
his fathers. In 1835, he married Anna G. Moreland, 
stepdaughter of the late Hon. .John Hoge, of Washing- 
ton, Penn. She died in 1866. In 1869, he married 
Rebecca Tarres, daughter of Wm. Tarres, of this county, 
and he is the father of four children, of whom but 
one survives, John M. Henderson, Esq., of Cleveland. 
Ohio. 

HUGHES, RACHEL, widow; P. 0. Newville. John 
Hughes was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Sept. 5, 1805; 
he was of Irish descent; his father's name was James 
Hughes, and his mother's maiden name Jane McFad- 
den ; he had two brothers, named Alexander and .James ; 
Alexander died in Arkansas while engaged in the serv- 
ice of the United States as Army Surgeon ; James re- 
moved to Missouri, where he now resides ; he had two 
sisters, Maria and Eliza ; Maria married Hulon Gal- 
braith ; her husband dying in the prime of life, the 
support of a family of six children devolved upon her ; 
she taught several terms of school, at an early day, in 
District No. 5, Monroe Township. Eliza married An- 
drew Hazelet, who also died in manhood's prime. .John 
Hughes, with his mother and sisters, came to Richland 
Co. about the year 1831 ; he was by occupation a tailor ; 
he settled in Newville, where he carried on a shop for 
many years. He was married to Miss Rachel Hill, 
eldest daughter of Makiah and Barbary Hill, of Bell- 
ville, Nov. 17, 1837; Miss Hill was born in Knox 
Co. !March 15, 1818 ; her parents removed to Bell- 
ville, when she was about 10 years old ; her father died 
about the year 1862, and was buried at Bellville ; her 
mother still resides at Bellville, and is past 80 years 
old ; she has three brothers — Jesse, William and Fran- 
cis ; the two oldest live in Indiana, Francis lives in 
Bellville; she has six sisters, five of whom are living, 
and one dead. Naomi married Matthias Dish, to whom 
she bore six children ; she died at Jeromesville, and 
was buried there ; Miranda married Conn Seaman : 
Lydda Ann is unmarried, and lives in Bellville. Eliza- 
beth married R. W. Hazlet, of Worthiugton Township. 
Catharine married John Shoemaker ; her husband died 
in the army during the late war. Mary married Abra- 
ham Titus : they removed to Michigan where they now 
reside. John and Rachel Hughes are the parents of six 
children, four sons and two daughters — Amanda, the 
eldest, was born Oct. 16, 1840; James Eagleson, June 
30, 1843 ; William Hill, July 12, 1846 ; Alexander, 
April 8, 1850; Mary Elizabeth, March 6, 1854, and 
Erwin Feb. 8, 1853. Mr. Hughes was Postmaster in 
Newville many years ; he also held offices of trust in 
his township, the duties of which he discharged to the 
satisfaction of all concerned ; he enlisted as a pri- 
vate in Company B, 120th 0. V. I., Aug. 5, 1862; 
served about seven months, when he was honorably 
discharged on account of physical disability, and re- 
turned home to die; he. died Feb. 24, 1863, and was 
buried at Newville ; he was regarded as one of the best 
citizens of his town and township ; at his death, he 
possessed but few of this world's goods; she was equal 
to the emergency ; having acquired a pretty thorough 



*7r 



k^ 



924 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



knowledge of her husband's trade, she continued to ply 
the needle with fair success ; her eldest son, who 
had enlisted as a private in Company A, 64th O. 
v. I., Oct. 16, 1861, and served with credit till Febru- 
ary, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on ac- 
count of ill health, and returned home, never recovered 
from the shock his constitution had received ; con- 
sumption had become firmly seated, and baffled the skill 
of the best physicians ; he lingered a few months ; de- 
parted this life Dec. 2, 18G3, and was buried with the 
honors of war in the Newville Cemetery ; her second 
son, William H., died of consumption Feb. 24, 1870; 
by industry and economy, Mrs. Hughes has been able 
to maintain herself and family ; her eldest daughter 
married James Ross, of Lucas, who is now mail agent 
on the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad ; 
her youngest daughter married George Sweasinger, a 
blacksmith, formerly of Perryville, now of Newville, 
Ohio ; Alexander has been in the West for many years ; 
Irwin I'esides with his mother. Mrs. Hughes has been 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church more than 
fifty years, and has always contributed her share 
toward the support of the Gospel and other religious 
purposes. 

KOOKEN, H. C, shoemaker, Newville. H. C. 
Kooktn was born southeast of Ashland September 3, 
1837 ; he is of German and French extraction. His 
father, William H. Kooken was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn., about 1801 ; Mr. Kooken, at 14 years of age, 
began to learn the shoemaking trade, at which he still 
works; married Susan Devenbaugh May 12, 1836; she 
was born April 8, 1804, in Westmoreland Co., Penn, and 
came to Ohio at 10 years of age. William Kooken 
settled near Ashland in 1831 ; he lived here thirty 
years, then removed to Miiflin Township, this county ; 
after nine years he removed to Monroe Township ; 
they were the parents of twelve children, of whom 
three only are alive, viz., Henry Kooken, William 
Kooken, Jr., and Louisa Fulton ; Henry Kooken 
learned the shoemaker's trade. September 25, 1862, 
he married Mary Elizabeth Pearce, a daughter of 
Louis Pearce. Her father was born in Allegheny Co., 
Penn., June 19, 1797; December 80, 1850, he died on 
his way home from California ; his first wife was his cousin 
Susan Pearce, whom he married in 1821 ; she died De- 
cember 20, 1822. Susan Kooken' s father, Daniel 
Devenbaugh, is said to be the first white man that was 
in Richland County. He drove a baggage wagon in 
Geo. Wayne's army, was also an Indian Trader, he 
and the old Indian chief, Jerome, used to camp together 
on Jerome Fork. John Kooken, William Kooken, Sr.'s 
father, served as a private in the war of 1812. Henry 
Kooken has two sons and four daughters, viz., Landon 
McG., Esther C, Luella V. (now dead) Lizzie E., Mary 
(now dead) and Louis. James Pearce, Sr., and his wife, 
Sarah (Horn) Pearce, were great-grandchildren of Will- 
iam, Prince of Orange They settled in New Amster- 
dam. Stephen Pearce' s wife, Mary Kinney, daughter 
of Louis Kinney, married in Sussex Co., N. J., in 
1762 ; they came to Allegheny Co., Penn., from there 
to Columbiana Co., and laid out New Lisbon, and then to 
Richland Co , close to Perryville, where the wife died 
and was buried ; they are said to have been great-grand- 
children of Louis XIV, of France ; their parents fled 



to Holland during the persecution, and from there to 
America. Some of their descendants are supposed to 
be the Vanderbecks, Waldrons, Browers, Webbers, Du- 
bois, Bogart, Delamater and Bogardus. 

LEEDY, HARVEY A., farmer; P. O.Butler. Mr. 
Leedy was born Nov. 2, 1856, in Jefferson Township ; 
Jacob B. Leedy, his father, was born in April, 1831, he was 
a carpenter by trade, at which he worked for ten or 
twelve years ; he was married to Barbary Garber in 1853 
or 1854 ; this lady became the mother of four sons and 
two daughters, viz., Mary Alice, Harvy A., Casper N., 
John Sherman, Rowan M. and Florence N. Leedy ; 
Mrs. Leedy was a daughter of Michael Garber, a citi- 
zen of Jefferson Township. Jacob Leedy enlisted in 
the hundred-day service in the spring of 1864 ; he was 
there but three months when he died at Fortress Mon- 
roe, in Virginia ; his widow had 40 acres of land ; on 
this, assisted by a pension, she raised her children ; she 
died Dec. 4, 1872. Harvey Leedy, the subject of this 
sketch, was raised a farmer ; Oct. 12, 1875, he was 
married to Nancy A. Divelbiss, a daughter of David 
Divelbiss ; Mr. Leedy worked on a farm for a year or 
more after his marriage ; in 1877, he bought 80 acres 
of the Divelbiss estate, one half of same being be- 
queathed to his wife. 

LIME, MARTIN, agent; P. 0. Newville. M. L. 
Lime was born five miles from Mansfield, on Lime's 
hill, July 15, 1835. His father, Michael Lime, was born 
in Cumberland Co. Penn., in 1805 or 1806; he was of 
German origin; during his earlier years, he farmed, 
afterward became the servant of the State, filling 
such places of public trust as Deputy Sheriff, Constable, 
Justice of the Peace (which office he still holds). He 
married Christena Ridenour ; she became the mother 
of one son and two daughters ; one of the girls is dead. 
They (Mr. and Mrs. Lime,) lived together eight or 
nine years, when the mother died ; after remaining a 
widower four years, Mr. Lime married Lydia Culver; 
she bore him one son ; as they could not live amicably, 
they were divorced. He then married Elizabeth Henry : 
they raised a daughter, who is married and living at 
Crestline, Ohio. Michael Lime's eldest son, Martin, 
was a bricklayer by trade, also an engineer; followed 
these trades alternately for fifteen years ; next went into 
the dry-goods and notion business, which he followed 
for five years ; for the past nine years, he has been 
sewing-machine agent for various companies ; he now 
represents the Howe Company ; in 1860, he was mar- 
ried to Susan Wetzler, daughter of H. Wetzler ; she 
was born about the year 1837 ; they are the parents 
of four sons and one daughter (the daughter Alice is 
now dead); the boys are, Augustus Y., Victor, William 
A. and Clifton E. Mr. Lime lives in the village of 
Newville, where he has lately erected a new house ; 
he and his wife are in the prime of life, with the pros- 
pect of many useful years before them. 

LONG, ABRAM, farmer ; P. 0. Butler ; was born in 
Bedford Co., Penn., A. D. 1805 ; his father, John Long, 
was born in Maryland, A. D. 1780; John Long was of 
German descent ; he was a farmer by occupation ; he 
was married to Miss Susannah, daughter of Abram 
Leedy, of Bedford Co., Penn., by whom he had twen- 
ty-one children, nine sons and twelve daughters. He 
emigrated to Knox Co., Ohio, in 1816, and entered 135 



TV 



WOETHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



925 



acres of land. His wife died on this farm July 14, 
1849 ; he died in June, 1855 ; Abram, their son, was 
raised on a farm ; he was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Jamison June 14, 1827 ; Miss Jamison was 
born Oct. 23, 1807 ; by this marriage, Mr. Long had 
one child, a son, named William, born Sept. 8, 1828, died 
May 23, 1830 ; soon after the birth of this child the 
mother died. Mr. Long remained a widower until 
Nov. 3, 1831, when he was married to Miss Catherine, 
daughter of Jacob Teeter ; Miss Teteer was born Aug. 9, 
1813 ; by this marriage, Mr. Long has become the 
father of ten children — Elizabeth, born Sept. 19, 1832 ; 
Jacob, May 9, 1834; Margaret, June 23, 1836; Ma- 
linda, March 7, 1838 ; George W., Nov. 28, 1839 ; 
Jackson, June 9, 1842 ; Nancy, Dec. 2, 1844 ; John, 
May 1, 1849, and Leah C, May 14, 1852. Eliz- 
abeth died Jan. 8, 1834, and Nancy, June 18, 1849. 
In 1831, Mr. Long bought 50 acres of landjinKnox Co., 
for which he paid $150 ; he erected log buildings 
on this farm, and lived there four years during which 
time he was busily engaged in clearing and cultivating 
his land ; he then sold it for $900 ; and purchased 
120 acres in Jefferson Township, of this county, for 
which he paid $1,600 ; he has since purchased 40 acres 
in the same township, adjoining his farm, for which he 
paid $800 ; his next purchase was 16 acres in Worth- 
ington Township, for which he paid $650, and subse- 
quently sold it to E. Swank for $1,000; he after- 
ward purchased 18 acres, east of Ankneytown, in 
Knox Co., for $1,000, and sold it for the same. In 
1860, he sustained a loss of $1,500 or more, by his 
barn and its contents being destroyed by fire ; he and 
his good wife have been active and consistent members 
of the Dunkard Church at Ankneytown, for forty-four 
years, and have been quite liberal in their contribu- 
tions for religious and charitable purposes. 

McCOLLOUGH, ISAAC, carpenter; P. 0. Butler; he 
came to Richland Co. about the year 1868, and pur- 
chased 40 acres of land in the central part of Worthing- 
ton Township, where he has since continued to reside ; 
he is a carpenter by occupation, and is regarded as a 
first-class mechanic. Joseph, his eldest son, is a 
carpenter also ; he is a young man of steady habits 
and has the reputation of being a very good workman. 

McCONKIE, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. Perryville ; 
eldest son of James and Sarah McConkie ; was born in 
Worthington Township July 25, 1830 ; his mother's 
maiden name was Sarah Johnston ; his parents were of 
Scotch-Irish descent, but were born and reared in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn. ; his father came to Richland 
Co. in 1816, and entered the northwest quarter of Sec. 
13, Worthington Township. In the spring of 1818, he 
removed to this township ; there being no cabin on his 
farm, he occupied one on the farm of Abner Davis 
while he was building one on his own. James and 
Sarah McConkie are the parents of twelve children, 
seven sons and five daughters, named in the order of 
their births as follows: Margaret, William, Robert, 
Mai-y Ann, James Johnston, John, Alexander S., Sam- 
uel, Allen, Jane, Mariah and Nancy Ellen. Mary Ann, 
Jane and Allen are dead ; jNIary Ann is buried in AVor- 
thington, and the other two in the Bunker Hill grave- 
yard. Mr. McConkie continued to reside ou the farm 
above described as long as he lived ; he and his wife 



were both respected members of the community in 
which they lived. He departed this life May 1, 1868, 
at the age of 75, and was buried in the Bunker Hill 
graveyard. His widow, with three of her daughters, 
still continues to reside on the old homestead ; she is 
about 75 years old, and has been quite feeble for a num- 
ber of years. William McConkie was married to Miss 
Rebecca A., fourth daughter of John and Catharine 
Vance, of Hanover Township, Ashland Co., March 24, 
1859; Miss Vance was born May 14, 1833, in Stark 
Co., Ohio ; her mother's maiden name was Thoma ; her 
parents were both of German descent ; they are both 
living ; her father has attained to the advanced age of 
fourscore and two years, and her mother to the age of 
threescore and five ; they are quite hale and hearty for 
people of their age, and their mental faculties seem to 
be unimpaired. William and Rebecca McConkie are 
the parents of seven children, five sons and two daugh- 
ters, named in the order of their births as follows : 
Albert, John W., Ellwood 0., Lawrence, Alford and 
Mary A. ; one died before it was christened ; Albert 
died when about 2 years old ; they were buried in 
the Bunker Hill graveyard. About the year 1858, Mr. 
McConkie bought the east half of the northeast quarter 
of Sec. 14, Worthington Township; he subsequently 
purchased 30 acres off the west half of the same quar- 
ter-section. Since he became the owner of this farm, 
he has very materially improved it in many respects ; 
it is well watered, \yell timbered and well adapted to 
all kinds of farming purposes. 

McCOY, ISRAEL, farmer ; P. 0. Butler. Benjamin 
W. McCoy, father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Cumberland Co., Penn.; he was of Irish descent 
and a farmer by occupation ; he was married to Sarah 
Hendricks, of his native county, by whom he had seven 
children, five sons and two daughters ; his wife died in 
February, 1847, and was buried in her native county; 
in 1849, he was married to Catharine Simpson, and 
settled on a farm owned by Martin Hiskey, near Lex- 
ington, in this county ; he resided on this farm two 
years and then removed to Morrow Co., Ohio., and the 
second year he was there, he purchased 80 acres of 
land ; he continued to reside in Morrow Co. till his 
decease, which took place in March, 1852 ; he had one 
child, a son, by his second marriage, who, with his 
mother, reside in Kansas. Israel McCoy was raised on 
a farm ; he has worked some at the carpenter trade ; he 
came to this State with his father. He was married to 
Sarah Jane Mishey, daughter of John Mishey, of Knox 
Co., in May, 1857 ; by this marriage, he had five chil- 
dren, two sons and three daughters ; their mother died 
in Bellvillein 1867. In 1868, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Warren and Mary Dutton, 
of Worthington Township. Mr. McCoy and his first 
wife united, early in life, with the United Brethren 
Church. His brother, Benjamin F. McCoy, was a sol- 
dier in the late war ; he served with great credit more 
than three years and returned home in safety ; after his 
return from the army, he engaged in the mercantile 
business, and was subsequently elected Sheriff of his 
county, in which capacity he served for several years ; 
he was a member of the Masonic Fraternity ; he died 
in 1874. His brother William was a tanner by occupa- 
tion, and carried on that business in Bellville for a 



— ^ 



926 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



number of years ; he is now the owner of a farm on 
which he resides. His brother John is a farmer and 
resides in Kansas. His sisters and other brothers died 
while young, in Pennsylvania. William B., eldest son 
of Israel and Sarah J. McCoy, was born Dec. 29, 1858 ; 
he is married and resides on a farm in Knox Co. 
Jason B., their second son, born in April, 1860, is 
attending college at Ashland, Ohio. Floras B., their 
eldest daughter, born in May, 18G2, died in her 2d 
year. May and Willie, their two youngest, are twins ; 
one of them lives with her father, and the other was 
taken soon after her mother's death, into the family of 
William Dickison of Crawford Co., where she still 
resides 

McCLELLAN, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. Butler ; he 
was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., April 23, 1818; 
he came to this State in 1824, and to the county in 
1826. He married Nancy Simmons June 11, 1840; Mr. 
McClellan has had fourteen children ; he rented for 
several years after his marriage ; in 1853, he purchased 
80 acres in Sec. 29, of John Wilson, for .$1,000 ; owned 
it for eight years and sold it to Daniel Fox for $1,800 ; 
bought 5 acres in Sec. 21, sold, and bought 60 acres in 
Sec. 28 for $1,200, sold for $2,400 ; bought 40 acres of 
the old homestead for §900, and traded for 10 acres 
north of Independence ; bought 70 acres in Pike Town- 
ship. Knox Co., sold, and bought 1 10 acres of William 
Ross for |5,525, and sold at a loss, then bought in Inde- 
pendence ; he has been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church twenty-four years, also belongs to the Clear 
Fork Grange, No. 255, and to the Sons of Temperance; 
he was Constable and Township Assessor two years ; his 
wife died April 22, 1872 : he has since married. His 
father, David McClellan, was born in 1790, the year 
William McClellan, Sr., David's father, came to America; 
William, Sr., entered 60 acres of land in Pennsylvania, 
Fairfield Township, Westmoreland Co. He was born 
in Cork, Ireland ; he was the father of nine boys and 
three girls ; he and wife died about 1826 or 1827 ; Mrs. 
McClellan' s father, Andrew Hazelette, was born near 
Old Philadelphia ; married Ruth Adams ; she raised 
five sons and four daughters ; she died in 1820. He 
was again married, and had three daughters ; he 
was the owner of 70 or 80 acres of land, served in the 
United States Cavalry during the Revolutionary war, 
and died about 1830; David McClellan's father was a 
farmer, he married Rebecca Hazelette in 1815 ; came 
to Ohio in 1824, and in 1826 to Richland Co. ; was a 
soldier in 1812 ; and was the father of three sons and 
three daughters ; he died Oct. 8, 1862. His wife died 
Feb. 5, 1867. During life, he entered 80 acres in Sec. 
15. He and his wife were members of the Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

McCURDEY, ANN; P. 0. Perryville. This benevo- 
lent lady was born in Carroll Co., Md., Jan. 17, 1808 ; 
her grandfather on her mother's side was a Roman 
Catholic ; he was married to a Protestant girl, and en- 
tered the army during the struggle for American inde- 
pendence ; was in several bloody engagements, but 
never returned to his home ; is supposed to have been 
killed in battle ; his wife lived to be 96 years of age. 
Her father was a farmer ; his name was Busbey ; he 
died at 30 years of age, when Ann was but 1 year old. 
She came to Ohio in her 16th year; was married to 



Thomas McBride in her 20th year, A. D. 1828, by 
whom she had four children — Rebecca (now Rebecca 
Deen), Hugh McB., Elizabeth (widow of the late Wm. 
Darling), John McBride. After eleven years of wedded 
life, death called the husband and father hence, leaving 
the widow with the care of a young family. After re- 
maining his widow eleven years, she was again mar- 
ried, April 11, 1850, to James McCurdey, with whom 
she lived ten years, when she again became a widow. 
James McC. was born in the State of Pennsylvania, 
1791 ; he came to Worthington Township at an early 
day, and entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 12. Was 
married to Sarah McKonkie, who was born in 1796, by 
whom he had one son and two daughters ; she died 
Dec. 24, 1844, having lived twenty-nine years after her 
marriage. Mr. McCurdey was one of the early settlers 
of the county ; it cannot be ascertained when he came 
here, but there were but few settlers in the township ; 
the land was covered with timber, which required an 
immense amount of hard labor to clear away ; they then 
had but few tools, and they were often of an inferior 
quality ; fire was often used, but it was more often a 
source of mischief than benefit. The Widow McCurdey 
is spending the remaining years of her life on a pai't of 
the old homestead, which is farmed by .John Coe ; she 
lives all alone, preferring solitude, where she can think 
of the past, and of the future life that is soon to be to 
her a haven of rest. 

McCURDEY, ROBERT, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Perryville. Robert McCurdy's great grandpar- 
ents emigrated from Ireland about the year 1760, 
the present generation being of Scotch-Irish descent ; 
his grandfather was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., 
June 4, 1768 ; was married to Elizabeth McKelvey 
March 30, 1790, by whom he had three sons and six 
daughters; he owned 150 acres of fine land which ha 
sold, and cameto Richland Co. in 1824; he and the entire 
family belonged to the Presbyterian Church ; he held 
numerous prominent offices in his native State, and died 
in Richland Co. July 24, 1839. Wm. McCurdey, the 
father of Robert and .John, was born Dec. 12, 1794; 
he was married to Elizabeth McKelvey Nov. 5, 1817, 
who was born in 1791 ; the result of this marriage was 
two sons and three daughters ; his wife had three broth- 
ers, all of whom were in the battle of Brandywine 
and numerous other engagements ; one of them, Will- 
iam INIcKelvey by name, held a Captain's and, perhaps, 
afterward a Colonel's commission ; once when out with 
his comrades on a foraging expedition, they were sur- 
prised by a superior force of the enemy ; thinking dis- 
cretion the better part of valor, they fled ; the British 
pursued with bayonet fixed, and this Captain, to avoid 
his enemies, ran under some low trees, where his cap 
caught in the limb; he ran a few steps but could not 
bear the idea of losing it ; turning quickly, he snatched 
it from the bush just as a powerful soldier was about 
to claim it ; his treasure secure, he lost no time in re- 
gaining his camp ; but when he came to look at the cap 
he found it was not of much service, being pierced by 
nine musket balls. William M-cCurdey was a farmer, 
and the owner of 200 acres of land, previous to his 
to his death ; his family belonged to the Lutheran and 
Presbyterian Churches ; his wife died April 21, 1832 ; 
he survived her until Sept. 16, 1867. His son Robert 



Tv 



AVORTHINGTOjS" towi^ship. 



927 



was born May 4, 1819 ; was brought up to hard work, 
like all farmer lads at that early day, who had the 
grubbing-hoe in hand oftener than the spelling-book. 
He was married by Squire Hibberts to Miss Catherine 
Goon, May 26, 1842 ; she was born Sept. 5, 1819 ; their 
first child, Simon G., was born March 31, 1843 ; .Jacob, 
May 28, 1846; Allen, MaTch 14. 1849; McKinley, Nov. 
16, 1852. Robert and wife and his son .Jacob and wife 
united with the Presbyterian Church in 1868. Mr. McC. 
has held numerous minor offices, also paid freely toward 
the support of the war of 1861. His sons are engaged 
in raising some of the finest breeds of horses and cat- 
tle that are to be found in the county ; his land is what 
is called second-bottom land, and cannot be excelled 
in the State. His father bought IfiO acres in the north- 
east quarter of Sec. 13, afterward 40 acres in the 
southeast corner of Sec. 12. Robert now owns 60 acres 
in Sec. 12, and 60 in Sec. 13 ; also 60 in Hanover Town- 
ship ; his son Jacob lives on his farm in Hanover. The 
McCurdeys are among the best citizen? : they stand 
side by side with the best in the land ; well may our 
c tizens be proud of their township, when it is com- 
posed of such men. 

McLaughlin, Robert, M. D., Butler. His grand- 
father, James McLaughlin, was born in Westmoreland 
Co., Penn., A. D., 1781 ; he was of Irish descent, and a 
farmer by occupation ; he was a soldier of the King, in 
the French and Indian war, and participated in the 
engagement where Gen. Braddock was defeated and 
killed ; at this time he was but 18 years old. When 
the rupture took place between the mother country and 
her colonies in America, he was among the first to take 
up arnas against the tyrannical invaders ; he partici- 
pated in the battles of Cowpens, Brandy wine, Yorktown 
and many other hot engagements ; he served with great 
credit during the entire war, and was honorably dis- 
charged at its close; after leaving the servic--, he 
returned to the peace and quiet of farm life. While a 
young man, he was the owner of two keel-boats, that 
plied on the Susquehanna River. He married an 
English lady named Mackey, by whom he had ten 
children, eight sons and two daughters ; he came 
to Ohio in 1801. He entered three or four farms 
in that part of the territory now included in Co- 
lumbiana Co.; previous to his death, he divided his 
real estate among his children ; he died in 1828, aged 
97 years ; his widow lived to attain the advanced age of 
103 years. His second son, named Jeremiah, was 
born in Northumberland Co., Penn., about 1776 : he was 
raised on a farm, which pursuit he followed during life ; 
he was married to a Miss McLain, by whom he had nine 
children ; five of whom are yet living ; he was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church and served in the 
capacity of Deacon for many years ; his wife died in 
1847 ; his own death occurred in 186(>. His son Robert 
was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1816. The early 
life of Robert was spent on his father's farm. He com- 
menced to study medicine in 1842, under the instruc- 
tions of Dr. Jacob S. Kehler,with whom he studied three 
years ; he then attended a course of medical lectures at 
Willoughby Medical College ; soon after this, he com- 
menced the practice of medicine at North Liberty, Knox 
Co.; while there, an honorary diploma was conferred 
upon him by a medical college of Cleveland ; he subse- 



quently attended part of a course of lectures at the 
Western Reserve College, from which he also received 
a diploma. He commenced the practice of medicine in 
1846 ; he practiced in North Liberty twenty-one years, 
and succeeded in acquiring a very good reputation and 
in securing a very lucrative practice. He has been 
twice married ; in 1840, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Ann .Martin, by whom he had four sons, all 
of whom died in infancy, save their third son, Martin, 
who is now a rising physician of Independence, this 
township. His first wife died in 1850. He married 
for his second wife :\Iiss Margaret Martin ; they were 
married in 1852 ; by this marriage he had four children, 
three sons and one daughter ; one son died in infancy ; 
their daughter died in her 17th year. C. C. McLaugh- 
lin, their eldest son, is preparing to enter upon the 
practice of his father's profession ; he has attended two 
courses of medical lectures, and intends to attend a 
third before entering upon the practice. After leaving 
North Liberty, Dr. McLaughlin settled on a farm he 
had purchased, situated in Worthington Township, one 
and a fourth miles south of Independence ; he continued 
to reside on this farm till recently, when he removed 
to Independence. 

MOWRY, DANIEL, farmer; P. 0. Newville ; he 
was born in Franklin Co., Penn., .Jan. 12, 1823 ; his 
father's name was .Jacob Mo wry, and his mother's mai- 
den name Catharine Teeter ; his parents were both of 
German descent ; he came to this county with his parents 
in 1828 ; his parents purchased a farm in the south- 
eastern part of Monroe Township, where they continued 
to reside as long as they lived. He remained with his 
parents, assisting his father in the improvement and 
cultivation of his farm till about 1846, when he was 
united, in marriage to Miss Catharine, third daughter 
of John and Lyda Stimely, of Monroe Township, by 
whom he has had eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, named in the order of their births as follows : 
Mary E., Catharine E., Miranda, Charles C, Annetta E , 
Willard S., William F., and Marion F. Miranda died 
when about 10 years old and Willard at the age of about 
6 months ; Catharine was about 22 or 23 years old, when 
she died ; her disease was consumption. The deceased 
children of Mr. Mowry and wife were all buried in the 
St. John's Cemetery. The first farm owned by Mr. 
Mowry was 101 acres, in the southeastern part of 
Monroe Township, now owned by John Ferguson. He 
lived on this farm about fourteen years ; he then sold 
it and bought a farm of 245 acres, situated about one- 
half mile west of Newville ; he subsequently sold a part 
of this farm. He now owns 125 acres of choice land ; 
Mr. Mowry is an enterprising farmer and a good citizen ; 
he is a friend of the cause of education, of the church, 
and of the Sabbath school, in each of which he takes 
deep interest ; he has two children, a son and a daugh- 
ter, who are successful school-teachers. 

NORRIS, WILLIAM, farmer ; P. Butler. William 
Norris was born in Huntingdon Co., Hopewell Township, 
Sept. 19, 1818 ; he never had a coat made by a tailor 
until he was 21 ; he used to work in the fields with 
nothing but a long tow shirt on ; but few boys at the pres- 
ent day know much of hai'd work compared with ^Ir. 
Norris' experience ; he never had but two or three 
months' schooling in his life, and had to walk about 



928 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



three miles to school in order to obtain that ; when but 
15 years of age, he made his hand as cradler in com- 
pany ; he had a doctor visit him but once in his life ; he 
came to the State of Ohio in 1835, and located in 
Holmes Co., where he remained eighteen months. His 
father, .Jonathan Norris, was born March 80, 1793 ; he 
was a farmer by occupation. He was married to Jane 
Feley ; she was of Irish descent, and was born in Sep- 
tember, 1788; she had five daughters and two sons by 
Jonathan Norris ; she also had a son and daughter 
by Jacob Long, her first husband ; William Norris and 
his sister Jennie (Lee) Norris are all that are alive of 
the second set of children Jonathan Norris came to 
Ohio in 1835, and settled in Holmes Co., where he re- 
mained over one year ; he owned 80 acres of land, 
which he sold and came to Worthington Township, 
where he bought 160 acres, which he improved. His 
wife died Feb. 19, 1861, and he died Nov. 26, 1861. 
William Feley, Mrs. Jane Norris' father, served in the 
Revolutionary war ; he had a finger shot off which 
came near mortifying ; he was subsequently discharged 
from service on account of it; on his way home he 
slept in the woods, rolled up in his blanket ; one morn- 
ing he awoke to find two feet of snow over him. Will- 
iam Norris was married to Margaret Measle Dec. 11, 
1842) who was born Aug. 11, 1818, in the State of 
Maryland ; she bore him three sons and three daugh- 
ters-^Amos D., Susan H., Nancy, John and Mary 
(twins), John died in his 17th year. Margaret Norris 
died Oct. 18, 1866, after a wedded life of twenty-four 
years. Mr. Norris was married to Rebecca Daugherty 
March 3, 1868 ; she was a daughter of Charles Daugh- 
erty, whose history is elsewhere stated in this book ; 
she was born May 30, 1840 ; she is the mother of three 
sons and two daughters-— Charley D., Nicholas, Jennie, 
Minnie and Franklin, who died March 13, 1879 ; he 
was born March 20, 1878. Mr. Norris' first land was 
80 acres of the old homestead, now occupied by John 
Bittinger ; he afterward bought 80 acres in Jefferson 
Township, which he sold and made .^300 ; afterward 
bought the Samuel Hoover farm of 56 acres, which he 
sold and made 82,400 ; then bought 80 acres of Mr. 
Hammet for |1,200 ; then the Teeter estate of 80 acres 
for §1,800 ; then his father's estate of 80 acres ; after- 
ward the Mike Croner farm of 80 acres for ij!3,300, 
and sold to a daughter and son-in-law for $3,300 ; 
then 80 acres in Paulding Co., Ohio, for $800 ; he 
also has a single lot and a lot of two acres in Mansfield, 
Ohio ; bought 50 acres of the William Darling estate 
for $2,500 ; he owns a lot in Independence. Mr. 
Norris owns 452 acres ; he has paid to his first five 
children $6,000 ; his last children are to receive the 
same in addition to their regular share. Mr. Norris 
was not worth $5 when 21 years of age ; he has always 
been temperate in his habits, worked hard and econ- 
omized. He never chewed tobacco, nor swore, never 
smoked a cigar in his life. He is worth from $35,000 
to .$40,000. He never received any estate from his or 
wife's parents. He owns the finest house in Worth- 
ington Township, and is called one of the finest busi- 
ness men. 

PEARCE, JAMES W., merchant, Independence. 
His father, Lewis Pearce, was born in Allegheny Co., 
Penn. ; he was a farmer by occupation his wife's 



maiden name was Lydia Bowser; she was born 
in the city of Philadelphia ; her father was super- 
intendent of a glass factory ; they were married 
in Williamsport, Penn., and emigrated to Richland 
Co. in 1811 ; they had ei^ht children — Sai'ah, An- 
drew, William Bowser, Elizabeth, James W., Lucinda, 
Hannah Jane, Ayers — all lived to marry and raise fami- 
lies. They had many hardships to endure ; they went 
to Lancaster for flour, to Zanesville for salt, and to 
Wooster for clothing and groceries ; the balance of the 
time was spent in farming and clearing the land. 
They lived in Knox Co., near Frederickstown, about 
twelve years — where they died in 1852, the mother 
three months before the father, she being 70 years of 
age, and Mr. Pearce 75. James W. Pearce was born 
in a little log cabin in Green Township (now Ashland 
Co.) June 19, 1814 ; he soon learned to endure the 
privations of a pioneer boy; when 20 years of age, he 
went to Lancaster, Fairfield Co., where he worked in 
a flouring-mill one year, and for the next five years he 
was Superintendent for the construction of the Hock- 
ing Valley Canal, under the employ of the State ; 
he went to Brownsville, Knox Co., where he became a 
merchant in 1841. He married Emily C. Dunkan, 
July 14, 1842; he removed to North Liberty in 1849, 
where he opened a store ; he removed it to Independ- 
ence in 1856, where he carries on a store and gen- 
eral banking business ; he has been freight and ex- 
press agent for fifteen years ; he has had a family of 
three sous and four daughters — Alwilda, who married 
Charles Weant ; William A., who married Louisa, 
daughter of the Rev. James Williams; lona, who 
married Dr. J. M. McLaughlin ; Quintilla, married to 
James .J. Aungst ; James B. Pearce, Heenan A. Pearce 
and Emma A. Pearce. 

PEALER, JOHN F., farmer; P. Newville ; was 
born in the town of Bighenbauch, Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, Dec. 14, 1804. His father's name was Peter 
Pealer, and his mother's maiden name, Fredrica Hart- 
man. His father, was a farmer, by occupation : the 
subject of this sketch was trained by his parents ; 
he remained with his fat her, assisting him in hi s 
farming operations, till about the time he maintained 
his majority ; in the meantime, however, he was sent to 
school, and, by due diligence, succeeded in acquiring a 
pretty fair knowledge of the common German branches. 
While yet a young man, he was united in marriage to 
his cousin. Miss Margaret, second daughter of Fredrick 
and Eve E. Pealer, of Seheim, a town in his native State, 
Oct. 27, 1827. Margaret Pealer was born Sept. 22, 
1807. Mr. Pealer and wife came to this country 
in the fall of 1838; after landing in New York, 
they wended their way to Richland Co., Ohio, and 
settled near Newville, in AVorthington Township; 
when they arrived at their destination, all they could 
reasonably call their own, was a family of three small 
children, a few articles of bed-clothing, a scanty 
wardrobe, and $1.20 in money ; they secured 
the use of a stable, into which they moved, and 
where they continued to reside till better quarters 
could be obtained ; ere long they found a vacant cabin, 
which they occupied during the winter in the spring 
next ensuing, they removed to a cabin at Hemlock 
Falls, in the same township, and in the same vicinity ; 



*7r 



WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



929 



here they continued to reside about eight years, during 
which time the husband was employed as a day laborer; 
At the end of this period, Mr. Pealer leased a quarter- 
section of land, situated near Newville, of Peter Alex- 
ander. By the terms of the leaser, the lesse was to have 
three crops for clearing and fencing the land ; the 
whole farm being covered with a heavy growth of 
timber. In the spring of 1848, having cleared a small 
tract, he erected a caliia thereon, into which he re- 
moved with h's family. He and his eldest sons, who 
were at that time mere lads, went at once to work to 
free a portion of the soil of its incumbrance ; while on 
this farm they commenced a job of clearing on New 
Year's Day, and by dint of hard labor had nine and 
one-half acres ready for cultivation the following 
spring; they cultivaied this field in corn and raised a 
very good crop, and by fall they had five and one-half 
acres more cleared which they sowed with wheat. 
Mr. Pealer continued to reside on this farm eight 
years ; after his lease expired he farmed for Mr. 
Alexander on shares ; the ground being new and 
fresh, and Mr. Pealer an excellent farmer, his 
crops during this time were most abundant ; 
purchased 96J acres of land of Abner Davis, 
situated in Section 11 of this township, for which he 
paid $1,600 ; he immediately removed to this farm and 
with his usual energy set abcut improving and culti- 
vating it ; the annual products of this farm have, as a 
general thing, been quite abundant, and the labors of 
the Pealer family have bem amply rewarded ; 
each of his sons is now the cwner of more or less 
land. In 1860, Mr. Pealer boight of Robert MCon- 
kie 50 acres of land adjoining lis first purchase, for 
which he paid $1,132; he sulsequently bought 30 
acres of the Stein heirs, for wlich he paid $1,718; 
his last purchase was 15 acres, wlich he sold for about 
the same he paid for it. John F.and Margaret Pealer 
are parents of ten children — eighi sons and two daugh- 
ters ; the following are their naaes in the order of 
their birth : Jane, Eve, John Alam, John Christo- 
pher, Fredrick A., John Philip, Jihn Martin, George 
Alexander, Peter Alexander and Clrk Alexander; the 
last three were named for Peter Alxander, who was a 
bosom friend of Mr. Pealer ; their wo daughters were 
born in Germany and died there ; ae at the age of 10 
months and the other at the age of 8 years ; their 
three eldest sons were also born injrermany ; all the 
others were born in this township Adam and Clark 
live with their parents and are singly Peter is married 
and lives on the old home farm ; FreJerick A. lives on 
the Stein farm, of which he is the o%ner ; John C. re- 
sides in Boone Co., Mo., and owns a frm of 200 acres : 
John Philip lives in Fayette Co., III.; le owns 80 acres 
of land ; he served as Tax Collector 3 yars, and is now 
Sheriff of the county. John Martin wasa soldier in the 
late war ; a Corporal in Co. I., 64th Lg., 0. V. I.; he 
participated in many hard-fought battle ; he was in the 
service two years, and was a brave andtrusty soldier ; 
at the battle of Chickamauga, he was sot through the 
right lung ; he was taken to the hospitnat Nashville, 
Tenn., where he died from the effects if his wound, 
Oct. 27, 1863 ; he was buried at Nashvib ; George A. 
was a private of Co. B, 120th 0. V. j, in the late 
war ; he was in the service one year, luring which 



time he was engaged in five battles ; he was hon- 
orably discharged from the service on account of 
physical disability, incurred by the exposures inci- 
dent to camp life ; upon receiving his discharge, he 
returned to his home and friends, where every pos- 
sible effort was made to restore him to health, but all 
in vain ; he is buried at St. Johns, Monroe Township. 

RAMSEY, JOHN, farmer ; P. 0. Butler ; was born 
in Stark Co. March 27, 1812; he has been a farmer all 
his life, but at the same time has found time to turn his 
attention to other matters, which has shown his abili- 
ties as a financier ; during the war, he made money as 
a producer of wool ; he has held a number of oflBces. 
He commenced dealing in live stock in 1855, making 
more extensive purchases and sales than any man in 
the county ; latterly he has been speculating exten- 
sively in grain. April 26, 1838, he was married to 
Eliza Brown, by whom he had three sons and one 
daughter, who are now living ; his first office was 
Constable ; has served a number of years as Justice of 
the Peace ; in 1854, he was elected Commissioner ; 
served six years ; afterward again elected to the same 
office ; has been Township Treasurer four years ; has 
also served fifteen years on the Board of Education. 
He is the owner of 300 acres of land located in Sec. 16, 
21 and 35. His father, Andrew Ramsey, was a native 
of the State of Pennsylvania ; he was married in West- 
moreland Co., that State, to Isabel Halferty, in 1810; 
they started for Ohio the same year on horseback, and 
settled about five miles from Canton, in Stark Co.; he 
entered 160 acres of land, remained on it five years and 
sold it for f 750 ; in 1815, became to Worthington Town- 
ship, where he bought 160 acres of land for $3.50 per 
acre ; he was the first Constable elected in the township; 
he also was Trustee several terms. He belonged to the 
Union Church ; he and wife were the parents of two 
sons and two daughters ; the mother died in September, 
1862 ; his death occurred December 6, 1863. The 
subject of this sketch has been administrator of various 
estates; often collecting as high as $20,000, thereby 
showing the confidence and trust, not only in his 
honesty, but his business abilities, in which he is held 
by his fellow-citizens. In early life he united with the 
Union Church; in 1869, united with the Evangelical 
Church. 

RIDER, WILLIAM, farmer; P. 0. Newville; was 
born in Monroe Township, Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 
1830; his father, Henry Rider, was of German de- 
scent and a Pennsylvanian by birth ; his mother's 
maiden name was Mary Zimmerman ; Henry and Mary 
Rider are the parents of thirteen children, ten of 
whom attained to the estate of manhood and woman- 
hood ; Henry Rider and wife came to this county 
about A. D. 1823 ; Mr. Rider entered a quarter-section 
of land in the southeastern part of Monroe Township, 
which he improved and cultivated and on which he 
continued to reside as long as he lived ; he died Jan. 
15, 1867 ; his wife died June 26, 1870 ; they are 
buried in the Schrack graveyard in Monroe Township. 
William Rider, third son of Henry and Mary Rider, 
was united in mavriage to Miss Rebecca Jane, second 
daughter of AVilliam and Isabelle McClellan, April 
8, 1858 ; Miss McClellan was born in Worthington 
Township Aug. 1, 1828 ; her father was born in 



^ 



-^ 



930 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Westmoreland Co., Pa., 1793 ; her mother, whose maid- 
en name was Hazlet, was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 
September 1793; her parents were married in Westmore- 
land Co., Penn., A. D. 1819 ; her father was of Scotch 
descent; his father and mother and some of his broth- 
ers and sisters were born in Scotland ; they emigrated 
to Ireland, where they remained a few years, and from 
there they came to America. William McClellan was 
a soldier in the army of 1812 ; he served a Lieutenant 
in a company of Pennsylvania militia, commanded by 
Capt. Charles Hurl ; his regiment was commanded by 
Col. Irvin Hurl. Andrew Hazlet, grandfather of Mrs. 
Rider on her mother's side, was born Dec. 22, 1756 ; 
he was married to Miss Ruth Adams, who was descend- 
ed from the same line of ancestry as John and John Q. 
Adams ; Miss Adams, who subsequently became Mrs. 
Andrew Hazlet, was either first or second cousin to 
John Q. Adams ; Andrew Hazlet was a soldier in 
the war of the Revolution; his father and moth- 
er and infant brothers were murdered by the Indians ; 
he served through the Revolutionary war and 
participated in many of the hard-fought battles ; 
was with Washington during that memorable winter at 
Valley Forge; he died about 1832, and was buried in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn. AVilliam and Isabelle McClel- 
lan came to Ohio about 1823 ; they first settled in Sum- 
mit Co., where they remained till 1828, when they 
removed to Richland, and located near Newville, in 
Worthington Township. Mr. McClellan was a shoe- 
maker by occupation, and continued at that trade until 
1838, when he purchased the farm now owned by Worth 
Lemmons in this township. He continued to reside on 
this farm as long as he lived ; he died July P, 1866, 
aged about 72 years ; his widow died April 7, 1877, 
aged about 84 ; they are buried at the Bunker Hill 
graveyard. They were the parents of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters ; the names of those who 
survived the period of infancy are as follows : Nathan- 
iel D., John A., Ruth A., Andrew H., Rebecca J., 
Rachel M., William D. and Elizabeth M. William D. 
died when about 4 years old; Andrew H. was a soldier 
iu the Mexican war ; he served with credit during the 
full term of his enlistment ; was engaged in many 
battles wherein he displayed great courage ; he died 
of disease contracted in the army, at Mansfield, on his 
way home ; he was aged about 23 years. Nathaniel 
died in Mansfield in January, 1879, and was buried 
there. Rachel married John Simmons, by whom she 
had two children, a son and daughter, both of whom 
are living ; she died in 1853, and was buried at Bunker 
Hill ; at her death Mr. Rider and wife took the two 
children, raised and educated them and trained them 
to habits of usefulness ; Mr. and Mrs. Rider are the 
parents of one child, a son, born Aug. 18, 1859 ; died 
May 10, 1863, and is buried at Bunker Hill. Mrs. 
Rider wrote a very touching poem on the death of her 
only child. The following accident in the early 
life of Mrs. Rider may be worthy of note : When 
she was about 2 years old, she was playing in 
the yard with her bro thers and sisters, when a 
huge hog, belonging to her father, seized her in his mas- 
sive jaws and started for the woods, closely pursued by 
the terrified father and mother, brothers and sisters. 
Their loud cries soon brought some of their neighbors 



on the scene, who joined in the race, but not until the 
ferocious brute had dragged the child over logs and 
through the brush for near half an hour, could he be 
made to relinguish his hold. The parents expected to 
find her dead, but strange to say, she was uninjured 
save a few slight scratches. A son of John McClellan 
has been living with Mr. Rider and wife since he was 
about 4 years old. They propose giving him a liberal 
education- 

RUMMEL, LEWIS, farmer ; P. 0. Newville ; was 
born in Frederick Co., Md., Sept. 18, 1804 ; his father 
was a Prussian and his mother an American ; his 
father served three years and six months as a soldier 
in France, then came to America, where he followed the 
trade of miller. Lewis Rummel was a miller fifty 
years, is now spending his old age on a farm two miles 
west of Newville. Before he left the State of Mary- 
land, he married Elizabeth Nichols, in 1827 ; in the 
course of time, there were added to the family five sons 
and two daughters ; his wife died Aug. 28, 1829 ; in 
1840, he married Anna Craig ; he had four sons and 
two daughters by his second wife, Oct. 1, 1828, he 
came to TifiSn, Seneca Co., Ohio, where he remained 
five or six years, then removed to Wyandot County ; 
from there to Crawford, and ,then to Richland in " 
1849 ; from here, he wflnt to Knox County, where he 
stayed eleven years, aid then returned to Richland, 
where he purchased a farm and has since lived. He 
united with the Uisciplis' Church in 1846, of which he 
has since been an hoiorable and consistent member. 
He sent two sons to th| war during our late rebellion 
— James was in the/lOO-day service; John, served 
nine months, when hewas discharged, but afterward 
re-enlisted in the lOOHay service. .John was Sergeant 
in the 65th 0, V. I. ; f wo brothers and a son-in-law of 
Mrs. Anna Rummel vere also in this war. 

SECRIST, DAVmifarmer; P. 0. Butler. Mr. Se- 
crist was born iu Lfncaster Co., Penn., in 1815 ; his 
father, Henry Secri/t, followed weaving partly, also 
farmed; he was bop in Pennsylvania, and married 
Rachel Crim ; she ocame the mother of eight; sons and 
three daughters; iDl827, they came across the mount- 
ains to Ohio and sJtled in Wayne Co.; remained here 
till 1830, when the/ came to Richland Co., Washington 
ey bought, fenced and improved 
is wife dying, he married a Mrs. 
tlived; he died in 1860. David, 
ed on the farm when a boy; after- 
oemaker's trade, which he followed 
e married .James McClay's daugh- 
a resident of the State of Pennsyl- 
ion he had seven children, four of 
whom are living/ his wife died June 28, 1853, leaving 
him with a fami/ of small children, who awakened the 
compassion of Hnnah Hunter, so that in November of 
the same year,/he agreed to see them well cared for 
by becoming hi wife; she subsequently became the 
mother of a sqf and daughter ; her father, William 
(itizen of Saratoga Co., N. Y.; he came 
settled in Washington Township, 
id 80 acres of land, on which he died in 
1819; he wa^nmrried to Nancy Stiles; she raised a 
family of fourpen children, and died in 1858. David 
Secrist has oped a number of farms ; he first bought 



Township, where 
160 acres of land 
Sentz, whom he 
the third son, woi 
ward learned the] 
for thirty years, 
ter, Jane, who w 
vania ; by this 



was 



Hunter, 

to Ohio in 1^ 

where he ente 



Al 



WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



931 



20 acres of Steven Bishop; afterward 15 acres; then 
15 acres of the Hazelet farm; then 160 acres in Indi- 
ana, which he sold, and bought 80 acres of the Rummel 
Mill property, sold it and bought the Joseph Clever 
farm, known formerly as the Suninous farm, he sold 
same and bought 144 acres of the Kanaga farm; sold 
and bought 160 acres now owned by Isaac Gatton ; 
sold it and bought in Independence ; sold there and 
bought 80 acres known as the Samuel Easterly farm, 
and the 80 acres of the Peter Layman farm, where he 
now lives; also 80 acres in Brown Co., Kan.; he and his 
son also bought 182 acres in Clarke Co., 111., where the 
latter lives. Mr. Secrist is a member of the Evangeli- 
cal Association Church ; he has been connected with 
the same twenty-three years ; has held several offices. 
His son George was in the late war. He has two broth- 
ers who are preachers in the Evangelical Association 
Church. 

SECRIST, WILLIAM A., M. D.; Independence. 
He was born in VVorthington Township in 1853 ; he at- 
tended school at the Northwestern College, located at 
Naperville, 111.; he studied medicine with Dr. George 
Mitchell, of Mansfield, and after completing his studies, 
attended lectures at the Medical Department of the 
University of Wooster; he is now located at Independ- 
ence, Ohio. Dr. Secrist is a young man of good habits, 
a Christian and a gentleman in the strictest sense ; he 
oifers his services to the public, and will attend to all 
calls in his profession with promptness and dispatch. 

SHARP. H. H., carpenter: Newville. H. H. Sharp 
was born in Washington Co., Penn., April 25, 1823 ; 
his father's name was Adam Sharp, and his mother's 
name Mary Sharp ; he was raised in Wayne Co., Ohio ; 
he came to Newville in 1842 ; he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade with Isaac Pulver. Was married to Mary 
Ann Switzer, second daughter of ^lartin and Nancy 
Switzer, April 24, 1844, by whom he had six chil- 
dren, three sons and three daughters — Chariot teMahala, 
born March 8, 1845 ; Martin Luther, Nov. 3, 1846 ; 
Sarah .lane, Oct. 27, 1848 ; Cornelius, Dec. 30, 1852 ; 
Thomas Wilson, .Jan. 2, 1854, and Alice Christian, 
March 28, 1860. They lived in rented houses for 
a good many years. Mr. Sharp was considered a 
very good workman ; as a framer, few in his region 
of the county could excel him ; he found no trouble 
in finding employment. In later life, he became a 
bridge contractor, and succeeded admirably well in 
this line of business ; he has probably constructed more 
bridges in this county than any other man who resides 
in it. He purchased 80 of aci-es land in Washington 
Township, about one and a half miles west of New- 
ville ; he removed his family on this farm and con- 
tinued to reside here for many years ; he erected a 
very good frame dwelling thereon, and a good barn, 
and made many other valuable improvements. A 
large portion of the success that Mr. Sharp met with 
at this time may be attributed to his wife ; she was in- 
deed a notable housewife ; her husband being necessa- 
rily from home a great portion of tl.e time, the whole 
management of the farm and household devolved upon 
her ; she succeeded in this fully as well, perhaps, as 
her husband would have done had he been personally 
present to oversee the same; he had so much confi- 
dence in her, that all his hard earnings were intrusted 



to her care ; nor was this confidence misplaced. Mrs. 
Sharp was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
from her girlhood ; she was liberal almost to a fault in 
her contributions for the relief of the distressed and 
the support of the Gospel ; she was an invalid for some 
time before her death, Dec. 5, 1870. Mr. Sharp was 
married to Miss Margaret Beveridge, daughter of John 
and Catharine Beveridge; her mother's maiden name 
was McHardy ; Miss Beveridge was born near Aber- 
deen, Scotland, May 29, 1833 ; her parents emigrated 
to the United States when she was but 9 months old, 
and settled near Savannah, Ashland Co., Ohio ; her 
father died when she was about 7 years old, and was 
buried at Savannah ; she had thi-ee brothers — John, 
William and James, nnd one sister who died in child- 
hood ; William died of consumption in 1863, and was 
buried at Troy, Ashland Co., Ohio; her father and 
mother were members of the U. P. Church for many 
years; soon after her father's death, her mother re- 
moved to Norwalk, Ohio ; Margaret came to Newville 
in 1860, and lived with her brother John until she was 
married; her mother died Dec. 30, 1862, and was bur- 
ied at Norwalk. Soon after his second marriage, Mr. 
S. sold his farm and bought another Adjoining the town 
of Newville, on the southwest, wherl he and his wife 
still continue to reside. By his second wife, Mr. Sharj) 
had one child, a son, named Leroy, who died in infancy 
and was buried at Four Corners ; his wife was for many 
years a member of the Lutheran Church, but now be- 
longs to the United Brethren. 

SWENDAL, JOHN, deceased ; was born in Ireland, 
A. D. 1779 ; he was a weaver by occupation ; he start- 
ed for America in 1812, on the way he was captured 
by the British and retained as a prisoner thirteen 
weeks ; when released he came to New Jersey, where he 
worked at his trade a few years ; from there he cami' 
to Pennsylvania, where he was, on the 1st day c! 
July, 1817, united in marriage to ^liss Jane Ray, whn 
came to Ohio about 1823, and settled in Worthington 
Township, the ensuing year ; they were both laid to rest 
many years ago, in a country graveyard in their imme- 
diate neighborhood ; they were the parents of four chil- 
dren, two of whom died in infancy ; a son and a daugh- 
ter are still living ; their son, whom they named Arthur, 
was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Aug. 24 , and was 
brought to Ohio by his parents. His parents be- 
ing United Presbyterians, he was trained in his 
youth strictly in accordance with the discipline of that 
church. He was raised on a farm and trained to habits 
of industry and economy. May, 14, 1848, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Eliza Price, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren ; three sons and four daughters ; three died in 
infancy, two sons and two daughters are still living. 
His wife died Feb. 17, 1864; in May, 1865, he was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of 
John and Mary Kinton ; ere the first anniversary 
of their marriage day came around, his beloved com- 
panion was laid in the silent tomb. He married the third 
time, Mrs. Emily McKee, of Washington Township ; 
Mr. Swendal is a man of but few words, but a 
thoughtful reader and deep thinker ; he is pretty 
well informed on many of the important sub- 
jects that engross the public mind ; his favorite 
book, however, is the Bible, which he has made his 



■^c 



•k^ 



932 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



principal study for many years ; he united with the 
United Presbyterian Church early in life, and contin- 
ued an active and constant member thereof, until the 
church in his neighborhood ceased to exist, when he 
united with the Evangelical Association at Salem, Worth- 
ington Township, of which he is now an honored and 
efficient member. Mr. Swendal has taken an active part 
in the affairs of his township, especially in the 
cause of education, and also the improvement of 
the public highways ; he served as a member of 
the Board of Education for many years ; he was also 
one of the Trustees of his township several terms ; he 
has administered on several estates, and collected a 
great deal of money for other parties ; in all his busi- 
ness transactions he has displayed the characteristics 
of an honest man. 

SHEEHY, EDWARD, farmer; P. 0. Butler ; Edward 
Sheehy was born in County. Cork, Ireland, in 1809; 
his father, John Sheehy, was also born there ; by occu- 
pation, he was a farmer ; he married Mary McCarthy ; 
they raised five daughters and two sons; the mother 
died in Ireland in 1821. John Sheehy and ftimily emi- 
grated to this country, and entered 240 acres in Monroe 
Township ; he cleared and cultivated it till 1829, when 
he died. Edward bought 80 acres of this land. He 
was married to Mary Ann Stout, daughter of James 
Stout; she became the mother of five sons and four 
daughters, all of whom are -living except William, who 
was killed during the rebellion ; Mrs. Sheehy died in 
1856. Jan. 30, 1860, he was married to Mary Greer, 
daughter of Alexander Greer ; by this marriage, he has 
had one son and two daughters. In the fall of 1860, he 
sold his farm in Monroe to C. Welty, for |3,000; then 
bought 110 acres in Sec. 19, Worthington Township, 
for |3,000, where he has since lived. His son William 
died of small-pox, at Knoxville ; during the war, he 
was under A. McLaughlin, in the Ohio Cavalry : John 
served throughout the war and came home at the close; 
he was in Company D, I5th 0. V. I., 1st Brigade, 3d 
Division. 

SIMMONS, WILLIAM B., farmer ; P. 0. Butler. Mr. 
Simmons was born Aug. 19, 1820, on the northwest 
quarter of Sec. 15, Worthington Township ; he was the 
eldest son by a second marriage ; his father, Thomas 
Simmons, was born in Westmoreland Co. Md., and at an 
early period of his life removed to Virginia ; by occu- 
pation he was a farmer ; his first wife was Ruth Fla- 
hart, by whom he had seven children, two dying in in- 
fancy; his wife died in 1816; he afterward married 
Mary Piper, who bore him twelve children. Thomas 
Simmons came to Richland Co.'Jan. 1, 1813, and en- 
tered 160 acres of land in Sec. 15; he was in the war 
of 1812, from which he returned in safety ; he had two 
sons, John and Jacob, who were in the Mexican war ; 
John, Abraham and Otho served in the late war, on the 
Union side, where Otho died; Jacob was first a Cap- 
tain, afterward a Colonel in the same war on the rebel 
side. Thomas Simmons died in 1844; his second wife 
lived five years after this. William Simmons was mar- 
ried to Mary McClellan Nov. 11, 1841; his wife's birth 
occurred but nine days before his own ; they had seven 
sons and five daughters, only three of whom are living. 
In 1850, he bought 80 acres in Sec. 28, for |900 ; after- 
ward, 26 acres in the same section. He was so unfor- 



tunate as to lose his wife in 1870, March 14 ; July 14, 
1873, he was married to Margaret Simmons. The 26th 
day of May, 1876, he and his son Stewart were washing 
sheep in the Clear Fork, near Independence ; Stewart 
went into water twenty-two feet deep to bathe, after 
they had finished their work, when he was seized with 
cramps, and drowned ; the following lines were 
composed by his father and are engraved on his tomb- 
stone in the Bunker Hill graveyard: " Stewart Simmons 
died May 26, 1876, aged 29 years 4 months and 28 
days. 

" Low down in the deep waters my life I give o'er. 
But then I was arisen and carried to the shore, 
Where means were abplied my life to restore ; 
But it was extinct and would never return to me 
any more." 
SMITH, JOHN D., farmer; P. 0. Newville Mr. 
Smith is of English and German descent ; he was born 
near Ashland, Ohio, Jan. 11, 1852. He married William 
Darling's second daughter, Selena, Nov. 25, 1873 ; Mrs. 
Smith, at 4 years of age, left her father's house to live 
with her Grandmother McCurdy, where she stayed till 
her marriage ; they then went to Indiana and bought 
51^ acres of land for $2,000, lived on it three years, 
when they were called home to see her father die ; they 
promised on his death-bed to stay on the homestead 
until his son Winfred became 21 years of age. They 
have one daughter, Elizabeth Ann by name. For the 
rest of this family history, see Ann McCurdy' s and S. 
M. Darling's biographies. 

SMITH, HENRY, farmer; P. 0. Newville ; was born 
in Germany in 1802 ; he and his father were both 
farmers ; they emigrated to Stark Co. in 1837, and 
bought 40 acres of land. Our subject was married 
to Elizabeth Sprou ; they had two children in Ger- 
many, three in Stark Co., four in Richland Co.; 
came to this county in 1843 and bought 160 acres for 
$1,500, afterward bought 9 acres for $700. He and his 
wife belong to the Lutheran Church ; his wife was born 
in 1804 ; her ancestors were also farmers. His sons 
farm for him. 

SNAVELY, JOSEPH, farmer; P. 0. Newville; was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn.. March 80, 1822; his 
father, George Suavely, was born in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., in 1779 ; he was of German descent; he was 
married to Barbara Aldspaugh, whose ancestors were 
Germans ; in 1815, he removed to Franklin Co., Penn., 
and purchased 124 acres of land ; he continued to reside 
there twenty-two years ; in 1839, he sold this farm and 
removed to Ohio. On the last day of April, 1869, he 
bought one-fourth of Sec. 5, Worthington Township, of 
Peter Layman, for $2,000. This farm was partially 
cleared and had a log cabin upon it ; he spent the 
remainder of his days on this farm ; he had to work very 
hard for a few years in clearing and cultivating; but, as 
he grew older, his sons removed the burden of toil from 
their father's shoulders, and he spent his declining 
years in ease and comfort. George Suavely and wife 
were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and 
four daughters. They united with the United Breth- 
ren Church early in life, and continued to grow in 
grace and the knowledge of the truth up to the 
day of their death. Mrs. Snavely died Dec. 26, 
1846 ; Mr. Snavely departed this life, Aug. 17, 1862. 



T^ 



WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



933 



Joseph Snavely, their fifth son, was trained by his par- 
ents to habits of industry, sobriety, frugality and strict 
integrity ; early in life, he commenced taking lessons 
of his father in the art of husbandry ; he was an apt 
student, and ere he attained his majority, had acquired 
a pretty thorough knowledge of his occupation. In 
April, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
Good ; the first land owned by Joseph Snavely was 2 
acres in this township, now owned and occupied by Sam- 
uel Snyder ; he bought this lot for |100, and subse- 
quently sold it for the same ; the next farm he owned 
contained 25 acres, and was situated in Sandusky Town- 
ship, near the Crawford Co. line ; this lot cost him |400, 
and he sold it for $525 ; he subsequently purchased 
80 acres in Ionia Co., Mich., for $400, and sold it for 
$600 ; his next purchase was 40 acres in his native 
township, for which he paid |950, and afterward sold it 
for the same price ; he then purchased the old homestead 
for $4,300; his next purchase was the farm now owned 
by Amos Norris for $2,800, and he subsequently sold it 
for the same price to Norris, who is his son-in-law ; he 
next purchased the farm now owned by James Near, 
adjacent to the town of Newville, containing 92 acres, 
for which he paid $5,000 ; after occupying this farm a 
short time, he sold it to Dr. Morrison for the same he 
paid for it, taking a farm of 56 acres a short distance 
east of town at $1,800, in part payment ; he sold this 
farm for the same he paid for it ; his next purchase of 
real estate was the Herring farm, south of Newville ; he 
paid $2,900 for this farm and sold it for $3,650 ; his 
last purchase was a farm of 78 acres in this township, 
now occupied by his son Peter, for which he paid $3,600. 
Mr. Snavely and wife are the parents of nine children, 
four sons and five daughters, christened as follows : 
Eliza Ann, Peter, Ellucinda, George, Sarah, Catharine, 
Samuel (and a twin sister who died in infancy), Daniel 
H. and Lemmory ; five of this number are married. 
Mr. Snavely and wife united with the U. B. Church in 
December, 1856, and have been zealous and active mem- 
bers thereof from that time to the present. 

SPOHN, J. J., farmer; P. 0. Butler; was born in 
Worthington Township, near Independence, March 19, 
1838; he is a son of Martin and Mary Spohn, who still 
reside in that vicinity ; he was raised on a farm and 
received a common-school education ; on attaining his 
majority, he left the parental roof, to seek his fortune 
elsewhere ; he worked on public works two years ; he 
then went to Iowa, where he remained one year. Dec. 
19, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabel, 
daughter of John Ramsey, Esq., of his native township ; 
by this marriage, he had six children, four sons and 
two daughters, all of whom are living ; they are named 
in the order of their births as follows : Eliza Jane, El- 
more, William, John, Andrew and Thomas. Mr. Spohn 
bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 29, of his native town- 
ship, known as the McClay farm, for which he paid 
$1,650; he subsequently purchased of Jackson Nichols 
25 acres adjoining his first purchase, and in the same 
section; for this last tract he paid $1,000; _ he has 
erected an elegant house and large barn, on this farm, 
and very materially improved it in many other re- 
spects. ]Mr. Spohn was drafted during the late war, 
but the citizens of the township raised money and 
hired substitutes for the drafted men ; Mr. Spohn con- 



tributed freely toward this object. His first wife died 
April 18, 1872. Feb. 13, 1873, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of Louis Fisher, by whom he has had 
three children, viz., Kate, Eunice and Franklin. Mr. 
Spohn is an active member of a new secret temperance 
organization called the "Orients", located at Independ- 

SPOHN, MARTIN, farmer ; P. 0. Butler. His grand- 
father, Martin Spohn, Sr., was a Dunkard preacher, and 
was born inWashington Co. ,Penn., near old Philadelphia ; 
in 1744, he took what was called the "tomahawk- 
right improvement," which consisted in marking trees 
so as to inclose 160 acres of land, for which, after a 
specified time had elapsed, he was to pay the Govern- 
ment a certain sum of money, about $17 or $18. He 
married Mary Leatherman. He was both farmer and 
shoemaker ; twice per year he crossed the mountains, 
with two horses and pack-saddles, for leather and salt. 
His first wife had two sons and a daughter when she 
died ; he afterward married a Miss Donahue, and at 95 
years of age he died. His youngest son, Daniel, was 
born in 1775; he was a farmer; he married Sarah 
Mack, and came to Richland Co. in 1837, where he 
owned the Wilson estate at Independence ; he laid out 
the town of Independence in 1850; his family consisted 
of two sons and five daughters ; his wife died in 1839, 
he lived till 1864, when he lost his life by falling 
into the fire-place. Martin the eldest son was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., in 1804; farmed till 1826, when 
he followed distilling for two and one-half years ; then 
resumed farming. He married Mary Moser, of Smith- 
field, Fayette Co., Penn.; they became the parents of 
five sons and two daughters ; his wife died in 1863 ; was 
married the same year, to Sarah Hersh, formerly Sarah 
Swigart, who, by her first marriage, had fifteen children ; 
they came to Ohio in 1832, and entered 80 acres in 
Tuscarawas Co.; lived there six years, and in 1838, came 
to Richland Co., where they bought 80 acres; Mr. 
Spohn, in 1854, bought 80 acres more, and, in 1860, 15^ 
acres. He owns 175J acres of land at present. Paid 
freely to clear the township of the draft. He belongs 
to the Ankneytown Dunkard Church. 

TAYLOR, DAVID, farmer; P. 0. Butler. Hon. 
David Taylor, one of the most extensive land holders 
in Worthington Township, was born in Bedford Co., 
Penn., in 1813 ; he is of Irish on his fathers and En- 
glish descent on his mother's side; he came to Richland 
Co. (now Greene Township, Ashland Co.), when 8 years 
of age ; his father, William Taylor, bought three quarter- 
sections of land, part of which to-day is known as the 
Cary farm ; most of this land was military school land 
on which some of his neighbors found it impossible to 
meet the yearly payment of $19 and odd cents due to the 
Government ; and it being forced upon the market, Mr. 
Taylor bought it. Mr. William Taylor was married to 
Jane Wilson, in 1798, by whom he had ten sons and 
one daughter ; four sons and the daughter are living; 
James Taylor, a man of wealth, has retired from busi- 
ness and lives in the State of Oregon. William Taylor's 
wife died on the old farm in 1832 ; he afterward mar- 
ried Jane Hull, who had no children ; in his old age, he 
removed to Loudonville, where, in 1854, he died; his 
last wife lived several years after his death. The sub- 
ject of this sketch, David, married Elizabeth Calhound ; 



w^ 



11^ 



934 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he and wife have had six sons and four daughters ; he 
owns 356 acres of land ; he has been Land Appraiser 
twice ; has been Commissioner six years. 

WILLIAMS, JAMES, minister, Butler. Matthew 
Williams, father of James Williams, was born near 
Wellsburg, Va., in 1774: he was of Welsh descent, and 
a farmer by occupation ; became to Richland Co. either 
ill the fall of 1811 or the spring of 1812; he was mar- 
ried to Susanna Carr, by whom he had three sons and 
seven daughters, two sous and three daughters of whom 
are yet living ; on coming to this county, he entered 
a quarter-section of land in Montgomery Township, 
near the eastern line; erected a log cabin thereon, into 
which he moved his family, and proceeded at once to 
clear and otherwise improve and cultivate his farm ; 
erelong the log cabin was superceded by a hewed-log 
house, and many other valuable improvements made; 
lie and his family, Thomas Carr and family, John Carr 
and family, Robert Hewland and family, Daniel Carter 
and family, and a family by the name of Jerome, 
lodged together in the fort or blockhouse at Jerome- 
ville for some time during the war of 1812; Jerome 
was married to an Indian girl ; the village was named 
for him. Mrs. Williams died at Jeromeville in 1820, 
and was buried there ; Mr. Williams departed this life 
in 1835, and his remains were deposited near those of 
his deceased wife. James Williams, their youngest 
son, was born in Tuscarawas Co. in 1811 ; he was 
brought to this county by his parents before he was 1 
year old ; he was reared, partially at least, in the 
woods, and inured from infancy to the hardships of 
pioneer life ; he assisted his father in clearing and cul- 
tivating his farm, during which time he received such 
education as the common schools of that early day af- 
forded. He has been twice married ; the maiden name 
of his first wife was Eliza Smith ; they were married 
by Rev. Thomas Thompson. In ten months after their 
marriage his wife died. In two years after the decease 
of his first wife, iie was united in marriage to Miss 
Vanluah Whitten, daughter of William Whitten, by 
whom he had eleven children, eight of whom are now 
living. In 1830, he united with the Methodist Church, 
and in 1840 commenced the study of theology ; he 
served in the capacity of a local preacher for several 
years; in 1860, he entered the regular ministry, and 
officiated in that capacity from that time till 1876, 
when he left the Methodist and united with the Lu- 
theran Church ; the labors of Father Williams have 
been extended into many parts of the State, and, as a 
laborer in his Master's cause, he has met with fair suc- 
cess. Father and Mother Williams are the parents of 
eleven children, six sons and five daughters. Their 
oldest, a daughter, was born in 1887, named Martha A.; 
she married Levi Gamber; he died in 1875. Their 
second, a son, was born in 1839, named Thomas W., 
was a member of the home guards during the late war; 
he died in 1863. Their third, a son, born in 1840, mar- 
ried in 1862 to Sarah E. Smith, was a member of the 
national guards in the late war ; served at Johnston's 
Island and near Washington City; now resides in Delta, 
Fulton Co., Ohio. Their fourth, a son, named Russell S., 
born in 1843, enlisted in 1861 for three years or dur- 
ing the war; veteranized at the end of second year; 
was killed in a charge at Bentonville, N. C, in 1864, 



while storming the rebel breastworks. Their fifth, a 
son, born in 1844, named James T. was a member of 
the 25th 0. V. I. in the late war ; enlisted in 1861 ; 
veteranized at the end of two years ; returned home in 
safety ; was married to Sarah Croxton, and lives in 
Reed Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. Their sixth, a son, 
born in 1846, named William B., was a soldier in the 
late war; enlisted in 1863; was captured by the rebels; 
was confined in Andersonville Prison eight months and 
in other places three months ; was discharged at the 
close of the war ; returned home, and, in 1866, was 
married to Miss Lorena Hall ; lives in Floyd Co., Iowa ; 
his first wife dying, he was married to Miss Malinda 
Herring. Their seventh, a daughter, born in 1848. 
Their eldest, a daughter, was born in 1837, and was 
christened Martha A.; she was married to Levi Gam- 
ber ; she died in 1875. Their second child, a son, was 
born in 1839. was christened Thomas W.; was a mem- 
ber of the home guards during the late war ; he died 
in 1863. Their third, a son, named Isaac V., born in 
1840, was a soldier in the late war — a member of the 
national guards. 

PLANK, JONATHAN, miller; P. 0. Butler. This 
industrious and energetic man was born in Mifflin Co., 
Penn., Dec. 4, 1816 ; his father, Jacob Plank, was born 
in the same State about 1796 ; was a carpenter by trade, 
and married Barbara Zook, by whom he had four sons 
and three daughters ; all are alive and married except 
one daughter, who has died since her marriage. Jacob 
Plank came to Ohio and settled near Wooster, Wayne 
Co., in 1822 ; he lived here till his death in 1856 ; his 
widow lives with one of her sons in the State of Indi- 
ana. Jonathan, the eldest son, learned the trade of 
mil'.er under his uncle, Abraham Plank, in Wayne Co.; 
served nine years, then worked in various mills in the 
county till the spring of 1846 ; then went to Prairie 
Township, Holmes Co., stayed till the fall of 1856, 
when he came to Richland Co.; he run the Baird mill 
till the spring of 1862, then bought half-interest in the 
Kanagamill property one mile west of Independence ; he 
owned this till 1869, when he traded for the Pearce farm, 
east of Independence ; owned it eighteen months, then 
bought the entire interest of the same mill property 
back again in 1873 ; he sold a half-interest to his son, 
E. A. Plank ; there are 60 acres of land connected with 
the mill ; their flour has the highest reputation of any 
in this part of the county; people often come with 
their wheat from surrounding counties to have the 
same converted into flour. Jonathan Plank was mar- 
ried to Lydia King February, 1837 ; the result of this 
marriage was six daughters and four sons ; three sons 
and one daughter are dead ; his wife died in March, 
1859 ; was married to Mrs. Teeter, daughter ofSamuel 
G. White, by whom he had two sons; he united in 
Wayne Co. with the Church of God ; there being none 
of that denomination near, he joined the Evangelical 
Association of Independence ; he is Trustee and Class- 
leader of the same. Mr. Plank was Township Trustee 
in Holmes Co.; also served here one term, when he re- 
fused to be re-elected, having plenty to see to and no 
desire to occupy an official position. His son E. A. 
Plank was in the one hundred-day service dur- 
ing the late war ; at present he has charge of the 
mill. 



■Tt^ 






AUBURN TOWNSHIP, CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



*7< 



BROWN, "WILLIAM, farmer ; P. 0. Tyro, Auburn 
Township, Crawford Co., Ohio ; he was born in Indiana 
Co., Penn., July 13, 1807 ; he remained with his father 
until December, 1829, when his father died ; he emigra- 
ted to Ohio in May of the following year, and located on 
the southeast quarter of Sec. 8, Vernon Township, in the 
unbroken wilderness ; here he remained thirty-four 
years; disposing of his land to Mr. H. Thoman, he 
purchased what is usually termed the William Cum- 
mins farm, about the year 1864, where he now lives ; it 
is a magnificent farm, nicely located. He married Miss 
Sarah Ellis, from near Steubenville, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1830 ; 
had ten children, six of whom are living— Joseph D., 
married to Miss Dixon ; George C, married to Miss 
Richards ; Elizabeth, married to W. Morton ; Martha 
J., married to Rev. Miller; Mary, married to A. D. 
Sibert ; and Amanda, married to Joseph Lewis. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown have enjoyed excellent health, and 
bear their age well ; are respected by their neighbors 
and all who know them. They are members of the 
M. E. Church. 

CUMMINS, WILLIAM, one of the leading farmers 
and stock-growers of Auburn Township, Crawford Co., 
Ohio, was born in Indiana Co., Penn., March 28, 1834; 
he was brought up by his parents on a farm, receiving 
his education in the district school, until he became of 
age, when he took charge of a general line of merchan- 
dise, such as was kept in a country store, conducting 
the business about one year, when he disposed of the 
goods and went on the farm, where he remained one 
year, when he again engaged in business at Chambers- 
ville, Indiana Co., Penn., where he remained until 
Aug. 31, 1861, when he volunteered in a military or- 
ganization. Mr. Cummins ranked as Captain of the 
company, and was placed in the 14th Army Corps, com- 
manded by Gen. Thomas. Capt. Cummins resigned his 
command about Aug. 1, 1863, returning home sick. He 
emigrated to Ohio in August, 1864, locating on the D. 
C. Morrow farm, where he now resides, on a beautiful 
site, consisting of 600 acres in one body, a portion of 
.which lies in Plymouth Township, the balance in Au- 
burn Township, Crawford Co. The Captain married 
Miss Mary J. Morrow Aug. 24, 1864, and by their 
union had nine children, five of whom are living, viz.: 
Cora Elizabeth, David William, Joseph Dick, Julia 
Brown Mateer, Nancy Susan Clark. Mrs. Cummins 
was born Aug. 3, 1836, on their present farm ; she at- 
tended school at Plymouth until she was about 18 
years of age, finishing her education at Delaware, Ohio. 
Mr. Cummins was elected Treasurer of Auburn Town- 
ship in April, 1877, and Land Appraiser in Octobtr, 
1879. As a family, they incline to the Presbyterian 
Church, and are respected by all who know them. Mr. 
Cummins is an active, energetic man, taking an interest 
in all public affairs, and has an interesting family, in 
which he takes a fond father's pride. 

CUMMINS, WILLIAM, deceased. William, son of 
David and Mary (Trimble) Cummins, was born on the 



5th day of February, 1809, in Indiana Co., Penn.; 
about the 9th year of his age, he removed with his 
parents to Richland Co., Ohio, his father having pre- 
viously, in 1816, located a tract of land some five miles 
west of' Shelby ; his boyhood and early manhood were 
passed in assisting to hew out a home in the then un- 
broken wilderness; sixty years ago, the facilities for 
acquiring an education in this county were compara- 
tively meager; but such as they were, the subject of 
this sketch made the most of, lor, in after years, he 
showed a thoroughness in the branches then taught, 
and a familiarity with the forms of business, that made 
him a man of mark in the community in which he re- 
sided ; in speaking of his early struggles to acquire an 
education, he always gave great credit to Rudolphus 
Morse and Benjamin Griffith, two of the most accom- 
plished teachers and best-informed men of their day ; 
upon arriving at his majority, he was elected Justice of 
the Peace, a position he held continuously until he re- 
moved from the township ; the official business of that 
day was largely in collections, and many who have since 
acquired a competency, will remember his large-hearted 
leniency, when they were struggling to get a start in 
life. In March, 1831, he was married to Jane, daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Agnes (Wallace) Cahill, and the 
issue of this union was three sons and four daughters, 
to wit : Nancy, David, Abraham Cahill, George Wallace, 
Mary Eliza, Jane and Rebecca; Nancy, George W. and 
Mary are deceased. His wife died Dec. 17, 1853, and 
in 1855, he married Mrs. Matilda Dungan ; no issue by 
this marriage. About 1842, he united with the M. E. 
Church, and ever afterward was a consistent member, 
taking a deep interest in its welfare and prosperity. 
In politics, he was a Democrat of the old school, but 
love of country rose above party fealty, and he was 
among the first in Shelby, at the breaking-out of the 
late war, to insist that party lines should be obliterated 
until we had a united country. He was called to pre- 
side over the first war meeting held in Shelby, and. 
among the very first held in the State, and always gave 
his time and money freely to further the cause of the 
Union and care for the families of the soldiers. In 
1868, he removed to Tuscola, 111., and purchased a tract 
of land, and gave himself strictly to its cultivation ; the 
success that had followed him through life did not 
desert him here, and his business continued prosper- 
ous. Some five years ago his bodily health failed, and 
the infirmities of age coming on, compelled him to seek 
a quiet and retired life. He spoke frequently and with- 
out fear of his fast-approaching end. Though long ex- 
pected, the final summons came suddenly to his surviv- 
ing friends ; he was stricken with paralysis and only 
survived a few hours ; he'left a widow and four children 
to mourn his loss. He w'as the father of David .um- 
mins, of Shelby, and A. C. Cummins, of Mansfield, who 
were with him for several days prior to his death. iHe 
I F of which fraternity he was an honored 
member, performed the last sad rites at his obsequies. 



936 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Thus passed to the better world beyond, one who filled 
more than an ordinary space in the affairs of his time, 
and, dying, left to his children the priceless legacy of 
an honored and honest name. 

CUMMINS, DAVID, Sb. (deceased), was born in 
Rockingham Co., Va., on the 28th day of February, 
1782, and removed with his parents in 1790, to Indiana 
Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood ; he was a sol- 
dier in the war of 1812, and belonged to a regiment 
that was raised for the defense of Baltimore ; in 1816, 
in company with Andrew Dixon, Sr., a widely and well 
known pioneer, he came to Richland Co., and purchased 
a tract of land on the Tiffin road, some eighteen miles 
distant from Mansfield, now a part of Auburn and 
Vernon Townships, Crawford Co., and shortly there- 
after removed his family to that place ; Mrs. Dixon 
and himself assisted William Green in building the first 
log house in all that country round about ; he was mar- 
ried in 1803 to Mary Trimble ; the issue of this mar- 
riage was two sons and four daughters ; his first wife 
dying in 1824, he married Rebecca Hoblitzell, by whom 



he had one daughter, the late Mrs. Thomas Mickey, of 
Shelby ; the children by his first marriage were George, 
William, Eliza (married to Hon. R. W. Cahill), Jean- 
nette (married to Robert Cook, of Wayne Co., Ohio), 
Mary (married to Andrew Dixon, Jr.), and Nancy 
(married to James English); George Cummins married 
Caroline Hoblitzell. and William Cummins married Jane 
Cahill ; David Cummins, Sr., was a man of great physi- 
cal endurance, remarkable for his energy and decision 
of character ; he was of Scotch-Irish parentage and 
possessed many of the best qualities of both nationali- 
ties. In religion, he was a Presbyterian of the old 
school, and rigorously observed and carried out the 
teachings and tenets of his favorite church ; he was 
emphatically a pioneer in all that the word imports, 
and had the will and the physical power to hew a home 
out of the then unbroken wilderness, and was largely 
instrumental in assisting all of his children to secure a 
fair start in life ; he died Dec. 26, 1866, at the same 
old homestead that he selected for his home a half-cen- 
tury before. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP, CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



BARGAHISER, LEWIS G., farmer; P. 0. Crestline ; 
he was born near Shelby Feb. 28, 1829, and resided in 
Sharon Township till the fall of 1877, when he re- 
moved to the farm between Crestline and Leesville, 
where he and his family now reside. His father, Jacob 
Bargahiser, and his uncle Levi, settled on land near Shel- 
by about the year 1824. They were in the county, how- 
ever, as early as 1812 ; Levi was a boy, living with Mr. 
Ruffner on the Black Fork of the Mohican, when the mas- 
sacre of his and the Zimmer families occurred. Jacob, 
Levi, and their wives were each 77 years old at the 
time of their deaths. 

BROWN, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. 0. Crestline ; he was 
born in Delaware Oct. 26, 1793; he says his wife was 
born the same day ; they now reside on the farm where 
they settled in 1815 — sixty-five years ago. Mr. B. was 
so severely injured by the cars some time ago as to re- 
quire the amputation of both legs near the knees ; still 
he can get about well on the stumps. His first habita- 
tion here was made of poles and covered with bark ; 
they lived in this rude structure some time before they 
erected a cabin. A hickory withe was used to draw 
the logs together at the cabin site ; he went to Knox 
Co. for corn till he could raise a crop, and had nearly 
twenty miles to go to mill ; wild game was then abun- 
dant, and furnished plenty of meat. Mr. B. was mar- 
ried, in 1824, to Elizabeth Hagar, daughter of Sebastian 
Swartz, who came to this country in 1820. 

CAHILL, RICHARD WALLACE, farmer; P. 0. 
DeKalb, Crawford Co., Ohio. Mr. Cahill was born in 
Derby Township, Westmoreland Co., Penn., March 6, 
1801, and spent his early days upon the farm with his 
father, Abraham Cahill, in clearing land and doing 
general farm work ; he moved from Pennsylvania to 



Wayne Co., Ohio, about the year 1817, with his parents, 
four brothers and six sisters, he being the sixth in the 
family ; he continued on the farm with his parents un- 
til at the age of 21 years, when he came further west 
and settled in Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, first en- 
gaging in the dry-goods business as clerk in the store of 
Judge Inman, in whose service he remained five years. 
He married Miss Eliza Cummins, of Richland Co., and 
finally moved on his present homestead. He is of 
Scotch-Irish descent, and has always been an active 
Democrat, taking a deep interest in the welfare of the 
party and all public affairs ; hie has always been a rep- 
resentative man of his neighborhood, and, in 1841, was 
elected as Representative from Richland Co., to the 
Ohio Legislature, and was re-elected (as was the custom 
of his party in 1842, the terms then being only one 
year), during which term he served his constituents 
with marked ability and intelligence ; in 1850, he was 
elected as a member of the convention which framed 
the existing constitution of Ohio, in the debates of 
which are found his published speeches during the ses- 
sion ; in every public position he has exhibited that 
fidelity to public trusts, which has made him a man of 
mark in his community. He is a man of remarkable 
memory, entertaining intelligent and positive opinions 
on all questions coming under his observation. His 
family consists of eleven children, eight of whom are 
yet living, viz.: David C, who has served two terms as 
the Clerk of Court of Crawford Co.; James, Isaac, Rich- 
ard W., Jr., Warren J. C, Katie and Nettie; a son, 
Abraham Cahill, became a distinguished Attorney, 
member of the Dayton bar, and died at the very dawn of 
distinguished usefulness, deeply regretted by all who 
knew him. The career of the subject of this sketch has 



Tv" 



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JACKSON TOWNSHIP, CRAWFOED COUNTY. 



937 



been one of honor, usefulness, intelligence and every- 
thing that goes to make up a patriotic, conscientious, 
honorable man, worthy the imitation of all his children, 
relatives and friends. 

CAROTHERS, GEORGE, farmer and stock-grower ; 
was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, in May, 1839, and 
spent his early days on what is known as the Carothers 
homestead. He attended school in the district during 
the winter months until he was 16 years of age, when 
he taught a partial term in what was called the Eraser 
District, just north of Shelby ; the following summer, 
he took the proceeds of his school and attended school 
in Oberlin, Ohio ; he continued year after year in a 
similar manner for six consecutive years, thus educat- 
ing himself; he is a man of indomitable will, conse- 
quently making a success of all his undertakings. He 
enlisted in Co. C, 7th 0. V. I., while attending school 
at Oberlin, in 1861 ; he participated in the following 
battles : Carnafax Ferry, Winchester, and the noted 
second battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded in 
the left leg; he was taken to the hospital at David's 
. Island, New York, where he received his discharge. 
Mr. Carothers married Miss L. M. Blackman in March, 
1869 ; they have four very interesting children — Clara 
E., Minnie Myrtle, Lulu Dell and Georgie M. Mr. C. 
has a beautiful home, in which he with his wife and 
little ones are happy, loved and prosperous. 

CAROTHERS, JOHN, farmer; P. 0. Hinesville; he 
was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, either in 
1806 or 1807, the family record being lost in the 
sinking ship ; he, with his parents and three brothers, 
James, Christopher and George, emigrated to Ohio 
about the year 1813 or 1814, embarking at Londonderry 
on the sailing vessel Bohannon, everything passing as 
pleasant as a marriage bell until midnight of the forty- 
second day, when the vessel struck a rock, near Yar- 
mouth, Nova Scotia ; instantly all on board were fear- 
ful with anxiety and excitement; John Carothers, father 
of the subject of this sketch, was talking with the cap- 
tain at the time of the accident, both fearing she was 
lost; a council was called at once, Mr. C. Sr., being 
one of the twelve composing it, succeeded, in connec- 
tion with the second mate, Buchannan, in saving every 
soul on board, all else being lost; launching the life- 
boats, the command was to allow only women and chil- 
dren to leave the sinking ship, while the sterner sex 
remained to the last, though some disguised in women's 
apparel succeeded in leaving with the former ; very 
soon they observed what appeared in the dark to be a 
cloud, and, on sending four sailors out, they returned 
with the joyful news of land, leaving one sailor to sig- 
nal ; the island was composed of about four acres — by 
name Mud Island — and adjacent to Yarmouth. After 
landing all safe on this island, they hoisted a white 
sheet as a signal of distress ; thinking it would not be 
noticed, a lady took off her red flannel petticoat and 
attached to it, when the signal of distress was again 
hoisted, and about 10 o'clock a British man-of-war hove 
in sight,taking all on board, landing passengers and crew 
at Yarmouth, where they remained about two weeks, 
when they again boarded a vessel, and landed at Phil- 
adelphia during the month of July, their destination 
being Guernsey Co., Ohio, where Mr. Carothers re- 
mained with his parents, receiving his education at the 



district schools, having to go five miles. About Octo- 
ber, 1837, he emigrated to old Richland (now Crawford 
Co.), Ohio, purchasing 165 acres of land, where he still 
resides. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Laird, was 
born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, April 24, 1834. 
They have eight children, five of whom are living — 
John, Robert, George, James and Morton, all intelli- 
gent men, who take a general interest in the affairs of 
the country. John enlisted in the 1st Nebraska Regi- 
ment; James, iu the 120th 0. V. I., and Morton with 
the 100-day boys ; all returned home an honor to their 
parents and country. The subject of this sketch is a 
man of remarkable memory and powerful constitution ; 
he has had an eventful life, and after all its variations 
he is passing the remainder of life in comfort, peace 
and plenty. 
. EATON, BENJAMIN, mail agent, Crestline ; he was 
born May 4, 1821, in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, and 
came to this county in, December 1848. He was mar- 
ried Jan. 13, 1849, to Miss Harriet A. Martin, daugh- 
ter of the late John Martin, of Millersburg. Mr. Eaton 
resided in Millersburg until i860, when he removed to 
Crestline, where he served as Provost Marshal during 
the late war ; he was appointed mail agent in 1865 
and yet holds the place, proving him to be an effective 
and trusty employe. 

FROUNFELTER. ADAM, carpenter and joiner, Crest- 
line ; was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Jan. 13, 1809, 
and removed with his father, John Frounfelter, to the 
vicinity of Mansfield, in 1826 ; after working a few 
years at his trade, he bought and converted into town 
lots 10 acres of land which formed part of the village of 
Newcastle ; he erected the first hotel in the place ; 
in 1834, he sold the hotel and bought 40 acres of land 
near Millsboro, sold it and bought a lot and built a 
house and shop in the village, where he carried on 
cabinet-making for fourteen years; he then bought, 
improved and sold first 6 acres and afterward 11^ 
acres adjoining the village of Ontario ; in 1865, he 
bought and removed to the 15-acre lot adjoining the 
town of Crestline, where he now resides ; having erected 
a fine house and made other improvements, he is well 
fixed for a comfortable living. He was married Oct. 
31, 1834, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late John Mar- 
tin, proprietor of the village of Millsboro, and one of 
the leading citizens of the township till his death in 
1848. Mr. Frounfelter has always been an active 
Democrat; was Postmaster at Ontario under the ad- 
ministration of President Buchanan, and says he hopes 
to live long enough to assist in electing another Demo- 
cratic President of the United States. 

OGDEN, DAVID, carpenter and millwright, now a 
Justice of the Peace in Crestline ; was born in Knox 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1819 ; he removed with his father to 
this county in 1825, settling first near Lexington, and 
removing, in 1828, to the land on which Crestline is now 
located, then a dense forest ; Sandusky Township was 
then six miles square and contained but few inhabitants ; 
for several years, the only school in the township was 
kept at a private house ; after the settlers had become 
more numerous, a meeting was held at Mr. Ogden's 
house to agree upon a site for a schoolhouse, and, to 
satisfy all, it was resolved to divide the township into 
two school districts, and erect two log schoolhouses, 



■^ 



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938 



BIOGEArHICAL SKETCHES: 



instead of one ; so rapid was the increase of the popula- 
tion that in a few years other schoolhouses were built 
and several schools were in progress in the township. 
Crestline was commenced in 1850, the first passenger 
train on the railroad having reached that point in Janu- 
ary of that year. Mr. Ogden erected the first frame 
building in the village, and the first barn raised in the 
township without whisky was on the Ogden farm. 

REED, JAMES M., now a grocer of Crestline, but 
for many years a prominent farmer and .Justice of the 
Peace of Sandusky Township, was born in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., on May 28, 1814, and removed with his 
father's family to the farm upon which Reedsburg was 
afterward laid ofiF, in Wayne Co., Ohio, and from there 
to the vicinity of Crestline in April, 1847, where he 
served for twenty-one years as Justice of the Peace of 
Sandusky Township. In 1875, he removed to Crestline, 
was again elected Justice of the Peace, and is now sup- 
plying the people with family groceries, and is one of 
the leading citizens of the place. 

TYLER, SILAS, farmer, Crawford Co., 111.; he was 
born Oct. 30, 1796, in Wayne Co., Penn. He was mar- 
ried June 11, 1820, to Elcy A. Austin; afterward, he 
resided in Sullivan and in Tompkins Co., N. Y.; he 
settled in Richland County in October, 1837 ; he kept 
the hotel at Ontario two years ; then removed to the 
80-acre tract of land now owned by James S. Trimble, 
for which he paid |750 ; after improving the land, he 
sold it to Mr. Trimble for |4,000 in 1865. His wife 
died Sept. 3, 1864, and in September, 1865, the old 
gentlemen removed to Crawford Co., 111., where he now 



lives, being 84 years of age. He was married the 
second time in 1865, his wife is yet living ; he and his 
first wife raised a family of seven children, five of whom 
are living. Bezaleel, one of the sons, is an influential 
citizen of Sandusky Township ; he is married to Mary 
A., daughter of John Sheffer. Nathan L., another, is 
conductor on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R.; he is mar- 
ried to a daughter of J. M. Reed, and lives in Crest- 
line. 

WILLIAMS, JESSE, Justice of the Peace, Crestline ; 
was born in Jefiferson Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1806, and re- 
moved with his father, Thomas Williams, to the land 
now owned by Christian O'Rourk, near the Spring Mill, 
in this county, in 1818. The land had been purchased 
of Rolin Weldon in 1817, and in that year the fath- 
er and his oldest son, John, had come to the premises, 
erected a cabin and cleared a few acres of ground, on 
which they had raised corn. Jesse, after assisting in 
clearing up the farm, now one of the best in the neigh- 
borhood, embraced every opportunity then attainable 
to procure such an education as would qualify him as a 
school teacher, which was his occupation for about ten 
years. He was married on Sept. 15, 1829, to Miss 
Eliza Bailey, then residing in Springfield Township ; 
she was born in Allegheny Co., Penn., on .Jan. 10, 1811 ; 
Squire Williams has been eight times elected to the 
office of Justice of the Peace, and twice as County 
Auditor, besides holding other positions of honor, and 
the old gentleman says he hopes to live long enough to 
assist in electing a Democratic President of the United 
States. 



POLK TOWNSHIP, CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



REED, SAMUEL J., farmer ; was born in Oxford 
Co., Me., Dec. 13, 1809, and was married Sept. 6, 
1832, to Miss Elizabeth Jackson ; he removed with his 
father's family to this county in 1823, and settled in 
that part of Sandusky now forming Polk Township, 
Crawford Co., where a cabin was erected in the woods, 
and where the family commenced clearing up the forest 
and converting the wilderness into fertile fields. Mr. 



Reed first earned enough money, by hard work, to en- 
ter 80 acres of land, and, by his indomitable energy 
and industry, continued to add to his farm till he be- 
came the owner of 411 acres of most excellent land, 
now well improved, and proved himself to be one of 
the most successful farmers in the county. Four of his 
children are married, and living in the vicinity of their 
parents. 



ASHLAND, ASHLAND COUNTY. 



ABRAMS, JAMES S., was born in Ashland Co., in 
the month of January, 1855, where he has since resided. 
He is by profession a painter, having finished his trade 



in 1875 ; he is considered by all to be proficient at his 
business and enjoys the respect of those in the com- 
munity in which he resides. 






A' 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



939 



HANOVER TOWNSHIP, ASHLAND COUNTY. 



BULL, JOHN W., Loudonville. The grandfather of 
Mr. Bull was born and educated in Dublin, Ireland. 
and his grandmother in Manchester, England. George 
W. Bull, the father of J. W., ran away from home when 
11 years of age, and went to sea; in his roving, he 
visited America at the age of 17; came west to the then 
wilderness of Ohio and entered several quarter-sec- 
tions of land in what are now Greene and Lake Town- 
ships, Ashland Co., after which he returned to a sea- 
faring life, becoming a captain and vessel-owner. Be- 
coming tired of the sea, he came to America for the 
purpose of making it his permanent home, settling first 
in Hartford, Conn., in 1816, and removing, in 1817, to 
the southwest quarter of Sec. 1, in Greene Township. 
Here, in 1822, he married, and here he raised a family 
of seven children — George F., Sarah Jane, Mariah, 
Mary, Phebe, Emily and J. W. He was a man of much 
influence among the early pioneers, a large landholder, 
and, soon after his arrival, engaged in shipping pork, 
flour, whisky and other produce by flatboats to New 



Orleans ; after the sale of a cargo in that city, he would 
usually sell his boats and set out on foot for home, 
walking sometimes as far as Nashville, where he would 
purchase a horse on which to complete the journey. 
In 1839, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which of- 
fice he held fifteen years ; in 1848, he was elected to 
the General Assembly, serving two terms in the House 
and one in the Senate. He was of stoat build, a very 
forcible talker, a man of decision, good judgment, 
great energy and independence of character. His son, 
the subject of this sketch, was engaged in railroading 
thirteen years, first as route agent and then as con- 
ductor, after which he resided in Fort Wayne, Ind., a 
few years, engaged in the hotel business ; during this 
time, he was a member of the Council of that city. He 
subsequently returned to Greene Township to live, and 
was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now 
holds. In 1877, he was elected to the Sixty-third Gen- 
eral Assembly, and is now (February, 1880) a member 
of the Sixty-fourth. 



GREEN TOWNSHIP, ASHLAND COUNTY. 



RICE, ALEXANDER, Perryville ; was born in 
Montpelier, Vt., Aug. 2, 1801 ; he was the eldest son of 
Capt. Ebenezer Rice, who moved from Willsboro, Essex 
Co., N. Y., to Ohio, in 1810, stopping from November 
until February, 1811, in Newark, Licking Co. ; then he 
came on to Green Township, Richland Co., and located 
on his land near Perryville. Capt. Rice died June, 
182], and his widow became the second wife of Judge 
Thomas Coulter. Alexander owns the old farm ; he has 
been twice married, and has three daughters and three 
sons living. Of all the old pioneers who have lived to 



see the wilderness of the West bloom like unto a gar- 
den, none are more content, more happy, or freer from 
the ills of old age than he. Ebenezer Rice was boi-n in 
Marlboro, Mass., in 1773 ; was the eldest son of Samuel 
Rice, who was the son of Gershom, who was the son of 
Ephraim, who was the son of Thomas, who was the son 
of Edmund and Tamazine Rice, who came from Bark- 
hampstead, England, in 1638, and lived and died in Sud- 
bury, Mass. The old homestead, with its broad meadows 
and beautiful spring, is still in possession of the Rice 
family. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



BAUGHMAN, DANIEL, Charlotte, Mich. He came 
with his brother John and his family to Lexington 
Richland Co., in May, 1827; Samuel Baughman had 
settled in Millersburg, in Springfield Township, three 
years before, where he was also followed the next 
year by Isaac and Joseph Baughman, and thus the 
other Baughmans found relatives near them on their 
arrival in this, then the " Far West." In 1828, 
Jacob, Henry and Adam Baughman came, with 
Daniel's mother, and settled at Lexington. The en- 
tire family of Baughmans were from Cumberland 
Co., Penn.; of those mentioned, Joseph now lives 



in Fairfield Co., Ohio ; Jacob in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, 
and Henry in Chai-lotte, Mich.; Adam died at Lexing- 
ton in January, 1844 ; John, at the same place, in Au- 
gust, 1863. A son of Daniel Baughman, Adelbert D., 
is now a merchant in Charlotte, Mich. 

BEELMAN, J. FRANK, editor and proprietor of .the 
Advertiser, Plymouth ; was born in Plymouth July 
31, 1847 ; was raised and educated here and has grown 
up with the town ; when in 1869, he, together with 
Mr. Webber, opened up a book and notion stoi'e, under 
the firm name of Webber & Beelman, when, in August, 
1872, he disposed of his interest in the book store and 



TT 



-^ 



940 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



became associated with and in the Plymouth Adver- 
tiser oflBce, with his brother, J. M. Beelman, and in 
1876, sold back to J. M. Beelman, and in December, 
1876, he purchased the office and became sole proprie- 
tor, since which time the Advertiser has been on a 
solid and firm basis, and has a circulation and support 
second to no other paper in the county ; as to the 
jobbing department, it is complete as all can testify 
who have occasion to patronize it. On Oct. 8, 1874, 
was married to Miss Frank Gipson, a resident of 
Plymouth; and as a result of this union, they have 
one child, Grace W., born Oct. 10, 1876. Mr. B. is one 
of the first and foremost men in town, as the success of 
the Advertiser shows him to be, a thorough-going busi- 
ness man ; he is Secretary of the Plymouth Agricult- 
ural Society, Township Clerk, and has occupied other 
offices in the gift of the people, and with all, is a man 
well worthy the position he holds in society. 

OBERLE, FRANCIS J., REV., Pastor Roman Catholic 
Church, Shelby; Rev. Francis J. Oberle, was born in 
New York City May 7, 18.32 ; he was educated in the 
Parochical School Church of the " Holy Redeemer," 
till at the age of 12 years : he then commenced the 
study of Latin and languages in New York City, and 
soon after went to the St. Charles College, Maryland, 
where he remained three years, finishing up his classi- 
cal course in 1855 ; he then entered the mission society, 
and remained in this connection for about sixteen years ; 
during this period, he completed his full course of 
study, while traveling extensively through the West, and 
elsewhere; during the war of 1861-65, was Chaplain 
of the "Irish Brigade," under "Mulligan" from 
Chicago, 111., and still later became connected with the 
hospitals in Cumberland, Md. ; in 1877, he came 
to Shelby, Ohio, from New York City, and being a man 
of fine education, and considerable executive ability, 
has done much toward establishing the Roman Catholic 
Church in this place ; his energy and perseverance, 
with tact to accomplish, has enabled him, to not only 
overhaul the church, but to erect a residence on 
architectural plans, adapted to the best interest of the 
church, and the people at large. 

LOOSE, NATHANIEL H., Rev. Pastor Reformed 
Church, Bellevue, Ohio ; was born near Bloomfield, 
Perry Co., Penn., Sept. 5, 1834 ; he is the oldest son 
of Peter Loose and Ann Mary Ranch, now residing 
near Wyoming, Del. When about 4 years of age, he 
with his parents moved to near Greencastle, Penn., and 
in 1846, settled in Monroe Co., Mich,; in 1853, he entered 
Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio and graduated in the sci- 
entific course in 1857: he was ordained to the ministry of 
the Reformed Church in 1858. He was married the same 
year, by Dr. M. Kiefifer, to Miss Alma T. Kroh, of 
Tiffin ; four sons were born to them, one of whom is 
dead. Ursinus K., the oldest, is now in the National 
Exchange Bank, Tiffin ; Alvin and Clarence are attend- 
ing school. Rev. Loose's first charge was at Sugar Grove, 
Fairfield Co., Ohio ; continued there five years ; settled 
at Shelby in 1863, and continued fourteeti years. While 
at Shelby, he was for six years a member of the School- 
Board and its President during the erection of the high 
school building ; he always entertained a lively interest 
in the institutions and people of the town and vi- 
cinity. In August, 1877, he took charge of St. Paul's Re- 



formed Church, Bellevue, Ohio, where he is now living. 

McQUOAVN, DAVID A. (deceased) ; was born in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn., July 16, 1813; at an early 
age, his father removed with his family, to Belmont Co., 
Ohio, and from there to Richland County ; some time 
between the years of 1820 and 1830 ; the exact date is 
not known. He was married to Mary Patterson, of 
Lexington, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1835, by Rev. Adam Torrence, 
at that time a Presbyterian minister living in Lexing- 
ton ; they had seven children — William, Leonidas, 
Margret Jane, Mary L., Thomas P., Andrew and War- 
ren, all of whom are living, except AViUiam and Margaret 
Jane. Mr. McQuown was Justice of the Peace in and 
for Troy Township, for the period of twenty-one years, 
or seven terms ; he was noted as the first Whig Justice 
of Troy Township ; some of the brightest local talent of 
Central Ohio was often engaged in trying cases in his 
office, and such young lawyers as Hon. John Sherman, 
Samuel J. Kirkwood (now United States Senator from 
Iowa), Hon. Thomas W. Bartly (now residing in Wash- 
ington, D. C), Hon. George W. Geddes, Hon. James 
Stewart (afterward Judge Stewart), Barnabus Burns, 
and others. Mr. McQuown served several times as 
Mayor of the village of Lexington, and took a promi- 
nent part as a local Whig and Republican politician. 
After his removal to Michigan, he served several years 
as Justice of the Peace. He died in West Windsor, 
Eaton Co., Mich., Feb. 16, 1879. 

NEWMAN, JACOB, dealer in marble and granite, 
La Grange, Ind. He was born in Richland Co., in 1832 ; 
at the age of 17 years, he moved with his parents to 
Williams Co., remaining there three years ; at the end 
of that time, he returned to Mansfield and engaged as 
clerk in the store of E. & C. Hedges, until the following, 
spring, when he went to La Grange, where he now 
resides. In September, 1861, Mr. Newman enlisted in 
Co. H, 44th, Ind. V. I., and was elected Second Lieu- 
tenant ; he commanded the company at Shiloh, April 6, 
1862, where he was desperately wounded, being shot 
through the body, a wound that at first was considered 
certainly mortal, and one from which the surgeons 
declared not one man in a thousand could survive ; he, 
however, recovered ; Mr. N. was promoted Captain of 
the company (commission dating from the day of the 
battle), but his wound disabled him from further 
service, and he resigned Nov. 14, 1862, and returned 
home. In 1863, he was appointed Deputy Provost Mar- 
shal for La Grange County, of the Fourth District of 
Indiana, and as such had charge of the enrollment of 
the county. He was elected County Treasurer in 1864, 
and re-elected in 1866 ; since the expiration of the last 
term, he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits, and 
is now dealing in marble and granite. 

SMITH, GEORGE H., Goodland, Benton Co., Ind. 
He was born in Jackson Township, Richland Co., Ohio, 
Feb. 22, 1844, remaining with his parents until 1861, 
when he enlisted in Company H, 64th 0. V. I., 
better known as the Sherman Brigade, C. R. LorS 
commanding company ; he participated in the follow- 
ing engagements : Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Perry- 
ville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, and in the 
Atlanta campaign, until the 16th of June ; while on the 
skirmish line in front of Kenesaw Mountain, he received 
a gunshot-wound in the left forearm, severing the main 



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MISCELLANEOUS. 



941 



artery, which disabled him for the rest of the campaign ; 
also was in the Army of the Cumberland ; served under 
Gens. Grant, Thomas, Sherman, Sheridan and Rosecrans; 
the subject of this sketch veteranized in 1864, and 
was discharged Jan. 1 ; on his return home he rented 
his grandfather's farm, where he remained about four 
years and then went to Benton Co., Ind., and pur- 
chased 80 acres of land, on which he has made his 
home. Aug. 27, 1874, he married Miss M. E. Drake, 
of Jacken Township, taking his wife to Indiana ; they 
have one child, Anna. Mr. Smith's grandfather, 
John Smith, emigrated to Ohio, from Pennsylvania, 



with his family in 1835, locating near where he now 
lives, with his son George Smith, Sr.; he is past the 
age of 90, and is the oldest man living in the township; 
he was married to Miss Susan Wise ; they had eight 
children, four of whom are living. The father of the 
subject of this notice, has remained in Richland Co., 
since he came from Cumberland Co., Penn., where he 
was from October, 1820, except two years when he was 
at Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Miss A. Miller in 
1842. Mr. Smith the subject of this sketch is a genial 
honest man, and has a reputation that cannot be ex- 
celled. 




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ERRATA 



P^e 787 — David Light should be Ira Light. 

Page 613, lines 10 and 11, Joseph H. Brown, Second Lieutenant, should read First Lieutenant; 
Peter Sterritt, First Lieutenant, should read Second Lieutenant. Line 14, the word Orderly should 
be Corporal. 

Page 816 — Samuel Aic should be Samuel An. 

In Chapter XXVIII, the name Levi Franghiser should read Levi Bargahiser. 

Page 872, the name Samuel H. Trangcr .should read Samuel H. Trauger. 



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